Altar Tools Religious Goods Sacred Images Questions and Answers

Unread post by **ConjureMan** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:49 pm

Miss cat is a reverend, and she may be offering services like blessing items. You can also seek out a Catholic priest and they will bless items for you. I have several blessed items, some of them very ritual-oriented and I never had an issue.

Rootworkers do offer the option of consecrating and fix items for you. There are several of us workers that offer this service. We can either make talismans, or you send us the objects and we fix them for you.

You can read more about it here: http://www.readersandrootworkers.org/in ... :Talismans

Unread post by **catherineyronwode** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:46 pm

As an inter-faith minister i do indeed bless items for people, and not religious items exclusively. I would be happy to do it, but you would need to send the items and return postage with a self-addressed mailer.

Unread post by **SilverRose** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 8:10 am

I know this is an old post but, is it alright to include pet pictures with the ancestry altar as well? My beloved feline (Ebony) passed away a few years back (she was 15 years at the time) and I have her picture & urn on a stand, as well as my mother's urn. Would it be appropriate to place the urns, as well as Ebony's picture, with the ancestor pictures, or should they be placed in a different area? I've often seen Ebony's spirt roaming around the house, my daughter and grandson have seen & heard her as well, especially when I needed an uplifting.

Thanks
Helen

Commander Snuggles · Unread post by **Commander Snuggles** » Sun Feb 06, 2011 1:54 pm

Can these two candles be burned simultaneously? If I would like to break up a couple (obviously one that I'm not a part of) but also need money, can these two actions be performed at the same time?
Or, do I have to pick one and go with it? Obviously, I feel that spells work better if they're given one's full and complete attention, but sometimes life doesn't necessarily happen that way.
Any advice is most greatly appreciated.

Unread post by **Turnsteel** » Sun Feb 06, 2011 9:13 pm

SilverRose --

Provided the other spirits on your altar are ok with it, I don't see a problem with it.

Unread post by **catherineyronwode** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:47 pm

Redacepilot -- whoever told you that "you cannot put any other candle, like for money, near a reversible candle, because it will also reverse the work of anything like that" sure does not practice in the same hoodoo and conjure tradition that i do. All the fear-mongering just sounds stupid to me. Flat out, stupid.

If i want to make separate altars for separate forms of work, that's my privilege, and, like Bri said, i would try to make two altars -- or if i only had the one altar, i would divide the one altar into two parts, the east side for drawing and the west side for removal.

But if i am living in a small place with room for only one altar and my li'l ol' altar is too small to divide into two parts, and i need to burn ten candles for ten things on that one altar, i have been taught, and i know how to dress, prepare and pray over each candle for the results i desire and require.

And what about those prayer services, where everybody gets a candle and puts their own wish and prayer on it? All those candles go on ONE ALTAR! And they don't cancel each other out or mess each other up! Get real!

So whoever is teaching you that the a Reversing candle will somehow adversely affect another candle is clearly someone who was never poor or lived in a small home or attended a spiritual prayer service, and, frankly, you need a better and more adept teacher. No lie.

Here, courtesy of Prof. Porterfield of The Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers (AIRR), is a working candle altar on which at least a dozen different spells, from love and protection, to reversing and money-drawing, are in progress, all sharing space:

Unread post by **SilverRose** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 2:16 pm

Thank you, Turnsteel . I've had them together since I posted my question and it's working. I feel a peacefulness when I pass by it, or stop to chat with the spirits. All seem quite happy. I believe it helps that all loved cats and my Ebony was a very "social" furbaby.

kymike78 · Unread post by **kymike78** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 8:12 am

I know mirrors are used in reversing spells (by setting the candle on top of it) to reflect the bad spell back on the person who cast it. Would using a mirror topped surface (like a flat mirror used to protect the top of the piece of furniture the candles are sitting on, or a mirror topped table) for just regular day to day work have any ill effect?

Unread post by **Priestess Divine** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 4:50 pm

Hello All,

I had been keeping my money/success items split up. I don't know why but my light bulb came on. Some on my night stand beside my bed and some in my walk in closet. I had my Buddha, St Expedite Card, water and Loadstone on my night stand but any other candle items that I worked I kept in my closet. Well I decided to put everything on a shelf in my closet. I remember now...I hadn't before because once a shelf almost caught on fire due to the height of the shelf vs how close the flame was to the top of the shelf.

