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You sparkle in my eye as I recall a memory that seems too far away now

I feel you in the joyous silent tears of that long awaited hug

Knowing how much space to take up can be an ongoing challenge in ones life. One may need to continually endure to feel strength within their own humility. Here is my own reflection on learning how to conquer my own humility, forOmerDay 32 (Netzach shbHod endurance of humility).

You conspire with the universe to care for my loved ones as they journey their own way every day

Knowing you call on me to travel instantly when the phone call comes that Im needed two states away

Omer Day 3: Beauty of Lovingkindess

Omer Day 2: Strength of Lovingkindess

Netzach shbHod  Endurance of Humility

I do it all for you, Humility, and with your ever present guidance

Image by Dvorah Horn from her set ofOmer Practice Cards (2016).

You are here in the restless nights when i cant sleep filled with a worry that consumes me as my children sleep nearby

The countless conversations of reassurance come back over and over filled with your urging

And I hope youre out there waiting to pick me up too.

You cause the fights over who washed more dishes who prepped more meals and who cleaned the house last

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Convincing me that they are yours alone to tend to, nurture, keep, or let go again with the hope of returning to

Omer Day 38: The Cycle of Strengthening Relationships with Compassion

Its a great time to take off on business trips or even just plan them out — you will get good…

Events are happening that defy your understanding, but thats no reason to retreat and avoid the…

Whether youre looking for aweekly horoscopeor amonthly horoscope, our team of astrologers have you covered. Interested in the investigating another take on this ancient process? Check out our Vedic orChinese horoscopes. And, of course, there are the matters of the heart. Thankfully, ourlove horoscopescan guide you through even the murkiest moments.

Make sure you keep your eyes open all day long. It wont be too hard to see whats really going on…

When it comes to reorganizing the workplace, you should be the one leading the way. It could be as…

Its the best possible day for networking or — better yet — an interview. You will make a great…

Now is a great time to sign business deals of any kind — waiting longer or renegotiating the terms…

An important customer or supervisor is going to send directions that will be profoundly ambiguous….

You are in a good position to help your team find a new leader — either formally or informally. It…

Get a simple yes or no answer with actionable advice

Tangible assets are important to you at the moment, and its a great time for inventory, budgeting…

Workplace romance can be weird, but if youre ready for it, then its ready for you. Someone…

Nothing is more important to you at the moment than your reputation. You are in a good position to…

2018 – a 2 year – is an auspicious year in numerology, especially in relationships and alliances. What will it bring for you?

As Mars stations direct in Capricorn this week, its time to get sh*t done!

You will leave a terrific impression on anyone who meets you, thats why this is a great time for…

Meganis an avid scholar of divination and the art of self-discovery. She uses tarot to provide a deeper perspective on the unfolding of your life.Megans goal is to lead you into a path of transformation and transcendence, full of self-empowerment, creativity, and most importantly healing. Megan also hosts a monthly journaling workshop at the Boston Tea Room.

After working as a nurse on a trauma unit in Detroit for several years, Kellys path has branched out in mysterious ways, sending me on an endless quest. Tarot has shown her how to aid others on a spiritual, emotional and mental level. She uses intuition, tarot and oracle cards to assist each client in finding their own answers, their truth, assists clients in making connections so they may see clearly the larger patterns playing out in their lives. Her goal is to empower and inspire

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Born with an increased intuitive awareness, Alexandria has been a practicing psychic since 1999. After attending a University for Psychology in 1994, she began seeking a more spiritual and inspirational way to help people find the answers they were looking for. She traveled throughout North America and was taught techniques that had been passed down through generations of psychics. Feeling a powerful connection to card reading, Alexandria began incorporating cards to provide additional focus to her intuitive counseling. She uses Tarot, Oracle, Lenormand, and other methods in addition to her intuitive and psychic abilities to answer questions, improve clarity, and provide guidance about the past, present, and future.

Charise was honing her skills as a psychic in New Orleans before hiring in at the Boston Tea Room back in 2005. Charise is great at getting into peoples heads. Shes is medically intuitive, often able to get down to the root(s) of a health problem a client faces, both physical and emotional. Charise reads tarot, tea leaves, chakra, palms, psychometry, and picture readings. Call to check her availability.

