Tag: voodoo

  • Didn’t Mean to Call You That…

    Hello my dear readers!  I find myself in, yet again, the position of feeling like I need to re-re-post this blog post of mine.  This time, though, I would like to also call some attention to the idea of teen dating abuse!  I have seen some billboards up in my town with numbers to call if a teenager feels like they are in an abusive dating situation.

    I do hope that if you have a teenager, you will have some opportunities to talk with them about this!  What a sad situation… I can remember feeling a little bit bullied (a LONG time ago) by a boyfriend.  Nothing was ever physical about it, but I do remember how it made me feel to try to please him just to have him get angry with me.  Not a great feeling.  Apparently, though, there is a lot more going on these days than some mild bullying.  My heart goes out to parents of teenagers these days – there just seem to be so much to contend with!

    Although this post focused mainly on verbal abuse, abuse of any kind should never, ever be stood for!  Please get help if you or someone you love is in an abusive situation.

    Anyway, here's the post yet again.

    ——————————

     I feel compelled to revisit a subject that I blogged about awhile back – so I am reposting the blog here.  I just want you to think about your self worth and while I use female clients here as an example, it doesn't mean that it doesn't happen to men, too!  Self worth knows no gender boundaries!

    There is a popular song by "Lit" with these lyrics:
    Can we forget about the things I said when I was drunk
    I didn't mean to call you that
    I can't remember what was said or what you threw at me
    Please tell me
    Please tell me why
    My car is in the front yard
    And I'm sleeping with my clothes on
    I came in through the window last night
    And you're gone

    Okay, so it's a funny song, I actually even like the song!  But it is not really funny when you think about it in the context of possible emotional abuse. I am sorry to say that I see a trend of female clients who are being abused but they don't seem to know it. Not every form of abuse leaves you with a black eye or a broken bone. Some of the more insidious forms of abuse include how your partner speaks to you.

    I am seeing more and more Heart's Desire letters that go something like this, "I want Fred to stop calling me a b*tch, a c*nt, a worthless, useless,piece of sh*t." This is in HD letters for Leave My Man Alone™ where the person is trying to get their HD to stop this kind of behavior towards them.

    I am sorry, but I have to ask myself, why are you putting up with that in the first place? Has that person convinced you that you are worth so little that they have totally destroyed your self esteem and you think you can't do better? Well, let me tell you, YOU CAN DO BETTER than some low life who doesn't have one good thing to say about you.

    Look, I am not saying that people don't have a bad day, or, as the song says, do and say things when intoxicated. But if you are with a person who says horrible things to you on a regular basis, YOU ARE BEING EMOTIONALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY ABUSED, and you shouldn't be doing the love trio, you should be doing The Ultimate Revenge Kit™, a Milk of Damballah™ white bath, and then an Attract Love to Me™ spell kit!

    I beg you, if you are in an abusive relationship, please get help. A lot of crisis intervention revolves around physical abuse, but emotional abuse can be just as much, or maybe even more damaging in the long run. You may think you have to take emotional abuse for one reason or another, but trust me, you do not. I did a search on the Internet and there are tons of books and articles written on this subject and how to get out of these relationships. Please don't allow yourself to be treated like this.

    Granted, sometimes the only person who can truly help you is YOU… like the song says above, "And you're GONE."

    Love, light, and peace,
    Mambo Samantha Corfield
    www.spellmaker.com

    Learn to get help: http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/emotional-psychological-abuse/emotional-abuse-help-support-and-recovery/

    Emotionalabuse

  • Back to the “Good Enough” Marriage Article!

    Hello everyone!  So quite some time back, I did a post regarding this article:  The Good Enough Marriage.  It is, as it states,  an article about the "good enough" marriage and/or relationship.  I definitely wondered what you thought about that article – agree, disagree? I was re-reading the comments that people had sent in and thought this was so worth reposting because not only was the article thought-provoking, so were the comments!