Well, I'd been burning two candles, one had been burning very very low and the other somewhat low. Well when I moved everything to the same area and added a few other money related items. I noticed that both flames started to burn better! They got bigger and danced and have been since then.

So I wanted to know if the improvement of my candle spell is due to the fact that all money related alter items are together? Does that make it more powerful since all the spirits/energies are working together? I guess alter setup is important.

I love the way everything looks together too! It makes me feel more empowered instead of having everything split up and scattered about. Definietly has a more profound visual affect.

Thanks
Crystal

Unread post by **Devi Spring** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 5:13 pm

If you feel that keeping them together is overall a more agreeable arrangement, then there is no reason not to keep that set up working for you. Do what works!

Unread post by **Theredqueen911** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 12:56 pm

I got that you are supposed to use Florida Water but how?

Do you wash down everything on the altar...or get a little spritz bottle and just spritz everything with it?

I read though all of the posts in the altar section and couldn't find anything that said exactly how to do it, just to do it...

I am a little thick in the head ...so be kind meaning ....I'm special..and slow

<JK> anyways...

Could I use holy water instead ?

Could I use Chinese Wash instead as well???

Cause I bought Chinese wash from here and have it in a spritzer bottle already with some ammonia all ready to cleanse!!!

Unread post by **Devi Spring** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:12 pm

Blackcateyes --

You could use any of the substances that you named (Florida Water, holy Water, or Chinese Wash).

It's up to you whether you dampen a cloth and then wipe the surfaces down, or whether you spritz or otherwise asperge the area.

Unread post by **Theredqueen911** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:46 pm

Boy you are on a roll lady!!! Thanks you have been most helpful!!!A++++

Unread post by **corazon** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:27 pm

I personally dampen a paper towel or cloth with Florida Water and wipe the surface and my altar items down when I put them up. I don't have an altar up all the time right now, but when I had one out all the time I would clean it that way once a month or so, but in between spritz a little of the Florida Water onto the altar before I'd start my work.

Unread post by **Theredqueen911** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 7:12 am

I guess Florida Water is more multi-purpose than I thought it was..thanks for the reply!

Unread post by **ConjureMan** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 12:55 pm

You can read more about florida water here: http://www.luckymojo.com/floridakanangawater.html

This particular product is extremely popular in Afro-Carribean magical practices and Latin American magical practices. It has been adopted into hoodoo via these traditions.

It is commonly used as an offering to the dead, a blessing cologne, to cleanse persons and objects, and as medium for psychic work.

Unread post by **catherineyronwode** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 12:15 am

Blackcateyes, whoever told you that "you are supposed to use Florida Water" to clean an altar is dumb. Many surfaces are DAMAGED by alcohol, and that's what is in Florida Water.

Want to take the finish off your antique varnished table top? Florida Water will do it!! Florida Water is ALCOHOL and alcohol will remove 19th century varnishes. Alcohol will also take the paint right off this charming hand-painted Tibetan end-table:

If your altar is marble and you cleanse it with vinegar or lemon juice -- guess what? You DESTROY your marble altar top. This cute little Louis XV style marble-top nightstand would be RUINED if you attempted to clean it with vinegar:

If you have an altar cloth on your altar, how is Florida Water gonna help you? It won't! You will have to take the cloth off and launder it in soap and water. DUH! Wash this lovely antique embroidered runner cloth with pure soap and water only:

Unless someone knows what the surface of your altar is made out of, they have no right, rhyme, or reason to tell you what you are "supposed" to do. That idea is a JOKE.

Please, folks, use the good sense that God gave you and that your mother tried to teach you.

Don't let internet idiots lead you on a lock-step march to stupidity!

Chinese Wash diluted in water and prayed over has a long history of use as a spiritual cleaning product because it is mild and safe to use on most surfaced that can be wetted.

WAT-CHI-GL04
Chinese Wash, 4 oz.
$5.25

Good luck!

Unread post by **Theredqueen911** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 6:12 am

catherineyronwode wrote:Please, folks, use the good sense that God gave you and that your mother tried to teach you.

Don't let internet idiots lead you on a lock-step march to stupidity!

hahahahahha Momma cat always knows best..anyways..I would guess then that simply a spritzer of holy water will do then as it is the least abrasive...luckily I'm seriously ghetto and my altar is ontop of an milk crate on the floor in the southern corner of the room...cause that's the only space for it....unfortunately not much room on the east and west side of it ...otherwise it'd be perfect...c'est la vi !

