Hoodoo Questions

[aranarose]

We've got the thread for recommended reading, though we could use a thread for questions on Hoodoo. That's where my strongest knowledge is, though there's still so much for me to learn! I have vague knowledge of Vodou, and absolutely no knowledge of Santeria and Palo.

So, what are your questions about Hoodoo? I'll try to answer them the best I can, and hopefully we can get some of the other more knowledgeable people (ahem... Shay...) in here to answer questions as well :)

[DixieWitch]

So, what are your questions about Hoodoo? I'll try to answer them the best I can, and hopefully we can get some of the other more knowledgeable people (ahem... Shay...) in here to answer questions as well :)

I guess my first question would be where is the best place to get started? I've got a teacher that I correspond with through the email, but she has a very busy life, so I only hear from her 2-3 times a week, if that. I've gotten to the point of putting up an ancestor altar, but that's it. Where do I go from here? I've been looking into books and websites, but I don't want this to go downhill like my last attempt did! I spent 15+ years as a Pagan, the last 10 of those trying to figure out which path I belonged on. I KNOW this one is for me and that is why I am so adamant about finding someone to help me and learning all that I can for now. I know I can't expect to learn everything over night or over the next year. But I don't care...I want to learn!!

[aranarose]

The books listed in the recommended books thread are an awesome start :)

The way I got started was to cleanse my house, set up my altar, and then start doing some of the simple protections and blessings that I was learning. I worked to make it a part of my everyday life, because Hoodoo becomes a part of who you are very quickly.

One GREAT place to start is Sticks, Stones, Roots, and Bones. She lays the book out in a way that is sort of a plan for building your own practice, and I loved it.

I learned a little bit from my grandmother, but not much, as she was in Arkansas most of my life, and by the time she came up to live permanently in Michigan, I was an adult with a complicated life.

I also learned a lot from the woman that taught me to read Tarot. God... Dot was a crazy old bitch and I miss her so much!!!! She grew up in Louisiana, and came to Michigan with her husband back in the day when GM was getting big and hiring like crazy. She outlived him and two more husbands!

She always told me there is no right or wrong. You have to do what feels right and comfortable, because if you don't feel it, it won't work. She pointed out that while certain things might have traditional associations to them, if you associate it with something else, it won't work as intended, because your mindset is more important.

You CANNOT be queasy about ANYTHING if you're practicing Hoodoo :lol: A LOT of the tricks get VERY personal in what they use. Body fluids are an important part, and that means ALL of the bodily fluids and excretions.

Your ancestral altar is a GREAT start. Keep adding to it. I've got my altar, have had it for a long time, but I've decided that I need more space :lol: It's so cluttered right now, and that's okay, Hoodoo altars have a tendency to get cluttered the more you add to them, but I don't have room to add anything else! So soon, I'm hoping to have my husband help me build a large three-tier altar with a cabinet for storage underneath it.

I constantly have various little spells/tricks and things going. My most common is a peace and harmony lamp. I have one of those old-fashioned hurricane lamps, the one with a long wick that you raise or lower to control the flame, and that run on kerosene or lamp oil. In the base, I place my various herbs and curios, depending on the purpose of the lamp, and then I add the oil. I let them burn and burn and burn. You have to be careful if you have kids or animals, put them out if they'll be unattended for any length of time, but I've got mine set where nothing can get to them, so I just let it go, adding more oil as necessary.

Also, check your local grocery store and Christian supply store. A great deal of Hoodoo work is associated with various Saints. In the Mexican and African foods sections of my grocery store, they sell Saints candles, and I've even found an Orishas candle there before (used that one for a kick-ass binding/reflection spell!) They are the 7-day kind, meaning once you light them, they will burn for about 7 days. Great, great things.

For dressing those, I bought long wood cooking skewers. I then slide one down along the side of the candle, in the glass, pushing a couple of holes into it. I pack my oils and herbs in that way.

At the Christian supply stores, particular Catholic ones, you can find various Saints cards and other items.

If you find a Lwa calling to you (it happened to me) do as much research as you can and set an altar specific to the Lwa, or add him/her to your existing altar. I've got pink and white and blue jewelry that I made dedicated to Erzulie Freda on an altar with a pink satin cloth :)

Hoodoo sounds complicated, but it's not. Use it when you need it, and when you don't need it, continue to use it and build relationships with the Saints/Lwa. Over time, you'll find yourself working with some a lot more than you do others.

[DixieWitch]

The books listed in the recommended books thread are an awesome start :)

The way I got started was to cleanse my house, set up my altar, and then start doing some of the simple protections and blessings that I was learning. I worked to make it a part of my everyday life, because Hoodoo becomes a part of who you are very quickly.

One GREAT place to start is Sticks, Stones, Roots, and Bones. She lays the book out in a way that is sort of a plan for building your own practice, and I loved it.

I learned a little bit from my grandmother, but not much, as she was in Arkansas most of my life, and by the time she came up to live permanently in Michigan, I was an adult with a complicated life.

I also learned a lot from the woman that taught me to read Tarot. God... Dot was a crazy old bitch and I miss her so much!!!! She grew up in Louisiana, and came to Michigan with her husband back in the day when GM was getting big and hiring like crazy. She outlived him and two more husbands!

She always told me there is no right or wrong. You have to do what feels right and comfortable, because if you don't feel it, it won't work. She pointed out that while certain things might have traditional associations to them, if you associate it with something else, it won't work as intended, because your mindset is more important.

You CANNOT be queasy about ANYTHING if you're practicing Hoodoo :lol: A LOT of the tricks get VERY personal in what they use. Body fluids are an important part, and that means ALL of the bodily fluids and excretions.

Your ancestral altar is a GREAT start. Keep adding to it. I've got my altar, have had it for a long time, but I've decided that I need more space :lol: It's so cluttered right now, and that's okay, Hoodoo altars have a tendency to get cluttered the more you add to them, but I don't have room to add anything else! So soon, I'm hoping to have my husband help me build a large three-tier altar with a cabinet for storage underneath it.

I constantly have various little spells/tricks and things going. My most common is a peace and harmony lamp. I have one of those old-fashioned hurricane lamps, the one with a long wick that you raise or lower to control the flame, and that run on kerosene or lamp oil. In the base, I place my various herbs and curios, depending on the purpose of the lamp, and then I add the oil. I let them burn and burn and burn. You have to be careful if you have kids or animals, put them out if they'll be unattended for any length of time, but I've got mine set where nothing can get to them, so I just let it go, adding more oil as necessary.

Also, check your local grocery store and Christian supply store. A great deal of Hoodoo work is associated with various Saints. In the Mexican and African foods sections of my grocery store, they sell Saints candles, and I've even found an Orishas candle there before (used that one for a kick-ass binding/reflection spell!) They are the 7-day kind, meaning once you light them, they will burn for about 7 days. Great, great things.

For dressing those, I bought long wood cooking skewers. I then slide one down along the side of the candle, in the glass, pushing a couple of holes into it. I pack my oils and herbs in that way.

At the Christian supply stores, particular Catholic ones, you can find various Saints cards and other items.

If you find a Lwa calling to you (it happened to me) do as much research as you can and set an altar specific to the Lwa, or add him/her to your existing altar. I've got pink and white and blue jewelry that I made dedicated to Erzulie Freda on an altar with a pink satin cloth :)

Hoodoo sounds complicated, but it's not. Use it when you need it, and when you don't need it, continue to use it and build relationships with the Saints/Lwa. Over time, you'll find yourself working with some a lot more than you do others.

Thanks for the info! I think I've been drawn to HooDoo because I too am originally from Louisiana. No one in my family ever practiced that I know of though. It's been a spiritual awakening for me!

Speaking of Lwas, is there anything I can do, rituals, prayers, etc to see if there is something I am missing? Like maybe one is calling out to me, but I am totally missing it? This is my biggest concern--connecting with a higher being.

[BlackLili]

Here's one for you, Aranarose -
Washes - for someone who doesn't do much housework (my DH does most of it) - are they necessary?

I've read in some of my hoodoo books that washes are absolutely essential for some people - the only way to really make sure a house or business is clean.

