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A collection of ConjureMan Ali's thoughts about magic, the occult, and spirituality.



Tuesday, December 17, 2013

House of Quimbanda on Facebook

After much prodding from colleagues and friends, the House of Quimbanda has joined facebook. The page has just been started and will be tweaked, updated, and refined over the course of the week, so be sure to head over and click "like" to make sure that you keep up with our updates. Check it out by clicking here.

Shout out to Mystic Oasis Studios for the Artwork. Check them out. 

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Santisima Muerte Interview with ConjureMan Ali

I just recently joined Lorri Woodmansee of Soul Revolution Radio to discuss Santisima Muerte and my book, Santisima Muerte: How to Call and Work with Holy Death published by Hadean Press.

The interview was an hour of stimulating questions and answers on the origins of this wonderful saint, the way to develop a relationship with her, to begin working with her and much much more. Be sure to check it out:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/soulrevolution/2013/10/14/santa-muerte-with-conjureman-ali

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Saint Cyprian of Antioch

Ever since the publication of my book Saint Cyprian: Saint of Necromancers by Hadean Press there has been a resurgence of new interest in this wonderful saint. As his name spreads, more and more people are showing an interest in Saint Cyprian and he's quickly reaching a wider audience. Many will find it quite beneficial to develop a relationship with him. That said, he's not a saint for everyone. He tends to draw those people who straddle the boundaries between the infernal arts and and the celestial and his devotees tend to work a blend of spirit-centered folk magic. But while there are many articles and pieces that talk about Saint Cyprian as the unofficial patron saint of sorcerers, magicians, root doctors etc and there are plenty written about how to work all sorts of magic with him, there is a side of him that is rarely talked about and that is his spiritual function as the repository of ancestral wisdom and potency, or the bridge to the ancestral seas.

In the legend of Saint Cyprian, he is reputed to have converted to Christianity after his failure to procure the love of Justina via magical means and he goes on to become the bishop of Antioch. Now, some maintain that he did not convert, but made a pragmatic decision which would allow him to continue working his sorcery under the very nose of the Church. Regardless of the reasons, what is important is that he becomes the figure of the sorcerer who finds his home in the Church and who wields powers drawn from both worlds. As the unofficial saint of sorcerers, he straddles the boundaries between the diabolical and the holy, the sorcerous and the religious, and in this we find something quite unique about Saint Cyprian. He is the force that carries forward the ancestral powers through transformation. Following his legend, Saint Cyprian is a Hellenic sorcerer versed in the arts of the sorcery of his age, but he's also a Catholic saint. In this we see his ability of transforming from sorcerous ancestry into the ancestors of the Roman Catholic Church itself. He is then the retention of the ancestral teachings even as it is transformed under its new robe, that of Christianity.

Turning our eyes away from legend and into the annals of history we can trace how he fulfills the same function throughout the passing of time. After his death and the spread of various books attributed to him, Saint Cyprian becomes the ultimate black magician in the Iberian world. Here he retains his older Hellenic roots as once more he moves forward and transforms into the figure of witchcraft and sorcery found in the Iberian world. With the colonization of Latin America, he rises to prominence as the preeminent Saint of curanderas and brujas alike. Here he represents the witchcraft of Spain as it finds its new home in its colonies in Latin America. He becomes a Latin American saint, but still retains his roots to Spain.

In Brazil he does the same thing, as he rises to prominence as a Brazilian saint, but he brings with him the memory of Portuguese witchcraft, especially through the various books attributed to him. However, in addition to his role as the preserver and retainer of ancestral memory from Europe, he also becomes the stand in for African ancestral memory in the workings of Macumba. São Cipriano features prominently in the development of Umbanda and Quimbanda from the older Macumba. We find that he is delegated to the head of the African, or what was later the Line of Souls (Linha das Almas). Through this and his later association with the Preto Velhos (African ancestral spirits), São Cipriano goes from being a saint, to the preserver of African ancestry in the new land of Brazil. Indeed, this can still be seen through his connection to various Exu like Exu Meia Noite, who is either his teacher or is his Exu form. Exu Meia Noite in turn has a deep connection to other Exu who represent the ancestral African wisdom as it is retained and transformed in the new world like Exu Gerere, Exu Capa Preta, Exu Kaminaloa, Exu Ganga, Exu Curador, and others. Further exploration of the development and transformation can be found in Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold's Saint Cyprian and the Sorcerous Transmutation.

It is in this unique ability of Saint Cyprian to transform while still retaining his roots that one of his misterios or secretos is revealed. For in being the Saint of Necromancers he is holds a unique position as psychopomp and intermediary to our own ancestors. There are a variety of secret workings of Saint Cyprian specifically for the raising of the dead, or the communing of the dead through specially prepared skulls, bones, etc. However, one thing that everyone has access too, is calling upon him to reconnect you to your ancestors.

In today's modern society, many ancestral lines are broken and much of the ancestral wisdom of the past has sunk into the depths of the ancestral sea. This is not surprising given that just a brief examination of history reveals conversions, colonization, imperialism, and so much more that shattered the ties of whole nations and cultures. However, through Saint Cyprian a unique connection to the ancestors can be formed and through that connection any ancestral spiritual practice that may have been lost can be recovered. This is particularly useful if you suspect that your ancestors may have had folk practices or spiritual beliefs that have faded away with the passage of time.

What you'll need to accomplish this is, the name of the ancestor if you know it, if not work with a general descriptor and the following:

Cup of water
Glass of red wine
Acacia
Rosemary
Frankincense
Myrrh
Siete Machos perfume
9 white candles
Charcoal and brazier
3 chords (white, red, black)
Saint Cyprian Oil (recipe can be found in my book, or you can purchase via Lucky Mojo or Wolf and Goat)

Set up your Saint Cyprian altar with your statue or image of Saint Cyprian in the back and center, the candle to the front and left and the glass of wine to the front and right. This should form a triangle with the image at the top angle.

To the left of this set up your incense brazier or censor and in the center of the triangle place the cup of water. Underneath you may place the name of your ancestor who you are calling or simple a descriptor like "My ancestors." Light your candle and charcoal for the incense and sprinkle Frankincense and Myrrh as an offering. Spend a few moments letting the smoke build and then pray:
"San Cipriano, San Ciprano, San Cipriano,
You whose cloak retains all shades,
To whom demons, devils, and death is obedient;
I call you, I beseech you, come and bring your light.
With your light you break curses and witchcraft,
With your light you illuminate the dark,
Tonight I ask you to illuminate the depths of the seas,
Tonight I ask that you bring from the dark my ancestors.
They have slumbered and been forgotten, but I remember them.
My family must be made whole, our prayers must be made whole. 
San Cipriano, San Ciprano, San Cipriano
Tonight I need your light. Come quickly. 
Amen. "
Recite 3 "Our Fathers"

Tell him from your heart that you offer the candle, incense, and wine to him. Now, take up the three chords one by one and say:

"This white chord represents my unbroken ancestral line. This red chord represents their living blood, me. This black chord represents Saint Cyprian, Saint of the Dark." 