Unread post by **Joseph Magnuson** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:12 am

blackcateyes wrote: luckily I'm seriously ghetto and my altar is ontop of an milk crate on the floor in the southern corner of the room

BlackCatEyes: That doesn't sound "ghetto" to me. Not sure which "ghetto" you are referring to. The real concern is if you have results while using it!? If you do (have great results) than it is perfect and nothing else. If all you have is a milk crate on the floor for an altar, then work the HECK out of that milk crate on the floor! Know what I'm sayin'?

Good luck to you!

-Joseph M

Unread post by **catherineyronwode** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 11:00 pm

BlackCatEyes --

Hey, babe, we have one altar on top of an old table-model sewing machine, two others on coffee tables, one on top of a book case, and another on a pile of old speaker cabinets (those huge old wooden ones from the 1970s, turned on their sides) covered with gold lame cloth from Joanne's Fabrics, okay?

plus

equals INSTANT ALTAR!

Unread post by **Theredqueen911** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 8:44 am

Joseph Magnuson wrote: BlackCatEyes: That doesn't sound "ghetto" to me. Not sure which "ghetto" you are referring to. The real concern is if you have results while using it!? If you do (have great results) than it is perfect and nothing else. If all you have is a milk crate on the floor for an altar, then work the HECK out of that milk crate on the floor! Know what I'm sayin'?

Good luck to you!

-Joseph M

Thanks...I do work it and own it...you better work...work .it now..do your thing..with dat hoodoo..work...cover girl...

love that song...just had to turn it around..seemed appropriate!

BerthaB · Unread post by **BerthaB** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 7:16 pm

I have an Uncrossing jinx removing candle going on my headboard but I want to light a Come to Me candle. Is it o.k. to light the Come to Me candle on my headboard as well if I add distance between the tw0 -- or no?

Tristan · Unread post by **Tristan** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:07 pm

First, be sure that the candles are safe on your headboard. Make sure they have enough room and that they can't fall.

There's certainly no problem with having two candles burning for two separate intentions. Some people only have one altar to do their work on, it might be a formal altar table or it could be something simple like a dresser. As long as you've prepared and prayed over your work appropriately, you can have many different lights going. At the top of the MISC page, it shows their prosperity altar where they have different prosperity type candles burning for different petitions.

Miss cat describes a great way of working with just two altars here. As she explains, you can have one altar for increasing work and one for decreasing. Also notice how she recommends to cleanse between very different types of work. Don't leave your goofer dust where you're doing love work! Lol!

Unread post by **TBanks91** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 12:57 pm

Hello Everyone [Shout out to Ms. Cat for directing me to the right source]

I have an issue that needs to be clarified and tooken care of. I have a mother I live with for now, and unfortunately, she is a snoop. And we all know "Mother's know best; and a mother knows when something is up". Well being the fact that I live with her and I am constantly busy, she looks through my room, clean's it, open window blinds, and so forth, now I would like for her to be LESS suspicious of my work, because she saw my candles, my honey jar, and my dressing oils and powders [and thought the herbs we're drugs...dunno why] and I just would like to HIDE AWAY and PROTECT my work and my spiritual sanctuary away from her curious eyes and thoughts.....any takers? I "dislike" nosey people. I won't say hate. lol

Unread post by **jwmcclin** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 1:30 pm

This conversation was discussed here in the forum several times. Some people have mobile altars, in other words they keep them in small boxes in a closet, drawer, under the bed, in the car etc etc.

[Ophelia] · Unread post by **[Ophelia]** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 2:17 pm

Hi there.
Thanks for reading.

I bought this altar piece when I was just a kid and recently found it again but I am not sure as to its purpose. I will try to describe it :-S ...
Its a sort small plate that is pinky/beige in colour. There is a st. david's star (well a six-pointed star anyway) at the centre. around this there are the symbols of the the zodiac and around the edge of the (almost like a rim) is an encircling dragon. I remember that I used it to 'power' objects with it (by laying something at its centre for some time and perhaps reciting a spell of some sort) but I don't think that this was its purpose. Would love to hear other peoples views and suggestions on how to use this interesting piece.
Thanks again.