If you use them - why and what are your favorites?

[aranarose]

Thanks for the info! I think I've been drawn to HooDoo because I too am originally from Louisiana. No one in my family ever practiced that I know of though. It's been a spiritual awakening for me!

Speaking of Lwas, is there anything I can do, rituals, prayers, etc to see if there is something I am missing? Like maybe one is calling out to me, but I am totally missing it? This is my biggest concern--connecting with a higher being.

When Erzulie Freda decided to start coming into my life, she made it very, very obvious. I kept coming across her in websites that were totally unrelated, and then recently, since I've sort of pushed her and my spirituality aside to deal with life (bad idea) she's been coming to me in dreams, reminding me that she can help me if I'll let her.

There are many, many, many Lwa and you can cultivate a relationship with each. Also, the Lwa are each associated with Catholic Saints, if that makes it any easier for you to identify with them. It was a protection for practitioners to associate the Lwa with Saints. Who's going to question you if you've got an altar full of Saint candles :)

http://www.rootswithoutend.org/emporium/fredaserv.html is a link that Shay has recommended, and that I've come across several times.

Try a web search on the Lwa and see if any in particular call to you.

I've also been getting called to the other aspect of Erzulie, Erzulie Dantor. Considering what they are both associated with, I suspect that it has to do with what I'm going through in my marriage that they've decided to present themselves to me.

As you begin to gather more supplies and learn more, you will be drawn to some things/beings more than others. Take that as a sign that you're being called to them. Try to learn signs, symbols, creatures associated with each, and when you see those things in your life, you'll know they are signs too.

For instance, St. Theresa is known as the Little Rose. So if you see a lot of roses in odd places, it could be a sign from her.

[DixieWitch]

I was actually instructed to do my own wash for 9 nights before setting up my altar. I mixed a tablespoon of sea salt and a tablespoon of ammonia in a gallon pitcher along with a good splash of smell good stuff! I had to pour it over my body, and once I was done, light a white candle and say a prayer. It got to be such a part of my life in that short 9 mights, than when the 10th night came, I almost did it again, even though I didn't have to.

[DixieWitch]

When Erzulie Freda decided to start coming into my life, she made it very, very obvious. I kept coming across her in websites that were totally unrelated, and then recently, since I've sort of pushed her and my spirituality aside to deal with life (bad idea) she's been coming to me in dreams, reminding me that she can help me if I'll let her.

There are many, many, many Lwa and you can cultivate a relationship with each. Also, the Lwa are each associated with Catholic Saints, if that makes it any easier for you to identify with them. It was a protection for practitioners to associate the Lwa with Saints. Who's going to question you if you've got an altar full of Saint candles :)

http://www.rootswithoutend.org/emporium/fredaserv.html is a link that Shay has recommended, and that I've come across several times.

Try a web search on the Lwa and see if any in particular call to you.

I've also been getting called to the other aspect of Erzulie, Erzulie Dantor. Considering what they are both associated with, I suspect that it has to do with what I'm going through in my marriage that they've decided to present themselves to me.

As you begin to gather more supplies and learn more, you will be drawn to some things/beings more than others. Take that as a sign that you're being called to them. Try to learn signs, symbols, creatures associated with each, and when you see those things in your life, you'll know they are signs too.

For instance, St. Theresa is known as the Little Rose. So if you see a lot of roses in odd places, it could be a sign from her.

Well I haven't seen any signs, that I know of!!

Is it okay to contact one on my own? Or should I wait for the call?

[BlackLili]

I was actually instructed to do my own wash for 9 nights before setting up my altar. I mixed a tablespoon of sea salt and a tablespoon of ammonia in a gallon pitcher along with a good splash of smell good stuff! I had to pour it over my body, and once I was done, light a white candle and say a prayer. It got to be such a part of my life in that short 9 mights, than when the 10th night came, I almost did it again, even though I didn't have to.
Hmm, personal washes. I hadn't thought about those although I use them often enough.

I was more talking about floor and wall washes and the like....hence my comment about not doing housework normally.

You used ammonia for a body wash? Ugh. I wouldn't have been able to handle the smell.

What kind of smell good stuff do you prefer, Dixie?

[aranarose]

Here's one for you, Aranarose -
Washes - for someone who doesn't do much housework (my DH does most of it) - are they necessary?

I've read in some of my hoodoo books that washes are absolutely essential for some people - the only way to really make sure a house or business is clean.

If you use them - why and what are your favorites?

I use washes all the time. Don't know where I learned the one I use, Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones has a similar one, so I may have gotten it from there :lol: But a lot of the same info about Hoodoo is repeated EVERYWHERE, so it's hard to say!

1 cup unscented liquid Castile soap
1/2 cup Murphy's oil soap
1 cup distilled water
7 pieces broom corn straws, cut to fit your bottle/jar

I store mine in a mason jar. I use about 1/3 cup of that to a 2-gallon wash bucket filled with hot water.

That's the basic wash formula.

To that, I add various herbs and oils depending on the purpose, and the atmosphere I want to promote.

For example, in my kitchen, I want to encourage health and wellness, but also want that homey feel. I whip up a batch of wash, and add some vanilla beans or vanilla extract to it.

Chinese washes, considered essential to Hoodoo by some, simply add citronella oil, lemon grass oil, and dried lemon grass.

Suppose you want a romantic evening with hubby :) Use rose oil or jasmine oil in the wash and swipe it on areas that are water/oil safe in your bedroom and/or bathroom :)

Nearly any oil or herb can go in there, and there are lots of them available. That's why I use a basic base. My purposes change from time to time, and I can modify my wash to suit.

As to whether or not they are necessary, my response is, "Only if you want them to be." I like the washes, because it gives me a focus in my cleaning. It means I'm paying close attention to the energy that I want in my home, instead of just letting it be there. There are plenty of other ways to achieve that though!

[aranarose]

Well I haven't seen any signs, that I know of!!

Is it okay to contact one on my own? Or should I wait for the call?

If you wait for the call, you may never see the sign! :lol: I'd say yes, it's definitely okay to contact one on your own.

[aranarose]

Hmm, personal washes. I hadn't thought about those although I use them often enough.

I was more talking about floor and wall washes and the like....hence my comment about not doing housework normally.

You used ammonia for a body wash? Ugh. I wouldn't have been able to handle the smell.

What kind of smell good stuff do you prefer, Dixie?

:lol: I probably couldn't handle the ammonia smell either, but I suppose it is VERY cleansing. It's definitely associated with CLEAN and that's the purpose of washes!

[DixieWitch]

If you wait for the call, you may never see the sign! :lol: I'd say yes, it's definitely okay to contact one on your own.

~lol~ Yeah that's what I figured. I just didn't want to try to contact someone and come across as needy or greedy!

[aranarose]

~lol~ Yeah that's what I figured. I just didn't want to try to contact someone and come across as needy or greedy!

Just be prepared to make regular offerings :hehehehe: I got called by a Lwa who's got some pretty fancy tastes... Lots of jewelry, and I have to regularly stock pink champagne for her!

[BlackLili]

Just be prepared to make regular offerings :hehehehe: I got called by a Lwa who's got some pretty fancy tastes... Lots of jewelry, and I have to regularly stock pink champagne for her!
How do you go about determining what sort of offerings your lwa prefer?

[aranarose]

How do you go about determining what sort of offerings your lwa prefer?


I learned that from online research. After finally figuring out just WHO was pushing her way into my life this last year, I looked up absolutely EVERYTHING I could on her. Everything I came across talked about how Erzulie Freda Dahomey LOVES jewelry and sweet stuff, pink champagne, white and pink and gold, rings, necklaces, etc. Basically fancy stuff :lol: Think spoiled princess, and you'll get an idea of what an altar to her should be!

Traditional offerings would be incense, coffee beans, rum, cigars and cigar smoke, and those are often used for many different Lwa.

It probably sounds strange, but listen to your gut when giving offerings. The purpose of an offering is that you are paying attention to the Lwa. They like PHYSICAL things, even though they are spiritual.