Knot them together at one end and with intense focus and praying from your heart starting to braid them. Once you are done, put three drops of Siete Machos perfume into the water and offer it to your ancestors. Take a pinch of Rosemary and Acacia and put on the charcoal with the resins and hold the chords over the smoke. Let the candle burn down. 

Repeat over the next nights until the ninth night. Each day offer a candle, incense,  fresh water, fresh wine and say the prayers as you make another knot in the chords and then hold it over the incense which you've added Rosemary and Acacia too. By the time you are done you should have nine knots in the chord. 

On the last day and with the last knot you should tie a sprig of Rosemary and Acacia into the chords. Hold this over the smoke, then anoint it with wine, water, and Saint Cyprian Oil and wrap it around the image of the saint. Then anoint your head with wine, water, and oil. Take a sip of the water (before you add the Siete Machos) and say, "The line is made whole once more, their blood flows through mine, their ancestral wisdom flows through me like water, we are whole once more." 

Leave the water by your bedside, light another candle and ask your ancestors to come to you and reveal the ways of your ancestry, the powers, the mysteries, and magics that is your birthright. 





Sunday, September 22, 2013

Syria, Prophecy, and the Downfall of Mages

Anyone who has been following the news knows that we currently are in another state of tense relations with a Middle Eastern nation. While the civil war in Syria has actually been going on for some time now and the relationship between Syria and the United States has been deteriorating for a while, in the past month or so things have escalated and quickly. A variety of intelligence sources have indicated the use of chemical weapons by Assad's elite forces against the Al Qaeda and US backed Syrian rebels. The use of chemical weapons against the rebels and his own people by Assad was a red line for the United States which promptly began planning and considering military retaliation as punitive action against the regime. The process has been stalled as the Obama administration has sought out the approval of Congress with supporters and detractors on both side engaged in debate.

While the United States has been deliberating, it has increased its visible military presence in the region and prepared its military for a strike. France has backed the United States. Opposing the United States has been Russia who has remained an ally of Syria, for its own political reasons. Backing any military action, Russian leader Vladimir Putin has gone from outright denouncing any military action, to appealing directly to the American people, to working through diplomatic means to forge an agreement between all parties. Tentatively an agreement has been reached in which Syria will hand over all of its chemical weapons to be destroyed and therefore avoid strikes from the United States.

To some this came with a sigh of relief, for while tensions are still there and the conflict is ongoing, at least some move has been made to avoid further military engagements in the Middle East after the United State's previous disastrous experience.

Now, while politics is all fascinating, the question is what does this have to do with magical and spiritual pursuits. First, as a member of the Order of Saint Cyprian, I firmly believe that magicians and their gifts are not only meant for personal development, but are best suited when properly guided, aligned, and focused to become a force of transformation in their communities and can steer destiny with a benevolent hand. Indeed, this is the goal of the Order of Saint Cyprian, to act as a spiritual force that guides and checks the mundane forces of politics and society.

But more interestingly, the conflict in Syria poses as an opportunity to examine an interesting phenomenon or series of related phenomenon within the occult and magical community which can only be labelled as apocalyptic and prophetic. Nearly every time there is some world-event, the occult and spiritual community explodes into prophetic and apocalyptic discussions. People prophesy all sorts of things, from the end of the world, to some great spiritual event. Some rely on more subtle and harder proven claims like "shifts in consciousness" and yet others make such outlandish claims that one must wonder whether any degree of critical thinking is present in the online occult and spiritual communities. In the current crisis, I have heard everything from the conflict being a secret magical war, to claims that the goddess was on her way to save Syria. These prophecies prove to be as accurate as the prophecies by certain millenial Christians who have made predictions about the Day of Judgement being on specific days. When these days come to pass, the prediction is simply revised and adjusted. Unfortunately, those in the occult and spiritual community suffer from the same sort of stubborn blindness; when their predictions and prophesies do not come true, they rely on comforting aphorisms like "you can be right and wrong at the same time" or claims that the prophecy came true, "but on a spiritual level."

And this highlights two of the greatest pitfalls of any magus, sorcerer, or witch: hubris and self-delusion. Wielding any sort of power is intoxicating. The very idea that from the comfort of your home you can effect events far away, or that your will can be made into reality is a powerful and heady brew. Any form of power, magical or not, has this effect on our minds, but for us who practice the arcane arts it is doubly so. The very nature of magic makes it a power that springs from the shadows of society and therefore there are no social power checks against it. The magician can become the ultimate thief, spy, assassin, or anything he wants. The truly skilled magician tends to look like your average person, he walks comfortably into his corner office, smiling politely to his colleagues, who have no clue that the very events of the office are shaped by the unassuming man next to them. It is therefore natural that magical power has an even more intoxicating effect on us. Unfortunately, this quickly leads to hubris. Power, in all its forms has limitations and there are checks and balances even if we do not recognize them.

A magician who thinks himself entitled to do whatever he wants because he has in the past wielded power, or a magician who loses sight of his own development, is a magician who has fallen to hubris. Unfortunately for such a magician, the fall from the top is usually long and hard. Such people will usually find that there are bigger fish in the sea and will realize that for all their power, there is always someone more powerful and always consequences for our actions.

But while the nature of power can lead to hubris, the subtle nature of magic can lead to self-delusion. Some of the magical arts border on the subjective, especially divination, and if not checked by a critical and sharp objective eye, will lead to delusions of the worst kind. It is easy to think that because you once did a candle spell and that girl or guy you liked fell in love with you that you are a magician, all subsequent failures however are easily explained by your coping defense mechanisms that keep your precious ego intact. This is the most slippery of slopes because, unfortunately many do not realize how easily it is delude the self. For such people it is easy to jump from having a few magical successes to thinking that you now can shape the course of nations, or that because you are good at reading cards for people that now you can prophesy the fate of nations.

