Ancient Road

Folk Magic and the Spirits, Part 1

2012-01-20T11:23:00.002-07:00

Take a new cloth that you have wiped the sweat

of a man's brow with, roll this up with some fresh picked violets

and stick it in your left shoe.

Put this under your bed and during the night,

your true love will come to you in a dream.

There are many different formulas, procedures, and ways of going about using folk magic. You can find books and websites, or even hang out on email lists to get thousands of ideas. But why do these various "magic spells" show up in cultures throughout the Americas, and elsewhere, indeed why do they work at all? Perhaps they are just old superstitions that people who are desperate or ignorant follow? Perhaps there’s a reason you find “foot track magic” not only in hoodoo, but in european cunning craft as well as in aboriginal practices in South America? Perhaps there is a greater basis to these traditions than socking them all into cultural pigeonholes.

At Ancient Road we teach and practice many different forms of folk magic, from cultural forms such as hoodoo or curanderismo, native american magics, powwow, european folklore, as well as the backwoods folk practices of Appalachia, the Ozarks, and the Californian mountain folk. We see the similarities in these systems, not as an eclectic mishmosh of practice, but as linked traditions based upon the favor of the spirits. That’s the key folks, to all forms of folk magic, working with the spirits. Whether you are praying to Jesus or the Saints, whether you are calling upon the spirit of a pawpaw tree while hammering in a peg, or you leave a bundle for the black man at the crossroads, it is the intercession of spiritual forces that empower your work.

Take for instance a simple formula for a well-known hoodoo oil, Van Van. Most everyone knows that this is often some sort of lemongrass or lemon based herbal mix, whether you prepare it with essential oils or by a hot or cold maceration of the raw herb, it is pretty easy to make. But will it work? Why does it work for some people and not others? Is it a particular way of making? What is the hidden ingredient? Well, folks, it’s the sympathy of the spirits of the plant involved as well as additional prayers and enchantments you may call upon. This is why “perfume oils” and dyes, while they may smell and look nice, have no resonation with the world of the spirits (and why most “hoodoo” products on the market are worthless for a worker). Think of it as a vital magnetism, that helps draw the spirit in sympathy with your working. The spirits in many mixtures are plant spirits, but there are other formulations that may use animal or mineral spirits. Even texts such as the Picatrix, an old arabic compilation of charms and formulas, or the Greek Magical Papyri, use this concept. Indigenous tribes in South America may utilize certain plants (with no known physiological effects to science) and effect cures with their formulas. Of course, the missing ingredient is their relationship to the world of the spirits and their interactions through the auspices of the shaman, medicine man, or worker.

In our classes we always teach the importance of the spirit based faith. In our current “Age of Aquarius” or perhaps “Age of Science and Reason” we have found that many of our students have a difficult time accessing the spirits. Belief plays a large role, and many things are better taught through direct contact. Most people are not raised with a belief in the spirits, or just a sort of “faith based” belief in a nebulous god. Maya and I were lucky to grow up in families with a strong spirit based focus, indeed our families buy many of our products for their own work! But most people are divorced from a spiritual faith and therefore have to do a bit of work to begin their own contact and relationship with the other side.

I always recommend to clients who want to begin to work with the spirits to first get in good with your ancestors. The following is a way to work a simple “boveda” or ancestor altar. If nothing else, light them a white candle and offer a pure glass of water each Saturday. Spend ten minutes or so in silent meditation. Don’t go on asking them for this and that…just tell them you honor and love them and are remembering them. Perhaps talk a bit about your life so they can be proud of their line. For you are their line, you are the summation of millions of years of ancestors. Walk in this knowledge.

Well, I began this talking about folk magic, and now I’m on about the ancestors…as usual, rambling again. I think if you work just these sorts of simple beginning steps a whole new world will begin to show to you. Watch for our new class announcements, we have some exciting things we are planning in our baby hiatus, as well as our classic classes in Folk Magic, Hoodoo, Witchcraft, and Sorcery. Plus we are putting the finishing touches on some distance classes in Folk Magic, probably around the late spring or early summer. As always, Miss Maya and I are happy to answer questions---so drop us a line! maya@ancient-road.com

Blessings,

Ed Novem Grey

Success Stories!

2012-01-19T14:42:00.000-07:00

Well folks, we've been getting good feedback for quite some time on our products and the following people have kindly decided to share the following with you!

J. Riley of Biloxi, MI writes:

"Thanks you so much for the quick delivery of your Q oil!

I was amazed at how fresh it smelled compared to others I've tried from

other places, you must have some good juju in that.

