Chicken Foot Amulet/Smudge Wand

Chicken Foot Amulet/Smudge Wand

One of my favorite pastimes lately is making Chicken Foot Amulets/Smudge Wands. Each has a different charge to it: protection, healing, smudging/cleansing, etc., whatever it is the foot portrays to me.

           

All of the chicken feet and chicken feathers are from our own chickens. We don't kill them; they either die of old age or some other creature may get them.

Each is unique and one of a kind in both their feather designs and how the foot dried.

I have feathered or naked feet, black or white skin, painted or not, large or small. Each is placed on the altar, then blessed & charged to intent.

They range in price from $25 ~ $75, depending on size and amount of work (crafting & ritual). I will eventually put on the Hoodoo Hill Etsy Shoppe, but right now, I'm just presenting them here and on the Hoodoo Hill Facebook page.

If you're interested in having one designed & consecrated for you, email me at granny-tackett@hoodoohill.com,

Double Dose of Heartache

Double Dose of Heartache

Today, we lost two of our five dogs. Hoodoo, my Hoodoo Man, for which I named my online presence for, and his life-partner and best friend, Gris-Gris (gree-gree). They passed together within minutes of each other.

Our house is incredibly empty and my half of the bed will be very spacious. I'd trade all that space for them to be with us again right now, if I could.

My babies have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I lit a candle for them. I would appreciate if you would, if you feel compelled to, do the same.

Gris-Gris & Hoodoo

Gris-Gris 1/2007 ~ Hoodoo 7/2009

Dia de los Muertos ~ How will YOU celebrate YOUR ancestors?

Dia de los Muertos ~ How will YOU celebrate YOUR ancestors?

Today, November 2, is Dia de los Muertos. 

It is a time when families gather to honor and remember deceased loved ones. It is believed that the souls of the dead return to visit the living families in homes, businesses and cemeteries. 

Anything can be placed on the altar for the visiting souls, including traditional food, fresh flowers, pan de muerto (or bread for the dead), candles,  copal incense (aromatic tree resin), fruits, cloths, photographs, favorite drinks of the deceased, sugar folk toys, religious images and clothing. 

Decorations also include tombstones, skulls and skeletons made of clay and other materials, sugar skulls, and papel picado. Calaveras are ubiquitous during Day of the Dead. A Calavera, or sugar skull, is a decorative skulls made (usually by hand) from either sugar (called Alfeñiques) or clay which are used in the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead. The skulls are often drawn with a smile as to laugh at death itself and the name of each departed is written on a sugar skull. 

The names of the living are also written on these treats to introduce children to the idea of death in an atmosphere of joyful celebration. These sugar skulls are eaten and the living come to associate pleasant sensations with the sadness of death. 

Calaveras take many forms, such as sugar candies, clay decorations, and most memorable: face painting. Sugar skulls are decorated and placed on ofrendas of loved ones. 

Most importantly, a photograph of the departed soul is placed on the altar. Pan de muerto, bread for the dead, is sweet and baked in shapes of skulls and human figures. 

Traditional loaves are round with a central raised knob of dough, representing the skull, with crossed bone-shaped decorations radiating from the central knob. 

Día de los Muertos also includes traditional dishes, such as chicken in red or black mole sprinkled with sesame seeds; tortillas, tamales made from ground corn; soft drinks or aguardiente (“white-lightning” liquor),tequila and always a glass of water. It is believed that the returning souls are thirsty after a long journey. Water is also believed to be a main support of life. 

The flower of the dead is called Cempasúchil (Náhuatl, or Aztec, name for marigold) or “Flor de Muerto” (Spanish for Flower of Dead) and symbolizes the beauty and fragility of life. Cempasúchil was the symbolic flower of death for the Aztecs, because once it is cut, it dies very quickly. 

Marigolds are believed to be the pathways that guide the spirits to their ofrendas. The flower’s vibrant colors and scent attract the departed souls, as they return to feast on their favorite foods. While orange and yellow marigolds are the main flowers, magenta terciopelo (ruby coxcombs) and nube (baby’s breath) are also traditionally displayed. 

