Gris Gris Ain't Just a Mojo Bag

It's true, gris gris ain't just a mojo bag, though there are many who seem to think otherwise. But those of us who grew up in New Orleans and in the New Orleans Voodoo tradition, we know there's much more to it than a few items of conjure in a red flannel bag.


Gris Gris Ain't Just a Mojo Bag

Hoodoo & Conjure Quarterly

The fist hoodoo magazine ever published presented by some serious practitioners and authors. You have got to check it out!

Amazon.com: Hoodoo & Conjure Quarterly: A Journal of the Magickal Arts with a Special Focus on New Orleans Voodoo, Hoodoo, Folk Magic and Folklore (Volume 1) 

Fishzilla? Really??? What's really up with the Snakehead Fish?

Watch out! Now there's a fish that can breathe air and walk on land and he just might be coming out of the water to eat you! I'm talking about the Snakehead fish that is causing such a controversy and mass hysteria nowadays. It is one of the most googled search terms and stories about it abound. This fish is called a snakehead because some genius thought its head looks so much like a snake that it could be mistaken as one. I don't know, maybe its because I grew up with snakes but, it doesn't look much like one to me. National Geographic calls it "Fishzilla" in its documentary about the invasion of the species. Still, the name Fishzilla conjures up images of a big monster but the Snakehead only gets 2 to 3 feet long apparently. I guess the name refers to its status as a top level predator, meaning it has no natural enemies outside of its natural environment. Some scientists are debunking popular myths about the immediate crisis and its scary characteristics, indicating hysteria is simply not warranted.

Thirteen indigenous Grandmothers Have a Message For Us All

13 Indigenous Grandmothers, shamans and medicine women from around the world have been called together to share their sacred wisdom and practices. Can they light the way for us to a peaceful and sustainable planet?

Through the years, they've become teachers and icons who are galvanizing and uniting a rapidly emerging global movement. They are awakening people to the urgent need for change if we are to survive on this planet. But they are not using fear as a weapon. They are offering us hope. What many people see as a threat, they see as an opportunity. They show us that by going back to the ancient and time-proven earth-based traditions and practices of our Indigenous people, we will be able to break away from our destructive habits and make the changes necessary for our survival.

Voodoo Doll Beware!

Beware the voodoo doll - this is an interesting article one of my loyal Voodoo Muse subscribers called to my attention. It is from the Trinidad and Tobago Express, and written by Carolyn Kissoon who can be reached at ckissoon@trinidadexpress.com.

Tuesday, May 12th 2009

OBJECT OF FEAR: It looks a bit like the gingerbread man but the discovery of this "doll" in the front yard of a home at Broomage Settlement, Princes Town, caused fear in the village, with some believing it would bring evil. Here, a villager keeps his distance from the "voodoo doll". -Photos: DAVE PERSAD

There are those among us who believe that very bad things are always waiting to do us in. Not accidents and through any fault of our own, but events perpetrated by evil things called up by evil-doers bent on causing us misery.

Few will admit to how open we are to believing that a dollop of dirt or flowers or coin found in our front yard is the work of the obeahman. Fewer will reveal how often we turn to priest or pundit or our own dark arts wizards to repel the spells cast upon us.

Which is why when a family at Broomage Settlement No 1, Princes Town awoke to find a doll lying in the front yard, fear superseded every other emotion.

The doll was fashioned out of flour, rice, milk and seeds, the same ingredients used in Hindu observances when there is a death.

The man for whom the voodoo doll was meant to hurt, was dead within a year - felled by a heart attack.

For those who believe, it is a powerful mystical practice that can bring spectacular gifts and rewards to anyone willing to place their destiny in the hands of spirits, who await the call of service.

The voodoo doll has African origins, the belief brought to Haiti by slaves. The doll represents the spirit of a specific person and powers are invoked requesting a change in attitude, influencing the person to act in accordance with someone's wishes or desires.

The dolls, which can be used for good, are mostly known to cast evil spells and to cause physical harm.

They are fashioned out of grass, cloth, mud or wood and a personal item belonging to the intended victim is usually attached.