What makes self-delusion so insidious is that even if hubris can be broken by a good fall and hit to the ego, self-delusion is a wormy defensive mechanism that tries to explain away any truth that contradicts the illusions and delusions that are clung to. So if presented with the truth that no, the goddess is not saving Syria or no the events of Syria do not mark the end of the world, such people will find a way to explain away the evidence to the contrary.

These two pitfalls go hand-in-hand. The only way to prepare for them is honesty with one's self. Admit your shortcomings, measure your power and abilities as objectively as possible, and know where your strengths lie. It isn't always about looking at the shortcomings, but also acknowledge what you are good at. Some people are brilliant readers when it comes to reading for a person, but that same ability may not translate to the seership required to see global events. Some people are great at both. Some are extremely talented magicians when it comes to themselves, and others known how to pluck the strings of power that they do shape the course of nations, and some can do both. By admitting where you truly stand, by taking true measure of your ability, and recognizing the true extent of your power and understanding, you walk out of a fog that keeps you wandering aimlessly and instead will find yourself on a path to achieving the very power you conceive of without need for hubris or self-delusion.

For truly, a magician who has an understanding of his own mind and powers is a force to be reckoned with. It is at that moment he goes from being a mageling to a true magus who strides the halls of power shaping the destiny of man.

This is something applicable to all of us in the magical community. I, myself, do readings for clients but as a member of the Order of Saint Cyprian make prophesies about political and world events, but always with meticulous record and always checked critically by what comes to pass to see whether they came true or not. The same with magic done on a global scale, it is always meticulously recorded and observed critically to gauge success or failure. By understanding what we did wrong and right, we improve. I can honestly say that I can attribute my success as a magician and seer to one part talent, one part practice, and one part meticulous record-keeping with a critical and objective analysis of records.

All that said, what can we expect from the Middle East? There are many predictions I've made about the Middle East and Syria, some of which are only for my students and friends, but there are a few I can give publicly. I see the toppling of various leaders in power and the time of Assad is limited. It shall come about through proxy wars and shadowy dealings disguised as popular movements. Look to see outward revolutions, but know that behind them stand puppet-masters. These revolutions will lead to executions and death. There shall be a radicalization of the Muslim Brotherhood; they shall become disillusioned with democracy and go underground. There shall emerge a radical and militarized branch in Egypt strongly aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood. Economic and trade embargoes and sanctions will be the tool of the trade for the international community. Aid will be cut to several nations, governments, and sanctions placed, however behind the scenes will be armament. Old alliances will crumble as brother turns on brother and the older guard of dictators will fall before youthful revolution. The clash for the soul of the Middle East will explode into outright civil wars and revolutions between the radicalized and fundamentalist sects with more progressive and youthful movements. This is different from the revolutions that have taken place in the Arab Spring, for it shall be a revolution against fundamentalism. Relations with Iran will improve for a time, but will deteriorate as Hezbollah's actions in Lebanon move from the shadows to open strikes. Fundamentalist groups will become more radical and will spread through cells as the war shifts into Africa until the Middle East and Africa are drawn into larger proxy wars. We can expect 2 major interventions in the Middle East in the next 10 years at least. Eye's should be turned to North Africa as it is drawn into the larger Middle Eastern conflicts. Pakistan will struggle between its democratic, dictatorial, and religious sects until it too enters into a period of civil war, and Turkey will emerge as a military leader.

The rest of the prophecies I keep for those with ears to hear and eyes to see.

  

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Book Review- Obeah: A Sorcerous Ossuary

Of all the African-derived cults and sorceries, Obeah is one of the least-known and least-understood. Often confused as a chaos magic of the Caribbean, or confused with the religion of Vodou, it is a shadowy practice that while is not entirely understood is respected for its great power. After shedding light on the similarly misunderstood cults of Palo and Quimbanda, Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold has brought his balance of impeccable scholarship and astute spiritual insight to illuminate Obeah. This thought-provoking and powerful monograph aptly titled, Obeah: A Sorcerous Ossuary, reveals an inside perspective into this powerful spiritual art.

Like all his other books, Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold speaks from the perspective of anthropological scholarship as well as that of a practitioner. This unique blend of scholarly standard combined with an inside perspective makes his writings unique as they become accessible and useful to both practitioners and academics alike. Through his writings, he has tackled the difficult task of shining a light on practices that are either unheard of or barely understood in the English-speaking world. Obeah: A Sorcerous Ossuary, is no exception. While acknowledging that the shadowy and highly pragmatic nature of Obeah combined with its variation from island to island makes defining Obeah difficult, the book manages to illuminate by tracing the root practice, detailing the major spirits and deities, and highlighting several practices of Obeah. In this way, glimpses of this practice are shown.

One of the things that I admire about Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold is his respect of tradition. He is not an author who enters into a cult and acts in a appropriative or disrespectful manner. He honors his lineage and teachers by writing down the cult as he has learned it while recording practices as they practiced today. In Obeah: A Sorcerous Ossuary he emphasizes that this practice is initiatory and tied directly to a hereditary lineage. Yet, because of the unique nature of this sorcerous way, there is something familiar to the reader, especially those who practice Hoodoo, Palo, or Quimbanda. To the root doctor, the imminently pragmatic nature of Obeah along with the drawing of power from the green world is something that is all too familiar. And the dynamic fire at the center of Obeah along with its ability to work with powerful spirits of nature and night strike a chord with a Palero and Quimbandiero alike. As a conjure doctor and Tata Quimbanda, there was much that resonated with me.

After discussing the historical roots, cosmology, and major spirits and deities of Obeah, the book focuses in on what Obeah actually is--a spiritual potency and power that is used to fuel healing and malefica through the powers and world of Sasabonsam, Papa Bones, and Anima Sola. In these parts, the prophet and poet in Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold steps forth as he manages to capture something that is nearly beyond words and it becomes evident to the reader that not only is he an author, but he writes under direct guidance and inspiration from the spirits themselves. In this way, his writing goes from being books about magic to books of magic. You can almost feel the fire emanating from the words on the pages and the crackle of power with each turn of the page.

The book concludes with several practices that reveal the unique and pragmatic nature of Obeah that combines the fiery power passed down to the Obeahman with the ability to call upon spiritual agencies to carry out works of sorcerous might. The manifestation is a special blend of magic that draws upon African, Christian, and Grimoiric sorceries. The Kabalistic Banquette of the Lemegeton demonstrates this amazingly well as the spirits of the grimoires are drawn down in a European-style banquet combined with African perspective on possession. Truly a marvelous illustration of Obeah's practices. Of particular interest to me was the oracular dice used in Obeah, which I found fascinating.

