Folk magic uses of Green Pepper

Many know and use hot or red chiles in their workings. However one day a couple years ago a product caught my eye at a mexican botanica store, a Green Pepper Novena Candle. Peppers are called pimente or pimenta in spanish and closely in other languages, but they are not all spicy. An Anaheim, Ancho, or Poblano variety, are less spicy.

Hot pepper more aggressive, commanding and protective and add hasten or to quicken a spell, but can cause explosive relations: too much passion or quarrel, burning akin to needles or a thorn. As I have seen them added to love spells cinnamon might also be a better option as peppers are bitter, acidic fruit.

Peppers are part of the nightshade family of plants like potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and the deadly often poisonous belladona herb. People used to beleive tomato was poisonous, and potato if green or gone bad can kill people.

Green or Red Bell peppers can be used in Desire work for love as they are sweet. Usually a persons object of affection or partners photo are placed between the two cut halves, then fixed shut. The vegetable is used as a spell container or jar.

I have on good authority in the area of southern Texas to Mexico they are fixed with chile, cinnamon, ant hill dirt, and honey to make them think of you. Then wax is used to seal them shut of the desired color.

Peppers cleanse and absorb negativity, undo jinx, used against evil, evil eye, witchcraft or spells.

I have also seen a green pepper floorwash or they can be placed at the doorstep to cleanse and maintain the home or business. To make your own you can boil a few sweet peppers, and then blend them or with a hand mixer diluted with the water, then strain.

I have also seen a green pepper bath!
Hot peppers are usually passed over the body as a more agressive form of cleansing in many native traditions.
They can be burnt in a mixture to dispel evil along with other herbs.
Of course other preperations such as oils, herb mixes in mojos are used.

I seen a lamp to the Lwa Dantor with sweet red pepper for love, money, to break obstacles. Giving her pork or hot peppers will make her "hotter" and more dangerous to work with, especially for the untrained or unassociated.
For bell or sweet peppers color is important, I seen green and red peppers floating in a lamp for her. Green is close to blue in spectrum. Some also use yellow, I assume this lamp was to sweeten the Lwa or was for love or green some use as a color intended for money. I have seen colored powders used for her veve in Haitian Vodou with blue yellow red and green colors.

                                                                                                              S7X

An Account of Curanderismo Healing

A family member and I have been doing a lot of physical labor at a property after a death in the family.

The spirits of this land are very active, and many people on facebook remarked the next day how overheated they got the day after the eclipse at night when it was cool. It was very hot in the house, even though it was cool outside in a northern climate and we had most of the windows open.

The family member was complaining of arthritis flareup in her shoulder, and it being so hot we were still awake at 2am. I heard her crying and moaning from the pain so I asked her if she was OK, she got up to my adjacent bedroom and had me fix her hair as it was so hot and she was not able to move her arms. She had put 2 ice packs on her arm and they had melted instantly.

I asked her if she wanted me to try some folk healing on her. It is not good to do spiritual work at night due to the more malevolent spirits being active. But sometimes this is done to deal with a bad spirit or do a healing if necessary. Apparently in Peru they do their San Pedro curandero ceremonies at night, and to also mimic the night blooming cactus.

She consented and I got up to get her some over the counter anti-inflammatory pills (advil-ibuprofen) as requested. She had taken 1 pill 4 hours prior, but it was not effective. I went to assemble what I needed. She was in so much pain she was unable to lay down so I had her seated on the side of the bed.

I got my Florida water, cascarilla, cotton pads, rubbing alcohol, cigar, books of prayers, and the basil cutting which had rooted in the water of my temporary consulta room with the crucifix and candle. I already had been wearing my white head wrap to bed.