Rhonda has practiced her intuitive and spiritual gifts in central and south-eastern Michigan for years before she came to the Tea Room in 1996. At the Tea Room, Rhonda uses tarot, crystal ball, tea leaves, palmistry, psychometry, spirit, picture reading and numerology and has built a devoted clientele. As a talented instructor, Rhonda teaches our popular Tarot classes, having trained and mentored several hundred students. She also teaches tea leaf reading and psychometry.  Appointments are recommended. Home parties should be booked 3 weeks in advance to ensure availability.

Aundrianna has dedicated her life to working with others with the help of their guardian angels, guides and loved ones. She reads the Akashic records, tarot and crystal ball to decode spiritual messages that assist in opening channels of love, healing and abundance. Her Divine duty and Sacred purpose it to help clients experience all that their hearts desire in this lifetime.

Interprets images created by tea leaves. Present and future

Predictions are based on the probable outcome of your current situation.

Our readers are experienced, caring professionals.  They are carefully selected and screened to provide the best readings available anywhereat any price. Although one reader is not better than another they do have different styles so after a few visits you may have a personal favorite. Please note: though many of our Readers have regular schedules, they also do take time off occasionally, so if there is a specific Reader youd like to see, PLEASE call ahead to confirm their availability. The hours listed are subject to change at any time.

Psychic impressions conveyed by personal object, such as keys or jewelry

You may not hear what youd like in a reading that doesnt mean that your reading isnt accurate wait a month or so before you decide. If you decide the reading was definitely not satisfactory please let us know so that we can address the problem.If you are ever dissatisfied in any way, please let us know. We will do our best to address your concern. We rely on you to help us be the best we can be.

Childhood gifts of clairvoyance and clairaudience accompanied Kim while she spent the last 20 years as a registered nurse. The ability to intuitively anticipate the needs of others paired with a passion to promote healing on a more spiritual level led her to become a student of tarot. Kims intuitive counseling sessions utilize tarot and oracle cards and she strives to read for clients with honesty, humor and compassion. Kim also offers mediumship with a goal to interpret messages of love, insight and healing from family and friends who have passed on.

Current/future possibilities. Highly psychic less specific

Aundrianna is a modern mystic and intuitive counselor. At the age of 8 she survived a life threatening experience when her guardian angel told her how to save herself. She has been communicating with Spirit ever since.

Elizabeth is back in Michigan after a long detour in Texas! Embracing her empathic skills and  using Tarot and Oracle cards, she uses her down-to-earth communication style to work with you on discovering your true path, answers to your questions, and your souls purpose.  Using her claircognizance and clairsentience, she brings you into the reading and gives you real-world practical advice. Her sessions truly are therapeutic and her goal is to provide her clients with a next step and clear direction, no matter the question. She adapts to your question style. Whether you have quick yes/no questions or are wanting a deep discussion, come on in and talk awhile.

Continuing a long-standing family tradition,Larareads both tarot cards and runes. The runes are an ancient European alphabet used for both writing and predicting the future. As a Reiki master,Laraalso performs energy readings without tools by focusing on the 7 main chakras.

Interprets dream symbolism to help you access subconscious prompts and increases psychic understanding

Readers have psychic insight, not super powers, so help move your reading forward by letting them know when they are on the right or wrong track.

Provides answers to Yes/No questions with the aid of unseen forces

52 playing cards used in the same way as the Tarot

Ever since she can remember, Deborah possessed a deep connection with the spirit world.  She could easily pick up and sense others emotions, thoughts and feelings, while using her energy to balance and calm the situation.  Her passion for healing others began in the culinary world, where, as a chef, she used food and herbs to heal the body. Her desire to find other healing modalities increased, so she began to explore various forms of divination and energy work, eager to incorporate it in some way with her clients.  Today, Deborah is a practicing Intuitive Holistic Counselor, specializing in tarot, astrology, crystals, manifestation/law of attraction, runes, oracle readings and pendulum work. She integrates the spiritual with her background as a chef, creating a loving, safe environment for her clientele to hone their abilities and inspire them towards their dreams.

As a child, DeAnnahs natural intuitive abilities often landed her in trouble. From possessing the ability to see and feel strangers pain to talking with imaginary friends of a spiritual origin, these sticky situations eventually caused DeAnnah to surpress her gifts through her adolescence. After discovering that healing touch, foresight/seership, and spirit communication run in her family, DeAnnah decided to reignite her abilities. DeAnnah is a tarot reader, intuitive counselor, budding herbalist, and practitioner of modern, eclectic, and her familys magical traditions.