I wore it out to the local club at the casinos last night and whoa I was flirted

over by some of the cutest guys you'd ever seen. Wore it just how you told me to,

a bit on the neck and wrists. Someone even asked me if it was

a french designer cologne I was wearing. Thanks a bunch, I've just put in another

order for a friend of mine who needs helping out!"

Glad to hear this J! We've also heard good success stories from women attracting men with the "Q" oil, but it is definitely geared for men attracting men. We left out the more risque part of your testimonial *wink*

O. R. of Rhode Island writes:

"BTW - wanted to tell you. I was having issues with my manager, and

bought some Boss Fix Oil from you. I started daily making a cross

on both palms with it and rubbing it in then grasping the

door handle of his office every day. Well turns out he was offered

a promotion and moved to another group. I now have a

new manager who seems much more disposed towards me.

Of course I was doing other things too, but consider this a testimonial."

A definite win-win for you and your boss O.R.! We love it when a "boss fix" spell not only helps you out of a horrible situation, but that it actually helped move the energy along to a positive path.

And one last one from Julie in California:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me Miss Maya,

its just been horrible around here, with stress with G and the job.

I used Tranquility oil every night, in a bowl by the bed and in my bath like

you said to in our talk. The bad dreams stopped the first

night I used them. Now I can sleep and even G has stopped

fighting with me so much, bless you Miss Maya for your help."

Glad to help Julie and like I said, you may even want to try the Kanaga water or even our XXX oil to spice things up in the bedroom!

Well that's some good feedback from some great folks! If you'd like to see what a difference traditionally made oils and products can make in your life, please give us a try! As always, we are happy to recommend ways for you to use our products---tips and tricks are *FREE* Just email us at maya@ancient-road.com and we'll get back to you as soon as possible with solutions to your issues. And please share with us YOUR success stories! We always love to hear about how we can give you a bit of the old helping out.

As always, our website for ordering is http://www.ancient-road.com

Thank you and have a blessed day!

Miss Maya in Albuquerque, The Magazine

2012-01-18T16:07:00.000-07:00

Miss Maya featured in Albuquerque, the Magazine October 2010

"Maya Hopkins’ inspiration comes from the freedom to create magic and help people in the community in matters of spirituality. “I love seeing people realize their potential and follow their hearts,” she says. Maya dedicates her life to the study of magic and women’s spirituality. As New Mexico’s only “working” occult shop, Ancient Road is where magic and ancient spiritual paths are honored.

People can learn magical techniques with classes in Witchcraft, magical herbalism and occult studies. Maya brings to her classes years of experience from working in public schools and the Peace Corps. The store makes and ritually charges supplies for practitioners and spiritual seekers alike, specializing in herbs, oils, incenses, tools and baths. Psychic readers also offer tarot readings and traditional astrology.

A practitioner of Hoodoo, which is African-American folk magic, and an Initiate of Victor Anderson’s Feri Witchcraft Tradition, Maya’s clients often seek her for spiritual advice, guidance on their own spell work, and for magical work done in their favor. “My particular expertise lies in real estate workings (selling homes and clearing them spiritually), as well as court cases and legal work, but we can take on any situation and help you accomplish your will,” she says."

Continuing Services!

2012-01-18T13:46:00.004-07:00

Well folks even though we are "between" physical botanicas at the moment we are still working with clients and of course the website, which has all of our products, is going strong. I just wanted you to know that if you are in need of Hoodoo services or a tarot reading all you have to do is email us with your concerns or purchase a service on our website. http://www.ancient-road.com under "Services"

I take on many different types of cases and have a high success rate with court cases as well as real estate cases amongst others. In fact most of my clients come to me for issues with the courts which range from simple small claims legal matters to folks who are facing hard time. One thing that many of my clients value from me is that I do not judge the difficulties they are having in their lives. Life on Planet Earth is tough and folks all have different stories and come from many different roads. Who am I to moralize that they have a drug abuse problem or that they make their living as a prostitute? People are people and most of us need help from time to time. I suppose it is the job of the Houdoun or Cunning man or Wise woman to work with those that society feels are garbage or who they think would do "better" if they only followed the rules that society has outlined for them. So we work for the under classes, the undesirables and for people who no one else will believe. We work on real issues for real people who most often have nowhere else to turn. My clients include local business owners, Baptist church ladies, prostitutes, lawyers, folks who are in trouble with the law, students and many others.

