While it is known that I am a supporter of tradition and secrecy in Afro-Latin Magic being completely respected, and I would never reveal spells that belong only to initiates of any religion of the Diaspora, we also have plenty of what would be considered Folk Magic, and that almost anyone with a little experience with Magic can perform. These spells were first published on my Newsletter in 2012, and come from my learning with my Madrina’s Lukumi community; I’ve re-written the post quite a bit, adding much more content, and honestly, because my English is much better now :).
While I understand that most of my readers are already practitioners of any of the religions of the Diaspora, and will be familiar with most terms, there is a significant percentage that comes from European-based Paganism traditions. I have also added some notes directed at them that I thought helpful, specially about ingredients that may not be of regular use to them.
Spell For Good Luck And Protection
Materials: a square of white cloth, white thread, three garlic cloves, a pinch of Spearmint, a pinch of Parsley.
Make a small bag filling the cloth with the herbs and garlic, and tie it with the white thread, making seven knots. Go to seven places where you can find Holy Water* and, without being noticed, dip the bag in the water asking Obatala to give the amulet power for luck and protection. Do not let anyone see your amulet, and keep it hidden always.
*The water does not need to be Catholic Holy Water, of course. It can even be water from springs or fountains, as long as they hold true spiritual power to you. Also, the pilgrimage to those seven places does not have to be done in one day, but the amulet won’t work until it’s done.
A Spell For Attraction (Of Any Kind)
While this spell is used mostly for attracting a partner, it can be used for other means too; to attract a raise, a promotion, better relations, peace in the family, etc. It can be recharged every full moon, and the colour of the candle can be adapted to the specific purpose of the spell.
Materials: a red candle, a glass bowl, a charm made of pure silver (a coin, a cross, a medal, or something similar – shape is not important, but the material is), Holy Water, orange blossom water, Florida Water*, basil juice**.
Under the light of the full Moon, stick the red candle in the centre of the bowl, and then add all the liquids, about a shotglass of each. Place the charm inside this mix, and pray to the full Moon to attract whatever you need. Let the bowl outside all night, leaving the candle on until it burns off by itself. In the morning, take the charm and wear it as a pendant, or inside a fabric bag next to your skin; the mix of waters can also be used as a personal attraction perfume for a few days.
* Again, the Holy Water does not need to be from a Christian Church, and can be blessed by yourself. Both orange blossom water and Florida Water can usually be found at Botanicas, and should not be substituted by homemade ones, because honestly, the recipes going around on the Internet are a joke.
**Basil juice is made by liquifying fresh leaves and stalks of Basil, by hand or in a juicer/blender.
Remember safety when leaving magical works outside all night. If you cannot assure safety, leave it outside, but turn off the candle when you finish. No Spirit wants you to be in danger!
A Spell To Break A Stagnant Situation
In this spell, I am using the word Potencia, that literally means just Power, but for us in Maria Lionza’s religion, it means the Spirit that owns your head – that can be an Orisha if you are a Lukumi, a Lwa if you practise Haitian Voodoo, and so on. This is not exactly the same as a Patron Deity – there are many subtleties that are lost in translation, and that change from practise to practise.
Materials: A new and unused white handkerchief; five copper coins of the same currency and amount, three candies, seven peppercorns, white paper, green ink/marker, white thread, honey.
Write your petition to your Potencia on the paper with the green ink, and place it on the handkerchief. Place also the pennies, the candies and the pepper seeds above it and, using the thread, tie the handkerchief to make a small packet. Take the bag to your Potencia’s sacred place, feed it with plenty of honey, and leave the place without looking back. At home, light a candle to your Potencia for three days – the candle can be white, or in their representing colour.
A Spell To Protect The Household
Materials: 2 whole coconuts, eight white taper candles and one white pillar candle, rum, honey, cascarilla*, cleansing/protecting oil.
Starting on a Monday, rub a whole coconut with cascarilla, rum and your favourite cleansing oil and place it on a bowl behind your front door. For eight days, you will place a candle on the top of the coconut, also anointed with cleansing oil and cascarilla, and you will offer it to Eleggua. You don’t need to let the candle burn completely if you can’t, but it has to be renewed every day. Each day, ask him to protect the household against enemies, envy and negativity.
On the eighth day, take the coconut (remove wax and bowl) to the woods, and leave it at a crossroad. It is extremely important that you don’t look back when you leave, or you will offend the Spirit. Back home, cut the other coconut in two, and mix the coconut water with lots of rum and honey. Fill both halves of the coconut with that mixture, and offer it to Eleggua along with the pillar candle. Burn it for three days, to thank him for his protection. On the fourth day, you can throw all remains away.
*Cascarilla is a cleansing and blessing staple in Afro-Latin magic, similar to white chalk. My advice is to get it at a Botanica, because despite what is said online, it is NOT just powdered eggshell. Powdered eggshell has its own value, have no doubt of that, but Cascarilla is actually a very complex recipe.
My Main Website (Tarot And Spiritual Services): brujacarolina.com