Candle smoke leaves a pattern on card- reader interprets pattern

Your palm maps your lifepast, present, and future

Alejandra is a native Detroiter. She and her twin sister were encouraged to study the art of divination by her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother at a very young age and she has continued to practice cartomancy ever since. While she incorporates teachings from both her Irish and Mexican heritages religious traditions, her tarot readings are most influenced by studies in medieval mysticism. Alejandra uses tarot as a means of assisting others contemplate, of asking for guidance with humility, and of encountering the occult.  In these ways she hopes that her gifts will help spread the principles of occultismwisdom, truth and genuine beauty.

Shavonne is a 4th generation intuitive reader and empath with a very down-to-earth and practical reading style that is infused with love, light, and humor. What started off as innocent, yet prophetic dreaming and an interest in all things metaphysical, evolved into a complete whirlwind of spiritual transformation. Picking up her first tarot deck at the age of 19, while attending college in New Orleans, set the stage for a life-long fascination with learning and counseling through the art of card reading. Shavonne specializes in tarot, Lenormand, oracle, and gypsy fortune-telling cards. With the support of her Spirit Guides and the ability to sense and absorb the energies of the client, she is able to sync into the situation and provide a beacon of light where darkness resides. While she doesnt proclaim to be a medium, she has been known to connect to spirit when they make their presence felt.

Psychic impressions of a person pictured in a photograph

78 cards representing universal forces: provide insightforecasts future probabilities

Heatherleigh Navarre is a psychic medium, ordained minister, and meditation coach, as well as a teacher of tarot, mediumship, and psychic development. She combines her knowledge of tarot, spirit communication, dream interpretation, tea leaves, past life regression and more, to bring a customized approach to every session. Her readings are ideal for anyone seeking an engaged and creative way forward in their work life, relationships, or spiritual journey. She is also the founder of Middlepath Meditation, which provides group meditations and weekly classes, and the co-founder of the Detroit Area Tarot Guild. She lectures and teaches on a variety of topics, throughout southeast Michigan, and across the country.

Astrological influences on life and general character

Hand-writing analysis Reveals personality. Detects spiritual or physical disturbances. General future trends

Our readers try to avoid giving you bad news about events that can not be changed. When it is unavoidable, they try to be as tactful as possible. They will also warn you about future events that you can alter or control by exercizing your free will.

8. Can you tell me something about Voodoos relevance today? Why or what draws people to it in the modern world?

9. What can you say about Voodoo Spirit Forces?

New Orleans was the number one port of entry for slaves throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Literally hundreds of thousands of Africans and Afro-Caribbean people passed through the port of New Orleans on their way to their masters. This part is often glossed over by tour guides here. No one wants to really dwell on it. Yet it is the basis, the foundation for so much of the wealth of the city today: its mix of races and people, its music, its rich religious diversity including Voodoo. New Orleans was first a French colony. In 1763 it passed over to Spain (Charles III the king of Spain was also a Bourbon and a cousin to the King of France Louis XV). Spain kept Louisiana and New Orleans until 1803 when the colony returned to France. Just 20 days later, Napoleon sold the entire Louisiana territory to the US. So after a Spanish colonial period, Louisiana became French again, then American. Throughout all of those political changes, slaves were being brought up the Mississippi to the port of N.O. from French Africa, Portuguese Africa, French islands in the Caribbean, Spanish islands and British islands. In all of those different provinces, the original authentic spiritual beliefs of the people was to be systematically eradicated by the church. Often under threat of torture and death, slaves already traumatized by their capture, bondage, harsh treatment and terrible journeys were supposed to assimilate an entirely alien belief system taught to them in a language they did not understand!! It is in fact a great proof of their wisdom and strength that they were able to assimilate enough to survive the diaspora but also to recognize the essential similarities between their belief systems and the main teachings of the different Christian churches. Different forms of worship emerged that incorporated the essential framework of African spirituality coated, blended and fortified with elements of Catholicism (French and Spanish) and Protestantism

So Voodoo has regional differences, but the essence is shared and fluid. The Loa are universal.

In Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil we find Santeria, Candomble, and other forms of the blend of African mysticism and Spanish Catholicism. Santeria is in fact the worship of the Saints.