Copal (tree resin) is used as incense and is a symbolic transformation of the physical to the supernatural, associated with the death of the soul returning to the ofrenda. 

Candles and fresh marigold flowers are placed on the altar to light and guide the way of the souls to the altar. Paths are marked with flower petals showing the departed souls the way to the altar. Day of the Dead toys are also placed on the altar. Painted clay skeleton figures portray the dead resuming their normal activities such as playing. Pull toys, coffins and crank boxes are displayed for the dead to play with. Living with death in this way means that we can learn learn to accept death as part of life. 

(Sources: Day of the Dead Festival & Day of the Dead Holiday) 

How will YOU celebrate YOUR ancestors?

Handwriting the Book of Psalms as a BoS

I just came across a forum conversation on my Tapatalk site from six years ago and decided to share it here. I think it may be of interest to many of y'all. :) If you have a view to share, please do so to this post or follow the link to the forum to share it there. Blessings!

Nephthys posted:
In the Wiccan tradition, specifically Gardnerian (I believe...) there is a persistent myth of the "burning times" (which can be debunked in an afternoon with research and math) that insists that modern witches and Wiccans should hand-write their Books of Shadows "just in case". While this justification for a handwritten BoS is not as widely disseminated anymore (I can only think of a couple contemporary authors who still insist on this justification), it gave birth to a new justification in that, while writing out individual spells and rituals, you are charging the work before it is ever performed. In this way, one is basically taking normal words and phrases and turning them into words of power. This got me thinking. The Bible is, by far, the most powerful spellbook in the world. Its words are believed by billions (1/6th of the world's population is Catholic, alone) and read daily. Even those who do not believe still study it (biblical scholars, ceremonial magicians, etc.), so at any given moment all across the world, the words of the Bible are vibrating with power out into the ether. So, that being said, if one were to hand-copy the Psalms or any other part of the Bible, focusing on the uses of the individual Psalms as they are being written, and charging them with the worldwide vibrations, how powerful would that copy of the Book of Psalms become? I have begun copying them as an experiment. If nothing else, it would become an interesting curio for my own collection. But I am interested in feedback, just because. :)

My response:
I think your project sounds like a good one, definitely. They should most definitely have added personal power for you since you'll have them written in your own hand. Great project! Love the idea.
Your statement regarding the "myth of the burning times" however, I do disagree with. While the vast majority of those who were tried, imprisoned, and/or killed as witches, were in fact not, the fact that they were tried, imprisoned, and/or killed is fact. The Wiccans do not hold that those who lived through this tortuous time were all witches, but they do make the statement of "no more the burning times" because of the ignorance of those who attacked and, in essence, murdered these people.
I do not hold to the "covens" that are said to have been all over the place, visited by those from neighboring towns. This would not have happened, as travel was extremely dangerous, and going from your town to a neighboring town was not the norm. Merchants, soldiers, and thieves were about the only ones who traveled from town to town. It would be a rare thing for people of one town to know or have anything to do with those in a neighboring town, which most likely would be at least 10-20 miles away. The average village person would have no reason to do such traveling. Everything they would need could be found on their property or in their village or the nearby woods for hunting.
Wiccans today do not hand write their BoS "just in case". Today it is done for the same reason you want to hand write the Psalms. To bring their own power into the words that mean a great deal to them. They're words, whether copied from old Grimoires, passed down from family or coven members, or newly written by themselves, all hold the power of the Divine. It is all Divine inspired. Yes, the Psalms are very old, but so are the Kabbalah, and the Egyptian spells & writings, and the ancient Grimoires of Abremalin, Agrippa, the Books of Moses, and the Lemegeton Books to name a few, and all are extremely powerful, especially due to their age and the numbers of practitioners & clergy (up until the 14th century) that used them over those centuries. These writings were also believed, when written, to be "charging the word before it is ever performed". The writers may have had specific rites in mind, but then again maybe not. But the Divine power that was inspiring them to write those words is no less than the Divine power that inspires Witches to write their spells & rituals.
Through personal experience, I have worked with many deities, as well as the Divine One Itself. What I found was that the ancient deities who are not called upon as much any more, are very excited to be called upon again. Almost to the point of over-excitement. Like answering the door to find someone standing there that you haven't seen in a very long time, and honestly never expected to see again. That thrill of excitement & joy that is overwhelming. Once the excited greetings are out of the way, then the true visit & communion can begin.
All Gods are a part of the Divine One. Each, like the Saints & Angels of the Christian faith system, have their purpose. And that purpose is to be a comfort and help to those who believe in them. Just because one does not believe in the power of the Saints does not lessen their power, because there are those who do. The same goes for the Gods & Goddesses. Just because Christians don't believe in them does not mean they do not exist, have their place in the realm of the Divine, and are not powerful & helpful and offer guidance to those who do believe in them. Just as their is a mate for every person, so there is a faith system sent by the Divine to those who wish to find & know the Divine. But each in their own way, each coming in on their own Path. There are as many Paths to the Divine as there are people. What is right for one may only be partially right for another, and completely wrong for another. None of which are wrong Paths to take to the Divine, only individual. The important thing is that we find our way to the Divine!!
Strict purists have a hard time, and usually can't grasp this concept.

