Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
skyme714,
You'd do better asking a catholic priest rather then a company forum.The majority of rootworkers are different flavors of southern protestant or baptist christian, so they wouldn't petition saints. If your asking this I'm guessing you were not raised Catholic? If you want to work with the saints, and there is no reason that you must, I suggest you get better acquainted with the religious system they come from I.E Catholicism.
In any case this is a religious question, not one about choosing or using LuckyMojo products, so this may not be the best place for it.
You'd do better asking a catholic priest rather then a company forum.The majority of rootworkers are different flavors of southern protestant or baptist christian, so they wouldn't petition saints. If your asking this I'm guessing you were not raised Catholic? If you want to work with the saints, and there is no reason that you must, I suggest you get better acquainted with the religious system they come from I.E Catholicism.
In any case this is a religious question, not one about choosing or using LuckyMojo products, so this may not be the best place for it.
HRCC Student #1559
Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
You are correct skyme714 but Catholicism is what you are referring to. Petitioning Saints is similar to asking a friend to pray for us. Here is a brief in reference to your question (I think):
http://www.readersandrootworkers.org/in ... ing_Saints
http://www.readersandrootworkers.org/in ... ing_Saints
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
skyme714,
Your question is, "Can someone please explain why do we ask Saints for help rather than ask God?"
But who is this "we" to whom you are referring? Not most of us! Most practitioners of hoodoo are not Catholics. Therefore most practitioners of hoodoo do not petition saints for help.
Protestant Christian conjure doctors call upon God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and many prayers are made "In Jesus' name, amen."
Jewish conjure doctors call upon the Lord directly.
In other words, don't confuse a person's religion with the style of hoodoo they employ, and think that all conjure workers share that religious outlook.
Your question is, "Can someone please explain why do we ask Saints for help rather than ask God?"
But who is this "we" to whom you are referring? Not most of us! Most practitioners of hoodoo are not Catholics. Therefore most practitioners of hoodoo do not petition saints for help.
Protestant Christian conjure doctors call upon God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and many prayers are made "In Jesus' name, amen."
Jewish conjure doctors call upon the Lord directly.
In other words, don't confuse a person's religion with the style of hoodoo they employ, and think that all conjure workers share that religious outlook.
catherine yronwode
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Thank you, Catherine! I thought of this question as I read a lot of topics on the forum concerning Saints like what Saint should someone ask for help on this or that matter. I put "we" referring to practioners of hoodoo, as this is what we all have in common; hence "we". Yes, I know that not everybody share the same views or religion, I should've mention in my question that I want to ask people who work with Saints. Just poor choice of words. Thank you!
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
skyme714,
Here's the most simple way to look at it:
God is busy ruling over the ENTIRE UNIVERSE. So there are saints who not only share a special close buddy-buddy relationship with God by being saints, but they are only responsible for a handful of duties here on earth. You pray to a saint who handles your kind of cases. Hopefully the saint hears you, and then takes your petition up to God, who is more likely to take quick notice and action since it's a good friend of his asking for help on your behalf; or if you want to look at it another way, you could say that they are authorized to perform certain duties using their own powers bequeathed to them by God. Either way, you get the help you need directly from a specialist whose only job it is to look after people like you. Unlike God who is busy ruling the ENTIRE UNIVERSE.
It's like akin to calling Bill Gates directly when your computer has crashed, as opposed to calling tech support. You're MUCH more likely to get what you need quickly by calling tech support who are there specifically to deal with your exact problem, than by trying to get the attention of Mr. Gates who can most likely fix your problem but has a list of priorities that you don't rank very high on.
I *personally* see "God" as an impersonal force. There are intermediary spiritual beings who were created specifically to look after my needs. Therefore I ask those spirits for help, rather than trying to tap into the Ineffable Infinity of Limitless Light in order to get some money for rent. I only worship Source/God, but I'm happy to share thanks and devotions to other spiritual helpers. I am not Catholic, but I find using some saint work in my conjure to be very effective; to me it's just another kind of spirit-work. This perspective is mirrored in some of the ATR's, the Kabbalah, and several other mystical traditions. (Of course it is by no means the only way things are perceived.)
Here's the most simple way to look at it:
God is busy ruling over the ENTIRE UNIVERSE. So there are saints who not only share a special close buddy-buddy relationship with God by being saints, but they are only responsible for a handful of duties here on earth. You pray to a saint who handles your kind of cases. Hopefully the saint hears you, and then takes your petition up to God, who is more likely to take quick notice and action since it's a good friend of his asking for help on your behalf; or if you want to look at it another way, you could say that they are authorized to perform certain duties using their own powers bequeathed to them by God. Either way, you get the help you need directly from a specialist whose only job it is to look after people like you. Unlike God who is busy ruling the ENTIRE UNIVERSE.
It's like akin to calling Bill Gates directly when your computer has crashed, as opposed to calling tech support. You're MUCH more likely to get what you need quickly by calling tech support who are there specifically to deal with your exact problem, than by trying to get the attention of Mr. Gates who can most likely fix your problem but has a list of priorities that you don't rank very high on.
I *personally* see "God" as an impersonal force. There are intermediary spiritual beings who were created specifically to look after my needs. Therefore I ask those spirits for help, rather than trying to tap into the Ineffable Infinity of Limitless Light in order to get some money for rent. I only worship Source/God, but I'm happy to share thanks and devotions to other spiritual helpers. I am not Catholic, but I find using some saint work in my conjure to be very effective; to me it's just another kind of spirit-work. This perspective is mirrored in some of the ATR's, the Kabbalah, and several other mystical traditions. (Of course it is by no means the only way things are perceived.)
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
skyme714,
I was taught Conjure by an old-school teacher who didn't work with saints. In fact she once told me "you gotta problem, you call on God, the Devil, or you call the spirits." I think that was perfect for helping me understand what paradigm conjure functions in.
Some traditions, Catholicism being one of them, views God as remote and therefore requires the intercession of entities who have access to both God and us. This is where you get petitioning of Saints.
Personally, I follow a more hermetic qabalist tradition that along with most forms of Protestant Christianity views mankind as part of God's Spirit and therefore has clear access to Him.
I was taught Conjure by an old-school teacher who didn't work with saints. In fact she once told me "you gotta problem, you call on God, the Devil, or you call the spirits." I think that was perfect for helping me understand what paradigm conjure functions in.
Some traditions, Catholicism being one of them, views God as remote and therefore requires the intercession of entities who have access to both God and us. This is where you get petitioning of Saints.
Personally, I follow a more hermetic qabalist tradition that along with most forms of Protestant Christianity views mankind as part of God's Spirit and therefore has clear access to Him.
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Kevinloa, at the outset you asked for samples of how Southern Baptists might pray, and although the following has been posted here before, in another threead, you may not have seen it, so i am copying it into this thread for you:
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Here is a sample of a very common form of prayer. This is a general "Deacon's prayer" -- common among Black Baptists -- sometimes called "You woke us up this morning" (a title taken from the first few lines of the prayer). To this invocation can be attached any request for help or improvement in life (e.g. "I want you to stop by the court house").
Hasan Green, the young man performing this sample, is more or less practicing for the camera, but he has a beautiful voice, tone, and heart, and it shows, despite his little "LOL" comment in the info-box.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNvclTp4dUs
-----
Enjoy!
-----
Here is a sample of a very common form of prayer. This is a general "Deacon's prayer" -- common among Black Baptists -- sometimes called "You woke us up this morning" (a title taken from the first few lines of the prayer). To this invocation can be attached any request for help or improvement in life (e.g. "I want you to stop by the court house").
Hasan Green, the young man performing this sample, is more or less practicing for the camera, but he has a beautiful voice, tone, and heart, and it shows, despite his little "LOL" comment in the info-box.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNvclTp4dUs
-----
Enjoy!
catherine yronwode
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
thank you, catherine, this is interesting.
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Hello All! First of all, forgive me if this has already been discussed but I don't see anything in the searches. I am a (fairly new and baptized) Christian and in bible study it was discussed that God does not allow voodoo or other practices. But, I have seen products that utilize the Catholic saints, etc and I am wondering, am I doing something wrong by being a Christian and a practitioner? Please know that my question is not meant to offend anyone, just hoping for some clarity.
Thank you to anyone who can help!
Thank you to anyone who can help!
Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Hey there,
I am also a Christian and a pretty theologically conservative one as well, and I know in a very real way what it's like to work through that issue.
There are tons of things (and people) I could recommend, but one thing you might find helpful to get the ball rolling is listening to this episode of the Lucky Mojo Hoodoo Rootwork Hour RadioBlog:
http://hoodoorootwork.blogspot.com/2005 ... nd_07.html
I am also a Christian and a pretty theologically conservative one as well, and I know in a very real way what it's like to work through that issue.
There are tons of things (and people) I could recommend, but one thing you might find helpful to get the ball rolling is listening to this episode of the Lucky Mojo Hoodoo Rootwork Hour RadioBlog:
http://hoodoorootwork.blogspot.com/2005 ... nd_07.html
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Hi Sweetie0923
Conjure is a system of primarily African-American folk-magic that is rooted in Christianity.
Obviously there are many different denominations of Christianity, and they all take different dogmatic stances on various things. I am certainly aware of those denominations that think poorly of anything that they perceive as being "magic", as most of my family is from such churches. (It's interesting that many of those same churches think nothing of anointing a sick person with oil while praying for them, or of lighting a candle with prayer to ask for God's aid with a situation, or many other ritual actions that really are quite magical AND spoken of and recommended in the Bible.) However, there are also denominations that embrace these kinds of spiritual practices.