Fortunately in the last 100 years or so courageous people have tried to bring new knowledge to the West: yogis and Mahatmas and Swamis such as Swami Yogananda and Yogi Bhajan and Swami Muktananda, His Holiness The Dalai Lama as well as Theosophists such as Madame Blavantsky and many others famous or not. Little by little peoples minds are being opened to other possibilities: that the world is in fact a moving fluid organism made up of light particles and vibrations that are constantly arranging and rearranging themselves to achieve a state of harmony: to achieve Divine Presence.

We come into our body in our mothers womb with a certain karma, acquired through millions of previous lives and with karmic propensities (towards goodness, generosity, vanity, anger, etc.,). As a matter of fact it is our karma which brings us to the very birth we take. We can live our whole life unaware of this and onto t

Voodoo does not say no: though there are teachings and advice and admonitions, Voodoo accepts that God manifests differently at different times and places. You can be a Hindu and practice Voodoo, or a Buddhist or a Catholic of course. Voodoo is very tolerant. In that sense it appeals to many who are disheartened by all the intolerance in the world.

This being said, any negative thought-forms that are put out there against you CAN and may affect you. Particularly in times of difficulties, when you are weakened by preoccupations or illness, you can be adversely affected.

So during almost 2 centuries there was a constant influx of people into the city who had been subjected to very varied religious influences.

SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT VOODOO

1. Do Voodoo dolls really work? Do they harm or hurt people? Can they be used only on one occasion or one person?

2. Is Magick real? Do spells really work?

The water Loa Yemaya and Oxun, La Sirena, La Baleine are my mother, my sister, myself. They make me cry. They comfort me and protect me and fill my world. I cannot describe what I feel when I am near them. Its beyond words. New Orleans is bordered on its north side by a huge lake which I travel across almost every day – both ways -. Never have I seen its waters the same colour. Not twice. Its appearance is always changing and often telling me things. No one could convince me that this lake is not a person with a soul. There, on her shores, we make our offerings to Oshun, Yemaya and La Sirena.

They are my eternal friends. They are with me always: if I am out andabout and I see some nice flowers, I dont think:such nice flowers I could have I think: such nice flowers, Legba would like 3 of the red ones, Oxun would like the pink ones for sure, same with the pastry shop, the vegetable and fruit stand, the fabric store even the toy store…

I think if you buy a little mass-produced doll in a souvenir shop, it probably holds no power whatsoever. Its just that : a souvenir. But the moment you start working with it, you are giving it qualities – good or bad- so watch out. All the dolls I sell are made by me personally and blessed and offered to the Loa they are meant to work with. I guess in a sense they become the Loas servant. So the person who acquires my doll should see it as an intermediary and cultivate positive thoughts towards their desired aim. In that sense I would not advise passing the doll onto another owner. But you can order a doll for someone else – as a gift – if you wish and you know this person will act with respect towards their gift. In this case, you would not handle the doll very much but simply give it to them with the instructions I provide and let them work with the doll as they see fit.

As a doll maker and a voodoo priestess, I know that my dolls hold a certain power. For one thing when I am working on dolls I am often guided by my Spirit Guides: I start out with an idea, what the doll should look like, which colors or fabrics I will use, but always the doll takes shape as we go. Sometimes it turns out quite differently from what I had envisioned. Sometimes it is rather bland, sometimes it feels awesome. Sometimes it tells me its name: recently as I was working on a batch of new dolls, I was told Legba has a big head, he point the way. Legba is often prayed to as the Opener of the Way. This particular doll seemed to have a finger pointing. I sold this doll to someone who felt they were looking for a new direction at this time. The same day I was working on another Legba doll who seemed very happy, joyful, arms upraised in dance. He said I am King Legba so I felt this should go to someone who wants to cultivate joy and abundance at this time. Not all of the dolls I work on apeak so clearly or loudly. Most will take on personality and power as the person who works with them puts energy into them. So you see, it works both ways: the doll acquires a certain power as it is made but it acquires more power as it is consecrated and worked with.