Unread post by **corazon** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 2:35 pm

I am temporarily at my mom's house too and hide my things in a big plastic box with a snapping lid. I also put stuff in shoe boxes in my closet.

Unread post by **catherineyronwode** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 6:05 pm

This is a Lucky Mojo product forum and you cannot expect to come here for general anthropological and art-historical information, but ...

First, the six-pointed star is the Mogen David, which means Shield of David, and because of its shape it is also called Star of David. It is Jewish, not Catholic. That is, there is, no doubt, a Catholic St. David, but this symbol is used by Jews, not by Catholics; it is for protection, strength, and power.

The Zodiac is a well-known circular symbol used for occult reasons and for simple decoration. A Zodiac around a Mogen David sounds like a Jewish item, perhaps a trinket dish or pin dish from Israel.

The dragon around the outside seems odd -- more Asian than Jewish.

I have no idea what the item was intended for, but your use of it seems perfectly correct.

Since this is the Lucky Mojo Forum, allow me to use this opportunity to let you know that we carry a fine line of Zodiacal oils, incenses, bath crystals, sachet powders, and candles. You can read more about them here:

http://luckymojo.com/zodiacal.html

And here is a lovely vintage glazed clay trivet in an astrology pattern suitable for use on any altar; i have four of these myself, and recommend them highly:

Good luck!

[Ophelia] · Unread post by **[Ophelia]** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:01 am

Thank you so much cat - your advice is very much appreciated!

I had thought myself that the dragon was a little strange - it seems out of place. I would love to know its true purpose - perhaps I will research its origins a little more. I will let you know if I find anything out.

I am glad that you think my use of it seems correct and I will carry on using it for the charging of items as you say.
Thank you for the link to the Zodiacal oils etc. On a side note: you mention that there are 4 alters in the chapel.

On a private alter, how would you suggest that I 'clear' the alter of the energies from the previous workings? Usually I don't tbh, though I occasionally 'sage' the area. I know that you suggest dividing the alter space but this is not something I can see myself doing as my alter has some permanent fixtures and are placed aesthetically (lol I know!)

However, if I was to divide it into say 4 quadrants by your recommendation , would the position of each be important - like love being top right/facing direction?

Many thanks and blessings for any advice you can offer.

Unread post by **catherineyronwode** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:09 am

Ophelia82 -- Your question about altar "quadrants" is actually part of the much larger topic of altar set-ups, and i am now moving your thread into and merging it with that larger thread. This way, you can read the entire thread and see if your question has already been answered in part or in whole, and you will also get comments from other practitioners, and i will return to this thread later and give some advice if no one else replies.

Here, courtesy of Deacon Millett of the Association of Readers and Rootworkers (AIRR), is a large working altar on which a smaller space has been marked into quadrants for the purpose of making a Psychic Vision spell that includes elements of true vision, money-drawing, spiritual protection, and physical well-being:

[Ophelia] · Unread post by **[Ophelia]** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:29 pm

Oh this is great - I hadn't seen this thread! There is certainly a lot of information here and I am sure I will find my answer amongst it. I shall read through it all (and take notes! lol) and if I still fell confused then I shall post again.

cat you are a star! (PS: you signed a copy of your book for me - when I bought it - a few years back... can't tell you how useful - and now worn - that book is, and the fact that you signed it is just tres cool! lol... Suppose I am a bit of a fan of yours!

)

Unread post by **ConjureMan** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:28 pm

Well you are living in *her* house so either learn to lock your door or put your stuff away.

You've posted quite a bit about another issue, why not use a fraction of that energy towards getting your own place, or place where you can practice more openly? Consider working with Attraction, Money Drawing, and Steady Work.

Unread post by **TBanks91** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:55 pm

ConjureMan Ali wrote:Well you are living in *her* house so either learn to lock your door or put your stuff away.

You've posted quite a bit about another issue, why not use a fraction of that energy towards getting your own place, or place where you can practice more openly? Consider working with Attraction, Money Drawing, an,d Steady Work.

You SERIOUSLY read my brain sir, I have personal goals, and yes, those were the EXACT plans I was apprehending. So thank you very much, i'm just trying to work with one spell kit at a time

I'm trying to give space and time to my work, within the 3 days; 3 weeks and 3 months of completion. I'm proud to say I ordered Cat's book, and I am taking plenty of notes here and a very active forumer lol. And yea I am VERY DESPERATE to move out.

