Tag: magic

March Author Blog

An Excerpt from “The Marie Laveau Voodoo Grimoire” by Denise Alvarado 

Marie Laveau held her services on Wednesdays and Fridays. Never on Sundays. But people went to see her all the time.” —Mrs. Marie Dede, 1939

People often wonder whether or not there are optimal times—days of the week, phases of the moon, and so forth—when it comes to conjuring. As a practitioner, you can cast a spell at a moment’s notice, but there can be advantages to using certain timing correspondences to optimize power and impact. The association of special times with ritual activities is called magickal timing.

One of the primary things to consider about pairing ritual work with specific timing is intention. People are often driven by emotion and act on impulse; thus, they do not think the work through clearly. As a result, they experience any number of unwanted consequences; the most common is simply an ineffective conjure. We live in an instant gratification society and want what we want when we want it. We don’t like to wait. However, waiting for the right time can sometimes be one of the most important things you can do to render an effective spell. The intricacies of magickal timing are why many folks hire a professional rootworker to perform a spiritual service instead of attempting the work themselves.

Magickal timing can be broken down into several categories, including days of the week, moon phases, sunrise and sunset, planetary hours, time of the year, major life events, hands of the clock, biblical associations, and even a woman’s menstrual cycle. The most commonly considered magickal timing categories are days of the week, phases of the moon, and sunrise and sunset. Which method a worker subscribes to is entirely personal; it boils down to what works.

In Hoodoo, timing is associated with activities of daily living and the days these activities typically occur. For example, people generally get paid on Fridays, so Fridays are associated with prosperity work, getting a job, and getting a raise. In classical traditions, Friday is associated with Venus, the love goddess, and therefore is the ideal day to perform spells related to love and relationships.

While there are other ways to incorporate magickal timing into ritual work, the ones described in this chapter are easy to implement. Try pairing your ritual work with one of the described methods, and you should see an improvement in the power and success of your ritualistic endeavors.

DAYS OF THE WEEK

The days of the week are associated with magickal timing in many esoteric and occult traditions, but it was the Babylonians who first created the concept of a seven-day week. They named each day after one of the seven celestial bodies known at the time: the sun, the moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn. According to Babylonian beliefs, these heavenly bodies impacted people’s lives on the corresponding day.

Sunday

Sunday is the sun’s day, and its power can amplify any ritual work. It is a good day for gaining wisdom and seeking assistance with health, wellness, blessings, prosperity, individuality, and power. In New Orleans Voudou and related African-derived religions, Sundays are devoted to God and the orishas Obatala and Orunmila and the loa Gran Bwa.

Monday

Monday is the moon’s day, a great day for water rituals, healing, fertility, transformation, intuition, and family matters, particularly those concerning women and children. In New Orleans Voudou and related African-derived religions, Mondays are devoted to the gatekeeper spirits Papa Legba, Ellegua, Eshu, and Exú, the ancestors, and the barons.

Tuesday

Tuesday is ruled by Mars and is appropriate for works involving aggression, offensive battle strategies, enemy work, protection, justice, and manipulating testosterone. In New Orleans Voudou and related African-derived religions, Tuesdays are devoted to Ogun, Erzulie Dantor, and the spirits of the Petro nations.

Wednesday

Wednesday is Mercury’s day, ideal for communication, teaching the arts, transformation, traveling, learning, and luck. In New Orleans Voudou and related African-derived religions, Wednesdays are devoted to Ogun, AnnieChristmas, Oya, Damballah  Wedo, and Babalú-Aye.

Thursday

Thursday is ruled by Jupiter, and is ideal for conjuring increased wealth, finding treasures, abundance, success, and seeking answers to burning questions. In Catholic Conjure and Laveau Voudou, yellow candles are offered to St. Roche and St. Expedite on Thursdays. In New Orleans Voudou and related African-derived religions, Thursdays are devoted to the spirits Damballah Wedo, Olodumare, Olofin, Oshun, Obatala, Agassou, and Orunmila.

Friday

Friday is Venus’s day, and the classical love goddess makes Friday ideal for working on matters of the heart—love, desire, beauty, and romance. Friday is also the day many people get paid for their week’s work, so it is a good day for prosperity work. In New Orleans Voudou and related African-derived religions, Fridays are devoted to Chango, Oya, Babalú Aye, the barons, Erzulie Freda, and Manman Brigitte.

