Anna Riva (Dorothy Spencer) Books

Highly Recommended Reading:
Art of Divination (1995)

Candle Burning Magic (1980)

Devotions to the Saints (1982)

Golden Secrets of Mystic Oils (1990)

How to Conduct a Séance (1997)

Magic with Incense and Powders (1985)

Modern Witchcraft Spellbook (1973)

Powers of the Psalms (1982)

Prayer Book (1984)

Secrets of Magical Seals (1975)

Six Lessons in Crystal Gazing (1993)

Spellcraft, Hexcraft and Witchcraft (1977)

The Modern Herbal Spellbook (1974)

Voodoo Handbook of Cult Secrets (1974)

Voodoo Handbook of Cult Secrets (1996)

Your Lucky Numbers Forever (1992)

Black Orpheus

Marcel Camus' Black Orpheus (a.k.a. "Orfeu Negro") took the art-house film world by storm, in 1959, with its stunning color photography of the Brazilian Carnival celebration and sultry bossa nova beats, winning both an Academy Award and the Palme d'or at Cannes.

Transplanting the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice to the slums of Rio de Janeiro, Black Orpheus brings Greek mythology to vivid, frenetic life.

Read Reviews

Vodou in New Orleans

A History of Voodoo in New Orleans
By Julia Roslyn Antle

In America, New Orleans is often associated with two things: Mardi Gras and Voodoo. Although only approximately 15-20% of the population of Louisiana practices the religion of voodoo (also known as Vodou), its dark allure has captured the attention of many. Tourists visiting New Orleans regularly seek out voodoo attractions and shops selling voodoo-related items, tantalized by stories of voodoo dolls, possession by evil spirits, voodoo curses, and zombies.

While such fare undoubtedly serves to entertain tourists, it does an injustice to the true meaning of traditional voodoo. Some sects of modern voodoo are indeed occultist in origin, but traditional voodoo has much more in common with wicca and Native American beliefs, and even Christianity.

Traditional voodoo is intended to help practitioners achieve a higher state of consciousness through trancelike communions with the natural spirits of the earth, called Loa, and to attain peace and wisdom.

The reemergence of voodoo in New Orleans and its widespread acceptance in Louisiana can be largely attributed to Marie Laveau. Marie Laveau was the daughter of a Frenchman, Charles Laveau , and a Caribbean, Marguerite Darcantel, who was a practitioner of voodoo. Modern voodoo in New Orleans today is a combination of Marie Laveau's practices and other influences from Haiti, Christianity, and Native Americans.

While Marie Laveau was certainly not the first nor the last voodoo practitioner to be held in high regard, she was certainly one of the most influential during a time period when voodoo was beginning to be accepted again.

Marie Laveau was very well known for her expert knowledge of herbal remedies, and was sought out for her preparation of gris-gris bags. These were small pouches that contained a variety of herbs that were worn by the recipient, and were intended for a number of purposes. The correct combination of herbs could effectively ward off evil spirits or hexes, bring good luck to the wearer, or to cause harm to enemies. Gris-gris bags are still very common today in New Orleans, and can often be seen being worn attached to individuals belts.

Marie Laveau also told fortunes, captured evil spirits in specially prepared jars, and helped cleanse a home of negative energy and bad luck. Her fame spread far beyond the borders of New Orleans, and people traveled far to seek out her services. Her gravesite is a popular tourist attraction, but is well respected. Many who visit the location to pay their respects often make a wish as well, believing that Marie Laveau was so powerful that her spirit is still capable of granting help to those who require it.

Because of Marie Laveau, voodoo in New Orleans is taken very seriously, and there are many who fear its power. Voodoo is not something to be taken lightly and dabbled with by the uninitiated. It is a powerful force best left to those who possess a strong understanding of its natural aspects and are well versed in the sacred rituals.

Considered a Gythia (Asatru High Priestess) among her Coven, Julia Roslyn Antle is a master of divination and dream interpretation. Her wisdom is sought-after by her peers, her colleagues as well as the public. http://www.7witches.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julia_Roslyn_Antle

Legendary Love Amulet

The legendary Voodoo Love Amulet is unlike anything you've ever seen.

The moment you take possession of this mystical charm and hold it in your hand, you will feel its extraordinary magnetism.

When you wear or carry the Voodoo Love Amulet, it is not unusual to experience a surge of energy and confidence racing through your body. It is a feeling of euphoria few have ever experienced. You will also notice that others will not only be drawn to you but will also discover unique qualities in you they hadn't noticed before.

The Voodoo Love Amulet focuses attention on you!

So get yours now!

Hoodoo, Voodoo, and Conjure: A Handbook

Description
Hoodoo, voodoo, and conjure are part of a mysterious world of African American spirituality that has long captured the popular imagination. These magical beliefs and practices have figured in literary works by such authors as Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, and Ishmael Reed, and they have been central to numerous films, such as The Skeleton Key. Written for students and general readers, this book is a convenient introduction to hoodoo, voodoo, and conjure.

The volume begins by defining and classifying elements of these spiritual traditions. It then provides a wide range of examples and texts, which illustrate the richness of these beliefs and practices. It also examines the scholarly response to hoodoo, voodoo, and conjure, and it explores the presence of hoodoo, voodoo, and conjure in popular culture. The volume closes with a glossary and bibliography. Students in social studies classes will use this book to learn more about African American magical beliefs, while literature students will enjoy its exploration of primary sources and literary works.