[Ophelia] · Unread post by **[Ophelia]** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 1:17 pm

theredc6 wrote:You don't have to have ALL of your deceased relatives on your ancestor altar. Keep the people who loved you and cared for you on your altar. If you only end up having 5 or 6 people on your altar, then so be it.

Do not put ancestors who did not like you on your altar. This includes people who were physically or emotionally abusive. They will not look out for your best interest when you do spiritual workings (or in life in general).

If you have deceased relatives who did not like EACH OTHER, make separate altars and keep them apart. The altars do not have to be large but make sure they are equal in quality and offerings. Having ancestors who did not like one another on the same altar (in the same room) can work against you as well.

If the deceased had an issue that was not solved BEFORE they died, then be CAREFUL about placing them on your altar. Be careful about putting murderers, child molesters, people with mental disorders, etc. on your altar.

I have a family tree posted up behind my Ancestor Altar... even though I don't know most of them (it goes back as far as my great-great grandfather and both my grandparents died when I was little) so I have no idea if they would 'like' me/'love' me (though I feel they do love me - well as far back as my great grandfather who I feel a connection to as he seems to guard my Mum). I also have no idea if they were 'good' people or not, though I imagine they were as things like that seem to be passed down from generation to generation don't they. What if some of them hated each other?

Just for info I recite their names in turn and give thanks for their blessings. I mainly 'talk' to my Aunty Nancy (my guardian) and my Grandparents though.
Thanks!

[Ophelia] · Unread post by **[Ophelia]** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:27 pm

catherineyronwode wrote:Ophelia82 -- Your question about altar "quadrants" is actually part of the much larger topic of altar set-ups, and i am now moving your thread into and merging it with that larger thread. This way, you can read the entire thread and see if your question has already been answered in part or in whole, and you will also get comments from other practitioners, and i will return to this thread later and give some advice if no one else replies.

Yep you were right cat (of course! lol) my initial question has indeed been answered. many thanks!

Unread post by **aura** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:22 pm

Hi,

altars, from what I have read in both this thread and of the hoodoo tradition (if I understand correctly), are work areas - with or without permanent components depending on the person. Thus far, I've always worked in the kitchen (helpful work) since:

A - it's the part of the house I spend the most time and focus the most energy in
B - I love cooking and that love is something I feel residually infuses everything done there
C - very practically: tile countertop is a fire-proof base surface and it's right next door to the stove for tisanes herbs & mortar&pestle

is there any mention/tradition/advice/experiences with this kind of set-up?

theusurper · Unread post by **theusurper** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:31 am

I have my box of wishes, inside the box i have a pyramid with all my wishes in pictures, like a new car, a cruise, etc, etc.

Every Sunday i burn in the top of the box candles,
blue for clarity,
yellow for success,
green for attraction,
orange for open road and
purple that represent myself
and on these i write these words, success, wealth, health, love and prosperity.

I anoint the candles with the respective oils from Lucky Mojo,
Clarity Oil,
Crown of Success Oil,
Attraction Oil,
Road Opener Oil,

I burn a mixture of
Crown of Success Incense,
Fast Luck Incense, and
Attraction Incense.

I do my prayers and i take a bath with 13 herb Bath.

It is amazing how my life has changed.

Thank you to my advisors, Miss Cat, Conjureman Ali, and everybody in this forum. I do my ritual when the sun rises. I think with this post i'm returning very little of what i have recieved here, but with love.

Unread post by **jwmcclin** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:39 am

Great testimony and ideas thesurper.

Unread post by **Devi Spring** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 12:23 pm

I love the idea of having a pyramid with all your goals on it! I am actually going to be doing some similar success work come Spring (gotta wait for the thaw), and I think I'm going to use that idea! Thanks!

Unread post by **corazon** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:19 pm

I have two boxes that I made - one for money and one for my relationship. They are small craft paper boxes that I made collages with pictures on the inside and outside using a collage glue.

Inside the money box is one of my checks from my checkbook that I wrote to myself with the amount of money I am needing and in the comments section what it is for. I dressed this with oils. Also included is some money - paper and coin, pictures of saints and deities I associate with money, wealth, and luck. Also in the box is money herbs and sachet powders along with a big ol lodestone. I open it each week and feed my lodestone, and burn candles atop of saucers on the top.

