Author: Khouzhan Morgan

  • Fet Ghede and the Fiery Power of the Phoenix!

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    Fet Ghede and the Fiery Power of the Phoenix
    By: Khouzhan Morgan

    “The fire is a symbol of transformation, burning away the old and making way for the new.” ~Unknown
     

    Hi there readers and welcome to the Fet Ghede issue of the Universal Messenger!

    As we celebrate Halloween, Samhain and the Voodoo New Year, we can take the time to reflect on this last 365 day trip around the sun.

    You may wish to look back on this past year; what goals have you achieved? What projects have you gotten underway or completed? If you did not meet some goals, how can you increase your chances of success?

    These undertakings can be big or small; the most important thing is that we have an awareness that we can change, grow, and evolve. Take a few moments to reflect on this and realize what an amazing human you truly are! Adulting is hard, but ya know what? Magic can make it better!

     If you burn a cauldron, bonfire, or heck even have a fireplace, it is a great time to write things down on a small paper or leaves and burn them, offering prayers of thanks for all the spiritual help you have received towards your undertakings. It is also a great time to decide on some goals for the next leg of the journey and request guidance and assistance in achieving them!

    The element of fire both destroys and creates and is such profound symbolism as we light up the night and enter the dark half of the year.

    Take out some pictures of friends and family members (of the human and animal variety) and spend some time chatting with those folks. This is a great time of year for divination, and an excellent time for receiving guidance from our deceased loved ones. Pay attention to little “flashes”- like the scent of perfume or a certain food, a familiar sound or song, or even a word or phrase that enters your mind, as that is often our beloved ancestors reaching out to us from beyond the veil. The ancestors are most often more than happy to help us as we continue to navigate our day to day workings. And now, when the veil between worlds is thinnest, it helps us hear those messages from beyond loud and clear.

     It is also a great time to honor our passed loved ones with things they enjoyed in life, such as a certain beverage or snack, or whatever treats brought them joy here on earth.

    This can be as elaborate as an entire table filled with goodies or just a simple cup of tea with a deceased loved one. Remember it is about connection not perfection!

    Just be sure to include some cool fresh water for the spirits to travel through, light a candle in their honor and you are all set! (And yes it sure can be the light if your jack o lantern if you like!)

    Remember, Mambo Sam and Sister Bridget are both available for readings to help clarify any questions you might have along your magical or mundane journey! I cannot count the number of times my ancestors chimed in during a reading with one of those amazing ladies!

    As always, honoring our lineage is the most important thing we can do in the practice of voodoo. We honor who we are and who we will become by honoring where we have come from. We show gratitude for our roots and in turn, we branch out and grow so we can to reach to new heights!  And les Lois, our wonderful and benevolent voodoo spirits, are here for it!!

    Baron Samedi and his consort Maman Brigitte will be here to escort us when we make the final transition to the other side, and this season is their party! They love offerings of coffee, hot peppers and rum. And although Baron and Maman preside over the cemeteries and departed souls, and can sometimes be a bit rowdy, they are also wise beyond measure and can be counted on for assistance in all things- especially healing, legal and financial matters.
    No need to be afraid! Baron and Maman cross  easily between life and death. And through so many “deaths” that we experience- of jobs, relationships, and yes, sometimes, those we love-they can then guide us to resurrection.

    In truth, the most potent lesson I have received from Baron Samedi and Maman Brigitte is that although I would experience many deaths, I would also be given graciously many opportunities for rebirth. And like the Phoenix who rises from the ashes, so we too can continue to regenerate our lives and allow our own little lights to shine.
    At this sacred and wonderful new beginning we wish you all a fantastic Fet Ghede, a Happy Halloween and Samhain blessings and look forward to helping your inner fire burn bright in the coming new year!

    Ayibobo!

  • Are You Superstitious?
    Are You Superstitious?
    “Very superstitious,
    Writing’s on the wall,
    Very superstitious,
    Ladders bout’ to fall,
    Thirteen month old baby,
    Broke the lookin’ glass
    Seven years of bad luck,
    The good things in your past.”   
    Superstition ~Stevie Wonder
     
    Hi readers!
    In honor of Friday October the 13th I thought I’d talk a little bit about-what else-superstitions! (and if you’re not familiar with this awesome song, take a listen. Great for your Halloween playlist!)

