Tag: spellmaker

Coconut Sweet Potatoes.
Hey there!

Every once in a while I come across a recipe that just screams PAPA LEGBA to me 😉 And since we are coming into the season where sweet potatoes are everywhere, I have a feeling this might be something that he would enjoy. Actually, I think just about anyone would enjoy this, it is just yummy! I made a batch using uncanned sweet potatoes, and it was quite delicious. I just baked it a little bit longer than what is listed below. Warm, southern style comfort food. If you try it, post a comment here on my blog and let us know what you think 😉

Light and Love

Sister Bridget

Coconut Sweet Potatoes.
- 3 (16-ounce) cans sweet potatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons flour
- 3 Tablespoons melted butter
TO PREPARE:

Combine the sweet potatoes, sugar, milk, 2 Tablespoons butter, eggs and vanilla in a bowl. Mash until blended. Spoon into a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Combine the coconut, pecans, brown sugar and flour in a bowl and mix well. Stir in 3 Tablespoons melted butter. Spread over the sweet potatoes. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until light brown and bubbly.
November 13, 2013
Setting Goals
Hello everyone! The article below by Kevin Kearns is actually an article outlining a way to reach business goals. I could not help but notice the parallel between success in business and success in spell work! Although I did have to laugh at the "No Magic" clause below. 😉

Now that we are more than halfway through our 20th anniversary year, we, too, are looking at our own goals for the next 20 years!

The article is based on the time-honored tradition of being S.M.A.R.T. about goal setting. Of course it isn't all germane to spell work, but certainly it can help you get organized and think about your spell work goals in an attainable way.

Enjoy!

Love, Mambo Sam

www.spellmaker.com

Top 7 Tips for Reaching Your Goals

By Kevin Kearns

Setting goals comes with the terrain for most leaders. You set goals for yourself, work with your team on setting their goals, and some of you, I know, work with your kids on setting goals. After all, in one form or another, goal setting is the practice of successful people. Unfortunately, the act of goal setting by itself does not guarantee goal achievement. Along with your determination, these seven tips can turn your goal setting into goal getting.
1. Be S.M.A.R.T.: Set S.M.A.R.T. goals. This goal setting acronym approach has been around for a long time and it still works! You increase your odds of reaching your goal if you answer yes to all of these as you set it:
  · Specific – have I described details rather than general ideas of the goal?
  
  · Measurable – can someone else measure and see that I reached my goal?
  
  · Attainable – is this goal actually reachable?
  
  · Realistic – even if it is reachable, is it realistic that I am willing to do what it takes to reach it.
  
