ISSUE #4

Greetings!

Welcome to the August Issue of Witchy Update.

Hoodoo and Voodoo are two terms that are often confused, or used interchangeably, and while the two are related, they are certainly not one and the same. The popular (and often misused) term “Voodoo” is derived from the Haitian religion of Vodoun, whereas Hoodoo is a tradition of folk magic that is unique to the United States. It is eclectic in nature, drawing strongly upon African folk traditions brought to the Americas through the slave trade (in that way having much in common with Vodoun), but Hoodoo also draws upon Roman Catholicism, Spiritism, and Spanish and Native American traditions.

True to the definition of “eclectic” used by many herbalists and folk magicians, Hoodoo is known for embracing methods from various cultures, so long as they work well. It is an intensely practical form of magic, with a strong emphasis on commonly available ingredients and the spiritual and material concerns of everyday life. Because of its practical and eclectic nature, the practice of Hoodoo is rife with magical techniques for anyone following a nature-based path.

Try this simple Hoodoo ritual from Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones by Stephanie Rose Bird to help clear up the muck and ickiness that can weigh us all down from time to time.

Healing Bath Crystals
Sometimes you will encounter a blockage that manifests itself in your body. There may be all manner of complaints: headache, low energy, bodyache, or cramps. For physical manifestations of ill intent, or if you have been taking care of someone who is ill or recently recovered from illness, try this crystal blessing.

2 cups Dead Sea salt, or regular sea salt crystals
1 cup Epsom salt
1/4 teaspoon peppermint, pine needle, lavender, or cedar essential oil (or a combination)

Place the salts in a nonreactive, nonabsorbent bowl (glass, ceramic, or stainless steel work well). Sprinkle the essential oil(s) on the salts and stir with a stainless-steel spoon. (Do not use wood, as it will absorb some of the goodness of the oils.)
(Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones by Stephanie Rose Bird © 2004)

The mixture makes enough for 2 baths. Sprinkle half the mixture in hot running water, and swirl around. Get in, relax, and enjoy!

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For a related article on protection check out:
Summer Water Rites by Stephanie Rose Bird

Upcoming Pagan events

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For more Llewellyn Pagan- and book-related events,
check our event schedule

Candle Magic for Beginners author:
Richard Webster
Radio Interview
August 9, 2004, 8 a.m.
Brady & Stacy in the Morning, Y93FM, Bismarck, ND

The Way of Four author:
Deborah Lipp
Booksigning
August 11, 2004, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Barnes & Noble, West Nyack, NY
For more information call: 845-348-4701

The Kabbalah Tree author:
Rachel Pollack
Booksigning
August 12, 2004, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Barnes & Noble, Poughkeepsie, NY
For more information call: 845-485-2224

The Witch’s Shield author:
Christopher Penczak
Booksigning
August 14, 2004 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Incantations, Plymouth, MA
For more information call: 508-746-8316

Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft author:
Raymond Buckland
Workshop: Doors to Other Worlds
August 16 to August 20, 2004, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Lily Dale Assembly, Lily Dale, NY
For more information call: 716-595-8721

An excerpt from "The Way of Four"

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BY DEBORAH LIPP

In Wicca and much of the occult, the four elements of Fire, Water, Air, and Earth describe the universe and everything in it. Everything can be understood as taking part in one or more elements. Everything that is whole contains all four, and can be understood more deeply by dividing it into four and viewing it through that lens. The elements are the building block of creation; they are the beginning of things. The undifferentiated void that preceded creation had no elements, or, to put it another way, all elements were One. But creation-things, reality-consists of the elements. From a scientific point of view, the periodic table of the elements describes the building blocks of the universe, and the modern magician doesn't reject science. But from a magical point of view, both simplicity and symbolism call for only four elements.

The four elements give us a way of thinking about the world. They give us a structured approach to knowing the unknowable. They provide us with a system of interrelations, and magic is all about interrelations. Have you ever heard of "sympathetic magic"? If you've heard of a Voodoo doll (or poppet), you have. Sympathetic magic means that something that is like a thing (has sympathy with a thing) is the thing. A doll is like the person it represents; therefore it is that person. That's interrelationship -sympathy. A doll is an obvious, direct representation, like drawing a picture. Other sympathetic objects are parts of the original. The famous idea of witches using fingernail clippings is an example of sympathetic magic; the part (the clippings) has sympathy with the whole (the person). There are all manner of direct and indirect sympathies that interconnect us. Elemental things have an indirect sympathy with each other. A candle is not the same as a lion, but both represent Fire and therefore have sympathy with each other. These interrelationships add to our understanding of the universe around us.

READ MORE ...

Great Wiccan/Pagan books on sale!

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ON SALE THROUGH AUGUST 11 ONLY - BUY NOW!


Hoodoo Mysteries ISBN: 0-7387-0350-8 Price: ~~$12.95~~ $10.36	Book of Hours: Prayers to the Goddess ISBN: 1-56718-273-9 Price: ~~$14.95~~ $11.96 Hardcover binding	Book of Hours: Prayers to the God ISBN: 1-56718-273-9 Price: ~~$16.95~~ $13.56 Hardcover binding

Cool links

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FREE daily spell

Beliefnet Pagan & Earth Based Religions

Related Wiccan & Pagan articles from The Llewellyn Journal

The Pagan Web

Definitions of Wiccan & Pagan terms from the Llewellyn Encyclopedia

religioustolerance.org
(Religious Tolerance NeoPagan Page)

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