Tag: new orleans voodoo

  • 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

     

     

    Mike1 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.

     

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    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.

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    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.

     

     

    Mike3

  • Dollar Store Find!

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    Hi there!

    Those of you who were at our recent Video Conference saw the Dollar Store Voodoo presentation by Mambo Sam and myself. These two little fellows are my most recent dollar store find, just before Fet Ghede. Arent they adorable? They were 2 for a dollar! I used them on my Fet Ghede altar this year 🙂

    Light and Love

    Sister Bridget

  • Fall and Winter Service to Gran Bwa!

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    Just because the leaves are off the trees, doesn't mean we can't continue to serve Gran Bwa! Feeding the birds is a wonderful way to serve Gran Bwa in the colder months. Here is a bird feeder I found at the siore that reminded me of Ogoun as well 🙂

    Light and Love,

    Sister Bridget

  • How to make a Vooodoo Dream Board!

    Hello!

    Some of you wrote me yesterday asking about how to make a dream board. I had read some general guidelines about these, but they were boooooring. So, I took some time, lit a candle, and came up with these ideas of how to make a Voodoo Dream Board! I am still working on mine, and I will post a picture of it in my photo album here as soon as it is done. I would love it if any of you who make a dream board would send me a picture of it! I would love to see what you come up with!

    1. Get your board. This can be whatever works for you. Oak Tag, a cork board, a piece of plywood, or something fancier you might find at a craft store. It is your board 😉 Use what suits you.

    2. Get some glue, tape, push pins, whatever you need to stick stuff to your board.

    3. Get a stack of magazines. Spring is coming, and I bet you know some folks who are tossing out some old magazines. Let your friends and family know you are needing some. Get a decent sized stack on various different subjects.

    4. Schedule some special time to go thru the magazines and cut out pictures of things that represent your goals and dreams! Get creative! Play some of your favorite music, make your favorite drink and have fun! You can even invite Papa Legba or any Lwa you feel close to to come by and help you! Light a candle, set out a drink or a cookie for them and ask for their guidance. Make it a team effort 😉

    5. If you cant find a picture for a goal you have in mind, try hitting Google Images and see if you can find what you are looking for there. Print the picture and use that on your board.

    6. If you are working with a special Lwa while making the board, you might consider using some background color that corresponds to that Lwa and is pleasing to you. Like, for my board, I was asking for Ogoun and Papa Legba to assist me, so I used some red oak tag/poster board to put my photos on. BUT if I didnt like red, I woul have tried another color 😉 White is always good, but use something that YOU like to look at, as it is YOUR board!

    6.Fix your pictures to the board in a manner that is pleasing to you. You can do this in the same session or another session if you like. Set some special time aside and really enjoy yourself. Focus on the pictures one by one as you place them on the board. What does this goal mean to you? What does it feel like? How will it make you feel when you realise it?

    7. For an added nice touch, you can draw a Veve of whichever Lwa you asked to be your "Board Buddy" and place it on the board in honor of them and their assistance.

    8. Place the board in a location where you can look at it for 5- 10 minutes twice a day. Near your bedside is a great place, if you can pull that off, as you can look at the board as you go to bed and rise in the morning.

    9. Revise the board as you feel guided too. If you find a new picture that appeals to you and represents a goal of yours, add it. Every few months spend some time really contemplating each picture – evaluate your status towards that goal? Have you made any progress? Is it still something you desire? Has some other desire eclipsed this goal and you now are working towards something else?

    10. Most importantly, make it fun and positive ! Look forward to looking at and working on your  dream board. You will be so glad you did 😉

    Light and Love

    Sister Bridget

    Unnamed

  • New Decade Resolutions!

    Welcome to a new decade! 2010!

    I was thinking back yesterday about the turn of the century – the whole year 2000, Y2K thing, and all of the talk that went along with that. It was easy for me to remember where I was, what I was doing, who I was working for, where I lived, all of that. What I couldnt remember was what goals I had for myself.What thought had I put into the coming decade? Where did I want to go? Where would I want to be living? What would I like my life to be like when the next new decade began?

    So, this time around, I am going to do things differently. I am making New Decade Resolutions!