Healing and Mediumship is a gift from God, and attributes of the holy spirit, the laying of hands and the work of the good spirits. Many do not like the idea of faith healing and want specific steps, explanations and recipes, when any curandero will tell you faith is the most important. However these abilities also seem to be inherited in families. Many do not like the idea of faith healing because of the televangelists. However it is only the assurity based on what we have seen as evidence, along with the personal light and ability to be a conduit. In the magnetism blog entry I posted a picture of the spiritual currents on the energy body, and I used this along with hand passes.

Many curanderos also use alternative systems of energy work, spiritual counselling, spiritual channeling, and herbal medicine not only from their culture such as acupuncture or reiki. Many are also yerberos herb workers, give spiritual massage or may be bonesetters found out in the country. Curandero at heart are healing or :sanacion" native practices throughout Latin America which became mixed with Catholicism. The leaf doctors are known as fe medicin in Haiti, who may or may not also be Houngan and Mambos or Voudousants.

                                          art by Mario Gonzalez Chavajay.

I began my session and opening prayers to set the protections and activate the energy needed. I put cotton soaked rounds with the alcohol on 3 points on her shoulder and she later said she almost fainted, that it was like a scream of pain that subsided and then went away. I put my left hand to the right shoulder to pull away ropes of energy, sensing the disruption around the area. I did the prayer of the sick, appealing to God for the curative ability needed and on behalf of the patient compassion and pity for relief. At the same time knowing that suffering may hold wisdom or purpose in one's life, it is given up to God.

The cotton is absorptive, like a cloud that holds rain or as a metaphor spiritual fluids or energy, It is often used to treat the sick in Santeria. The same cloth on an altar that holds energy, or the string in a spiritual necklace or eleke.

The alcohol is widely used in folk healing to bring down fevers and for sore joints and sprains, along with the Florida water. It is believed that illness is a result of trapped energy, or stagnation. It is also believed that illness has an energetic component, and that negative emotions can also be a cause and stored in the body. For this reason envy, evil eye or mal de ojo and witchraft is also seen to be causes, and often spiritual cleanings are commonly done such as with herbs or egg limpias.

I took the rounds off temporarily and lit the cigar. I did prayers of tobacco for purity and to dominate the spirit of arthritis and to take away pain and inflammation to the 4 winds. I blew smoke over her shoulder 3 times, the breath activated by life and oration. The breath often is used to add or remove energy. Tobacco is also used for joint inflammation and many other medical and spiritual usage.

                                 art by Manuel Pacaya

I called on the powers given to tobacco and a leaf I had taken off the basil plant that God had given them. I implored for light and elevation to these plants and to the guardians, ancestors and healing spirits of those present for their assistance. I took the basil leaf dipped in the water and crossed, tapped the leaf lightly and dragged it down her arm with orations. A conversation was taking place at a deeper level with the client, unspoken.
 I then put my right hand over the leaf laid on the shoulder to let the energy give what was needed to mend the energy body and re-balance the area. I did the prayer of the medium who heals.

I marked the shoulder all over with the cascarilla. What is that: she asked. Egg shell chalk I answered, its cooling and protective. I then marked a cross with Florida water on the area which I had prepared with holy water.

I then took the pads and let alcohol drip all over the shoulder and evaporate the heat as it quickly dried. She started to look more comfortable.
I closed the session and thanked the spirits.

I marked our bedrooms with crosses of the chalk and left the basil leaf at the bedside table. There were strange energy around as I could see a spirit standing in the darkness of the third bedroom. I opened another window for better airflow, and got her 2 new ice packs. The house was markedly cooler. She then laid down. I sprayed her bare arms and legs down with the Florida water to cool and relax her. And then she was asleep before I could even get back to my bed. And in the morning she was almost 100%  better, ready for another full day of renovation work. "You saved my bacon" she said with a smile. I told her I left my tumeric in the bathroom for her to take one capsule.

Basil is a very important plant of purity, healing and exorcism, and one I had at hand. However I could almost pick any leaf I found at any tree and had similar results.