As someone who studied religion academically in university, I can tell you that it can be extremely enlightening to research the history and development of Christianity, as well as all the sources of the various doctrinal interpretations that you encounter. The socio-cultural contexts that many of the scripture verses were written in, are very often not taken into consideration by those who take a particular perspective on things. I would strongly encourage you to really look into the historical backgrounds of these things. You will be surprised what you find! Then you can make an educated decision on what exactly the Bible is saying about certain things.
Remember that while God inspired the Bible, it was written and interpreted and edited and reinterpreted again by humans- and humans are fallible and often very biased. Do some research and then do some praying and then draw your own conclusions as to what is right for your spiritual path.
It is up to *you* to decide whether or not to practice conjure - pray on it, ask God for guidance, and listen for His response to you. It's between you and God and it's nobody else's business!
You may be interested to read more about the development of hoodoo and conjure too, so that you can see how very rooted in Christian practice it is. You may find this link very informative for those purposes:
http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html
Conjure is a system of primarily African-American folk-magic that is rooted in Christianity.
Obviously there are many different denominations of Christianity, and they all take different dogmatic stances on various things. I am certainly aware of those denominations that think poorly of anything that they perceive as being "magic", as most of my family is from such churches. (It's interesting that many of those same churches think nothing of anointing a sick person with oil while praying for them, or of lighting a candle with prayer to ask for God's aid with a situation, or many other ritual actions that really are quite magical AND spoken of and recommended in the Bible.) However, there are also denominations that embrace these kinds of spiritual practices.
As someone who studied religion academically in university, I can tell you that it can be extremely enlightening to research the history and development of Christianity, as well as all the sources of the various doctrinal interpretations that you encounter. The socio-cultural contexts that many of the scripture verses were written in, are very often not taken into consideration by those who take a particular perspective on things. I would strongly encourage you to really look into the historical backgrounds of these things. You will be surprised what you find! Then you can make an educated decision on what exactly the Bible is saying about certain things.
Remember that while God inspired the Bible, it was written and interpreted and edited and reinterpreted again by humans- and humans are fallible and often very biased. Do some research and then do some praying and then draw your own conclusions as to what is right for your spiritual path.
It is up to *you* to decide whether or not to practice conjure - pray on it, ask God for guidance, and listen for His response to you. It's between you and God and it's nobody else's business!
You may be interested to read more about the development of hoodoo and conjure too, so that you can see how very rooted in Christian practice it is. You may find this link very informative for those purposes:
http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html
Devi Spring: Reader & Rootworker - HRCC Graduate.
Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Bottom line: Some Christians say yes and some say no. You will have to decide for yourself. But you also want to be aware of the people around you and exercise discretion if you choose to continue your practice.
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
All of the above agreed... I am listening right now to the show Sarasatyr kindly provided the link for the show. episode, "African American Christianity and Hoodoo".
I had been listening online (just finished with another episode, "Ridding of Ghosts and Evil Spirits") with the archived radio show.
Be Blessed!
I had been listening online (just finished with another episode, "Ridding of Ghosts and Evil Spirits") with the archived radio show.
Be Blessed!
Work the Lucky Mojo products for you and for those that you hold dearly!
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
I am so glad this topic came up. It's something that I have wanted to ask about but have been afraid that it might be considered off topic and/or it might offend and that's the last thing I want to do. Conjure is something that has interested me for the longest of times but growing up in the "bible belt" and being raised baptist I can't help but have these little voices in the back of my head at times screaming "this is wrong". It makes me feel better to know that I'm not the only one who is or who has struggled with this.
Thank you Devi for your words. It gives me something to research and thank you SeraSatyr for the link I am sure it will be very informative. Maybe now I can put things more into place as I know this has been holding me back for the longest of times and I believe hindering my work.
Thank you Devi for your words. It gives me something to research and thank you SeraSatyr for the link I am sure it will be very informative. Maybe now I can put things more into place as I know this has been holding me back for the longest of times and I believe hindering my work.
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
sweetie0923,
Your question is pretty off-topic for this forum, because we try very hard NOT to discuss religions here.
However, that being said, not only is hoodoo primarily African American in terms of the culture that carries it, it is primarily Protestant Christian in terms of the religion of most adherents.
To take this a step further, the dominant denominations among African American Christians are various Baptist denominations, so one could very reasonably say that hoodoo is the folk magic of a group of primarily Black Baptist Americans, although people of all faiths and all ethnicities have been participants in hoodoo for as far back as we have any kind of written documentation for the practice (that is, to the mid 19th century).
However, it is equally important to note that many Protestant Christians, including many African American Baptists, do not like the practice of folk magic at all, and shun those who engage in it, so one cannot assume that just because a person is an African American Baptist, he or she will approve of, engage in, or even know much about hoodoo rootwork and conjure practices.
Finally, your post mentioned "voodoo" -- more properly spelled Voodoo or Voudoo, with a capital V, since it is the name of a religion.
Voodoo is the state religion of the African nation of Benin, in West Africa, and in modified and diasporic form, it has many adherents in French-speaking Haiti, and among Americans. The religion of Voodoo is not in any demonstrable way connected to the practice of hoodoo folk magic by African Americans, because hoodoo derives primarily from a different part of Africa, and contains strong admixtures of Native American, Jewish, and European Christian folk magic which are not part of the religion of Voodoo.
Thanks to all who contributed and helped carry on the discussion in a friendly and socially welcoming manner.
Your question is pretty off-topic for this forum, because we try very hard NOT to discuss religions here.
However, that being said, not only is hoodoo primarily African American in terms of the culture that carries it, it is primarily Protestant Christian in terms of the religion of most adherents.
To take this a step further, the dominant denominations among African American Christians are various Baptist denominations, so one could very reasonably say that hoodoo is the folk magic of a group of primarily Black Baptist Americans, although people of all faiths and all ethnicities have been participants in hoodoo for as far back as we have any kind of written documentation for the practice (that is, to the mid 19th century).
However, it is equally important to note that many Protestant Christians, including many African American Baptists, do not like the practice of folk magic at all, and shun those who engage in it, so one cannot assume that just because a person is an African American Baptist, he or she will approve of, engage in, or even know much about hoodoo rootwork and conjure practices.
Finally, your post mentioned "voodoo" -- more properly spelled Voodoo or Voudoo, with a capital V, since it is the name of a religion.
Voodoo is the state religion of the African nation of Benin, in West Africa, and in modified and diasporic form, it has many adherents in French-speaking Haiti, and among Americans. The religion of Voodoo is not in any demonstrable way connected to the practice of hoodoo folk magic by African Americans, because hoodoo derives primarily from a different part of Africa, and contains strong admixtures of Native American, Jewish, and European Christian folk magic which are not part of the religion of Voodoo.
Thanks to all who contributed and helped carry on the discussion in a friendly and socially welcoming manner.
catherine yronwode
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
I was asked:
Saint Expedite is not a "folk saint" in the general use of that term -- that is, an entity called a "saint" by Catholics but who not approved by the Vatican (such as Santa Muerte). On the contrary, Saint Expedite Holy cards are printd by the regular Vatican-approved Catholic printers in Italy.
Saint Expedite is a regular saint of the Catholic Church. You can see his statue in Catholic churches in Portugal, Spain, and the United States. In the USA, the best-known statue of Saint Expedite is found in the church of Guadalupe in New Orleans.Is there a difference between the Catholic St Expedite", and the St Expedite that so many readers of this forum work with?
Saint Expedite is not a "folk saint" in the general use of that term -- that is, an entity called a "saint" by Catholics but who not approved by the Vatican (such as Santa Muerte). On the contrary, Saint Expedite Holy cards are printd by the regular Vatican-approved Catholic printers in Italy.
Yes ... and No. In the context of hoodoo, the word "saint" may refer to Catholic church saints, Catholic folk saints, deceased members of the Baptist church who died in faith, and living members of the Pentecostal churches who are in good standing in the congregation. . (In addition, members of other religions also use the term "saint," notably Buddhism, but that need not concern us here.)Are there "Hoodoo saints" that are different entities to Catholic saints?
I will go farther and say that what you call "the whole 'working with saints' thing" is "popular" among the relatively small number of African Americans who are Catholics and Spiritualists -- but is unduly represented here on the forum by a huge influx of Latino Catholic practitioners of the folk magic traditions of curandismo and brujeria, plus Latino and Caucasian practitioners of African-Diasporic religions such as Santeria and Voodoo -- many of whom are trying to graft the Southern American traditions of conjure work into their own cultural and religious traditions.Should I think of the whole "working with saints" thing as popular, but not really part of conjure?[
catherine yronwode
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
skyme714 ,
Okay,you got plenty of replies from non-Catholic hoodoo workers, a link to an article at AIRR about the petitioning of saints by Catholics, and a reply from someone who does petition saints.
Lucky Mojo is non-denominational.
We do carry many supplies for Catholic rootworkers, but we do as much also for members of other faiths, such as Protestant Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Taoism, Wicca, and so forth.
Okay,you got plenty of replies from non-Catholic hoodoo workers, a link to an article at AIRR about the petitioning of saints by Catholics, and a reply from someone who does petition saints.
Lucky Mojo is non-denominational.
We do carry many supplies for Catholic rootworkers, but we do as much also for members of other faiths, such as Protestant Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Taoism, Wicca, and so forth.
catherine yronwode
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
What is the difference between Wicca and Hoodoo? I read where Hoodoo is an African folk magick and Voodoo uses the Catholic saints (so it is merged with Christianity?)? I'm lot on this. I told my reader I was doing some Wicca spells to help myself and she said Wicca was "weak"? /so what kinds of magick are there? I'm confused by it all. So far it would seem (based on Miss Cat's observation of my past work) that it has been working.
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Tboy1977, this is not a general hoodoo forum, but rather this is a product forum specifically about the wonderful spiritual products that Lucky Mojo makes and how to use them.