  · Timeline – do I have a deadline for reaching this goal?
2. Document: If it’s not documented, it’s not going to happen. Most leaders learn quickly (often the hard way,) if it isn’t documented it didn’t happen. Goal setting is similar, it must be documented. The act of writing your goal down creates a sense of commitment and also allows you to read it. Reading your goal gives your mind more confidence that achieving it is possible. We tend to believe what we read, that is why magazines like The Globe can sell stories about aliens abducting Bigfoot. Write your goals down and look at them frequently.
3. Why Me!?: Why is the goal important to you? Think about what benefits the goal offers you. What rewards are associated with reaching this goal? Do you want those rewards? If not, you are not going to stay committed to reaching the goal. The bigger the why, the greater chance of success. If your why is big enough, you will usually figure out the how. It is up to you to discover a why that makes you want to achieve the goal.
4. No Magic: Resist magically turning excuses into reasons. I have witnessed people magically turn what appeared to be an excuse into a perfectly justifiable reason for not achieving a goal. This powerful magic trick can only be reversed by the magician who performed it. We are all amateur magicians in that sense. We are all guilty of accepting situations as final and giving up on goals. If we want to reach goals (especially those worthwhile difficult goals) we must fight the urge to perform and leave the magic to Penn & Teller.
5. Habit Forming: Make goal setting a regular part of your life. Much like a successful diet, goal setting works best when it becomes part of the fabric of your life. Yo-yo dieting is a huge issue in the United States. People get motivated to lose weight, so they start the latest fad diet. After a few weeks (or even hours in some cases) we find ourselves on the downward spin of the yo-yo. The people that have had the most success with losing weight long-term are the ones who have made a healthy diet permanent part of their life – not a temporary prison sentence they are waiting to get paroled from. The same can be seen with goal setting. The more a part of your life it is, the easier it becomes and the greater your success.
6. Get Help: Have a coach help you through the process. If you are pursuing a large or long-term goal, you may benefit from the support of a coach. Depending on the importance of the goal, this can be a professional coach or even a trusted co-worker or friend. A good coach will support you, while at the same time holding you accountable to do your best. In most cases, it is wise to not share your goal with everyone. Many people love to pick goals apart and you may find yourself using your energy to defend your ability to reach your goal instead of using it to achieve your goal. A safe, trusted advisor may be just what you need to reach your goal, but choose wisely.
7. Impress Yourself: Set goals that impress you. When we start to walk as small children, every step is applauded. This constant positive reinforcement is used to encourage our desire and persistence to walk. Eventually, they stop clapping. This is because you have moved beyond walking and onto more difficult physical challenges. As a leader, you have likely achieved a level of success at work. In order to stay sharp and continue to grow, your goals must progress beyond your current status. It is more important that your goals impress you, than impress others. Michael Jordan did not become the “Michael Jordan” by limiting himself to what impressed others.
  Take the wisdom in these tips and strengthen your goal setting techniques. Improved goal setting will lead you to great achievements. How great? Well, that is up to you. The funny thing about goals is, the more goals you get, the more goals you want to get.
November 13, 2013
New Orleans Red Witch Candle

Hi!

I am taking today to say a few words here about one of my FAVORITE candles – The New Orleans Red Witch!

A little background first.

The New Orleans Red Witch love candle is something that is used to acquire either new love or help rekindle an old love. It is a milder candle that is based on what was once known as "crimson witch magick." The Crimson Witch was supposedly once a real person (early 1800's) who did witchcraft to save marriages, get those girls or guys
who had no real prospects a relationship, etc. She was purported to be a kind old lady interested in bringing happiness to others. Interestingly enough, the legend goes that she never married having lost her own true love to some kind of accident.

This candle can be used for a variety of things. For a new case, a case in progress, any love situation where you want to lend a slightly softer, loving energy too. Not a power or control candle (along the lines of the Famous Red Mummy) the feelings from this candle are softer and sweeter. Use the candle with one of your Gris Gris bags from any of the love spells. After beginning your session, chant a bit with your Gris Gris bag, then chat a bit or concentrate on what you are hoping to achieve.

This candle is a lunker! A bit bigger and heavier than the Famous Red Mummy candle. What does that mean? It means you can get MANY MANY sessions from just one candle. The Red Witch candle does come in a three pack for Mind Body Spirit, just like all our other candles. The three pack includes a bigger bottle of oil, bigger bag of herbs, a bag of 30 cones of incense and an incense burner! A three pack of Red Witches can keep you in good stead to do alot of candlework and send alot of sweet energy to your case for a long time 🙂

You can see the Red Witch here at www.spellmaker.com/witch.htm

Tell her I said HI!

November 10, 2013
September 29th The Feast of St Michael and All Angels

Hello!

This is a post a wrote a couple years back about my favorite day of the year, Feast of the Archangels! I hope you enjoy the post. Also, to celebrate this day and in honor of the Angels, I am offering 29% off in my Etsy store, Griffonage Boutique. This would be a great opportunity to pick out a rosary or chaplet in honor of the Angels 🙂

Love,

Sister Bridget

September 29th The Feast of St Michael and All Angels

Make yourself familiar with the angels

and behold them frequently in spirit;

for without being seen, they are present with you.