    It seems that most of you think pretty much the same way I do – there is NO SUCH THING as a "good enough" relationship.  I just thought that was ridiculous and was poor advice to give people.  Yes, some of the things in the article were good, but just the idea of settling just to be with someone seemed crazy to me.  I have told many of you that if your relationship or marriage was "ok" that meant you had a poor relationship or marriage.  Now, of course, that is just my opinion, but I could never see spending years of my life with someone who I just thought was "ok" for me!

    I did want to share what some of you said and have the chance to comment on it here (my comments are in italics).
     
    schweety said:
    Well, I read this article awhile back, and then came back to comment on it. The reason is it hit very close to my home. I was in a "good enough" marriage that eventually wasn't good enough. I can look back on when I made the decision to marry my husband, knowing even then I thought I wouldn't get another offer. I "settled" for 13 years. I am not saying all 13 years were bad. There were a few years that were great, a few where I felt I was doing all the work, and a few I felt he did a lot of the work. We lost of sync but I am not really sure we ever had it to begin with. When I met my HD, in a short time with him, I realized all the things I didn't have in my marriage. My husband and I didn't have passion, we didn't have romance, I missed him "being" proud of me sort of showing me off. I missed the physical part for most of those 13 years. Again not to say sex wasn't there, it was, but more of a "routine". I look at different people in my life, Mambo and Parran being just two of them, and you would have to be blind to not see how passionate they are with each other and how happy. Don't settle for someone, life is too short. I have to believe what Mambo has told me over the years and that we have many soulmates. My husband gave me the best things in my life, my two sons, and for that I will always love him. But I know, without a doubt, no matter how hard it is sometimes, that God didn't want us to be alone in this life, and there is someone out there who is looking for us too. Don't settle. There is a difference, I know I have lived it.
     
    >>Right!! This happens to a lot of people – they get married because they think they won't get another offer.  This especially happens to women who are taught that they must get married, have children, and fit into a certain mold. But, on the other hand, as you say, you got your beautiful children from this union!  That is where a lot of questioning comes in – sure the marriage turned out not to be wonderful, but the children are!  Of course, you were supposed to have those wonderful children!  But yes, we want to live and love with someone who truly adores us and each and every one of us should have that in our lives if we truly want it.  Thank you, Schweety, for using Parran Matt and me as an example!  We are very lucky in our happiness.  :-)  We wish the same for all of you!
     
    amanda said:
    Mambo I love this article. I think many times women(men too!) believe that there is THE perfect person out there for them. While I do believe there are certain people we are supposed to end up with, I definitly do not think it is going to be a fairy tale ala disney style. I also think some clients come to spellmaker expecting to make their ho hum relationship into a disney classic. Spellwork is not going to do that, nothing will. My HD is not who I thought I would wind up with. I was picturing myself with Enrique Iglesias, yet HD is jewish, covered in tattoos and piercings, dropped out of college, doesn't care about money, doesn't care what kind of car he drives, etc, yet he treated me 1 million times better than any smart,rich pretty boy I thought I would end up with..HD isn't my 'good enough,' he is my imperfect perfect!
     
     >>Oh yes, the "illogical" choice, I love that!  Since Parran Matt and I are kind of the voodoo Demi and Ashton, one could think on the surface that we were the "illogical" choice for each other.  However, if you are around us for even a short period of time, you see it makes perfect sense.  The fairy tale has many possible endings.  😉
      
    Simone Greene said:
    I had a "good enough" marriage. It wasn't. Something the article does not address is how we change over the years, and how our situations change. In our early 20s, almost everyone our age is available, so there is a huge pool to explore and choose from. In our 40s, not so much. Our experience shows us a far different set of things that are important. Who is to say when we are being realistic and when we are not? Do we have a caste system for potential dates and mates, where we can't marry up or down? Relationships are a lot more complex than a set of criteria to meet. A short article like that can't cover it all, but luckily we have our Mambo and Parran, Sisters and case workers to guide us. 😉
     
    >>Yes, "good enough" just isn't and in the end, despite what that article says, there is always a level of dissatisfaction that will emerge with a "good enough" marriage… in my opinion, life will be filled with "what ifs" IF one has a "good enough" relationship.  You are so right – realism exists on an individual basis.  As far as that "caste system" – trust me, we see it a lot in our work – "I can't be with so and so because s/he isn't my religion…or race….or age, etc., etc."  Nevermind that true love exists!  Sigh.
     