First, Wicca and Voodoo are religions. They may have magical practices as part of their system of faith, but they exist as faiths.
Hoodoo is not a religion, but rather a system of folk magick that is derived from African American culture. There are hundreds of systems of magick. We cannot go into the differences between each of these. All I can tell you is that most of your questions have already been answered by the link that you've been given a dozen times. If you go to HITAP (http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoo.html) you will find the following article: http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html which is titled: "What is Hoodoo." That is a direct answer to your question.
Please read the links we are giving you.
First, Wicca and Voodoo are religions. They may have magical practices as part of their system of faith, but they exist as faiths.
Hoodoo is not a religion, but rather a system of folk magick that is derived from African American culture. There are hundreds of systems of magick. We cannot go into the differences between each of these. All I can tell you is that most of your questions have already been answered by the link that you've been given a dozen times. If you go to HITAP (http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoo.html) you will find the following article: http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html which is titled: "What is Hoodoo." That is a direct answer to your question.
Please read the links we are giving you.
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Hey Y'all!
It's Lil' Jessi Ross #1444G. I rarely post on here, as I am not big on forums, but I would love y'all's input!
Ever since I moved into my apartment, I have had dreams about churches in my neighbourhood (West Oakland). If there is one thing I have learned in my life, it's that dreams shouldn't be ignored, so as woman of my word, I am here asking for y'all's opinions.
I checked out the miss cat's list of California Spiritual, Spiritist, and Spiritualist churches (http://www.yronwode.org/Spiritual-Spiri ... ornia.html) to see if she had any recommendations in my neighbourhood. Two churches caught my eye and are very close to me. Unfortuantely, neither of their phone numbers work and the internet claims that one of them moved. (I will list this info below). I hope to ride my bike by them and see what their signs say, but I have been struggling with severe migraines lately and haven't had much energy for biking .So, really, I am just wondering if anyone has any personal experience with either of these churches that they would like to share with me? Secondly, does anyone know whether the Metropolitan church actually did move? Lastly, I am open to suggestions for other churches, near me, as well.
Thanks so much!
With love and blessings,
Lil' Jessi
Metropolitan Spiritual Church- The phone phone number doesn't work and the internet says it moved from 2510 Filbert St. near 24th and 25th Streets, near Market Street to 1159 32nd Street
Mount Zion Spiritual Temple Church- phone doesn't work 1488 14th Street btwn Center and Peralta
It's Lil' Jessi Ross #1444G. I rarely post on here, as I am not big on forums, but I would love y'all's input!
Ever since I moved into my apartment, I have had dreams about churches in my neighbourhood (West Oakland). If there is one thing I have learned in my life, it's that dreams shouldn't be ignored, so as woman of my word, I am here asking for y'all's opinions.
I checked out the miss cat's list of California Spiritual, Spiritist, and Spiritualist churches (http://www.yronwode.org/Spiritual-Spiri ... ornia.html) to see if she had any recommendations in my neighbourhood. Two churches caught my eye and are very close to me. Unfortuantely, neither of their phone numbers work and the internet claims that one of them moved. (I will list this info below). I hope to ride my bike by them and see what their signs say, but I have been struggling with severe migraines lately and haven't had much energy for biking .So, really, I am just wondering if anyone has any personal experience with either of these churches that they would like to share with me? Secondly, does anyone know whether the Metropolitan church actually did move? Lastly, I am open to suggestions for other churches, near me, as well.
Thanks so much!
With love and blessings,
Lil' Jessi
Metropolitan Spiritual Church- The phone phone number doesn't work and the internet says it moved from 2510 Filbert St. near 24th and 25th Streets, near Market Street to 1159 32nd Street
Mount Zion Spiritual Temple Church- phone doesn't work 1488 14th Street btwn Center and Peralta
- catherineyronwode
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Thanks for checking in, Jessi -- when you do find out about what is going on with these churches, please let me know so that i can update their listings.
catherine yronwode
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
- Joseph Magnuson
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
I also agree with Cat in that I would love to hear/read a few reviews of the churches from you...it would be a great service to some of the members of the forums who live very close to your area! Thank you and good luck!
-Joseph
-Joseph
Joseph Magnuson
Lucky Mojo Forum Moderator
Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course Graduate #1599
Lucky Mojo Forum Moderator
Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course Graduate #1599
Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
I haven't been through West Oakland in a while but there was a big purple building on 35th St. that is a Spiritualist Church http://www.yelp.com/biz/starlight-cathedral-oakland I could never figure out what time their services are and I don't think the phone number on yelp is correct, but it's a big purple church that you can't miss.
- catherineyronwode
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Hey, didja see who wrote the glowing review on Yelp? It was Miss Michaele from this forum and from AIRR!!!
Small world!
Small world!
catherine yronwode
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
catherineyronwode wrote:Hey, didja see who wrote the glowing review on Yelp? It was Miss Michaele from this forum and from AIRR!!!
Small world!
Wow, that's great! Nice to see the "family" love!
-Joseph
Joseph Magnuson
Lucky Mojo Forum Moderator
Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course Graduate #1599
Lucky Mojo Forum Moderator
Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course Graduate #1599
Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Friends, Afternoon. I was just making an observation. I have been a practicing Wiccan for over 20 years. I have reviewed a lot of different metaphysical studies. This is the first time I have looked in to root working or Hoodoo. I'm still a little confused.
What is the difference between Hoodoo & Voodoo?
Another thing that I have noticed, is that up to now, the root working (using oils, herbs, & stones) is very similar to the low or folk magick of Wicca (which I am familiar with).
While practicing Wicca, one is to "ever mind the rule of three". Meaning that what ever you send out into the universe, it will come back to you 3x.
How come in hoodoo, you don't have to adhere to that kind of Karmic whiplash?
I guess that what I'm asking is what is the magical responsibility of the practitioner? And where is one supposed to draw the line?
Any thoughts and responses are greatly appreciated.
I hope my questions aren't anoying anyone, I'm just trying to be careful.
Thank you.
Stacia
What is the difference between Hoodoo & Voodoo?
Another thing that I have noticed, is that up to now, the root working (using oils, herbs, & stones) is very similar to the low or folk magick of Wicca (which I am familiar with).
While practicing Wicca, one is to "ever mind the rule of three". Meaning that what ever you send out into the universe, it will come back to you 3x.
How come in hoodoo, you don't have to adhere to that kind of Karmic whiplash?
I guess that what I'm asking is what is the magical responsibility of the practitioner? And where is one supposed to draw the line?
Any thoughts and responses are greatly appreciated.
I hope my questions aren't anoying anyone, I'm just trying to be careful.
Thank you.
Stacia
- ConjureMan
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Conjure/ Hoodoo is a set of African American spiritual practices. It is a tradition that draws its roots from Africa among other places.
Voodoo is a religion in the Afro-diasporic traditions.
Conjure is an old set of magical herbal and spiritual practices that is often termed natural magic or folk magic. Wicca shares similarities when in comes to use of oils for Wicca was exposed to such practices from conjure shops and is influenced by European folk magic.
Matters of ethics are a bit too broad for this forum, but hoodoo adheres to its own set of ethical considerations without misappropriating and misinterpreting the eastern idea of Karma.
Hope that helps.
Voodoo is a religion in the Afro-diasporic traditions.
Conjure is an old set of magical herbal and spiritual practices that is often termed natural magic or folk magic. Wicca shares similarities when in comes to use of oils for Wicca was exposed to such practices from conjure shops and is influenced by European folk magic.
Matters of ethics are a bit too broad for this forum, but hoodoo adheres to its own set of ethical considerations without misappropriating and misinterpreting the eastern idea of Karma.
Hope that helps.
ConjureMan - HRCC Graduate #1550, Forum Moderator, and Member of AIRR
Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
ConjureMan Ali, Thank you for helping me to understand. So I think what you are trying to say is that Voodoo & Wicca are both religions. Root working is kind of like being a "magick user" without the religious connotations, while still being a spiritual experience. Secondly, not going into Karma, what are the ethical considerations of Hoodoo that you mentioned? Thank you in advance...Stacia
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
It is certainly more than being a "magick user." Hoodoo and Conjure are spiritual practices that are informed and highly influenced from the cultural context that gave rise to them. This includes Germanic spiritual practices, African traditions, Jewish and Near Eastern influences, and Protestant Christian spirituality.
The ethics of conjure is highly contingent upon the practitioner and their God. Some of us are willing to take on cases of justice for we feel the Lord calls us to be harbingers of His Justice, while those who are "lady-hearted" choose an ethical path that involves no harm to others.
Conjure is deeply rooted in spirituality, but not bogged down or convoluted by dogma. For further information on the subject please read here: http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html
Now, I'd like to welcome you to the forum. Please bare in mind that this is a product forum and not a general hoodoo forum.
The ethics of conjure is highly contingent upon the practitioner and their God. Some of us are willing to take on cases of justice for we feel the Lord calls us to be harbingers of His Justice, while those who are "lady-hearted" choose an ethical path that involves no harm to others.
Conjure is deeply rooted in spirituality, but not bogged down or convoluted by dogma. For further information on the subject please read here: http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html
Now, I'd like to welcome you to the forum. Please bare in mind that this is a product forum and not a general hoodoo forum.
ConjureMan - HRCC Graduate #1550, Forum Moderator, and Member of AIRR
Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
ConjureMan Ali, Please know I meant no disrespect when I used the term "magick user". It is a personal term that I use in my daily life. Thank you for the link and the in-site. And my apology for all of the questions on this forum.
- ConjureMan
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
No apology necessary. No offense was taken. If you have further questions on such topics don't hesitate to ask.
For all Lucky Mojo related questions--post away!
For all Lucky Mojo related questions--post away!