~~St. Francis De Sales

The feast of Saint Michael , also known as Michaelmas, is a Christian feast derived from the old pagan Autumn Equinox celebrations. It is the most ancient of all the angel festivals. Michaelmas became the fixed date for the feast otherwise associated with Autumn Equinox or the harvest. As early as 1014, the laws of Ethelred in England prescribe a three day fast for all Christians before the feast. Servants weren't allowed to work during these days.

Michaelmas was a time when rents were due, and rents were often paid in food. The traditional rent for Michaelmas was a goose. Eating something rich like goose at this turning point of the year brings good luck. In Nottingham they say "If you eat roast goose on Michaelmas day, you will never want money all year." In Norfolk , they say, "if you don't baste the goose on Michaelmas Day, you will want money all year." Roast goose is the traditional meal served even now for the holiday. A flower, a wildflower, a white aster with many small star-like flowers, that blooms in late September, known as the Michaelmas daisy.

Archangels Gabriel and Raphael are also honored on this day.

Sainted Angels, like Michael, Raphael and Gabriel, are not like the other saints on the Church's calendar who were all once human beings. Angels are celestial beings created on a higher order than man. They are completely spiritual beings; they have intelligence and will; they are personal and immortal creatures. Angels are the servants and messengers of God — in fact, this is what the word "angel" means. Several different kinds (or ranks) of angels are mentioned in the Bible: angels, archangels, cherubim, seraphim, thrones, choirs, dominions, principalities, and powers. The Archangels want you to call on them for help. Don’t worry that you are overburdening them—Archangels can help many people simultaneously.

"Angels transcend every religion, every philosophy, every creed.

In fact angels have no religion as we know it …

their existence precedes every religious system

that has ever existed on earth."

~~St. Thomas Aquinas

Archangel Michael

Michael’s name means “he who looks like God” or “he who is like God”. Michael is the leader of the Archangels. He is very tall and handsome. His energy feels warm and reassuring, like having a warm, fuzzy blanket wrapped around you. His main purpose is to rid the earth of fear — no small task! Call on him when you are feeling scared physically or emotionally and he will help you. Ask for courage and you will have it! (He is often pictured swinging a sword and with his foot planted on the devil.)He is the Patron Saint of Police Officers. Archangel Michael is also the angel in command of Lightworkers! He is also especially good with fixing mechanical and electrical devices ( a handy guy to have around!)

Whenever you feel afraid or uneasy, mentally say, “Archangel Michael, please protect and calm me now.” If you are in an unsafe place or neighborhood, ask Archangel Michael to be your angelic bodyguard–to escort, guide and protect. In fact, you can ask Michael to be permanently stationed by your side so you’ll always be safe under his powerful protection. Just mentally say, “Archangel Michael, please be my guardian angel in all directions of time. Thank you.” And it is so!

If you sometimes feel like you need protection from negativity, then each morning upon wakening ask for Archangel Michael to envelope you in a thick eggshell of white protective light to shield you from negative people and situations you come into contact with (in all situations). This is especially useful for very empathic people who tend to pick up on the emotions of people around them (positive and negative).

Correspondences:

Special colors – Blue and Gold

Protector of the day Wednesdays

Associated with the Third and Fifth Chakras

Associated with the number 6

Special crystals which are blue: sapphire, blue topaz : for peacefulness, and healing

Special crystals which are yellow/gold : yellow topaz , citrine: to initiate positive action improve communications.

Prayer to Saint Michael

Saint Michael, Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;

And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God,

thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world

seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

~~By Pope Leo XIII

Prayer to Saint Michael Powerful Aid

Glorious Prince of the heavenly hosts and victor over rebellious spirits, be mindful of me who am so weak and sinful and yet so prone to pride and ambition. Lend me, I pray, thy powerful aid in every temptation and difficulty, and above all do not forsake me in my last struggle with the powers of evil. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Police Officer's Prayer to Saint Michael

Saint Michael, heaven's glorious commissioner of police, who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premises of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional eyes on your earthly force.