Not only is Obeah: A Sorcerous Ossuary the first book of its kind, but it does what few other authors can, combine an astute scholarly approach with that of an actual practitioner. This approach cannot be praised enough for too long books on magic and the occult were one-sided in their approach and left much to be desired. The result of this blend is that this book becomes deeply illuminating, but also has the effect of stirring the readers own embers as the potency of Obeah comes alive through the masterful hand of Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold.

Whether you are a practitioner of the African-derived arts or simply curious, this book has something for you. Do yourself a service and purchase it from Hadean Press now. Approach this tradition with respect and honor the heeding within the book and you'll find something powerful opening up by reading.

http://www.hadeanpress.com/2013/09/obeah-a-sorcerous-ossuary/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=obeah-a-sorcerous-ossuary

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Predictions and Life Reading for Prince George

In cultures around the world, the birth of a child was often accompanied by predictions about the child's life. Whether you were in a village in the middle of Angola, or in the urban sprawl of London, it was not common that you'd visit the local diviner to hear what the stars or fates had in store for your newborn. In Europe and the Middle East, astrology and geomancy were often turned to for such prediction. During the apogee of both of these sacred arts, royals would often have court astrologers and geomancers who would ply their divinatory skills to ferret out hidden answers to various questions. It was not uncommon, for example, to ask about the tide of a battle, or the chances of a marriage. But like their folk and popular counterparts, the court diviner was also called upon to read the life of a newborn, especially one born to the court. 

In this age-old tradition, I have decided to cast a quick geomantic chart on Prince George of Cambridge, the new prince of England and son of Prince William and Kate. His birth a few weeks back offers a great opportunity to demonstrate one of the traditional uses of geomancy and to revive a practice that has fallen out of favor in more modern time--predictions revolving around birth and the destiny that comes with it. I have personally found that the two best divination methods for long-term predictions, especially about life are geomancy and astrology. In the geomancy that follows we focus heavily on the position of the geomantic figures in the astrological houses. 

I used my raml dice (a unique set of four die joined together specifically used for geomancy in North Africa, India, and Pakistan) to birth the figures and then produced the chart which is depicted above. 

Staring with the first house we have Conjunctio revealing the character of the young price. He is going to be charming, attractive, slender of build, beautiful luminous eyes, will be inclined to travel, popular, but inclined towards privacy and needing his own space. He will have a mischievous sense of humor and twinkle in his eye but can be quite serious and thoughtful when called for. In him we find the balance between his uncle Harry and his father William in terms of disposition and in terms of charm and articulation we find his mother. 

The second house shows us Laetitia which passes also into the sixth house. Financially he will be well off as he will likely have access to wealth that was built for him, but he will also take up service himself to further compliment his finances. He will be inclined towards humanitarian causes, will be quite generous especially to those who work for him and serve under him, and will manage his money more with his heart than mind. We will find in him a man who is given to causes, especially helping those less fortunate and those dealing with illnesses and disease. 

The third house contains Amissio which passes into the fourth house. On one level the presence of Amissio in the third house tells us that when it comes to his communication style, the young price will be soft, tactful, but honest. It also tells us that he will likely have siblings, or cousins, and be raised surrounded by family and in a homey environment. The passing to the fourth house shows us an environment where he will likely not be living on the premises of any inherited paternal property, but will instead reside in more humble, but comfortable arrangements. Indeed, property inheritance may not feature in his life until a much later age. 

In terms of schooling his father will play a very big role and he may follow in his footsteps. His father's influence is going to be very tempering for the young prince but he will be encouraged to follow his passions and interests. 

Caput Draconis in the fifth house shows us a strong, active boy who will be involved in outdoor activities, sports, and enjoy games. He may be inclined to wagering a bit here or there and will be especially fond of more outdoor activities like football and horseback riding. He will be very fortunate and skilled in sports as well as have good fortune in wagers. 

He will carry on the family line by having a child of his own, who will likely be a boy. 

In the seventh house appears Puella, indicating that he will have a beautiful love-life and will probably get married around his late 20's to early 30's (likely 29). While he will eventually get married, the passing of Puella to the twelfth house tells us that he's going to keep his romantic and dating life hidden as much as possible. He's going to struggle to keep things private and there will be quite some speculation regarding it. However, he will indeed settle down and get married with a beautiful woman who like him will be very home and family oriented. Traditional geomancy tells us that she will be quite attractive, with beautiful eyes, soft lips, and a very attractive, melodious voice. She may be younger than him by a few years as well. 

The passing of Puella to the twelfth house does warn that there is a chance for him having an affair, or that his future wife, when he meets her, will be involved with another at the time. There will however be some controversy regarding his love life and he will strive to keep as much of it under wraps as possible. This is all where the projection of points lands revealing a bit of what is going on behind the curtain in his future. 

In the eight house we have Populus which also passes to the tenth house. He will deal with a series of deaths in his family, specifically revolving around the maternal and female figures in his family. In addition to the death of his great grandmother, the queen, other close females to him will also pass and the death of them will impact him rather strongly and will be part of popular news. He may have one female death after another. Theses deaths will also raise his standing and station in society as well as gain him an inheritance. This seems to logically point to the fact that as the queen passes, he'll be one step closer to the throne. 

The indication here is that he indeed will eventually sit on the throne and be a very popular and well-loved king. 

I also see here that he will likely be very close to his mother who will be the biggest influence on him when it comes to his public life. 

The ninth house contains Cauda Draconis which is a very interesting figure in the ninth house. Traditional khatt al raml interpretations indicate that Cauda Draconis in the ninth house points to a person who is a radical, apostate, and who will likely hold to revolutionary or unique philosophical outlooks. It is possible that he may have some revolutionary approaches to time-old institutions like the Church of England and he is likely going to bring about some interesting changes. While something like him being an apostate or convert to another religion is possible, it is more likely he may make changes to the role of the monarchy to the Church of England. 

This is a young prince who upon becoming king will break with the past. 

Via in the eleventh house shows us that the young prince will be popular, but will be more inclined towards a small group of friends who will travel with him, and that he will have friends from all walks of life. He is not someone who will be restricted to the bubble-like life of most princes, but will be exposed to a variety of friends and people. Via in traditional khatt al raml has a unique position among the figures and following that tradition, its position in the eleventh house shows us that his friendships with people from all walks of life will have a deep impact on him and his outlook. 