    phantodrac said:
    Wow! This was really interesting! I agree with it up to a certain point- but I feel that the article deemphasizes the love and romance that's important to a relationship way too much. Have we, as “modern-day” and “independent” folks, set our expectations way too high for love? In many cases- yes! It’s important to be realistic and open minded. That being said, we can’t simply take a defeatist attitude and get ourselves a business partner instead of a love. I think that the five guidelines that are set out in the article are essential for a lasting, healthy relationship…but it has to be treated WITH love- not like you’re writing out a legalistic contract. Also- people change. Our loves can change as people and their goals may vary from what they were originally. It’s up to us to decide if we want to remain with them if and when that happens. If you’re just marrying someone due to coinciding goals and interests- what happens when those change? If you’re marrying someone out of real and true love for that person…perhaps you’ll be more likely to say, “okay, this isn’t what I expected- but I love you. Let’s keep going and see where it takes us, baby!” Point being, if you approach things TOO “mechanically” you may be setting yourself up for just as much of a letdown as the person who holds out forever, searching for Prince Charming. For me, while there IS significant wisdom therein, this quote just depicts someone who is desperately trying to rationalize their actions: "If I had to settle for a new Oldsmobile when what I really want is a Porsche, I'll never be satisfied. In truth, the Oldsmobile is new, it's pretty, and it works. Why wouldn't I be satisfied with it?" Dude- you came into the shop telling the dealer that you wanted a Porsche. Maybe you saved a few bucks…but you’re going to be driving that car for a LONG time. But hey- all power to ya. This is just my knee-jerk reaction; I really feel it’s a blend of the two extremes, a tightrope walk. Also, right now I’m young, idealistic, and a total romantic. Who knows what I’ll say come a few years from now. But, hopefully, I’ll be saying it from a Porsche- one with a dang good warranty. 
    >> As I highlighted above, this is exactly true.  There has to be some balance in the approach of looking for and sustaining a relationship.  I love your twist on the car analogy!  😉 You are right, there is no easy answer, but here's hoping for that Porsche! 
      
    Love to all, Mambo
    www.spellmaker.com

    Weddingrings

     

  • Who put the work in spell work?

    “Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

    — Thomas Edison

    Greetings, everyone!  Hope you are all ready fo a great weekend!  I know we have talked about this before – the work of spellwork!  However, I do think the subject can be revisited over and over again and still be of value!

    All too often I hear people say that they think things like our spell kits are "just too much work." It is always a sigh-inducing, eye-rolling moment for me because that statement generally comes from someone who just told me they would do ANYTHING to get Jack (or Jill) back into their lives.  Of course we offer solo castings with most of our spells (where I do the work for you), and that is a fine choice for those who are truly too busy (lots of folks working two jobs these days!)  or do not have the privacy to do spell work.

     However, I fear that sometimes people choose the solo casting just because they think doing their own spell work is just too much work!  That is troubling because in the category of "doing anything" to get Jack or Jill back in  your life could involve some work!

    It could involve spell work!  It could involve working on yourself.  It could involve working on your relationship, but if you aren't invested enough in the relationship to do some work on it, why do you want that relationship in the first place?  I dont' have the answer to that – but I do think it is something worth thinking about!

    And let's not get confused about you good folks who occasionally need a break from spell work or adjunct work!   There are those who just don't want to do another doll session or light another candle… they are just sick of spell work at the moment. 

    Now that is something different!  Sometimes a little break from spell work is a good thing.  It gives you time to refresh your spirit,look at the spellwork with fresh eyes, and regain your energy.  The best way to take a break from spell work is during the break to assess the break itself; are you feeling good about the break?  Are you feeling that this is a time for you to renew yourself and your purpose? The biggest danger in taking a break sometimes comes in the form of not knowing when the break should be over.

    I always tell the folks to whom I recommend a break to be on the look out for signs that their break is over.  If you are longing for your voodoo doll, or you start to miss the comfort and ritual of your candle magick, or you feel an incredible pull back into the work - those kinds of things are clear signs that your break is over!

