Greetings! Thanks for dropping by! If you like what you see, please visit my websites: The Mystic Voodoo Native Wellness Gumbo Mojo http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/voodoomama Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:06:20 -0600 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.squidoo.com/howtouseavoodoodoll Enemy Be Gone by voodoomama Make a Custom T-Shirt On Zazzle.com This lens focuses on spells and rituals from the New Orleans Voodoo Hoodoo and other esoteric traditions. Learn what the seven pins mean and how to use them with your Voodoo doll. Learn about repelling negativity caused by the evil eye, the infamous trinka 5 spell, and how to get rid of a cursed Voodoo doll. And don't forget to check out the brand new love spells. _______________________________________________________________________ Voodoo Spells: Want revenge? Or help with love? Try these powerful Voodoo Spells. Absolutely guaranteed! _______________________________________________________________________ NECRONOMICON SPELLBOOK ENHANCED EBOOK EDITION  _______________________________________________________________________  For anyone wanting to learn more about new Orleans Voodoo, I highly recommend Luisah Teish's Book, Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals Preparations for Voodoo Ceremony at House, Haiti, West Indies, Central America entertainment Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:38:55 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/howtomakeavoodoodoll Why make a voodoo doll? Because making Voodoo dolls can be a lot of fun. It is an activity that elicits laughter and is food for some great and potentially therapeutic conversation among family and friends. Invariably, the stereotypical reasons as to why people make Voodoo dolls comes up, and you have an opportunity to discuss who pissed you off, hurt you, and who deserves a good hexing. What a great forum for a self-help group! Now, I am the first to admit that there are people in this world who deserve as much bad luck as is humanly and spiritually possible. Child molesters, rapists, sadistic and cruel parents, partners, and world leaders, those involved in the trafficking of women and children for prostitution, my ex-husband...I could go on and on. But, I choose not to engage in such practices because they are spiritually toxic to myself, my family, and the universe. There are other, more constructive ways to make an impact that won't subject you or those close to you to the dark forces of the collective shadow of humanity. Few are prepared to deal with such energy. Moreover, there is the law of three that governs our fate as related to our behavior and the choices we make; in short, everything we do will come back to us three-fold. So, don't come crying to me if you decide to stick somebody with a pin with the intent of hurting them and sudden "bad luck" befalls you. Having said that, these instructions are for your entertainment only. Consider yourself warned! ____________________________________________________ Voodoo Spells: Want revenge? Or help with love? Try these powerful Voodoo Spells. Absolutely guaranteed! Voodoo Doll Baby by voodoomama More posters On Zazzle.com education Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:47:01 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/spellcasting Greetings! So you want to cast a black magic spell, hex someone, or stick a pin into a Voodoo doll to get back at that certain someone who has rubbed you the wrong way? Maybe you want to get someone out of the way so that you can get the person you are attracted to. Maybe you don't want to hurt anyone, really, but you would like them to shut up already with the gossiping and the bad mouthing. Or maybe you want them dead. But, you don't necessarily want to be the one to do it, or you have tried and it hasn't worked. So what do you do? You look on the internet and Google "voodoo spells", black magic", "free Voodoo curse", "voodoo curses", "New Orleans Voodoo", "Marie Laveau Voodoo", "how to do Voodoo", "Voodoo witchdoctor", "how to make a Voodoo doll", "voodoo spells", etc. You find something resembling a quick fix, spend your hard-earned money, get your spell, and do what it says - more or less. Then you wait, and wait, and wait... If you are reading this lens, then I assume that you do not find it hard to believe that people seek metaphysical means of accomplishing revenge, among other things. I receive so many requests for spell casting services that I decided to write a little about it in order to satisfy the curious. I do not offer spellcasting services, but I can certainly provide information about spellcasting and ritual that will hopefully help you help yourself. Of course, you are invited to visit my website The Mystic Voodoo to find out more information about the art and craft of Voodoo. entertainment Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:34:12 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/freevoodoodollspells Did you know that some of the most popular search terms on the subject of Voodoo includes Voodoo dolls, how to make Voodoo dolls, and of course, how to use Voodoo dolls? Well, I figured that since I have numerous lenses on the topic of making Voodoo dolls, I thought I would tackle the next topic of how to use your Voodoo doll. So, now that you have your Voodoo doll, what do you do with it? Thanks to Hollywood and general ignorance, the most popular misconception about Voodoo dolls is that they are made to exact revenge against enemies. Countless sites exist that promise to sell you a Voodoo doll with instructions for hexing someone, casting a revenge spell, or placing a curse on your enemy. These dolls come complete with justification for doing so. One site equates Voodoo with the "dark side of the magical spiritual world" and Voodoo dolls with the "Black Arts". The justification assumes that you are protected from any type of karmic backlash because fair use of the Voodoo doll is not contrary to any Universal laws. Newsflash!!! Most practitioners of Voodoo typically do not use pins in Voodoo dolls and when pins are used, they are used as focusing tools for healing and other positive purposes. Secondly, Voodoo is not a form of the Black Arts. Voodoo is a legitimate African religion brought to the Americas through slavery and the colonization process. It melded with elements of European folk magic, Indigenous herbology and beliefs, and elements of Catholicism to become a functional and positive spirituality. Voodoo guides its followers in matters of daily living, as most religions do. Next, any tool used for magickal purposes can be charged to possess positive or negative vibrations through ceremony or meditation. In this way, the tool becomes alive and something to be respected. If misused, you will feel the karmic effects through conflicts, accidents, depression, or bad luck, for example. This is why it is extremely important to exercise caution when using your Voodoo doll. Voodoo dolls can be used for dark purposes; however, this is never a good idea. There IS karmic backlash associated with using Voodoo dolls with the intent of hurting someone else. That is why all of the reputable practitioners and their associated sites indicate their dolls are blessed to carry only positive energy and light with them. You would be wise to follow suit. entertainment Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:54:48 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/mysticvoodoo Hoodoo Voodoo Magick by voodoomama design your own tee shirt Using www.zazzle.com _______________________________________________________________ What's in a word?  So often the words that comprise the title of this lens are used interchangeably as if they mean the same thing. In actuality, there are subtle and major differences between hoodoo, voodoo, magick, and ju-ju. This lens will provide the reader with a basic understanding of the terms hoodoo, voodoo, magick, and ju ju in the New Orleans tradition.   Why is "Voodoo" spelled different ways?   Is it Voodoo, vodou, vodu, Voudun, or vieux dieux? Okay the last one is a joke! Well, the spelling of Voodoo typically indicates the region of reference. Voodoo is common to the United States, while Vodou and Vodoun are the French spellings used in the Caribbean and Haiti. In all cases, Voodoo is a religion of magico-religious origin. Oh, and the latter is a little Nawlins humor! Love Spells: Use these powerful love spells to help you find--and keep--your true love. Absolutely guaranteed! arts Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:55:49 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/marielaveau This lens pays homage to the qunitessential Voodoo Queen of New Orleans - Mamzelle Marie Laveau. For the most enjoyable, funky, voodoo perusing experience, play the following song by Redbone while reading this lens, and don't forget to leave your request for the Witch Queen of New Orleans at the end of this lens. In the spirit of the charity work of Marie Laveau, 100% of this lens' proceeds will go to the Polly Klaas Foundation. people Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:45:40 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/bath-and-beauty-recipes With all of the concern about harsh chemicals, toxic substances, and carcinogens, there has to be a way to have a fear free beauty regime. The solution ? Make your own bath and beauty products! You would be amazed at how easy it is to make shampoos, soaps, bath oils, and more that you will wonder why you haven't done it before. And for those of you who already make your own bath and beauty products, you are bound to find the following recipes of use. Full recipes for how to make City Shampoo to remove dirt and impurities, Earth Bath Salts, Honey Bee Soap, Minty Bath Oil, and more are below. ____________________________________________________________ If you would like over 500 bath and beauty recipes, take a look here.There are so many of these easy, yet wonderful recipes you will never get tired of making them. And your skin will love you for it! __________________________________________________________ education Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:18:10 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/voodoocurses How can I curse thee? Let me count the ways...hex, bind, curse, jinx, trick, cross, goofer ... all ways of saying something very similar in the Voodoo hoodoo vernacular. But just what is a curse, exactly? And what's more important to many I am sure, just how does one go about puttin' the bad mojo on someone? A curse is the effective action of some power, or result from a spell or prayer, asking that a god, natural force, or spirit bring misfortune to someone. In Voodoo, to perform such a "trick" is to work the left hand of Voodoo. They are considered black magic spells because they are concerned with hurting, harming, goofering, jinxing, or hot footing enemies. On the other hand, certain types of spells can be used to repel negative energy, to keep a perpetrator from hurting someone, or for driving away bad neighbors. This lens provides a survey of the Voodoo curse, particularly as it pertains to New Orleans Voodoo and southern folklore. You will find there is a language that is used that sets this type of magic apart from other forms, and that makes it identifiably hoodoo. In fact, hexing, jinxing, crossing, cursing, and hot-footing are characteristically hoodoo in origin, and have nothing to do with the Voodoo religion itself. New Orleans Voodoo is nothing to play around with. Despite the fact that many dismiss the legitimacy of it's power, approximately 17% of the population in New Orleans currently practice Voodoo, and many more respect its power. Please note that the information contained in this lens is meant for information and educational purposes only. You are advised to think very seriously before attempting to perform any of the spells provided and to consider the Law of Three, which states that everything you do will come back to you threefold. Alas, do not email me with requests to perform a hex or curse on someone. I am not a left hand practitioner and will not answer your email, so don't waste your time or mine. You have been duly warned! To learn more about the basics of hoodoo and the difference between voodoo and hoodoo, check out my other lens Hoodoo, Voodoo, Magick, and Ju Ju. ___________________________________________________ Enemy Be Gone by voodoomama Make a Custom Tee Shirt On zazzle.com See more Digital Art T-Shirts education Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:12:54 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/papalegba Papa Legba has his origins with the Fon people of Dahomey (Benin) Africa and is said to be the guardian and trickster of the crossroads and entrances. He is one of the most widely served orishas. In Haitian Vodou and New Orleans Voodoo, Papa Legba is the intermediary between the loa (lwa) and humanity. He stands at a spiritual crossroads and grants or denies permission to speak with the spirits of Guinee, and is believed to speak all human languages.He is always the first and last spirit invoked in any ceremony, because his permission is needed for any communication between mortals and the loa - he opens and closes the doorway to the spirit world. Read on to learn more about this powerful and often misunderstood spirit. education Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:51:18 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/denise-alvarado So I was reading one of the top 100 lenses "What I look for in a Lens" by Squidangel rksmythe and started to heed the advice. It was, after all, good and logical  advice. Most of all, it was doable. So I am going and improving many of my lenses to reflect this advice. This particular lens is one of the recommendations made, and since I have a lot of lenses, I thought it would be a good idea to have one place to list all of my lenses and organize them according to category. So, thank you rksmythe, for the concrete examples of specific steps I can take to improve my chances of getting blessed by a Squid Angel! Following is an introduction to each of my lenses. It will become evident that I am the Voodoo Priestess of Squidoo. But that's not all that I am. I try to write about interesting things in the area of metaphysical phenomenon, as well as current trends and anything that inspire me, and I even include a few marketing lenses. My goal is to have 1000 lenses eventually. Why? Just because I love to write! Besides, Squidoo makes it so much fun with all of the little tools and modules I can play with. Holy Guardian Angel by voodoomama Other poster designs On Zazzle people Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:54:45 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/escultura Se llama escultura al arte de moldear el barro, tallar en piedra, madera u otros materiales, figuras en volumen. Es una de las Bellas Artes en la cual el escultor se expresa creando volúmenes y conformando espacios. En la escultura se incluyen todas las artes de talla y cincel, junto con las de fundición y moldeado, y a veces el arte de la alfarería. Mientras piensan típicamente de la escultura como creado de la piedra, hay muchas formas poco convencionales de la escultura también. Siga leyendo para ver esculturas hechas de neumáticos y chicle, así como las formas de arte más clásicas. Fotografía de Pietà por Michelangelo, la Basílica de San Pedro, Roma. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Michelangelo_Petersdom_Pieta.JPG arts Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:15:13 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/instructionsmakevoodoodoll This lens has a lot of information so be sure to read all the way to the end. After I tell you about my new Voodoo doll kits, I am going to tell you how to make a New Orleans style Voodoo doll, how to make a voodoo poppet, and how to make a voodoo doll out of cling wrap. Then I am going to tell about several different types of voodoo dolls, and some great Voodoo books and resources. So grab a cup of coffee and sit back and enjoy reading all about making Voodoo dolls! ______________________________________________________________________  Announcements:  Check out my new lens Banish, Bind, and Enemy Be Gone: The Anatomy of the Voodoo Curse. ______________________________________________________________________  Okay folks,  I am making available for the first time – how to make your very own Voodoo doll kits! I am revealing my secret New Orleans style Voodoo Hoodoo conjure art general purpose Voodoo doll recipe, complete with everything you need to make your own Voodoo doll and do your magick with it! Authentic spells  accompany each kit along with seven pins and an explanation for their meanings as well! You will even learn to make a mojo bag for your Voodoo doll! Here is what you will receive with your kit:   Spanish Moss Two sticks Fabric and yarn Twine Buttons Beads Feathers Black-Eyed Peas Seven pins Complete instructions for assembly   You will also receive three authentic New Orleans Voodoo Hoodoo spells:   Good luck and success spell Love spell Enemy be gone spell   Each spell will have complete, easy to follow  instructions.  To purchase, go to Voodoomama's One Stop Mojo Shoppe. Then, go to PLANET VOODOO for everything you ever wanted to know about Voodoo dolls but were afraid to ask! Or, begin at this lens http://www.squidoo.com/howtomakeavoodoodoll. Then check out where you can go once you know the basics! New Orleans Voodoo Doll Basic Materials: 2 sticks, Spanish moss, feathers, scrap material, imagination and intent. I'll show you just how far you can go with two sticks.   For more information, visit the free spells archive at The Mystic Voodoo.   Feel free to email me with comments or inquiries: mysticvoodoo@mysticvoodoo.com. arts Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:15:57 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/oshun Oshun is the Santeria goddess of love, art, and dance. Her greatest attribute is her ability to provide the emotions a solid foundation upon which to reside and grow.  Oshun also provides gifts of money and material riches, sex, love, creativity, fertility, compassion,  beauty, and laughter. This lens presents some basic facts about this incredible Goddess, including how to construct an altar for her, an African Chant, and her favorite things. Make sure to catch the Voodoo Love Goddess slide show below! All Voodoo art dolls pictured are created by myself and are prototypes of those available at the Mystic Voodoo.    Image of Oshun is available as a print, t-shirts, and a variety of cool things at the Voodoo Butik.   ______________________________________________________ Osun Seegesi: The Elegant Deity of Wealth, Power, and Femininity From the Back Cover... What does our sophisticated, technically advanced society have to learn from a venerable African goddess? That is the question Dr. Diedre Badejo set out to answer a decade ago, armed only with a tape recorder, a working knowledge of Yoruba language, literature, and culture, and a mental "image" of the African Motherland molded as much by her great grandmother's character as by her own experience of the Black Power and Black Studies movements of the '60s and '70s. The answers the author found as she immersed herself in the ritual orature, sacred songs, and festival drama of the Yoruba goddess, Osun Seegesi, at the diety's principal shrine in the city of Osogbo, Nigeria, are shared with the world in this detailed documentary/analysis that presents a startling view of human relationships that is powerful in its practicality and revolutionary in its civility. What Osun (pronounced "Oh-Shoon") offers to a civilization standing "at the crossroads" and poised on the "abyss of transition," says the author, is nothing less than "an African feminist theory that challenges the hegemony of the Western social order" with a holistic sociocultural vision that recognizes and affirms the reciprocal role of women and men in building and sustaining a truly civil society. --This text refers to the Paperback edition. arts Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:50:02 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/necronomiconspellbook There are many legends and myths surrounding the Necronomicon and all of it's variants. The most popular notion is that it is very powerful. It is also believed by many to be extremely dangerous. If not used properly, it is said to cause severe karmic backlash, so you are advised to exercise caution when using the rituals. The power of the Necronomicon Spellbook is said to be insane in evil hands, and life-changing in the hands of those who use it in a good way. Read on to learn more about this controversial book. ______________________________________________________________ arts Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:23:42 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/diadelosmuertos Día de los Muertos is a holiday rooted in the ancient past of Mesoamerica. My ancestors were in awe of the eternal cycle of life and death and believed in the need for sacrifice to assure the continuation of life. The Aztecs of past honored those who have passed on with great feasts, sacrifice, ritual, dance, and sacred art that depicted their beliefs and customs. After the trauma of the Spanish conquest, their beliefs persisted by adapting them to the holidays of the Christian calendar. Although much of the ancient indigenous religions were lost, the core aspect of the days of the dead was kept. This core consists of the altar with offerings to the dead.   In a concerted attempt to reclaim their indigenous roots, the people of Mexico and Central America took this heretofore completely sacred and private expression of devotion and memorial to new heights. Dia de los Muertos ofrendas and exhibitions can now be found in Mexico, Texas, and the Southwestern United States.   For more information, visit the Day of the Dead Art page at The Mystic Voodoo.   Photo is of Koz Mraz of Studio Voodoo who is wearing one of my designs, Baron Samedi, the Voodoo spirit of death, at the big Day of the Dead festival in California. The t-shirt is available at the Ju Ju Shoppe. In fact, there is a whole section on Day of the Dead at the Ju Ju Shoppe, so go check it out! And don't forget to check out Koz's music...I highly recommend it! arts Thu, 01 May 2008 09:14:27 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/erzuliedantor In the Voodoo Pantheon, there is an important group of female loa (goddesses)whose first name is Erzulie. While all of them share in their role as Goddess of love, art, and sex, each has additional areas of life which is theirs to defend and assist. Erzulie Dantor is a mulatto woman who is often portrayed as the Black Madonna, or the Roman Catholic "Saint Barbara Africana". She has tribal scars on her cheek, and is considered heterosexual because she has children, but she is also the patron loa of lesbian women. Thus, she loves women fiercely, and will defend them to the death. She loves knives and is considered the protector of newly consecrated Voodoo priests and priestesses, as well as of women and children who are victims of domestic violence, and women who have been betrayed by a lover. She is highly respected and much feared due to her Woman Power. Most Haitian women serve Dantor, as do many men who honor and respect women. Erzulie Dantor is also the patron loa of New Orleans and so she is served by many there as well. She supports independent business women and is the patron of women's finances. Many women invoke Erzulie Dantor against their partners (male or female) should they become violent. And enlightened men also serve Dantor, especially men who honor, love and respect women. Erzulie’s personal story is a tragedy. She was a warrioress who fought with her people during the Haitian revolution. However, her own people cut out her tongue so that she would not tell their secrets should she be captured. Thus, she is mute and can only speak a stammering monosyllable, "ke-ke-ke-ke-ke!" This is the sound of her tongue clicking on the roof of her mouth. She is often pictured with her daughter Anais, who serves as her translator and interpreter.  To see Erzulie Dantor as a Voodoo doll, Click here! education Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:18:38 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/sacredprayers This lens is a collection of prayers, blessings, and devotionals from a variety of faiths. Each is specified in terms of purpose and identified by faith, when known. Enjoy! education Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:37:11 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/baron-samedi Baron Samedi is one of the Guédés, or spirits of Death, related to Baron Cimitère and Baron La Croix. Like Papa Legba, he is a guardian of the crossroads, the place where spirits cross over into our world. If the intercessions desired are with the loa, then Legba is saluted and asked to allow the loa to participate. If the intercessions are with the dead, then Guédé is the intercessor. The first burial in a cemetery is dedicated to Baron Samedi. Zora Neale Hurston recounts that when you make a request of Baron Samedi, you use a cow's foot extended in place of your hand. When the Baron is ready to leave, he takes with him whatever he's holding. By substituting the cow foreleg, you don't loose your arm! Visit the Mystic Voodoo to purchase a Baron Samedi Voodoo art doll.   arts Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:57:45 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/fairy-festivals My son and I went to our first fairy festival this weekend right outside of Chicago. We are hooked! I love fairies and sprites and elves and trolls and goblins and all the little people of the worlds. In a world where most everything is taken much too seriously, it was refreshing to go to a place where whimsy, light, and love abounds. The name of the festival I went to this weekend is "World of Fairies: Pirates in the Glenn". At first I thought, "pirates and fairies"? Then after a little thought, it wasn't as hard to make the connection. After all, Peter Pan and TinkerBell are probably the most famous of all the fairies in popular culture, and each of them has an intimate connection to the world of the pirates. I took my camera with me, and it was easy to get photos of the fae. Everyone was so cooperative and eager to be photographed. I hope they find their way to this lens and are happy with what they find here.  Click on the View all images button below to see a slide show of the World of Fairies Festival: Pirates of the Glen 2007.       "When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies. And now when every new baby is born its first laugh becomes a fairy. So there ought to be one fairy for every boy or girl." James Matthew Barrie (Peter, in Peter Pan, act 1)-- ___________________________________________________ Field Guide to Spirits, Goblins, Elements, and Fairies: The Best Fairy Lore Ever arts Sat, 07 Jun 2008 23:21:22 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/alcheringa The word “alcheringa” comes from an Australian aborigine language (Arunta) and means “dream time” or “the dreaming”. I have also seen it translated as “of the past”. I tend to go with the first and second definitions because the last one doesn’t is too confining when taken within the context of alcheringa ... past, present, future, which encompass the dreamtime can all happen at the same time, within each other or without each other, influenced by, and influencing each other. The dreamtime is not time as Westerners know it; it is a place where space and time intersect that can be accessed or experienced by anyone because it includes everyone. If that sounds confusing, it is because you have to step out of the Western, linear mode of thought and into the realm of spirit to understand.  