    As many of you know, Friday the 13th has a ton of superstitions attached to it for a myriad of reasons. The arrest of the Knights Templar in 1307 on Friday the 13th or the 13 participants in the biblical Last Supper are often cited as reasons to associate the number with misfortune.

    Going back even further to Norse lore, Loki, God of mischief, was the party crashing 13th guest at a gathering of the Gods. There Loki provoked the assassination of the handsome Baldur, God of all beauty. Baldur’s death resulted in darkness falling unto Midgard, the world of mortal men.

    As a result of this “13 is bad luck” belief, lots of fear naturally surrounds the day.  Paraskevidekatriaphobia is a real thing! (yes that is the actual word for fear of Friday the 13th!) But is it really bad luck? Or do we just believe that because it has a bad reputation?

    As we are in the month of October, I feel it would be remiss not to mention black cats in the superstitious mix! The belief that black cats bring bad luck or evil is so persistent that rescues and shelters halt adoptions of these beautiful felines until after Halloween. This rule is, of course, to keep those precious teacup panthers safe from harm!

    As a lover of all cats, I have to say that I vehemently disagree with this nonsense about black cats being anything but magical and wonderful!  They have always been faithful familiars and brought messages from spirit for me. Black cats are gorgeous, loyal, and really do leave a little bit of enchantment in their path.  

    Still…I can’t deny a belief in some superstitions! I toss spilled salt over my shoulder, pick up pennies for luck (and for Papa Legba of course) and smudge my home with sage or incense on the regular! Life can get overwhelming, and I try to keep my space serene. Cleansing the energy around me is a simple thing but makes a huge difference. Chango’s Mystic Chrysalis incense is sometimes just what the doctor ordered when my house feels energetically heavy. (This tip I learned from our beautiful Sister Bridget.)

     Also-I never blow out a spell candle, lest I blow the magic away! (This I learned from our wise and wonderful Mambo.) The thing is, as someone who embraces magic as the ability to affect change, I know there are things within reach to send the negative stuff on its way. Sometimes life throws a lot at us, and the struggle is real. Magic can help!

    Lady Samantha’s Hex Removal kit is crafted to do the heavy lifting if you feel like you are under a perpetual dark cloud! If you want even more protection from our benevolent lwa, a Voodoo protection bag and a Marie Laveau Clean Sweep House Blessing Kit are also great tools to have in your magical arsenal.

    And don’t discount the help of your ancestors! Remember Mambo’s ancestral candles, crafted in house and infused just for you personally, are available on her Etsy shop. This the season to reach across the veil and get the loving guidance your ancestors can provide for you!

    No matter what magical needs you have, we are here to help! Our staff is always happy to make a recommendation for your situation.

    Thanks to all of you for reading and I sincerely hope that you all have a fabulously lucky Friday the 13th and an amazing October!

    In Service,
    Khouzhan Morgan

  •  Scarecrows: Icons of Straw and Spellwork

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     Scarecrows: Icons of Straw and Spellwork
    by: Khouzhan Morgan
    “Autumn whispered to the wind: I fall; but always rise again.” ~Angie Welland Crosby
     
    Hi there Spellmaker readers and welcome to the Harvest Moon edition of the Universal Messenger!

    Among my autumn décor I came across several scarecrows. Like pumpkins, these are quintessential symbols of fall, harvest and Halloween-in my home I keep them out until the Yuletide season begins!

    Traditionally used in farmers fields as a ploy to keep birds away from precious crops, these figures, usually comprised of discarded old clothing or feed bags and stuffed with straw, can also be found everywhere in pop culture.

    In the Wizard of Oz we met the sweet scarecrow without a brain who was a loyal best friend to Dorothy and terrified of the Wicked Witch and her fire conjuring skills.