In the case of the Princes Town family, the doll was placed in the driveway of their home, the name of the "victim" on its abdomen. It looked like a teddy bear and was actually made of flour dough mixed with milk and ground rice and seeds - ingredients used during the Hindu prayers held a week after a death.

A painted pepper represented a penis.

The family's pundit said the doll represented something evil. He performed rituals to neutralise the dark and told the family to burn the effigy.

But the 66-year-old man was unsure he wanted to burn it and the holyman took the doll away.

The man's son, whose named was scrawled across the effigy, suffered severe headaches and fever.

Months later a crumpled piece of paper was found outside the house. Inside was a blue substance, believed to be an act of black magic.

On Fathers' Day the following year, the owner of the house suffered a sudden heart attack. "I don't want to point fingers but his death was a mystery. He was really good the night before and when he got up the morning he could not breathe. My son took him to the health facility where he just died," his wife said yesterday.

Up to this day the family continues to perform prayer services to ward off evil spirits. It happened again this year.

Two weeks after murdered mechanic, Nigel Allen's tombstone was painted black, his twin sister received a voodoo doll in a coffin filled with dirt at her workplace.

She received the mysterious package with a threatening postcard. The postcard read: "You are your brothers keeper. The wages of sin is "DEATH". Time to meet your brother NYO."

The note was written in red ink. To some it was prank to scare the woman into dropping the murder investigations, but many warned that it was black magic practice to get rid of Allen's sister.

Natalie Allen said she was not intimidated by the act. It is estimated that Voodoo has over 50 million followers worldwide. Voodoo flourishes in Brazil, Trinidad, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, New Orleans and in private homes in every country in the world.

Voodoo believers accept the existence of one god. Below this almighty God, spirits (Loa) rule over the world's affairs in matters of family, love, happiness, justice, wealth, revenge.

For anyone who is searching for a solution to a difficult problem, who is trying to mend a conflict, return a lover, accumulate wealth... the Loa await your call.

To read the very interesting comments to this article, check them out here: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161476097

To really learn about the origins and meanings of Voodoo dolls, check out this book: Voodoo Dolls In Magick And Ritual

To learn all about dolls in magic and ritual, visit 

Doll Baby Conjure.

Weird, True, and Freaky! The Origin of the Modern-day Voodoo Doll

For_Immediate_Release:

United States of America (Press Release) March 4, 2009 --
Mysterious and provocative, the foremost reigning icon of African derived religions in the minds of the Western world is the Voodoo doll. Images of ugly pin-sticking dolls used for hexing your neighbor and summoning evil spirits, satanic evil-doers engaging in bloody sacrifices, brain-eating zombies, rock music and drugs, sexual promiscuity and homosexuality, the occult, Voodoo, and demonism--they all go together in the minds of the general public, thanks to Hollywood and sensational novels. Very few things have the potential to create as much fear, panic, and paranoia as the discovery of a Voodoo doll lying on the front steps of home sweet home.

But how threatening can a doll be? Using a Voodoo doll is not like holding a gun to someone’s head, after all. On the other hand, Voodoo dolls are quite possibly worse, because to the uninformed they symbolize a war waged against your very soul. And, how can you defend yourself against that?
Using dolls and effigies in sympathetic magic rituals is as old as humankind. More often than not, ritual dolls and effigies were used for healing, fertility, and empowerment. In some cultures such as ancient Greece, they were used to bind enemies. European poppets were widely used in folk magic and witchcraft to curse an enemy. Other types of dolls were used in harvest customs and burial rites, made as talismans, or used as teaching aids for children.

In New Orleans, Voodoo dolls are largely sold as souvenirs, curios, and novelty items. For the most part, people who purchase a Voodoo doll will keep it around as a warm and fuzzy reminder of New Orleans, the Land of Voodoo.

So how did we get from objects of empowerment, spirituality, and souvenir to evil minions of hell? To answer this question requires a brief jaunt into the sociopolitical history of our country. And that is exactly what author Denise Alvarado does in her fascinating new book, "Voodoo Dolls in Magick and Ritual."


Voodoo dolls are perhaps the most misunderstood icon of any religion. According to the author, the prevailing negative stereotypes are as much the result of racism as slavery is.