    Thinking in a ten year time frame really makes you look at long term goals, and gives you time to assess the intermediate steps to reaching your goal. It takes the focus off the day to day comings and goings and occasional setbacks we might have. It certainly is easier to look at a bump in the road and feel less pressured about it  when you are looking at a 10 year time frame than one of months!

    Yes, times are tough right now, economically, politically, etc. BUT now is also the TIME TO DREAM! Take a pad and pen and write out or sketch what you want your life to be like in 2020! It is NOT THAT FAR OFF! Where do you want to be living in 2020? What would you like your home to be like? Your friends? Your family? What kind of job do you wish to have? What kind of people do you wish to work for? What kind of vacations will you be taking? What do you want your body to look like? Who do you want to be sharing your life with?

    "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."

    ~~~Anatole France

    Review your personal mission statement.  See how it is reflected in your sketch above. Construct a Dream Board to reflect the goals that you have set for yourself. Be proactive, make it fun! Dare to Dream!

    Light and Love

    Sister Bridget

    (I am dreaming about Spring already!)

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  • Happy New Decade! 2010!

    Happy New Year!

    Wishing each and every one of you the happiest of New Years! Below is a poem that MaMere sent me, and it is so splendid (of course!) that I really wanted to pass it along to you.

    Light and Love

    Sister Bridget

    A
    Wonderful Resolution for the New Year!




    What amazing gifts the new year
    brings! An entire


     year's worth of wonderful
    opportunities, given to us


    one sunrise at a time. Many
    of the moments ahead will


    be marvelously disguised as
    ordinary days, but each one


    of us has the chance to make
    something extraordinary out of them.




    Each new day is a blank page
    in the diary of your life.


    The secret of success is in
    turning that diary into the


    best story you possibly can.
    Have pages on understanding


    and tales of overcoming hardships.
    Fill your story with


    enthusiasm, adventure, learning,
    and laughter. And make


     each chapter reflect time
    doing these things:




    Follow your dreams. Work hard.
    Be kind. Do what you


    can to make the door open on
    a day that is filled with


    inspiration in some special
    way. Remember: Goodness


    will be rewarded. Smiles will
    pay you back.


    Have fun. Find strength. Be
    truthful. Have faith.


    Don't focus on anything you
    lack.




    Realize that people are the
    treasures in life, and


    happiness is the real wealth.
    Have a diary that describes


    how you're doing your best,
    and…


    the rest will take care of itself.
    – by Douglas Pagels –


  • Quote for a Monday…….

    One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.

     –Henry Miller

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  • Great motivational song — Working on a Dream.

    Hey there!

    Following in the fine footsteps of my dear Sister DJ Candi, I am posting the lyrics to this great song the I heard the other day. Its not so much a song to be used during spellwork, but one to be used before beginning session, to help get you revved up and your energy lifted. Its also a great song to play while driving with the windows down on a warm summer day!

    Working On A Dream by Bruce Springsteen

    Out here the nights are long, the days are lonely
    I think of you and I'm working on a dream
    I'm working on a dream

    Now the cards I've drawn's a rough hand, darling
    I straighten the back and I'm working on a dream
    I'm working on a dream

    Come on!

    I'm working on a dream
    Though sometimes it feels so far away
    I'm working on a dream
    And I know it will be mine someday

    Rain pourin' down, I swing my hammer
    My hands are rough from working on a dream
    I'm working on a dream

    Let's go!

    I'm working on a dream
    Though trouble can feel like it's here to stay
    I'm working on a dream
    Well our love will chase trouble away

    Alright!

    [whistling interlude]
    That's professional whistling right there!

    I'm working on a dream
    Though it can feel so far away
    I'm working on a dream
    Our love will make it real someday

    The sun rise up, I climb the ladder
    The new day breaks and I'm working on a dream
    I'm working on a dream
    I'm working on a dream
    I'm working on a dream

    Hey!

    I'm working on a dream
    Though it can feel so far away
    I'm working on a dream
    Our love will make it real someday
    I'm working on a dream
    Though it can feel so far away
    I'm working on a dream
    And our love will make it real someday

    S

  • Something to think about………..

    “Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.”

     

    ~~~~ William James

     

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  • Thought for the day.

    If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say?  And why are you waiting?  ~Stephen Levine

    Please comment if you like and share your reflections on this thought…..

    Love,

    Sister Bridget

    Strength