ALL HALLOWS EVE, ALL SAINTS DAY, AND ALL SOULS DAY

Wishing you treats, not tricks

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     It has been such a dramatic week for so many, with Hurricane Sandy still wreaking havoc on a huge number of people's lives, atop the last hectic sprint of the Presidential election campaign.  Many of you who have been hardest hit by the storm will not read this blog now, due to lack of power and far more pressing things to attend to, but you truly have my thoughts and prayers.   I have family and friends on the East coast.  My heart goes out to all those affected by this storm.

     And today is Halloween!  My kind neighbor picked up some candy for me last night in her run to the store.   I prefer to wait until the last minute rather than purchasing beforehand, only to find it calling my name at 1 AM.  So I am now prepared for the children who will troop through my neighborhood, painted, masked, costumed, caped, be-winged and be-glittered.  The pumpkin is carved, the candle is ready to be lit, and I have a tall witch's hat in which to open the door, bearing treats.  

Light a candle for your ancestors

     Today I feel the spirits very strongly around me.  There is a certain beautiful luminosity, a glow to the air which is distinct and notable, yet hard to describe to those who have not experienced this or who do not notice such things.  I have noticed this luminosity once in a while when in the presence of my kin in spirit, and it seems to be strongest at rare and special times and when very big events approach, like a birth or death in my family.   I definitely do not feel it every day, and it is not always present when I feel my spirit kin.  It is very beautiful.  It is a blessing.

    Halloween, All Saints, All Souls - this really is a special time.  I hope that all of you will pause for a moment to think of those in your family who went before you, contributing their lives, their sweat, blood, tears and love to growing the foundation into which you were born and upon which you stand.   

Candles lit in church for those we love

   Of course, this time of year has long been recognized as having this vibration.  I do not know why this time of year should have such a strong vibration of tenderness and attention from the dead to us but I am here to testify that it does.  Whatever the reason, a thinning of the veil (for want of a better term) between the living and the dead exists right now.  The recognition of Halloween as a time when the dead are especially present amongst us is ancient, certainly pre-Christian in origin.   

I urge all of you to take advantage of this brief and special window, tonight and over the next couple of days, to set out some clear cool water for your deceased loved ones, to light them a candle and perhaps give them a drink, some tobacco, some food.  Pray for them, remember them, and let them know that you appreciate, love and miss them.  Pray for their peace and their well-being.  Remember and appreciate all of the loving things they have done and still do for you, and ask for their blessing.  

Our ancestors can help us to see life more clearly

  If any of you harbor hard or hurt feelings towards those who have passed, especially those in your family line, there is no time like the present to send your resentments and bad feelings packing.  All hard and hurt feelings should be always released at death's door, and only appreciation should remain.  All of us here on earth are here to learn and to grow and every single one of us makes mistakes; every single one of us needs forgiveness, kindness, and grace.  Let this be your time to accept this.  Additionally, remember that there is nothing like dying to change one's perspective!  People really can change post-death, and many have much, much more awareness than when alive.  Many many have sincere regret for mistakes, misbehaviors, and flaws they once defended.   Further, you never know what kindness may come to you from someone with whom you once struggled.   Forgiveness is so important. 

Our original family healing formula!

     I'd like to mention to you all that Hoodoo Roots Thicker Than Water is quite wonderful to use when dealing with your family, whether living or dead.  It assists in healing breaches, mending disputes, increasing love and respect all around, and strengthening bonds.   I cannot recommend this highly enough to anyone striving to have better, healthier, and happier relations with your kin, whether living or dead.

     I also recommend our Ancestor family formula, specifically designed for work with - you guessed it - your ancestors, and the dead.  Both Hoodoo Roots formulas, Ancestor and Thicker than Water,  are fantastic, practical formulas.

