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Encounters with AIRR: Dr. E

 


Dr. E and I have known each other for years now and one of the things I like best about his approach is how he fuses authentic folk magic with a hardcore sense of practicality. He is also one of the best spokespeople out there right now defending and describing the much-vilified practice of Santeria-I am personally really thankful for this work because he has taught me so much about this beautiful spiritual tradition and his outreach on this subject is SO needed right now! 

 

 


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What is your philosophy on magic and root work? 

I believe rootwork is a powerful tool anyone can use to help better
their situation. When it comes to rootwork, I feel that it works best
when it is coupled with practical action for best results. For
example, if a person wants more money in their life, I would cast a
money draw spell for them and give them practical coaching on how to
reduce their spending, bring in extra income and manage their
finances. This magical/practical approach has worked wonders for
hundreds of clients and I find it best reflect my philosophy:
“Rootwork opens doors but we still need to walk through them.”

What are your favorite types of cases and why? 

The majority of my cases are love and reconciliation work, but my
favorite kind of cases are more aggressive curse work or unjinxing
work. I love unraveling and removing curses and stopping my client’s
enemy from casting further spells. Interestingly, there is a
correlation between reconciliation work and curse work. Both have to
do with inflamed passions and often it is a bitter ex-lover that is
cursing. Heating up the passions for reconciliation work, or cooling
them down to stop curse work is something that I really excel at.

If you could give prospective clients one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Whether you’re hiring a rootworker or doing rootwork yourself,
remember to relax. Relaxing and having faith in the work that is being
done is critical to your spell’s success. The more you worry, panic,
or fret about the spell work, the more you are working against your
spell. Cast your spell (or have your hired rootworker cast the spell)
then chill out. Let the magic do its work and all will be well. If you
begin to worry because you’re “not seeing results as you had hoped”
remember it is in God’s hands and He will determine when you’ll see
results. Relax and let the magic happen and have faith in God and in
your rootworker.

Bio:

Dr. E. is a two-headed conjure doctor, astrologer, and spiritual
medium. He offers rootwork services to clients including setting of
lights (candle work), tarot readings, diloggún readings (Santería
cowrie shell), and rootwork consultations. Dr. E. is the owner and
proprietor of his line of Dr. E. Products including hoodoo condition
oils, powders, baths, mojo bags and curios available on his website at
ConjureDoctor.com. Dr. E. is a proud member of the Association of
Independent Readers and Rootworkers (AIRR) and is also the founder of
the Santeria Church of the Orishas – SanteriaChurch.org.

Websites:
Store
Church 

Social Media:
Facebook 
Google+ 
Twitter 
Blog

Working Between the Worlds: Under the Hood

I am so excited about my newest offering for those of you working in the Sacred Arts-Working Between the Worlds one on one sessions. Working Between the Worlds is a program I developed because quite frankly I was sick and tired of seeing amazing people and services go under because the money wasn’t there. I feel passionately that our world needs all the metaphysical and spiritual gifts we all have to offer-and I know that centuries of feeling like we have to remain in the shadows has done its work on all of us. Too many talented artists, readers, ritualists, energy workers, and spirit workers are hiding their lights or feel grateful for making enough money from their gifts to barely pay rent. I say enough of this nonsense. Spiritual work should be sustainable and create bounty in your life-these are the conditions that allow us to be of greatest service. This new blog series will feature one post a month that goes through some of the tips and tricks I have used successfully to turn my own business into a solid six figure sacred arts enterprise.

 

Probably the question I get asked most about business is how I balance it all-how do I write and publish articles, serve clients, make spiritual products and charms, participate in interviews, keep up the blog, keep up the website, and take care of a two year old without breaking a sweat?

 

Well, first off I can say that I have definitely broken more than one sweat in my workday! Secondly, the first year I worked CRAZY hours, now I work less, have deep relationships with my clients, and enjoy every moment of this wild ride. So here is a look under the Milagro Roots hood-these are people and services who have proved invaluable for me-many of them are free or have free trials-and they can dramatically change your business.

On the Web 

Hootesuite-I loooove Hootesuite because it makes social networking and social marketing way easier. They have a free trial-imagine, your FB, Twitter, Tumblr, and G+ profiles all in one place?  Beautiful!

Aweber­-I have tried all the various email marketing services and I love Aweber best of all. Yes, there is a monthly fee but its worth it.

Audio Acrobat-This is an awesome service for recording phone calls, meditations, and anything that you want to be able to send to your clients and have them easily download. I love recording my intuitive readings because it gives both myself and the client something to refer back to. They offer a one month FREE trial.

Instant Teleseminar-I have used this service for the Milagro Roots phone fests and I am super happy with their customer service and products-you can try it for a month for ONE dollar!

Bitly-awesome for making links short and beautifully organized. FREE

Dropbox- Drop box is FREE and it’s a perfect way to back up files-can we say Mercury in Retrograde?-and to share files with clients.