    As a Batman villain, the Scarecrow used hallucinations brought onto the innocent citizens of Gotham in order to exploit their worse fears and terrorize the city.

    And finally, we see the horror scarecrows; eerie burlap figures come to life to hunt and scare the likes of its victims with murder and mayhem. Episodes of Dr. Who and Supernatural both feature such creatures.

    As far back as ancient Egypt researchers have found evidence of scarecrows. ( A tunic tossed over reeds by the bank of the River Nile was used to scare cranes away from food crops in that incarnation.)

    And the one thing scarecrows always have in common is fear. Scarecrows are used to frighten birds and pests, or in art and literature, sometimes human beings! But the subject matter is always, always fear.

    So my overly analytical mind made this connection with scarecrows. They emerge just as we begin the spooky season. That focus on fears begs the question-what scares you?

     As we harvest and reap and celebrate letting go of the old to make room for the new-what is it we can let go of in order to foster growth on a spiritual level?

    Maybe it manifests as cleaning or decluttering, and letting go of things we no longer use or enjoy. Holding onto items can stem from fear that we will never get more. But it is only through letting some objects go that I realized I was making room for something better-something more useful. It is the way the universe ebbs and flows. It can take some soul searching, courage, and effort-but the rewards are many!

    Fear can strike in many forms-fear of allowing love into our lives, fear of failure, fear of the unknown, even fear of success.
    I guess I’m hoping that someone out there needs to hear this message. As we embark on the season of all things scary, What fears limit you right now? It’s certainly worthwhile food for thought! One thing I know for sure, is that I’ll never look at the little harvest time scarecrows peeking out from front porches, potted mums, or cornfields, quite the same again!

    May this Harvest Moon light your way and guide you in your Autumn endeavors!

    Don’t be afraid to reach out to our supportive staff here at Spellmaker.com! We have a variety of tools to help any situation. From voodoo charms to magical baths to specialized oils and mojo bags, if you need some magical backup we’ve got you covered and our team is always glad to make personalized suggestions for your individual needs! No need to fear, our staff is here! Ya see what I did there? 😉

    In gratitude and service,
    Khouzhan Morgan
     

  • Mabon~Balance of Darkness and Light
    Mabon~Balance of Darkness and Light
    By Khouzhan Morgan
    Happy Autumn everyone!!

    With the impending autumnal equinox we celebrate the turning point from the “light” half of the year to the “dark” half of the year at the sabbat of Mabon- known in some circles as Harvest Home.

    On Saturday, September 23rd at 0250am EST in the northern hemisphere, we are in for another turn of the annual wheel.

    The autumnal equinox coincides astrologically with the sign of Libra, symbolized befittingly by the scales. Balance is magically energized by the equal parts of day and night, and in this second of the pagan fall sabbats, we can focus our energies on letting go, cleansing, or banishing that which hinders our progress or no longer serves us. This in turn allows us to invite those things into our lives that we want or need in order to grow and thrive. This is the epitome of creating balance! Autumn favors any banishing work we may need to accomplish and this is a great time of year to bust out some Florida water and cleanse your magical tools or altar space. You can also work with the seasonal energy to harvest more abundance with one of Mambo Sam’s amazing 9 day spell kits, such as Big Money or Lots a Luck. If you like to do a deep clean of your home before the long winter, it can get a great magical boost when you utilize a Marie Laveau House Blessing Kit to begin with a fresh slate on every level!

     I, for one, feel at my absolute witchiest when I get a whiff of 2 things- voodoo… or autumn!

     Outdoors, I love a blazing wood fire, or the scent of fallen leaves. Indoors, I just love the warming spices like cinnamon and vanilla, and the seasonal goodness like apples, pumpkins and pomegranates.  Speaking of pomegranate, it is that very fruit that is mentioned in the myth of Persephone and Hades that explains the phenomenon of the equinoxes most perfectly.

