Saint John’s Eve, so called because it is the evening before the feast of St. John the Baptist, is a notorious night for performing all sorts of magic from many European and Afro Caribbean traditions. The origins of this observance lay in ancient Pagan traditions that regarded the summer solstice (June 21-22) as sacred and magical since it is the shortest of the year. In Christian times the observance came to be known as Saint John’s Eve…
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In day to day life I notice people being rude or snappy to each other. Within the past week I’ve seen a grocery store cashier get into a screaming match with a customer and an incident of road rage where two men were physically attacking each other on the side of the highway. Anger and unhappiness seem to be everywhere! I think much of this could be avoided if we all relearn what we were taught in…
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First of all, let me say that the origins of this popular religious figure are at best obscure. In any case, there is no doubt that there is a saint in Heaven named Expedite who rushes to help those of us here below that love and venerate him. There is an urban legend regarding this saint that many New Orleanians swear by. When Louisiana was under Spanish rule, a statue of a strange and unidentifiable saint arrived…
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It is a common belief in Voodoo that when we die we remain close to Earth, close to loved ones and it is the responsibility of those still living to care for the dead and elevate them closer to the light, to Heaven…toward God. We elevate our ancestors through prayer, having masses said, lighting candles and leaving glasses of water, flowers and perfume as offerings. We believe that the more we help the dead, the faster they…
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First of all, let me make clear that I am not a hougan, a priest of Haitian Vodou. I have not undergone the kanzo initiation and I do not pretend to be an expert on that tradition or have any knowledge beyond the basics. I am however a life long practitioner of Louisiana Voodoo and am highly knowledgeable in its traditions, am a ceremonial expert and highly skilled in the preparation of gris gris and spells. I…
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