Finally, we examine the guardian genius of the prince as found in geomancy and we see a man who will struggle between the traditions of the past and the modernization of the monarchy. He will struggle greatly balancing the public and private aspects of his life and though will be charming and gracious will have a deep need for privacy and space. He will be inclined towards pensiveness at times and will struggle with some deep spiritual and humanitarian questions.  

We also see the influence of the Mansion of the Moon Saa'd Al Suud in this chart and his birth revealing a person who will be very close to his mother--confirming the earlier prediction--who will be deeply connected to home and hearth and who will be focused on giving sustenance to others. He will be well-mannered, well-liked, with a beautiful spirit and will live a blessed life. 

Overall, geomancy reveals a very interesting life for the prince and shows us a man who will live a blessed life, who will sit on the throne himself, but who will also be a person with deep personal struggles which will impact the changes he brings when he ascends the throne. 

For those interested in a geomantic life reading, I do offer the service which you can set up here:


and here:




Saturday, August 10, 2013

Book Review: St. Cyprian and the Sorcerous Transmutation

It is no secret that I am a fan of Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold and consider him to be one of the preeminent magical authors of our age. So when, I heard that he had released a booklet through Hadean Press on my patron, Saint Cyprian, I could not wait to order it.

I received the book this past week--Hadean Press prompt as usual--and have read it probably half a dozen times. Nicholaj does something that few authors in the magical community can, he is able to blend stellar scholarship with piercing spiritual insight. Saint Cyprian and the Sorcerous Transmutation is a small book, but jam packed with spiritual insight on the nature of Saint Cyprian, especially his transformation from the sorcerous saint of Spain and Portugal to one among the the legions of Exu and Quimbanda.

The books traces the historical migration and transmutation of Cyprian, discussing the Cyprianic magic that takes root in the New World, and the deeper mysteries of Cyprian as the head of the African Line and Line of Souls as found in the Afro-Brazilian religions. In addition to the insights one can find several workings with Cyprian which reveal a bit of the flavor of the magic and macumba which he influences.

It is a great book with something for everyone. Whether you are simply researching, working with him, or curious about the magic of Spain and Portugal, or want to know about macumba and Quimbanda, the book will prove enlightening and useful. Within its pages is an opportunity to find the fusion of folk magic from Europe with the black magic of Brazil, blended with the ancestral wisdom retained from Africa.

You can find the book here: http://www.hadeanpress.com/portfolio/st-cyprian-the-sorcerous-transmutation/

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Quimbanda on Youtube

KDLC Media and Candelo's Corner recently put up the interview I did with them on Youtube. I talk about the history and origins of Quimbanda, explain what Quimbanda actually is, and more importantly how to get involved in Quimbanda and what to expect for people living here in the United States to help avoid scams.

Catch it on Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vv6v2TLyiM

Catch it on Kimbisa.Org: http://www.kimbisa.org/podcast/candelos-corner-conjure-man-ali-talks-kimbanda-quimbanda/

Download via iTunes episode 49: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/kimbisa.org-home-candelos/id570056101

Enjoy!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Geomancy for Zimmerman Trial


I've been meaning to post a little bit about geomancy, but have been pretty busy. However recent events give a good means of demonstrating how this ancient form of divination works and the great results one can achieve from it.

Now, I practice geomancy a tad differently than others as I come from a khatt al-raml school of thought which has slightly different emphasis in its approach, but I shall present this post as an example of traditional geomancy.

I cast a chart for the trial of George Zimmerman to see what the outcome would be. I frequently work with mundane astrology, horary astrology, and geomancy to get answers to things going on in the world as I believe that the magus and diviner is not just a person immersed in a separate world of spirits, candles, and rites, but a person attune to the flux of life and nature's cycles. So it is quite common for me to take time out to do readings for political elections, the outcome of trials, the course of conflicts and much more.

I did the same with the George Zimmerman trial, a trial that has captured the attention of the nation which carry within it an investigation of the self-defense laws of Florida, the character of the two individuals, George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin, as well as a close look at race issues. While I do have my own bias regarding what happened and what should happen, this post will specifically be about an exploration of the situation from a divinatory point of view and will not be a commentary on the events or the outcome of the trial. My heart and prayers do go out to the family of Trayvon Martin for their loss and I pray for their peace.

I am a little late in this post as the trial is over, but such is the life of a busy ConjureMan and while moot at this point, it is a good exercise to see how geomancy works. Above is a screen shot of a dated and time-stamped record of the figures cast for this geomantic chart. While I cast all my geomantic charts by hand either using al raml dice or I generate the Mothers the traditional way, for larger predictions I then record those results using Renaissance Astrology's Geomanticon software which provides me a way of attaching a date and time to the predictions, which is helpful for when I have to go back and check the results against my prediction.




While the first image is useful in showing when the chart was recorded it doesn't show the actual chart and figures which is far more useful. Above we have the figures as they are placed in the shield chart (called takht in khatt al-raml). Again these are the figures that I input into the Geomanticon software after casting the chart by hand. While I shall go more in depth into how geomancy works and some basics in another post, I'll focus more on my interpretation of the chart. In khatt al-raml the shield is the first place we look for the overall answer to a question or situation.

The Right Witness is Rubeus revealing rage, upset, and emotional imbalance. Here we see that this trial brings out the worst in people and that ultimately this trail is born out of bad and hasty decisions on the part of George Zimmerman. Whether he is an evil racist, or not, I leave to other people to comment on, but suffice to say that geomancy reveals that all of this started because Zimmerman was in a place of frustration, of anger, and acted out of corrosive emotions and poor decisions. This also speaks to the environment around the trail itself and we see here the clear indication that this trial was brought before the court out of a sense that preliminary actions were an upset to what should have happened. 

The Left Witness, which represents the future, is Cauda Draconis. While normally a relatively negative figure indicating the end of things, in matters of dealing with jail and going to prison it is usually positive indicating either a favorable end, or being released from jail. Here we see that the end of the trial favors Zimmerman and that the future shows a positive end for him. He will walk away from this having a good end to the trial.

The Judge is Amissio a figure of loss which can be negative in financial matters, but quite positive in matters of the heart and where one wants an end to things (jail time, illness etc). In khatt al-raml the Judge is the ultimate answer where in more European and modern day geomancy the astrological houses and modes of perfection take precedence. For me, the Judge gives me the answer and the house fleshes out the details. Our Judge ultimately tells us that things are looking good for Zimmerman and he may get off without jail time. However, Amissio also means loss in a larger scale and so while in legal court Zimmerman may avoid jail time and be acquitted, it is likely that the court of public opinion will be against him and he may in the long run lose even if he avoids jail and is found not guilty. 