Formal initiation into Voodoo is a formal beginning: a way of opening oneself up more completely and accepting ones place as a servant to the Loa. It entails responsibilities to the Loa and the community, as well as to oneself. It is not to be taken lightly and should never just be obtained on a whim or for a fee. Only after extensive divination can a priest or priestess establish the possibility of one becoming an initiate, which Loa should be received and which tradition is best suited to the apprentice. My initiation took place because I had already apprenticed with my Padrino and Madrina for several years, with no specific goal in mind. I only loved them both very deeply and was very grateful to know them and spend time with them. Joshua Frank the Voodoo King of New Orleans was a well-known and respected tour guide at the Voodoo Museum. He was a beautiful old man and I had a very close relationship with him similar to father and daughter. He sang Summertime to me in French all the time. We had fun. His daughter Rose and I worked well together and had a lot in common. I loved helping her in her practice. She would instruct me and I would buy all the foodstuff for the offerings for her work. Little by little I just knew what to buy, what was expected. She encouraged me to open up and listen. As a particular Easter season was approaching, she had asked me to help her prepare for initiations she was going to give. After a revealing dream, I asked her if she would give me initiation as well as it looked as if we may not see so much of each other in the near future. She showed no reaction of pleasure or displeasure: she immediately prepared for divination. It was not up to her, but to the Loa. The Loa spoke and welcomed me. But also forewarned that although she was herself initiated into several Voodoo traditions, including Yoruba, Santeria and Palo Mayombe, I should only be initiated into one tradition. I was further cautioned on many aspects of my practice. To this day I follow her prescriptions to the letter.

Once I was doing a ritual aboard one of the steamboats that cruises the Mississippi for a very large group. This was with my group: The New Orleans Voodoo Crossroads Drum and Dance Group. We made offerings for several Loa with drums beating throughout and various dances. I remember we even had 2 children dancing that evening: my daughter and her friend made a dance offering to the Marassa, the twin children of Chango. After we were all done, a woman approached us, tears streaming down her face. She told us she was from Cuba and we had taken her back home after all these years. It was very moving.

For a few years we had a Nigerian drummer play with us. He used to always tell me I reminded him of his grand-mother. You do things like her he would say.

So dont make enemies. Keep to yourself. Do positive work. Put out positive thought-forms. If you feel negative influences around you, you certainly can provide yourself with protective measures: cleanse your house, your space, your aura. Im a great believer in cleansing baths, house cleansings and protection gris-gris or medicine bags. Enlist the help of your Guardian Angels and Spirit-Guides and Ancestors. Give them nice offerings. Listen to them and follow their guidance.

A friend of mine who is a Mambo is of Jewish descent. She freely incorporates her Jewish background into her understanding of the Divine.

In Haiti we have a different scenario. First of all entire tribes were sold out or kidnaped from Dahomey (now Benin) and transported to Hispaniola. This means that Voodoo priests, chiefs and all other echelons of African society arrived on the island and within the space of only one generation, the religion was reestablished with its hierarchy and local hounfors (temples). Though heavily influenced by the Catholic church, it remains essentially true to its Dahomey roots.

There is a saying I particularly like. It goes like this: The Magician rearranges the Universe to make him/herself the center, the Mystic rearranges him/herself to find the center. Magickal work has awesome consequences because you are pulling and pushing energies. Mysticism requires awesome discipline and patience. I believe that there is a very very fine line between the two, where one can live in relative inner peace, listen attentively and exert gentle pressure while remaining humble and unobtrusive. And have NO expectations.

Really if I want to say something about the Loa, I would say I love them.

10. Are love spells controlling, manipulative, immoral, wrong, or harmful?

I like to think of Voodoo dolls more as healing tools. Often times in Africa the WitchDoctor was called in to expel some illness out of a patient. Unable or unwilling to touch the patient the good doctor would work on an effigy of the patient which could be manipulated safely.

The second we accept this, we open ourselves to the presence of billions of spirit-entities who live with and all around us and manifest their presence to us throughout the days and nights. Angels, Archangels, Saints, Devas and Gandharvas, Spirit-Guides, Ancestors, Demonic Beings, Hungry Ghosts, Wandering Souls, Thought-Forms etc.. Who do we choose to acknowledge, to share energy with, to bring closer into our space, our presence, listen to and whom do we choose to keep at bay? That is the choice faced by the Magician on a minute by minute basis. For a true Magician, there are no idle moments: every action and/or thought is powerful: full of power in potentiality. A careful, measured, peaceful life is of the utmost importance to the Magician. The true Magician doesnt usually run around saying: look at me, Im a Magician, I can do Magick. The true Magician might answer your request with: hmm.. Let me think. Maybe we can pray. And a true Magician understands most of all about timing. About not rushing through things, not taking up space/time out of context that may be used right then by other energies. All this is very difficult in fact to translate into words because it is so very intuitive. Whenever I am asked to do a spell, I always understand it as humbly enlisting the help and protection of Spirit-Guides, Guardian Angels and Benevolent Ancestors. Nothing else. I can make offerings on behalf of my clients. But they are instructed to accept whatever results may come or not come with humility and gratitude. Thats it. As my good friend Reverend Kenneth says:Its not like we have God on a string, you know.