Source: Amazon.com Editorial Reviews

Plant Spirit & Vodou (Voodoo) Shamanism

Plant Spirit Shamanism: Voodoo Shamanism

Author: Ross Heaven

What do we really know about ‘voodoo’ in the West? Almost nothing. Not even the correct spelling. Even now my computer underlines Vodou (its correct name) in red to inform me of a typo.

But feel the phoney word ‘voodoo’ in your mouth. It could be the first word a baby might form. A fantastic word - so many O’s. For most of us in the English-speaking worlds it has a somehow sexy, implacable feel, but one that is also dark and dangerous. This comes courtesy of the Western Empire's "reality tunnel". History is, indeed, the propaganda of the victors. No wonder they were scared. Vodou inspired the only successful slave revolt in history, defeating first the superior firepower and numbers of the French, then the British a few years later. ‘Black magic’ could be the only rational (sic) explanation…

It’s easy to see how the Empire's belief in the power of the rational mind to civilize "primitive cultures" would lead it to demonise Vodou. Vodou recognises other dimensions much greater in scope than the narrow little world that, even now, our culture insists is the only true reality.

Vodou, born in slavery, was more generous in its attitudes towards other beliefs. It absorbed them, adding to its pantheon of Gods and rituals. A profoundly adaptive belief.

You can read this book in many ways: as a history of the Vodou religion and its influencing cultures; or perhaps you want to immerse yourself in the rich mythological landscapes that are opened up to Western readers for the first time. But the real meal offered here is to go on a journey into the essence of Vodou - for Ross’ book calmly reveals how we can make contact with and attune ourselves to these spiritual realities. By use of elegant rituals and the focused creation of altars, we can all make contact with the loa, the guides from these dimensions.

These techniques seem naturally alien to us. In Christianity, altars and direct communication with God(s) has been the prerogative of priests. In Vodou, direct contact is the way. Some of the details may seem crazy to us. But this is just a cultural difference; one of many that we need to jettison if we are to explore other cultures in any real depth, beyond the prism of our own culture’s matrix.

And this, for me, is the great benefit of immersing myself in the exotic waters of such a rich system - to step outside of my own indoctrination and try out some other possibilities concerning my perception of life. When we do this we enrich our lives, enabling us to get a different perspective on some of our more limiting beliefs.

The two areas in which I am particularly beholden to Vodou are those of the trance state and the use of altars. I love using altars to focus my intention on what I want to bring in to my life. A sacred, still space, amongst the hubbub of daily affairs. Altars of bones, sculptures, images, drums, crystals… arranged in a way that means something to me. Connecting me to my source.

For the last nine years, I have also taught a system of movement called The Five Rhythms™. It is a system by which people can safely enter and exit trance states, devised by a brilliant Californian called Gabrielle Roth, whose background included the healing arts, theatre, and dance. She studied different cultures, spiritual techniques for entering trance/meditative states – particularly Vodou – and devised her elegant system with urban Westerners in mind.

Trance is a place where I feel I can return to my source. It wipes the slate clean of all the bullshit I have accumulated. It eases the grip of my conditioning and allows me to step outside of the limiting beliefs that compose my personality. It is a powerful primal state of intuition, creativity, and healing.

I also believe that it is the state that so many of us have used drugs to get in touch with. We know there is something more real out there than the dream we live in, and our spirit is magnetically drawn to it. Until this natural drive is addressed and given other, healthier, pathways, drugs will remain the most popular shortcut.

The White Rabbit beckons at the entrance to the wormhole…

Vodou Shaman: The Haitian Way of Healing and Power, by Ross Heaven, is published by Destiny Books (November 10, 2003). ISBN-10: 089281134X.

About the Author:

Ross Heaven is a therapist, workshop leader, and the author of several books on shamanism and healing, including Darkness Visible, the best-selling Plant Spirit Shamanism, and Love’s Simple Truths. His website is http://www.thefourgates.com where you can also read how to join his sacred journeys to the shamans and healers of the Amazon.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Plant Spirit Shamanism: Voodoo Shamanism

Musing: Hoodoo, Voodoo...

"Hoodoo, or Voodoo, is burning with a flame in America, with all intensity of a suppressed religion. It has its thousands of secret adherents."
~ Zora Neale Hurston

Fear and Ignorance

"...fear feeds on ignorance and starves on a diet of fact."
~ Bon Houngan Reve We Chemen Ginen,
Vodou Shaman [2003]

Video Documentary: "Haitian Voodoo"

"Haiti is a Catholic country. But daily life still moves to the
rhythms of spirit religion..."

Video Sources:
[1] National Geographic -
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/places/regions-places/west-indies/haiti_haitianvoodoo.html

[2] You Tube -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpeLdXeIbwA

*****

The above documentary and related research materials at the National Geographic Society's website should shed some light on the most wonderful and beautiful religion of Vodou as well as assist with dispelling myths and misconceptions spread via those folks who are purely ignorant, spiritually myopic, religiously intolerant, and simply do not value the great diversity of all religions, thealogies, theologies, spiritual paths, and theosophies as we do so--as a core competency / foundation of our diverse Alternative Religions and Spiritualities (ARS) belief systems.

▲ Rev. Dr. K.A. Sahure VIº
Temple of Kemetic Wicca

Sacred Ason

"Sacred ason! Ason!

Open the way of the mysteries for me,

for us, for all African children

For the right hand, for the left hand,

that they may serve well all humanity.

So that East and West may meet."

▪ Theodore "Lòlò" Beaubrun