[BlackLili]

I learned that from online research. After finally figuring out just WHO was pushing her way into my life this last year, I looked up absolutely EVERYTHING I could on her. Everything I came across talked about how Erzulie Freda Dahomey LOVES jewelry and sweet stuff, pink champagne, white and pink and gold, rings, necklaces, etc. Basically fancy stuff :lol: Think spoiled princess, and you'll get an idea of what an altar to her should be!

Traditional offerings would be incense, coffee beans, rum, cigars and cigar smoke, and those are often used for many different Lwa.

It probably sounds strange, but listen to your gut when giving offerings. The purpose of an offering is that you are paying attention to the Lwa. They like PHYSICAL things, even though they are spiritual.
The altar I have to Mother (not a specific lwa, just sort of a feminine Bondye idea,) also doubles as my space for Ezili (she actually has things hanging from a hook on the ceiling.) From what I've noticed They seem to enjoy pomegranate liqueur and coconut rum - but that could just be me, too.

For Legba, I get the feeling that He doesn't seem to appreciate the Pama as much as the rum - but he's not crazy about the sweet stuff I keep serving the ladies. I've been pondering cigars, twists of raw tobacco, coffee/coffee beans, and rice but... lately I've had the feeling that he's requesting a mange-lwa and I'm not sure exactly what to serve.

Ideas?

[aranarose]

The altar I have to Mother (not a specific lwa, just sort of a feminine Bondye idea,) also doubles as my space for Ezili (she actually has things hanging from a hook on the ceiling.) From what I've noticed They seem to enjoy pomegranate liqueur and coconut rum - but that could just be me, too.

For Legba, I get the feeling that He doesn't seem to appreciate the Pama as much as the rum - but he's not crazy about the sweet stuff I keep serving the ladies. I've been pondering cigars, twists of raw tobacco, coffee/coffee beans, and rice but... lately I've had the feeling that he's requesting a mange-lwa and I'm not sure exactly what to serve.

Ideas?

:lol: Yeah, he would SO not want the girlie stuff :) And I can DEFINITELY see where the girls would enjoy pomegranate and coconut! That sounds delicious to me!


Don't know a lot about Legba, but did find this link:

http://zer0dmx.tripod.com/gods/legba.html amongst many others searching for "offering to legba"

It mentions:



Appropriate offerings to Legba include candy, smoked foods, palm oil, black goats, green bananas, toys, rice, cassava, molasses, candles, rum, roosters, chickens, cigars, cigar smoke, and a rat powder called jutia.

So looking at that list, I'd say a good mange-lwa would be some sort of chicken and rice dish :) Perhaps chicken that's been marinated in a rum an molasses mixture, served over brown rice?

[DixieWitch]

Now that I think back, my teacher gave me a reading over the internet. I had to email her pictures of my hands. She said I had my ancestors around me and Yemaya. So I've spent the past hour researching Yemaya and EVERYTHING I've read about Her, jumps out at me!! I am so serious! I feel a sense of calm come over me by just looking at Her picture. It's like someone hit me in the head with a hammer and my brain went "DUH" this is where it is! This is what I've been waiting for all this time. I've never felt this way before and I'm definitely taking this as a sign!!

Well I guess I know what I have to do now!

[aranarose]

Now that I think back, my teacher gave me a reading over the internet. I had to email her pictures of my hands. She said I had my ancestors around me and Yemaya. So I've spent the past hour researching Yemaya and EVERYTHING I've read about Her, jumps out at me!! I am so serious! I feel a sense of calm come over me by just looking at Her picture. It's like someone hit me in the head with a hammer and my brain went "DUH" this is where it is! This is what I've been waiting for all this time. I've never felt this way before and I'm definitely taking this as a sign!!

Well I guess I know what I have to do now!

See! You just kind of.... know.

ETA: And Yemaya is associated with La Siren in Vodou, who is the third manifestation of Erzulie!

[BlackLili]

So looking at that list, I'd say a good mange-lwa would be some sort of chicken and rice dish :) Perhaps chicken that's been marinated in a rum an molasses mixture, served over brown rice?

I like that. good idea. I'm sure he will be grateful that I'm finally listening. :thumbsup:

[aranarose]

I like that. good idea. I'm sure he will be grateful that I'm finally listening. :thumbsup:

Yeah, when I finally started listening to Erzulie Freda, I got the distinct impression of a woman sighing, "It's about time, girl!"

[Teresa]

http://mysticwicks.com/picture.php?albumid=90&pictureid=1513

This is a picture of Erzulie Freda's Altar.

Below is one of my Favorite Pictures of Yemaya

http://mysticwicks.com/picture.php?albumid=90&pictureid=674

If you live near the ocean, you are blessed. You can take Yemaya offerings to the ocean. If you have an odd earrring without a mate or a pretty necklace that is broken etc save them to use as offerings for Yemaya.

[DixieWitch]

Hmm, personal washes. I hadn't thought about those although I use them often enough.

I was more talking about floor and wall washes and the like....hence my comment about not doing housework normally.

You used ammonia for a body wash? Ugh. I wouldn't have been able to handle the smell.

What kind of smell good stuff do you prefer, Dixie?
BlackLili, the smell good stuff really helped to mask the ammonia smell. I was supposed to use Florida Water, but I could not find it anywhere here and it was expensive to order it over line. (not the Water itself, so much as the shipping) So I was instructed to use any body spray type perfume. I used Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom and Bodycology's Warm Sunburst from Wal-Mart. (it's a sunflower scent).

As far as scents that I prefer, I'm happy with anything that's not strictly vanilla scented or cinnamon. I like B&BW Black Raspberry Vanilla, but not Vanilla alone. I currently own about 10 bottles of body sprays that I use. I pick the scent of the day depending on my mood!! My over all favorite is Haunted House from DarkCandles.com!!!

But yeah, the body wash:
1 tblspn of sea salt
1 tblespn of sudsy ammonia
a good splash of Florida Water or a body spray that smells good

Pour all this in a gallon pitcher of warm water. Pour this mixture on your body starting with down the spine, down each shoulder/arm, then down each hip/leg, then from the neck down the chest. Then a small splash on the forehead and the top of the head. Do this over and over until you've used all the water. The light a white candle and pray for a few minutes afterwards. Allow your body to air dry. I wrapped myself in a towel and sat on one too. Do this for nine nights in a row. It helps to remove negativity. DON"T shave your legs or any other body part the water will touch right before doing the bath as it WILL burn!! I didn't listen when I was told this but I found out the hard way!!


I know luckymojo.com has a lot of floor washes to offer. Also, http://www.indioproducts.com/webstore/ has some aerosol room sprays. One day, I'll be able to buy some of these.

Does anyone have some recipes for making their own floor washes that they'd like to share?

[DixieWitch]

http://mysticwicks.com/picture.php?albumid=90&pictureid=1513

This is a picture of Erzulie Freda's Altar.

Below is one of my Favorite Pictures of Yemaya

http://mysticwicks.com/picture.php?albumid=90&pictureid=674

If you live near the ocean, you are blessed. You can take Yemaya offerings to the ocean. If you have an odd earrring without a mate or a pretty necklace that is broken etc save them to use as offerings for Yemaya.

I don't live near an ocean. But I do have access to a river. Is that an ok place to make an offering?

[aranarose]

You can make your own Florida Water too :) I can't afford to order it, so I make my own. I've got all the oils at home. When my husband was living here, he loved using it in his bath water. Felt great afterwards.

From Luckymojo:



oil of bergamot 3 fluid ounces
oil of lemon 1 fluid ounce
oil of ylang ylang 1 fluid ounce
oil of lavender 1/2 fluid ounce
oil of cinnamon 20 drops
oil of cloves 12 drops
oil of neroli 10 drops
alcohol 1 gallon
rose water 1 pint
(or distilled water plus light rose scent)


http://www.luckymojo.com/floridakanangawater.html

[Artiste-LiLi]

I use washes all the time. Don't know where I learned the one I use, Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones has a similar one, so I may have gotten it from there :lol: But a lot of the same info about Hoodoo is repeated EVERYWHERE, so it's hard to say!

