Thursday, October 2, 2014

VODOUN, VOODU, VOODOO IS HOODOO REALLY? ©Mama Starr Casas

I did a radio show last night which I truly enjoyed Here’s the link in case you want to listen to it.
We had a very nice visit it felt like we were in my kitchen just sitting around the table. The very last question I was asked is Vodoun and Conjure Hoodoo the same thing? The answer and I don’t care how you try to prove it is absolutely not! They are not the same thing; they never have been nor will they ever be. I don’t think folks really understand how disrespectful it is to even make such a claim. VODOUN, VOODU, VOODOO is a religion plain and simple. Conjure Hoodoo is not, it is a set of very powerful works.
What is a religion?
Via Wikipedia:
A religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence. Many religions have narratives, symbols, and sacred histories that are intended to explain the meaning of life and/or to explain the origin of life or the Universe.
Religion – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReligionWikipedia
Although most ole Conjure Hoodoo workers are Christian; Conjure Hoodoo is NOT a religion. Folks who come from the Southern culture realize how disrespectful it is to try and change a religion to suit oneself. I don’t understand how folks think they can just mix and mox anything be it Conjure Hoodoo, VODOUN, VOODU, VOODOO, Witchcraft or whatever the practice or religion is. This type of thinking is very disrespectful not only to the system or religion but also to all those Ancestors and elders who have gone before us.
So to answer the question one more time “The answer and I don't care how you try to prove it is absolutely not! They are not the same thing; they never have been nor will they ever be”. If a religion doesn't suit you the way it is then fine something that does. If Conjure Hoodoo doesn't suit you as a way of working then find something that does but please stop all this mixing and moxing.
I don’t know it all nor have I ever claimed too; nor do I tell folks how to worship but all this mixing and matching is not only disrespectful but it weakens the religion or the work.


Monday, July 14, 2014

New Book Out

FOREWARD
On our paths to spiritual enlightenment and personal power, no practice will pack a stronger punch than Ancestor Veneration. The current wisdom teaches that there is no deity or spirit more invested in our success than our ancestors. Their blood courses through our veins. Therefore, as we succeed, they succeed. If only for selfish reasons, they desire great things for us and will remove blocks to achieving our goals. These powerful allies desire a relationship with us just as we desire one with them. There are many tools one can employ to develop and strengthen that kinship.

Unfortunately, getting reliable information on those techniques has been challenging. Finding information on Ancestor Reverence reveals a mixed bag of “One must always...” and “Whatever you do, don't ever...” as well as turning up nothing at all. My childhood comprised the “Thou shalt never” varieties and I abruptly discontinued my nightly chats with my deceased Irish Grandma. In the decade plus of actively seeking out my ancestors and opting to work with them, I've encountered roadblocks that impede my process. When not knowing how long to leave out a food offering, one might leave nothing at all. Others may have been warned not to use a certain color candle, the very color their ancestor’s desire. So, they burn nothing at all. Adopted folks experience a conundrum unto themselves. These questions, if left unanswered, may paralyze one's work. One could be called to honor their ancestors but glance at an empty table day after day in fear of doing it wrong.

Enter Mama Starr's latest book, Listen to Them Whisper: Honoring the Ancestors. This information-packed book provides a comprehensive and forgiving path to Ancestor Veneration. Individuals from all faiths and traditions can realistically read this treasure and immediately establish the relationship for which they've been yearning. Mama Starr, author of 8 previous books on her family conjure practices, draws from a lifetime of personal experience. This book, which consists of the following sections: “Honoring the Ancestors,” “Questions and Answers,” “Setting up your Ancestor Altar,” “The Ancestors Speak,” “The Works” and a “Spirit Working to Meet your Ancestors,” answers any question that could plague a seeker. In her typical no nonsense style, Mama Starr describes Ancestor work, its benefits, the process and methods of asking for help from those who have come before us. Her belief that this work should be accessible to all is a deep undercurrent throughout the book. Mama Starr teaches her traditional techniques of working with the Ancestors while providing space for personal creativity. She repeatedly explains how she was taught to do things, then gives examples of how those things could be done differently. For example, Mama Starr describes some of the components of her altar and advocates that others do what feels right to them.