    Lately I have been literally bombarded with stories of clients and the success of their spellwork!  :-)  Needless to say, that is always amazingly awesome to hear!  As I have mentioned before, I do notice a very common thread in these success stories – these are very often folks who were dedicated to that work, had a real heart for it, and stuck to their guns even in the face of adversity.  Their success is inspiring!

    So if the spellwork is seeming too much like work, then yes, take a small break, but never take your eye off the prize! 😉  If it is worth having, it is worth working for!

    Love,light, and peace,
    Mambo Samantha Corfield
    www.spellmaker.com


    Motivation

  • The Universal Prayer

    Good morning, everyone!  I wanted to share one of my favorite poems/prayers with you today!  If you aren't familiar with the works of Alexander Pope, it might take a bit of re-reading to get some of his meanings! You know how it with these things written in the 1800's since we just don't talk that way anymore.

    I love his interpretations of God! My favorite stanza is the one that starts with "What blessings thy free bounty gives."  The idea that God is "paid" when we enjoy the bounties we are given really resonates with me.  I also enjoy the references to free will, the idea that we are not alone in the universe, and especially the thought that it is not our job to go around chastising those who have ideas about God that differ from our own. 😉

    There is also a sense to me that Mr. Pope saw God beyond the usual Christian beliefs; he interprets him more as a universal energy that sometimes extends beyond our scope. That is also somewhat of our Vodou/Voodoo way of seeing God – not so much the guy sitting in the clouds metting out justice and favors, but rather an overwhelming sense of Beingness with whom we are allowed to forge our own relationship.

    I would love to hear your thoughts on this prayer – I love that it is so rich in spirituality without being preachy about religion.  Also, it isn't a bad way to start the day!

    Love, light, and peace,

    Mambo Samantha Corfield, www.spellmaker.com 

    The Universal Prayer

    BY ALEXANDER POPE

    Father of all! in every age,
        In every clime adored,
    By saint, by savage, and by sage,
        Jehovah, Jove, or Lord!

    Thou Great First Cause, least understood:
        Who all my sense confined
    To know but this—that thou art good,
        And that myself am blind:

    Yet gave me, in this dark estate,
        To see the good from ill;
    And binding Nature fast in fate,
        Left free the human will.

    What conscience dictates to be done,
        Or warns me not to do,
    This, teach me more than Hell to shun,
        That, more than Heaven pursue.

    What blessings thy free bounty gives,
        Let me not cast away;
    For God is paid when man receives,
        To enjoy is to obey.

    Yet not to earth’s contracted span,
        Thy goodness let me bound,
    Or think thee Lord alone of man,
        When thousand worlds are round:

    Let not this weak, unknowing hand
        Presume thy bolts to throw,
    And deal damnation round the land,
        On each I judge thy foe.

    If I am right, thy grace impart,
        Still in the right to stay;
    If I am wrong, oh teach my heart
        To find a better way.

    Save me alike from foolish pride,
        Or impious discontent,
    At aught thy wisdom has denied,
        Or aught thy goodness lent.

    Teach me to feel another’s woe,
        To hide the fault I see;
    That mercy I to others show,
        That mercy show to me.

    Mean though I am, not wholly so
        Since quickened by thy breath;
    Oh lead me wheresoe’er I go,
        Through this day’s life or death.

    This day, be bread and peace my lot:
        All else beneath the sun,
    Thou know’st if best bestowed or not,
        And let thy will be done.

    To thee, whose temple is all space,
        Whose altar, earth, sea, skies!
    One chorus let all being raise!
        All Nature’s incense rise!
    Hands

  • Monday Morning Inspiration.

     

    Hi there-

    Hope you all had a lovely weekend. It was pretty snowy and cold where I am, so I spent a little time watching movies. I rewatched a classic – Cool Hand Luke. Paul Newman and those baby blues — Oh My!

    This scene below has been staying on my mind, and I wanted to share it with all of you. It is the epitome of determination, the fighting spirit, and to just keep on swinging, no matter how things seem.