1 cup unscented liquid Castile soap
1/2 cup Murphy's oil soap
1 cup distilled water
7 pieces broom corn straws, cut to fit your bottle/jar

I store mine in a mason jar. I use about 1/3 cup of that to a 2-gallon wash bucket filled with hot water.

That's the basic wash formula.

To that, I add various herbs and oils depending on the purpose, and the atmosphere I want to promote.

For example, in my kitchen, I want to encourage health and wellness, but also want that homey feel. I whip up a batch of wash, and add some vanilla beans or vanilla extract to it.

Chinese washes, considered essential to Hoodoo by some, simply add citronella oil, lemon grass oil, and dried lemon grass.

Suppose you want a romantic evening with hubby :) Use rose oil or jasmine oil in the wash and swipe it on areas that are water/oil safe in your bedroom and/or bathroom :)

Nearly any oil or herb can go in there, and there are lots of them available. That's why I use a basic base. My purposes change from time to time, and I can modify my wash to suit.

As to whether or not they are necessary, my response is, "Only if you want them to be." I like the washes, because it gives me a focus in my cleaning. It means I'm paying close attention to the energy that I want in my home, instead of just letting it be there. There are plenty of other ways to achieve that though!

In the "romance" department lavendar (lavander?) and pumpkin pie scents are good. These have even been studied and shown scientifically to work. The lavendar will also assist in a good nights sleep.

My husband and I laugh all the time about the stuff that they are saying "scientifically proven to work" that they used to call "hoo-haa" and "silliness". Stuff we've known for years.

[Artiste-LiLi]

BlackLili, the smell good stuff really helped to mask the ammonia smell. I was supposed to use Florida Water, but I could not find it anywhere here and it was expensive to order it over line. (not the Water itself, so much as the shipping) So I was instructed to use any body spray type perfume. I used Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom and Bodycology's Warm Sunburst from Wal-Mart. (it's a sunflower scent).

As far as scents that I prefer, I'm happy with anything that's not strictly vanilla scented or cinnamon. I like B&BW Black Raspberry Vanilla, but not Vanilla alone. I currently own about 10 bottles of body sprays that I use. I pick the scent of the day depending on my mood!! My over all favorite is Haunted House from DarkCandles.com!!!

But yeah, the body wash:
1 tblspn of sea salt
1 tblespn of sudsy ammonia
a good splash of Florida Water or a body spray that smells good

Pour all this in a gallon pitcher of warm water. Pour this mixture on your body starting with down the spine, down each shoulder/arm, then down each hip/leg, then from the neck down the chest. Then a small splash on the forehead and the top of the head. Do this over and over until you've used all the water. The light a white candle and pray for a few minutes afterwards. Allow your body to air dry. I wrapped myself in a towel and sat on one too. Do this for nine nights in a row. It helps to remove negativity. DON"T shave your legs or any other body part the water will touch right before doing the bath as it WILL burn!! I didn't listen when I was told this but I found out the hard way!!


I know luckymojo.com has a lot of floor washes to offer. Also, http://www.indioproducts.com/webstore/ has some aerosol room sprays. One day, I'll be able to buy some of these.

Does anyone have some recipes for making their own floor washes that they'd like to share?

<mumble, rummage, rummage, mumble, mumble, rummage> Oh geeze...I KNOW I have some floor wash "recipes" (what my granny called 'em) here SOMEwhere.....gimmme a couple days (today and tomorrow are very busy for me) and I'll dig them out and share the ones I can.:smile:

[Artiste-LiLi]

I don't live near an ocean. But I do have access to a river. Is that an ok place to make an offering?

I don't live near the ocean either and I am STRONGLY connected to the beach, ocean, surrounding landscape. I'm so strongly connected, I'm seriously considering moving to the South Carolina LowCountry (Charleston area south to the Georgia line) as soon as I'm able to do so. The first time I went there.....I felt "HOME!".

The next time you go on vacation to the beach do what I do (this is best done if you drive to and from)....take some plastic (or glass) bottles that have lids that will screw on tight, wash them thoroughly, "cleanse" them and dedicate them to "spiritual workings"...then when at the ocean, "prepare" yourself (read: cleanse, pray, etc), sing praises, offer gifts and ask permission to bring some ocean water home with you in these "cleansed" vessels....wait for an answer (sometimes it is no), if permission is granted, fill your bottles (be sure to get some sand and small shells in at least one or two of them), have a "special" towel or cloth to set them on once filled and capped, when you have finished filling, give thanks, give gifts, offer praises. I usually do my collecting late at night so I am free to dance and feel uninhibited. Then take your ocean water home and store it in a consecrated place and be sure to take the bottles out once a month and let them sit in the sun for several hours with the caps off so they can "breathe". I only take what I need and when I need it (if I'm almost out or completely out) and I am not wasteful in my use of it. By having this in my home at all times I feel my connection to the ocean (it also makes me feel the "pull" and "yearning" too) and I can use ocean water when I need to in workings.

[DixieWitch]

I don't live near the ocean either and I am STRONGLY connected to the beach, ocean, surrounding landscape. I'm so strongly connected, I'm seriously considering moving to the South Carolina LowCountry (Charleston area south to the Georgia line) as soon as I'm able to do so. The first time I went there.....I felt "HOME!".

The next time you go on vacation to the beach do what I do (this is best done if you drive to and from)....take some plastic (or glass) bottles that have lids that will screw on tight, wash them thoroughly, "cleanse" them and dedicate them to "spiritual workings"...then when at the ocean, "prepare" yourself (read: cleanse, pray, etc), sing praises, offer gifts and ask permission to bring some ocean water home with you in these "cleansed" vessels....wait for an answer (sometimes it is no), if permission is granted, fill your bottles (be sure to get some sand and small shells in at least one or two of them), have a "special" towel or cloth to set them on once filled and capped, when you have finished filling, give thanks, give gifts, offer praises. I usually do my collecting late at night so I am free to dance and feel uninhibited. Then take your ocean water home and store it in a consecrated place and be sure to take the bottles out once a month and let them sit in the sun for several hours with the caps off so they can "breathe". I only take what I need and when I need it (if I'm almost out or completely out) and I am not wasteful in my use of it. By having this in my home at all times I feel my connection to the ocean (it also makes me feel the "pull" and "yearning" too) and I can use ocean water when I need to in workings.

~lol~ Well that would work except I haven't been to the beach in since April of 2000!!! Hubby isn't real big into going to the beach because he grew up in Florida--Miami and Sebring--and they went there all the time!

I'm still gonna go with the river. The way I look at it, a river eventually makes it to an ocean, or a gulf, which then makes it to the ocean! I think this would be a situation of "it's the thought that counts", right? As long as I'm doing it and putting the effort out there, that is what matters.

[Artiste-LiLi]

~lol~ Well that would work except I haven't been to the beach in since April of 2000!!! Hubby isn't real big into going to the beach because he grew up in Florida--Miami and Sebring--and they went there all the time!

I'm still gonna go with the river. The way I look at it, a river eventually makes it to an ocean, or a gulf, which then makes it to the ocean! I think this would be a situation of "it's the thought that counts", right? As long as I'm doing it and putting the effort out there, that is what matters.


Yes, I think so. HooDoo, VooDoo and PowWow can be very flexible in many ways. I look at it in a similar light to you...though....isn't there a specific Orisha/Lwa/Goddess who is closely associated with rivers? Shalaye? Aranarose? Somebody????? It is nagging at my mind that there is...if so...you might appeal to Her first and ask her help in using Her waters to reach the ocean.

Or.............

I could just send you some ocean water. I have several bottles and am most likely going to the beach this summer sometime (my brother lives in Myrtle Beach) so I can get more then.

Funny...my husband grew up in Florida too! And he isn't crazy about the beach either...but he is a good hubby and he goes with me whenever I want to and we can afford it. He is even willing to move to the S.C. LowCountry with me he's so good! lol! He grew up in the Orlando/Winter Haven/Lakeland/Lake Wales areas.

[aranarose]

Oshun is the Orisha of Rivers.

Agwe, Dumballah, and Simbi are Lwa associated with rivers, but they are male.