To make offerings I need a great deal of peaceful quiet time: I may think I will make offerings on Monday but all of a sudden on Saturday evening, I am propelled to do the work. It just feels right. I may have planned to buy such and such items but once in the store my Spirit-Guides (who get very loud) clamor for something altogether different. Whenever doing the works, one must become very obedient and keep a great sense of humor.

But the essential spirituality is the same. And this is reaffirmed to me over and over again. We often work together: I have assisted a Santero who was asked to come and make offerings at the house of a Mambo. I often make offerings with two very good friends both aligned with Santeria. I have worked with Obeah men and Spiritualists too.

Well, in Voodoo we call them Loa. In Santeria they are known as Orisha. I often refer to them as Spirit/Saints. Some are also Angels and Archangels.

I always do a reading before doing spiritual work on behalf of a client. The reading itself is part of a ritual that entails offerings and asking the Loa for clarity and understanding. The Loa will not tell me to proceed with the spell if the outcome is wrong. The offerings will not be accepted.

Again, one should use restraint, examine ones motives carefully and restrict oneself to simple and positive spells. And do them only for the right ually a reading will uncover a lot about a problem that seems hopeless: it will uncover the underlying reasons for the problem, whether it can be worked out or not and how to proceed. A reading should be done by one who is experienced and selfless. It is very hard to read for yourself if you are in the middle of great difficulties. The mind – who is the chief of the senses- will make you see and hear what it wants you to hear and see.

Control is a big issue here, because most people want a voodoo doll because they wish to feel more in control of some aspects of their lives. But we must realize that at any given moment in space/time, the universe is moving towards a state of harmony. So we must respect the fact that what we wish may not be in accordance with the laws of Heaven right now. We must have patience, acceptance, practice those qualities. Yet, we can work towards what we want to achieve, towards positive goals. So we can use the dolls in positive ways, as tools of meditation and visualization. As we work with them, they acquire more and more power. A connection is made. They are like transmitters.

It often seems that it would be best to instruct clients on how to do their own ritual work but it often turns out to be too difficult and time-consuming. When people are in the throws of great difficulties, they cannot achieve the calm needed to let their own intuition direct them. So they engage us to make offerings on their behalf. I always request of my clients that they accept the outcome. I also request that they do certain preparations on their own, such as take certain baths, do not become intoxicated for the duration of the works, make certain offerings in conjunction with our offerings etc..

During the Haitian revolution, many planters fled to New Orleans and many Africans went with them whether as free people of colour or as slaves.

12. What is the Law of Three, Threefold Law, and/or Law of Return that I keep hearing about?

5. How can someone tell if someone else is working Magick on them?

When I was young one of our favorite TV programs which we watched every week was about world explorers and I particularly remember one episode that described the illness brought onto a member of some native tribe – I seem to think it might have been in New Guinea – by an enemy simply by leaving a specific evil power object in the path of the victim, where he would not fail to see it. Within 3 days the victim had fallen ill and subsequently died. Did the object really hold power or was it simply power of suggestion? The same question obviously applies to voodoo dolls.

Well, we never know, do we?? Thats where you have to have a sense of humor. Many years ago I was conducting a ritual at the New Orleans Voodoo Museum. I was not supposed to conduct this ritual because it caused me to work with a Loa (Spiritual Entity) whom I am not supposed to work with. But I was so stuck up with myself, I was not going to miss an opportunity to show off to the public.. As we were finishing the ritual and had made all the appropriate offerings, I instructed those present to not be surprised to see sudden changes. Right then the Loa whispered in my ear (I really dont hear voices, its more a ready-made sentence that suddenly is right there, as if heard from the outside. Most clairaudiant will describe their voices in the same way). The Loa said: Well, if your house was broken in and your computer missing, that would be a change now, woulnt it?. I left, drove home, and found my front door ajar with my old TV abandoned on the front steps: they had found the brand-new computer instead! Home computers were just beginning to be widely available then, and still very expensive. Needless to say I have never worked with this Loa again. This does not mean this Loa is evil or even negative: only that my own energies are at odds with this particular Energy. My pride got in the way of my knowledge. The result was instantaneous.