The way that I work is to first have a consultation with new clients. This is the same cost as an hour long tarot reading and is a way for me and the client to build rapport and to see if I can indeed help on the case. I mean, why charge you like some others on a case that I cannot help you with? That's unethical to me. After the consultation, if the client and I decide to proceed with the work, we then work closely that week or the week when I begin (some workings need to be timed with the lunar phases or other astrological conditions). My Hoodoo work is $100 per week, per condition. I keep close communications with my client during that week and I also give homework or workings for them to do. I feel that having the client participate in their own case helps to empower them and adds to the energy in the mix. Sometimes, it's as simple as getting the client to work on uncrossing themselves, while I work with the spirits on their behalf, sometimes it takes a bit more. Usually clients see some sort of movement in their case after a week (think of it as setting things in motion, or breaking stuck energy), but if you'd like to continue after that week, then we will do a reading and proceed further.

We never charge "hidden" fees, nor will we come back to you demanding more money. Our fees are up front, in fact that is best way for the client-worker relationship to proceed. I've often found that clients who hold back information from me or who have dishonest aims are the ones who have the hardest time getting the results they want. Sometimes they are just embarrassed to state the true issue! That's OK folks, I've heard and seen pretty much everything with clients, as you can imagine in Albuquerque, the city that hosts the show "Breaking Bad". And as I mentioned before, I don't judge.

Another plus to working with me is that once I have worked on a condition, I never charge a consultation fee again...that's right! Once you are in our black book of clients, I only charge for the work on that condition. I do limit clients to one condition working per week, that's just to make sure we are concentrating fully on that case until resolution, but I am happy to continue work for other conditions later.

If you'd like to do your own work, no problem! We offer many useful and unique products on our website...you WILL NOT find this quality of materials anywhere else. We use essential oils, true herbs, astrological timings, alchemy, traditional formulas, numerology, and spirit enchantment in every product we make. No, these are not mass-produced vat oils made with perfumes and dyes, these are the real things folks! And we are always happy to recommend products to you for specific workings, explain ways of using them in your own work, and to give tips and tricks so that you can be as successful as possible. That's a *FREE* service folks! Just email us at maya@ancient-road.com

Talking about *FREE* services, did you know we offer *FREE* shipping on any orders over $40 in the USA and *FREE* shipping on any orders over $60 internationally? That's just another big thank you to all our dedicated clients who have supported us over the years.

We always want to hear of your successes as well, (and we have quite an email back log of them!) In the next few weeks we will be posting out some of these successes and questions that people have wanted to share on this very blog. So stay tuned!!!

God inside you: the magickal use of herbs

2012-01-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

Using herbs magickally seems to be a favorite topic amongst many magicians and witches, especially witches, and encompasses a lifetime of study and work. There are so many avenues in which to veer with plants that it can easily overwhelm a novice or student of the green realms. But as in so many things that my partner Ed and I teach about, we need, as always, to go back to the Spirit of the plant. Meaning the actual "Spirit" being that inhabits a type of plant and the process of getting into relationship with that plant and learning its moods and ways that it interacts with us. It is a relationship that is external, as in learning how to use it in potions and incenses and also an internal (should you choose that route) relationship in how it effects your consciousness. Of course you must know your body and understand the toxicity of any plant before experimentation as well as the legal implications but all of these paths are important for a person deeply interested in the green world.

The witch needs to understand the nature of plants in both their light and dark aspects, that is the old axiom, "A witch must know how to heal and to hex, cure and to curse." It is the same way with plants, many in small amounts can heal us and help us but in larger amounts can kill or harm us. The witch is also the poisoner, one who knows the arts of Veneficum and understands the subtle changes in consciousness in order to commune with the Spirits. Many of the Spirits of plants can be harsh mistresses especially when taken internally and it is up to the witch/shaman/magician to make sure that he is up for the task and does not become a slave to that particular plant ally. As always we want to be in relationship, in dialogue and not in a co-dependent or abusive relationship with anyone or anything. And of course if you look around you, you will see many people who are in abusive relationships with plants (and other people) and you must remember if you desire to walk the twisted path that you must always be cautious. Working with herbs is not just a matter of mixing things in a bowl because you read that rose petals and lavender bring love or that devil's shoestrings tie up the tongues of your enemies. Working with herbs requires knowledge of the herb, how it grows, its seasons and effectiveness dry or fresh, what its spirit is like and what it is allied to, does it change consciousness and is it safe for you to ingest it to commune, is it best to be burned and what are its secret names? Here are some tips for you and for your experimentation....are you taking notes?