For the first time anywhere, explore the history, mystery, & magick of Voodoo Dolls in this fascinating new book. Tracing the Voodoo doll’s roots back in time, this book provides a fascinating account of the most provocative and mystifying icon of the African-derived healing tradition of Creole Voodoo. The author explains the multicultural history of the Voodoo doll, dispels stereotypes and myths, while at the same time showing the reader how to make and use Voodoo dolls to enhance everyday life. Learn how to make three kinds of Voodoo dolls, find over 40 spells and rituals to find love, attract wealth, offer protection, and promote healing and happiness. The book is richly illustrated with the artwork of the author, whose work was recently featured on National Geographic's Taboo.

To purchase this book as a paperback or instant download, visit Creole Moon.

source: FPR

French President Sarkozky Not Laughing Over Voodoo Doll Made in his Image

The French president is threatening to sue a firm marketing a voodoo doll in his image. The doll, emblazoned with some of Nicolas Sarkozy's most famous quotes, comes with its own set of pins and a book telling buyers where to stick them.

Nicolas Sarkozy Voodoo Manual

Cemetery destroyed by Hurricane Ike

Dozens of volunteers in Orange, Texas are trying to restore a cemetery wiped away by Hurricane Ike. Caskets littered the cemetery following the storm, some even ending up in a nearby road. (Sept. 17)

My Fake Baby

The extraordinary world of 're-borns' - life-like baby dolls - and the women who buy them. Called the perfect, designer babies, to some they are downright creepy.

Inheriting the Slave trade

American descendants of slave traders trace their ancestry and explore the issue of race in a new documentary film. Harry Smith reports.

Creepy Toe Sucker Nabbed at Last

Now this guy is a creep. A suspect with a bizarre foot fetish is in police custody. Apparently, this guy would violently attack his victims, rob them, and then make them take off their shoes so he could suck their toes. Now this warrants breaking out the Voodoo dolls...

Tribute to the Lord of the Cemeteries

This piece is one of three renditions of the ritual symbol for Baron Samedi, the Voodoo Lord of the Cemeteries and Spirit of Death. You can see another version at Voodoo-Doll-A-Day.com. The differences between the two are quite subtle but effective.

Voodoo-Doll-a-Day.com is where you can find one new drawing, painting, Voodoodle or photograph, of a Voodoo doll each day. Go ahead and take a look, you know you want to.

New Voodoo Doll Digg Icon

Now you can use Voodoo on a story you like or don't like...this icon has a black pin for repelling the repulsive and a white pin in for your seal of approval. Feel free to right click and save the image to use on your web site or blog. Make sure to link it to http://digg.com.

Ghosts Among Us

Everyone loves a good ghost story. Perhaps the human fascination with the supernatural stems from the fact that most of us, at some point in our lives, have experienced something we couldn't quite explain. From a very young age James Van Praagh was aware of a dimension that most of us cannot see, and he has dedicated his life to explaining it to the rest of us. Ghosts Among Us: Uncovering the Truth About the Other Side takes us on an incredible journey into the spirit world that brings to light one of our greatest mysteries—what happens to us after we die? Van Praagh, the New York Times bestselling author and co-executive producer of the CBS series The Ghost Whisperer, shares his knowledge and life experience about ghosts, a subject that can seem to many of us both bizarre and terrifying. But when the world beyond is explained fully by an experienced guide, dismissal and apprehension can be turned into knowledge and inspiration. With incredible true ghost stories and surprising details about how ghosts actively participate in our lives, Van Praagh challenges us to question our perceptions and shows us how we can live more fully through understanding the world of spirits. Including eerily accurate readings, the author's development as a medium, and detailed how-to information, Ghosts Among Us: Uncovering the Truth About the Other Side is an all-encompassing guide to the supernatural. About the Author James Van Praagh is the New York Times bestselling author of Talking to Heaven and Reaching to Heaven. Currently, Van Praagh is the co-creator and co-executive producer of the primetime series Ghost Whisperer, the #1 CBS drama starring Jennifer Love Hewitt. Van Praagh is developing additional projects for Paramount and guest hosts the entertainment news shows Entertainment Tonight and The Insider.

Hitler Dolls on sale in the Ukraine

Just when you think you've heard it all, something comes along that quickly dispels that myth. A toy maker in the Ukraine has sparked outrage after creating toy dolls of Adolf Hitler.