I was taught about alcheringa as part of my training in dream analysis and the usefulness of dream work in psychotherapy, by a non-Australian aborigine but noted Native American scholar and psychologist, Ed Duran. I was taught that the dreamtime refers to the time when humankind and nature came to be, according to Australian native beliefs. It includes the heroic ancestors, and is the central principle or cosmology that informs all aspects of life. Interestingly but not surprisingly, the Australian aboriginal spiritual worldview is often refered to as “lore”, “mythopoetic” (that’s a good one), or “religion” even though there is no word for religion in the languages spoken. This is similar to the indigenous peoples of North America as well; spirituality is an integral part of life, rather than a separate entity, activity, or dogma. Dreams and the dreamtime hold special significance for most indigenous peoples, although their use and manner in which they inform behavior varies between tribal cultures. Dreamtime people Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:17:17 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/voodoo-squiddoodles Why not! I love Squidoo. I love to doodle. I love Voodoo. I am an artist. Put them all together and what do you have? That's right, Voodoo Squiddoodles! Check out my new other new lens Cinco de Mayo. arts Mon, 05 May 2008 09:15:08 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/cajun-recipes I am a Creole, born in the Deep South...New Orleans to be exact. My mother was a country girl, and my grandmother lived along the bayou in Mississippi. All the women in my family were excellent cooks, and I had the good fortune of being taught the art of Cajun and creole cooking. To this day, people come to my house hoping to get a taste of some authentic Cajun or Creole food, and lucky for them, I can deliver. On this lens, I am going to share with you some of the secret recipes that were handed down to me from my grandmother and mother. This will be a lens in progress, as I will be adding to it as I get the time and locate some more great family recipes. In the meantime, get ready for some good eatin' ya'll! food Wed, 14 May 2008 18:37:04 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/day-of-the-dead-altars Día de los Muertos is a holiday rooted in the ancient past of Mesoamerica. My ancestors were in awe of the eternal cycle of life and death and believed in the need for sacrifice to assure the continuation of life. The Aztecs of past honored those who have passed on with great feasts, sacrifice, ritual, dance, and sacred art that depicted their beliefs and customs. After the trauma of the Spanish conquest, their beliefs persisted by adapting them to the holidays of the Christian calendar. Although much of the ancient indigenous religions were lost, the core aspect of the days of the dead was kept. This core consists of the altar with offerings to the dead. This lens will take a look at the various components of Day of the Dead altars, altar art, and how to construct your very own ancestor altar.    Day of the Dead Day of the Dead Bookstore education Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:18:56 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/zombie-archetype Read about the origin of zombies, types of zombies, how to survive a zombie attack, zombi symbolism, Hollywood zombies, great zombie books, zombie movies, zombie games, zombie powers, how to become a zombie, the pharmacology of zombiism, cool zombie tee shirts and things at the Ju Ju Shoppe, edible zombies, how to fight a zombie hoarde, zombi lexicon, and much more! entertainment Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:09:39 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/criss-angel This lens is designed to keep you abreast of the latest Criss Angel episodes as well as to provide information on some of his most fascinating magic, such as levitation and helstromism. I have also provided some links to where you can learn some of this magic for yourself!   people Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:28:30 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/ghoststoriesfromaroundtheworld It has been said that a rich history of death is what makes the city of my birth one of the most haunted places in the world. New Orleans is famous for its ghostly haunts, vampire sightings, extraordinary cemeteries, horror stories of murder and torture, and tales of lost souls wandering the city desperately trying to enter the world of the living. Some of the ghosts who reside there are almost as famous as the city itself. Sightings of Marie Laveau's Ghost One alleged Laveau ghost sighting stands out. Tallant (1946, 130-131) relates the story of an African-American named Elmore Lee Banks, who had an experience near St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. As Banks recalled, one day in the mid-1930s "an old woman" came into the drugstore where he was a customer. For some reason she frightened the proprietor, who "ran like a fool into the back of the store." Laughing, the woman asked, "Don't you know me?" She became angry when Banks replied, "No, ma'am," and slapped him. Banks continued: "Then she jump[ed] up in the air and went whizzing out the door and over the top of the telephone wires. She passed right over the graveyard wall and disappeared. Then I passed out cold." He awakened to whiskey being poured down his throat by the proprietor who told him, "That was Marie Laveau." Source: http://www.hauntedneworleanstours.com/marielaveau/houseofvoodoo/  _______________________________________________________________________ Here are a few ghost stories from other cultures around the world. I hope you enjoy them! Read the haunted story of two Voodoo dolls at The Mystic Voodoo! Haunted Spellbook entertainment Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:32:37 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/baron-lacroix Baron La Croix (pronounced Lakwa) is one of the Voodoo spirits of death referred to as the Guédé Barons. His name means Baron of the Cross. Along with being a Loa of the dead, he is a loa of sexuality, along with Baron Samedi and Baron Cimetière. He is the ultimate suave and sophisticated spirit of Death - quite cultured and debonair. He has an existential philosophy about death, finding death's reason for being both humorous and absurd. Baron La Croix is the extreme expression of individuality, and offers to you the reminder of delighting in life's pleasures. Live happy and live well, for even the most rich and talented, or the most poor and resourceful people are not spared the ultimate universal experience - Death. arts Fri, 03 Aug 2007 10:02:24 -0600 http://best.howtomakeavoodoodoll.ever.com/ These are the best instructions to be found on the web, evidenced by the number of people attempting to copy them :). Yes, it's true, the number of rewrites is astounding whereas previous to my original posting on other Squidoo lenses and my websites Planet Voodoo and the Mystic Voodoo, there were none on the web. I don't mind that others are attempting to get a slice of the Voodoo pie, but I am concerned that you get accurate information. For example, one tutorial obviously fashioned after my How To Make a Voodoo Doll instructions at the Mystic Voodoo said to use green moss. This is incorrect if you are interested in making an authentic, New Orleans style Voodoo doll. Green moss is not a good substitute for Spanish moss. Spanish moss is the main ingredient for most New Orleans Voodoo dolls. If you have worked with both types of mosses for any type of craft project in the past, then you know how different they are. What we need is the length, pliability, and ability to wrap a couple of sticks that is only possible with Spanish moss.  But let me back up and start at the beginning. Just how do you make a Voodoo doll? Well, there are a number of types of Voodoo dolls, and in fact you are limited only by your imagination. Here I will give you clear instructions for how to make a New Orleans style Voodoo doll, as well as a Voodoo poppet.  Voodoo Dolls: Powerful Voodoo Dolls to help you with love, luck, money, and more. Absolutely guaranteed! arts Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:59:32 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/italiangreyhound My little greyhound Luigi Zephyrini, or Zephyr for short, has been making his way slowly but surely around the internet. He is a great source of inspiration for many things, including this lens about Italian greyhounds. One of his main goals is to set the record straight about his origin. Although called an Italian greyhound, the breed did not originate in Italy. Images of greyhounds abound in Egyptian art, and the remains of miniature greyhounds have been found in Egyptian tombs all along the Mediterranean basin. This indicates that their origin actually lies somewhere around countries known today as Greece and Turkey. The association with Italy is more than likely the result of the frequent portrayal of miniature greyhounds in paintings done by famous Italian artists. Indeed, Zephyr claims his true origin to lie with the Gods. Check out Zephyr's Greyhound Awareness blog.  animals Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:00:27 -0600 http://best.handwritinganalysis.ever.com/ Handwriting analysis is a powerful tool for learning about yourself, what makes you tick, your personality characteristics, and what potential obstacles stand in your way. In addition, it has been used as a compatibility tool for relationships, and as a forensic tool for developing criminal profiles and cracking forgery cases. Graphology is another name for handwriting analysis. It is the study and analysis of handwriting especially in relation to human psychology. The term is sometimes incorrectly used to refer to forensic document examination. In the medical field, it is used to refer to the study of handwriting as an aid in diagnosis and tracking of diseases of the brain and nervous system.   In this lens, I will discuss the basics of handwriting analysis and provide some resources for learning how to analyze anyone's handwriting yourself using a few simple tools. entertainment Sat, 08 Dec 2007 20:01:09 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/voodoovalentinedolls Are you tired of giving the same ole same ole for Valentine's Day? Well, here's a fresh twist to an old tradition; give your loved one the gift of a Voodoo Valentine doll, inspired by the Voodoo, and Santeria goddesses of love, passion and sex. Expertly handcrafted and surprisingly beautiful, the Voodoo Valentine dolls are created in the traditional New Orleans fashion out of Spanish moss and sticks, and adorned with a variety of vintage lace and beautiful fabrics that scream LOVE at first site. Each face is carefully sculpted out of polymer clay with painted details. And, they come signed by the artist for authenticity. They even come with a free supercharged Voodoo love spell!!! Voodoo Valentine Dolls are available in the following styles: Mam'zelle Divine Love, Oshun, Erzulie Freda Dahomey, Erzulie Dantor, and Fertility Broom Doll. Available exclusively at The Mystic Voodoo. arts Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:06:57 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/bottletrees It used to be that you could see bottle trees scattered all over the Southern landscape. Usually in the country or along the bayous of Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennesee, and Alabama, bottle trees are a colorful folk tradition with the purpose of warding off evil spirits, while at the same time recycling colorful bottles. My mother and grandmother made bottle trees and proudly displayed them in their yards. Not surprisingly, I have taken up the practice, too. I find it to be a wonderful way of displying all of the those cool vintage bottles I have collected over the years that tend to gather dust in boxes or on the windowsills. On a bottle tree, they now work for me by keeping evil spirits out of the house. The spirits become mesmerized with their dancing colors in the sun, and are drawn into the bottles only to be trapped for all eternity. At least, that's the way the story goes. Are you ready to go green and contribute to a dying Southern tradition by making your own bottle tree? Then read on, because I am going to tell you how to make several variations of the Southern spirit bottle tree. education Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:27:39 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/howtomakevoodoodoll  Making Voodoo dolls has been a part of life for many cultures worldwide. Contemporary modern America is no exception. This lens discusses the history of Voodoo dolls, ancient Greek poppets, how to make a variety of Voodoo poppets, African fetiches, and Mandrake poppets. Read on to learn about this fascinating magickal art form. Hoodoo Voodoo Magick by voodoomama Design Customized Tee Shirts At zazzle.com See more Bizarre T-Shirts arts Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:49:50 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/voodoopowerofexu Voodoo Power by voodoomama Make Customized T Shirts At www.zazzle.com This lens is a survey of the powerful Voodoo deity called Exu, the Divine Trickster and Master Magician. education Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:13:04 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/seance A séance is an attempt to communicate with spirits. The word séance comes from the French word for 'meeting.' In English, the word came to be used specifically for a meeting of people to receive spiritualistic messages. Séances are usually conducted by small groups of people, with participants seated around a table in a dark room. If a medium is present, he or she may go into a trance that theoretically allows the spirits to communicate through his or her body, a process known as channeling.  