   Incidentally, I introduced Thicker Than Water to the hoodoo market last year, one of several formulas unique to Hoodoo Roots, including Conquering Glory, Talk to Me, and Lay Down Your Troubles and Rest, amongst others.   Recently I have seen a few other vendors selling these titles.  I suppose that imitation  is the sincerest form of flattery - but these are in fact Hoodoo Roots originals.  Please opt for Hoodoo Roots original formulas, and enjoy the real deal!

Our Spirited Peppermint Balm is all treat, no trick!

Finally, I'd like to invite you all to try my newest lip balm, Spirited Peppermint!  I added creamy infused vanilla into this formula to soften and mellow the English peppermint.  And look at this cute tin, just in time for Halloween!  Can a lip balm be more fun than this? 
I think not! 

As always, this luxurious lip balm is nourishing and soothing, with a smooth, creamy finish.  100% natural, and like all of our products, it is made with the very finest
organic ingredients.  Rest assured, this delicious balm is all treat, no trick!  So fun to pull out of your pocket or bag!  Makes a great gift, too!                     

Wishing you and all of your loved ones, alive and in spirit,  a very Happy Halloween,
and blessed All Saints Day All Souls Days. 


Dara Anzlowar
All Hallows Eve into All Saints Day,  
under a very round moon, 2012  

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© Dara Anzlowar and HoodooRoots. All Rights Reserved.
The material on this site may be not be reproduced in print, electronic or broadcast media,
and may not be mirrored in whole or in part on any other internet websites, nor reprinted for distribution in any format.
  

Peace Between Us

MAGICAL LAMPS  and NAME PAPERS

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

A PEACE BETWEEN US MAGIC LAMP

Peace Between Us

Has a relationship disintegrated into discord?
Have friends been short-tempered or cold towards one another?  Has a family conflict dredged up old animosities and disagreements?  Have folks who once got along been sniping and quarreling?

Would you like to change this situation for the better?

This Peace Between Us Magic Lamp spell can help to improve and ameliorate difficult and contentious relations.  It can help to heal bruised feelings and soothe ruffled feathers.  It can be worked for as long as is necessary.

This spell is best initiated on a Sunday.  However, hoodoo is nothing if not practical!  If you find yourself in need of this work, you may perform it when needed, even if you do not have the luxury of waiting for the best day.

Doves are symbols of peace

Remember too that it is always to your advantage to work when trouble is relatively new, rather than waiting until problems have magnified and become entrenched.  Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today!

Focus your mind.  Magic begins when you first decide to do this work, and accelerates as you gather the materials and proceed.  Turn off your phone and eliminate any other distractions.  It is always best to work when you will not be disturbed.  Time your work so that you will not be interrupted.  This is necessary
if you are to fully enter the liminal mind-set where the best work is done.


For this spell, you will need the following ingredients:

·        Sugar

·        Holy Water

Olive carries the vibration of peace

·        Basil – dried herb

·        Skullcap – dried herb                        

·        Willow bark or leaves

·        Rose petals (pink or white are best)

·        Olive leaves

·        One bottle of Hoodoo Roots brand
    PEACE BETWEEN US Spiritual Oil
    or THICKER THAN WATER Spiritual Oil

·      Prepare a separate name-paper for each
   person involved in the conflict or trouble.
  

A basic way to write a name-paper follows.  Using a piece of brown paper bag is a tradition - I take these from light-weight lunch bags.  However, this is not a necessity, and you may use other paper if you wish.  Cut or neatly tear the paper into a square or rectangular shape.

On this paper, write the person's name three times in a column, as shown in this image:

Next, give the paper a quarter-turn.  You're going to write your intention or command for the person directly on top of their name, again in a column.  Find a phrase which is very succinct and which conveys precisely what you wish them to do.  In general, it is best to think for a while about the phrase you will use.  Words have power.  When I think of the right phrase, it has a "buzz" or vibration which is evident.  That lets me know that it's the best phrase to use.  You may find the same thing to be true as you decide which phrase to use.