Cinco de Mayo in Washington D.C.

Cinco de Mayo ("5th of May" in English) is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. A common misconception in the United States is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day; Mexico's Independence Day is actually September 16, which is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico. It is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry. However, Cinco de Mayo is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origin. Celebrations tend to draw both from traditional Mexican symbols, such as the Vírgen de Guadalupe, and from prominent figures of Mexican descent in the United States, such as César Chávez. To celebrate, many display Cinco de Mayo banners while school districts hold special events to educate pupils about its historical significance. Examples of special events include ballet folklórico, mariachi demonstrations, and other activities that combine food, music and dancing.

Washington D.C. held 'Cinco de Mayo' celebrations Sunday which featured authentic music, food, and dance of Mexican culture.



To learn more about Cinco de Mayo, visit Cinco de Mayo.

To purchase this design as well as others on tshirts, aprons, coffee mugs and more, visit the Ju Ju Shoppe.

Two-Faced Baby Doing Well: A Case of Craniofacial Duplication

Craniofacial duplication is one of the rarest malformations in humans. This photograph of the face of a 12-month-old child demonstrates duplication of the nose, a large distance between the eyes, and a large asymmetric mouth. Otherwise, the child showed no physical or mental developmental abnormality.

Recently, the parents of an Indian infant girl born with two faces say that she is eating and breathing normally despite having two pairs of eyes and lips and two noses. The baby, who is yet to be named, was born to a factory worker and his wife.


Photo courtesy of: http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/226/1/210




Ganesha getting ready to throw his lotus. Basohli miniature, circa 1730. National Museum, New Delhi.

Source: This work is reproduced and described in Martin-Dubost, Paul (1997). Gaņeśa: The Enchanter of the Three Worlds. Mumbai: Project for Indian Cultural Studies. ISBN 81-900184-3-4, p. 73, which says: "Attired in an orange dhoti, his body is enitirely red. On the three points of his tiny crown, budding lotuses have been fixed. Gaṇeśa holds in his two right hands the rosary and a cup filled with three modakas (a fourth substituted by the curving trunk is just about to be tasted). In his two left hands, Gaṇeśa holds a large lotus above and an axe below, with its handle leaning against his shoulder. In the Mudgalapurāṇa (VII, 70), in order to kill the demon of egotism (Mamāsura) who had attacked him, Gaṇeśa Vighnarāja throws his lotus at him. Unable to bear the fragrance of the divine flower, the demon surrenders to Gaṇeśa."

The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years.

The False Guru Test

Source: EnergyGrid.com

Take the EnergyGrid False Guru Test. If seven or more of the following describes your guru or spiritual teacher, then unfortunately he or she may not be be as enlightened or good for your soul as you would like to believe:

1. States his or her own enlightenment: The wisest masters tend not to state their own enlightenment or perfection for they know that it is both unhelpful to themselves and to their students. The false teachers often make this claim because they have little else on offer to attract followers.

2. Is unable to take criticism: False teachers strongly dislike either personal criticism or criticism of their teaching; they do not take kindly to ordinary unenlightened individuals questioning them. They or their organisations will even undertake multi-million dollar law suits to stop ex-members from spilling the beans.

3. Acts omnipotently with no accountability: Some spiritual communities are run like concentration camps, with guru and his chosen ones acting like Gestapo officers. Unjust or outrageous behaviour by the guru is passed off as what is needed to help the followers grow (how kind). These are the dangerous gurus who have often severely damaged their students. A real master respects your will even if he or she understands that your particular decisions may not be in your interest, and he or she will act accountably to an ethical code of conduct.

4. Focuses on enlightenment itself rather than teaching the path leading to it: It is amazing how much false gurus have to say about enlightenment. They argue their points in the same way that the scholars in the middle ages argued how many angels could sit on the head of a pin. Any fool can talk about the end goal because what is said is irrefutable to most of your listeners. What is skillful is guiding those listeners to having awakening within themselves. The real teacher focuses on the path and strictly avoids any talk on enlightenment.

