The Shadow Light Apothecary will be offering Services in alliance with the Saints whether if you preferto call it Hoodoo or not as Saint Magick extends beyond the scope of Rootwork and Conjure in the South. I am not initiated in the various spiritual and religious systems that incorporate the Saints in regards to various Spirits such as Vodou and Santeria so I can not offer such services in accordance with these traditions.
I was raised in a Christian household and was introduced to a few different denominations of Christianity, but the one form that has always stuck with me is that of Catholicism though not Roman Catholicism per se. I really don't know what form of Catholicism that my mother and other family members grew up with except that it was not as strict as Roman Catholicism. Whichever way you look at it I grew up with a deeper connection to Catholicism than most other denominations of Christianity.
I am not purely a Catholic unless you take a look at the etymology of the word Catholic which is the Greek Katholikos meaning Universal. I, like an old friend and teacher of mine had once stated that we both had something in common and that something was seeing specks of the Truth in all religions. My belief system is not very cut and dry when it comes to recognizing a single religion as the sole defining essence of what I truly hold dear or as Truth for me. As of yet I have found no single religion that I can comfortably situate myself with which leads me to say that I am probably what you could call a Gnostic Catholic in the sense that for me I feel comfortable with an admixture of aspects of both Gnosticism and Catholicism.
In a lot of ways you could say its Catholicism with a Gnostic overview. Some things I just blatantly reject of both systems and somethings I just accept regardless of what people say such as the Miracle of Jesus' Conception and Birth. You can say that Mary was no virgin when She became pregnant with Jesus and personally I believe there is more to the story, but I believe and accept that Mary was a virgin when impregnated by the Holy Spirit! If you don't like it, don't start preaching what you believe is truth as Truth. I am not going to tell you that the Immaculate Conception of Mary or the Virginal Birth of Jesus HAS to be Truth, but don't start telling me or anyone else what we should and should not believe or accept!
Traditionally Hoodoo has a strong Christian connection so, naturally the practitioners of Hoodoo a.k.a conjure wo/men or rootworkers etc. are Christian; Protestant or Catholic. Gnosticism isn't seen as being Christian, but the way I see it is that Jesus is Jesus and He is a MAJOR part of Hoodoo as is the Bible and the Holy Trinity! As a Gnostic Catholic or Catholic Gnostic I have no problem utilizing the Bible in Conjure work (it really shouldn't even be a question!) and I firmly accept the Holy Trinity or rather the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. Grant it, I am more than a Gnostic Catholic therefore I do not accept Christianity nor the Jewish/Christian God as the one only true god! I do, however, believe that there is a True God of sorts or rather the Most High. As the Kabbalah teaches there is 72 names of God which are infact identifying titles of God. The Most High is beyond human comprehension, but there is certainly aspects of the Most High in existence and those aspects are from being defined by a single religion or system of belief.
Aside from Hoodoo, the Communion of Saints for magickal purposes exist in various traditions and others are seemingly centered on Christ. The cult or religion (as it is called by some) of La Santisima Muerte or The Most Holy Death is synchronized with Catholicism in Mexico. She was originally an Aztec Goddess of Death, but after time became synchronized with Catholic elements and became known as a Folk Saint of Mexico. She is not accepted by the Church and is simply a beautiful reminder to us all that the Church is not always right.
Further synchronizations can be found with the aforementioned systems of Vodou, Santeria and other traditions. Within Vodou, the Loa known as Papa Legba is synchronized with the Catholic Saint Peter and likewise Ellegua of Santeria is synchronized with the Child of Atocha which is an aspect of the Infant Jesus. Both of these spirits are also associated with St. Anthony of Padua, but there has been much debate over the reality that the Loa of Vodou and the Orishas of Santeria are one in the same which has, on more than one occasion, been clarified as not being the case at all. This is just another interesting concept of the world and the universe. There are numerous entities and deities associated with Crossroads, Gates, Keys etc. throughout the world, but most if not all of them are separate from each other. I think it is from the Greek/Roman synchronization that caused wide-spread multi-cultural synchronizations such as mentioned above.
Also, we keep in mind that when we speak of Saints, we are also referring to Angels or at least the ones that are canonized as such which would be St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael etc. This, of course, doesn't mean that other Angels can't be invoked for magickal purposes or even prayed to for that matter. Santisima Muerte is traditionally a pre-Christian deity, a non-canonized Catholic Saint, and an Angel of the Lord. In Santeria you have Shango and in Vodou you have Ogoun (which is also a Nation or Family of Spirits) which are primarily male spirits, but yet are synchronized with St. Barbara who is obviously a woman. To add more interesting aspects to it, She is sometimes seen slaying a dragon which could be seen as a representation of male sexuality or simply the male sex organ. It, like the story of St. Patrick ridding Ireland of serpents, is often seen as a reference to the purging of Pagans and Paganism from a specific place.