ConjureMan - HRCC Graduate #1550, Forum Moderator, and Member of AIRR
- Purple Dragon
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Hello everyone,
I have been lurking a long time and am considering aiming towards taking catherine's Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course. After much reading around on the 'net, I find that although many are tolerant of using rootwork in an eclectic way, a lot are dead against it. Some seen angry and disgusted, believing it to be disrespectful. I would never wish to insult a long standing practice.
I was refreshingly pleased when I first encountered the Lucky Mojo website, because it accepts one's personal freedom to adapt rootwork to one's own path.
My confusion is this: If it's okay to change the name of say, the Saints or Jesus for a figure from a different pantheon other than Christian, then why are people using the Psalms and Jesus' name so often in their work?
Is this simply a matter of personal preference?
What am I missing here?
Apologies for irritating anyone with my naivety! I have looked hard for clear answers and am having difficulty clarifying it.
Thanks!!
I have been lurking a long time and am considering aiming towards taking catherine's Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course. After much reading around on the 'net, I find that although many are tolerant of using rootwork in an eclectic way, a lot are dead against it. Some seen angry and disgusted, believing it to be disrespectful. I would never wish to insult a long standing practice.
I was refreshingly pleased when I first encountered the Lucky Mojo website, because it accepts one's personal freedom to adapt rootwork to one's own path.
My confusion is this: If it's okay to change the name of say, the Saints or Jesus for a figure from a different pantheon other than Christian, then why are people using the Psalms and Jesus' name so often in their work?
Is this simply a matter of personal preference?
What am I missing here?
Apologies for irritating anyone with my naivety! I have looked hard for clear answers and am having difficulty clarifying it.
Thanks!!
- ConjureMan
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
With Conjure and hoodoo becoming so readily available people are adopting its practices into their own lives. Traditionally this was a practice passed down in families or from conjure worker to student. The context was generally Protestant Christian with the occassional regional variations of Catholic influence. In the internet age people outside of these backgrounds have access to it.
This is a beautiful thing. However, when we speak of traditional conjure it involves the spiritual background of Protestant Christianity. This means Jesus and the Psalms. People are free to adopt the practices and make them their own. I believe the frustration some old school conjure doctors have is that people are taking hoodoo, taking parts of it, making it their own, and claiming it is still hoodoo. In reality what results is a personal practice.
So take welcome, take around and you'll come to appreciate and love conjure for what it is. Should you have any questions about Lucky Mojo products don't hesitate to ask!
This is a beautiful thing. However, when we speak of traditional conjure it involves the spiritual background of Protestant Christianity. This means Jesus and the Psalms. People are free to adopt the practices and make them their own. I believe the frustration some old school conjure doctors have is that people are taking hoodoo, taking parts of it, making it their own, and claiming it is still hoodoo. In reality what results is a personal practice.
So take welcome, take around and you'll come to appreciate and love conjure for what it is. Should you have any questions about Lucky Mojo products don't hesitate to ask!
ConjureMan - HRCC Graduate #1550, Forum Moderator, and Member of AIRR
- Purple Dragon
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Thanks for that! I'm pleased you cleared that up for me, I know now that I will not refer to myself as a practitioner of Hoodoo, instead I will simply remain 'ecclectic' and without labels. I like this site, and am looking forward to this journey.
Blessings
Purple Dragon
Blessings
Purple Dragon
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Hello, Purple Dragon, and welcome to this forum.
Your questions are worthy of consideration, and i will respond in detail (after which i will place this answer on one of my web pages, so others can find it too).
I suggest that you start by reading the chapter of "Hoodoo in Theory and Practice" (a free online book i have written) which is titled "History of Hoodoo." You can read it here:
http://luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html
After you read that, you will, i hope, understand that i am embarked on one path only -- to reflect to the world the Black Protestant Christian practices of conjure, rootwork, and hoodoo which i learned through personal contact and training with practitioners, starting in the early 1960s, and also found corroborated in a variety of ethnographic and folkloric magazine articles and books published from the 1870s through the 1970s. .
If you choose to study with me, i will interview you at the outset, and during our talk together, i will ask you about your and your family's ethnicity, culture, and religion. I will do this in order to best help you approach what may be for you either the folk magic of your mother-culture or the folk magic of a very different culture than your own. I will also do this because it has been my experience, after teaching and training more than 1,600 students, that in order to understand the basis of hoodoo and rootwork practices, a student who is, say, 28 years old, Hindu, and a recent immigrant to the USA from India, will require more background information about African American social and political history than a student who is, say, 46 years old, of African American / Native American descent, and has grown up in the Baptist Church in North Carolina.
I do not teach people religion, but i do expect my students to understand that 95% of hoodoo practitioners are Black Protestants. That's just the truth. That's just how it is. And i hope that all my students, no matter what their own religious backgrounds, were taught by their mothers, as mine taught me, that if you are invited to someone's house for dinner, you are to say Amen when they say grace.
Am i "tolerant of using rootwork in an eclectic way"?
As a person, sure, i am tolerant, but as a teacher of conjure, i am not really that tolerant -- because i love, practice, teach, and transmit what i myself was taught, and it is not "eclectic" in the sense in which you are using the word. That is, traditional hoodoo may contain many admixtures from various cultures, but its culture-bearers are and always have been primarily Christians and its spell-work is conceived in a Judeo-Christian framework.
Of course, i also recognize that it is not my place, role, or authority to stop or to try to stop people from "using rootwork in an eclectic way." That's between them and their god(s).
No matter what religion you profess, or how religiously eclectic you are, you will do just fine as my student as long as you understand that my Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course will not be dealing with revivals of Neo-Pagan European religions (e.g. Wicca, Druidry, Heathenism), importations of West African and Caribbean religions (e.g. Lukumi, Santeria, Voodoo), or lodge systems grounded in Hermetic texts or Christianized Pseudo-Kaballah (e.g. Thelema). You may be an adherent of any of these religions -- or any other religion -- but these religions did not contribute greatly to the development of hoodoo and conjure in America, so aside from a few mentions, they will not be the subject of discussion. Rather, the course, when it discusses religion at all, will deal with the religious background of domestic African American conjure practitioners.
My students acknowledge, respect, and honour the fact that hoodoo is a Black American Christian magical way of working, and that in addition to its African core, it contains strong and distinctly identifiable admixtures of Native American, Anglo-Saxon (Germanic-British), Scottish-Irish (Gaelic), Jewish, and other folk magical practices mingled into it. All HRCC homework turned in will be accepted only insofar as it accords with those premises (e.g. in reviewing the homework in which students make an oil, i will reject an "Oil of Oshun" or "Oil of Hecate") and this is why i make a point that of the two homeworks that consist of collecting folkloric beliefs, one of the two items collected must be from a Black American source.
Finally, in the matter of whether i teach "working with saints," i explain at the outset to each student that i teach as i was taught, for my purpose is transmission, not creation de novo -- and for the most part i was taught by Protestant Christian conjure workers. Institutionally speaking, Protestant Christians do not venerate or "work with" saints, although they may invoke the aid of angels and other spirits.
If you are not familiar with the predominance of Protestant versus Catholic traditions in African American society, i suggest that you review the data at BlackDemographics.com,
This site summarizes a number of polls, studies, and demographic reports on African American religious affiliations. The figures arrived at by the several demographic studies are in disagreement by a few percentage points, so i will give the ranges:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Importance of religion in African American society:
* 82 % of Blacks (vs. 55% of Whites) say that religion is "very important in their life".
* 82% of Blacks (vs. 67% of Whites) are church members.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Frequency of Christianity in African American society:
* 82% of African Americans are Christians
* 45 - 50% of African Americans consider themselves Baptist Christians (e.g. Southern Baptist, American Baptist, Free-Will Baptist, Missionary Baptist, and other African-American Baptist denominations)
* 9 - 15% of African Americans consider themselves denominationally unidentified "generic" Christians (e.g. they call themselves Christian, Protestant Christian, Evangelical Christian, Born Again Christian, Fundamentalist Christian, Independent Christian, Christian Spiritualist)
* 7 - 12% of African Americans consider themselves Mainline Christians (e.g. Methodist, United Methodist, African Methodist, African Methodist Episcopalian, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Anglican, United Church of Christ, Congregational, Reformed, Dutch Reform, Disciples of Christ, Moravian, Quaker)
* 6 - 7 % of African Americans consider themselves Pentecostal Christians (e.g. Pentecostal, Assemblies of God, Full Gospel, Four Square Gospel, Church of God, Church of God in Christ, Holiness, Sanctified, Nazarene, Salvation Army)
* 4 - 6% of African Americans consider themselves non-denominational Protestant Christians (e.g. they call themselves "Non-Denominational Protestant Christian")
* 4 - 6% of African Americans consider themselves Catholic Christians (e.g. Roman, Greek, Eastern Rite)
(These numbers total a range from 76 - 96%, but the ranges derive from different studies and the averaged total should work out to about 82% of all African Americans considering themselves Christians -- with 96% of those African Americans who identify as Christians further identifying themselves as Protestant Christians. In other words, approximately 78% of African Americans consider themselves Protestant Christians, and 4% of African Americans consider themselves Catholic Christians.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Frequency of non-Christian religions in African American society:
* 6 - 7% of African Americans consider themselves Muslims (e.g. Shiite, Sunni, Black Muslim, Nation of Islam)
* 1% of African Americans consider themselves of a "new" or "other" religion (e.g. New Thought, Religious Science, Unitarian-Universalist, Deist, New Age, Eckankar, Wiccan, Pagan, Druid, Native American Religion, Kemetic, Santeria, Lukumi, Palo, Rastafarian,Voodoo, Scientology)
* Less than 1% of African Americans consider themselves Jews (e.g. Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Hasidic, Liberal)
* Less than 1% of African Americans consider themselves members of Asian religions (e.g. Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, Baha'I, Shintoist, Zoroastrian, Sikh)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Frequency of non-religiosity, agnosticism, and atheism in African American society:
* 6 - 11% of African Americans consider themselves of "no religious affiliation" (e.g. Humanistic, Ethical Culture, Agnostic, Atheist, Secular)
* 1 - 2% of African Americans surveyed refused to answer questions about religion or responded "i don't know" when asked their religion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Now, once you understand that my mission is transmission, and that i will teach you what i myself was taught, not something that i have made up or something that is artificially "eclectic" or "all-inclusive," then you will have a clear understanding of what i teach with respect to religions in my Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course.