My relationship box contains dried roses my boyfriend has given me anointed with love oils, pictures of love deities and saints, love herbs, love notes and poems, matched lodestones, sachet powders.

I love these little boxes, they are so fun to make and use!!

Unread post by **Miss Tammie Lee** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 8:18 pm

This is a GRAND idea and a wonderful share! Thank you theusuper!

Unread post by **aura** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 5:01 am

When I last ordered from LM, I tried to tag a few mexican lotteria boxes onto my order but found that they were not available. Wondering if there would be a renewed stock of them in a forseeably near future: they're quite beautiful.

Thanx

Unread post by **catherineyronwode** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:12 am

Sadly, our supplier, who csrried these for almost ten years, has discontinued them. We are asking for their return, but so far, no luck.... Sorry. If they don't come back soon, we will take them off the catalogue page.

Unread post by **aura** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:17 am

Thank you for the info

4BG · Unread post by **4BG** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 4:12 am

Dear Forum Members,

I have read that some saints prefer having their own space away from other spirits (i.e. separate altar and sometimes separate room). One example referenced was Santa Marta La Dominadora. Since all of my petitions are drawing in nature yet placed before saints/spirits (their statues, pictures, prayer cards, etc), I wondered if there was any real validity to this statement. I have a primary altar dressed in a white cloth and it contains San Antonio, San Expedito, Angel Guardian, and the like. Can I put my Santa Marta drawing work on my regular altar? She is currently in a spare room. It seems to make sense that I could on a drawing vs banishing basis, but given I have introduced saints for assistance, does this add a further distinction? (I am a newbie).

Thank you.

spazzakazz · Unread post by **spazzakazz** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:39 pm

fountaingirl wrote:A quick note, I have in some circumstances had good luck with 'traveling altars," I have gotten neat (& inexpensive) vintage suitcases for this purpose. During the working I can leave the case open (often atop a piece of furniture) and then when it is done and I need to move the equipment, it can pack into the same suitcase safely. I consecrate the tools and pray over the case, and I make sure that setting up and taking down the altar is done in a respectful way, and it has worked fine.

Thankyou, great idea! I'm going on extended travels soon, this sounds perfect for me

So many wonderful ideas in this forum!

Unread post by **catherineyronwode** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 9:34 pm

Dear 4BG, You wrote that you "have read that some saints prefer having their own space away from other spirits (i.e. separate altar and sometimes separate room)."

This question has been asked (and answered) IN THIS VERY THREAD several times before and the question always seems to come up from Santeria practitioners and Mexican or Latino folk-Catholics. It must be part of the religious rules of those religions. In other words, it's a religious question, not a magical question per se.

We are here to discuss African American folk magic -- conjure, hoodoo, rootwork -- and other forms of magic. I never heard of this rule in hoodoo when i was growing up, but my teachers were for the most part Protestants and Spiritualists, not Catholics, so few of them worked with Catholic saints or had traditions concerning them. Thus, in my experience, i do not think of this "segregation" of saints as a specific rule in conjure.

Here, courtesy of Valentia Burton of the Association of Readers and Rootworkers (AIRR) is an altar which features a wonderful association of personal ancestors, lineage-teachers, Catholic saints, and several different apparitions of the Virgin Mary, all cheerfully sharing one altar-space:

I suggest that if the location of your saint statues troubles you, that you ask whoever told you this rule what's up with it. If it was a priest or priestess or practitioner in your religion, then cool, follow that rule.

But for typical African American conjure -- nope, that's really not one of our rules. (Especially it's not a rule among the bulk of conjure workers, who are, after all, Protestants, and don't work with Catholic saints.)

Also, please READ THE THREAD because your question has already been answered in much greater depth just a few pages back!

Unread post by **Turnsteel** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 5:58 am

4BG wrote:Dear Forum Members,

I have read that some saints prefer having their own space away from other spirits (i.e. separate altar and sometimes separate room). One example referenced was Santa Marta La Dominadora. Since all of my petitions are drawing in nature yet placed before saints/spirits (their statues, pictures, prayer cards, etc), I wondered if there was any real validity to this statement

Plenty of validity to it, but it doesn't apply across the board. It depends on your lineage or tradition.