They speak to me, arrange my life as they see best: I only need to trust and surrender. They give me signs and dreams. My job is to remain aware and faithful and serve them well.

Yes and no. It is different because as I stated above, I was cautioned as to my practice and the Loa I was called to serve. But we must go back a little into the history of New Orleans.

I am an intercessor: I will speak to the Ancestors and the Loa for you. I can make the offerings and ensure that theyll be accepted.

Of course I love getting nice results, especially for others, for clients. I know there will be good results because I always get something good in return too. But I usually cannot comment upon those because it would be vanity and vanity will lead you astray each and every time.

They can be. Yes. You have to examine your motives, your goals, your aims. What is the intent in your heart??

To this day in New Orleans, everyone is free to practice Voodoo as they feel is best in their soul and per the recommendation of their teachers. We have Santeros who are Cuban inspired and Mambos and Hougans initiated in Haiti and others rooted in Obean (rootwork from Belize, the Bahamas, Dominica..) or in the Spiritualists Churches or following the Yoruba tradition of Nigeria. So the influences are very diverse and different. New Orleans was also ringed by a thriving Indian population of many smaller tribes. Runaway slaves often sought refuge with those tribes. Certain aspects of New Orleans Voodoo draw from Native American spirituality. The famous Indian Chief Black Hawk is considered a Voodoo Saint and is often included in ritual work. I very strongly recommend his autobiography which is a wonderful example of dignity under adversity and strength.

But I trust the Loa implicitly. Because they are in a different world from ours, they are not so restricted in their vision and understanding. They will not honour a request that is inherently wrong. As a matter of fact they may punish you! Take something away from you.

Sometimes we expect a certain result, so we do not see the real changes taking place. For instance a client asks for a ritual to be done to bring romance back into their life: they usually are stuck upon an old beau they desperately want back. Or maybe hes found someone else and their need to control is asserting itself with a vengeance. We make the offerings and they complain that he just married that other girl. But the whole time, they are not paying the slightest bit of attention to the nice man who just moved in across the street! This is just an example: when we get stuck on certain expectations, we often miss seeing the real answer, the real magick.

6. Can a complete beginner start working ritual and spells (without initiation into Voodoo)?

About a year ago, I conducted another beautiful ritual for a group of German doctors visiting New Orleans. This time a light-skinned black man was very moved – particularly by the snake dance. It turned out he is from Haiti, now living and working in Germany. He had no difficulty perceiving the Loa moving through the dance.

7. The Voodoo that you do, is it different than that which is practised in Africa, Haiti, or South America?

My friend Reverend Louis and his wife, Voodoo practitioners both also study Tibetan Buddhism. It is in fact through their generous intercession that I was able to receive the empowerment of the Boddhichitta from His Holiness The Dalai Lama. We have often reflected on how the old religion of Tibet – known as Bons- is very similar to Voodoo and Tibetan Buddhism incorporates elements of the old religion with the Buddhist beliefs brought in from India by the Sage Milarepa.

They live in a different dimension than we do. Yet they are very near, very close to us. Legba will clamour to me in the grocery store: I want candy, some sweet cake would be nice. How about rice pudding.. You promised. It s like having a 2-year old with you. Just last week, I was getting some supplies to feed the Ancestors for a client and Legba saw a bottle of coconut-flavored rum.. Such whining!!

Again, this shows the difference between people who want to play at being magicians and real servants to the Loa. That is why we use this particular expression. We revere the Ancestors and serve the Loa. Thats it. They are not there to fill our every whim. But if we approach them with humility and reverence and nice offerings, they will protect us and help us. In fact they will be compelled to do so.

Obatala whom I refer to as Sacred Sky since I live on ancient Native American land is awesome, beautiful, wonderful. I work a lot with Obatala. Sometimes I think hes my favorite. But I know his wrathful form also who is female. He brings peace and justice. Harmony. He gives me depth and height of vision.