Before I went back to bed I went to wash my hands.This is a practice in many systems so that you do not absorb too much of the patients illness by accident. As it is my left arm was very sore, and hip, as well as my fingers. I did not sleep well, and took some tumeric and other things in the morning and went back to sleep to let my body heal for the days work.

This was the first curandero session I have done.

I know a little of accupressure to treat a few things on myself and my partner mainly for nausea and migraines, relaxation and pain points, as well as have done laying of hands many times before. I always do get a very mild headache from his headache treatment which puts him to sleep. I also have a great interest in natural supplements and remedies for a variety of illness, mainly pain, mood, sleep, infections, cold & flu, autoimmune or inflammation and digestive problems, as well as natural beauty, household products and personal care. Funnily enough I do not consider myself a healer spiritually yet, even though I have worked in healthcare for over a decade. I suppose spiritual work in itself is healing to the spirit. I do enjoy getting qi-gong and reiki treatments, but I am extremely picky about who I let touch my energy body.

                                                                            S7X

Plant spirits, work, and the world of messangers

In this modern age, practitioners for the most part do not wildcraft and grow every plant that we work with.

This leads to a disconnect between us and nature, the land and its spirits. In the ATR's we are monotheistic but also animistic, believing spirits live in most everything. The plants are viewed as being part of the body of the sentient earth and spirits of the land.

When the plants are harvested, we respect, and give an offering to the plant. Some give 3, 5 coins, or a crystal, as it is really energy you are exchanging. You can sprinkle cornmeal and give a word of thanks after explaining why it is you need to use the plant for help. I like to give water to wild plants, or do some weeding so it can have sun, seems more practical, and also only take which will not harm the plant from continuing to grow. You can bring extra plastic bags to also clean up trash around the area to show respect.

In our traditions we have a major spirit over the individual plant spirits.There are herbs belonging to various misterio. For example, in Palo: Brazo Fuerte has the plant Tartago (or tatago). But then there is the Mpungo who owns all wild plants Ozain. This spirit must be honored when you wildcraft in their tradition. Plants may only be cut at certain times, unless you know this mystery.

There are other considerations of plant philosophy such as the place it is growing such as a mountaintop versus a cemetary. Other ideas such as if you harvest it in the shade or sun side, what color the plant is white or black/purple. What the plant name sounds like, if the plant is bitter or sweet will determine if it is hot or cool, attractant or banishing, medicinal or poison. Plants are worked differently tradition to tradition, although there is some commonality. Plants have latin, lucumi, english, and spanish or creole nicknames for the same thing. Some of these plants are local and tropical and have no named scientific taxomy. We must get to know what is local to where we live, although some special plants must be shipped overnight for more important events and objects as tradition. This is one good reference material:

Ozain became an Orisha Osain after the Congo and Yoruban people continued to interact. He then came under the Nago nation as Ogun Osayen o Osayin as a Lwa in Vodou. Osain is very powerful, and has its own complete tradition that is similar to Palo. We cannot do much in these religions without plants, and as he controls the power of these plants as a forest (monte) spirit, is a great ally: a dangerous warrior and protector. There is the Mpungo Ngurunfinda, (finda/herbs) who is like a branch of Osain, and like our tree Lwa Gran Bwa, since palo is the spanish word for stick.

In Vodou, we have Gran Bwa (Grand or Big Wood), the Lwa of the biggest tree, usually near the center of the forest. He holds all wild plants. He also is associated with the mapou, called the Ceiba pentranda,  mapok, Iroko, silk cotton world tree. The saint used is St Jude or St Sebastion as he is Petro. An offering is usually given also at the natural entrance to a wild area of the forest or jungle to seek permission ( and listen to the response) and safe travel in their realm. Gran Bwa only takes water, leaves or vegetable food offerings. He is an initiatory (one of several) and permissive spirit.