Most Catholic practitioners believe that most saints are fine with sharing space so long as they are all respected. Other practitioners believe that certain saints should really have their own space set-aside for them. It depends on the spirit and the person who comes before them for aid, and the tradition in which the work is being done. Your best bet is to ask the spirits what you should be doing, or, if you have a mentor, priest, or teacher, ask them.

4BG · Unread post by **4BG** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:49 pm

Turnsteel, thank you for your helpful and clear response. I only have two altars and eventhough both contain light drawing works, I won't consolidate and will leave Santa Marta La Dominadora in the spare room where she is now and maintain my primary altar containing Santos Antonio and Expedito (and Angel Guardian). I have been careful with their individual spots, offerings, cleanings, and overall respect as well a divination indicated I was fine. Thanks again.

Catherine, a long-time hoodoo root worker/conjure worker shared with me their success in keeping Santa Marta separate.

In addition to my background, I remain open to all recommendations as I am new to conjure work.

cutie1 · Unread post by **cutie1** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:32 am

I ordered the reconcilation kit and honey jar but i don't have an altar at home so i really don't know how can i do that what are my other choices and i want to do it the right way? Please help

Unread post by **ConjureMan** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:53 am

An altar is any flat surface that you can work on. You don't have a table? You don't have a counter? You don't have a dresser top? You just need somewhere to work, that's all, it doens't even have to be permanent.

cutie1 · Unread post by **cutie1** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:42 pm

thanks

Nevermore · Unread post by **Nevermore** » Mon May 02, 2011 1:37 pm

Can altar tools used for a negative work be used again for future love, money or protection work? I am referring specifically to a candle holder, sniffer, saucer and altar cloth. Should they be washed in a special manner of should they be disposed of in a special manner?
Thank you

Unread post by **starsinthesky7** » Mon May 02, 2011 3:09 pm

Yes, you definitely can. I mean it would cost us a lot if we had to constantly keep throwing them away.

I would clean them up with a bit of florida water or ammonia. The altar cloth you can wash by itself in the washer machine, and put in some uncrossing crystals or a bit of florida water.

Unread post by **cabriellenil** » Tue May 03, 2011 3:03 am

yes, when i reuse these supplies for a different kind of spellwork, i wash it with a bit of ammonia.

Nevermore · Unread post by **Nevermore** » Tue May 03, 2011 1:04 pm

Thank you so much!! Very re-assuring knowing we are learning from the bestest!!

Unread post by **catherineyronwode** » Tue May 03, 2011 8:36 pm

Nevermore, i just use water, perhaps with Chinese Wash, or wipe items down. For instance, i would not wash my antique copper incense brazier with Ammonia.

I have posted earlier in this thread about how certain cleaning materials can damage or even destroy certain finishes or surfaces.

Do not become so hooked into a "belief system" that you ruin an antique velvet altar cloth by spraying it with Florida Water cologne. This antique tie-dye crushed velvet table runner or piano scarf should not be doused in alcohol:

Do not wash down your fancy marble table top with Lemon Juice. Acids such as vinegar and Lemon will dissolve marble stone like this:

Our altars are made of diverse materials -- no one cleaning product is safe for all surfaces -- no, not even WATER -- but Chinese wash, diluted in water and prayed over, is very safe for things that can be wetted:

WAT-CHI-GL04
Chinese Wash, 4 oz.
$8.00

Unread post by **Theredqueen911** » Fri May 06, 2011 1:43 pm

I have a question about keeping graveyard dirt on the altar....

Is it ok?

Or should you put a shot glass of whiskey and a cup of water down for the graveyard dirt souls...to make it stronger?

Or is that going to make my ancestors (cause I have an altar to them as well) jealous?

Or is it not a good idea to begin with?

I am on more frequently by the way just had alot going on in my life right now...things are hectic

xanek · Unread post by **xanek** » Sun May 08, 2011 6:26 pm

Hi!

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong section, but I have a question about altars.

I'm interested in getting an altar going at my house, I'd like to have an ancestral altar and a working altar but I'm sort of limited for space. I can only use my bedroom, as my roommates probably wouldn't feel comfortable if I had it out in the common areas, so my question is: can I use my ancestral altar as my working/spellcraft altar or is that not a good idea?

Thanks!

Unread post by **jwmcclin** » Sun May 08, 2011 6:30 pm

Yes you can xanek. I have posted similar discussions below for your perusal and moved your post to that section of the forum
altars-questions-and-answers-t124.html