You will also now understand the answer to your question, "If it's okay to change the name of say, the saints or Jesus for a figure from a different pantheon other than Christian, then why are people using the Psalms and Jesus' name so often in their work?"
The answer is, "people are using the Psalms and Jesus' name so often in their work, because 'their work' is the folk magic of African American people, 82% of whom are Christians."
Thanks for asking!
Your questions are worthy of consideration, and i will respond in detail (after which i will place this answer on one of my web pages, so others can find it too).
I suggest that you start by reading the chapter of "Hoodoo in Theory and Practice" (a free online book i have written) which is titled "History of Hoodoo." You can read it here:
http://luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html
After you read that, you will, i hope, understand that i am embarked on one path only -- to reflect to the world the Black Protestant Christian practices of conjure, rootwork, and hoodoo which i learned through personal contact and training with practitioners, starting in the early 1960s, and also found corroborated in a variety of ethnographic and folkloric magazine articles and books published from the 1870s through the 1970s. .
If you choose to study with me, i will interview you at the outset, and during our talk together, i will ask you about your and your family's ethnicity, culture, and religion. I will do this in order to best help you approach what may be for you either the folk magic of your mother-culture or the folk magic of a very different culture than your own. I will also do this because it has been my experience, after teaching and training more than 1,600 students, that in order to understand the basis of hoodoo and rootwork practices, a student who is, say, 28 years old, Hindu, and a recent immigrant to the USA from India, will require more background information about African American social and political history than a student who is, say, 46 years old, of African American / Native American descent, and has grown up in the Baptist Church in North Carolina.
I do not teach people religion, but i do expect my students to understand that 95% of hoodoo practitioners are Black Protestants. That's just the truth. That's just how it is. And i hope that all my students, no matter what their own religious backgrounds, were taught by their mothers, as mine taught me, that if you are invited to someone's house for dinner, you are to say Amen when they say grace.
Am i "tolerant of using rootwork in an eclectic way"?
As a person, sure, i am tolerant, but as a teacher of conjure, i am not really that tolerant -- because i love, practice, teach, and transmit what i myself was taught, and it is not "eclectic" in the sense in which you are using the word. That is, traditional hoodoo may contain many admixtures from various cultures, but its culture-bearers are and always have been primarily Christians and its spell-work is conceived in a Judeo-Christian framework.
Of course, i also recognize that it is not my place, role, or authority to stop or to try to stop people from "using rootwork in an eclectic way." That's between them and their god(s).
No matter what religion you profess, or how religiously eclectic you are, you will do just fine as my student as long as you understand that my Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course will not be dealing with revivals of Neo-Pagan European religions (e.g. Wicca, Druidry, Heathenism), importations of West African and Caribbean religions (e.g. Lukumi, Santeria, Voodoo), or lodge systems grounded in Hermetic texts or Christianized Pseudo-Kaballah (e.g. Thelema). You may be an adherent of any of these religions -- or any other religion -- but these religions did not contribute greatly to the development of hoodoo and conjure in America, so aside from a few mentions, they will not be the subject of discussion. Rather, the course, when it discusses religion at all, will deal with the religious background of domestic African American conjure practitioners.
My students acknowledge, respect, and honour the fact that hoodoo is a Black American Christian magical way of working, and that in addition to its African core, it contains strong and distinctly identifiable admixtures of Native American, Anglo-Saxon (Germanic-British), Scottish-Irish (Gaelic), Jewish, and other folk magical practices mingled into it. All HRCC homework turned in will be accepted only insofar as it accords with those premises (e.g. in reviewing the homework in which students make an oil, i will reject an "Oil of Oshun" or "Oil of Hecate") and this is why i make a point that of the two homeworks that consist of collecting folkloric beliefs, one of the two items collected must be from a Black American source.
Finally, in the matter of whether i teach "working with saints," i explain at the outset to each student that i teach as i was taught, for my purpose is transmission, not creation de novo -- and for the most part i was taught by Protestant Christian conjure workers. Institutionally speaking, Protestant Christians do not venerate or "work with" saints, although they may invoke the aid of angels and other spirits.
If you are not familiar with the predominance of Protestant versus Catholic traditions in African American society, i suggest that you review the data at BlackDemographics.com,
This site summarizes a number of polls, studies, and demographic reports on African American religious affiliations. The figures arrived at by the several demographic studies are in disagreement by a few percentage points, so i will give the ranges:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Importance of religion in African American society:
* 82 % of Blacks (vs. 55% of Whites) say that religion is "very important in their life".
* 82% of Blacks (vs. 67% of Whites) are church members.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Frequency of Christianity in African American society:
* 82% of African Americans are Christians
* 45 - 50% of African Americans consider themselves Baptist Christians (e.g. Southern Baptist, American Baptist, Free-Will Baptist, Missionary Baptist, and other African-American Baptist denominations)
* 9 - 15% of African Americans consider themselves denominationally unidentified "generic" Christians (e.g. they call themselves Christian, Protestant Christian, Evangelical Christian, Born Again Christian, Fundamentalist Christian, Independent Christian, Christian Spiritualist)
* 7 - 12% of African Americans consider themselves Mainline Christians (e.g. Methodist, United Methodist, African Methodist, African Methodist Episcopalian, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Anglican, United Church of Christ, Congregational, Reformed, Dutch Reform, Disciples of Christ, Moravian, Quaker)
* 6 - 7 % of African Americans consider themselves Pentecostal Christians (e.g. Pentecostal, Assemblies of God, Full Gospel, Four Square Gospel, Church of God, Church of God in Christ, Holiness, Sanctified, Nazarene, Salvation Army)
* 4 - 6% of African Americans consider themselves non-denominational Protestant Christians (e.g. they call themselves "Non-Denominational Protestant Christian")
* 4 - 6% of African Americans consider themselves Catholic Christians (e.g. Roman, Greek, Eastern Rite)
(These numbers total a range from 76 - 96%, but the ranges derive from different studies and the averaged total should work out to about 82% of all African Americans considering themselves Christians -- with 96% of those African Americans who identify as Christians further identifying themselves as Protestant Christians. In other words, approximately 78% of African Americans consider themselves Protestant Christians, and 4% of African Americans consider themselves Catholic Christians.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Frequency of non-Christian religions in African American society:
* 6 - 7% of African Americans consider themselves Muslims (e.g. Shiite, Sunni, Black Muslim, Nation of Islam)
* 1% of African Americans consider themselves of a "new" or "other" religion (e.g. New Thought, Religious Science, Unitarian-Universalist, Deist, New Age, Eckankar, Wiccan, Pagan, Druid, Native American Religion, Kemetic, Santeria, Lukumi, Palo, Rastafarian,Voodoo, Scientology)
* Less than 1% of African Americans consider themselves Jews (e.g. Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Hasidic, Liberal)
* Less than 1% of African Americans consider themselves members of Asian religions (e.g. Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, Baha'I, Shintoist, Zoroastrian, Sikh)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Frequency of non-religiosity, agnosticism, and atheism in African American society:
* 6 - 11% of African Americans consider themselves of "no religious affiliation" (e.g. Humanistic, Ethical Culture, Agnostic, Atheist, Secular)
* 1 - 2% of African Americans surveyed refused to answer questions about religion or responded "i don't know" when asked their religion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Now, once you understand that my mission is transmission, and that i will teach you what i myself was taught, not something that i have made up or something that is artificially "eclectic" or "all-inclusive," then you will have a clear understanding of what i teach with respect to religions in my Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course.
You will also now understand the answer to your question, "If it's okay to change the name of say, the saints or Jesus for a figure from a different pantheon other than Christian, then why are people using the Psalms and Jesus' name so often in their work?"
The answer is, "people are using the Psalms and Jesus' name so often in their work, because 'their work' is the folk magic of African American people, 82% of whom are Christians."
Thanks for asking!
catherine yronwode
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
- Purple Dragon
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Thank you! This has helped enormously. I am drawn to this path of Hoodoo, I now realize that I cannot study it let alone practice it without being very uncomfortable... oh dear, that is a shame but I honestly could never live with this.
Your website is wonderful, and I learned a great deal about the path and also myself. Out of respect, my personal path will not include Hoodoo, although I already work with roots and herbs, powders and such and have done as a Pagan and witch of very many years. Again, thank you for your lengthy and speedy reply to my question! Be blessed
Your website is wonderful, and I learned a great deal about the path and also myself. Out of respect, my personal path will not include Hoodoo, although I already work with roots and herbs, powders and such and have done as a Pagan and witch of very many years. Again, thank you for your lengthy and speedy reply to my question! Be blessed
- Sean n Shawnee
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
I have real interest in learning more about hoodoo and magic, I would like to incorporate it into Buddhist faith. Will it be possible for me to be successful with blending the two? I know the slaves of Africa and those on early America blended African beliefs and Christan or even Catholic saints and concepts, so can Buddhist do the same thing? The Hindu Vedas (particularly the 4th) contain many magical spells, rituals and more.
