Hoodoo Roots Traditional Spiritual Supplies

Working with Magical Oil Lamps 

in the Hoodoo, Rootwork, and Southern-Style Conjure Tradition

 "The fire must be kept going on the altar continuously; it must not go out."  
- Leviticus 6:13  

                                                                            

Boy Lighting a Candle, El Greco, 1570-72

Candles and lamps, fire and flame, have long been a part of religious and magical rituals; fire, likely,since the dawn of time.  Fire is hot, hungry, immediate and forceful, yet simultaneously otherworldly and transcendent.

Fire is alive - it moves, it breathes, it eats - yet is intensely Other than human.  It may even seem, at times, to be conscious.  It can be gentle and warming or all-consuming and profoundly destructive.  It lights the deepest night, and always demands respect. 
 

Fire has another quality as well:  it transcends the physical in a way few things do.  Light a lamp for the saints; they will receive it.  Light a candle for your ancestors, and be confident that they will see it.  In fact, do so regularly, for we all need the blessings of our forerunners, and they benefit by our attention as well.

Burning candles can help you to manifest your prayers

We do not fully understand the mechanism by which flame (and that which accompanies it, such as candle color and candle or lamp additives) can cross the boundaries of the physical world into the spiritual world, and yet it does.  This has always been recognized by religious, spiritual, and magical workers and initiates around the world. 

Candle devotions, lamp spells, and candle magic are a deep tradition in New Orleans-style hoodoo and spiritual work.  You will find very few places with a more developed understanding of, and appreciation for, these profoundly effective types of magic.

Working With Magic Lamps

An oil lamp throws a lovely light

Oil lamps preceded candles perhaps by thousands of years, and today are still a wonderful way of magically working with fire.  The advantage to oil lamps is that they are a relatively safe method of keeping fire burning continuously over a long period of time.  As with all fire, however, care must be taken.  Never leave an open flame unattended.  

Oil lamps are also marvelously customizable.  Appropriate roots and herbs may be added to the reservoir of the lamp, along with minerals like small lodestones and glittery chunks of pyrite and perhaps other unique items you may wish to personalize your lamp with.

Any one of our oils - whether you refer to them as condition oils, conjure oils, spiritual oils, magical oils, hoodoo oils, dressing or anointing oils - can be added to the reservoir as well.



We suggest adding several drops of whichever condition oil best fits your needs to the olive or lamp oil in the reservoir.  Feel free to mix formulas to create a custom blend.

Meditating on an oil lamp's glow

I sincerely suggest that you limit your oil choices to those which are completely natural.  The Hoodoo Roots product line is committed to using only 100% natural aromatics.  We use no synthetic fragrance oils or aroma-chemicals whatsoever, an extremely rare commitment in the spiritual supplies field.

Be certain that any other products you may wish to use are pure and natural as well.  Remember always that synthetic aroma chemicals offer absolutely no aroma-therapeutic benefit, are completely void of botanical magic, and may be harsh and unpleasant when burned.  Additionally, some common additives, like Diethyl phthalate (DEP), produce toxic gases when burned.  There is wisdom in staying true to nature:  do so, and you and your natural magic will benefit.

Name and petition papers may be prepared, dressed, ritually folded, and pinned to the wick of your oil lamp.  These are simple to make, and can involve as little as writing the person's name.  A person's name is always intimately linked to their spirit, and a connection may be made to their spirit through the name.  Thus, there is a pathway for healing or influence from a distance, even if the individual is completely unaware of this work.  Personal items such as hair may be folded into the petition paper, or left to mingle with the herbs and spiritual oils you have placed into the lamp.
                                                                

Further, as in candle burning, there is no situation which cannot be addressed with a magical oil lamp.  If you have never worked with lamps, give them a try.  I have found them to be a beautiful and long-lasting way to help to manifest needs, plans, and prayers for myself and for others.  I recommend them to you!

Detail, Mary Magdelene with a night-light
Georges de la Tour, 1635

Magical oil lamps may be easily made at home out of mason jars or other fireproof containers like ceramic crocks and wine bottles. I advise using containers with somewhat weighted bottoms.  This is a safety precaution, as it makes tipping less likely.  Oil lamps and oil lamp accessories of all sorts may also be easily found for purchase.