[Artiste-LiLi]

Oshun is the Orisha of Rivers.

Agwe, Dumballah, and Simbi are Lwa associated with rivers, but they are male.

Oshun is who I was thinking of....and that is the name that came to mind..but I wasn't certain I was correct in thinking that. Thanks!

My suggestion stands, speak with all the above and request their assistance...or speak with the one who draws you the most. Do your homework though and know about them and treat them accordingly.

[DixieWitch]

Yes, I think so. HooDoo, VooDoo and PowWow can be very flexible in many ways. I look at it in a similar light to you...though....isn't there a specific Orisha/Lwa/Goddess who is closely associated with rivers? Shalaye? Aranarose? Somebody????? It is nagging at my mind that there is...if so...you might appeal to Her first and ask her help in using Her waters to reach the ocean.

Or.............

I could just send you some ocean water. I have several bottles and am most likely going to the beach this summer sometime (my brother lives in Myrtle Beach) so I can get more then.

Funny...my husband grew up in Florida too! And he isn't crazy about the beach either...but he is a good hubby and he goes with me whenever I want to and we can afford it. He is even willing to move to the S.C. LowCountry with me he's so good! lol! He grew up in the Orlando/Winter Haven/Lakeland/Lake Wales areas.

If it wouldn't cost an arm and partial leg, I would like some ocean water!!

I've been wanting to go to the beach forever, but we just never have the time. Now we really want. He's 2 weeks away from graduating the police academy and he won't have any vacation time for another year. Although we're 3 hours from the beach...I just think he uses it as an excuse not to go!

[Artiste-LiLi]

If it wouldn't cost an arm and partial leg, I would like some ocean water!!

I've been wanting to go to the beach forever, but we just never have the time. Now we really want. He's 2 weeks away from graduating the police academy and he won't have any vacation time for another year. Although we're 3 hours from the beach...I just think he uses it as an excuse not to go!

LOL! Well I'm sorry you won't get to go and that it may be awhile before you do get to go back. I'd be happy to send you some ocean water that I have here. I have no idea how much it would cost to post it...but surely it can't be too exhorbitant. Feel free to private message me your snail mail if you want and I'll pop you a bottle in the mail.

[BlackLili]

i gave my lwa rainwater offerings gathered at the new moon. i think they liked it, because i got to gather another bigger bottle full the very next day! :T

this weekend, i'll be making that marinated chicken. i got Kenyan coffee in whole beans, and molasses, and some red beans and rice mix i thought Legba would enjoy.

we shall see though. He's been haunting me in a big way lately. One high school rowing buddy who killed himself without warning last week, one work buddy on life support with an unknown fungal infection in her lungs, one friend who disappeared more than two years ago suddenly choosing to resurface last night and let me know he's still alive - but still not talking to anyone else in our crowd.

i feel haunted lately, truly. i'm trying to listen but i just don't understand yet.

[Teresa]

Yes, I think so. HooDoo, VooDoo and PowWow can be very flexible in many ways. I look at it in a similar light to you...though....isn't there a specific Orisha/Lwa/Goddess who is closely associated with rivers? Shalaye? Aranarose? Somebody????? It is nagging at my mind that there is...if so...you might appeal to Her first and ask her help in using Her waters to reach the ocean.

Or.............

Originally in Africa Yemanja "Yemaya" was considered the patron deity of the Yemanja Oogun river. Osun is the goddess of the Osun river and it is said that the Osun river can cure infertility. There are other rivers and they also have goddesses over them as well in Africa such as Oya and others.

There are many stories of how she became the mother of all saints and there are other stories that say she was always there and in the beginning all life came from her.

Her name is a contraction of Yoruba words " Yeye emo eja " which means mother whose children are like fishes.

I am looking for the story that explains how she was changed to the Mother of the Ocean.

[Teresa]

i gave my lwa rainwater offerings gathered at the new moon. i think they liked it, because i got to gather another bigger bottle full the very next day! :T

this weekend, i'll be making that marinated chicken. i got Kenyan coffee in whole beans, and molasses, and some red beans and rice mix i thought Legba would enjoy.

we shall see though. He's been haunting me in a big way lately. One high school rowing buddy who killed himself without warning last week, one work buddy on life support with an unknown fungal infection in her lungs, one friend who disappeared more than two years ago suddenly choosing to resurface last night and let me know he's still alive - but still not talking to anyone else in our crowd.

i feel haunted lately, truly. i'm trying to listen but i just don't understand yet.

Sometimes it is hard to divine what things mean when working with the loa or orishas. IMO, and I could be totally wrong , but I think its that sometimes we do not want to see what is really before us. We may have a hard time facing the reality that lies ahead and that is why we do not look in the most apparent direction of the signs we are receiving at times or "wonder which fork in the road to take so to speak" :hugz:

[Godgifu]

Here's one for you, Aranarose -
Washes - for someone who doesn't do much housework (my DH does most of it) - are they necessary?

I've read in some of my hoodoo books that washes are absolutely essential for some people - the only way to really make sure a house or business is clean.

If you use them - why and what are your favorites?


Another hoodoo practitioner here -- hope I'm not butting in.

Clearly lots of people use washes, and I myself find them some of the better tricks in the book. I wouldn't exactly call them necessary because, obviously, there are plenty of people in the world who make it through life without using them, or any magic at all for that matter. They seem to work to put a thin coating of condition formula all over the house, and also because it's a wash it helps remove any dirts or energies that might have been interfering with the matter. I think also there might be a bit of Feng Shui style "clean home is a happy home" work going on ;)

You can buy some ready made floor washes from places like Augustine's and Indio, but I'm guessing your husband might be disinclined to use them? Frequently burning suitable incense blends in the rooms of your house or else blowing sachet powders and sprinkling them in the corners of the rooms would be a decent replacement.

[BlackLili]

Another hoodoo practitioner here -- hope I'm not butting in.

Clearly lots of people use washes, and I myself find them some of the better tricks in the book. I wouldn't exactly call them necessary because, obviously, there are plenty of people in the world who make it through life without using them, or any magic at all for that matter. They seem to work to put a thin coating of condition formula all over the house, and also because it's a wash it helps remove any dirts or energies that might have been interfering with the matter. I think also there might be a bit of Feng Shui style "clean home is a happy home" work going on ;)

You can buy some ready made floor washes from places like Augustine's and Indio, but I'm guessing your husband might be disinclined to use them? Frequently burning suitable incense blends in the rooms of your house or else blowing sachet powders and sprinkling them in the corners of the rooms would be a decent replacement.
Usually its more of an issue that he doesn't actually "wash" walls or floors at all. We sweep for cobwebs, and use a Swiffer on the tiny postage-stamp sized kitchen floor. We don't even own a proper mop anymore I don't think.

I like the idea of washes just fine - but I can't really ask him to use them if I don't do the housework myself either, eh? Just felt like it might defeat the purpose of having one, to ask someone else to use it.

[Godgifu]

You can sometimes do a sweep instead of a wash. You sprinkle a powder or suitable substance all over the floor (salt is common, for purifying) then maybe let it sit a minute or two, and then sweep it up (or vacuum up if you have carpet). I find it works quite nicely, and sometimes if it was a purifying or cleansing powder, I then blow some luck-bringing powders or spray some luck-bringing room sprays afterward.

[Artiste-LiLi]

Yep, that works. I've also been known to put my floor washes in a spray bottle and "spritz" my carpets with it. I've also used them in carpet cleaning machines.....neutralizes the negativity and then just sucks alllllllll that nasty old negativity up into the machine to be thrown out on the ground for neutralization or poured down the drain with banishment works and prayers. :hahugh:

[zombi]

Yep, that works. I've also been known to put my floor washes in a spray bottle and "spritz" my carpets with it. I've also used them in carpet cleaning machines.....neutralizes the negativity and then just sucks alllllllll that nasty old negativity up into the machine to be thrown out on the ground for neutralization or poured down the drain with banishment works and prayers. :hahugh:

oh that's a great idea! I've never thought about using the floor washes in a spritzer bottle. I will have to try that!