The best way to begin as with many things is to start small. Start with just a few herbs, maybe even one or two and begin your journey of mastering them and letting them teach you. Though there are many good books and I am a vellum and gold leaf bibliophile, books are not the end all be all, a starting point perhaps but the magician/witch needs to get his hands dirty and get to work! Oh and please write it down!

So let us start with a single herb, one that I work with often and one in which there is much to learn and be cautious of. It is an herb that is extremely toxic and addictive and one that has caused many problems, an ancient shamanic plant used specifically for the dead and the ancestors, one that were its LD50 rating (the medical score given to plants and or drugs to assess its morbidity upon humans in a half dose) is quite high and is more addictive than heroine. A plant that inspired much of the slave trade as well as created wealthy plantation barons and created much of the character of what America is today. A plant that is an effective gate way to the Spirit world, trance and divination. A powerful ally to the witch and magician and one that well is still easy to get in today's fearful world of plant power. That plant is tobacco.

As a kid my grandparents would smoke in the car with the windows barely cracked and I would woozily spin into dagger-like headaches and nausea, coughing with undiagnosed allergy asthma and beg them to stop. But the ally had them and though I was their blood and a child the need for them was greater than my discomfort. But tobacco is a patient killer, slow and steady, and both of my grandparents succumbed to lung disease. In my teenage years I of course tried smoking and hated the feeling of the smoke in my lungs, I still do, though I have enjoyed clove cigarettes for they numb and I cannot feel the smoke. There was always something alluring and dangerous about tobacco both from the media but from my father as well who is Taos Pueblo. He would often have a pouch of tobacco that was sacred and leave a pinch or two to "keep the spirits happy" in certain places. This of course imprinted upon me and my first sacred experience with tobacco came when I was 14 years old. The ally of this plant was speaking to me even then. I had the opportunity to visit England for the first time and made a pilgrimage to Glastonbury Tor (the isle of Avalon) in Somerset county. All I knew was that this place was important to the Fae and that it was where King Arthur had gone after he died. I also had a strong intuition to bring some of my father's sacred tobacco with me to offer to the Fae. A strange idea at the time but a strong gut feeling. Offer it I did on the top of the Tor on a misty day with rain in my face. I did not understand at the time that Tobacco actually is a "gateway drug", that is gateway to the Spirit realm (especially for the dead) and that Glastonbury Tor is a gateway into the land of the dead , Anwyn to be exact and that the lord of that Gate is Gwynn ap Nudd who is the lord of the Wild Hunt and is responsible for collecting the souls of the dead. An appropriate offering and one that the plant spirit whispered into my ears at a young age. An offering I did not completely understand at the time but one that has wrapped into my workings as a witch and rootworker.

I began experimenting with Tobacco after that, though not in the traditional sense, I always kept a pouch of loose pure tobacco in my purse so that I could offer it to the wind if I felt Spirits around or wanted to give an offering. Dale Pendell, a plant person, author and expert in the magical use of herbs writes that tobacco grows near human food stuffs. That it alleviates hunger (which is why models and actresses live on cigarettes and coffee to stay thin) but does not really solve hunger and in the end creates a different kind of hunger. That tobacco is really a "food" for the Spirits rather than humans, which is why it is offered in so many ceremonies to the Spirits and to the deads. If you look at the Afro-Caribbean traditions of magick you will see that many of the Spirits, Ellegua/EXU comes to mind as well as the Guede and Bawon Samdi, are offered cigars and tobacco smoke. Ah the world of the dead, of the Spirits and the gateway for the magician. Shamans in the Americas used to make a decoction of tobacco and drink it to pass out to divine the messages of the Spirits. This way, of course, is a flirt with death as tobacco consumed into the tummy is one of the quickest ways to kill yourself because of the sheer toxicity of nicotine, three drops of pure nicotine is enough to kill a large male. I myself do not ingest tobacco in any form. My body reacts negatively with it and seeing as it is more addictive than heroine I choose not to flirt with this mistress in that way. However, there are other ways to use tobacco that are quite effective.

When I work with Spirits who are native to the Americas or who are crossroads Spirits who are used to the offering of tobacco, I make sure I have it handy either in loose form to give to the wind or in the form of cigarettes or cigars which are lit. The loose unlit tobacco seems to be a more passive offering but the burning smoke is another matter. The smoke actively calls the Spirits and is a stronger offering to them and one that they absolutely love. I often offer tobacco smoke in graveyards when I am working in them but more specifically when I am working with a Spirit who craves such an offering. At Ancient Road we put pure tobacco into some of our oils and incense that is related to the dead and to Spirits of the Graveyard. And sometimes when the Spirits really want to get your attention they will manifest tobacco smoke as a calling card for you! Spirit manifestation is an important part of the work of the witch. Because it is not "all in your head" or "psychic work", it is about results and getting in dialogue with the Spirits. Sometimes you use the ally and sometimes it uses you. Tobacco opens the gates as I have stated before and in many operations I have had the experience of Spirit manifested tobacco.