Give us cool heads, stout hearts, and uncanny flair for investigation and wise judgment.

Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores, strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations.

You know, Saint Michael, from your own experiences with the devil, that the police officer's lot on earth is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.

And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your heavenly force, where we will be as proud to guard the throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all the people. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When a divine spirit grants your wish, it is customary, to give an offering of some kind in return. Because Archangel Michael is generally depicted as the protector of the weak, it is considered appropriate to make a contribution to your local police force or community watch program, or to a shelter for the victims of violent crime, as a thank-offering

Archangel Michael is your friend and protector, call on him often, daily if desired – he is waiting for your call. Call on him for protection, for peace, for freedom. He is with you always.

September 28, 2013
If Ogoun had a parrot….

If Ogoun had a parrot, I think it would sing something like this 🙂

Love,

Sister Bridget

September 15, 2013
Speaking of September Rituals!

Hello friends and family!

Thank goodness Khouzhan Lucy's post reminded me of The Chinese Harvest Moon Festival! This fun festival is easily celebrated by a party of one (or more) and ties right in with love spell work!

I made a page about it several years ago:

http://voodooboutique.typepad.com/mambosam/chineseharvestmoon.html

It gives you all the history of the festival, how it relates to finding the love of your life (or petitioning if you have someone in mind!), and just the general beauty and tradition of this day.

I think it is a great celebration whether you are involved in a love case or not! We all need more love in this life, this world! So petitioning for love and good wishes for yourself and others is a great thing.

I would love to see any pictures you take, especially if you incorporate any love spell work with it!

Love,

Mambo Sam, www.spellmaker.com

September 6, 2013
Inspiration from an unexpected place…

Hi there!

This needs to be watched and shared with all you know and love! Where ever you are in life right now, this speech is inspirational!

Love

Sister Bridget

September 6, 2013
‘Tis the Season!

Hello good folks!

Seasoned Spellmaker friends and family know the season of which I speak: Love Potion #9 making season!

Remember, Love Potion #9 is made starting 9:00 a.m. on 9/9 – every year! So the time is coming soon!

This potion IS a drinkable potion. It is meant to slip a little bit into your intended's drink or food. It is a classic love potion. There are some other lesser known usages that I will also blog about later.

But what, if you say, you do not have an "intended" or you don't have access? Take heart, make the potion anyway. I feel like making this potion is a great affirmation stating that you will get your intended (or someone better!). Besides, the potion making process is pretty wonderful, soothing, magickal!

The recipe for the potion is located on the Spellmaker website, right where it has been for years and years:

http://www.spellmaker.com/potion9.htm

Khouzhan Lucy posted on the Spellmaker Novitate blog about it, too! 🙂

So get to planning, get to making! Oh, and as we found out in 9/9/9 – it cans really well! If you are into canning or can boil some water and use a canning jar, it seals up nicely and when we opened one to check it three years later - still perfect!

Love, Mambo Sam

www.spellmaker.com

September 5, 2013
How do you deal with Frustration?

Good Morning!!!

Hope you all are doing well and are enjoying this lovely summer!

As some of you know, I have been working at times to settle some matters dealing with my father's estate. Estate stuff, at least in this situation, tends not to be very simple. I often have an idea or thought or plan of how things will go with a certain issue, and then, well, God Laughs!

Driving home yesterday, I certainly was feeling rather frustrated. I got to thinking alot about this feeling, and I really don not like it! It sucks, basically. And I think I would really rather not feel it so much anymore. I did a little surfing when I got home, to see if there are some tips on dealing with frustration. I would like to share with you what I have learned….

First, just to help clarify – Frustration is a feeling that arises when something occurs which keeps us from reaching a goal or expectation. There are other feelings which can occur as well, such as disappointment. BUT mix a little anger with your disappointment, and you have frustration.