Olive oil has been used in oil lamps since antiquity.  Some folks have trouble with olive oil giving a smoky burn.  If you wish to use olive oil, I suggest that you purchase an inedible form of olive oil called lampante.  Thinner than higher quality, edible olive oil, lampante is sold specifically for burning in lamps.  Because of the high flash point of olive oil, the wicks of these lamps may require higher heat than you expect to get going. A lighter should help.

May your purse be full!

Lamp oil or liquid paraffin are other common options many choose.  As long as your wick is kept well trimmed (and it is always important to keep your wick well trimmed), you should have minimal trouble with smoking or soot when using products of this sort.  Liquid paraffin is derived from the petroleum industry.  Lamp oil is a purified, odorless kerosene product which is also available in scented varieties.  Always be informed and aware of your ingredients and any potential impact on your health and well-being.

Some people also use straight kerosene in their lamps.  Kerosene, however, burns with a noticeable odor which some find objectionable, and emits chemicals which are not healthy.  At one time, whale oil was burned in lamps, as well.

Over the next few days I will add a few spells using magical lamps.  Let's start with this useful Money Drawing ritual!

A Money-Drawing Double Root Oil Lamp Spell

Gather together:

•   One Stick of Cinnamon (for financial gain)

•   Sassafras root, chips, or shavings (for financial gain)
  

•   A ginseng rootlet or root threads (for your success)

•   Wild cherry bark (for a fruitful life and material ease)

•   A lodestone, or tiny lodestone pieces

•   Pyrite - a nice chunk, or small glittery pieces

•   One penny & one nickel

•   One Silver dime & one quarter

•   A few drops of honey

• Your name-paper and any other personal items (hair, etc.)

Oil lamps come in many different shapes

Rub your name-paper with honey (for
the sweet life) and with Hoodoo Roots
brand MONEY DRAWING Oil.  Add a few strands of your hair as you fold this paper towards you.  Pin your
name-paper to the end of the wick.

Add the other ingredients to the lamp
reservoir, including several drops of
MONEY DRAWING Oil.  Hoodoo Roots brand WEALTHY WAY, PROSPERITY, and MONEY HOUSE BLESSING Oils are all good additions.  Please visit here as well, to view more fine products!


Tip:  If you add our MONEY HOUSE BLESSING to this lamp, add a few grains of rice in as well, to ensure steady food in your home.
You may also choose to add in some of our EASY LIFE formula, which can help
you to experience more ease and relaxation - very valuable qualities!

May golden riches come to you!

Add lamp oil to fill the reservoir to within about 1/2” from the top.  Burn this
lamp while you pray for financial increase.

Keep upbeat and avoid anxiety as
you work with this lamp.

Remember that your Father in Heaven loves you and that you are His child, capable and blessed!  Have confidence!

As you work, visualize very emotionally and viscerally just how great it will feel to have the funds you need.  Do not shortchange yourself by rushing through your work.  The quality of your attention is important.  Be fully present.

Do not limit yourself by saying that it must or must not come into your life in any specific way.  Let the lamp work for you!

The 23rd Psalm is calming and empowering, and we especially recommend it’s use with this lamp.

I recommend this fine formula!

As always, start with a clean lamp.  Keep your wick well trimmed and keep a watch on your flame, adjusting it to avoid smoking and excessive soot build-up.

Remember that you cannot just prepare a lamp or candle and expect that to be it.  Work  with this lamp on a daily and/or nightly basis until your prayers have been answered.
                                                      
As you do this work, stay positive and expectant, patient and watchful.

Respond to opportunities which arise and actively pursue your greater financial good.  If you do not act upon opportunities, or do not do everything you can to initiate new blessings, you will not reap your greatest good regardless of how many lamps you burn.

Do your best, do the right thing, and act with faith. Stay in right relationship to others.  You will receive your blessings!


Remember that you enter a different "time zone" with magical activity, and are actively working between the worlds.  Do not second-guess yourself or the work, for everything you feel and think while a work is in progress has impact.

Keep your prayers and your faith strong.  Find joy in your daily life,

and go for your dreams!

 

We wish you good luck!

Wishing you all every good thing,

Dara Anzlowar
Sunny Sunday in July

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