~Conjure Work~
Picture of a Mother Mary State
On my altar/workspace.
© 2014 Ty Laney
If you wish to have a working done in accordance with the Art of Conjure then send me an email explaining what it is you wish to have done. I will email you if I decide to do the work. For full details look to your right under the sub-section Spellwork.
~Setting of Lights~
At the feet of Mother Mary is the
Blessed Lamb that is Our Lord!
© 2014 Ty Laney
This service is offered in accordance with the art of Conjure and Saint Magick. The setting of lights is a spell, but it is specifically focused on the use of a candle hence candle magick. This practice carries with it a spiritual and religious connection that fits perfectly within Conjure. A candle can be set for just about any reason that a spell can be performed. One thing that separates the two is that candles can be set specifically for religious purposes such as the death of a loved one or someone near death. A benefit to setting lights is that burn continually, working towards what you wanted/needed.
The candle of your choosing will be dressed and fixed with appropriate herbs and oils that have been prayed over. The praying over herbs and oils to awaken the Spirit within is akin to the Witch connecting with the Serpent of the Land in spellwork. Since, Hoodoo has a connection with Native American spirituality some have chosen to view God as Great Spirit which has instilled spirit in all things.
After the candle has been prepared accordingly it will placed upon my altar to burn down or left within the sink to burn down. You will be informed of when the candle is going to be lit and when it goes out. I will send you a report via email regarding any signs that the candle have left behind such as the glass being blackened by the flame, cracking, white smoke etc. Here is a good site to read up on such matters.
No personal information will be given out nor sold!
Tea Light - Free
This service is offered Free of Charge and will consist of a single white unscented tea light being lit and prayed over for you. To request this service send me an email explaining what it is you want the candle lit for or I simply state that you wish to have the candle lit asking for the Blessed Mother's Blessing(s) in life. The tea light will be placed at the feet of Our Blessed Mother statue upon my altar.
If you prefer the tea light to be lit in conjunction with a specific Saint then we can discuss that as well. This service is not intended as a "keep on coming!" kind of thing. If you want more done in regards to the setting of lights then read on. If you wish to have more than one tea light lit (one per person) for various family members then make sure to add that to the email. You will need to include your full name and as stated elsewhere on this site, the full birth date always helps as does a recent picture of the client, but the last two aren't required. If you are a woman your maiden name is needed and if your a man then please state, if necessary, whether if you are a Senior or Junior as in Bob Sr. or Bob Jr.
Votive Candle - $5.00
These are the small glass encased candle you find in stores. They resemble shot glasses with white candles. After receiving an email regarding your request I will dress and fix the candle then prayer over it. I will let you know when the candle is lit and when it burns down along with a report.
Once again, if you prefer I can set the candle at the feet of Our Blessed Mother for general blessing(s) in life or a specific Saint if possible. You will, as with any service, give your full birth name giving your maiden name or stating your Sr/Jr status if necessary.
Seven Day Candle - $25.00
Seven Day Candles are also known as Novena Candles. After I receive an email regarding your request I will dress and fix the candle with appropriate herbs and oil(s). As with any service, your full birth name is required, maiden name and Sr/Jr status if necessary. A picture, preferably a recent one, will help tremendously, but is not required. The more of you that is added to the candle, the better! I will need to know why you want the candle lit and complete honesty! We will discuss your request in the email.
~ Oil Lamps ~
Oil lamps were the thing to do before candles were invented next to lighting a fire or using a torch. Oil lamps fit perfectly into the art and practice of Hoodoo because of the religious significance an oil lamp has in Judaism. The beautiful holiday of Hanukkah also known as the Festival of Lights is in praise and remembrance of the Hanukkah Miracle. The Miracle was centered around the miracle that God granted seven extra days of use out of one days supply of oil for the Menorah in the Holy Temple. Grant it, Hoodoo is traditionally practiced by Southern Christians, but that doesn't eliminate certain Jewish aspects of both Hoodoo and Christianity.
~ Vegetable & Fruit ~
~ Oil Lamps ~
It certainly isn't unheard of to use a vegetable/fruit for lighting decorations such as the modern day use of a pumpkin as a Jack-o'-Lantern. This practice actually uses a candle rather than oil and is anything, but modern. In the old days the Irish and Scottish used turnips or maybe beets instead of pumpkins primarily because pumpkins weren't indigenous to Europe. The pumpkin is indigenous to the Americas.