Trello-is a fantastic tool that I use to organize ritual tasks, store photos, and keep my projects all lined up-its FREE!

Dispatch-another great organizational tool that my team uses so that we all know what we are working on, what we have accomplished, and what remains to be done-clean and pretty and FREE!

 

People who rock:

Alex Franzen-copywriter and book author extraordinaire, Alexandra can do wonders with your copy and her scripts are inexpensive and can help you write anything-from your coming out letter, to your manifestor, to drool worthy product copy. I have, ahem, contributed to her 100 Ways to Play with Yourself booklet.

Erika Lyremark-kick ass stripper turned business coach. She dishes out FREE whippings and you want to get in on them because Erika is full of creativity, clarity, and no bull. Check her stuff out at her Morning Whip headquarters.

Theresa Reed-Theresa is my partner in crime for our monthly Talking Shop Tele-Rap series and her Mystical Moguls program is a wonderful and inexpensive way to dip your toe into the waters of biz advice specifically geared to metaphysical moguls (hint: that’s you!)

Youngblood Sourcery-Cassie and Hillary keep my site beautiful and my copy fresh-love these girls!

Sunflower Virtual Solutions-Monica is my right hand virtual assistant and she is awesome pure and simple.

Rebecca Pollock-for all of you who LOVE my labels-Rebecca is the creative genius behind them. She specializes in delicious graphics that are delivered on time.

If you start using a couple of these products and/or working with a few of these folks your way of thinking about and doing your business will change and you will be oh so happy about it.

Till next month!

Prayers and Poems Sunday: Sowing the Seed by Wendell Berry

photo via **Lucky Cavey**

Sowing the seed,

my hand is one with the earth.

 

Wanting the seed to grow,

my mind is one with the light.

 

Hoeing the crop,

my hands are one with the rain.

 

Having cared for the plants,

my mind is one with the air.

 

Hungary and trusting,

my mind is one with the earth.

 

Eating the fruit,

my body is one with the earth.

 

Dedicated to my Nanna and my sister Britt-Happy Birthday to both of you!

 

 

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Shuffling the Deck: Death

death

Ai! I have taken a couple of months off from the Shuffling the Deck series and recently remembered that it was time to pick it back up again—but with a few changes. Because ritual forms such a huge part of what I do, each new entry will include ritual suggestions & inspirations specific to the card at hand. I am also adding in some astrological considerations to each card and a poem of prayer that invokes the specific energy and presence of the card.

Card: Death
Number: 13
Planetary Ruler: Pluto
Zodiac sign: Scorpio
Season: late fall through early Winter and the celebration of Halloween, All Soul’s Day, Samhaim, Dia de los Muertos

Maybe its because I’m born on the 13th of maybe its because Pluto features strongly in my natal chart, but the Death card has always been one of my favorites. Its themes include:

Meanings:

Death-literally or figuratively
Descent into the Underworld
Initiation
Equalizing forces-Death and taxes!
The Death card is a wake up call. It reminds us that physical death is imminent and unavoidable and compels us to think, if only for a moment, on whether or not we are living as brightly as we might. This is a question for each one of us-rich, poor, black, white, brown, or red, woman, man, and those in between-because we each must face death it is a great equalizer-we are all on a level field.

As we settle into that question we consider what parts of our life might be in the process of dying back-and whether they are making room for more of the same or for something precious and worthwhile. Death symbolizes endings, it is final, it is done-it brings the possibility of closure to experiences that may be dragging out for too long sucking at our life force and creativity.

And finally, Death is communion, especially when we come out of (or to) a tradition that honors the ancestors who have gone before and seeks to learn from them. 

Rituals:

Honoring and listening to your dead-your ancestors and those of your lineage. You can do this by building an altar for your ancestors, visiting a graveyard where family members are buried and keeping up the grave sites, or simply by displaying old photos of deceased family members around your home so that you become more aware of their presence…and wisdom.

Working with Deities whose domain is the underworld-Kali, Ereshkigal, Hades, Porserpina, Dummuzi, Hel, Hekate, Santisima Muerte, Anima Sola. If Death is around you, if you feel like you are going through an underworld descent then learning about the Deities that preside over the underworld-and seeking their aid-is a wise course of action.

Culling-one can cull a herd of animals, a garden, or the attic-the process is inherently the same. We begin the culling process by asking the question: what needs to be allowed to die back, get harvested, be slaughtered so that new life may emerge?

Poetic Prayer:

This beautiful poem from by Pablo Neruda captures the first meaning of the death card beautifully:

You start dying slowly
if you do not travel,
if you do not read,
If you do not listen to the sounds of life,
If you do not appreciate yourself.

You start dying slowly
When you kill your self-esteem;
When you do not let others help you.
You start dying slowly
If you become a slave of your habits,
Walking everyday on the same paths…
If you do not change your routine,
If you do not wear different colours
Or you do not speak to those you don’t know.
You start dying slowly
If you avoid to feel passion
And their turbulent emotions;
Those which make your eyes glisten
And your heart beat fast.

