Where to Start with the Voodoo?

Question for today: Where does one begin with the Voodoo? Spells? Oils? Candles?

This is a very good question. So many people think of Voodoo as simply a system of magick, which is truly tragic. It is so much more than magic. As I have said before, it is a way of life for those who believe.

The preconception of Voodoo as simply a system of magic is understandable given the manner in which it is protrayed in popular media as well as on many websites. The focus is typically on what "it" can do for you and how quickly and effectively "it:" can do it. Alternately, the focus is on what a person can do with "it" to change people, places, and things.

Sure, there is a lot that can be done with "it". But first, it is a good idea to know what "it" is, dontcha think?

For those of you who already know, bear with me. This post addresses those who are not in the know.

When I speak of Voodoo, I speak from the tradition in which I am familiar, and that is New Orleans Voodoo. This is the tradition into which I was born, and all of my responses to questions are couched within this context.

Voodoo is a religion first; though, the religion does include a magickal tradition. Voodoo is a way of interacting with the world; it is a tradition based on healing and walking in harmony with the forces of nature - earth, wind, fire, and water. It is a tradition in which we acknowledge the interrelatedness of all things, and we acknowledge the world of the Visible as well as the Invisible. We acknowledge our relationships with self, family and community, and with our ancestors past, and our ancestors yet to come.

So where is the magick?

Well, I never recommend starting with the magick, because the magick is irrelevant if there is no relationship with our ancestors. If you are just starting out, forget the candles, the oils, and the spells. I recommend a person starts with the ancestors.

The ancestors are not just my ancestors...those with whom I am related by virtue of blood. The ancestors include all of those who have gone on before us - universal, archetypal, yours, mine, and ours.

Answer to today's question: You start with your ancestors. Make an ancestral altar and develop a relationship with them. The rest will be shown to you.

To learn how to create an ancestral altar and the basics of ancestor reverence, join Planet Voodoo's Conjure Corner where you can find all of that information and much, much more.

Can I Change the Past with a Voodoo Doll or Magic?

Every once in awhile (okay more than once in awhile) I am asked a question about changing something that has happened in the past. Some of those requests I can understand; for example, when someone would like to change the fact that they were abused. This is just evidence that the person is in a lot of emotional distress and in need of support from a professional, not a voodoo doll. As effective a spellcaster as I am, I am not that good. But boy if I were, I would change the world.


However, there are some things people ask for that is just evidence of a person who does not want to take personal responsibility for the choices or actions that have made in the past. Even if I could change those situations I wouldn't because sometimes we need to face the music, as it were, in order to never repeat the mistake again.


So here is a question I was asked recently and my response to the question:


Question

I recently failed college and was suspended as a result. I need my grades changed in my university's system and make everyone forget that I was ever flunked and then make my university think they made a mistake then reinstate me as a student. I need to change it so I made a 3.7 each semester.

Answer

Unfortunately, I think your request is unrealistic. Magick isn’t magic like the kind you see in Bewitched or Harry Potter, it is an art that works in tandem with Universal forces to manipulate situations to a desired end. However, that desired end needs to be realistic. What you are wanting is to change the past and something that has already happened and that can’t be done. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you and is just ripping you off, so think long and hard about hopping from spellcaster to spellcaster until you find someone who says what you want to hear.

Surely there is another course of action you can take, albeit a harder one. Sometimes, it is necessary to face things head on and do what you need to do to change it, instead of wishing upon a star.


Now, I know this person is going to go to another spellcaster and ask the same question and that other spellcaster will take a lot of money from this person and do a spell for them. And, it won't work. The person will not only have a lot of anxiety about their situation, they will also be out of a lot of money.

I could have easily preyed upon this person's vulnerability, but that is not how I operate. Unfortunately, not everyone shares the same ethics as I do.

What does arms and legs tied up on a voodoo doll mean?

Question of the day: What does arms and legs tied up on a voodoo doll mean?

a. The doll is tied up at the moment and can't see you
b. Someone had nothing better to do than to tie up a doll
c. The doll's creator is into S&M

See the answer at WikiAnswers

How NOT to Ask Voodoo Mama a Question

It's been quite awhile since I have posted anything on this blog simply because my attentions have been elsewhere. This doesn't mean I haven't been asked any questions, that's for sure. In fact, every day someone is asking something, and depending on the question and the amount of extra time I have (which frankly is zero at this point in time and has been that way for a LONG time)  I may or may not answer.