5. Does not practice what is preached: Contrary to spiritual myth, you don't reach a point of realization whereby you can then start acting mindlessly. If a teacher preaches love and forgiveness, then he should act that way, at least most of the time, showing suitable regret for any lapses). If he teaches meditation, he should meditate. If he insists that his followers live in austere conditions, so should he.

6. Takes the credit for a particular meditative or healing technique: The fact is that meditation and guided visualisation work. Anyone doing them will experience major changes, benefits and realizations. The false guru will try to own or trademark particular methods and techniques so that she has something unique to attract followers. And she will hijack the effects of meditation as the guru's blessing rather than each individuals natural potential. Often the students or followers are forbidden from divulging the techniques to maintain a sort of intellectual property right, usually under the guise of needing the technique to be taught correctly.

7. Specifically gives satsang or darshan when it is not part of his culture: Darshan is when the disciples or students of a master line up and to pass their master, who is usually seated, with either a bow or traditionally kissing their feet (yes it does happen). In the East, this is part of their culture and a normal thing to do to show respect and reverence (even children will kiss the feet of their fathers). However, here in the West, such copycat behaviour is a strong indication that the guru is acting a role. Satsang, on the other hand, means literally "the company of the Truth". In a deeper sense it is an affirmation of the Guru-Disciple relationship in Eastern traditions. But some Western gurus will use this terminology because they are playing a role.

8. Lives in total opulence: There is nothing wrong with living in luxury or being wealthy. But when that luxury turns to unnecessary opulence using funds that were not explicity donated for that purpose then you are probably dealing with a false guru. Money is collected from followers usually in the form of donations, and those donations are given as an act of love, appreciation and to help spread the influence of the master. However, a genuine master is more likely to use such wealth to lessen the suffering in this world, not to buy another yacht, private jet or Rolls Royce.

9. Encourages or permits adoration from his followers: Avoid any group that focuses on the "master" themselves rather than the teachings or spiritual practices. This will be a hindrance to your self-realisation for your focus will be drawn outside of yourself, and usually indicates that there is not a lot more on offer than guru worship.

10. Presents himself or herself overly fashionably and glamorously: Beware of masters who present glamour photographs of themselves and dress overly fashionably (whilst proclaiming that they have no ego and leading ego-death retreats). Yes it does happen!

11. Demands love and devotion from their students: Keep clear of any master who demands love and devotion. One very well known Western guru stated, "Anyone who loves me is guaranteed enlightenment"! Real love and devotion is earned over time when we begin to really know the whole person and not their public image.

12. Speaks with an Indian accent or vernacular when he is in fact a Westerner: Not sure how much this happens now but there are some high profile Western gurus who have (or had) Indian accents, mannerisms and vernacular. This indicates that they are playing in their ego.

13. Runs expensive miracle workshops and courses: You are unlikely to reach enlightenment after a few weekend workshops with cheesy titles. In our society of "must have now", we want to be able to purchase spiritual development with minimal fuss. Also, avoid meaningless accreditation—it is often used merely to encourage followers to do more courses.

14. Takes sexual advantage of his or her followers: This happens much more than many believe. It is not being prudish to include this one because when a follower falls under the spell of a guru he or she is likely to do anything for the Chosen One. It is only afterwards that it may dawn on the follower that his or her openness has been used and abused. This can be very psychologically scaring.

15. Flatters you and treats you as very special: Sure we are all special in some ways, but this is one of the things that a false guru may do to hook a potential follower or to get a current follower to do a particular task. Nothing can be more intoxicating to the ego than to be selected by the master or leader (or any high profile person). A real master will stand back and allow you to make your decision whether to accept his or her teachings without trying to influence the process.

16. Talks bollocks: It is surprising what a person will listen to when he or she is devoted to the speaker. It is always a good idea to get hold of a written transcript of what has been said and really read the message. Then tell an open-minded friend who is not a follower what their opinion is purely on the strength of the words. You will soon find out whether there is any real substance to the teacher's message, or whether you are merely being drawn in by the charisma of the messenger.

17. Overly relies on slick presentation: Slick presentation can often mask poor content, and so it is important for you to look past the lovely music and video shows at the actual message. The slicker the presentation, the harder it is to see what eactly the teaching is.