Séances to communicate with the dead have their origins in Spiritualism, which flourished from the 1840s until the 1920s and still exists in various forms today. Skeptics are hard-pressed to believe in the legitimacy of séances and other types of spirit communication, and consider such practices to be hoaxes and scams.  This lens will discuss two methods of conducting séances, as well as the practice of channeling and the use of ouija boards as means of communicating with the dead. education Sat, 17 May 2008 13:18:19 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/blackcatfolklore Historically, black cats were symbolically associated with witchcraft and evil. In Hebrew and Babylonian folklore, cats are compared to serpents, coiled on a hearth. Black cats, because of their ability to remain unseen in dark places or at night, were considered especially desirable partners for witches in European traditions, and are perhaps the most commonly known familiar. In the African American hoodoo tradition, black cats are considered to be good luck in matters of sports and gambling, particularly with card games and playing the lottery. Ask anyone about the meaning of a black cat and most will reply "bad luck". This negative view of our feline relatives have fostered the practice of black cats used in ritual sacrifice, the use of black cat imagery in tales of horror, and adoption of the black cat as the consummate superstitious icon. If you have ever owned a black cat, you know how sweet and loving they can be. Fortunately, the use of black cats in sacrifice has ceased and has been reduced to urban legend. This lens presents an overview of the black cat, including a historical account of their use in magic spells and their continued role in superstitions. This lens was created in loving memory of my first black cat, Moses. Black Cat Mojo by voodoomama Large format printing By zazzle See more Magic Posters education Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:46:14 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/medicinewheel A Mandala is a concentric diagram having spiritual and ritual significance of Buddhism. In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be used as focusing and spiritual teaching tools as an aid in meditation and trance induction. Similarly, Medicine wheels were traditionally sacred hoops made of stone by indigenous people for various astronomical, ritual, healing, and teaching purposes. Today, syncretic, hybridized uses of medicine wheels, magic circles, and mandala sacred technology are employed in New Age, Wiccan, Pagan and other spiritual discourse throughout the World. This lens surveys various types of mandalas and medicine wheels, including their origins and uses. education Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:34:42 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/norsemagic   Mention the word "norse" and it is sure to conjure up images of vikings, dragon ships, and trolls. This lens serves as an introduction to Norse Magic, including, the Praiseworthy Virtues of the North, modern traditions with northern roots, metrical charms, ancient magical traditions, and more!   education Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:58:50 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/manmanbrigit In Vodou, Ma'man Brigit (Grann Brigitte, Manman, Manman Brigit, Manman Brijit) is the mother of cemetaries, the loa of money and death, and the wife of Baron Samedi. She may be related to the "triple" Celtic goddess of poetry, smithcraft, and healing, Brigid/St. Brigit, as her name is Irish in origin, She is usually depicted as a white woman. The first woman's grave in a cemetery in Haiti is dedicated to her. Her colors are black, purple and white, her number is nine, and her particular days of service include Monday and Saturday. Her sacrificial animal is a black chicken. She drinks rum laced with hot peppers - "gaz lakrimojen Ayisyen" (Haitian tear gas), and like her husband and the rest of the Guede Spirits, she is a "potty mouth" and uses profanity. Ma'man Brigit will protect gravestones if they are marked properly with a cross. Ma'man Brigit is known to rub her private parts with hot peppers, and those who appear to be faking possession by her in a Vodou ceremony may be subjected to this test, which they obviously would not pass if their possession is not genuine. She is a very sexual dancer, and her skill in the banda dance is legendary. Ma'man Brigit is invoked to cure those who are near death as a result of magick. She is also invoked to exact revenge in cases where real justice is sought. To purchase a Ma'man Brigit Voodoo doll complete with instructions for use, visit The Mystic Voodoo. Manman Brigit, Voodoo Loa of Cemetaries by voodoomama Design Customized Tshirts At zazzle.com Technorati Profile arts Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:40:54 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/altarsandshrines This lens focuses on altars, shrines, grottos, creating sacred, space and clearing clutter. As a creator of One of a Kind (OOAK) altar dolls, I have several altars at home and I am constantly taking photographs of the sacred places I visit in my travels. Many people ask me, how do I create an altar? Hopefully this lens provides enough information, pictures, and ideas to get you started creating your own sacred space. arts Wed, 05 Sep 2007 06:26:39 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/dreamcatcher Dreamcatchers are believed to have originated in the Ojibwa Nation. A dreamcatcher is a handmade object based on a willow hoop, on which is woven a loose net or web. It is then decorated with personal and sacred items such as feathers and beads. Dreamcatchers have come to be seen by some as a symbol of unity among various Indian Nations, as well as a general symbol of identification with Native American or First Nations cultures. Read on to learn about the legend of the dreamcatcher, as well as its principle player, Iktomi the Spider. arts Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:13:26 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/howtovoodoowithvoodoodolls                                                How to Voodoo with Voodoo Dolls Ebook Everything you ever wanted to know about Voodoo dolls but were afraid to ask!   Because I have an email box with upwards 5173 emails daily, full of questions from people like you who want to know everything under the sun about Voodoo dolls, I have written this ebook. I am a single mom, working on my dissertation, and working three jobs. I simply don’t have the time like I used to answer every question personally. So, this is my solution. If you email me a question, there is a good likelihood you will be sent to the page on my website to purchase this ebook. And, I promise it will be well worth the purchase. Not only does it contain much of the information on both of my websites, pulled together in one nice location where you can access it easily, there is a section for how to make a voodoo doll, how to make a Voodoo doll poppet, how to use your Voodoo doll, Voodoo doll magick, Voodoo doll spells, including love spells, money spells, and hexes! And, a complete list of recommended books about Voodoo for those who are interested in learning more about Voodoo. Want to know the history of Voodoo? It’s in the ebook. Want to know how to tell the difference between a haunted and a cursed Voodoo doll? It’s in the ebook. Want to know what to do with a cursed Voodoo doll? It’s in the ebook. Want to know what the seven pins are used for? Oh yeah, did I mention it’s in the book? Voodoo FAQS, how to consecrate your Voodoo doll, how to use the psalms in Voodoo doll magick, prayers to use in your rituals…and well take a look at the table of contents and see for yourself:   Table of Contents   Introduction A Brief History of Voodoo How to Make a Voodoo Doll Voodoo Poppets How to Make a Voodoo Poppet Voodoo Doll Patterns How to Use a Voodoo Doll    When is Hexing Appropriate?    What do the Seven Pins Mean?    Where to Stick it    Karmically Incorrect Use of the Seven Pins    How to Consecrate a Voodoo Doll    Use as a Focusing Tool    Use as a Therapeutic Tool Voodoo Doll Spells    Oshun Love Spell    Oshun Love and Prosperity Spell    Commanding Spell    Pierced Heart Spell    Twenty-seven Day Ritual    Mo’ Money Spell    Wealth and Prosperity Spell    Banish and Defeat Your Enemies    Simple Ritual for Chango    Banish and Hex Spell    Basic Hex Spell Using the Psalms with Voodoo Doll Magick    Psalm for Successful Business    Psalm to Stop Persecution    Psalm to Stop all Libel    Psalm to Make Yourself Beloved of your Fellow Human Beings    Psalm to Make Your Home Lucky Prayers to Use when Petitioning the Spirits    Our Father    Hail Mary    Apostle’s Creed Prayer to the Seven African Powers Voodoo Doll FAQS Recommended Reading _______________________________________________________________________  This is absolutely the most comprehensive book written on the topic of Voodoo dolls to date. At 53 pages of information that I have painstakingly researched for months, you will find yourself referring to it over and over again. Stay tuned for  several more ebooks coming that pertain to Voodoo dolls...brought to you exclusively by the Mystic Voodoo and Planet Voodoo!   Please note that this ebook is not for resale. No part of this book may be reproduced in any way shape or form for commercial distribution. It is for personal use only. This will the strictly enforced! I own the copyright for it's contents, both text as well as art and graphics. In order to protect this document from the unscrupulous, you will receive it via email attachment. No phishing for URLs will be possible. Buy Now! $24.95   education Sun, 12 Aug 2007 21:59:37 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crossroads-legend "If you want to learn how to make songs yourself, you take your guitar and your go to where the road crosses that way, where a crossroads is. Get there be sure to get there just a little ' fore 12 that night so you know you'll be there. You have your guitar and be playing a piece there by yourself ... A big black man will walk up there and take your guitar and he'll tune it. And then he'll play a piece and hand it back to you. That's the way I learned to play anything I want." Tommy Johnson Listen to Big Road Blues by Tommy Johnson people Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:40:16 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/voodooart Yemaya, Mother of the Seven Seas by voodoomama High Quality Poster printing From www.zazzle.com Browse more People Health Cultures Posters My interest in Voodoo art came honestly. As a New Orleans native and the daughter of two of the best artists in the world, I was exposed to a wide variety of art forms from the time I was old enough to be aware. My father was a formally trained medical illustrator (Donald Alvarado, he illustrated the Gray's Anatomy among other things) and my mother was largely a self taught painter of folk art, nature, and mystical imagery. Growing up in the Deep South provided me with ample opportunity to experience mysticism in its many forms, including Voodoo, from an early age. I remember my first seance on the bayou was led by my aunt who was teaching me the ways when I was about 6 or 7 years old. At that time, I had my magick box that I kept hidden under my chest of drawers that contained, among other things,  Gypsy Witch Fortune Telling Cards and a Voodoo doll. I kept that Voodoo doll for years. I experimented with manipulating energy and drawing and painting images hidden deep in my psyche all throughout my youth. Childhood was not such a happy time for me, and well, I will just leave it at that. Let's just say that art and music were my saving graces from the trauma that befell me. What I created then was Voodoo art, but I didn't know it at the time. In fact, I did not realize that I was a Voodoo artist until well into my adulthood. Like much Voodoo art, my art was art born out of trauma. My interest in mysticism never waned. My personal journey led me through a number of spiritual rites of passage reflecting my indigenous and multicultural roots. I eventually became a traditional healer. I got my bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology and my Masters in Clinical psychology. I took every opportunity to study spirituality, religions, and mysticism.  I fell in love with Jung. Now, I am about 6 months away from getting my PhD in psychology research and evaluation. In spite of my extensive academic background and quest for sound science, I still believe in the healing arts, magick, and Voodoo. I know that without my art, I would not be where I am today.   Welcome to My World Read on for an introduction to some noteworthy Haitian Voudou and Louisiana Voodoo artists.  arts Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:27:47 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/bestvoodoobooks As with many of my lenses, this lens is in response to the numerous emails I receive about where to start with learning about Voodoo and how to do Voodoo spells. I hope that by placing a number of these titles here, I can refer my loyal followers and curious newbies to this lens where the books can be easily identified and purchased, saving you the hassle of looking them up yourself.Enjoy!  _______________________________________________________________________ GREAT VOODOO EBOOKS How to Voodoo with Voodoo Dolls Necronomicon Spellbook Guide to Invoking the Divine Power of Exu  CHECK OUT MY NEW WEBSITE, PLANET VOODOO for everything you ever wanted to know about Voodoo dolls but were afraid to ask! education Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:15:21 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/voodoodollkit Okay folks, I have put together a kit that reveals my secret New Orleans style Voodoo Hoodoo conjure art general purpose Voodoo doll recipe, complete with everything you need to make your own Voodoo doll and do your magick with it! Three Authentic New orleans Voodoo Hoodoo spells will accompany each kit along with seven pins and an explanation for their meanings as well! You will even learn to make a mojo bag for your Voodoo doll! education Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:05:25 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/catchapredator Well, why not? After all the hell that sexual predators put their victims and families through, maybe we should cut off their balls and put them in a cauldron. Okay, so a fantasy perhaps. Perhaps... Let's look at some information, both on the realm of the visible and invisible that can be of some help in curbing this taboo that has somehow become a sort of cultural norm. Defense tactic #1: Arm yourself with information. Download this free ebook called Safety Secrets: How to Keep Your Children Safe from Sexual Predators. Please note that 100% of the profit from this lens goes to the Polly Klaas Foundation.  kids Wed, 19 Sep 2007 10:01:36 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/makeavoodoodoll Okay, so I have covered how to make a Voodoo doll out of two sticks and Spanish moss in my other lens How to Make a Voodoo Doll. But what about Voodoo Poppets? The making of Voodoo dolls, poppets, fetishes, and ritual effigies has taken place since antiquity. Though the practice is ancient, their present use remains similar. In order to understand how to use your Voodoo doll or poppet, it is useful to understand them in their historic context. Much can be learned from studying the ancient cultures and mystics who held the esoteric knowledge that forms the very foundation of modern day magick, Voodoo, and witchcraft. To learn more about the history of Voodoo dolls,  click here. Poppets can be used for healing purposes, promoting health, finding love, creating happiness and good luck, for protection, for binding, cursing, and to manipulate energy in numerous other ways. Poppets comes in several forms, including wax, cloth, paper, wood, root, and clay. _______________________________________________________________________ For more information about Voodoo dolls, how to make Voodoo dolls, Voodoo spells, and general Voodoo information, check out these lenses: How to make a Voodoo Doll http://www.squidoo.com/howtomakeavoodoodoll Voodoo Spells http://www.squidoo.com/howtouseavoodoodoll Papa Legba, God of Opportunity http://www.squidoo.com/papalegba Hoodoo Voodoo Magick and Ju Ju http://www.squidoo.com/mysticvoodoo How to Use a Voodoo Doll http://www.squidoo.com/freevoodoodollspells Voodoo Art http://www.squidoo.com/voodooart Make a Voodoo Doll http://www.squidoo.com/instructionsmakevoodoodoll Spell Casting http://www.squidoo.com/spellcasting Dia De Los Muertos http://www.squidoo.com/dayofdead Ma’man Brigit, Voodoo Loa of Cemetaries and Money http://www.squidoo.com/manmanbrigit Djab Djab, Wild Spirit of the Voodoo http://www.squidoo.com/voodoopower Voodoo Valentine Dolls http://www.squidoo.com/voodoovalentinedolls Making Voodoo Dolls http://www.squidoo.com/howtomakevoodoodoll Erzulie Dantor, Fierce Defender of Women http://www.squidoo.com/erzuliedantor The Best Voodoo Books Ever! http://www.squidoo.com/bestvoodoobooks ______________________________________________________________________ Visit The Mystic Voodoo for more New Orleans Voodoo Hoodoo Conjure Art! Visit Planet Voodoo for everything you ever wanted to know about Voodoo dolls but were afraid to ask!  entertainment Thu, 09 Aug 2007 08:38:57 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/freeviraldotcom Viral marketing and viral advertising refer to marketing techniques that use social networks to create insane amounts of traffic, while at the same time getting the word out about your product or brand. The idea is that humans behave as viruses do...they spread, and spread fast. Viral marketing can be accomplished through word of mouth or through the internet. Viral promotions may take the form of video clips, interactive Flash games, ebooks, brandable software, images, or even text messages. It is said that a customer tells an average of three people about a product or service he/she likes, and eleven people about a product or service which he/she dislikes. Viral marketing is based on this natural human behavior - we just can't keep our mouths shut! As Squidoo is a social site, it makes sense that internet marketers have turned to creating lenses to promote their viral products. And, there are thousands of viral products out there right now, some pretty good, and others not worth the crap they are made of. I have listed a few viral products below to help you get started with generating huge amounts of traffic using viral internet marketing strategies. For example, if you want to generate massive traffic to your Squidoo lenses, try the Five Dollar Traffic Trick. Then, check out some of the strategies below watch your website traffic fly through the roof! seo Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:30:00 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/voodoorecipes In Ancient Greece, offerings made to the Gods and Goddesses were referred to as libations. It was believed that the deities would be insulted if not given the appropriate libations. In many Greek tragedies, including Euripides' The Bacchae, people came to terrible ends by failing to acknowledge certain deities and by excluding them from libations. To pour a libation, wine was thrown on the floor before parties to thank the Gods and Goddesses. In Voodoo, libations and prayers are very important and are used all the time as offerings to the Spirits. Libations serve as a sort of payment for the favors asked of the spirits. Offerings are made whether it is food, bath, or libations that are being prepared. The term “Voodoo” has also become associated with a number of recipes that are not related to the spiritual practice of Voodoo. Because of their decidedly unique ingredients and fun nature, they are nonetheless called “voodoo”. This lens serves as an introduction to Voodoo recipes as they appear in the spiritual practice of Voodoo, as well as in popular culture. Read on for an exceptionally tasty and exotic Voodoo recipes adventure! food Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:28:57 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/dragonlore Few mythical creatures have captured the imaginations of the masses as the mighty dragon. I have always had a fascination with these creatures, and with dragon worship and stories of old.This lens consists of a variety of information about dragon lore, and the role of the dragon in magic, Voodoo, and alchemy. Pictured is my pet dragon, Zerk. Okay, he is a Savannah monitor and when he grows up he will be 5 to 6 feet long! Now that is a modern day dragon in my book!   For more information about dragons, check out Dragons and Dragon Lore at the Mystic Voodoo.  ADOPT A VOODOO DOLL CONTEST!  education Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:23:05 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/dayofdead Día de los Muertos is a holiday rooted in the ancient past of Mesoamerica. My ancestors were in awe of the eternal cycle of life and death and believed in the need for sacrifice to assure the continuation of life. The Aztecs of past honored those who have passed on with great feasts, sacrifice, ritual, dance, and sacred art that depicted their beliefs and customs. After the trauma of the Spanish conquest, their beliefs persisted by adapting them to the holidays of the Christian calendar. Although much of the ancient indigenous religions were lost, the core aspect of the days of the dead was kept. This core consists of the altar with offerings to the dead.Many of the symbols found on the altars of today are the result of the melding of Spanish and indigenous art and religion. The indigenous cross of the four cardinal points became the Christian cross, and the Tree of Life became the Garden of Eden. The Spanish brought elements of the Feast of Fools associated with carnival (farewell to flesh) where everything is open to ridicule, mockery, and lightheartedness. Everything is equal in death; no one escapes its inevitability. This is where the humor and whimsy associated with today’s los Días de los Muertos in all likelihood stems from. During the latter part of the colonial period, the people began making brightly colored sugar –candy skulls and exchanging them between family and friends as tokens of affection. These became common items alongside the image of Guadalupe, flowers, water, bread, and copal. Skeleton dolls made of clay and paper maché were made depicting people in everyday activities. These dolls soon became a part of tradition. As a Voodoo artist, I come by this tradition honestly through my earliest traceable ancestors, King Xicotencotl of Tlaxcala and Pedro de Alvarado, a Spanish conquistador. Pictured is one of my Day of the Dead Voodoo dolls, the likes of which can be seen at The Mystic Voodoo: http://www.mysticvoodoo.com. arts Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:53:21 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/adoptavoodoodollcontest Just for fun, I thought I would start a new contest called "Adopt a Voodoo doll."  These Voodoo dolls will come to you as one of a kind conjure art, handcrafted, consecrated, and signed for authenticity. How cool is that? The contest for winning Oyá  is now closed. I will be posting a new Voodoo doll shortly, so check back soon! Would you like a chance to adopt an authentic Voodoo doll? Well, here is what you have to do: Simply sign the guest book below and give me your best reason for why you deserve to adopt one of my Voodoo dolls. Make sure you leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win. If you would rather email me directly as opposed to leaving your email address for all to see, then email me at voodoomama@mysticvoodoo.com, and let me know you have signed the guestbook. What makes you the ideal foster parent? How do you intend to support your new family member? How will you take care of her/him? What are your intentions for him/her? Be thoughtful, witty, creative. I will judge responses based on well, whatever I want. :) That's it. That's all you have to do. Now, when the contest is open again, go and sign the guest book and give me your best reason!   Join the Voodoo Muse for more chances at winning free Voodoo dolls! entertainment Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:58:32 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/voodooveves A Veve is a religious symbol for a vodou "loa" (or lwa) and serves as their representation during rituals. In Haiti, the veve derives from the beliefs of the native Tainos. Most similar to the veve are the drawings of zemi or gods of the Taino religion. Every Loa has his or her own unique veve, although regional differences have led to different veves for the same loa in a few cases. Sacrifices and offerings are usually placed upon them. The veve is usually drawn on the floor by strewing a powder-like substance, such as cornmeal, wheat flour, bark, red brick powder, or gunpowder. The material depends entirely upon the rite. arts Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:05:26 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/makemoneywiththesecret Nowadays, many people feel like they are stuck in a rut they just can't get out of. Even those who typically have a good attitude about life have found themselves victims of high gas prices, ridiculous interest rates on their credit card bills, and a mortgage they are unable to pay. But there is a way out. You see, the Secret is based on the Law of Attraction; that is, you attract what you put out on a cognitive level (thoughts), behavioral level (actions), and spiritual level (values and intentions). In essence, every choice you make regarding how you live your life is an order placed to the Universe; a Universe that is more than ready to deliver. Whatever it is that you want - from parking places and happiness to BIG MONEY- your thoughts and behaviors literally manifest in your life! Listen, I know the Secret works, because I work it. Here is an example. My son and I play with the principles of the laws of attraction all the time. We make a game of finding "rock star" parking places when we go shopping. It works every time. You see, it works like this: we are driving into a parking spot and we state to the Universe, I will have a parking place right in front because I am a rock star! And it works without fail, EVERY TIME! May the Gods strike me dead if I am lying about this! (Trust me; I don't want to die right now). Go ahead, try it! Now you might be saying "That's great and all Voodoomama, but where is the money?" That is a legitimate question, that I answer in detail at my blog Secrets of the LOA. But when taking a leap of faith, which in this case is the belief that the Universe will deliver its promise to co-create your ideal life, you have to take baby steps. Using the secret is retraining your way of thinking and your way of being and for some, this means making a complete 180. I like to think of the secret as a skill that requires honing, and with enough practice, we can become experts at living the life we want. I am about to share with you how this is true, and how you too, can use the Secret to build wealth and abundance in your life! business Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:35:29 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/paintball-games Information for the newbie paintballer and resources for the seasoned. sports Sun, 17 Aug 2008 01:54:38 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/voodoopower The djab are a family of spirits who perform magickal functions for their posessor. They are a personal spirit. Although the word “djab” is derived from the French word “diable” (devil),  djabs are personal spirits that belong to a specific person and not akin to the devil in the Christian sense of the word. Often the relationship between the djab and the person is in the form of a magickal contract. A djab is most frequently invoked to get rid of enemies, take action against an enemy or business competitor, increase one's wealth, or to create other material successes. In addition, djabs are used for healing purposes. While djabs are happy to provide their services, they do require payment from their possessor on a regular basis. If they are not tended to appropriately, djabs are fast to punish and have been known to punish severely, including punishments of death.   