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/hoodoorootworkconjure/handwriting-the-psalms-as-a-bos-t297.html

A Wonderful Find!

A Wonderful Find!

Today, I heard from a client that I haven't heard from in sometime. A very sweet woman who is in need of healing as several health issues have come up.

In trying to decide a course of action, as usual, I do a search online, as well as through my blog here on whatever the subject may be, especially as I've covered most topics at one time or another over the years. The subject was "Reiki," which is a healing method that was new to her. I've been a Reiki Master/Teacher for over 20 years now (wow, how time flies!) and feel it will most definitely be of benefit to her.

Anyway, the first blog post that came up was a 4-year old article called, Energy Focus with Fractals. It blew me away - again!

It sometimes amazes me at the amount of great information we learn and then lose. I will be implementing these fractals into my spiritual life - again - and I can't wait to see how their energies work changes in my life! The fact that this woman, and these fractals appeared now tells me that the Synchronicity Train is up and running again. :)

Blessings!

When Faith & Spirituality Change

When Faith & Spirituality Change

How often have you found yourself realizing that you haven't been as diligent in your spiritual life, and you seem to have 'lost faith' in your ability to be faith-full?

I've spent much of the last few years in this type of situation. I used to have a morning ritual, say a charm of cleansing & protection while bathing, have a greeting to my Guides each day, give thanks at each meal. But the last three to four years feel as though I've been very lax in this regard.

There have been spurts of activity, especially when I became consciously aware that I was not being as conscientious as I should be, but overall, my spiritual life has sucked. So, looking back over those years, what changed?

Four years ago, I went to work at a local newspaper and then bought that newspaper two and half years ago. I am bizzz-eeee! To say the least! But yet, I'm not. There is still 'down time' and plenty of time at home when I could still be spiritually active with rituals, spells, and works of all kinds.

There have been plans in the works to do how-to videos. But everyone does those, so why would mine be any different? They wouldn't, they'd just be done by "Granny Tackett." So what. I'm not one for needing my face out on the internet trying to prove whatever it is I know. Besides, I'm far better at writing...probably why I own a newspaper. :D

So, reviewing my spiritual life, has it really "sucked" or has it just changed; morphing with my new life-schedule?

When I bathe, I still recite my charm of cleansing & protection. So, that's good.

I greet my Guides as I watch the sun rise on the far horizon while I feed and care for our farm animals. So, that's a great one!

Everyday when I get to work the woman who works with me always makes sure we pull cards and record it in our Tarot diary on the computer. So, no faltering there.

I give thanks at every meal. So, again, no faltering there either.

Every little 'good thing' that comes my way, I always say, "Thank you" for it. I maintain an "Attitude of Gratitude".

The only thing I don't do as regularly is spell works. Reviewing the 'why' of it, I find that I do, but only as-needed. And I really haven't needed to!

My life is blessed!

I have my Guides who guide me. I have the Creator Who makes sure my needs are met. I have my Deities who remind me when I need to do more. And, I have an Attitude of Gratitude that keeps the blessings flowing toward me.