18. Gives him or herself outrageous titles: Not satisfied by being "merely" an enlightened being, many false gurus give themselves titles (or allow their followers to do so) to indicate that they are literally God-Incarnate, the reincarnation of the Buddha or Christ, or THE chosen one. Some continually change their names, to keep pace with their burgeoning egos.

19. Runs abundance workshops: A guru or master is there to help us find an authentic life. This is nothing to do with becoming more successful at work or making more money, although this may or may not follow from being more authentic. There is nothing wrong with abundance weekends, but if we mistake spirituality for increased business success, then we are guilty of spiritual materialism and we find ourselves deeper in the illusion. (The Japanese say that the Gods laugh at those who pray for money.)

20. Is not interested in you personally: If a teacher or guru does not have time to interact with you personally, then you may as well read his teaching from a book, because merely being in his presence doesn't help you find realization inside you. You may model some of his spiritual characteristics, but that often only places you deeper in illusion.

21. Allows his followers to set up a hierarchy of access: A guru must be accessible. If he is not, or if he allows his followers to block your access, then he is playing the role of a king and not a spiritual guide. A guru is only useful to the process of awakening if you can directly interact with him.

22. Makes false claims of lineage: Many mistakenly believe that realisation can only happen under the guidance of a realized master. In this belief system, gurus are only authentic when they come from a line or lineage of realized gurus. Desperate not to be left out, some gurus claim a false lineage of enlightened masters to bolster their authority to teach. Another pseudo form of "lineage" is to recount a miracle that once happened to them (maybe they cured themselves of some disease or God spoke to them personally) which infers that they are "chosen" and therefore have the authority to set themselves up as teachers and gurus.

23. Presents themselves as non-profit whilst raking in the millions: Often, the false prophet will present her teachings for free, whilst strongly encouraging her devotees to make large donations. In this way she can appear above money considerations, whilst maintaining her greed and opulence.

24. Collects a large band of angry ex-followers: This is an indication that something is seriously wrong. If she has used kindness and love in her interactions with her students, and has discouraged them from projecting denied spiritual characteristics onto the guru (rather than encouraging their integration into the self), then it is extremely unlikely that there would be more than a few disheartened ex's. Many might drift away and feel they have wasted their time, but they are only likely to have the great anger if they have put their teacher on a pedestal, given him their power, and later realized that he was never worthy of such adoration. Contrary to what some believe, it is actually the teacher's responsibility to strongly discourage students from putting them on pedestals, for this is counterproductive to finding realisation inside.

25. Uses pseudo-technology: Many false profits and organisations base themselves around pseudo-technology in the effort to appear scientific—special meters, communication devices (do you really expect the aliens to use a mobile?) and energy clearing instruments and pendants that involve crystals and copper wire. Once again, this is to distract the unwary from the poor quality of the actual teaching.

26. Acts like a complete paranoid mad person: If your Precious One acts like a complete paranoid schizophrenic or psychotic then he or she probably is. Run! Remember that there is no such thing as "crazy wisdom"—wisdom is the art of being balanced. However charismatic they may be, and sane between moments of madness, you WILL be damaged by them.

Source: EnergyGrid.com

Make a Voodoo Doll - wikiHow

Make a Voodoo Doll - wikiHow

How to Make a Voodoo Doll

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

How voodoo dolls became a means of casting a spell on an individual is unknown, but like ouija boards and tarot cards, they're popular outside of the spiritual traditions from which they arose. The fun thing about making voodoo dolls is that pretty much anything goes. Still, if you are interested in learning how to make a voodoo doll, here's how!

Steps

New Orleans Voodoo Doll

1. Gather the Things You'll Need, listed below.
   
2. Make a cross shape with your two sticks. Tie them together with your string. Hemp cord or waxed thread is better than regular string as they tend to be stronger.
   
3. Wrap the Spanish moss around the sticks, starting at the middle for reinforcement, and going up around the head, down to one arm, back across to the other arm, back to the middle, and down to the bottom. If possible, use moss that is connected together in a big enough piece to cover the sticks without breaking it apart. The idea is to wrap the doll in one continuous motion (the result is often times a stronger doll). If you break the moss apart and have to use more than one continuous piece, you may have to wrap string around the moss to keep it from falling off. If you wrap tightly enough, you shouldn't have to use string over the moss.
   