    Hope you all have a great week!

    Love

    Sister Bridget

     

  • Following a Resolution.

    Hi there!

    Part of ny New Year's resolution was for me to try new and exciting things. I am taking a jewelry making class. I am getting ready to sell my house and  make a really bold move. I am looking at my financials in a new light. I have also decided to try branching out a bit in my practice. I am currently starting up a shop on Etsy, and have also recently listed my readings on KEEN. It can be relaly hard in today's world to know how and where to focus one's energies. There are so many options on the 'net today and social media, to say the least, can be overwhemling. They key for me is to try really hard not to get overwhelmed by the choices, and know that the only way to know what path is right for me, is by trial and error. I do my research, listen to my guidance, and then take a try. It is a step – not always forwards, but a step none the less. Change can be scarey. New things can be overwhelming. But no progress can be made by standing still. In these days following the New Year, when your resolutions are still fresh in your mind, I encourage you to try, to take a step and see where it goes. You will miss 100% of the chances that you do not take.

    Blessings,

    Sister Bridget

  • Belleau Wood.

     

    Happy New Year!

    I may be a bit early with my wishes where you are – and a little late where some other are. But wherever you are, I hope you are with loved ones, and enjoying the last of this holiday season.

    I recently came across this song by Garth Brooks again, after kind of having it slip my mind. It really is lovely, and tho it is about something that happened at Christmas time during WWI, the message fits New Year's as well. The lyrics of this song are really poetic – but my favorite are really the last 2 lines.

    Enjoy, and I wish for next year to be the best ever for all!

    Love

    Sister Bridget

     

  • Get Ready for a Walk through the Chakras.

    Hello All!

    I hope you all have been enjoying your Autumn. I just returned home last week from a visit with Mambo Sam and Parran Matt for Fet Ghede and more 🙂 It was a really wonderful ten days, and even though it was a whole ten days, boy it went by fast! I have alot to report, and alot of photos to share, including a really awesome trip to a local New Mexico cemetary which included a big sign from my dearly departed Dad. Lots of new posts to come!

    As I get back into the swing of things here, I would like to start off with some information about the Chakras, and how they influence our life and our well being – both physically and emotionally. I have a series of articles ready, which will walk us through each chakra, it's associations, and also the life issues which may be manifesting if we have a chakra that is a little "out of whack." This will be something that we can discuss over a few weeks, and I really do welcome questions and comments. Please feel free to post a comment here on typepad, or on facebook, or even email me directly at bridget@spellmaker.com

    Chakras are energy centers within the body that affect our physical,
    emotional, mental and physical well-being. Chakras come from the
    Sanskrit word meaning "wheels of light." Chakras are like a blueprint of
    energy for individuality. These energy centers hold a vibration and
    color, like a human rainbow.

    There are many ways that can help balance your chakras (and we will get to this!) 
    But first, do you know if you're out of balance?

    When you work on
    the chakras that are closed or weak, you'll be directly influencing that
    particular area of your life, for example, finances, sex life,
    self-esteem, compassion, expression, intuition and spirituality.

    Are
    your finances in trouble? Are you feeling insecure? Do you need to
    perform better at work and get that raise or promotion? Strengthen your
    Root or 1st Chakra.

    Do you want to spice up your sex life or feel more passionate and creative? Unblock your Sacral or 2nd Chakra.

    Want to feel more self-confident and powerful in achieving your goals? Strengthen your Solar Plexus or 3rd Chakra.

    Want
    to feel more love, be able to forgive past grievances, and connect
    better with your spouse, kids, friends and co-workers? Work on your 4th
    or Heart Chakra.

    Afraid of public speaking? Want to be able to express your truth and be understood? Balance your 5th or Throat Chakra.

    Want
    more inspiration on which path you should take in life? Want to
    increase your intuition and psychic abilities? Open your 6th or Third
    Eye Chakra.

    Want to feel at one with all there is? Have more peace, harmony and connection to spirit? Work on your 7th or Crown Chakra.

    If
    you want to get balanced, get centered, get energized, get relaxed, get
    inspired, get clear, get connected, get going… chakra healing can be
    your answer. When your chakras are balanced, your life will also feel
    balanced.