    Persephone, daughter of Goddess of the Harvest Demeter, was kidnapped by the God of the Underworld, Hades. When Demeter pleaded with Hades to return her beloved child, he agreed, providing that Persephone had not eaten anything while in his underworld kingdom. Alas, she had eaten the seeds of a pomegranate fruit. So, it was agreed that for just one half of the year, Demeter would be allowed to bring home her beloved Persephone. During this time Demeter would ensure the earth flourished and all living things would grow and flower. Come the other half of the year, at the fall equinox, Persephone was taken to the underworld with her husband Hades, during which time Demeter would grieve, and the earth would lie cold and bare, in a type of solemn slumber.

    This myth perfectly illustrates to me the human condition. Persephone was both Queen of the Underworld and the Goddess of Springtime. She possessed both darkness and light, as we all do. Additionally, the fall festivals all lead us up to Samhain on October 31st, when we honor the souls of our deceased loved ones. Grief, after all, is just love that we feel for our dearly departed. Much like Demeter grieved the annual departure of her daughter, so we honor and memorialize those we have loved and lost when we observe the harvest season. We all have roots, and this is the time to commemorate them and honor the fact that we will return to those roots when our journey here on the mortal plane has ended.

    In voodoo, of course, the last of these harvest holidays bring us Fet Ghede, a time to honor our very own Lwa of the Dead, Baron Samedi and his inimitable wife, Maman Brigitte. It is Baron and Maman who escort the souls of the dead through the veil, and who impart us with the ancient wisdom that can only be obtained through the final journey of the soul. If you are looking to honor your ancestors, I highly recommend that you check out the incredible personalized ancestral candle (created on the pwen of Maman Brigitte by our own beloved Parran Matt) in Mambo Sam’s Etsy shop. It’s just a few more weeks til Halloween, Samhain and the voodoo new year- Fet Ghede!!

    Autumn truly is the most wonderful time of the year to connect to your inner witch and make the most of your own unique spiritual journey! We can learn so very much about the transformative nature of life, death, and all the many steps (and missteps) we take in between. I wish you all an inspired and enchanted autumn! May your life be full of magic and may your Mabon celebration be beautiful and blessed!

    In service,
    Khouzhan Morgan

  • Autumn Glimmers!

    Fall-foliage

    Autumn Glimmers
    by Khouzhan Morgan
     
    Hello there Spellmaker readers and a welcome to the month of September!

    As the days grow cooler and the nights grow longer, our mother earth has begun to shed her gown of luscious green to showcase her cloak of crimson, gold and sienna. Everywhere we are surrounded by the energy of harvest, change and transformation. Fall has always been my favorite time of year, and it simply fills my heart with warmth and my soul with glimmers of joy.

    Glimmers are the direct opposite of negative triggers; instead of imparting negative feelings, glimmers gift us with hope, happiness and a feeling that every little thing is gonna be alright. (In the words of the late great Bob Marley).

    With this season of change, we can reflect upon those little sparks that make life worth living. What glimmers light up your world, dear reader? What are the things that ensnare your senses just for a moment and give you a perfect sense of awe? In a world where we are bombarded with bad news on television, the internet and social media, it is crucial to take some moments every day just to breathe, find some wonder and just BE.

     The arrival of fall is what allows me to embrace those little moments of happiness. The trees are awash with flame hued colors, the spooky glow of candles illuminates ripe picked pumpkins, and the scent and aromatic spices permeates the air. The warm sunshine juxtaposed with the crisp chilly nights leading up to the autumn equinox, shows us that balance is lovely, and yet just a season, in the great circle of life.

    Back to school vibes are everywhere, including our Spellmaker home office! Mambo Sam is preparing to teach some very valuable magical lessons once again on Patreon. Get out your wands and parchments, folks, and get ready for “witch school” 2.0!!

    I hope you are all as excited as I am to do some learning, find more glimmers in every day life, and enjoy all of the wonders that Autumn has in store for each and every one of us!! Our Spellmaker family sends you jubilation, inspiration and transformation this lovely fall season!!

    “ As long as Autumn lasts I shall not have canvas, colors or hands enough to paint the colors I see”~ Vincent van Gogh

    In Service,
    Khouzhan Morgan

  • Venus and the Sun

    So I wanted to talk a bit about a Venus and Sun conjunction we have recently experienced in the sign of Libra.