[Artiste-LiLi]

oh that's a great idea! I've never thought about using the floor washes in a spritzer bottle. I will have to try that!

Just be sure you test a small concealed area of the carpet for colorfastness before using all over the carpet!

Also, once I've spritzed my carpet...I use my broom or mop to "sweep the carpet" (working from back of house to front and out the front door)

[faery_temptress]

For the past few days I have felt quite a draw to Hoodoo but have found many conflicting articles on the internet so please excuse me if I ask some basic questions.

I have read that it is not a religion and then I read it is and involves catholic practices. Although I am drawn to Hoodoo I have a problem with religion in any form, I love to read about all different religions and gods & goddesses but it's the practicing of religion that is just not in me no matter how I try.

I have ordered on Amazon Stones, Roots and bones to get a good look from a beginners view and have heard this book mentioned as a good place to start, but I think I should be looking at the folk magick direction, can Hoodoo be practiced in a non-religious manner?

[Godgifu]

Hoodoo tends to involve a lot of Catholic-inspired practices, and while they can usually be adapted, it's a good idea to make peace with them at least. The reading of psalms for certain results is one of the common things -- in fact there are spells that are nothing BUT reading psalms and then saying a wish at the end. Not to mention, if you start practicing and asking for help or suggestions, it's often going to be assumed that you work with saints (and perhaps you will.)

The candle-work especially is very Catholic inspired -- in fact in older hoodoo texts like Hyatt it's often rather rare to see candle spells outside of the Lousiana area.

[Artiste-LiLi]

For the past few days I have felt quite a draw to Hoodoo but have found many conflicting articles on the internet so please excuse me if I ask some basic questions.

I have read that it is not a religion and then I read it is and involves catholic practices. Although I am drawn to Hoodoo I have a problem with religion in any form, I love to read about all different religions and gods & goddesses but it's the practicing of religion that is just not in me no matter how I try.

I have ordered on Amazon Stones, Roots and bones to get a good look from a beginners view and have heard this book mentioned as a good place to start, but I think I should be looking at the folk magick direction, can Hoodoo be practiced in a non-religious manner?

Since I don't have a great lot of time this morning I'll give you the short answer: Yes.

That said...I'll get back this evening and tell you a bit more about my birth tradition.

[faery_temptress]

Since I don't have a great lot of time this morning I'll give you the short answer: Yes.

That said...I'll get back this evening and tell you a bit more about my birth tradition.

Thank you that would be much appreciated.

[Artiste-LiLi]

My birth tradition is a part of the Applachian Mountain Magic Tradition.......it is a type of Folk Magic/HooDoo. You *can* affiliate it with and work it within any religion of your choice or no religion at all. In my birth tradition we view Witchcraft more as "the science of magic" rather than the "religion of magic". There are people of many religions and no religion in my family...my sister is Lutheran, one aunt is Baptist, some are Catholic, one is Buddhist (sp), there are Methodist and Presbyterian (sp) and then there are those like me who have no specific religious affiliation (though I do consider myself to be a spiritual person). I do not pray to any specific Gods or Goddesses and though I do occasionally use some of the PowWow magics which rely heavily upon Psalms and other Bible readings....I do not follow any organized religious path.

So, Yes...you can practice HooDoo without the religion if you choose to do so. You do not have to call upon any God/Goddess to do root works/craftings, knotworks and many other magics. Many will argue that this is not true...but it is true within my family tradition.

[Teresa]

The beauty of Hoodoo is that it is adaptable and changeable. You do not have to use the religious practices if you do not see fit to in Hoodoo. Things change by locations too, mostly because people are practical and use what is on hand in their area verses using the same things from other areas that are more costly and harder to find. Being practical and using what you have on hand is one of the aspects that I most love about Hoodoo.

I studied under a few different Root Doctors in several southern states after my Grandparents died who were my first teachers of Hoodoo. I can attest that things are different even one state away and sometimes even just counties apart.

The best knowledge that I have come across on the internet is a site by cat yronwode. http//:www.luckymojo.com. I would recommend her book too: Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic.

:thumbsup:

[faery_temptress]

Thank you for your replies they are a great help :clapping:

[Iris]

Hello all. I've not been in this forum much, and TBH I haven't really thought of myself as pagan for a while...or religious in any sense really...I hadn't really found any path that suited me 100%, or that I was 100% comfortable with. But I have always been interested in hoodoo, and in the Orishas, and I've been thinking about it all again lately. So could I please ask some (probably dumb) questions?

1) Is it considered legitimate for someone with no connection to this path (in other words, me; a white European female with no ancestors in any of the areas this path is followed) to take an interest in Voodoo/Hoodoo etc?
2) Is ancestor worship considered essential to following this path? I don't have a great knowledge of even my quite recently deceased family members, and without going into detail a lot of my family are not the kind of people I could respect and honour (I hardly talk to most of them) so I feel uncomfortable with ancestor-worship. I'm sure it's cool if you have the right type of ancestors, but I don't!
3) What are the differences between the different paths? I get the sense that voodoo/hoodoo is very different depending on what region you come from. Are the Orishas still the same? What is static within the tradition, and what varies by region?
4) Could anyone please tell me a little about the history of voodoo/hoodoo? I am a bit confused as there seem to be a lot of different places that it is practised (Haiti, Africa, New Orleans, and others!). How did the tradition travel so much? Did it follow the routes of where slaves were taken, coming out of Africa originally and spreading? How widespread is voodoo, geographically?
5) How is the community structured among modern voodoo practitioners? I mean, Wiccans have covens, and a lot of Wiccan/other modern pagan paths will have mentors, and Wicca in particular has a fixed period of study ("a year and a day") that is traditional. Do Voodoo/hoodoo practitioners primarily work as solitaries, or do they meet in groups? How does someone with no connection to the community start to learn? I suppose what I mean is that I would like to talk to someone about it, instead of just studying it online and from books (although I plan to do that too). I have a feeling that I will struggle to find someone to teach me :(
6) How does someone become a priest or priestess in this tradition? (not that I am looking to do so, I just wondered).
7) What is a good starting point for wanting to connect with the Orishas?

I am sure there are probably more questions I want to ask. If anyone could help me, I would be really grateful. :)

[Deerwoman]

Whoah! Them's a lot of questions! At this point I'd say you're interest is genuine and there would be no harm in researching hoodoo further - try to get your hands on some good books and also try a good site like MyHoodooSpace (http://myhoodoospace.ning.com) where you ask questions of many experienced hoodoo practitioners as well as learn from everyone (I'm on there and so are others from this subforum).

I have a feeling your first question is the one weighing on you the most. I myself am of Scottish and Irish origin - as pasty as one can get, I even have freckles - and yet hoodoo sought me out and found me anyway through the witchcraft tradition I ended up joining and through one of the lwa who followed me for years until they got my attention. As many say, we don't choose our gods, they choose us. I practice Scottish Witchcraft, but also incorporate Hoodoo and rootwork into my practice - I don't mix them however, but treat both traditions with respect and keep the differing parts as separate as I can. They do work together well as there are European folk magic influences in hoodoo along with the African diaspora traditions and Native American folk magic and plant lore too.

For your second question - not all hoodoo practitioners work with the ghede or their own ancestors, instead working with the lwa not associated with the dead. The ancestors are not necessarily your own immediate or recently deceased family - they are everyone of all your bloodlines who ever lived and died, the beloved dead. If you do not practice ancestor worship, but still get involved in hoodoo, I would still recommend honouring your ancestors and your recently dead family during the festival of the dead by leaving them offerings and celebrating with them.

The rest of your questions I'll leave to those more experienced and to some good old fashioned reading. Books that come highly recommended by me and my peers: Hoodoo Herb & Root Magic by Cat Yronwode, Vodou Visions by Sallie Ann Glassman, Waters of Return by Louis Martinie, and Secrets of Voodoo by Milo Reguad.

[Iris]

I can't give you anymore karma, but thanks very much for the reply!

I know I have a lot of questions...I will be researching more over the coming days and weeks and hopefully it will all become a bit clearer :) and I am sure I will be bugging the members of this forum a lot more in future, in the hopes of gleaning some of the wisdom of the more experienced practitioners.