Several months ago my partner Ed and I were leading advanced students through a Kava ceremony at our home. I was not partaking of the Kava as I was pregnant at the time and was acting as the "sitter" and drumming for the group. During the ceremony a strong waft of tobacco smoke filled the room along with another indication that some Spirits had arrived, the temperature dropped considerably which is a sign of the deads. The participants began exclaiming they smelled tobacco and some even began to cough a bit, however, our home is smoke free and there were no open windows at the time to allow smoke into the room, nor was there any visible smoke. This was also not a shared psychic experience of those under the influence of Kava as I had no Kava and could smell the smoke just as strongly. We simply acknowledged the presense of the deads and the smoke, gave them thanks and drummed. Soon the smell vanished and the room warmed. Interesting to note is that Kava, a South Pacific herb and sacred plant, is used to contact the dead in those cultures as well as to create bonds of love and friendship among the living....the Spirits do talk and those who walk the plant paths need to listen.

My advice it to approach your herb and plant work with respect and an open ear and heart. Let them teach you and learn to experience with them on the road. Understand that most plants are both poisons as well as healers of both the mind, body and soul and have so much to give to us. It is not a task taken lightly but one that is highly rewarding. Choose a plant, perhaps a simple one such as Chamomile, and see how it effects you. Talk to it, ask it for information. Place it beside your bed and see what dreams well up. Burn it in incense and see what happens then, learn what you can from primary sources such as the Bible, Agrippa or Greek Myths. Is the plant sacred to any specific Spirit or God? What are its medical abilities and how have humans used it? Are there moral codes attached to it or laws? Does it trigger emotions when mentioned or do people barely notice it? Oh and don't forget to write it down as you journey into the realm of the magickal use of herbs....

Miss Maya

Hoodoo for the Holidays!

2011-12-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

Folks, do we have a special offer for you this holiday season at Ancient Road!!! Hoodoo for the Holidays! We are offering FREE shipping for any US order! We are also offering FREE shipping on international orders over $25 (excluding the Waters and Washes which cannot be shipped internationally at this time). This shipping sale ends at midnight December 31st!

We have so many awesome products on our site and though we are in transition with our shop you can still get all of your needed Hoodoo and magickal products at your convenience. Some of our most popular items are our Saint and Holy oils which are selling quite fast during this season. One of my favorites is the Three Magi oil, which smells beautiful and is used for inspiration, wisdom and a ancient magicks. Based on the magic of the Persian Fire magi this blend conjures images of powerful spells and knowledge from far away lands. I have also been burning copious amounts of Frankincense in our home and we sell top grade Frankincense from the Holy Land. Seriously folks do yourself (and your health a favor) and forget the Glade Gingerbread scented candles and burn Frankincense. Did you know that Frankincense has been proven to fight depression and uplift the senses? Also the reason the church continues to burn it is because of its high vibration and ability to chase away negative beings and emotions.

Of course we have many other wonderful products for you to choose from and of course if you have any questions please feel free to email me: maya@ancient-road.com

Also watch our Facebook page, as we will have giveaways and other special gifts throughout the Holidays!!! www.facebook.com/ancientroad

And please DO check out our site: www.ancient-road.com

Have a great and blessed holiday whatever your tradition!!

Miss Maya and Ed Grey

Bigotry and Homophobia in the Pagan Community

2011-12-07T15:48:00.000-07:00

I am constantly amazed with some of the infantile reactionary impulses some folks have in the pagan/magickal communities here. Excuse me for a bit but Miss Maya must rant as one of her dear friends has been the subject of a magickal attack in a series of attacks that has gone on for some time not just on him but on others---as well as on Ancient Road itself.