So, the next time you feel you've been in a slump, mundane or spiritual, stop and take a good long review to figure out the 'why' of it. You'll either find that you are, indeed, slumping, or that it has been so subtly consistent that you didn't realize that it is so much a part of your life that it  'just is".

For bringing this supposed slump to my attention, and helping me to realize that it wasn't actually; I want to thank my Guides, the Creator, and the Deities (i.e. La Muerte & Mother Mary, in particular, and a few who shall remain private).

I hope y'all find that you, also, aren't really in that slump and how truly blessed your life really is! :)

Seals of Solomon Pentacles ~ Set to Purpose

Seals of Solomon Pentacles ~ Set to Purpose
I've had many people asking questions regarding using the Seals of Solomon and the Circle. So, I figured it was time to share some of the ones I use on a regular basis. There are hundreds of combinations possible, but these are just a few. I may add to them, but this is a start. :)

You'll probably notice that some of the Circles say "El..." and others say "Elohim" - they are the same in effect, the difference being that El is singular (as in "God" Itself) and Elohim is plural (as in "All of God's manifestations & abilities combined").

* * * * *

 LOVE

Circle:
El Shaddai - Blessings

Top row:

2nd Pentacle of Venus - For obtaining grace & honor, and for accomplishing all desires in matters of the heart.

3rd Pentacle of Venus - This serves to attract love, respect, and admiration.

5th Pentacle of Venus - The seal which excites great passion and desire when shown to another. 

Middle row:

2nd Pentacle of Mercury - This Talisman is said to gain the impossible; granting wishes contrary to the order of nature.

4th Pentacle of Venus - Of great power, this forces any person the owner desires to come to him or her.

1st Pentacle of Mercury - Conveys personal magnetism upon the owner.

Bottom row:
1st Pentacle of Saturn - Designed to compel others to submit to the possessor's wishes & requests.

5th Pentacle of Mercury - Serves to open doors of any kind, for nothing it encounters can resist or defeat it.

1st Pentacle of the Sun - The 'El Shaddai' talisman which is alleged to bring the possessor all things they may desire.

BINDING LOVE

Circle:
El Shaddai - Blessings
 
Center:
1st Pentacle of the Sun - The 'El Shaddai' talisman which is alleged to bring the possessor all things they may desire.

Clockwise (beginning top right):
1st Pentacle of Mercury - Conveys personal magnetism upon the owner.
5th Pentacle of Venus - The seal which excites great passion and desire when shown to another.
4th Pentacle of Venus - Of great power, this forces any person the owner desires to come to him or her.
3rd Pentacle of Venus - This serves to attract love, respect, and admiration.
2nd Pentacle of Venus - For obtaining grace & honor, and for accomplishing all desires in matters of the heart.
1st Pentacle of Saturn - Designed to compel others to submit to the possessor's wishes & requests.

  MONEY & ABUNDANCE

Circle:
El Shaddai - Blessings
 
Center:
1st Pentacle of the Sun - The 'El Shaddai' talisman which is alleged to bring the possessor all things they may desire.

Clockwise (beginning at top): 

2nd Pentacle of Jupiter - The Magical Seal for acquiring glory, honors, riches, & tranquility of mind.

4th Pentacle of Jupiter - Serves to acquire wealth and honor.

7th Pentacle of Jupiter - It has great power against poverty. 

5th Pentacle of Mercury - Serves to open doors of any kind, for nothing it encounters can resist or defeat it.

3rd Pentacle of the Sun - Serves to attract renown, glory, riches. 

1st Pentacle of Mars - The Talisman for gaining courage, ambition, enthusiasm & all physical accomplishments.

5th Pentacle of the Sun - Invokes the spirits who can transport one from any place to any place, and in a short time. 

4th Pentacle of Saturn - This seal is liked by those who wish to impose their will upon others. It also alleged to bring good news to the possessor.

2nd Pentacle of Saturn - Of great value when meeting with adversaries in business or competitions of any kind. It should be carried when looking for work or negotiating any financial contracts.