The first time one hears Mama Starr speak, her power and connection become abundantly obvious. My first experience was at The Folk Magic Festival in New Orleans several years ago. At the festival's commencement, the Southern Anti-Belle walked into the center of the attendees and called on Father Blackhawk, an important spirit in conjure. She spoke with absolute confidence and authority, asking him protect the festival, to ensure that participants got the information that they needed and to guarantee that conjure itself endure. My eyes welled with tears as Mama Starr spoke and Blackhawk arrived. He protected us throughout the magical weekend. We got what we came for and more. That is what connection looks like. That is what a mutually beneficial relationship with Ancestors offers. Listen to Them Whisper is the compass that will negotiate the sometimes perplexing maze of Honoring the Ancestors. Your grandmothers will be as grateful as mine.


Monday, July 7, 2014

Perspectives

It’s funny how folks can see the same thing but from a different point of view. 


True Story
I went to one of the popular game stores to buy my baby boy a game for his birthday. The store was out of the game but the fellow checked their other stores and found one at the Mall across the street. This is what he told me “our other store is right across the street at the Mall, they have plenty of them over there.” So I asked where in the mall? “He said just as soon as you walk in the main entrance doors the store is right there”. I thanked him and went to the mall; of course I had to park in the back 40 because it was packed.



I walk inside the front doors of the mall and I look right then left and all I see is brick walls. I’m thinking WTF! Then I lift my head up and look straight ahead and what do I see but the sign for the store, it’s about a city block from the front doors over to the left. So I walk down and get the game, then head back to the truck; all this time I’m thinking “he saw the store right by the front door” I know for a fact it is almost a block across from the front door. To him he was right and to me I am right. The question is how can two people see the same thing so differently? It gives you something to think about.

CHARMS SPELLS & FORMULAS by Ray T. Malbrough

CHARMS SPELLS & FORMULAS by Ray T. Malbrough






Someone told me about a write up another blogger did on their blog about this book. I went and read the blog. I was intrigued that this writer talked about crawdad mud. I had never read the book so I wanted to know what he had to say. I ordered the book off of e-bay for $3.00 and I finally got it today. I have to admit I have not read the book nor will I. I don’t read books on work because I don’t ever want anyone to claim I stole their work. I only skimmed through the book to find the points that were made on the blog post. I must say I am a little disappointed, the author of the book uses words like Crayfish and Mud Chimney only folks outside the culture use those names, even though one of my students told me this author is from Houma the same place Mr. Robert was from. They are called crawfish, mudbugs, or crawdads and the dirt is called crawdad dirt, mud or a crawdad hole. I was a little let down you can find this information on page 55 of his book.

The other thing that got me curious was the “Sweet Bottle” using a stick again I was intrigued but not such a letdown this time as the author tells you to “shake” the bottle up a certain amount of times; half a work is better than none! I did kind of wonder at the watering the work down though, it calls for honey, sugar and water on pg 103 of the book. Also there is nothing else added to the jar.

Then we have the “Oil Lamps” on pg 100 something dear to my heart once again I was intrigued and excited. I thought it was wonderful that he talked about working with a magnets.

The coup was on pg 95 when scanning the book the word “Crossbones” caught my eye. I was surprised to see him write about working with 2 bones crossed together for protection. He does give you some chants to say over your work as you are making it. Glancing through the book and reading the information I bought the book to find out about it seems to have altar layouts and such. Like I said I didn’t read it nor will I. I wanted to see what was taught about crawdad’s and found crayfish instead. Starr

Friday, February 28, 2014

Momma Starr's Wisdom for the day!

Today I claim all my dreams, my want’s, my needs and my success! They are gifted to me by the universe.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Momma Starr's Wisdom for the day!

Today I trust myself to make the right choices for my life; I’m building a strong foundation.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Momma Starr's Wisdom for the day!

Today I trust myself to make the right choices for my life; I’m building a strong foundation.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Momma Starr's Wisdom for the day!

Momma Starr's Wisdom for the day!

My potential is unlimited! I radiate love, honor and success!

Friday, January 31, 2014

Old Style Conjure Give-Away ~ February 2014

Old Style Conjure Give-Away ~ February 2014

As a very special gift to ya’ll, Momma has created a monthly give-away. This month, the lucky winner will receive Momma’s Mini-Prayer Kit. This blessed goodie comes with a vial of Conjure Oil, 1oz of Sachet Powder, 3oz Floor Sweep, 3oz Bath/Floor Wash and 4 stick candles with 1 Prayer Cloth. That’s a lot of conjure prayer folks! To enter, you must be a fan of  Momma Starr’s Old Style Conjure Facebook Page. Make sure and add your name into the comments section under the Mini-Kit Image posted as FEB GIVE-AWAY. At the end of the month we will draw a winner and announce them on the Facebook page. Please feel free to share with your friends! Good Luck! 