My dear friend (lets call him Sage) is a gay practitioner in the area who specializes in gay sex magick, oils, massage and healing arts. Sage is also a minority which will come into play in my rant in a bit. Sage creates some of the best gay sex oils I have ever seen and I do not normally praise other oil makers (hey it is how I make my living after all) but he really does specialize in these types of oils from oils to help men with erectile dysfunction, to hot gay sex to love between men. He also creates beautiful oils for lesbian woman. Ancient Road carries his oils as does another large metaphysical Wiccan shop in the area. Sage had been having problems with some of the psychics at this other shop for a while and decided not to do his massage or readings there and just sell his oils. After feeling bad each time he went into this other shop from negative energy, snickers and strange looks from some of the other practitioners he decided he would remove his oils from consignment. A few days ago he went to retrieve his oils and found that all of them had had the plastic tamper ring removed and they had been salted inside. When he told me this I was furious. Not only had someone basically ruined his products they used salt to render them magickally neutral! He was quite upset and I felt I had to post something about this. Perhaps it is the mama bear coming out in me but he is a soft spoken sweet man who would not harm anyone and who is doing a lot of work to heal the hatred towards gay men. I felt that folks who live in Albuquerque should know these things are going on.

Ancient Road is no stranger to these ludicris attacks. When I first opened the physical shop two years ago, some of the local pagan community were furious with me. I cannot say why, perhaps it is because I am not a Wiccan, but there was anger that I had not "gotten permission" from some of the elders in the community. Interesting that I was not opening a Wiccan shop or a metaphysical shop, I was opening a Hoodoo shop and the main communities that I cater to are the Santeria, Voudou, Folk Magic, Catholic and African American Churches. Also I am not a member of COG, as I don't like groups with bylaws, but if I had joined I must note that COG was founded by a member of my Feri Tradition, Alison Harlow. But these are minute bitchy points. My door was then magickally "attacked" with a small clay skull hung on it. Novices to cursing obviously because if you are going to curse some one you NEVER let them know or have access to the curse item. I took the fetish to the crossroads and let Exu deal with it and well business got better don't you know.

That is when the rumors began to fly. I heard whispers from customers who had heard at community meetings that "I practiced black magic", "that I sacrificed chickens in the back of my shop", and that "I was a bad influence on new people interested in Wicca". My reaction: Awesome!!! Bad press is great press! I must be doing something right. And why am I still being classified as Wiccan? I own and operate a shop that caters to the ATR's (African Traditional Religions), their children in the New World, and to people who practice Catholic mysticism. I actually DO practice black magick, yes folks, I am an amoral sorcerer who does not believe in a karmic cosmic rubber band. Black magick is classified as things like, astrology, divination, hexing, nigromancy, spiritual justice, money work, love work and most definitely court cases. It is basically all the stuff other than devotional work to Spirit. Do I sacrifice chickens in the back of my shop, no actually. Do I have a problem with ritual animal sacrifice? No I do not. These practices are part of African Spirituality and are an important part of these religions. I do not judge people and their practices and in fact I have witnessed ritual animal sacrifice by Imams in a Muslim country after Ramadan. When done with spiritual reverence the animals are treated with respect and by the way they are also eaten. I have also had white people walk into my shop (who I recognized from the Pagan Pride festival) see several of my Black customers, turn around and walk straight out. Odd that.

I find it strange that I am being accused of things I actually do believe in and feel should be respected as if I were a part of a community that I was never actually a part of. Ancient Road has always been dedicated to the Art Magical as well as the African Traditions. We are old school Witches and Houdouns who work for the community with practical magick which gets results. I am not a priestess and in fact have no interest in such endeavors. I work for the community one on one to get things done such as help folks with court cases, money issues and love issues. Most folks are afraid of change and different groups of magickal practitioners other than their own brand. The local OTO has faced the same types of prejudice in the community here so much so that they were actually banned from all other metaphysical shops and we kindly welcomed them. Of course my partner Ed and I consider ourselves renegade Thelemites and love our OTO friends in town. We haven't got the "Satanist" label that they have but I think they are used to it by now. Ancient Road has gotten a lot done in the short 2 years that shop #1 was open. We have brought out awesome speakers such as T. Thorn Coyle and Lon Milo Duquette and we held top classes in occult sciences and folk magic to be found no where else in the State. We also sold top products made for practitioners and are proud of what we do. And while we are taking a break as I get ready to have a baby in January we are not gone for good..... we are still operating an on-line shop and will be ready for new adventures in the Spring. And of course for those of you who have supported us over the years we are so thankful for your enduring friendship and loyalty.

Miss Maya

Over the Holiday Season

2011-11-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

Just an update for you all. We will be taking a 3 month maternity leave over the holiday season and will be closed December, January and February. However, we are still up and running on-line 24 by 7, which means you can shop for your favorite Ancient Road products at your convenience. Towards the end of February we will be moving to a new location and will announce all of the new shop information at that time. Feel free to email me at maya@ancient-road.com if you have any questions or concerns.