Most Sincerely
Sean
Most Sincerely
Sean
- atmaweapon
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Greetings everyone!
I have a question regarding mixing magical practices. I'm a follower of the Ásatrú religion, but I also follow some Catholic practices (I was baptised and raised as a Catholic). While basically I'm a polytheist, I incorporate into my spiritual life some Catholic practices (I go to church, I pray the rosary and I pray the psalms for magical purposes). My interest in incorporating these Catholic elements in my practice began when I read the "Galdrabók" (an Icelandic book of magic) where it states that for some time in Iceland, the pagan and Christian ideologies were syncretized, and indeed, some of the spells contained therein include both pagan and Christian elements.
My question is if I can practice these two currents with good results? Will my "Catholic spells" work if I believe in pagan deities, and viceversa? I don't feel that I'm inventing anything new, as this was done for the most part of the High Middle Ages in the Germanic territories, but I was wondering if this will bring the results that I'm looking for.
Julio
I have a question regarding mixing magical practices. I'm a follower of the Ásatrú religion, but I also follow some Catholic practices (I was baptised and raised as a Catholic). While basically I'm a polytheist, I incorporate into my spiritual life some Catholic practices (I go to church, I pray the rosary and I pray the psalms for magical purposes). My interest in incorporating these Catholic elements in my practice began when I read the "Galdrabók" (an Icelandic book of magic) where it states that for some time in Iceland, the pagan and Christian ideologies were syncretized, and indeed, some of the spells contained therein include both pagan and Christian elements.
My question is if I can practice these two currents with good results? Will my "Catholic spells" work if I believe in pagan deities, and viceversa? I don't feel that I'm inventing anything new, as this was done for the most part of the High Middle Ages in the Germanic territories, but I was wondering if this will bring the results that I'm looking for.
Julio
- Devi Spring
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Welcome to the forum.
The focus of the Lucky Mojo Curio Co Product Forum is discussing the use of Lucky Mojo products in traditional conjure, and is not a general magical practice discussion board. So unfortunately your query is off-topic for this forum here.
There are plenty of practitioners that have a blended spirituality, myself included, that incorporates non-Christian elements and spirits into their work successfully. It is a matter that each practitioner must navigate for themselves, and it is between them and their gods. There is no one answer to your question.
By all means learn about conjure, which is a primarily African American North American Protestant Christian form of folk magic, though some regions such as New Orleans do work deeply with more Catholic elements such as saints, and see if it is useful to you in your path.
The free online book Hoodoo in Theory and Practice is a great place to start: http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoo.html
Blessings on your path!
The focus of the Lucky Mojo Curio Co Product Forum is discussing the use of Lucky Mojo products in traditional conjure, and is not a general magical practice discussion board. So unfortunately your query is off-topic for this forum here.
There are plenty of practitioners that have a blended spirituality, myself included, that incorporates non-Christian elements and spirits into their work successfully. It is a matter that each practitioner must navigate for themselves, and it is between them and their gods. There is no one answer to your question.
By all means learn about conjure, which is a primarily African American North American Protestant Christian form of folk magic, though some regions such as New Orleans do work deeply with more Catholic elements such as saints, and see if it is useful to you in your path.
The free online book Hoodoo in Theory and Practice is a great place to start: http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoo.html
Blessings on your path!
Devi Spring: Reader & Rootworker - HRCC Graduate.
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Some practitioners do have blended paths, but is a personal thing that comes from the study and practice of each tradition in its original context, and then finding points of intelligent syncretism from there. Elements of Buddhism and Hinduism did make their way into hoodoo, primarily as "lucky" figures and out of a curiosity for the exotic, as hoodoo is primarily a Protestant Christian form of folk magic.
Again, it's up to you to learn what you can, and see what works for you.
However this forum is for the discussion of Lucky Mojo products and how to use them, not for general discussion on magical practice, so your query is off-topic for this particular forum. There are some lovely discussion groups on the internet where your questions will be more appropriate, and you will likely find many interesting opinions to guide you on your way.
Again, it's up to you to learn what you can, and see what works for you.
However this forum is for the discussion of Lucky Mojo products and how to use them, not for general discussion on magical practice, so your query is off-topic for this particular forum. There are some lovely discussion groups on the internet where your questions will be more appropriate, and you will likely find many interesting opinions to guide you on your way.
Devi Spring: Reader & Rootworker - HRCC Graduate.
Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
If this is the wrong place, I apologize. Been a member here for a while, and thought this seemed the best place to ask this. On another board I'm on, there's currently a (rather heated) debate about what religion, traditionally, most Hoodoo practitioners thought of themselves as.
From what I know, it was a more or less Christian practice; obviously, most of the workings rely heavily on Psalms, prayers, saints, and other Judeo-Christian elements. It's also my understanding that most practitioners made a sharp distinction between themselves and what they did, and "witches" and "witchcraft." Now, obviously Hoodoo draws from many sources, including African religions and various Spiritualist practices, but my argument has been that the majority of workers viewed themselves as Christian and saw their work in a Christian (albeit, a folk Christian) context.
It's someone else's view that no, they weren't all Christian, that Christianity was just a front, and that they were in fact members of some African religion, or else some sort of Pagan.
They argue that because magic is involved, these people couldn't possibly be Christians, and that they were in fact witches of some stripe. This person claims that, because they know some modern-day workers who aren't Christians and yet claim to practice traditional Hoodoo, that this proves that it's never been a Christian practice. I've pointed out that even mainline Christian beliefs and practices have borrowed heavily from pagan and traditional religious sources, and yet that doesn't make them not Christian, but to no avail.
I am no expert on the history of Hoodoo, and not knowing any traditional practitioners myself, I'm seeking opinions from the more experienced people here. Not so much so I can win some argument, but mainly just to satisfy my own interest.
As a non-Christian myself, I've tried very hard to respect the traditional aspects of Hoodoo, and not try to re-write it to suit my own needs. I confess, I am a little put out with certain sectors of the pagan community who, in my opinion, are using revisionist claims in order to appropriate Hoodoo and other Christian folk magic for themselves, and to classify as "pagans" and "witches" people who probably would have been horrified at the very suggestion.
Any insights, links, interviews, and works you could steer me towards would be very much appreciated. There is of course a lot on the internet, but not all of it is good and it's hard to know what to believe.
Thanks!
From what I know, it was a more or less Christian practice; obviously, most of the workings rely heavily on Psalms, prayers, saints, and other Judeo-Christian elements. It's also my understanding that most practitioners made a sharp distinction between themselves and what they did, and "witches" and "witchcraft." Now, obviously Hoodoo draws from many sources, including African religions and various Spiritualist practices, but my argument has been that the majority of workers viewed themselves as Christian and saw their work in a Christian (albeit, a folk Christian) context.
It's someone else's view that no, they weren't all Christian, that Christianity was just a front, and that they were in fact members of some African religion, or else some sort of Pagan.
They argue that because magic is involved, these people couldn't possibly be Christians, and that they were in fact witches of some stripe. This person claims that, because they know some modern-day workers who aren't Christians and yet claim to practice traditional Hoodoo, that this proves that it's never been a Christian practice. I've pointed out that even mainline Christian beliefs and practices have borrowed heavily from pagan and traditional religious sources, and yet that doesn't make them not Christian, but to no avail.
I am no expert on the history of Hoodoo, and not knowing any traditional practitioners myself, I'm seeking opinions from the more experienced people here. Not so much so I can win some argument, but mainly just to satisfy my own interest.
As a non-Christian myself, I've tried very hard to respect the traditional aspects of Hoodoo, and not try to re-write it to suit my own needs. I confess, I am a little put out with certain sectors of the pagan community who, in my opinion, are using revisionist claims in order to appropriate Hoodoo and other Christian folk magic for themselves, and to classify as "pagans" and "witches" people who probably would have been horrified at the very suggestion.
Any insights, links, interviews, and works you could steer me towards would be very much appreciated. There is of course a lot on the internet, but not all of it is good and it's hard to know what to believe.
Thanks!
- Miss Ida Lundin
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Hi RJLupin,
your post has been moved into the religion thread, and you can read in this very thread. Also read this:
http://luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html
your post has been moved into the religion thread, and you can read in this very thread. Also read this:
http://luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html
- catherineyronwode
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
RJLupin,
The history of hoodoo is fascinating. I suggest that rather than take my word or the word of others in this regard, you simply purchase a copy of the 1926 book "Folk Beliefs of the Southern Negro" by Newbell Nilles Puckett. The book is racist, but it will educate you in about 5 hours of reading and you will be satisfied, i thuink, as to the Christian nature of historical hoodoo.
I also suggest that you look at the reality of TODAY'S hoodoo. Most practitioners are Christians and most are adherents of Protestant denominations. The statistics cited above should help you in that regard.
Even more to the point would be to make a few friends among practitioners rather than viewing the material from the outside. In other words, seek out African American friends, not internet authorities.
If conjure were a sport, you'd soon come to understand that this game is played with a ball on the court, not in your basement or bedroom with an electronic control-box in your hands. Get it?
Here's a helpful video for you:
ZION HILL DEACONS DEVOTION.mpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hOy4TKr ... 28A9C3C6AE
PASTOR STEPHEN SUMMEROW INSTALLATION SERVICE AT GREATER FRIENDSHIP MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH MACON GA
The history of hoodoo is fascinating. I suggest that rather than take my word or the word of others in this regard, you simply purchase a copy of the 1926 book "Folk Beliefs of the Southern Negro" by Newbell Nilles Puckett. The book is racist, but it will educate you in about 5 hours of reading and you will be satisfied, i thuink, as to the Christian nature of historical hoodoo.
I also suggest that you look at the reality of TODAY'S hoodoo. Most practitioners are Christians and most are adherents of Protestant denominations. The statistics cited above should help you in that regard.