We next look to the 1st and 4th Mother to see how things started and will end. Cauda Draconis as the First Mother shows us that many people have already made up their mind about the case and George Zimmerman himself had already made up his mind about Trayvon Martin before the confrontation happened. This case is the result of pre-judging a person and situation and Cauda Draconis speaks to that. Amissio as the 4th Mother confirms the high chances of being found not guilty and passes to the Judge. 



I then examined the house chart which is based off of astrological considerations and there are some who even refer to this method as astrological geomancy. Now in the first house we have Cauda Draconis which to some geomancers indicate that you should stop the reading and set it aside for a time before casting a new chart--often because one has already decided on the answer before casting the chart. In khatt al-raml we are a bit more practical and continue a reading while noting such signs (the same for Rubeus in the first house which some people deal with by tearing and burning the chart, but not in khatt al-raml). But because this is a third party question, we rotate the chart to the seventh house, the house of the other which represents Zimmerman therefore the 1st house in the rotated chart is the 7th. Here we have Via revealing that that he feels particularly confident about the way forward and that while matters may be out of his hands and he must acquiesce to a passive role letting the legal system work things out, that he is confident about his release and Via is about the open road. Via passes into the 11th house in the rotated chart revealing that his release is going to hinge strongly upon his allies and friends who will step up to help him and that his legal defense relies heavily on calling upon those allies and friends. Together they will work for his release and will provide great support. Zimmerman is not afraid to ask for help from his friends who are also willing to help him.

Also because Via is in the 11th house, he may expect help from unexpected sources and witnesses.

Prison and other such unpleasant matters are found in the 12th house which in the rotated chart contains Laetitia, or joy (6th house before rotation). This is an omen of victory for Zimmerman further confirmed by the fact that Laetitia is a mobile figure and is favorable for avoiding jail time or being released from jail. Furthermore perfection through conjunction happens with Via springing to the 11th house of the rotated chart. This further favors success and victory for George Zimmerman and again emphasizes that his friends will play a great role in helping him get released.

To ferret out hidden factors we look to the Projection of Points which is is found in the 6th house of the rotated chart which contains Carcer, prison or the lock. This tells us that this trial will have a heavy impact on Zimmerman's health and he may find himself feel trapped as a result of the emotional and physical strain it takes on him. He should be particularly aware of knee and leg problems. It also tells us that he will likely continue to work with his same legal team in further upcoming legal matters. Now, while traditionally the 10th house refers to career, some also take the 5th to include jobs which in this case would mean he'd have a hard time getting hired going forward.

The figures themselves along with all the positive factors reveal that things are going to go Zimmerman's way. My prediction then was that Zimmerman would not go to jail and will likely be acquitted, but may face heavier losses down the road--Amissio as Judge. 

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Madame Nadia on the Lucky Mojo Hoodoo Rootwork Hour Today

Stop by the Lucky Mojo Hoodoo Rootwork Hour where you'll find Madame Nadia joining me as guest co-host, filling in for Miss Cat along with this week's guest Ms. Melanie. It's going to be an hour of rootwork, readings, and pure magic.

The show starts at 3pm Pacific or 6pm Eastern time! Check us out here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/luckymojohoodoorootworkhour/2013/07/14/lucky-mojo-hoodoo-rootwork-hour-general-call-in-format

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Check Out Candelo's Corner on Monday!

My dear brother in Quimbanda, Tata Jesse, is going to be on Candelo's Corner this coming Monday where he will be talking about his background in the spiritual arts as well as the opening of his store, Wolf and Goat. Tata Jesse holds multiple initiations in various traditions, is a professional reader and rootworker, and a powerful magician. He is a dear friend and brother and I cannot wait for this interview.

Tata Jesse will be joined by the wonderful Troy, owner of Wolf and Goat, Quimbandiero, and a brilliant spirit artist. I myself have a few of his pieces on my altars and they are down right potent. Troy is an Obeahman and a worker of magical Art.

I am proud to call both of them brothers and am excited about the upcoming interview. I'll definitely be there to hear them speak. Be sure to join us at Candelo's Corner, it is going to be hot!

Candelo's Corner will air Monday at 5pm pacific/ 8pm Eastern time. You can find it here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kdclmedia/2013/07/16/candelos-corner-with-jesse-troy-from-wolf-goat

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Exorcising A Home

Conjure men and women from Virginia, in addition to being called upon for your regular love, money, revenge, uncrossing, and court case work, were also quite famous for their ability to exorcise spirits from a place or home. There were a variety of means by which these powerful root doctors could accomplish this and were often handed down from generation to generation. These set of techniques and practices were referred to as "ghost laying" or "laying a spirit down to rest." The idea was that  if you had a spirit, or ghost haunting your house it was because it was in a state of unrest, confusion, and loss.   Therefore, it was the job of the conjure man or woman to help put that spirit to rest, often by directing them away from the home and back to where they properly belong: the cemetery. 

Though we are talking specifically about Virginian hoodoo and conjure practices, the terminology and concept has its roots in both African spiritual practices as well as the magical techniques of Northern Europe.  Indeed, one of the most common services provided by the Hellenic and even the archaic goet was that of laying down spirits. I like to think that I carry on the practice of the goetic magicians of old and the conjure doctors who taught me their arts by performing ghost laying for clients and working as an exorcist.

If you find yourself in the need to lay a spirit down to rest you can do the following. 

Go to each room of the house and place a cup of fresh water in the center of the room on a surface or on the floor. Place into that cup of water an egg. Recite over the cup with the egg Psalm 10 which is used commonly in Pslamic magic to exorcise restless spirits. Let the cups and eggs rest over night. Then take all of them to the cemetery. If you have a lot of cups, you might need help carrying them all. At the cemetery door pay three coins to the gatekeeper to grant you entrance. Pour the water out and bury the eggs. I suggest burying them in the general cemetery grounds not a specific grave that is already occupied. Pour cool water over the freshly buried eggs, say a prayer, and tell the spirits that this is their new home and to be at rest. 

Some people also perform a mock funeral at this point to help the spirit adjust to its new home and find peace. Leave the cemetery and take a different route home. 

When you come home, sprinkle your home with Holy Water and mark the doors with Holy Oil, Blessed Oil, or Fiery Wall of Protection. Finally take a nice cleansing bath to remove any spiritual gunk off of yourself with Rue, Basil, and Bay leaves brewed into a tea. Catch a bit of the used bath water, let yourself air dry, and dispose of the used bath water off of your property at the crossroads or at a tree. Return home and anoint yourself with Holy Oil. 