My question for today's discussion is: Are you serious? 

Let me explain something...I have over 10,000 combined subscribers for my email lists and newsletters. The reason I started my first email list is because I receive hundreds of emails every day, many of which are similar questions. This gives me a good idea of the kind of information people are seeking. So, I write several blogs and created several email lists that are specific to certain things people want to know. That way, I don't have to answer every email with the same answer which is extremely time consuming and is essentially providing consultation services for free. I do not work for free. I bet you don't either! But you may be surprised at the number of people who seem to think I do nothing all day long but sit on my computer shooting emails back and forth with folks. Uhh, no.

Here is a question I recently got that I didn't bother to answer:

Please help me turn into a thong so I can be next to my wife.

Altogether now (please everyone join in with me)... Are you serious?!!!

Now that is an example of the kind of question I will not answer and if I have to explain why, well, I just don't know what to say about that.

Here is another question I get quite frequently (phrased in several different ways), which is both a bit creepy and disturbing:

Do you do death spells?
Can you tell me how to kill someone?
How do I make someone die?

Okay, are you ready? Altogether now...Are you serious?!!!


Now asking me to help you turn into a thong and asking me to kill someone for you (really?) or to tell you how to kill someone (REALLY?) are just two types of questions for which I can guarantee you will not receive a response. So please, don't bother...REALLY.

And then there are folks who have a sense of entitlement. Like, because they ask a question I SHOULD answer...just because.

Sometimes I will answer, just because, if I have time. Most of the time I answer if the email is from a customer. In fact, I always try to answer customer emails. If I don't, it is because a) my ADD has gotten the best of me and has me off doing something else, or b) the email has been buried under a hundred others and I just didn't see it. That's why I tell folks they can reach me at my forum on Conjure Corner, or try me on Facebook. I don't have as many emails there and I am more likely to catch it. My really smart customers will email me, then FB me and tell me they emailed me, and sometimes even message me at Conjure Corner. That doesn't bother me at all and in fact I appreciate the effort. Those emails I answer.

But, back to the emails with an air of entitlement. Emails from folks who demand answers from me...just because. Not because they are a friend and I am ignoring them (don't do that and if I did they would have a right to demand an answer from me, but then if they are friend they would likely call me and ask WTF); not because they are a customer and their order is late (they too deserve an answer). Certainly, their demand is not because I told them I would provide consultation services for free (uhh, no, I have paid and continue to pay huge sums of money paying for my degrees...this means I get paid for my time). Joining one of my newsletters or email lists does not mean free consultation services are included. Really, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.

But some people...well, for example, I recently got this question (three times) from someone:

First email: CONTACT AND HELP Do you have a news letter????? and how do I get revenge on someone.
This person attempts to intimidate me and...

Obviously this person know s I have a newsletter because they email me from the newsletter sign-up page. Uhh, no time to help you seek revenge especially when another part of the email states all landlord cares about is rent and of course he's black. What does that mean? NEXT...

Second email: YOUR NO ANSWER AND SO NO HELP Do you have a news letter????? and how do I get revenge on someone. This person attempts to intimidate me and ...all landlord cares about is rent and of course he's black.

THANK YOU,

FOR NO HELP

xx

 Is it any wonder I don't answer this email? Altogether now...Are you serious?!!!

Third email: HELP Do you have a news letter????? and how do I get revenge on someone. This person attempts to intimidate me and ...all landlord cares about is rent and of course he's black.

Okay, now he's pissing me off. So I respond, most assuredly not the response he is seeking. Still, I give him a little information.

Yes, I have several newsletters. But that doesn’t mean I am available for personal consultation at a whim and frankly, you have come across as demanding and a bit rude, which is why I haven’t responded.

Depending on which newsletter you are subscribed to, there are several of these kinds of spells that will come through your email. That is the reason I have the newsletters, because I simply cannot answer every email I get as I get hundreds.

Take a look at this page on my website and this should give you a few ideas:

http://www.planetvoodoo.com/voodoo-doll-curses.htm

blessings,

Denise

Was I too easy on him? Yeah, I think I was. But I didn't want to engage this person so as to get more emails from him. I bet he emails me back...damn, my mistake. I should have just tossed him in the junk pile. Next time...