Both Gran Bwa and Tobaku can be seen like our leaf faced "green man" Oak or Holly God as those have in Wicca.
Gran Bwa, the staff of Papa Legba, the cane and cross of the Baron, Loko and the poteau mitan or palo majeur pole in the Vodou temple are all related, on which Dhambala, or a pair of snakes are often painted. Spirits travel up and down this access point of the world. The royal palm tree is another common holy tree substitute and are both important plants, although different Lwa have their favorite tree. We usually tie 7 different colors on our tree and staffs as this same symbol of the creational snake Lwa (white/green and rainbow) and 7 chief Lwa of Sanse.

In our lineage, Tobaku (Tobacco: nicotania rustica) has become Lwa, because he is a sacred cemi spirit of the Taino indians, and a very important messanger totemic plant. His powers are healing, but disease when misused. For that reason only cigars or natural leaf are used and not cigarettes. His powers are purity, spirit communication and domination.We work with him in conjunction with the 4 winds, because the smoke and prayers rises up on our breath, and disperses our messages and creates community when shared. Tobacco contains compound which altar the mind, and our psychic perception of time and space for "shamanism". We use cigars for folk magic, divination, and to communicate with the dead in misa. Our breath in and out joins the spiritual and mundane realms. Many spirits like a cigar as an offering, such as Lwa or ancestors, and some female spirits as well or perhaps a cigarette.

Tobacco is a master and teaching spirit, such as many view cultural psychedelic entheogens of ayahuascha or certain mushrooms. These are very spiritual and not recreational, associated with the land, and snake spirits. Tobacco workers who are curandero, indigenous plant healers are called tabaqueros. Tobacco is used in Cuban traditions, Espiritismo and groups such as Maria Lionza in Venezuela is the most similar than the other ways used by Amerindians. There are many oracions or prayers to work with the spirit of Tobacco, most of them in spanish, or in booklets from botanicas. Working with tobacco can be a practice in itself in how you honor, ask permissive, offer, ritual observances and divine or work with it. I always advise people to start collecting a book of prayers that you like. In Haiti a natural healer is called a medicin fe, leaf "doctor". Whereas a worker more uses the aspects for "spells", but both may employ both methods and work spiritually.

Prayers taken from Sancista Luis blog sanseespiritismo, that I use often:
http://sansespiritismo.blogspot.com/2011/10/tobaccomancy-tobacomancia.html

PRAYERS TO THE SPIRIT OF TOBACCO


To the Spirits of the Four Winds, Black horse, white horse, red horse, and brown, you that find yourself in the four Corners of the Universe. Above and below and in the Four Directions. I call to you oh Charitable Spirit of Tobacco, ancient messengers of the Omnipresent One. I offer you in homage to the Guardian Spirits of (name(s). For wherever I go with this sacred smoke, you shall purify and cleanse. You shall remove any and every, seen and unseen negative vibration that surrounds (name/us.). And with the grace and power that the Holy Trinity has bestowed upon me, I (name.) purify and cleanse (name(s.). So be it, Amen.

PRAYER 2


With the permission of God.
With the guidance of the 21 Commissions of Spirits and the protection of my Guardian Angel.
With the watchful eyes of my Spirit Guides.
As above so below, and in the four directions, and to the Charitable Spirits of the Four Winds that come from the four corners of the universe. I ask for health, stability, and peace.
May the fluids of the Spirits that speak through the smoke of this sacred tobacco, be beneficial towards me and my cause. May all malice and deceit depart and scatter as the smoke does scatter, and only good and charity shall prevail. Amen.

If a plant was grown by humans, agricultural spirits like the Lwa Azaka or the Orisha Oko have domain. These are earthy spirits, originally most tribes were hunter gatherer before they settled and became agricultural. Azaka Mede is pictured as Saint Isadore.

One Mambo stated that each Lwa are given offerings before gathering their corresponding plants. In our lineage this can be done, but more often with Gran Bwa. Basil is another very important plant and is very common to be present at rituals. For Harvest and planting offerings and feast dates are acknowledged with services for Azaka and for the other Lwa such as the Mange Yam for good prosperity and fertility as well featuring the Nago nation and Simbi, Or such as Mange Lwa to feed the Lwa or Mange Mo to feed the dead and Ghede.

