If you Ask Me This, You're Gonna Get a Big, Fat NO!

It's not often that I post twice in a given day, but today I'm on a roll. A while back I wrote a post about how NOT to ask Voodoo Mama a question. I gave some good examples and discussed why those kinds of questions are not the kind I will take the time to answer. So far this year, I haven't gotten any new "Are you Kidding?" kinds of questions...until recently, that is.

Here is a question I got recently in my inbox:
 
"Good afternoon I need ur help please I wanna cast a spelling for abortion for my girlfriend please help us I don't know how to contact you"

Now, here's the thing...I am very aware of the fact that there are people who investigate psychics and other metaphysical websites and people who offer spellcasting services. One way this is done is by emailing the person they wish to investigate with some sort of "Are you kidding?" kind of question to see how you will respond. I admit, that is quite clever. I have apparently passed these kinds of bogus inquiries before with flying colors. But you never know if the question posed is legit (in terms of it being submitted by a real person who is just asking for something outlandish) or a set up by some well-meaning scam buster. The above question is so outlandish that it makes me go "hmmm."

One thing that screams red flag to me is the last part of the inquiry "...I don't know how to contact you"...really? Didn't you just email me?

Don't get me wrong - there are plenty of just plain stupid requests I receive from unenlightened individuals. There was the bizarre "can you turn me into my wife's panties?" The unrealistic "I want to win the lottery", the ridiculous "I want every woman I come in contact with to want to have sex with me" and the ever elusive goal "I want my ex back".

Then there are the questions that differ from the others, such as the one about making a woman suffer an abortion because someone doesn't want to be a baby daddy. This request is so loaded with ethical and moral implications that I felt the need to share it with my readers.

What about you? Have you gotten any outlandish types of requests such as the ones I have mentioned? Because I know it can't just be me.

I'm Quite Young and If My Parents Found Out...

Dear Voodoo Mama,
I need your help to know how to make a vodo doll and use spells on it I'm quite young and if my parents found out I would get in trouble I'm 12 and I've been wanting to do this for a while I would like and email back if possible
Sent from my iPod=

I have a couple of issues with this request. First, I don't believe for a second this is from a 12 year old. What 12 year old do you know describes themselves as "quite young"?

Let this be a warning to those who work in the spiritual professions, especially of a metaphysical nature and ESPECIALLY Voodoo/Vodou/Hoodoo/Witchcraft/Conjure. There are people who pose as underage people and try to solicit responses form folks like this. Some people do it because they are legitimately concerned for young people who may be asking for help from anyone on the internet and certainly there are many so-called Voodoo workers who stop at nothing to take advantage of people for a buck. If you are in this field legitimately, be sure to carefully read your emails and always be sure to adhere to your ethics. If you don't have any ethical boundaries regarding yourg folks, it's time to create them.

I have worked with young people but always with the permission of the child's parents. I have had parents approach me and ask me for consultations. I recently had a young person want to learn some things who approached me on Facebook. It wasn't until I spoke to the person's mother and got her permission that I answered some questions posed. I gave mom my phone number so she could call me any time with questions. I have received phone calls and everything has been fine.

In fact, no young person I have worked with has ever presented any problems at all. The only issues I have ever had was with some meddlin' people (adults with an agenda) on Facebook who can't seem to keep their noses out of my business and thrive in making a public spectacle out of their delusional ideas about me and others they don't like. One of these people has no boundaries whatsoever and doesn't think twice about dragging children through the mud in order to satisfy her penchant for revenge.

So the first issue is one of believability. Is it really a 12 year old? Second, how to respond. IF you think it is really a youngster looking for guidance, be sure to tell them you need parental consent. Most of the time you won't get a response back. If you do, be prepared to be sure the "parent" is actually the parent and not another friend posing as the parent.

Since I do not believe this person is a real young person with a concern, I won't be answering the email. I get about 100 emails every day and I simply don't have time to answer them all and I certainly don't have time to respond to a probable spy like this one. NEXT...