There are many types of djabs, all of which are different and unique beings. Characteristically mischievous, djabs can be summoned for malevolent reasons and are typically done so by a Bokor. Djabs can cause death by absorbing the life force of an intended victim. http://www.mysticvoodoo.com/  CHECK OUT MY NEW WEBSITE, PLANET VOODOO for everything you ever wanted to know about Voodoo dolls but were afraid to ask! New! Enhanced Ebook edition of the Necronomicon Spellbook! 50 spells based on ancient Sumerian magick! education Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:22:16 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/sevenafricanpowers The 7 African Powers are seven of the most well-known and celebrated deities (orishas) of the Yoruban pantheon. The orishas are common to all faiths of Yoruban origin, although they are not always considered to be the same deities. In Santeria, Voodoo's sister religion, they are referred to as Las Sietes Potencias. In Macumba traditions (Candomble, Umbanda), they are called Orixa. In Vodoun, they are called Lwas (Loas), and in Palo, they are referred to as Nkisi. In New Orleans Voodoo, the deities are known as the Court of the Seven Sisters. In all of these traditions, the Orishas have many aspects (Caminos), which are often quite diverse. education Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:13:40 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/juryduty Jury duty...we are told it is our civic duty. It is part of the fabric of the American judicial system. We should be proud to serve our communities. What a crock! Tell me, what am I supposed to do with my son when I am "serving my community?" As a single mother and full-time student working on my PhD, I am living the life of a pauper. With gas over $3.17 a gallon and no childcare, how am I serving my community if I resent the fact that I am forced to do so? Service should be voluntary. If it is not, we should at least be compensated fair wages for the inconvenience.  The 13th Amendment indicates that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude" shall be permitted in the United States. Jury duty is involuntary servitude. It is a service, that is correct.  It is also true that people do not volunteer for it. Therefore, it is involuntary servitude, and should be considered unconstitutional. But it won't be. Why? Because our judicial system is not concerned with it's citizens. It is concerned with the convenience of its lawyers and judges, not the struggling citizen for whom it makes a huge difference if forced to lose a day's pay at work. Nor is it concerned with the single mom who has no childcare and is forced to leave her child home alone and face child abandonment charges.  If you are called for jury duty, here is a list of some of the better excuses I came across researching the topic: 1. Tell them if either counsel makes a motion to limit or restrict certain evidence from being presented during the trial, you'll have a hard time maintaining your objectivity. Such a move will be interpreted by you as an attempt to hide the truth, and you'll be inclined to decide against the party making the motion. Since the lawyers for both sides are not really interested in determining the truth at all (not that anyone's surprised by this), but instead are trying to manipulate the jury's perception of what the truth is, such a statement is sure to drive them batty. 2. Tell them that if the law which was allegedly violated doesn't seem just to you, your conscience won't allow a guilty verdict even if the evidence proves it. Of course, this one only works in certain situations, but the judge and the prosecutor will more than likely team up to bodily heave you out the door. 3. Tell them you believe the mere fact the case has been brought to trial indicates there is sufficient evidence against the defendant to prove him or her guilty. Watch the counsel for the defense turn red and emit steam from his ears. 4. Tell them you believe the prosecution will stop at nothing to get a conviction, even if they knowingly condemn an innocent person. Cite all the death-row inmates who were later proven innocent by DNA evidence. 5. Once when I was actually before the Judge being asked why I should be excused from serving on this jury and it was going to be a trial from someone accused of possession of methamphetamine  and I said that I am a recovering addict and my drug of choice was methamphetamine. I also said that I believe drug addiction is a disease not a crime and the Judge thanked me for my honesty and excused me! 6. All you need to do is mention "jury nullification".  This is the legal concept that a jury can find a defendant NOT GUILTY if they believe that the law they are being accused of is unjust.  Judges and prosecutors HATE the concept because it give juries actual power.  See http://www.fija.org/  for more information.  7. I wasn't even trying at this point to get out of jury duty, but it worked like a charm!  When they wanted to have me sworn in on the bible, I simply stated "I am sorry, but I believe that book to be a work of fiction, and it would meaningless for someone such as me to swear on it.  Would you have something more suitable for me?"  That was enough for the defense attorney to excuse me.  It seems the defendant had found Jesus when he was in jail, and planned to play that card during trial. 8. I can tell by looking at them if they're guilty 9. The 13th Amendment makes it clear that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude" shall be permitted in the United States. Is jury duty a service? Yes. Do people volunteer for it? No. Thus, it is involuntary servitude, and should be considered unconstitutional. It won't be, of course, because our present system of juries serves the lawyers, and we are a nation of lawyers, not men. 10. Tell the truth. In many cases the judge will ask if you can render a fair verdict on the case at hand. Since you are opposed to being there in the first place and resent the defendent for causing this ruckus, you really can't give a fair verdict. 11. Explain to the judge that if either lawyer tries to limit or restrict any evidence from being presented, you will be unable to remain objective since it is obvious they are trying to hide the truth.   Really want out of jury duty? Try a Voodoo doll.    education Sun, 04 May 2008 10:50:41 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/houdini Harry Houdini was born in Hungary on March 24, 1874 and died October 31, 1926. His real name was Ehrich Weiss, which he changed to Ehrich Weisz when he came to the United States. He is considered to be one of the greatest magicians, escapologists, and stunt performers of all times. In addition, he was an amateur aviator, film producer, actor, and an investigator of spiritualists.  people Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:58:25 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/realsantaclaus There are as many versions of Santa Claus as there are cultures that celebrate him. Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, Odin the Wanderer, Jule Nisse, Jouluppukki, to name a few. What may surprise you is that Santa Claus has not always been a jolly ole elf, or even human. In fact, he has been depicted as an evil gnome as well as a goat. Okay, now we are getting freaky...but seriously, I am not making this up. Read on to learn more about this intriguing, yet almost universal, phenomenon that embodies the celebration of the winter solstice, Christmas, and Yuletide season. Gift Certificates/Cards entertainment Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:47:06 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/symbolsofkwanzaa Kwanza is an African American holiday rooted in the first harvest celebrations practiced by numerous indigenous cultures in Africa. The word "kwanzaa" derives from a Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits". Kwanzaa is a spiritual, festive, and joyous holiday and Africans and African-Americans of all religious faiths and backgrounds practice Kwanzaa. When is Kwanzaa? The first Kwanzaa was was celebrated on December 26, 1966. Starting on December 26th, Kwanzaa lasts for seven days and nights, until January 1st. It is an American holiday, and occurs between the Roman Catholic and Protestant celebration of Christmas and the secular celebration of New Year's Day. education Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:47:39 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/nativeamericanwellness   Native Wellness is not just the absence of disease. It is living life in a circle, embracing the teachings of the old ways, where the individual is in balance with oneself, mind, body, spirit, and emotions. It means living in harmony with oneself, others, the Creator, and with all aspects of one's environment. It is having a sound cultural identity. Illness happens when this harmony or balance is broken.    This lens is a work in progress so please check back for updates. ______________________________________________  Become a Research Volunteer   If you are of Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, or other indigenous background and would like to help make a difference in the delivery of health and mental health care for indigenous peoples, please consider volunteering as a research participant for the Native American wellness study. Complete the form at the Native American Wellness website and you will be sent details via email.   health Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:43:56 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/italiangreyhounds Obviously, if you have landed on this page you are an Italian Greyhound lover. At the very least, you want some information about these exquisite creatures. Here you will find links to various resources, pictures, and my favorite books to read about Italian greyhounds. This lens is a work in progress so be sure to check back soon for more information and pictures of my own awesome friend, Zephyr. Speaking of, make sure you visit his lenses: The Mystic Dog in Fashion and Italian Greyhounds. animals Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:28:34 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/kachinas Kachinas (or katsinas) are actually stylized religious icons, meticulously carved from cottonwood root and painted to represent figures from Hopi mythology. Originally used to teach children about their religion, they have become a popular Hopi art form. Over 300 different Kachinas have been identified across Pueblo cultures. Read on to learn more about this ancient Native American art doll form. education Sat, 30 Aug 2008 23:14:37 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/nguzosaba Kwanzaa is a spiritual, festive, and joyous holiday and Africans and African-Americans of all religious faiths and backgrounds practice Kwanzaa. The first Kwanzaa was was celebrated on December 26, 1966. Starting on December 26th, Kwanzaa lasts for seven days and nights, until January 1st. It is an American holiday, and occurs between the Roman Catholic and Protestant celebration of Christmas and the secular celebration of New Year's Day.  NGUZO SABA (En-GOO-zoh Sah-BAH)  Symbolizes the seven principles of Kwanzaa which were developed by Maulana Ron Karenga. The Nguzo Saba are social principles dealing with ways for people to relate to each other and rebuild their lives in their own images. For more information, visit the kwanzaa page at The Mystic Voodoo. Also see my other lenses on Kwanzaa and Kwanzaa symbols. education Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:09:47 -0600 http://coolest.freevoodoodoll.ever.com/                                     This lens is the official Squidspot where you can apply to win a free Voodoo doll. Please note that in order to win the Voodoo doll on this lens, you have to be a member of the Voodoo Muse email list. To join, visit Voodoo Muse. If you would rather not join, you can still enter to win a free Voodoo doll on my other lens, Adopt a Voodoo Doll.  This contest is sponsored by the Mystic Voodoo - the only place on the web where you can actually win a free Voodoo doll! _______________________________________________________________________ Now Up for Adoption: Lucky Voodoo Doll Bling Bling Boudreaux!  