    First, what does all that astro mumbo jumbo mean? Well…the sun is the sign of the self, your identity. When someone asks you what your "sign" is the answer most people give is the sign that the Sun was astrologically transiting in the heavens on the day they were born. For example, if your birthday is today, October 27, you were born when the sun was in the sign of Scorpio. But the sun, as a rule astrological, translates to the self.

    Venus is the planet that rules love and romantic love especially. Also anything that gives us pleasure-lovely art, delicious food, music, beautiful poetry, falls under the gaze of Venus. And Libra, in the 12 houses of the zodiac, rules the 7th house, or the house of partnerships.

    So this sun and Venus conjunction in Libra on a very universal level, is giving humankind an opportunity to take stock of our personal relationships. What relationships nourish or deplete you? If you are single, what traits do you want to attract ( or avoid) in a potential partner? How do you approach relationships? Is there room for improvement in your own behavior? Do you and your current partner need to make some changes to improve your relationship? 

    These are all things that have been coming to and will continue to be, in the forefront as this conjunction finishes out in the heavens. And don't be afraid to put your intentions out there for the things you want in relationships right now! 

  • Happy National Black Cat Day!

    As a lifelong Halloween lover and cat lover, I am delighted to wish everyone a Happy Black Cat Day 🙂

    I have always, until recently, had a black cat in my brood. Black cats also show up in my life to bring me messages from my ancestors. I don't take this as anything sinister. As a matter if fact, I feel like it is a message for me expressed in a way that I will pay attention, which is pretty darned clever, in my humble opinion!

    Of course, all that black cat nonsense about their being signs of bad luck, etc…well that is just a bunch of nonsense! But legitimately, Black cats tend to be euthanized in animal shelters at a higher rate than felines of other colors. This fact has always been so heartbreaking ro me! 

    I have always found little black cats to be the most magically inclined and loyal! ( Though let's face it…kitties all seem to be rather otherworldly, don't they?)

    Many shelters in the U.S. hold adoptions on black cats during the month of October as an effort to keep them from being harmed. I have noticed recently that most of my friends that have gotten cats or kittens in the past few years have adopted a black cat. Salem from Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Thackery Binx from Hocus Pocus were, I think, good P.R. for black cats everywhere  🙂 And though I have never had one who speaks "human"- I have noticed they tend to be the chatty sort, as far as cats are concerned 😉

    So, in honor of this spooky season, I bid you all Happy Haunting, and may you all be lucky enough to be loved by a little black cat…or many!

     

  • Voodoo in TV culture

    So I recently had a conversation about the representation of Papa Legba in American Horror Story. In the opinion of any of the practicing voudousaints I know (myself included) seeing Papa steal babies and send souls to the underworld was just heartbreaking and so SO inaccurate!!!

    Papa Legba, our dear, wonderful, big and benevolent Alegba is loving, playful, helpful anVoodoo.

    I must say I loved the incomparable Angela Bassett as Marie Laveau in AHS! I don't think there is another actress alive who could have portrayed the famous Voodoo Queen of New Orleans as well as Angela! She was strong, regal, noble, fierce and compassionate-just as I imagine the real life Madame Laveau would have been! 

    So-the AHS depiction of Papa was unfair-but several other popular shows over the past decade or so have depicted hoodoo, voudou and santeria accurately. And in some cases, tv shows have shown that this practice is the deeply spiritual and healing practice we know and love!

    In Corazon, a Criminal Minds episode, we see a Santerian priest who helps Dr. Spencer Reid,banish his mysterious headaches. As Spencer works with a team that hunts down serial killers, the priest warns him that his work is causing the problem because of the violent nature of the victim's deaths.

    In an episode of Blue Bloods, Detective Danny Reagan visits a Voodoo service where he witnesses a young man being healed of a possession. The same young man is depicted as having dressed in a Baron Samedi costume for Halloween.