In general this works excellently for spirits that have taken up residence in a certain place. If a spirit is attached to a specific person or sent with a specific mission, then a different approach would have to be taken. 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

New Interview With Me

My colleague Miss Bri over at Milagro Roots has put a an interview piece about me as part of her getting to know members of AIRR feature. You can check it out here:

 http://milagroroots.com/encounters-with-airr-conjureman-ali/


Thursday, May 2, 2013

Closed from 5/3-5/6

ConjureMan's Spiritual Practice will be closed from May 3rd to May 6th as we'll be on the road and travelling. We will back in the office on 5/7th and will get to each inquiry, purchase, and email then.


Thursday, April 4, 2013

Workshop on Skull Sorcery

This year at the Missionary Independent Spiritual Church Workshops, I will be teaching an awesome workshop on Skull Sorcery, how to summon the spirits of the dead to influence the mind and heart of people for cursing, love, healing, and much more. This is going to be an awesome workshop where you'll have a chance to learn little known techniques and will walk away with a fully-prepared and functional ritual skull. Don't miss out.

In addition to my own workshop, the best of the best in the conjuring world will be gathering together for the May workshops to bring to you some awesome topics. Dr. E will be teaching a stellar workshop on Rustic Oil Lamps, cat yronwode will be teaching traditional candle magic, Deacon Millett will be teaching sweetening spells and there will be so much more. In addition to the workshops there are great takeaways like oil lamps, skulls, candles as well as the release of three new books which will be included in the workshops.

You get a chance to take some amazing workshops taught by the best of the best in the hoodoo community, mingle with colleagues, take home awesome gifts, and get readings from professionals face-to-face. So be sure to sign up and join us May 4th and 5th for a magical weekend. Whether you are a beginner or advanced practitioner, the workshops hold something for everyone.

To learn more check out the site here.


Monday, March 4, 2013

More on Hell Hounds

My last post has generated a great deal of interest with hundreds of emails pouring in asking more about hell hounds and the mechanics of the spell that I revealed. This post will answer some of the general questions.

1. Hell Hounds are parasitic and dangerous spirits called up from the abyss to do the bidding of their summoner. They are mindless, souless, lack mercy, relentless and never fail. They have a very strong vampiric quality and often will feed off the soul, misery, and pain of their victims.

2. What I discussed in the previous post relies on the ability of the hell hounds to provide an aggressive form of protection. They are sent after a particular person who has attempted to harm you or your reputation. They then proceed to turn that person's life into a living hell. However, they work in an escalating fashion. What starts out as a simple warning may turn into a car crash that leaves your enemy's car totaled. The aim is to put an end one way or the other to the attacks against you. However the attacks against your enemies will not stop. One thing will lead to another.

Your enemy can then choose to seek you out and make peace, or in their arrogance think they can survive the hell hounds. They cannot. From there the hell hounds keep increasing their attacks, taking their time, taking bites out of the person's soul, feeding off of their misery, until that person is dead. They do not rest, they do not tire, and they never fail. So one way or the other the traitor and slanderer is ended, either by seeking peace with you, or by dying miserably.

3. What the results are usually vary from target to target. They usually reflect the wrath of their summoner and the actions of the person they are sent against. They work like a noose. The more that person struggles, the more that person slanders you, the more that person tries to fight you or destroy you, the more they are destroyed themsleves. Like a noose, it only gets tighter and tighter until they hang. It is one the more insidious aspects of the work, your enemy will continue to think they can get away unpunished, but the more they try, the more they'll fall. Their own actions and words become a trap.

Again the end result can only be two things, either peace is specifically asked for from you, or that person dies. There is no loophole or way out of it--also why I did not release the full details of the ritual. Common signs of the hell hounds are car accidents, sudden money troubles, loss of job, deteriorating health, loss of home, terrible nightmares, sudden fear and paranoia, phantom sounds, feeling like you're being watched, touched, or attacked while you sleep, unable to find peace, lack of energy, vitality, and strength, feeling disoriented, hearing phantom growls and dog barks, loss of friends, allies, and then eventually a slow and painful death. Each of these is aimed at tearing the soul and spirit of the individual until the final end.

4. If you have more than one enemy, or if your enemy has a little helper or mousy little ally then the hell hounds will sniff them out. Just like a virus, they are parasitic and they spread. So they will grow in numbers and latch on to whoever attempts to help the target, whoever partakes in the gossip, slander, and they will keep casting their net out until they have destroyed all the enemies.

5. I have used this working before and it has never failed. Hell hounds are merciless. Also, I will not teach this working to anyone but those students I trust as these spirits can only be commanded by those with the power and skill to handle them.

In the end, they are deadly effective. One way or another, your enemy is undone.

 

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Sending Hell Hounds Against Gossipers, Slanderers, and Betrayers


While the hope is that family and friends would stick together, there are times when one is faced with treachery and betrayal, even from those closest to us. In such situations if all attempts at amelioration have failed then there are forces which can be called upon to silence the wagging tongues of gossip that seek to harm reputations and spread malice.

What follows is a working and spell just for such a situation and is especially good at dealing with those who may have at one time been an ally, friend, or family-member. Because of its dangerous nature, I do not recommend any but those with great skill attempt it and for that reason, I have omitted an essential part of the working.

This work is best done using an effigy or doll to represent the treacherous family member or friend, stuffed with cursing materia like Vandal Root, Poppy Seeds, Black Mustard Seeds, Red Peppers, Black Peppers, Alum powder and Snake sheds. This combination is excellent for gossiping, treacherous individuals to curse and silence them. The doll can be fashioned from wax, cloth, or clay but should contain a trace of the individual and be baptized in their name to link to their spirit.

Next this is surrounded by a ring of black candles dressed with Crossing, Destruction, and Stop Gossip Oils.

As each candle is lit, you call upon the hounds of hell to rise up to your defense. This part will not be discussed, but these are the dogs of the underworld called up to carry out your work. They will watch over your reputation, name, and offer an aggressive form of protection. Any who speak ill, any who attempt to damage your reputation, or any who attempt to interfere in your life or relationships will be faced with their wrath. By ringing the doll in the candles the hellhounds will be linked to that person and watch over them to ensure they can do you no harm or work no malice.

The doll is worked using pins, bound up with verses of power, and then buried in a box of broken mirrors, nails, pins, peppers, and given offerings to the spirits. The box and doll are then handed over to the spirits to watch over by being buried in the cemetery.