To enter this contest, scroll down to the guestbook and tell me why you should win! arts Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:38:13 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/krakenmonster Probably one of the most popular perilous subjects of nautical lore, the kraken is both mysterious and fascinating. Read on to find out the origin of the kraken, the legend, some of it's cousins, and of course, its role in the Pirates of the Caribbean. education Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:31:34 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/groups..voodoo Welcome to the Art of Voodoo! I welcome all open-minded creative lensmasters with a passion for creating a better world through the magic of art and culture in its many forms.  Here you will find all things pertaining to magic and Voodoo, including art, religion, mythology, culture, archetype, deities, voodoo dolls, altar dolls, art dolls, and more! arts Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:12:49 -0600 http://best.fairylore.ever.com/   James Matthew Barrie (Peter, in Peter Pan, act 1)-- "When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies. And now when every new baby is born its first laugh becomes a fairy. So there ought to be one fairy for every boy or girl." Fairies are beings of a metaphysical, spiritual, or mythical nature. According to some, fairies are a particular type of ethereal creature, and to others, they are any type of magical creature, such as gnomes, trolls, elements, and goblins. Whatever your definition of a fairy is, the word undoubtedly conjures up images of fantasy and fairy tales, beautiful enchanted places, Tinkerbell, and fairy dust. In spite of the fact that nature has been devastated by man, and that fairies and other elemental spirits were compelled to hide in the jungle or in the woods, many of them live with human beings and are willing to serve them. To communicate with them, we should love everything that surrounds us. They may appear under certain circumstances and on special occasions without us ever knowing it because they have the ability to choose the form they shall appear under. For example, they may appear as a stone, a tree, an animal, a plant or even a human being. Fairies talk, laugh, are cautious, poor, rich, wise and crazy, just like all of us. They are the rough image of humankind, virtuous or vicious, pure or impure, better or worse. Read on to learn more about the various types of magickal creatures of the fae race.  arts Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:47:49 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/fridaythe13th Okay, this lens is not about the slasher movies, so let's get that out of the way. It is about that superstitious, and for many, dreaded day of the year where bad luck is supposed to befall us all. One of my earliest memories about Friday the 13th as a day other than what is commonly portrayed in the media was when we were in Germany at an army base where my father was stationed. I remember it well; it was a sunny day and I was sitting on the grass outside. A soldier whom I did not know walked by me, looked at me and said "Happy Red Day". I remember thinking to myself...what the hell is he talking about, and then I remembered it was Friday the Thirteenth, and it must be something about this day that he is referring to. But why did he say that to me? I still don't know that, but what we did find out was that he was the resident Satanist who was on a mission to infiltrate my life at the ripe young age of, oh yeah, did I mention...13? Sounds like the beginnings of a scary movie, right? Well, nothing crazy happened, we did get to know him a little, and get inside the thinking of a Satanist in the army in Germany at that time. My mother never let me be alone with him and instead engaged in a useful dialogue that prompted me to learn more about the meaning of this Red Day. So, the purpose of this lens is to pass along some of what I have learned about this fascinating number and day that has infiltrated the psyche of the masses. ____________________________________________________ But first, check out this Friday the 13th Special! 13 ebooks and documents about magick, hypnotism, witchcraft, power, mysticism, and more!!! Plus 2 bonus ebooks!!! Here is what you will receive in this package: Inside the minds of Winners The interpretation of Dreams The 7 Basic Chakras The 12 Zodiac Signs Amazing Subliminal Mind Power Secret How and Why Hypnosis Works Magical Structures Hypnotism and Spells Book of the Occult A True History of Witchcraft The Wiccan Book of the Dead Book One of Wicca Ultimate Power Book Plus, these two bonus ebooks: Custom and Myth The Witch Cult in Western Europe All of this for the special low price of $13.00!!! Buy Now!!!   entertainment Fri, 13 Jul 2007 21:38:14 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/clickbank-textad-generator Skyrocket Your Clickbank Affiliate Commissions By Auto-Converting Contextually Relevant Keywords on Your Web Pages to Unobtrusive Profit-Generating Clickbank Affiliate Links! How would you like to auto-convert contextually relevant keywords and key phrases on your web pages to profit-generating affiliate links promoting Clickbank products for you 24x7? Now you can maximize your website's real-estate by converting dead static text to 'living' profitable keywords! Say for example you have a website about Italian greyhounds and on your website you have an article about housebreaking. One of the sentences reads: "...one of the best methods of housebreaking Italian Greyhounds is kenneling." CB Text Ads Generator is a breakthrough software solution that would automatically convert the words "Italian Greyhounds" to a hyperlink, as follows: "...one of the best methods of housebreaking Italian Greyhounds is kenneling." The link is YOUR Clickbank affiliate link with YOUR Clickbank ID! . (Actually, the example link is to another one of my lenses here, but if it were on my website, it would be linked to an affiliate product with my clickbank ID).  And, every page of your websites will have keywords automatically converted to links that when visitors click they see a related product from Clickbank that YOU earn commissions from when they buy! CB Text Ads Generator will boost your profits from every website, completely on autopilot. But there's more! You can also customize many aspects of this hot tool so it works exactly they way you want. And it's so easy to use--simply start it up and select the folders or webpage files you want to monetize and CB Text Ads Generator does the rest!  ClickBank Text Ads Generator seo Sat, 02 Feb 2008 10:27:03 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/truefaithjewelry This lens showcases some of my chakra and devotional jewelry. It is a work in progress, so please check back! shopping Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:40:28 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/mysticdoginfashion Why is it that we pay so much attention to the mysterious and mystical cat in ancient Egypt and elsewhere, and less attention to our beloved canine friends? Well, it's time to pay equal homage to our dogs, if for no other reason than they have been depicted as symbols of divine gods, sacred animals, and domesticated friends since the beginning of time.  In much of the art in antiquity, dogs are depicted in numerous roles and are often dressed in collars and various fashions of the day. Here, Zephyr presents an introduction to his heritage and the role the greyhound played in ancient Egypt. Zephyr's zany fashion picks and favorite fashion mojo follow. Don't forget to check out Zephyr's Greyhound Awareness blog!  shopping Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:25:03 -0600 http://best.yuletide.ever.com/ "A bayberry candle burned to the socket brings food to the larder and gold to the pocket." Yule, also referred to as Yuletide, winter solstice, and Christmas, is a solar festival of pagan origin that marks the time when the days grow longer and the nights grow shorter. Yule begins on the Mother night and ends 12 days later; hence, the origin of the 12 days of Christmas. On this day, the Holly King, who is the ruler of the waning year, is overcome by the Oak King, who will rule the throne from Yule to Litha (midsummer). Yule is a time when family togetherness and love are celebrated, and when accomplishments of the past year are acknowledged and celebrated.   As a solar festival, Yule is celebrated by fire and the use of the Yule log. Seasonal colors associated with Yule are, not surprisingly, red and green. Red represents the menstrual blood of the female, while green represents the fertility of the growing season. Colors and yule logs are not the only things adopted by Christians as tradition, however. Delectable pastries, fancy breads, and wreaths made of holly are all customarily Pagan. Read on to find out more information about the origins and traditions of Yuletide, including the Yule log, Yuletide carols, tribute to Thor, Yule log lore, the Yule goat, the Julenisse, sacred uses of Yuletide greenery, virtual Yule, and more.  To learn more about Yuletide, including how to make Yuletide incense, potpouri and more, please visit Yuletide.  ______________________________________________________________________    Vintage Icelandic Yuletide Notecards - A Yule Card showing a young girl waking up on Christmas morning. Originally printed in Berlin, Germany, with English text. Used in Iceland, Christmas 1914. Available at the Ju Ju Shoppe. arts Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:09:21 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/saint-patrick St. Patrick (San Patricio) is one of the world's most popular saints. Apostle of Ireland, he was born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461 at Saul, where he had built the first church. It is said that St. Patrick was captured at around the age of 14 by a raiding party and taken to Ireland where he lived as a slave. There, he was a sheepherder. This was the time of pagans and druids in Ireland, and St. Patrick learned the language and customs of his captors. He turned to prayer during his enslavement of six years, until he escaped after having a dream where God told him to leave Ireland by going to the coast. He found his way back to his family and eventually became ordained a bishop. St. Patrick returned to Ireland following another dream in which the people of Ireland were begging him to return. He travelled all over Ireland, preaching Christianity and converting nearly the entire country. In Haitian Vodou and New Orleans Voodoo, the Catholic saint St. Patrick is often associated with the snake deity Damballah Wedo. In Dominican Voodun, he is also associated with Damballah. According to Christianity, serpents are an emblem of Satan and sin. They are frequently depicted in Christian art as the first tempters to appear in that form to Adam and Eve. On the other hand, a serpent twined around a cross is an emblem of Our Lord, recalling the brazen serpent which Moses erected to cure the Israelites in the desert. entertainment Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:58:46 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/kwanzaaholiday Introduction   Kwanza is an African American holiday rooted in the first harvest celebrations practiced by numerous indigenous cultures in Africa. The word "kwanzaa" derives from a Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits". The celebration emphasizes the unity of African American families by focusing on  seven principles called the "Nguzo Saba." The seven principles reflect a culturally oriented way of life that can develop a positive sense of African American identity and self-esteem. There are seven days in Kwanzaa, one principle for each day.  Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor in the Department of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, and author and scholar-activist who stresses the indispensable need to preserve, continually revitalize and promote African American culture. Kwanzaa seeks to enhance awareness of the past in order to deal with the present and the future more effectively. The Nguzo Saba embody the principles that helped Africans endure and survive slavery, oppression, and historical trauma, and provides a focal point for positive African American cultural identity. Kwanzaa is a spiritual, festive, and joyous holiday and Africans and African-Americans of all religious faiths and backgrounds practice Kwanzaa.   For more information, visit the Kwanzaa page at The Mystic Voodoo.   education Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:35:17 -0600 http://best.halloween-costumes.ever.com/ Halloween is a modern-day holiday originating in the Pagan Celtic holiday of Samhain (in Christian times, the eve of All Saints Day). Costuming became popular for Halloween parties in America in the early 1900s, as often for adults as for children. The first mass-produced Halloween costumes appeared in stores in the 1930s when trick-or-treating was becoming popular in the United States. What sets Halloween costumes apart from costumes for other celebrations or days of dressing up is that they are often designed to imitate supernatural and scary beings. Costumes are traditionally those of monsters such as vampires, ghosts, skeletons, witches, and devils. There are also costumes of pop culture figures like presidents, or film, television, and cartoon characters. Another popular trend is for women (and in some cases, men) to use Halloween as an excuse to wear particularly revealing costumes, showing off more skin than would be socially acceptable otherwise. On this lens, I will show you where to get the largest selections of Halloween costumes on the web. Sexy costumes, Spiderman, Pirates of the Caribbean Mardi Gras costumes, Hannah Montana, zombies, and more. arts Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:30:59 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/healthybabyfood Are you undecided whether you should prepare your own baby food or just buy it from the store? If so, then take a look at these 5 good reasons for doing it yourself - they may help you make up your mind... kids Wed, 14 May 2008 15:03:57 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/thoughts-become-things Most people have heard about the law of attraction, the secret, and the power of positive thinking. But are these just buzz words for a new age? Or is there something more to it? In short, does it work? This lens speaks to these questions and includes reviews of some of my favorite books on the subject. Check out James Arthur Ray's new book that explains how to put the law of attraction into action so that you can attain the life you want. HARMONIC WEALTH: THE SECRET OF ATTRACTING THE LIFE YOU WANT by James Arthur Ray (Author) The result of more than twenty years of study and practical application by World Thought Leader and featured expert for The Secret, James Ray's Harmonic Wealth is based on extensive study of ancient wisdom traditions, cutting-edge findings in quantum physics and other scientific fields, not to mention years of hands-on, hard-won experience. Let this sought-after teacher show you what he's discovered about the secrets of attracting more than you've ever thought possible. ________________________________________________________________ The Law of Attraction The Law of Attraction states that "whatever we think about, we bring about". This law may initially seem like new age fluff but believe it or not, there are scientific merits to this proposition. The top quantum physicists of our time have discovered that our universe and our reality are very much directed by the "observer". If you can learn how to harness your thoughts and focus your energy, you literally can learn how to get all the money you ever wanted,create your own fantastic health and wellbeing, find your perfect partner - no matter how picky you are, achieve success in EVERYTHING you do, and create true emotional freedom in your life. Listen, I know this all sounds like pie in the sky, especially when you are struggling. It can be so hard to envision your deepest dreams when life is coming down around you. But you have to be able to allow yourself to dream your biggest dream. Often that is what holds us back; we don't give ourselves permission to dream our wildest dreams because we think we aren't good enough, or it isn't realistic, or we are too stressed out. You see, our thoughts and the words we speak as a result of what we think place our order to the Universe. They become our self-fulfilling prophecy. People every day have success because of the power of their thoughts, their determination and focus, and their ability to visualize. For example, Jim Carey told a story about how he attracted a 10 million dollar check to himself. and gave himself five years to receive the check. Apparently, he wrote a 10 million dollar check to himself in 1995 and placed it his wallet where after several years it deteriorated. The check he wrote to himself represented the actual check he ordered from the Universe. He never threw it away; he kept it in his wallet and continued to tell himself he would receive a ten million dollar check. Then, lo and behold, he was offered a part in Dumb and Dumber in 2000, and was to be paid - you guessed it - 10 million dollars! Learning to think differently can be one of the hardest things to do. If you want to learn how to make your thoughts work for you, read on because I am going to share with you some practical ways you can place the law of attraction on automatic pilot in your life. Learn how to place your order to the Universe. _______________________________________________________ Here are some books about the Law of Attraction that were featured on Oprah today: Steering by Starlight: Find Your Right Life, No Matter What! by Martha Beck Book Description In the tradition of her bestseller, Finding Your Own North Star, Oprah Magazine columnist Martha Beck reconnects readers with their best destinies. Described as one of the best-known life coaches in America in media such as Psychology Today, NPR, and USA Today, Martha Beck has demonstrated a rare gift for helping people whose lives have gone off course find their way back to authentic, rewarding lives. Now, in Steering by Starlight: Find Your Right Life, No Matter What!, Martha Beck describes the step-by-step process she uses with her private clients to help them navigate the terrain of their best lives. Bringing together cutting-edge research in psychiatry, neurology, and related fields in an accessible, substantive, original way, Dr. Beck offers powerful new methods for solving the problems that beset ordinary people. Using her trademark wisdom, empathy, and engaging style, she connects readers with fresh, never-before published strategies that have proven most effective and efficient for the hundreds of people she has coached. For readers who have found their North Stars, this book will be an invaluable tool to stay the course and overcome obstacles.For those who still feel adrift, it will provide a way to find true North and follow the path of best destiny. Dr. Beck identifies three stages along the path to recapturing a satisfying life:-'the stargazer' helps readers understand why it's so easy to lose themselves and offers strategies for sighting their North Star-'the mapmaker' uses this newly clarified perspective to evaluate one's situation and plot a course for upcoming years-'the pathfinder' discusses the adventures that may be encountered as one travels along this new life course Whether it's seeking better relationships, more focused career direction, the achievement of specific fitness goals, or a more harmonious lifestyle, Steering by Starlight's colorful anecdotes, case studies, and exercises will point the way. ___________________________________________________________ The Unmistakable Touch of Grace: How to Recognize and Respond to the Spiritual Signposts in Your Life by Cheryl Richardson (Author) Book Description Dear Friend, Twenty years ago, I made a decision to wake up and alter the direction of my life. This set in motion a series of events that proved to me there are no coincidences. Every event we experience and every person we meet has been put in our path for a reason. When we awaken to this fundamental truth, we begin to understand that a benevolent force of energy is available to guide and direct our lives. I call this energy the unmistakable touch of grace. This book tells the story of how grace has transformed my life as well as the lives of others. While some stories may seem unbelievable, all of them are true. As you follow the journey, you'll start to see the influence of grace in your life, too. And, once you've finished, the way you view your life (and the people in it) will be changed forever. ________________________________________________________ arts Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:03:15 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/jimi-hendrix This lens pays homage to one of the best guitar players of all times - Jimi Hendrix. Poster of Jimi Hendrix is available at Art.com. people Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:47:10 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/rebornbaby-dolls Welcome to the surreal world of the reborn baby doll. people Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:25:37 -0600 http://best.voodoodolls.ever.com/   This lens describes various types of Voodoo dolls and their purpose. Check it out! There's a Voodoo doll for everyone!             entertainment Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:49:37 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/howtomakeaouijaboard Similar to the Voodoo doll, the Ouija Board has endured a bad rap with Hollywood and the media. It doesn't help that the rampant fakery of many Spiritualists has perpetuated the negative hype and invalidated it's purported use as a medium with which to communicate with spirits. Any attempts to communicate with the dead or other spirits should not be taken lightly, however, and should not be done by the inexperienced. But if you are one of the brave ones and ready to embark on a mystical adventure, fasten your seat belts. Making a basic ouija board is a relatively simple task. They can be made out of literally any material: scrap wood, cardboard, whatever your flavor...anything goes. Read on, because I am about to tell you how to make your very own ouija board. education Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:05:17 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/bobbymurcer Bobby Ray Murcer (May 20, 1946 - July 12, 2008) was an American right and center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for 17 season between 1965 and 1983. He is best known for his 121%u20442 seasons in the American League (AL) with the New York Yankees, who he later rejoined as a longtime broadcaster; he also played 41%u20442 in the National League, 2 with the San Francisco Giants and 21%u20442 with the Chicago Cubs. He led the AL in on base percentage in 1971, and in runs and total bases in 1972. On July 12, 2008 Bobby Murcer died due to complications related to brain cancer at the age of 62. He was surrounded by family at Mercy Hospital in his hometown of Oklahoma City. Murcer is survived by his wife, his children, Tori and Todd, and his grandchildren. Baseball Express - All The Brands You Trust people Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:01:01 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/psychickids This lens is dedicated to all of the intuitive, spiritually-awakened, mystical, profoundly aware, clairvoyant, clairsentient, multisensory, multidimensional psychic children of this world and all worlds. people Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:08:58 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/website-conversion-tactics For everyone in the internet marketing business, turning web visitors to buying customers is the ultimate goal. This lens gives some tactics and ideas for converting the traffic you get into buying customers. seo Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:03:18 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/cincodemayoholiday Cinco de Mayo ("5th of May" in English) is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. A common misconception in the United States is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day; Mexico's Independence Day is actually September 16, which is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico. It is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry. However, Cinco de Mayo is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origin. Celebrations tend to draw both from traditional Mexican symbols, such as the Vírgen de Guadalupe, and from prominent figures of Mexican descent in the United States, such as César Chávez. To celebrate, many display Cinco de Mayo banners while school districts hold special events to educate pupils about its historical significance. Examples of special events include ballet folklórico, mariachi demonstrations, and other activities that combine food, music and dancing. Every Cinco de Mayo celebration starts with good music. Here is a cd I recommend: Cinco DE Mayo Party Music Below is a list of the songs on this Cinco de Mayo cd. Click on the icons to listen to Music Samples while you read this lens. Enjoy! 1. Mexican Hat Dance 2. La Bamba 3. Macarena 4. Hot Hot Hot 5. La Cucaracha 6. Tequila Boom Boom 7. Cinco De Mayo 8. Bamboleo 9. Tequila 10. El Baile Del Perrito Buy this CD: Cinco DE Mayo Party Music! entertainment Mon, 05 May 2008 08:44:28 -0600 http://best.voodoospells.ever.com/ If you want to learn more about Voodoo spells and mysticism, get free ebooks, free spells, and a chance to win a free Voodoo doll, then you have to join my email list: Voodoo Muse     The Art of Voodoo arts Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:04:24 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/herbalmojo An herb is a plant that is valued for qualities such as medicinal properties, flavor, scent, or spiritual uses. General usage differs between culinary herbs and medicinal herbs. In medicinal or spiritual use, any of the parts of the plant might be considered "herbs", including leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, resin, root bark, inner bark, and berries. This lens focuses on the medicinal and spiritual aspects of herb use. health Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:22:58 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/playstation-II The PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system is small, slim and network ready. And it has an enormous game library – over 1,400 games – to choose from! The redesigned PlayStation®2 (70000 series) inherits the basic functions and design philosophy of earlier PlayStation®2 systems, but the internal design architecture has been completely overhauled to include the latest technology. Games, Games, Games! Over 1,400 PlayStation®2 games! PSP Game Downloads Slim & Lightweight The PlayStation®2 is almost as small as a hardcover book, making it easy to carry around and enjoy games and DVD videos anytime, anywhere. Online Gaming Built-in Ethernet and modem ports for online gaming. PlayStation®2 Online pushes the realm of entertainment, featuring the unpredictability of live competition. With millions of PlayStation®2 connected online, theres always someone to play against. Expand your game further, take it online! Enhanced Visuals and Audio Combines gravity, friction and environmental elements to produce amazingly accurate physical si