Hi from New Zealand

[Shawn]

Hi all.

I'm new to the forum, so introducing myself.

I was born in Jacksonville Florida, and raised for a time in Albany Georgia. My dad was in the US Navy so we moved around a lot. He was stationed a couple of times here in Christchurch New Zealand with the Antarctica support service, and when he retired from the Navy we settled here.

I'm married, no kids. My wife is an Anglican (Episcopalian) minister/priest.

As a Christian, a few months back I would have dismissed Hoodoo/Conjure as occult and dangerous. But things have changed, and I'll try to explain why.

Six months ago my dad died. This sent me into a deep depression. Actually, I think I was depressed and stuck spiritually long before that, but my dad's death really sent me deeper into it. As well, bad things kept happening to me. My brother in law made some very nasty comments about me to my wife (and behind my back), I had a few other nasty experiences with people, I kept falling and tripping over, one time nearly hitting my head on a large stone flower pot, which I missed by only an inch, and likely would have killed me. I was smoking pot, which made things worse. I went to pray one time while stoned and I felt God slam the door on me and tell me not to pray with unclean hands (as in being wasted).

In short, things were bad. So I got off the dope, and when I was clean I cried out to God for help. I think for the first time in years I really prayed from the gut and heart, and I asked Him to save me and help me. Which He did, big time! And in ways I did nott expect. As well as empowering me to make major changes in myself and my life, He sent the spirit of one of my ancestors to me. I won't go into the how, but it was a powerful experience combining both a vision of where my ancestor had come from (La Rochelle in France, then he immigrated to the US, this was around the late 18th early 19th century) and a powerful sense of his presence and power within me. This ancestor was a powerful Conjure Doctor, though I use that term with caution, as what he practiced was a very French/Native American form of Hoodoo. Oh, I'm French/Cherokee blood wise, something I already new before this experience.

As well as empowering me to make changes in my life and get back to spiritual health, he has been gently pushing me to learn Conjure, though until recently I did not know that was what it was called.

So, that's me, and here I am!

Blessings.

[catherineyronwode]

Hello, Shawn --

French / Native American is not African American conjure, but there are a few overlsaps, due to the Native component in both and the admixture of European ideas into hoodoo (although more often Scots-Irish-English than French. You may wish to research the French-American-Cajun traiteur healing tradition. Look it up! Enjoy!

[Mary Bee]

Wow, what an incredible spiritual experience! I hope you continue to read the LM forums and pages to learn more about hoodoo; you'll really add to your knowledge base and any future practice.

I lived in Jacksonville FL for awhile; great beaches!

Good luck!