We will still be posting blogs and working hard to supply you with top magickal products and services.

Have a great holiday season everyone!

Blessings
Miss Maya

Getting Results

2011-11-09T16:19:00.001-07:00

An important part of practicing and working magick, and especially so if you work for clients, is getting results with your work. If you are not getting results you are not working magick and you will not hold on to clients very long. Sometimes the results vary in duration which can be frustrating to clients. Many expect miraculous results instantly (thank you America!), however; this is not the reality of the work and I always work with clients in terms of looking for movement. That is little successes, or failures, with the working. And I always give a time limit for the length of time I will work as well as have the client come up with a time line as well.

One such working has taken months to achieve success, but the cards always showed success, just a slow success for a case I have been working on for the past 8 months or so. I was hired by the mother to help her son get into the NFL. A bit of a tall order and I as the worker had to determine whether the mother was over zealous in her optimism for her son (we all want our kids to do great right?) or if the kid had any talent. I, of course, know practically NOTHING about football but I am always willing to hear a client out and see what the cards have to say. The cards showed that he had a chance and we decided to go for it. I began working with a pair of his dirty socks (Hoodoo is earthy after all) and made a collage of various teams he might be drafted into. Everything was going well and his agent had set up several pro-day trainings for him to attend when my working went to hell. The cards went from "green light" to "red light" seemingly overnight. The next day my client called me in tears, her son was placed hold for an indeterminate amount of time. Well that was exactly when the NFL had there huge lock out this season. For those of you who do like football you may have wondered if you were going to get to watch any at all. For me as a worker I wondered what at all I could do against huge multi-million dollar teams, the players, owners and young hopefuls. Not much. It is like using magick to win the lottery, your chances and work gets lost in larger currents than you can possibly handle.

So I counseled my client that we should wait. There was no reason for her to keep paying me when there wasn't much I could do anyway. We waited. Her son kept training. Eventually the lock out ended and we continued the work. About a month ago we ended the last working as it had been so long, normally longer than I work with a client on a single condition but we were both determined. Sometimes you have to let the work settle, sometimes you have to see where spirit leads you.

Today I got an email from her....her son is on his way to football camp! He may not yet be signed with a big fat contract, but he is on his way. The kid actually had talent and just needed a bit of a "push" to get him through much of the static and into the eyes of those who could see him for who he truly is. Just like anything in life you need determination to make it happen. Not only were we working on the spiritual side of this case but my client's son was working the mundane, that is he was not just relying on the magick. Magick is subtle, sometimes it takes a lot of time, but it often gives us the push we need and that is the heart of getting results.

Miss Maya

Ancient Road Website

2011-11-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

In case some of you did not know, Ancient Road is now online! We have a wonderful new website which features many of our products (more to come as always) as well as some information, links to Facebook and this Blog and much more. This means you can shop when ever and where ever you like. We have many clients and customers who live all over the nation as well as abroad and we are happy to ship to where ever you may be. Also customers in the US receive FREE shipping for orders over $40 and International customers receive FREE shipping for orders over $60! So please check us out and don't forget to "like" us on Facebook....

www.ancient-road.com

The botanica is now on the web....

Miss Maya

Last Minute Nelly

2011-10-24T05:23:00.001-06:00

One of the most frustrating things for a worker, and by that I mean a person who works in folk magic modalities such as, Hoodoo, Cunning Traditions, Curanderisimo, and many more, is the frantic desperation that many clients come to us with. That is the client whose court case is in 3 days or the client who needs to get their mate back before they marry that new person on Thursday, or the client who needs five thousand dollars in a week to pay the cartel boss, and the list goes on. Often these clients come to the worker in tears and rapid breathless voices and they angrily list all the other workers who have failed and that you are their last hope and it needs to work NOW! Of course the subtle implication is that if the work does not succeed it is you the worker, not the client, that has failed and this cycles into a common spiral of powerless feelings and more trauma drama for the client. So worker beware....and feel free to say no.