Saturday

Saturday is Saturn’s day, perfect for conjures related to righteous anger, justified revenge, causing sickness, creating obstacles, banishing, binding, and destroying enemies. In New Orleans Voudou and related African-derived religions, Saturdays are devoted to Yemaya, Oshun, and Baron Samedi, and it is the day to celebrate all spirits.

PHASES OF THE MOON

A moon’s phase refers to the shape of the illuminated portion of the moon as seen from earth. Since the moon and earth are forever locked by the tides, we always see the same lunar surface. Four principal lunar phases hold significance to magickal workers: the first quarter (waxing), full moon, third quarter (waning), and new moon. There is also the period at the end of the waning phase, just before the new moon crescent, that holds significance to workers. This is referred to as the dark moon because the moon is not visible.

The new moon is when the moon officially begins to wax, growing invisibility until it reaches full moon status. The new moon is an excellent time to start new projects and prepare new conjures.

Waxing moons begin after the new moon and visibly grow until the full moon. Rituals designed to draw things to you are best done during this moon phase.

Waning moons begin after the full moon and end the day of the dark moon. Rituals designed to eliminate obstacles, conditions, or people are best worked during this moon phase.

The dark moon is the day before the new moon. Take advantage of the moon’s invisibility to perform clandestine works such as crossings and reversals.

SUNRISE AND SUNSET

Working by sunrise or sunset is another way to enhance magickal work. Do works designed to draw things to you from dawn until noon, such as love, money, and success. Do works intended to remove or eliminate conditions such as debt or illness from noon until sunset.

HANDS OF THE CLOCK

When both hands of the clock point upward, it is the ideal time to perform work to draw something to you. When both hands face downward, it is the perfect time to repel negativity.

BEST TIMES FOR CLEANSING

The traditional time for taking a spiritual bath is at or right before dawn. Some folks pay attention to the moon phases for enhancing the power of their cleansing. For example, when the desired result is removing a condition or obstacles, then cleansing during a waning moon is ideal. A waxing moon is ideal if the goal is drawing something to you. A full moon is perfect for harnessing all the moon’s power towards a desired goal. However, a cleansing can be done any time the need arises, so don’t wait until morning comes if there is an urgent need.

—Denise Alvarado, Chapter 3, Copyright © 2024

Primal Witchcraft: Air – By Guest Blogger Sara L. Mastros

Scent is one of our most primal senses; our deep ancestors learned to smell more than half a billion years ago.  It is our only sense that fully develops in the womb.  By the end of the first trimester, we have the ability to smell, but we do not smell until our first breath.  With that first breath, with our first smell of Mother and Air and Earth, our soul comes to life inside us and we enter into the Great Communion.  

Breathe deep.  Close your eyes. Imagine that you are there, in the Womb of the Earth, surrounded by our deepest ancestors, snug in our cave, basking in the fire’s last glow.  Imagine the warmth of your kin all around you.  Imagine the crackle of the fire.   Smell the fire; cedar and juniper, mugwort and apple.  Feel the sacred meadow mushrooms begin to kick in.  The ritual is about to begin!  The Wise One’s apprentice takes up his tusk; hear him play it like a didgeridoo.  Hear the drums begin to call. 

Listen to the Wise One teach: “Breathe in, and out.  Know that the air you are breathing connects you to every living thing on Earth.  The air you are breathing was breathed out by Forest, and your exhalations give Them life.  This unceasing cycle of respiration connects us to All, the Great Communion of Breath.  Breathe.  Feel the air enter into your nose, tickling your cilia.  Feel it slide, warm and wet, down your trachea.  Feel your chest and belly expand as they fill with life-giving air.  Feel its goodness redden your blood.  Feel its goodness nourish your bones.  Breathe, and feel the air, source of life, awaken every bit of your body.  Breathe and know that We and Forest are one.  Breathe, and know the Great Communion.”

The Wise One is calling us out to the dance!  Come, come, come!  The Apprentice is painting your body with red ochre and bear fat.  Spirals and chevrons that twirl and tickle as the magic sinks in.  The moon is full and bright.  The sky is pregnant with glory.  The Great Bear is dancing in the north.  Her rainbow skirt is swirling.  Dance with her!