I have used this particular working in the past with great effect and on behalf of clients and it has never let me down.

The effects are particularly interesting. It has an escalating effect. The person who is interfering or spreading gossip will first be sent a warning. This may come in the form of a dream or from an omen like being pulled over by the police and given a ticket. The police are often a great way for the universe to give you a sign to slow down and be aware you are transgressing. If the person does not back down on their malice, they will then face a haunting where their house will be infested by the hounds of hell who will fill it with darkness and fear. Phantom sounds, the sensing of a presence, and poltergeist activity will be reported along with disturbance of sleep. Next stronger hits will follow like trouble at work, money problems, relationship problems, fights etc. If the person does not stop then their health will deteriorate specifically targeting their weaknesses. They will get sick; if they are inclined towards something like ovarian problems, tumors it will manifest for example. Then their mind will turn on them as they lose control of their thoughts. Finally if they continue, the hounds of hell, after turning their life to a living hell, will drag them to the abyss.

The spell is designed to destroy, but it works for the purpose of justice, the target will be given many opportunities to stop, to take back their malicious words, and to back off. If they incline to peace the hounds will be held back, but if they continue they will face the teeth.

The beauty of this spell is that there is no way of turning back these dogs, there is no way of stopping this work, other than taking back the malice and asking for forgiveness. Once the hounds are let loose, may God have mercy on their souls.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Join Me on Candelo's Corner Feb. 25th.

[Cross-posted from The House of Quimbanda]

Join me, ConjureMan Ali, on Candelo's Corner as I join Candelo Kimbisa of Kimbisa.org to discuss my book, Santisima Muerte: How to Call and Work with Holy Death and the launch of The House of Quimbanda.

The show is on Monday Feb. 25th 5pm-7pm Pacific/ 8pm-10pm Eastern. You can listen via the internet or by phone, call in to join in the discussion, or stop by the chat and say hello.

Hope to see you all there!

ConjureMan Ali
Tata Alufa` Mavambo Ngobodi Nzila

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Valentine's Day at The House of Quimbanda

Check out our latest post at The House of Quimbanda. Given Valentine's Day it addresses that great and powerful need: love and provides a traditional Quimbanda recipe that anyone can do to find love! Click here to see the new post.

Be sure to like, share, and follow the blog!

ConjureMan Ali

 

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

New Interview With Me!

Love Potion # 9, a rootworking student who has created a diary of her journey through the tangled woods of hoodoo, has done a wonderful interview piece featuring me. In addition to recording her journey and experiences through the magical world of conjuring, she also interviews some of the prominent rootworkers and conjure doctors of today. Be sure to check out her blog and read up on all the great adventures she's had and check out her interview with me.

If you are interested in the type of hoodoo, rootwork, and conjure that I do, and are curious about learning more about me and my background be sure to check it out.

You can find it at Diary of a Rootwork Student.

You can also read more about me at my About ConjureMan Ali pages at my Conjure Man's Spiritual Practice and at The House of Quimbanda and read testimonials of my work on my reviews page.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

House of Quimbanda

I want to invite everyone to The House of Quimbanda, a website and blog dedicated to the great African Traditional Religion of Quimbanda. It is the website of the first authentic terreiro and house established in the United States with a verifiable Brazilian lineage.

Our terreiro is open to those who seek out the power and wisdom of Exu and Pomba Gira, who want to learn the mysteries of the cult, and who are looking for the services of a Quimbandiero. It will be updated regularly as it continues to grow, but there is already some great information up on its pages.

It is our mission to provide a valuable resource for quality information and services in the religion of Quimbanda on the internet and to establish the religion as a legitimately accepted religion here in the United States. We dedicate the site to Exu Rei of our house under the guidance of our ancestors and God.

Our mother house is located in Brazil to whom we give our loyalty and it is from its soil that the fires of Quimbanda are now lit in the United States.

Be sure to stop by The House of Quimbanda and spread the word. Keep an eye out for further updates, changes, and expansions as the house grows and evolves as Exu sees fit. May the fires lit burn until they blaze across the nation. Exu and Pomba Gira have heard the call of those hungry for the nocturnal widom they offer and are here to stay. May their fire burn bright and strong.

Sarava Exu!
Sarava Pomba Gira!
Laroye!

ConjureMan Ali
Tata Alufa` Mavambo Ngobodi Nzila



 

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Cleansing For the New Year

New Year is an excellent time for any type of cleansing work. Given that it is also during the waning moon, you have a great opportunity to start the year with a clean slate. All year long we gather the spiritual gunk and debris of all the experiences we go through. When the year comes to an end our spirits have gone through much, both good and bad, and so the New Year offers the perfect time to reflect on the year before and start fresh.

In light of that here is a great little recipe for a cleansing.

Materials:
  •  Dried Rue
  • Dried Basil
  • Lemongrass
  • White candle
  • Van Van Oil
  • Blessing Oil (711 Holy Oil)
Start by dropping a few drops of Van Van Oil into a bucket of Pinesol and water which you use to scrub and mop the home. Just as you've gathered much throughout the year, so too has your house. So scrub from top to bottom, back to front, and drive out all that mess from your home. If you have carpet you can use a spray bottle to lightly spray the carpet and use a broom to sweep.

In conjure and hoodoo when we cleanse, it is not a symbolic act, but one that is meant to physically and spiritually cleanse a place so you want to actually mop, brush, and scrub your home working your way from top to bottom and front to back. Once you washed down the home take the used soapy water and discard off of your property.

When you come home take the Dried Basil, Rue, and Lemongrass and brew into a tea. Let it cool and step into a tub without your clothes. Pour the tea over your head and scrub yourself downward while praying that you be cleansed, purified, and the new year starts fresh for you. I suggest putting a stopper in the tub and gather a bit of the used bath water. Let yourself air dry get dressed then take the used bath water and dispose off of your property at a crossroads.

Finally when you come home set your white candle in the center of your home and dress it with Blessing Oil stroking the candle from base to wick, pointing it towards your heart so that you are drawing the blessings to you. Light the candle and let it burn down as you recite Psalm 23. Reflect on the past year, letting go of the bad, cherishing the good, and asking for a blessed year to come.

I always suggest adding an element of attraction, blessing, or protection after a cleansing; adding something back in after removing. It is a good way to ensure balance.

While this is a simple working, it is excellent for this time of year and hopefully it brings you blessings in the year to come.

ConjureMan Ali