You start dying slowly
If you do not change your life when you are not satisfied with your job, or with your love,
If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain,
If you do not go after a dream,
If you do not allow yourself,
At least once in your lifetime,
To run away from sensible advice…

Prayers & Poems Sunday: Psalm 113

Sexagesima_Sun_Pic

Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.

The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,

Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!

 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.

Spring Cleaning

Spring is upon us…

bluebonnet

Texas bluebonnets sprouting up in the neighborhood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This poem by e.e. cummings has always captured the feel of spring for me. Its a season of life and vitality, yes, but there is also the eerie sense of between-ness that is also present in autumn.

IN Just-
spring when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame baloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come
running from marbles and
piracies and it’s
spring

when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer
old baloonman whistles
far and wee
and bettyandisbel come dancing

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it’s
spring
and
the

goat-footed

baloonMan whistles
far
and
wee

 

rose

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe this is the reason that spring cleaning is a tradition right now-along with other traditions like Lent, the Equinoctial celebrations, and Ostara.

 

springtime seedlings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whatever it is, I am feeling the need to be outside, with my hands in the dirt and my back to the ever warming sun. Its time for planting, pruning, and plotting. What is your favorite spring activity, poem, or way of honoring this crepescular season? Let me know on twitter.

 

Prayers & Poems Sunday: The Navajo Beautyway

Navajo-Nations-Monument-Valley-Park-Kayenta-AZ-USA

In beauty may I walk

All day long may I walk

Through the returning seasons may I walk

Beautifully I will possess again

Beautifully birds

Beautifully joyful birds

On the trail marked with pollen may I walk

With grasshoppers about my feet may I walk

With dew about my feet may I walk

With beauty may I walk

With beauty before me may I walk

With beauty behind me may I walk

With beauty above me may I walk

With beauty all around me may I walk

In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may I walk

In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk

It is finished in beauty

It is finished in beauty

Encounters with AIRR: Deacon Millet

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Deacon Millet is another dear colleague from AIRR. I love Deacon Millet because he is kind and really, really smart. He has genuine compassion for his clients and like me, he really loves a happy ending. This is one of the many reasons why his altars are always loaded with candles from folks looking to find that perfect someone. In addition to his work as a reader and root worker, Deacon Millet also runs Four Altars Gospel Sanctuary-a small church in the California High Desert that is part of the Missionary Independent Spiritual Church denomination. Truth, beauty, and love-you get them all with Deacon Millet!

In his own words: 

Born in Texas, Deacon Millett was raised Catholic before converting to Protestantism in his late teens. In college, he was mentored in the tarot and mediumship, embracing the spiritual gifts he had experienced since childhood. He has served on the boards of both Methodist and Missionary Independent churches and has completed both the Lucky Mojo Internship Training and Catherine Yronwode’s Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course. He is currently the pastor of Four Altars Gospel Sanctuary, a private chapel with a global internet presence.

 

On the web you can find Deacon Millet at:

his official AIRR page

Four Altars Gospel Sanctuary

Facebook

 

angel-deacon1.) What is your philosophy on magic and root work?

My philosophy on magic and root work is pretty simple — “better
to light one candle than to curse the darkness.”

We’ve thrown away so much in our rush to embrace modernity,
technology, science. That’s all wonderful, but there is a primal
part of us that goes far deeper, to a place where humans and the
earth were joined. We’ve become far more atomistic, and we long
for that connection to fire, air, earth, water — and to each
other. Facebook is a desperate attempt to reconnect, but in this
logical, surface way. Traditional rootwork harkens back to a time
when our connections were still deep, tied to the air we breathe,
the footsteps we take, the fire we see and feel.

2.) What are your favorite types of cases and why?

My favorite types of cases are love work. I don’t think anything
matters more in the world than having someone to share your life.
And it took me a very long time to find the right person, so I
know how agonizing that process can be. So if I can help bring two
people together, or soothe the pain of an unrequited love, I feel
like I’ve made the world a little bit better. I also know
firsthand the rage of jealousy and the passion for revenge which
overtake us when relationships sour. And I am willing to put that
energy into cursing and break apart work.

3.) If you could give prospective clients one piece of advice, what would it be?

I’ve given one piece of advice so many times that I’ve had to name
it. And here it is. “Deacon Millett’s First Law of Relationships:
Men do NOT want to talk about relationships.” That’s it. Love for
men is in the doing, in the being. If we’re holding your hand,
then that’s all we’ve got to say. And if you refuse to hear that
– if you demand we speak up louder, in endless words and
reassurances — then everything’s over before it began. THAT is
the relationship killer.

Prayers & Poems Sunday: The Prayer of St. Patrick’s Breastplate

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I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.

I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.

I arise today, through
God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.

I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.