Chamalongo Divination
Throwing the chamalongos (coconut shell discs) is one of the most basic forms of divination in Palo Mayombe, the quickest way to receive guidance directly from the world of the dead. Speaking through the patterns of the various throws, the spirits help the palero determine whether someone's roads are open or closed, how their personal energy is, and whether they've had any negative witchcraft directed at them. Paleros also throw the chamalongos to find out whether the spirits can do a particular job, what obstacles stand in the way and how something needs to happen in order to be a success. If you ...
Reverse Witchcraft
When someone has had negative witchcraft done to them, then they need to reverse it before their ashe drains away. People wonder "Is witchcraft really so prevalent?" Yes, it is. There are lots of different people doing witchcraft today, not only those who practice African Traditional Religions like Santeria, Palo Mayombe and Voudon, but also many spiritualists, mediums, "psychics," brujos, Taoists, yogis, shamen, and the like. If you had any idea how many people play with spirits on a daily basis, it would make your hair stand on end! Fortunately, reversing negative witchcraft is usually pretty easy. You don't even need to know who ...
Candle Rituals
Candle magic is an ancient practice common to all the African witchcraft traditions, from Santeria and Palo in Cuba to Voodoo in Haiti and Hoodoo in the Southern US. Candles let us give light to the spirits, so that they can see clearly into our world and focus their energies on our prayers and requests. When I'm lighting a candle for someone, I usually draw the spirits' signatures on the ground first, then annoint the candle with oils and herbs, pray over it and light it. As long as it remains burning (usually about a week), its flame will "broadcast" whatever prayers it ...
Spiritual Cleanings
Spiritual cleanings are some of the most important ceremonies in Palo - almost like check-up at the doctor. The purpose of the cleaning (or "limpia") is to remove all of the negative energy that has accumulated on someone over a period of time, strengthening their spirit, opening their eyes and giving them a fresh start in life. Some people hear about Palo and immediately begin fantasizing about all sorts of "heavy" spells they would like to have done - spells to dominate their enemies, improve their sex lives, win money in the lotto, etc. The truth is that NONE of these things ...
Brujeria Blog
Kongo Shamanism and the World of the Unseen
In the world of Kongo witchcraft, people don't go to a "better place" when they die, but instead linger on as powerful spirits with their own appetites and agendas, the inhabitants of a hidden realm just as vast, bewildering and morally ambiguous as our own. What's more, this afterworld (or underworld) is not at all separate from the sunlit world of the Earth but mingles and mixes with it in an endless... [Read more]
Palo Mayombe : The Mystery of the Branches
Like its better-known cousins Voodoo and Santeria, Palo Mayombe is one of the witchcraft-oriented religions which emerged when African tribal peoples were brought to the New World with the spread of the slave trade. Palo Mayombe : A Brief History Palo has is roots in the 15th century Kingdom of Kongo, where Bantu traditional healers grafted the teachings of Portugese monks into their own cult of the... [Read more]
Louv and Let Die : Ultraculture, Voudon and Shadow Projection
Jason Louv is a copywriter and self-proclaimed "magician" who published the influential anthology Generation Hex, a sort of postmodern guide to guide to magic for the MySpace generation. I've had it on my amazon wishlist for ages but never actually ordered it; now I'm glad I didn't. I say this because of a recent search which brought me to this passage from Louv's most recent ouevre, his "Ultraculture... [Read more]
