Hi there!
Here is a new photo album I posted of some photos from my local cemetery. It may sound a bit weird, I know. But the cemetary is quite old, and has been active for more than 250 years! Stones and markers vary greatly, and I really found some of them interesting. This is something I have been wanting to do for a while, so I hope you enjoy!
Love,
Sister Bridget
This photo is from HIghgate Cemetary in England, not where I live…I could not resist the dog on the stone. though.
Hello everyone! Continuing on with our series about Making Healthy Decisions! (I will do a wrap up of this when it is all done – so you will have the list of questions all in one place!
Today's question to ask yourself in your decision making process is:
Should I be acting or should I be stepping back?
Okay, so this can be a tough one. Do we wait and "see what happens" or do we jump in take that bull by the horns, wrestle it to the ground, and show it who's boss? :-) Living in this microwave-instant message-tweet-email-Facebook status updating-seeminglyinstant gratification world can be detrimental to our decision-making process. We are beginning to feel that everything needs an instant action! That just isn't true! Some things are best left alone, left to marinate, left to give a chance to breathe and perhaps evolve into something else.
Countless times we've all acted too soon or without sufficient information, or we've stepped in where our input wasn't needed (or wanted – what is up with that – it seems that I can hardly even go to the grocery store without someone commenting on what I should be doing/buying, etc. – so strange… anyway…) and muddied circumstances that were already working themselves out.
When you ask yourself, quietly and confidently, what your part is in a given situation, and where to wait (or exit entirely), you'll get a clear idea of your role. If you ask the question and still want to act against the advice of your internal coach, remind yourself that, although life is a series of little dramas, none of them needs a drama queen (or king).
Of course, as with other decision-making processes, it takes some thought to decide when to act and when to step back and see what happens. Putting these question together with the other questions, however, lets you see that this is just part of a whole process. Putting the process together will make much more sense in the end! 🙂
Love, light, and peace,
Mambo Samantha Corfield, www.spellmaker.com
While some values might be considered universal and subjective, each of us have our own set of values germane to only us. In order for your decision to please you long term, you are going to have to make it happen within the parameters of your own set of values. At this point in the decision-making process, it is our values that come into play, leaving alone what others might think (we will get to that later).
First we must decide how our decision impacts our core values. For some, honesty might come first; for others stretching the truth might seem perfectly acceptable. Those two people are going to come to their decisions differently and most likely with a different outcome. There is no judgment here as to right or wrong, you must decide what is acceptable within your value set.
Most all of us know what is okay with us and what is absolutely not okay with us. Looking to this set of values will help you make the decision so it falls in accordance with sitting well with you later on! If the decision is going to lead you down a path heretofore unacceptable to you then either you are experiencing a drastic change in values or you are making the wrong decision! Most like, it will be the latter.
If you don't have a stable set of core values, you may want to look to establishing that for yourself. Most people already have, but every once in awhile I have a client tell me that they are unsure what is okay or not okay with them. While it is great to be flexible, there should be a basic set of values keeping you strong! 🙂
Love, light, and peace,
Mambo Samantha Corfield, www.spellmaker.com
Hello everyone! As promised, we are moving on with our series about Making Healthy Decisions. 🙂
Today's question to ask yourself when making a decision is:
We hear a lot about "gut" decisions. Really, that is no joke! 40 trillion cells can't be wrong! :-) When you are working on a decision, take some quiet time and just sit and listen to what your body is telling you. Even if you want something badly, how are you feeling physically? Does your heart get aflutter with anticipation? Do you feel sick to your stomach? Are your limbs tingling? Does your decision make you smile, cry, laugh?
Take some time to note the feelings you get from your body about your decision. If your decision fills you with dread, you might want to take some time to try altering the decision in your mind and then noting how your body feels about it! If your body doesn't feel good about the decision, try reworking it until you notice feelings of relief, smiles, even laughter! :-)
You are hard-wired with instinct and abilities to help yourself make a decision. Most of us have been taught to ignore those very things that were given to us! Try starting out by just listening to and feeling your body in different states of emotion – how does it feel when something is good for you? What are the sensations within your body? How does it feel when something is bad for you? What physical manifestations do you get? Learning to discern what your body is telling you is the first step to receiving your body's own physical guidance for you! Learning to then TRUST that guidance will be the next step. That will only come with practice!
Practice can be simple or complex. One very easy way to practice is to watch movies or TV shows! Watch a movie that is funny, inspirational, or in some way positive to you. Pay attention to how your body feels – note each part of your body and the sensations that are there. Continue on with a movie or show that is sad or makes you angry or feels in some way negative to you (not that being sad is always negative). Again, pay attention to what your body's reactions are. Make note of these sensations so that you will recognize them when it comes to decision making.
Try it! 🙂
Love, light, and peace,
Mambo Samantha Corfield, www.spellmaker.com
Happy Monday, everyone!
So often good people ask me about the decisions they are trying to make in their life. Certainly getting advice from someone can be invaluable – especially if they are a professional or have your best interest at heart (even better if they are both!). 🙂
Of course, we don't want to have to consult someone for every decision we make! Having the ability to make your own healthy decisions is a skill well worth having and/or developing. Today we start a series of exercises and thoughts to help us develop our decision-making process.
The very first question to ask yourself when making any decision is:
Is this good for me?
You must first absolutely decide whether or not something is good for you! And not just now – what about later? We all have cravings, desires, needs, and wants. However, are they all good for you now and later? How will this decision impact you now, next week, next year, in 10 years?
While it is understandable that you might take into consideration how your decision impacts family, friends, co-workers, etc., you must FIRST take into consideration whether "it" is good for you! Once you decide that, you can then take into consideration other people.