Even more to the point would be to make a few friends among practitioners rather than viewing the material from the outside. In other words, seek out African American friends, not internet authorities.
If conjure were a sport, you'd soon come to understand that this game is played with a ball on the court, not in your basement or bedroom with an electronic control-box in your hands. Get it?
Here's a helpful video for you:
ZION HILL DEACONS DEVOTION.mpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hOy4TKr ... 28A9C3C6AE
PASTOR STEPHEN SUMMEROW INSTALLATION SERVICE AT GREATER FRIENDSHIP MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH MACON GA
catherine yronwode
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
- ThatOldSycorax
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
I have sort of an odd question: Can someone mix magic? I mean can someone take magic learnings from Hoodoo and mix them with Brujeria and then add some Wicca into the equation? Would branching out cancel out the effect of the entire working of magic? Or would mixing different traditions make the whole thing a tad bit stronger?
Personally I do a bit of everything; I look at what cultures I came from (Mexican Indian, Spanish, French, Romany and Jewish) and I draw inspiration from them. I use some Spanish spells for one task and then Romany rituals and wisdom for the next. I have a kind of notebook that has loads of different rituals, formulas and spells from a rather large of eclectic group. I refuse to call it a book of shadows because I don't conform to one distinct path of magic. Personally I just label everything I practice Thessilia after the Greek Thessilian Witches, supposedly they were famous for their feats, even the Greek gods feared their abilities.
Personally I do a bit of everything; I look at what cultures I came from (Mexican Indian, Spanish, French, Romany and Jewish) and I draw inspiration from them. I use some Spanish spells for one task and then Romany rituals and wisdom for the next. I have a kind of notebook that has loads of different rituals, formulas and spells from a rather large of eclectic group. I refuse to call it a book of shadows because I don't conform to one distinct path of magic. Personally I just label everything I practice Thessilia after the Greek Thessilian Witches, supposedly they were famous for their feats, even the Greek gods feared their abilities.
- Devi Spring
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Hi Elphie, please read above in this thread about Asatru, Catholicism, Buddhism, etc.
This topic is off-topic here at the Lucky Mojo product forum. You can likely find some internet groups where you'll find more open discussions about general magical subjects where you can get deeper into this.
This topic is off-topic here at the Lucky Mojo product forum. You can likely find some internet groups where you'll find more open discussions about general magical subjects where you can get deeper into this.
Devi Spring: Reader & Rootworker - HRCC Graduate.
Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Indeed I do, and this is more or less what I already thought. My argument was that Hoodoo had such a strong basis in Christian tradition, that you couldn't remove that from it and still claim that what you were doing was the real thing. I think there's an unfortunate tendency towards revisionism going on now in some Neo-Pagan quarters, where they're trying to claim it as some kind of Pagan practice.catherineyronwode wrote:RJLupin,
If conjure were a sport, you'd soon come to understand that this game is played with a ball on the court, not in your basement or bedroom with an electronic control-box in your hands. Get it?
Thanks again for the links. I'll check them out. Hopefully, with the historical stuff handy, I'll be better prepared for next time.
- catherineyronwode
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Here is a selection of Deacon's Prayers. This is how i was taught to pray in a needed time:
Baptist Deacon's Prayer - Hasan Green
(the best lesson in prayer you will find on youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNvclTp4dUs
Deacon Albert Farley Praying
(long and specific, but it includes the entire 23rd Psalm)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJn8VUBaDs0
Old Skool pastor prayer by cress 4790
(a uniformed police officer prays in the break room, and yes, he can tone it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWMDlT8ZP1s
Tyler Perry "Why Did We Get Maried" Deacon's Prayer Parody:
('cause what good is religion if we can't smile about it now and then?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5hPTUUqib8
Baptist Deacon's Prayer - Hasan Green
(the best lesson in prayer you will find on youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNvclTp4dUs
Deacon Albert Farley Praying
(long and specific, but it includes the entire 23rd Psalm)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJn8VUBaDs0
Old Skool pastor prayer by cress 4790
(a uniformed police officer prays in the break room, and yes, he can tone it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWMDlT8ZP1s
Tyler Perry "Why Did We Get Maried" Deacon's Prayer Parody:
('cause what good is religion if we can't smile about it now and then?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5hPTUUqib8
catherine yronwode
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
- ConjureMan
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
These are awesome Miss cat! They remind me of some fond memories.
"I believe I can fry" LOL
"I believe I can fry" LOL
ConjureMan - HRCC Graduate #1550, Forum Moderator, and Member of AIRR
- pbgnewgirl
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Hi guys,
I am new to luckymojo.com and loving it. The forums are very informative and the staff very knowledgable.
I was wondering for some time now, but didnt have the guts to ask, cause I didnt want it to be seen as asking two "silly" questions.
(1) Is it possible that one form of magic is stronger than another. In my heart I believe that to be true but I dont have enough experience to know for sure. Can one form of magic be stronger than another?
(2) I have yet to try a luckymojo.com gambling mojo bag....i hope i will be successful....cause money is needed very badly. What can I do to get a large amount of money very quickly?
Thanks for reading.
I am new to luckymojo.com and loving it. The forums are very informative and the staff very knowledgable.
I was wondering for some time now, but didnt have the guts to ask, cause I didnt want it to be seen as asking two "silly" questions.
(1) Is it possible that one form of magic is stronger than another. In my heart I believe that to be true but I dont have enough experience to know for sure. Can one form of magic be stronger than another?
(2) I have yet to try a luckymojo.com gambling mojo bag....i hope i will be successful....cause money is needed very badly. What can I do to get a large amount of money very quickly?
Thanks for reading.
Put love first.
- Devi Spring
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Asking if one religion's beliefs and practices are "stronger" than another's is very off-topic for the Lucky Mojo Hoodoo Product forum.
There are many different factors that go into why a work may be effective or not. The skill of the practitioner who is crafting the items is one. The quality of the items used in the crafting is another. The situation surrounding the person who is using it is yet another.
In magic there really isn't a "better" or "more powerful" - there are things that may be better suited to or more effective for specific people or specific circumstances. But just because one thing works best for one person, does NOT mean that it will work best for another.
I would say that if you want to find out what is going to work best for your specific needs in your unique situation, then you should start with a reading and consultation with a professional rootworker. You can find a list of them at http://www.readersandrootworkers.org. Then they can do divinations related to your specific case, and prescribe you exact remedy actions to suit your needs. They may even craft custom items, or do other spell work on your behalf.
Best of luck!
There are many different factors that go into why a work may be effective or not. The skill of the practitioner who is crafting the items is one. The quality of the items used in the crafting is another. The situation surrounding the person who is using it is yet another.
In magic there really isn't a "better" or "more powerful" - there are things that may be better suited to or more effective for specific people or specific circumstances. But just because one thing works best for one person, does NOT mean that it will work best for another.
I would say that if you want to find out what is going to work best for your specific needs in your unique situation, then you should start with a reading and consultation with a professional rootworker. You can find a list of them at http://www.readersandrootworkers.org. Then they can do divinations related to your specific case, and prescribe you exact remedy actions to suit your needs. They may even craft custom items, or do other spell work on your behalf.
Best of luck!
Devi Spring: Reader & Rootworker - HRCC Graduate.
- NamaahFelenora
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
I have only little on voodoo/hoodoo. There are some people where I live that tell me you have to be chosen to be a voodoo priestess, that you cannot just decide it is something you want to explore and find a teacher. Is this right?
Is Legba also called "Papa Legba"? One of the women told me that Papa Legba came to her in a dream and told her that they were related. He was her ancestor and now he guardian. How can a spirit be your ancestor or related if it was never in human form?
I know these are odd questions, but I don't much and am only trying learn.
Thanks for any help
Is Legba also called "Papa Legba"? One of the women told me that Papa Legba came to her in a dream and told her that they were related. He was her ancestor and now he guardian. How can a spirit be your ancestor or related if it was never in human form?
I know these are odd questions, but I don't much and am only trying learn.
Thanks for any help
Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
NamaahFelenora:
This forum is for the discussion of Hoodoo. Here is a link that describes the differences between hoodoo and Voodoo:
http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html
There reference you asked about Papa Legba is Voodoo.
With that said, this forum is designed by cat yronwode for customers' questions about the use of Lucky Mojo products and services. If you have further questions regarding Hoodoo and Lucky Mojo, please return......otherwise this discussion is off-topic.
This forum is for the discussion of Hoodoo. Here is a link that describes the differences between hoodoo and Voodoo:
http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html
There reference you asked about Papa Legba is Voodoo.
With that said, this forum is designed by cat yronwode for customers' questions about the use of Lucky Mojo products and services. If you have further questions regarding Hoodoo and Lucky Mojo, please return......otherwise this discussion is off-topic.
I am proud to be a Lucky Mojo Forum Moderator
- Devi Spring
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Hello Namaah-
This forum focuses on the theory and practice of hoodoo (African American folk magic) and using Lucky Mojo condition products in conjure work. Voodoo is a religion and is completely separate from the practice of hoodoo. Therefore we cannot really answer your questions as they are completely off-topic here.
There are many online discussion groups about Vodou, so I would suggest that you seek those out so that you can learn more about the subject.
To partly address one of your questions, the Lwa of Vodou are often (but not always) far distant ancestral spirits which have reached Lwa-status. It's similar to how a remarkable human being could eventually reach the status of a Saint in the Catholic church. The Lwa are more like saints and angels in nature, than like the deities that some people refer to them as, especially since Vodou is a monotheistic religion.