Write your phrase two times more than the number of times you wrote their name.  In this instance, you wrote their name three times, which means writing the command five times.  I suggest using the phrase "Peace Kindness Respect".  Here is how your paper will look after you complete this step:

I feel it is important to completely cover their names when you write your intention.  By completely covering their name with your intent, your intention has a dominant force.  Writing your intention twice more than their name increases this even more.  Do not look at this as going against someone's will.  You are helping people to control themselves, and you are helping to manage a situation for the good of everyone involved.

There is some variation in how to prepare name-papers.  You won't necessarily always write the name three times, and you won't necessarily always write the command twice more than the name, but this is pretty basic hoodoo, and this method will serve you well for this and for many spells.  Make one of these papers for every individual you are trying to help.

We are here to love one another!  Give this a try!

Stir all of the herbs together and place them on a white or pale blue plate.  Sprinkle lightly with holy water as you pray for peace, tolerance, and mutual respect to reign.  Allow the herbs to dry.

I always recommend growing, wild-crafting, or purchasing organically grown herbs.  Pesticides should have no place in your spiritual supplies or endeavors! 

Dress the name-papers with Hoodoo Roots brand PEACE BETWEEN US Spiritual Oil.  If the conflict is between family members, our THICKER THAN WATER is the best formula to use.  As always, you may combine our formulas to customize their effect.

A cool head & a kind heart wins!

Rub each name with our PEACE BETWEEN US Oil or with THICKER THAN WATER Oil, concentrating upon needed change as you do so.  Sprinkle each name-paper with sugar, then fold it towards you.


Sprinkle sugar in the bottom of the lamp reservoir.  Scatter half of the herbs on top of the sugar, then lay the name-papers on the herbs.  Lightly sprinkle a little more sugar on top of the papers, and scatter the other half of the herbs on top.  You do not need a large quantity of herbs.  A teaspoon or two will be sufficient.

Thicker Than Water

Add several drops of PEACE BETWEEN US Spiritual Oil or THICKER THAN WATER, along with drops of whatever other of our Peace and Blessing Oils you may wish to include.

Fill the reservoir to within about 1/2” of the top.  Trim your wick, and burn at a moderate flame.  Pray PSALM IV and PSALM 23 as you work this lamp on a daily basis, at approximately the same time (at least; though you may work with it more than once a day) until conditions improve.

What does it mean to "work this lamp"?
Sit with it when you are not going to be interrupted.  Focus on peace.  Put your attention on each individual involved.  Call their name, and speak words of peace to them.  It often helps matters if you communicate to them that they are well loved, and secure.  Tell them that their behavior now reflects this.  Tell them that the conflict with whomever the other individual or individuals are is now resolving with mutual kindness and respect.  You are directly communicating with their minds and spirits.  Stay very focused.

You may place your hands around the lamp, or gently and smoothly turn it in a clockwise direction.  You may choose to slightly rock the lamp with gentleness and care as you declare the situation soothed and healed.

Throughout this process, call upon the blessing and healing power of the Holy Spirit to intervene in the conflict.  See the disagreements as being over.  See everyone getting along.  See love and respect being re-established.

Make new friends, but keep the old!  One is silver, and the other, gold!

Remember that just preparing a lamp and letting it burn without further attention may be insufficient if you wish to bring about change.  For success, actively work with the lamp until the parties have made their peace.


If you yourself are involved in the conflict, make sure that your own behavior is respectful and courteous.  Resist the temptation to be snarky.  Do your best to deal kindly with others.  Remember that every one of us needs tolerance and compassion.  This does not, incidentally, mean that you should enable bad behavior or that you should be a doormat.  There are other options between warfare and being a doormat!  Take the high road.  Disengage from hostilities yourself.  Lead the way.  Work the lamp!


Wishing you all peaceful, happy relations,

Dara Anzlowar

Return to the HoodooRoots website
Visit me on Etsy 

© Dara Anzlowar and HoodooRoots, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The material on this site may be not be reproduced in print, electronic or broadcast media,
and may not be mirrored in whole or in part on any other internet websites, nor reprinted for distribution in any format.