Over the last several years I have seen an upsurge in pictures on the Internet relating to various Fruit or Vegatable oil lamps for the Orisha of Santeria or other ATRs. These oil lamps are either made and lit specifically as an offering to the Orishas or as a part of spellwork. Obviously these kind of lamps are just ATR based. In India the oil lamps of metal, earthenware, vegetable, fruit, or even leaves are called Diyas (Diya being singular). The Jewish Festival of Lights is Hanukkah and the Hindu Festival of Lights is known as Diwali or Deepavali.
In these traditions I have thought of offering the Oil Lamp Service, but with certain Vegatables and Fruits instead of using glass. Aside from being unique, I am not sure how much more effect they give than glass lamps as I haven't has the chance to use them yet. My thought is that they have an added benefit of the Spirit of the vegetable/fruit helping, plus it makes sense to me to assume that these kinds of lamps might attract certain helpful Spirits. Following will be a list of Vegetable/Fruit Lamps I will be offering throughout the year.
~ Coconut is unique in that it is incredibly difficult to break and practically impossible without a little ingenuity. Magickally speaking it is extremely diverse as it can be used for divination, given as an offering, negative workings and protective workings.
In India (Tantric practices) and South America (not sure if anywhere else, but it wouldn't surprise me) the Coconut represents the skull therefore the head. The word Coco means skull in both Spanish and Portuguese. In Hispanic and Lusophone (Portuguese speaking people) folklore there is a ghost-monster called Coco. It is said to be, in some cases, a ghost with a pumpkin for a head. Maybe the idea of using a pumpkin for a jack-o'-lantern in America wasn't such an untraditional choice after all.
In Hoodoo, which is technically in the South of North America (we just say the South though) and I believe has roots in a either Voodoo or Santeria if not some other ATR is the Gris Gris Ball. It is amazing how much people don't talk about everything else. The video that is attached is a decent description, but from what I can gather on the making of these balls is that they are similar to Mojo or Gris Gris Bags.
The coconut can be used to make Chamalongos from Palo and is used as a means of divination similarly to that of the Ifa or Dilloggun. In Santeria the coconut is used in a form of divination known as Obi.
Once again the protective powers and apparently also the cleansing powers of the coconut come through in recipes for a cleansing bath also known as a Spiritual Bath. In this case it coconut milk being used.
The reason for the coconuts protective abilities is often attributed to its nearly impenetrable outer shell which, for the magickal worker, lends its abilities to the oil of the coconut as well.
~ Pumpkin is unique since it has so many different associations. I have heard that pumpkin is good for health (to eat yes, but what about spiritually?), prosperity or wealth. Alchemy Works puts the pumpkin under the planetary associations of the Moon, the seeds to Jupiter, and the leaf to Venus.
If you think about the Jack-o'-Lantern and how it is used to ward off evil spirits probably the Ghouls and Goblins of Halloween. According to The Village Witch the pumpkin itself and its seeds are used for health, divination, and honoring the moon.
According to The Road Goes Ever On pumpkins, particularly the scent and color calms the household which makes sense as I just mentioned that pumpkins can be used to ward of evil meaning that if theres no evil around, peace can flourish! She also states that the gourds, as that is what a pumpkin is, represent fertility which is new to me, but not an unheard of logic. Throughout folklore certain foods that contain a lot of seeds or anything that may be mistaken for seeds (anils of a pomegranate) is usually associated with fertility in some way or another. Another great post about the magickal properties of a pumpkin is written by Rik Potter.
The pumpkin is said to be sacred to the Orisha Oshun. She is the youngest of the Orishas and governs or reigns over wealth, beauty, love etc. She is syncretized with the Madonna known as Our Lady of Charity also known as the Virgen de la Caridad. Oshun and Our Lady of Charity are associated with Water specifically a river for Oshun.
With the connections the Pumpkin has to the Dead and the Ancestors I see no reason why not to include a pumpkin lamp or just a pumpkin in general on your ancestor altar. Offer one to the dead as an offering or in a ritual of elevation.
~ Apples are very interesting in that they are taken for granted, but yet have such a rich line of lore attached to it. The Forbidden Fruit of the Garden of Eden is believed to be an apple as well as being grapes, figs, pomegranates, and I believe even peaches. It is fitting that the apple makes the list because the Tree upon which the Forbidden Fruit grew was known as the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the apple is known as being the Fruit of Knowledge. The apple is also very Love related.
~ Pomegranates are probably best known as being the Food of the Dead.
~ Lemon/Lime
~ Orange