4. Wrap your fabric strips around the moss. Make sure to leave some of the moss showing, such as on the head (for hair), at the ends of the arms, and at the bottom. Secure with tacky glue. You may want to reinforce with a couple of stitches with your needle and thread.
   
5. Make a face. Attach beads with the needle and thread for eyes, or glue 2 black eyed peas to the face for eyes. Add a button or bead for the mouth.
   
6. Dress your voodoo doll. This step is entirely optional, but perhaps you'll get a feeling for who the doll represents, what they want to wear, whether they are male or female, and what types of items they want to carry, such as a mojo pouch or gris gris bag. Remember that a voodoo doll is supposed to symbolize a real person or a spirit. Sometimes they are made to look like a person you know, in which case you should have some hair or a piece of clothing or other personal item that belongs to that person in order to charge the doll with that person's energy.
   

Modern Voodoo Doll

1. Print the photo as large as possible on a sheet of photo transfer paper.
   
2. Transfer the image onto ironed white fabric, following the instructions that came with the photo transfer paper.
   
3. Cut around the person's shape, leaving a seam.
   
4. Cut the same shape out of a second piece of fabric, which will form the back of your doll.
   
5. Sew the shapes with the right sides facing together. Leave a hole near the center for stuffing. Cut off excess fabric when you have finished. Cut small notches at armpits, crotch, and fingers being careful not to cut the thread. You may want to sew the upper half of the doll first, stuff, sew the rest, and stuff again.
   
6. Turn the doll inside out carefully. You may need to use a pencil to push the fingers out.
   
7. Stuff the doll with fabric scraps, yarn, cotton, or any stuffing material.
   
8. Sew the stuffing hole closed.
   

Tips

• If there's any text or graphics on the picture (such as on the person's shirt) remember to reverse the image horizontally before you print so that it shows up normally later when it's on the doll. Alternatively, you can cut out a heart from red fabric to cover that section on the doll.
  
• Add pins. Voodoo practitioners use dolls primarily for boring positive things like healing people or sparking romance. If you harm your boss out of spite, karma dictates that the consequences for you will be worse. There are seven pins, each one with a different symbol:
  
  • yellow - success
    
  • white - positive
    
  • red - power
    
  • purple - spirituality
    
  • green - money
    
  • blue - love
    
  • black - repelling negative energy
    
  
  

Warnings

• Don't do this kind of thing in front of people, it is frowned upon in most places.
  

Things You'll Need

• New Orleans Voodoo Doll
  
  • 2 strong sticks
    
  • Spanish moss
    
  • scrap fabric cut in 2 inch strips
    
  • 2 to 3 feet long (color of your choice, yarn that complements or contrasts fabric
    
  • string
    
  • hemp cord, or waxed thread,
    
  • beads to use as eyes
    
  • needle and thread in a color to match or contrast your fabric
    
  • tacky glue
    
  • pins with heads in the following colors: red, blue, green, purple, yellow, black, white
    
  
  
• Modern Voodoo Doll
  
  • full body shot of a person
    
  • printer transfer paper
    
  • white fabric
    
  • thread and needle
    
  
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Use a Voodoo Doll
  
• How to Make a Kachina Doll
  
• How to Make a Yarn Doll
  
• How to Make a Sock Doll
  
• How to Make a Stress Doll
  
• How to Make a Hate Relief Doll
  
• How to Create a Ouija Board
  

Sources and Citations

• MysticVoodoo.com - Original source of New Orleans doll instructions, shared with permission by Denise Alvarado.
  
• JPG Magazine - Original source of modern doll instructions, shared with permission by Lauren Smith.
  

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Rash of UFOs Sightings in Texas

Zoomed in view of UFO flying over Lake Travis in Central Texas northwest of Austin. Photo: Virgil Fowler

There have been a rash of UFO sightings in Texas recently prompting discussion about the possibility of their existence, more government cover-ups, and memories of the incident at Roswell. I heard an interview on the radio this morning with an eye-witness who stated it was in fast pursuit by military aircrafts. Calls to the authorities led to explanations from nothing was there, to it being some sort of gas cloud in the air. Here's a couple of articles and videos I found about it....judge for yourself.