Voodoo dolls are the most popular and best known element of Voodoo. Everywhere you go in N.O you see voodoo dolls for sale. Stick and moss dolls, clay faced dolls, penis dolls (I think you can figure out what they look like), juju dolls that are covered with little jujus (beads, sequins, small objects), etc.. Yet most people know little about the dolls and are more or less afraid of them and what can be done with them.

I guess you mean the law of karma. I think I explained this fairly well above, talking about dolls and spells.

This is where apprenticeship is important. You can get a book of spell and start casting away and end up in a lot of trouble. Because really you do not know which is being accepted by the Loa and which is not.

Anyone in their right mind would never use a doll (or anything else for that matter) for negative purposes or control. The laws of Karma are real and we must abide by them if we are wise. Everything we do or even think has power. We can liken the universe to a big pond and our actions and thoughts are like pebbles thrown in the pond: they create ripples which are transmitted outwardly. It is extremely arrogant to think that we can just go about our temple room or our house raving and ranting and throwing ill wishes on a variety of things and people and that it has no effect whatsoever. Or that we have absolute control over the consequences.

Karma is very misunderstood in the west. Superficially. We think that if we steal $20.00 then someone will steal the same from us. What you sow, you reap. Well, in a way, that is Karma. But Karma is more.

4. How long does spell or ritual work take to work?

No. This is not done. If you think of the Loa as Angels, then you immediately understand why you cannot ask to reverse a spell. They are not puppets to be manipulated to and fro. That is very very arrogant. We must always make our requests with the utmost humility and be very very sure. You know what they say: Beware what you ask for.

Yes, if the Spirit calls you to do so. I dont think one should practice Voodoo because its the in thing, but only because there feel compelled to do so. Then of course, there are no rules that forbid anyone from making offerings. In particular, offerings can be made to the Ancestors who may include ones own biological ancestors of course but also archetypal Ancestors. One can work with the Saints and Angels and Archangels, who are after all an inherent part of the Voodoo pantheon. And one could make offerings to the Loa if one is fairly assured of their relationship to those.

Magick does work. Thats the scary part. We can manipulate the universe to a certain extent by aligning ourselves with some of its forces and then exercising subtle pressures. But what are the consequences going to be?? This should be the foremost question in the mind of the Magician. Is the aim to be achieved truly important enough to justify bending energies which will create a ripple effect for an infinite amount of space-time??

I love them all. They are as real and close to me as my best friends. More.

Well, again this is a very restricted view of things. There are in the world at any given time powerful magicians who could put a spell on you for negative purposes, but why would they even want to?? Do you know any of them? Not likely. Again, if anyone walks up to you and says: Im really powerful,you know and Im going to put some bad stuff on you or as they say here, Im going to put roots on you, they are likely not the real thing. If they could really do this, they would not brag about it. And if they really knew something of Magick they would be too awed by its universal workings and consequences to do it. Also consider the reasons they are wanting to do harm: to the real Magician, who has a vast if not almost unlimited vision of the universe, there is very little in this world that matters enough to warrant him or her taking such drastic steps. Relax. This is mostly all in the realm of superstition.

Once again we encounter the question of control versus humility. In the West, we are often brought up with a very narrow view of the universe we live in. We are not told about the millions of other universes out there. We are taught (sometimes) that we have a soul but there are great differences of opinion as to what happens to the soul after death. We are mostly taught that animals and other living things do NOT have a soul. That we have dominion over them. We often grow up believing that our actions have limited consequences: if I get angry and break a plate on the floor, thats it: the plate is broken, I can buy another one. We see a static material world made of solid bodies and solid objects and beings that seem to move more or less haphazardly through a space/time allotted to them but seemingly without rhyme or reason.

Today we live in a world of instant communication. No one is isolated anymore. We can turn on the television and connect with a Dani tribe in New Guinea or descendants of the Incas in Peru. Like it or not we are encouraged to broaden our horizons and our understanding of one another. Yet the established churches remain static for the most part – entrenched in dogma established centuries ago. Voodoo is very appealing to many because it opens avenues of communications yet you are free to retain your original religion if you wish.

11. What if I want to reverse the spell I have cast?

Any dollmaker that says they are sending you pins with their dolls should be regarded with great suspicion. I only use pins to hold their clothes together if necessary, never to work the doll.