“Bear, Bear, you who rule the heavens, the stars, and the entire world; you who make the axis turn, you who control the whole cosmos by only force and will, we appeal to you, call out to you, make love to you.  Bring us into the Circle Deep, the well of our most ancient ancestors.  We call upon you by all your holy names, at which your divinity rejoices, which you cannot ignore.  BRIMO, Earth-Breaker, Queen of the Hunt, BAUBO… AMOR AMOR AMOR, IEA, shooter of deer AMAM AMAR APHROU, All Queen, Wish Queen, AMAMA, well-bedded, Dardanian, all-seeing, night-running, man-attacker, man-subduer, man-summoner, man-conqueror, LICHRISSA PHAESSA, O ethereal one, O strong one, O lover of song and dance, protectress, spy, delight, delicate, protector, adamant, adamantine, O Damnameneia, BREXERIKANDARA, most high Taurian, unutterable, fire-bodied, light-giving, sharply armed.  Admit us into your cult, bring me into the Circle Deep. Bear, Bear, BEAR!  ROAAAAAAR!”

Great Bear Incense Recipe

  • 3 part mugwort: for Artemis, the Great Bear 
  • 3 parts juniper needles: for the magic of the frigid north gate
  • 1 part cedar: the World Tree, the mighty axis which the Great Bear circles
  • 1 part dried apples (or other fruit): for the bounty and beauty of Forest
  1. The name Βριμο (Brimo) means “Roarer” and is often, but not always, associated
    with Hekate.
  2. Βαυβώ (Baubo) is the goddess of delight, who entertains Demeter, in her grief,
    with bawdy humor.
  3. Here in the northern hemisphere, Ursa major is “circumpolar”; it never sets,
    and appears to circle the pole star.

Written by Sara L. Mastros. Guest blogger and author of
The Big Book of Magical Incense.

Hoodoo Justice Magic – Miss Aida’s Banishing Recipes

For those unfamiliar with hoodoo—also known as Conjure, tricking, or rootwork— it is a form of folk magic practiced in North America by a diverse community of practitioners. It incorporates Central and West African magic along with integrated fragments of Jewish, Christian, Irish, German, Spanish, Asian, and Native American beliefs and practices. Hoodoo is traditionally the magic of the disenfranchised, marginalized and vulnerable because it empowers people to rise above their stations and situations, restore self-esteem and create happier lives for themselves and their families. Over the years, a vast arsenal of justice and pay-back spells has been created to help restore balance.

In Hoodoo Justice Magic, Miss Aida offers the essential handbook for protection, and revenge spells, featuring 129 spells, 32 recipes, and numerous rituals.  Here are three of Miss Aida’s banishing recipes you can use to gently send a person or bad situation away.  The manifestations from using these formulas are effective but subtle. Also included is her guidance on modifying your behavior so you no longer attract predators who take advantage of your openness and kindness.

 

Banishing Powder

  • 4 teaspoons ground asafoetida
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground salt

Mix well. Then recite a blessing prayer over them, such as Psalm 23. Don’t forget to state the intention of the powder.

Banishing Oil

Place one-quarter teaspoon of Banishing Powder into a glass bottle containing two ounces of almond oil. Vitamin E oil acts as a preservative, so also add two drops of this to the almond oil. Then recite a blessing prayer. Add one drop of candle wax dye, if desired, as using colors coordinated to a condition will enhance the power of your mix. Place a cap on the bottle, shake it vigorously, and put in a dark cool area. Shake once a day for two weeks. Your oil is now ready for use.

 

Emergency Banishing Oil

Although not as fervent as the full formula, this recipe can be a substitute for the full formula listed above for anointing petition papers or candles when time and/or supplies are short. Simply mix virgin olive oil with ground asafoetida and stir until there’s a smooth and even consistency.

 

Modifying Your Behaviors

Why do some people fall victim to these types of predators more so than others? It’s a three-word answer: trust and kindness. We want to see the good in others, but the “bad guys” view these behaviors as weaknesses. Thus, anyone with a pure soul can fall prey to their antics.

As stated earlier when we looked at sociopathic behaviors, some scientists believe that one out of every twenty-four people land in that category. Can you imagine being in a room with one hundred people and knowing that four to five of them are predators? Sadly, that’s the ultimate reality of this generation.

Next, break those numbers down. There may be at least two to three predators in a room of fifty and at least one in a room of twenty-five. Therefore, you must always be aware that plenty of people have ulterior motives.

Predators can identify a vulnerable person within a few minutes. They look for body language signaling low self-esteem, such as slouching or hunching that makes the person look smaller and less assuming; fidgeting during conversations; or even nail biting. A predator will befriend these types of people, overly compliment them, and take steps to gain their trust.

They also look for people who smile a lot and display openness and kindness. Predators will present themselves to these types of people as victims in order to gain not only the target’s sympathy but assistance as well. Thereafter, they continue to seek assistance and information for their own purposes. So be careful with your body language, and although it is honorable to be kind to others, trust others with caution.