Now you have a place to start: Is this good for me? Start practicing asking yourself that during situations where it might not matter as much so when it comes time for big decision making you will already have a place to start!
Start today! What will you wear to work tomorrow? Is it good for you? Where are you going to eat lunch? Is it good for you? Where are you going to park at the mall? Is it good for you? What's am I watching on TV tonight? Is it good for you?
Remember, "good for you" doesn't just mean eat your vegetables and don't watch too much TV – what satisfies your soul? What makes you feel good about yourself? Once you figure out what is good for you, you will be on your way to making great decisions!
Bookmark or save this post! (It is good for you!) ;-) I will be adding more information over the next few days about how to make healthy decisions and set your life in the right direction!
Love, light, and peace,
Mambo Samantha Corfield, www.spellmaker.com
Hello everyone,
I am sure that many of you are aware of the raging wildfires in Arizona and New Mexico. It has caused devasting losses of property across both states (mostly Arizona at this point). I would ask that you all please pray for those who are fighting these fires, that they will be kept safe. Also, please pray for those who have lost their homes or have otherwise been displaced by this awful fire.
Air quality here even here in the Albuquerque area has been pretty awful. The destructive power and long-term effects of a fire this size are pretty devastating. If you can spare a moment, please pray for those involved.
For those in the affected areas – please stay safe! Evacuate when you are told and don't stay and try to "ride it out." Fire has no mercy!
Love, light, and peace,
Mambo Samantha Corfield, www.spellmaker.com
Papa Legba Month – 2011 🙂
Happy Monday everyone! A very special day today! Of course we begin our amazing triple rituals to Papa Legba today AND a very happy birthday to my son, Ira. :-) I just don't know how the heck he got to be 39 when I am only 35! LOL LOL LOL Seriously, a wonderful day all around.
I hope you have all sent in your letters to be included in the free rituals. If not, it is not too late, just visit the Papa Alegba Page and visit the link to send in your letter.
Now we all know that Papa is there to open doors for us, smooth the path, and in general make things easier. Remember though that you can be quite creative in what you are asking. Papa is the great interpreter. He speaks and understands all languages. A very good petition to him is to make yourself and your intentions understood. This might be in a love case, but it could be for anything. Perhaps you are having trouble understanding your teenage children and they you. Remember Papa works BOTH ways – to help you be understood, but also to help you understand.
Many times during spell work we forget to ask for ourselves to understand what is happening and why. Most often we forget to try to understand what role we play or played in what is happening to us! Without self-awareness most things are doomed to failure. Ask Papa to help you understand what your role is in whatever situation you find yourself in. I am not saying that you should assign the "blame" for things onto yourself. However, we can easily get wrapped up in what we want someone else to do and forget that there are things that we, too, need to do to improve the situation.
Many times people visualize Papa has their grandfather or trusted uncle or elder male confidante. I think all of these are wonderful visualizations. Talk to him! Have a cup of coffee and a little treat with him (yes, a little treat for you, too!). Ask him for the awareness that you need to truly see your situation and to understand and be understood. Most all situations are a two-way street, though we generally tend to get wrapped up in only one way – the way that gets us what we want. Or so we think! Learning both sides of the street is a sure path to success.
Have a great day everyone!
Love, light, and peace,
Mambo Samantha Corfield, www.spellmaker.com
Picture is COPYRIGHT! © Erzulie Red Eyes Art and Spirit 2010-2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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
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
Hello everyone! Hope you all had a safe and wonderful long weekend. 🙂
Of course, as most of you know, in my day-to-day life I do a lot of work to bring people back together in their relationships. Helping to mend broken relationships is the majority of my work, in fact! However, I sometimes find myself in the position of letting someone know that being alone is not the worst thing that can happen to them!
In my opinion, being with the wrong person or in bad company is far worse than being alone! Naturally I am not particularly saying that being alone forever is my meaning. But some time being alone is often cleansing and uplifting!
It is far better to be alone than to be in the wrong company of someone who belittles you, cheats on you, takes you for granted, and or just generally treats you poorly. It is also better to be by yourself than to be with people with whom you have nothing in common and nothing to talk about or, even worse, to be in the company of those who will belittle your beliefs, dreams, or goals!
When you are alone you have the space, mindset, and time to connect with your Higher Self fully without the interference of the incompatible consciousness of other people around you. It is very different when you are by yourself than when you are with others. You should consider it one of your highest priorities to be with the right kind of people or just spend some time alone!
Being with the wrong kind of people only lowers your state of consciousness and shrinks your awareness, brings on self-doubt, and does little for your self-awareness. We are always affected by the collective consciousness of the people around us, because whenever we are surrounded by people, our mind becomes part of the group mind. Being by yourself actually frees you from the group mind. That is why you can connect to God, the Universal Mind, or Cosmic Consciousness best when you are alone.
Train yourself to be extremely selective with whom you relate. The more carefully you choose in life, the more you will be able to decipher exactly what you desire. Using the power of choice expresses who we are as creators of our perfect reality. The reason why you may be experiencing unfulfilling interactions with people is because you might have the wrong idea that you have to unconditionally accept everyone who comes your way. The truth is you have to reject people who are not best for you in order to accept only the best.
Now, of course, there are those among us who will preach that there is "good in everyone, you just have to look for it." When the looking gets exhausting, consider cutting that person from your life. If you have to look that hard for the good, it is just not going to be worth it in the end. You will do all the work and will reap little benefit. Even worse, that person will not care nor respond to the fact that you are willing to put up with them because you feel that "there is a good person inside there somewhere."
Being alone for a period of time is sometimes your best opportunity for personal growth. 🙂
Love, light, and peace,
Mambo Samantha Corfield
www.spellmaker.com