1st Pentacle of Jupiter - A Talisman for acquiring treasure for gaining business.

BANISHING

 

Circle:
El Gibor - To punish evil
 
Center:
1st Pentacle of the Sun - The 'El Shaddai' talisman which is alleged to bring the possessor all things they may desire.

Clockwise (beginning top right):

4th Pentacle of the Moon - Defends from all evil, and from any injury to body or soul.

6th Pentacle of Mars - The owner of this cannot be harmed. If attacked, the foe's weapon shall turn against him.

2nd Pentacle of Mars - Serves with great success against all kinds of diseases when it is applied to afflicted parts.

3rd Pentacle of Jupiter - Defends & protects against any enemy & against any evil spirits which may linger near one's person or home.

RETRIBUTION & VENGEANCE

Circle:
El Gibor - To punish evil
 
Center:
1st Pentacle of the Sun - The 'El Shaddai' talisman which is alleged to bring the possessor all things they may desire.

Clockwise (beginning top right):
5th Pentacle of Saturn - Protects the home, and guards all treasures & possessions one may own.

6th Pentacle of Saturn - Pronounce an enemy's name and repeat 'Set thou a wicked one to be ruler over him and let Satan stand at his right hand' to cause the foe to be possessed by demons.

4th Pentacle of the Moon - Defends from all evil, and from any injury to body or soul.

2nd Pentacle of Mercury - This Talisman is said to gain the impossible; granting wishes contrary to the order of nature.

4th Pentacle of Mars - Of great power towards bringing victory or vindication in an argument or battle of any kind.

6th Pentacle of Jupiter - Protects from all earthly dangers.

3rd Pentacle of Jupiter - Defends & protects against any enemy & against any evil spirits which may linger near one's person or home.

6th Pentacle of Mars - The owner of this cannot be harmed. If attacked, the foe's weapon shall turn against him.

2nd Pentacle of Saturn - Of great value when meeting with adversaries in business or competitions of any kind. It should be carried when looking for work or negotiating any financial contracts.

4th Pentacle of Saturn - This seal is liked by those who wish to impose their will upon others. It also alleged to bring good news to the possessor.

 PROTECTION

Circle:

El Tzaabaoth - Mercy (El Shaddai could also be use)

Center:

1st Pentacle of the Sun - The 'El Shaddai' talisman which is alleged to bring the possessor all things they may desire.

Clockwise (beginning at top):

6th Pentacle of Jupiter - Protects from all earthly dangers.  

6th Pentacle of Mars - The owner of this cannot be harmed. If attacked, the foe's weapon shall turn against him.

4th Pentacle of the Moon - Defends from all evil, and from any injury to body or soul.

3rd Pentacle of Jupiter - Defends & protects against any enemy & against any evil spirits which may linger near one's person or home.

5th Pentacle of Saturn - Protects the home, and guards all treasures & possessions one may own.

3rd Pentacle of Saturn - Good for protection against any plots made by others & for defense against evil spirits. 

2nd Pentacle of the Moon - Protects against all perils by water, calms one in the event of natural phenomena such as electrical storms, hurricanes, earthquakes or tornadoes.

3rd Pentacle of the Moon - Protects against all dangers of travel, all attacks by night, and every danger from water.

5th Pentacle of the Moon - Protects against all Phantoms of the night which may cause restless sleep or nightmares, and aids in obtaining answers to questions or problems through dreams.

2nd Pentacle of Mercury - This Talisman is said to gain the impossible; granting wishes contrary to the order of nature.

HEALING

Circle:
El Tzaabaoth - Mercy (El Shaddai could also be used) 

Center:
1st Pentacle of the Sun - The 'El Shaddai' talisman which is alleged to bring the possessor all things they may desire. 

Clockwise (beginning at top):

6th Pentacle of Jupiter - Protects from all earthly dangers.

2nd Pentacle of Mars - Serves with great success against all kinds of diseases when it is applied to afflicted parts.

2nd Pentacle of Mercury - This Talisman is said to gain the impossible; granting wishes contrary to the order of nature.

4th Pentacle of the Moon - Defends from all evil, and from any injury to body or soul.