    When we learn to balance our chakras, we learn to craft
    our lives the way we want them to be, rather than living in constant
    reaction to forces outside of us.

    These spirals of energy are
    wheels that heal, feeding the body good energy and relieving it of that
    we do not want. Chakras cannot be held, stroked or bottled up like a
    genie, yet our physical bodies soak them up thirstily and they
    profoundly affect our metabolism, emotions, sensations and behaviors. In
    addition to their roles in the physical realm, chakras work on a higher
    plane, waking us to the realization that our body, mind and spirit are
    forever and inextricably linked.

    Ok, that is enough for one day! Please look for more new posts to come, and even some new products in the works as well!

    Hope you all have a wonderful day!

    Love

    Sister Bridget

    www.spellmaker.com/bridget.htm

    bridget@spellmaker.com

  • Voodoo and Rock & Roll.

    Hello!

    I hope you all are doing well, and are enjoying the last few weeks of summer! I spent a truly perfect, late summer evening recently at a Bruce Springsteen concert. The weather was perfect, the show was awesome! Really, truly a night to remember.

    During the show, Bruce spent a few minutes remembering band members who were no longer with him, but were very present in Spirit. During the introduction to “My City of Ruin” he explained how he wrote this song with Ghosts in mind. Bruce talked about how, when we are young, we are made to be afraid of ghosts. That ghosts are about unknown and frightening things. Things we feared in the dark, and wished would go away. Now, as we are older, we find the ghosts that walk with us to be comforting, familiar, and a rememberance of good times, love, and how precious every moment of life is. How we welcome the ghosts of our past, and welcome them to walk along side us.

    I hope you enjoy this video of Bruce singing City of Ruins.

    Love

    Sister Bridget

     

     

     

    Lyrics – My City of Ruins

    There’s a blood red circle

    on the cold dark ground

    and the rain is falling down

    The church doors blown open

    I can hear the organ’s song

    But the congregation’s gone

    My city of ruins

    My city of ruins

    Now the sweet veils of mercy

    drift through the evening trees

    Young men on the corner

    like scattered leaves

    The boarded up windows

    The hustlers and thieves

    While my brother’s down on his knees

    My city of ruins

    My city of ruins

    Come on rise up!

    Come on rise up!

    Now there’s tears on the pillow

    darling where we slept

    and you took my heart when you left

    without your sweet kiss

    my soul is lost, my friend

    Now tell me how do I begin again?

    My city’s in ruins

    My city’s in ruins

    Now with these hands

    I pray Lord

    with these hands

    for the strength Lord

    with these hands

    for the faith Lord

    with these hands

    I pray Lord

    with these hands

    for the strength Lord

    with these hands

    for the faith Lord

    with these hands

    Come on rise up!

    Come on rise up!

    Rise up

  • Coconut Fun!

    LampsJune12 014

    Hi There!

    With all of the Spellmaker Family  Papa Legba Festivities going on this month, I have been looking for some new and different Coconut items that Papa might enjoy. On my last trip out, I came across these three.

    Trader Joe's Toasted Coconut Cookie Thins — these cookies smell divine! They look incredibly scruptious!

    Coconut Water with Pulp — I found this at the local health food store for less than $1! It has real pieces of coconut in the bottle. I always seem a bit clumsy when I try and cut open a fresh coconut myself, so I think this is a neater option for me 🙂

    Voorman's Coconut Cookies — found these at the dollar store! It is a rather large bag, and these cookies are chock full of coconut and also smell heavenly.

    These are just some examples of new coconut items I thought Papa might like. He also like Mounds bars, rum, coffee, all of the usual suspects! We have a bit more information about Papa here, in our Information Board. Remember, anything offered with a grateful heart is fanstastic 🙂

    For more information about the monthlong rituals to Papa Legba, please see www.spellmaker.com/legba.htm 

    Also, our Spiritual Power Magick Prayer Group is focusing on Papa as well this month! Please join us on June 27th!

    Enjoy!

    Love

    Sister Bridget