May I ask, deerwoman - do you often encounter African practitioners, or practitioners of African descent? If you do, what are their reactions to you as a white hoodoo practitioner?

Like you I am of Celtic stock and have horrendously pale skin! In fact, people are always asking me if I am ill because my skin is so pasty. It's almost enough to give me a complex!

[Iris]

Ok, I'm getting very mixed up with names! Many of the Orisha seem to have a lot of different names that they can go by. I'm also confused by the levels of deity. For instance I read that there are different levels of spirits, and that the original African family of Orisha (including Oya) are pretty high up in the scheme of things. But then I read that in Louisiana voodoo Oya is seen as the equivalent to Mama Brigitte, the wife of Baron Samedi, who is one of the Ghede Lwa, and as such a lower spirit...

This is going to take some unravelling.

[Deerwoman]

May I ask, deerwoman - do you often encounter African practitioners, or practitioners of African descent? If you do, what are their reactions to you as a white hoodoo practitioner?
To be honest it's never been a problem, half of the practitioners I've met are also of European descent and many also come from Appalachian or Ozark folk magic traditions that relate to hoodoo. Half of my ancestry is "black Irish" so with my dark eyes and hair I come off as very gypsy like - no one's ever had a negative reaction to me or my path. There are much fewer pasty people in Vodou, very few have ever been initiated into the priesthood, but the lovely Sallie Ann Glassman (http://www.feyvodou.com/services/about_sallie.htm) is one, she is well respected in both the hoodoo and Vodou communities.

[Iris]

To be honest it's never been a problem, half of the practitioners I've met are also of European descent and many also come from Appalachian or Ozark folk magic traditions that relate to hoodoo. Half of my ancestry is "black Irish" so with my dark eyes and hair I come off as very gypsy like - no one's ever had a negative reaction to me or my path. There are much fewer pasty people in Vodou, very few have ever been initiated into the priesthood, but the lovely Sallie Ann Glassman (http://www.feyvodou.com/services/about_sallie.htm) is one, she is well respected in both the hoodoo and Vodou communities.

Thank you for the reply. :)

I am just so worried about someone thinking I am being disrespectful, you know? That is the last thing i would want anyone to think.

[zombi]

Firstly let me just say I only want to answer the questions (as best I can), I hope I don't come off as rude or condescending, I'm just at work and writing this in between calls (:


1) Is it considered legitimate for someone with no connection to this path (in other words, me; a white European female with no ancestors in any of the areas this path is followed) to take an interest in Voodoo/Hoodoo etc?


short answer: yes, sure!


2) Is ancestor worship considered essential to following this path? I don't have a great knowledge of even my quite recently deceased family members, and without going into detail a lot of my family are not the kind of people I could respect and honour (I hardly talk to most of them) so I feel uncomfortable with ancestor-worship. I'm sure it's cool if you have the right type of ancestors, but I don't!

deerwoman covered this well.


3) What are the differences between the different paths? I get the sense that voodoo/hoodoo is very different depending on what region you come from. Are the Orishas still the same? What is static within the tradition, and what varies by region?

First of all, Vodou and hoodoo aren't the same thing. Hoodoo is a folk magic system, not a religious system, while Vodou is a religion, and so is Santeria/Ifa/Lukumi.

Vodou is a monotheistic religion with the lwa, who are not gods, but rather spirits. You keep mentioning the orishas, and I think you should be clear that the orishas do not hail from vodou.

The orisha are not the same as the lwa, though they do equate with each other, and the orishas are used in Santeria/Lukumi, which is a different African diasporic religion than Vodou.


4) Could anyone please tell me a little about the history of voodoo/hoodoo? I am a bit confused as there seem to be a lot of different places that it is practised (Haiti, Africa, New Orleans, and others!). How did the tradition travel so much? Did it follow the routes of where slaves were taken, coming out of Africa originally and spreading? How widespread is voodoo, geographically?

African religions followed the African diaspora, a lot of which happened as a result of slavery. I think if you read through the pages on luckymojo.com you will be able to get a good sense of the history of hoodoo, but keep in mind that the history of vodou, the history of hoodoo, the history of santeria, of lukumi -- are not the same. None of those are the same thing as each other. They're all closely related, but not the same thing.


5) How is the community structured among modern voodoo practitioners? I mean, Wiccans have covens, and a lot of Wiccan/other modern pagan paths will have mentors, and Wicca in particular has a fixed period of study ("a year and a day") that is traditional. Do Voodoo/hoodoo practitioners primarily work as solitaries, or do they meet in groups? How does someone with no connection to the community start to learn? I suppose what I mean is that I would like to talk to someone about it, instead of just studying it online and from books (although I plan to do that too). I have a feeling that I will struggle to find someone to teach me :(

Vodou is not a solitary religion. Vodouisants have temples called Hounfour, IIRC, as well as kind of houses called Sosyete? There's some variety in regional flavours of Vodou, like NOLA vodou is not the same as Haitian vodou necessarily.

As hoodoo is not a religious system it does not have temples or priestesses or anything like that. Most rootworkers do their work by themselves.

And Santeria/Lukumi is a merging of Yoruba religion with Catholcism IIRC -- they have priests & priestesses and such because again, they are a religion.


6) How does someone become a priest or priestess in this tradition? (not that I am looking to do so, I just wondered).

Which tradition, exactly? I think there are different answer to this question depending on which tradition you mean!


7) What is a good starting point for wanting to connect with the Orishas?

I would think doing some research and stuff would be a good starting place, and then probably getting to know what kind of offerings to give, that kind of thing. HTH!

[Iris]

Thank you Zombi for taking the time to reply :lol: but now I have another question! :lol:

What is the difference between the Orishas and the Lwa? I thought they were just different names for the same thing...

*confused*

I have ordered two books off Amazon which arrived today..."Haitian Voodou - protocals for riding with the Lwa" and the much-recommended hoodoo book "Sticks, stones, roots and bones." Hopefully when I've read these I will be a little tiny bit more knowledgable and not sound like such a n00b :lol:

[Deerwoman]

I might be able to help with this one. The Lwa are the spirits of Vodou, most common Haiti. The Orisha are the deities/spirits of Santeria which has Mexican-Spanish influences as well as African, they are more often associated with Catholic saints, whereas the lwa are themselves within Vodou. In Hoodoo, it depends on the practitioner's influences.

[Iris]

Many thanks to you again, Deerwoman, for helping me out with my questions :)

I am two-thirds of the way through the Haitian Voodou handbook (I had nothing else to do all day, lol, and I was interested) I have found a lot of the info in it quite helpful (especially the bit about how you don't have to see your ancestors as perfect in order to honour them).

I will study some more and hopefully come to more of an understanding about voodoo and hoodoo :)

[SanguineHalo]

I has question!

This is more of a spellworking (trick laying?) question. (sorry, I'm very new and still working with the terms to figure out what is correct in which connotation). I've read about bottle spells in folk magic and more recently on LuckyMojo.

My idea is this: I'm a receptionist. After a particulary nasty customer got mouthy with me I felt drained. I was literally shaking, not because I was afraid of this person, but, because he was just OOZING nasty energy. I don't think he knew what he was doing, but he threw me off for the rest of the day. I was thinking a bottle spell would be appropriate. Kind of a "Send back negative juju" bottle. Not so much a "Honey Jar" more of a broken glass kinda thing. ( I have some really mean customers.)

My question is this: Would this be appropriate for the intention? I'm (again) extremely new and don't want to "overkill". Also, according to LuckyMojo, most of the bottle spells are buried or thrown to a crossroads. I was more so thinking of keeping it under my desk. Would this be a viable option for this type of work?

Thank you!

[Godgifu]

On the bottle spell, if I were you I'd think that might keep the energy a bit too "trapped" in the jar, for the purpose you describe. Jars are more commonly used when you need something to keep around, that won't ooze, rot, or get set on fire, which doesn't sound likely to be an issue here (at least from what it sounds like.)