The natives knew much of their medicinal knowledge by the plant spirits teaching them. We have many healing spirits who are: Lwa, spirit guides of nuns or doctors, the indigenous folk healers and indios, as well as saints.They may work with closely several plants. Faith also is very important. They knew of medicinal value, but when not available, faith healing with any plant externally is possible in spiritualism.

When we get a plant from the store, the plant has not been spiritually harvested or grown. The plants are usually sold dried outside of Cuban botanicas when we should use fresh, for more plant spirit life force and vibrancy, more power. Some dried plants, the spirit is dead and gone. Sometimes we can activate some of its latent power, but fresh is always best. The plant is not the spirit, but the spirit is in the plant. Of course some are used dry such as cured tobacco leaf, or in making oils.

God gave these plants to humans as gifts, and their powers were given to these spirits as their gifts. One way we appeal to these plants and venerate is to, in our prayers ask for their power or specific qualities and recited abilities which God has bestowed upon them. We reward and further empower these plants by asking their light, elevation and spiritual progress of God for their work and kindness.

In this way, if we light the plant a candle and waterglass, We can sit with them in communication and understanding to make a relationship. This is how you get to know your plants, besides studying from a book. You have to know how to use plants safely, parts of certain plants can be ingested, or smoked in a session to gain a physical bodily understanding, and connect with their powers. They are used to prepare objects, as incense, anointing oils, washes and baths.

This was once understood more widely in Hoodoo and Conjure, that the plant is not just an ingredient, but an entity to be worked.

High John the conqueror was rumored to be the son of  a Congo king who was enslaved in the new world and jumped into the root of the morning glory flower plant. Some say he "returned or died" to Africa and left some power in the root. He was known for his intelligence and ways he outsmarted his slave master. Many people take no time to talk to and get to know High John. High John has recently lamented this to us. He is a sorceror and a magician, known for his Congo witchcraft or folk magic. He can do all things as a master root: luck, gambling, court case, love, money work, sexual prowess, success, protection and domination. A very generous spirit who loves to work. The root has larger male and female pieces and both can be put into a mojo bag like a pair of lodestones. In hoodoo and folk magic selected psalms are usually used with the work, depending on what your focus is. an oil using this root can be used on a novena candle, or fixed inside.

Fresh root is better, and should not be crumbling or dried out. Some dress the root with oil, or keep it with ginger slices to energize him and keep it fresh. You can learn more here. There is much to learn about rootwork in general, as an entire tradition.

Prayer to High John the Conqueror:

May Almighty Powerful God,

And the soul of John the Conqueror

Watch over and show me

the way to overcome obstacles, to conqueror fear and my enemies known and unknown.

Lend me your strength so that I can have success in my life,and achieve my goals. Amen

Garlic is another very important plant. Ajo or aho macho is the male garlic, the little round bulbs you usually see at a mexican store, and not the grocery. All garlic has similar properties of fire, cleansing, protection and exorcism, but the male has added masculine virility and warrior properties. The husks can be burned as a smudge. Garlic is high in sulfur and ammonia, known for purification, and against energy vampires or the evil eye. Many cultures hung decorative garlic braids and such as the Italians chili peppers as protections.

                                             el diaro, male garlic

Novena prayer to Miraculous Garlic:

You who were placed on Mount Calvary where Jesus died to give eternal light and to free us from evil; free me from jail and from all demons. When my enemies plot to kill or hurt me, let not their eyes see me nor their feet reach me. Don't let their hands touch me, their guns shoot me or their knives hurt me. Let no harm come my way.
Miraculous Garlic of goodness, separate me from the enemy. Remove all envy and jealousy. Help me in my work and in all my affairs. Grant me the love of those around me. So shall it be, and so it is. Amen 

                                                                       XSancista7X