"Expectation is the mother of all frustration"

…… Antonio Banderas

Second, we can experience different levels of frustration in different parts of our lives. Some folks are more easily frustrated in the work enviornment, some with family, some in more social settings. It seems to be the more intense a situation, the more important the goal is to us, the more easily we can become frustrated.

Anyone out there working on a love situation? How important is it to you that it resolve successfully?

Third, how we handle our frustration can definitely directly influence how much frustration we could be feeling in the future! Huh, you say? I said that the first time I read this as well. But look at it this way….if we learn to handle our frustration productively, and that leads to a positive resolution to our situation, then there will be nothing to get frustrated about in the future!

Of course, frustration is not always a bad thing. It can be quite motivating and can help us figure out steps so that we can reach our goals. But it is how we choose to express our frustration may cause more stress in our life and the lives of others.

So, how do we handle our frustration? What are some good tips to practice or skills to develop?

I found this wonderful article by Judith Orloff about Frustration, and ways to handle it. Dr Orloff has 4 tips for handiing frustration with people. Here is an exerpt:

Tip #1. Focus on a specific issue—don't escalate or mount a personal attack.
For instance, "I feel frustrated when you promise to do something but there is no follow-through." No resorting to threats or insults. In an even, non-blaming tone, lead with how the behavior makes you feel rather than how you think the other person is wrong.

Tip #2. Listen non-defensively without reacting or interrupting.
It's a sign of respect to hear a person's point of view, even if you disagree. Avoid an aggressive tone or body language. Try not to squirm with discomfort or to judge.

Tip #3. Intuit the feelings behind the words.
When you can appreciate someone's motivation, it's easier to be patient. Try to sense if this person is frightened, insecure, up against a negative part of themselves they've never confronted. If so, realize this can be painful. See what change they're open to.

Tip #4. Respond with clarity and compassion.
This attitude takes others off the defensive so they're more comfortable admitting their part in causing frustration. Describe everything in terms of remedies to a specific task, rather then generalizing. State your needs. For instance, "I'd really appreciate you not shouting at me even if I disappoint you." If the person is willing to try, show how pleased you are. Validate their efforts: "Thanks for not yelling at me. I really value your understanding" See if the behavior improves.

(end exerpt)

I will be trying some of these techniques with the various realtors, inspectors, lawyers, etc associated with my dad's Estate and let you know which ones I have found helpful. If you try any of these tips out, I would love to hear how they worked for you :-)

Love

Sister Bridget

August 6, 2013
Fet Ghede Potion Follow Up 🙂

Hey there

A few weeks ago, Mambo Sam announced a very special offering of a unique potion. Fet Ghede Potion was made by Mambo, Parran, myself and a few special members of our Voodoo House. You can read the details about the potion and the process here, of course, but I mostly wanted to relay my experiences with the potion, and hope others will join in as well 🙂

I started using my bottle a bit last week. As with everything Mambo Sam makes, this stuff is simply awesome in power and vibration! I have used the potion in a bit of candlework, some doll work, and with my meditations and prayers. I have to say, my experiences meditating while wearing just a drop of this potion are amazing. There are times when I have much difficulty quieting my mind to meditate – I have not had that problem when I use this potion. I sometimes have a little trouble remembering specific guidance I get during meditation – again, not so when I have used this potion. My meditations are much more clear, peaceful, and I want to use the word "vibrant" here. Now, that may not make much sense as far as meditating goes to some of you, but that is the best word I have to describe what I am experiencing. Really Amazing.

I hope some of you who already have some of this wonderful stuff will chime in with your experiences too!

For those of you who are still considering getting yourself a bottle, remember supplies are limited! (Well, at least until next Fet Ghede). If you have any questions about the potion use, the potion does some with full instructions, as well as a free 10 minute consult with Mambo Sam for any questions you may have.

Hope to see your feedback soon!

Love

Sister Bridget

July 20, 2013