I think you might perhaps consider a leather mojo -- put some Reversing powder and glass into it with whatever else you want (I suggest boldo leaf), then feed it periodically with a smear of Reversing oil, or something like that. If the leather's good and strong it should keep the glass pieces from cutting you when you handle it.

[SanguineHalo]

Thank you :)

[zombi]

I has question!

This is more of a spellworking (trick laying?) question. (sorry, I'm very new and still working with the terms to figure out what is correct in which connotation). I've read about bottle spells in folk magic and more recently on LuckyMojo.

My idea is this: I'm a receptionist. After a particulary nasty customer got mouthy with me I felt drained. I was literally shaking, not because I was afraid of this person, but, because he was just OOZING nasty energy. I don't think he knew what he was doing, but he threw me off for the rest of the day. I was thinking a bottle spell would be appropriate. Kind of a "Send back negative juju" bottle. Not so much a "Honey Jar" more of a broken glass kinda thing. ( I have some really mean customers.)

My question is this: Would this be appropriate for the intention? I'm (again) extremely new and don't want to "overkill". Also, according to LuckyMojo, most of the bottle spells are buried or thrown to a crossroads. I was more so thinking of keeping it under my desk. Would this be a viable option for this type of work?

Thank you!

Well, it depends on what you want the outcome to be. Do you want to specifically send this person's negative energy back to them? Or do you want to keep future negative energy-people away from you?

I think it would be acceptable to "bury" the bottle under your desk if you want to keep its energy/work around your business. Typically that's why we bury stuff on our own land, anyway -- to keep it there, whereas if it's something you want to get rid of, you throw it in the crossroads.

[SanguineHalo]

The idea would be to specifically send future negativity from future customers back to the sender. Working in the service industry long enough has kinda taught me that mean people are everywhere and sometimes people are just THAT miserable that they're going to be a$$es. So the idea would be to send back negative energy in the future to avoid screwing up my day.

[zombi]

The idea would be to specifically send future negativity from future customers back to the sender. Working in the service industry long enough has kinda taught me that mean people are everywhere and sometimes people are just THAT miserable that they're going to be a$$es. So the idea would be to send back negative energy in the future to avoid screwing up my day.

Sounds kind of like a Fiery Wall of Protection type of territory to me -- bounce back the negatives & protect you from 'em.

[SanguineHalo]

Sounds kind of like a Fiery Wall of Protection type of territory to me -- bounce back the negatives & protect you from 'em.

Eureka!! :thumbsup: Thanks! ::runs off in the direction of the LuckyMojo site::

[zombi]

N/p hon, hope that's a good solution for you! :uhhuhuh:

[DixieWitch]

Eureka!! :thumbsup: Thanks! ::runs off in the direction of the LuckyMojo site::

I just placed an order from Lucky Mojo this past week. Then I read on someone's blog on MyHoodooSpace that it took them 2 months to get their order!!! So if you need it sooner, you might want to look elsewhere!! I just ordered Cat's book, some candles (which I hope make it here with the heat!!), some oil and a house blessing lamp.

[moonbride]

I've only ordered directly from Lucky Mojo once and I do recall it taking a really long time to get my stuff. Not quite two months but definitely longer than any other store. I usually order from 13 Moons now and they are FAST... and they carry a lot of the Lucky Mojo products ;)

[Godgifu]

I just placed an order from Lucky Mojo this past week. Then I read on someone's blog on MyHoodooSpace that it took them 2 months to get their order!!! So if you need it sooner, you might want to look elsewhere!!

Yeah, I ordered from them a few months ago and it took about 2 weeks -- not too bad but longer than I thought. But then more recently I was hired to cast a spell for someone else and, after more than 3 weeks still don't have my package. I ended up having to make the materials myself because it couldn't wait any longer. Definitely I think I'll use another store when I need to order spells for clients.

Another friend of mine complained about the shipping time from LM as well (and she had a bad experience when she called to ask about the hold-up.) I'm thinking maybe LM is getting so successful their little shop with the small staff might be inadequate for the amount of orders they are getting now.

[zombi]

Another friend of mine complained about the shipping time from LM as well (and she had a bad experience when she called to ask about the hold-up.) I'm thinking maybe LM is getting so successful their little shop with the small staff might be inadequate for the amount of orders they are getting now.

Yeah, Lucky Mojo's shipping time has gotten really long. My last order took a MONTH to get to me, and that was AFTER I emailed to ask where it was because I'd never had that happen before. I definitely think opening the forum over there is directly related to the shipping time length. They've gotten very successful; I think maybe they need more staff.

I second the suggestion for 13moons -- they carry a lot of LM stuff and they ship super fast.

[SanguineHalo]

I'm gunna have to go check out 13 moons. But then again I live in New Orleans... maybe I should just stop being lazy and take my butt down town. . .

[Godgifu]

I second the suggestion for 13moons -- they carry a lot of LM stuff and they ship super fast.

I'm an outcast as usual -- I invariably need one of the LM products 13 Moons doesn't stock, as part of my order (I often get Hindu oils and the like.)

A couple months back I ordered from Augustine's for the first time and I was impressed by how swiftly they shipped -- took 3 days from placing the order to receiving the package.

[Godgifu]

I definitely think opening the forum over there is directly related to the shipping time length.

That, and also the ability to order online probabl increased sales a lot (till a few months ago you had to just send them an Email with your credit card #.)

[zombi]

That, and also the ability to order online probabl increased sales a lot (till a few months ago you had to just send them an Email with your credit card #.)

Yeah, agreed. Shipping time was a lot faster before the online shopping cart, but I still remember it being you know, decent, up until a few months ago? And then it was like, everyone's pulling teeth trying to get their stuff!

If any of my local retailers sold LM products, I'd just get 'em there -- it's annoying because even 13 moons doesn't sell everything, of course, but I feel like these days I might as well not bother trying to get something from Lucky Mojo. If it's for myself, it's one thing, but if it's for a client? Forget it!

[DixieWitch]

So should I try sending them an email? Or will I get bitched at?

I'm leaving next week for Louisiana. I'll be gone Tues-Fri. If it's not here when I get back, I'll definitely send an email.

[zombi]

So should I try sending them an email? Or will I get bitched at?

I'm leaving next week for Louisiana. I'll be gone Tues-Fri. If it's not here when I get back, I'll definitely send an email.

You might also try calling -- I know their number is listed on the website. That might get you faster results. The last time I emailed they took a whole week just to email me back.

[Godgifu]

Is Lucky Mojo getting their act together or are they still monstrously slow?

[zombi]

Is Lucky Mojo getting their act together or are they still monstrously slow?
AFAIK still monstrously slow.

Try 13moons.com -- they sell LM stuff, lots of it, and they're wicked fast.

[Godgifu]

Alas! Most of what I need at the moment is from the Gods/Saints lines, which 13Moons doesn't have :(

In fact, I'm thinking 13Moons might be having trouble with Lucky Mojo deliveries too... they're out of stock on a lot of items and have started supplementing their "Mojo Oils" with another brand called BeWylde.

[zombi]

Alas! Most of what I need at the moment is from the Gods/Saints lines, which 13Moons doesn't have :(

In fact, I'm thinking 13Moons might be having trouble with Lucky Mojo deliveries too... they're out of stock on a lot of items and have started supplementing their "Mojo Oils" with another brand called BeWylde.
well if it helps you at all, if you need saints type vigil candles, check the "hispanic" or "mexican" section of local grocery stores -- usually stores that have that kind of section have a lot of vigil candles. I've found everything from St. Michael the Archangel to Santisima Muerte candles at mine.

also have you checked for what you need here?:
http://www.indioproducts.com/webstore/

[SanguineHalo]

Ya know what I just realized last night? Atleast in my neck of the woods, they have 7 day Saint Vigil Candles at WAL-MART. Seriously. I was excited.

[Godgifu]

Wal-Mart's a good place. I can get Saint or Plain-Color novena candles, Florida Water, and a few other items at mine. (Actually same goes for the local CVS as well -- they even have some single-note fragrance oil.)

[zombi]

just an FYI for you guys -- seems like Lucky Mojo has gotten their act together involving shipping. I made an order with them last weekend and got it in the mail today. So, there you go! :thumbsup: