Hello there-
Last week I posted a few pictures of my lovely Ogoun apron made by Mambo Sam and her mother in law Eileen. Today I would like to share with you some pictures of the apron I have gotten for working with Gran Bwa. This fabric is gorgeous! I hope you enjoy the photos. For more information on the Aprons, please see www.spellmaker.com/voodoowares.htm
Light and Love
Sister Bridget
Hello everyone! I know we have talked about this subject before, but I thought it was worth revisiting. All the time in readings I get asked the question, "Is s/he worth me doing (or continuing to do) love spell work on?"
Generally speaking, I don't have an answer for that because I think that only you can tell if someone is worth your time, trouble, money, and energy. That is what I usually tell you – "You tell me if s/he is worth it!" Some of you laugh, some of you get angry with me, and some of you find your thoughts provoked!
In all fairness, some things that I can tell you is whether or not I think the person you are working on or considering working on is an inherently bad or good person. (And, yes, I think some people ARE inherently bad and no amount of healing or goodie-two-shoes work on them is going to make them a good person!) I can tell you if I feel any love for you there. I can tell you if there intentions are good or bad towards you. However, even knowing those things from me, only you can tell me if it is worth it.
But what factors might come into figuring out if it is worth it? Here is an excerpt from an article by Daniel Harken:
End of Article
So, as we can see, there are a lot of factors in the decision of whether a relationship is worth continuing or pursuing. But I do want to bring up one last thing that I feel is of the utmost importance – you must always feel right about what you are doing. Listen to your inner voice, your gut, whatever you want to call it. No matter what anyone else says, if you feel right about the relationship, and you are being safe, then no one should be able to talk you out of going forward (or not) but you! :-) Your friends, family, myself, and anyone else you talk to may have a valuable opinion. However, in the end, your happiness in your life, and the pursuit thereof is your choice to make. Other people in your life may not see what you see in a person – that is fine, as long as you are true to yourself about what you see.
Love, light, and peace,
Mambo Samantha Corfield, www.spellmaker.com
For those who partake in alternative medicine, Reiki is a powerful compliment to all therapies whether traditional or non-traditional. Whatever the case may be Reiki is a practice that can bring body, mind, and spirit into balance.
What is Reiki?
In 1922 a Buddhist monk named Mikao Usui meditated for 21 days atop Mount Kurama, Japan. It is said that during his retreat that the concept of Reiki healing was given to him through divine inspiration. Later that year he established the Usui Reiki Healing Society in Tokyo.
The name Reiki itself is made up two Japanese words. When combined these words literally translate to "guided spiritual life force energy". The energy generated by the practitioner is said to come from the divine and not the practitioner themselves.
This would mean that the energy is pure and inexhaustible. The energy transmitted during the session is also deemed "intelligent" and travels to the precise area in need of healing, even without the practitioner or recipient being aware of it.
How does Reiki work?
Reiki can be performed over the whole body or over a specific area. The practitioner can use a touching or non-touching technique, where the hands hover over the recipient's body by a few centimeters. In either case the goal is for the flow of energy to be released through the hands of the practitioner and penetrate the body of the recipient.
The length of a Reiki session lasts from 45 to 90 minutes. The practitioner's hands stay over each area of the recipient's body for 3 to 5 minutes. Reiki can either be performed traditionally with set hand positions or informally where the format is more open.
There is a second level of Reiki that allows for healing over a distance. This is accomplished by using three special symbols that aid the practitioner to connect with the recipient. This means that healing may be performed no matter the location.
Can I perform Reiki on myself?
The energy involved when performing Reiki makes it an excellent candidate for self-healing. In fact it is said that when a practitioner generates energy for a healing it enters through their crown Chakra in turn providing them with healing while healing the recipient.
The Reiki technique is simple and powerful. Practitioners attest that the concepts surrounding Reiki are so wholesome and safe that even children can learn to heal. Reiki has no side effects and can be used on anyone one in any social setting, even on plants and animals.
How can Reiki help?
Reiki is used for many types of ailments both physical and psychological. The flow of divine energy creates a chain reaction in the body that promotes healing at all levels. Reiki is a holistic approach to healing and deals with the human body, mind, and spirit as a complete system. Therefore it is effective in all arenas of healing and compliments modern medical treatments. Reiki is not promoted to replace other forms of therapies but encouraged as part of a comprehensive health strategy.
Hello!
Below are some pictures I took while fishing with Marran and Parran this Spring. Hope you enjoy them 🙂
Light and Love
Sister Bridget
Marran having a fine day!
Marran and Parran and a Fishy Friend!
Here is the little fella that I caught, being held by Parran's bother, Andrew. We threw him back (the fish, not Drew….) and he swam away to live another day 🙂
The Neighbors! A mess-o-chipmunks lived in a rock pile right next to where we were seated for the day. These little guys were quite brave and really seemed fond of rice crispy treats! They were awesome entertainment in between nibbles on the line.
Hi there!
Now that it is officially warm here in the Northeast, I have been able to spend some periods of time outdoors with the trees, one of my favorite things to do. I have a brief, rather unofficial ritual I do when I sitting with a tree. I find sitting quietly with a tree is a very powerful way for me to connect with the enviornment and also feel closer to Gran Bwa. There is no real right or wrong way to do this- I present these steps as a general guide that works well for me 🙂
Go for a walk in the woods or a park, or even your own yard. Be sure this is someplace you feel safe and *are* safe. Look at the different trees, quiet your mind, tune into them. You will find that different trees have different personalities! Some will feel warm and inviting, others may not be receptive to having company that day 🙂 Some may feel strong, some happy and upbeat, others not so much.
When you feel attracted to a tree, move in towards it. Spend a few minutes getting to know the tree- look at its shape, its foliage, the shape and texture of the bark, the roots. Unfocus your eyes and look for the tree's aura. Using the palm of your nondominant hand, sweep around the tree and see if you can feel how far it's energy extends. Make an energetic connection with the tree. How does it feel? Take a bit of foliage, feel it's texture, notice it's scent, temperature, shape and size.
Open your mind and your heart, and ask the tree if you can sit with it for a while. I very rarely have a tree say "No" but it is always polite to ask permission! If the answer is "Yes", walk around the tree once and pick a comfortable place to sit. Before sitting down, place your hands on the trunk and take three deep breaths. You may feel guided to give the tree a hug! Go right ahead 🙂 Take a few moments and strengthen your connection with your new friend.
When you are ready, sit down in your comfortable spot with your back up against the trunk of the tree. Clear your mind and just be with the tree. Open yourself to guidance from the tree. Be relaxed, breathe slowly and deeply. Be present. Feel the trunk of the tree against your back. Feel the warmth of the soil beneath you. If some intrusive thoughts pop into your mind, place them in a cloud and let them float away. Remain quiet and peaceful for as long as you like. Be with the tree.
When you are feeling ready, "talk" with the tree. If you have questions about the tree or the land, ask, sit quietly and wait for a response! If you have an issue or concern that you need guidance on, pose a question and again, sit quietly and see what comes to you.
When you feel you are ready to close, stand back up and place your hands on the trunk as you did before sitting. Again, if you feel guided to hug the tree, please do! Thank the tree from your heart for its time and attention, for any guidance it may have relayed, and for its contribution to the environment.
Light and Love
Sister Bridget
Here is a picture of the ritual that was done for Mambo and Parran's doggie, Mojo. These rituals call on Papa Legba, Ogoun and Gran Bwa 🙂 They are proving to be a very popular ritual! For more information, please see http://www.spellmaker.com/bridget.htm
Light and Love
Sister Bridget
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness, that most frightens us….. Nelson Mandela 1994
Happy Tuesday, one and all! :-) I am reposting this blog about ceremonial clothing because for awhile my mother-in-law, the talented and wonderful Eileen, was unable to do the apron and scarf sets because she had a double knee replacement. She is all healed and back in the garden and at the sewing machine! ;-) So for those of you who have been waiting to order, she is available again for your orders.
Love,
Mambo Sam
Hello everyone! As many of you already know, we have recently begun to sell New Orleans Voodoo Apron and Scarf sets. :-) These are made as a collaboration between my lovely mother-in-law, Eileen, and myself. Many of you already know Eileen from the conventions! Some of you have seen her other handiwork in the Erzulie Voodoo Pillows (which we will be offering up again soon!). She is extremely creative and talented.
Many questions have come up surrounding the apron/scarf sets – how to use them, why, what do they represents, do you need one or more than one or any at all, etc.