    In the show Bones, Dr. Temperance Brennan is shown in New Orleans helping identify bodies after the Hurricane Katrina tragedy. She visits a Voodoo shop in the famed French Quarter and encounters a very helpful voudousaint who works as an orderly in the morgue and educates her on voodoo.

    And of course I would be remiss if I didn't mention the many references to hoodoo, goopher dust, red brick powder, graveyard dirt, and even our fantastical Baron Samedi, in the Supernatural series. 

    If you are interested in seeing some Voodoo come to life on TV for your viewing pleasure I highly recommend any or all of these television episodes:)

  • In defense of diy Halloween

    Tis the season of grinning jack-o-lanterns glowing in the night, when we fell like a haunting haint or a bone chilling skeleton could creep up behind us at any moment.

    As Halloween has grown in popularity, so have the ready made decorations in every store. This was not always so! Years ago, those of us who are mad for this spooky holiday had to really rely on our own creativity to create a memorable display or costume for Halloween.

    I, for one, am really a purist when it comes to Halloween. What I mean is-I love the classics. Carved pumpkins, ghosts made from old white sheets or curtains, and all manner of witchy things, like black pointy hats, bubbling cauldrons, and flying brooms.

    I get that same sense of satisfaction whenever I work with my spell kits here at home. Our beloved and wonderful Mambo Sam has done much work on my behalf, and I am so thankful for that. But- there really is a feeling I can only get from working magic myself. Whether it is with one of my cosmic voodoo egg kits, a doll, or one of our wonderful 9 day spell kits, there is a gratification there that only true magic can give me.

    Just as I love dispersing garlands of leaves, orange and black candles, and spiderweb galore when creating a Halloween atmosphere all by my little self, I do so love to work my own bit of magic.

    If you have ever been in doubt that you can work with any of our beautiful kits, I can only give you my own experience…and I say, give it a try! You have so so much to gain. Ayibobo!!

     

  • Amazing Jet Jewelry for Spooky Days

    Hello there readers! I hope everyone is having a wonderful spooky season and a fabulous fall. I wanted to talk a little bit about a favorite stone of mine, known as Jet. 

     But I’d like to preface this post about how much of a blessing it is for me to write for you all on this blog. In the consideration of writing this article, as is often the case, I found that there were some messages that I needed to hear very much. I once heard that in order to keep healing oneself that you had to give healing away and in the past several days I have again been shown by the grace of my beloved ancestors, the lwa, and the grace of God that that is indeed true! 

     So-back to what this article’s star, Jet. This shiny and silvery stone  is associated with the root chakra, or the red chakra at the base of your spine, and with Capricorn energy. Jet is extremely grounding and can also be called lignite. It is not a mineral, but it's actually made from fossilized wood. Jet historically is a very popular stone for jewelry, and archaeologist have found jet jewelry dating back to pre-christian 

    Britain. Jet jewelry also surged in popularity during the Victorian era, as it was used in mourning jewelry. Mourning culture was, of course, quite popular since Queen Victoria of England went into mourning when she lost her dear husband, Prince Albert and retained the black garb of a widow for the remainder of her life. Popular culture if the day followed suit.  

    So why am I writing about jet? Aside from the fact that I have had a burning desire to begin wearing the stone , it goes along with the theme of Halloween and Samhain, not just because of its association with mourning death, but also because it is very good for cleansing and healing grief. What's more is that jet can take feelings of depression and unproductiveness and transform them into strength to move forward and onward. It can take the very things in life that have knocked us down and empower us to utilize our strength to funnel the emotional energy into energy that will fortify us in life’s journey. 

     One thing I really love about wearing jet jewelry is that the stone itself is extremely lightweight. I think that adds to its mystique as well, since when one is grieving, you often feel so very heavy. Lignite jet will actually burn if you set a flame to it, and is quite actually a type of coal. As a lifelong lover of cauldron Magic, and a native of the hard coal region of Pennsylvania, that really is a delightful quirk for me about this amazing gemstone.  

    So, if you are looking for a new gemstone to usher in the Halloween season and work magic in the vein that fire destroys and yet also  creates, jet may be just the very gemstone that your little heart has been seeking! 

     

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