Also being called to serve the Lwa and being called into service as clergy are two very different things, so you will need to figure out which is which as far as you are concerned. However, if you feel no real personal interest in the path, do not let others make you feel as though you MUST do something. Every spiritual community has those who wish to gather followers and/or are looking to exploit people for money and do so through manipulation. I'm not saying that's what's going on with you, but it's just something to be aware of. Unless you actually are feeling pulled to learn more about Vodou, don't let people convince you that you need to go paying people for services that you do not want or need!
But going any further into the topic is not really appropriate here, so your thread will be moved into the thread of similar questions about various religions.
Since you are looking to learn about these topics, I would suggest that you do read through this wonderful page which describes the difference between hoodoo and Vodou, Santeria, etc.
http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html#hoodoois
Best of luck on your journey.
This forum focuses on the theory and practice of hoodoo (African American folk magic) and using Lucky Mojo condition products in conjure work. Voodoo is a religion and is completely separate from the practice of hoodoo. Therefore we cannot really answer your questions as they are completely off-topic here.
There are many online discussion groups about Vodou, so I would suggest that you seek those out so that you can learn more about the subject.
To partly address one of your questions, the Lwa of Vodou are often (but not always) far distant ancestral spirits which have reached Lwa-status. It's similar to how a remarkable human being could eventually reach the status of a Saint in the Catholic church. The Lwa are more like saints and angels in nature, than like the deities that some people refer to them as, especially since Vodou is a monotheistic religion.
Also being called to serve the Lwa and being called into service as clergy are two very different things, so you will need to figure out which is which as far as you are concerned. However, if you feel no real personal interest in the path, do not let others make you feel as though you MUST do something. Every spiritual community has those who wish to gather followers and/or are looking to exploit people for money and do so through manipulation. I'm not saying that's what's going on with you, but it's just something to be aware of. Unless you actually are feeling pulled to learn more about Vodou, don't let people convince you that you need to go paying people for services that you do not want or need!
But going any further into the topic is not really appropriate here, so your thread will be moved into the thread of similar questions about various religions.
Since you are looking to learn about these topics, I would suggest that you do read through this wonderful page which describes the difference between hoodoo and Vodou, Santeria, etc.
http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html#hoodoois
Best of luck on your journey.
Devi Spring: Reader & Rootworker - HRCC Graduate.
- catherineyronwode
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Thanks, jwmcclin and Devi Spring, for replying to the question about Voodoo and hoodoo, which comes up so often.
Just because two words rhyme, that doesn't mean they are connected.
That's it! The next time someone asks me, "What's the difference between Voodoo and hoodoo?" i will reply. "Okay, i'll tell you that -- but first you have to tell me -- what's the difference between Taoism and Maoism?"
Just because two words rhyme, that doesn't mean they are connected.
That's it! The next time someone asks me, "What's the difference between Voodoo and hoodoo?" i will reply. "Okay, i'll tell you that -- but first you have to tell me -- what's the difference between Taoism and Maoism?"
catherine yronwode
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
I have a general background in occult (32 years now) and was trained as a Wicca.
Until I joined here in 2009 I knew little about hoodoo. I'm still uncomfortable with some of the "devil" spells.
Is everyone on here comfortable with calling on the Green Devil and other entities to return that which was done to them?
I was taught that we don't need to do that because of the Law of Threefold Return, that is, that whatever we put out there comes back to us three times over.
I am afraid if I use a Green Devil product (which I have) that I am messing with something I shouldn't.
Would like others' opinions.
Until I joined here in 2009 I knew little about hoodoo. I'm still uncomfortable with some of the "devil" spells.
Is everyone on here comfortable with calling on the Green Devil and other entities to return that which was done to them?
I was taught that we don't need to do that because of the Law of Threefold Return, that is, that whatever we put out there comes back to us three times over.
I am afraid if I use a Green Devil product (which I have) that I am messing with something I shouldn't.
Would like others' opinions.
- catherineyronwode
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Hello, lavender --
Hoodoo is not a religion, but...
If your religion training -- whatever it may be -- prohibits you from certain kinds of magical or spiritual work, then by all means, stick with your religious training.
We don't teach religious training here -- and we have participants from virtually every major religion and from most denominations within each religion. This is a forum for discussion of how to use Southern style hoodoo spiritual supplies in a down-home conjure context. Asking us for a group-consensus or majority vote about your own personal religious training is not going to be productive, i am afraid.
If you feel that you performed a magical spell in error or that by performing a particular magical spell you have violated the religious training you received, then by all means, seek atonement or forgiveness for your error according to the religious precepts to which you adhere.
Good luck!
Hoodoo is not a religion, but...
If your religion training -- whatever it may be -- prohibits you from certain kinds of magical or spiritual work, then by all means, stick with your religious training.
We don't teach religious training here -- and we have participants from virtually every major religion and from most denominations within each religion. This is a forum for discussion of how to use Southern style hoodoo spiritual supplies in a down-home conjure context. Asking us for a group-consensus or majority vote about your own personal religious training is not going to be productive, i am afraid.
If you feel that you performed a magical spell in error or that by performing a particular magical spell you have violated the religious training you received, then by all means, seek atonement or forgiveness for your error according to the religious precepts to which you adhere.
Good luck!
catherine yronwode
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
- Aariadne
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- Location: Toronto, Ontario
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
I'm a bit surprised to read that some Baptists practice Hoodoo.
The Baptists i know are very much against ritual of any kind.
The Baptists i know are very much against ritual of any kind.
Sacred Heart of Jesus may all tabernacles adore you. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be worshipped and adored everywhere.
Thank you Saint Nicholas for your constant patronage and protection.
Thank you Saint Nicholas for your constant patronage and protection.
Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Hello everyone,
Hope everyone had a wonderful day, I know I've been busy up here in the winter arctic cold that is Canada.
Lately, recently more so, as I start to follow into my mother's steps of practicing and following Hoodoo and trying to figure things out and how it works and what you do and what Hoodoo is really about (which is a LOT harder then it looks) I've also been really looked down upon because of such practices here in Canada, here in Canada (specifically Ontario).
More and more as I grow as a root worker (although I'm not entirely sure I can call myself that) I've found that people feared the practice itself. They call the practice immoral and disgusting, why is that? For a few of many various kinds of reasons, urine, blood, zoological curios. etc. All these things seem to frighten people.
[I have deleted a lot of this post because it consists of bad-mouthing people of various religious and metaphysical beliefs and national origins. That simply is not allowed here. People from all backrounds and of all faiths and paths are welcome at this forum, and knocking anyone is distracting and divisive. --cat]
I understand a lot of things, more so then other people, now its my turn to ask you what its like to be a Hoodoo practitioner in your parts of the world, or states or country? Do you experience discrimination where you live?
Lastly to conclude this, I will say I find practicing Hoodoo a bit discouraging although I love it so. So I ask you, almost plead, to explain to me what its like to be a true conjure man/woman, and is it worth it in the end?
Sincerely,
John
Hope everyone had a wonderful day, I know I've been busy up here in the winter arctic cold that is Canada.
Lately, recently more so, as I start to follow into my mother's steps of practicing and following Hoodoo and trying to figure things out and how it works and what you do and what Hoodoo is really about (which is a LOT harder then it looks) I've also been really looked down upon because of such practices here in Canada, here in Canada (specifically Ontario).
More and more as I grow as a root worker (although I'm not entirely sure I can call myself that) I've found that people feared the practice itself. They call the practice immoral and disgusting, why is that? For a few of many various kinds of reasons, urine, blood, zoological curios. etc. All these things seem to frighten people.
[I have deleted a lot of this post because it consists of bad-mouthing people of various religious and metaphysical beliefs and national origins. That simply is not allowed here. People from all backrounds and of all faiths and paths are welcome at this forum, and knocking anyone is distracting and divisive. --cat]
I understand a lot of things, more so then other people, now its my turn to ask you what its like to be a Hoodoo practitioner in your parts of the world, or states or country? Do you experience discrimination where you live?
Lastly to conclude this, I will say I find practicing Hoodoo a bit discouraging although I love it so. So I ask you, almost plead, to explain to me what its like to be a true conjure man/woman, and is it worth it in the end?
Sincerely,
John
- Devi Spring
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
Hi John - I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time. I can assure you that in Toronto, Ontario there is a good sized community that practices conjure, traditional witchcraft magic, as well as the Afra-Caribbean religions such as Santeria, etc. 
Devi Spring: Reader & Rootworker - HRCC Graduate.
- Mikki
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Re: Hoodoo and Religion: Voodoo Wicca Santeria Witchcraft Christianity Atheism
johnford, I'm sorry you're having a rough time up there. I'm in Montgomery, Al. We have one shop and they are pretty open minded.
Why do people act like that? Fear of the unknown. Or lack of knowledge. Chances are, they see/hear hoodoo, they see/hear Voodoo. And to most people who don't know, Voodoo = bad. I blame Hollywood nowadays. They've managed to take religions like Voodoo and Paganism and twist them around completely. And some people out there are all for Hollywood!! "They say it's so, so it must be."
I'm also a Wiccan. I am a very Eclectic Pagan. I get asked if I eat babies. I say only with mayo!! People are going to continue to react like that until they are taught better. And until the media portrays us in a better light, things like this will continue to happen.
I hope things get better for you.
Why do people act like that? Fear of the unknown. Or lack of knowledge. Chances are, they see/hear hoodoo, they see/hear Voodoo. And to most people who don't know, Voodoo = bad. I blame Hollywood nowadays. They've managed to take religions like Voodoo and Paganism and twist them around completely. And some people out there are all for Hollywood!! "They say it's so, so it must be."
I'm also a Wiccan. I am a very Eclectic Pagan. I get asked if I eat babies. I say only with mayo!! People are going to continue to react like that until they are taught better. And until the media portrays us in a better light, things like this will continue to happen.
I hope things get better for you.