Let's first just talk briefly about ceremonial clothing in general. Needless to say, Voodoo isn't the only religion or practice with ceremonial clothing. Nearly every major religion has some form of ceremonial clothing, though most of the time this garb is used by the clergy within the religion. Voodoo is a bit different in that everyone who practices ritual or serves the Lwa (Voodoo Spirits) is entitled to wear certain ceremonial clothing.
In Haitian Voodoo, there are many different types of ceremonial clothing – white clothing for Rada ceremonies, red clothing for Petro ceremonies, different color combinations for different events! In fact, different Houses may have different colors that they use when going to public events, such as Rara, to distinguish themselves from each other. Ceremonial clothing is used to honor sometimes all Lwa, one Lwa, or the House from which you come.
In New Orleans Voodoo, we tend to wear a lot of white! I have a theory that mostly that is because it gets so gosh-darned hot there! LOL. Of course, the same is true of Haiti, so that might shoot a hole in my theory. Let me just say that in all my years of growing up going to rituals, almost all the time it was with everyone dressed in white. The exception was the usage of brightly colored aprons! I was taught that the aprons were an homage to the slaves and houseworkers and hair dressers, etc., that brought us and shared with us their beautiful religion. Naturally, we also honor the Lwa in wearing these aprons and head scarves.
At www.spellmaker.com, we have taken these aprons a step further in trying to make them as beautiful as possible and to honor individual lwa through the use of colors, patterns, and decorative items on the apron. For instance, the Erzulie Freda apron below was made especially for the lovely Khouzhan Avery and it is a beautiful violet-pink luxurious material. An applique of a beautiful butterfly (as a nod to Ogoun Feraille) is on the bodice, and it is trimmed in gold for Erzulie's love of golden things! The head scarf has three golden rings (an homage to her three husbands) attached to one end so they will fall down Khouzhan Avery's back of the neck when the scarf is tied. The pictures don't really do the aprons justice because it is hard to show the little details!
When an apron/scarf set is ordered, the first thing we do is see what we know about the person! If you are our regular customer, that is pretty easy since we get to know you pretty well! :-) If you are not, I may email you and ask you a few questions to get a feel for what your personal preferences are. Next, Eileen and I go through material, beads, buttons, trim and decorations. I start out by asking the particular lwa you have picked to guide me and show me what s/he wants or likes. It is funny how readily they vocalize their desires! Both Eileen and myself have felt immediate likes and dislikes! They have their ways of guiding us, that is for sure!
Once we decide on everything for the apron/scarf, I consecrate every item she will be using, even the thread. :-) Then off to work she goes to do her magick! Once the apron is finished, I consecrate the finished product in your name and the name of the Lwa for whom you have asked the apron/scarf to be created. The set is then shipped to you!
The set can be used for any Voodoo magickal endeavor you are doing – spell work, adjunct work, etc. Even if that particular lwa is not usually involved in that particular work it is okay to still wear your apron/scarf and ask them to assist your work and bring their blessing into it. I certainly do not see any wrong way you could use it. Some folks have reported just wearing the apron and scarf when they were meditating, or working on computer projects at home that had nothing to do with voodoo, etc. They felt help from the lwa and felt they concentrated better and were more productive!
One person was having migraines and put their apron and scarf on and just laid down for awhile and ask for the lwa's help, fell into a deep sleep, and woke up feeling wonderful! I think there are just a million creative ways you could use your apron and scarf. In fact, once more people have them, I will ask everyone to please let us know and we can post that!
Hunky and talented Khouzhan Menfo kindly shared this picture of him in his set for Capitaine Agwe. There is more than a nod in this set to Agwe's wife, LaSirene! There is a tiny lighthouse charm on one corner of the head scarf. The material was patterned with whales and Eileen and I could not buy it fast enough when we saw it! We were giggling like little school girls, especially when from the shelf above the material a roll of silver trim FELL OFF right into Eileen's hand! LOL.
Our sweet and lovely and wonderful and adorable (oh how I can go on!) Sister Bridget, shared pictures of her aprons on her Facebook Page. Her is a picture of her Gran Bwa apron (of course it has a matching headscarf!) It has cool beading and there are buttons that are leaf shaped on it. She also has a beautiful apron to Ogoun Badagris on her Facebook page.
All in all, these aprons and head scarves are a labor of love and much time is spent in the planning of them and choosing things to go with them. :-) If you have any questions, please let us know!
Love, light, and peace,
Mambo Samantha Corfield