Hello from Italy

[Teodelinda]

Just wanted to say hello and congratulate you on a beautiful and informative site. I've enjoyed learning from it the last few days.

I'm an American currently living and studying in Italy, specializing in paleochristian / Byzantine art history. I'm doing a small thesis on the use of prayer candles in the Middle Ages (esp the cult of Saint Elogius) and I stumbled across this site while trying to see how these traditions have come down to us today. It's made me look at my own family's use of prayer candles - we're Mexican / Catholic in origin and many members of my family are very devoted to the Virgen de Guadalupe (of course) and San Judas Tadeo, but some of us are pretty heavily into other folkloric practices as well... Fortune telling, curse removal, "limpias," etc.

Anyway, thanks for providing a forum. I'm not exactly a practicioner of anything myself but I try to respect all religions and am really glad to see that people are keeping things like hoodoo, rootwork, spell casting, etc alive and well, I believe it's an important part of our human history

Have a great evening!

[catherineyronwode]

Thanks for joining us here. The forum reaches a widespread and diverse group of people, who share an interest in, and often the practice of, folk magic. For more information on the use of candles in American folk religion and magic, i recommend these books:

• “The Master Book of Candle Burning” by Henri Gamache
• “The Guiding Light to Power and Success” by Mikhail Strabo
• “The Magic Candle” by Charmaine Dey
• “Candle Burning Magic: Rituals for Good and Evil” by Anna Riva
• “The Art of Hoodoo Candle Magic in Rootwork, Conjure, and Spiritual Church Services” by catherine yronwode and Mikhail Strabo

[Mama Micki]

Welcome, Teodelinda! Let us know if we can help you.

[MoonBreath]

Ciao! Benvenuta! Hope that is right. Anyway, Glad you are here ... I like folklore associated with candles too.

[Teodelinda]

Thank you very much for the welcome!

Also, thank you very much for the reading suggestions.

I'm glad to see that Italy isn't (thus far) on the list of countries LM won't ship to! Phew!

Glad to see that others here are interested in folk worship and / or the use of candles. Novena candles / prayer candles are not very popular here in Italy, you can find candles dedicated to St. Padre Pio (his cult is VERY strong here) but that's about it. Mostly people just use the votive style, lighting one up at a church or sanctuary. You won't really see an altar fixed up at home, with statuettes, candles decorated and dedicated to a particular saint or spirit, etc.

Thank you again, and have a great day!

[aura]

Hi Teodelinda and welcom to the Forum

[Joseph Magnuson]

Italy? Nice!

Welcome to the forums.

[catherineyronwode]

If you are interested in hoodoo, here are some links for you. Read these pages for more preliminary information:

Hoodoo History:
http://luckymojo.com/hoodoohistory.html

Oils:
http://luckymojo.com/oils.html

Baths:
http://luckymojo.com/baths.html

Powders:
http://luckymojo.com/powders.html

Incense:
http://luckymojo.com/incense.html

Candles:
http://luckymojo.com/candlemagic.html

Herbs:
http://herb-magic.com

[Miss Tammie Lee]

I am cathching up on "welcomes". Welcome to the Lucky Mojo Forum!
Looking forward to seeing you around!!!

Miss Tammie Lee

[Doctor Hob]

Your studies sound very interesting. Welcome to the forum.

[Dr Johannes]

Welcome to the forum Teodelinda.

[jwmcclin]

Welcome to the forum.