Christianity in Africa



Christianity in Africa:
The African Peoples Profession of Faith in A Judeo-Christian God

During the Old Style Conjure radio show Momma Starr and her panel of hosts (including me) discussed the importance of the Holy Bible and the belief in the Holy Trinity that is a core part of this powerful spiritual practice.

As part of the discussion I elaborated on the reality that the dominant religions of the African continent are Judeo-Christian faiths thus being Christianity and Islam. I said that in Africa the vast majority of people are Christian or Muslim so in this writing I’d like to corroborate that information with some basic facts regarding this topic and hopefully elucidate any confusion that may have risen from this popular but highly controversial subject in the online spiritual community. 

To commence this topic I think folks should be cognizant that 1 out of every 4 Christians live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa comprises 24% of all Christians on the planet according to Pew Forum. That basically means Africa retains a quarter of the world’s Christians with 36.8% in the Americas, 13.1% in Asia-Pacific, and 25.9% in Europe as of the year 2010.  In addition what’s interesting about this study conducted in 2010 is that when compared to the original survey in 1910 it was ascertained that Christianity rose in Sub-Saharan Africa from 9% to 63% in 100 years. This is deeply significant as it shows that large numbers of Africans identify as being Christian in their faith and belief systems.


Now for those amongst you who aren’t familiar with the Pew Research Center I’ll explain a little about it. The Pew Research Center is a non-partisan organization that studies trends and issues affecting the United States and world such as culture, religion, societal demographics, the influence of religion on societies, et cetera through ascertaining facts via surveys, data analysis, and other forms of observation and scientific research.

What makes the Pew study interesting is that it has observed different nations that self-identify as Christian. This study is also considered one of the most reliable forms of data compilation and observation according to USAToday.


As I delved deeper in my research to find facts about Christianity in Africa I discovered that Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia share the largest numbers of self-identifying Christians on the African continent with Nigeria having 50.8%, DR of Congo having 95.7%, and Ethiopia sharing 63.4% self-identifying Christians. What is remarkable is that Nigeria alone has doubled more in Protestants than Germany. Don’t forget that the Protestant Reformation began in Germany! Nigeria also shares approximately 50% Muslim population which means that according to this report nearly the entire country follows Judeo-Christian belief systems!

Other African countries with high Christian populations include Angola (88.2%), Uganda (86.7%), South Africa (80.9%), Ghana (74.9%), amongst others.


Looking at these facts it is quite obvious that Christianity has maintained a very strong presence in Africa.

The CIA corroborates similar information about the large Christian population in Nigeria showing 40% Christian, 50% Muslim, and 10% indigenous beliefs.


These facts are important to take into consideration because some folks are ignoring reality or maybe not paying attention. If you noticed I placed some emphasis on Nigeria and that admittedly is not by accident.

I believe that some facts need to be brought to light. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country. It also has the largest black population in the world with Brasil retaining the second largest black population on the planet. Yet statistically approximately 50% of the population is either Christian or Muslim. Because of this small fact Nigeria has the largest Christian population on the African continent.

The four largest groups in Nigeria are Hausa, Fulani (which many consider the same as Hausa), Yoruba, and Igbo. The Hausa-Fulani dominate the north and are Muslim. The Yoruba live in the southeast while the Igbo live in the southwest. Most Yoruba and Igbo peoples are Christian. In fact the Igbos were one of the first groups to convert to Christianity with a high percentage of Catholics while different Christian sects have spread in Yorubaland especially the Aladura Christian group.


It was easy for missionaries to convert the Igbo because Ibo societies unlike many surrounding West African groups were considered democratic with no centralized authority. That means that denizens in most Igbo clans had an equal say in governing tribal affairs and issues affecting those groups. There are exceptions of course with some greater Igbo kingdoms. This allowed for the Igbos to self-identify as a Christian culture. The interesting thing about all this is that it is believed that the Igbos are descended from the “lost” Hebrew tribes. The Igbo share many customs, beliefs, and traditions that are similar to the ancient Hebrews therefore many claim to already know God as expressed in Judeo-Christian belief because the beliefs were already within their culture.



I hope these statistical facts enlighten folks on the Internet to the reality of most Africans willingness to self-identify as Christian or at least profess belief in Judeo-Christian systems. God Bless...