Clients in this state rarely understand that workings can be quite complicated and indeed do take time. Magic is subtle and often works in ways that we do not always see clearly at first and there are many things that need to be taken into consideration. At the very LEAST the work must be aspected well astrologically, and this is not just the moon folks, this is the day and hour timings that are found in all the respected Occult sources such as Agrippa. Add to this (especially if clients are distant) the need for personal items such as photographs, hair, nails, or other items. These need to be mailed and that takes several days. The very best results that I have with clients is when I work with them over a period of time. I like to work in conjunction with the client and I often give them things to do as well. I find that this "homework" helps them to feel involved and helps them to feel some personal power in situations where they feel powerless. For court cases I need at least 9 days to work the case and the longer the time the better. Money cases depend on the needs of the client but they too often take time to build up. Not only does the client need money now but they often need some help with money management as well as job ideas or more mundane issues.

Reconciliation work is by far the most difficult and many workers I know just flat out refuse to take it on. Something I consider at times as well. These clients tend not to tell me the truth. This is detrimental to magical work as I am working blind in a way. I think that the client knows that in some cases it really is hopeless but that obsession cannot be swayed. Our biological impulses and our mental programming are quite powerful indeed. And I, as your worker am not going to be able to undo years of abuse and damage in one working. Healing only really comes from within as the worker as guide. The best thing that a person can do for themselves (and self love is more important than the love of another) is to give themselves a time limit for the work and the person coming back. Again difficult, as these clients never want to hear that. But I as the worker have to make sure I do not go down your rabbit hole. I have other clients as well as a family of my own and boundaries must be respected. Sometimes this work does succeed but it is difficult and the sooner the work is started the better. If a worker tells you everything you want to hear beware as well...this is the stuff of the scam artist taking advantage of your pain and desperation.

I sometimes have to say things that people do not want to hear. Such as it may be time to move on or that they are going to have to take a punch in this situation. Magic is not a way to figure out all problems, it gives us an edge and combined with mundane efforts is powerful indeed. Not only that but it is my job to see that the work is justified, that is will the Spirits help? It is they not the worker, who really does the heavy lifting. It is the job of the worker to contact them on your behalf and to divine and advise you. Magic does not work how it does in the movies, it is subtle and often takes time. Sometimes it is miraculous but many times it is quiet and then things seem to be working. IF you do not have faith in the work this is a problem as well, especially for those of us working in the US. This is a culture of Science and reason and valid proof. Ways in which faith, miracles and magic do not operate. Another problem that I face is that many of the people who come to me do in fact have a spiritual tradition but this is often colored by the New Age movement, behind which the ideology of Theosophy. Sometimes I feel like I am fighting Blavatsky herself and some of the stupid ideas she came up with which are counter-indicative with working with the Spirits. As my partner Ed says..."it is all astral hoo ha anyway...." This meaning that one of the main tenets is that "it is all in your head" or that you can do "things on the astral" or "it is the intention" that really matters. No my friends the Spirits are real beings with specific purposes and specific ways they work. They want specific things and it is not about you it is about them. Time to take a breath and let the world of the Spirits fill you with wonder.

So gentle readers I suppose the point to this post is to look at your situation and stand back from it if you will. Talk to your worker, see what they have to say and realize that some things take time. Realize that somethings are not meant to be and that you have a purpose on this planet like everyone else and that this too shall pass.

Blessings and Luck to you on your journey....

Miss Maya

The Esoteric Book Conference

2011-09-15T16:27:00.000-06:00

Imagine a place where occultists from many serious paths come together like fringe tribes to the annual moot or gather in search of arcane knowledge, secrets and forbidden books. A place where like minds can share lore and workings and feel at home in the Emerald City. Imagine caressing a goat skinned tome of magick filled with talismans, workings and spirit names fumigated with frankincense and myrrh, a book (or books) to add to your arcane library and your working praxis.....oh the trouble you could get into....

This past weekend Ed and I attended the Esoteric Book Conference in Seattle. A yearly event for us and one we feel is on the top 5 list for all who are interested in magick and the occult; we would not miss it. The event focuses on occult book publishers, authors (who are often present) and occult art. There are many traditions represented such as various Thelemic and O.T.O groups, Voudon Gnostiques, Traditional Witchcraft groups such as the Cultus Sabbati, Chaos Magicians, Tantric, Astrological and Alchemical groups. The event is hosted by William Kiesel (who is the director and publisher for Ouroboros Press) and Catamara Rosarium (Alchemist and artist). They are both extremely nice and make the event pleasant to attend.

In my opinion there are not enough "serious" events for the person who is interested in working magical systems. We have plenty of Wiccan camping events, and local events but to me these are mainly social events for folks to release steam. There is not much substance to them and they tend to be dis-organized and lack the depth that the Esoteric Book Conference has as it is populated with occult scholars, artists and leaders of serious study or initiatory groups. Interestingly, Britain seems to hold the records with the "serious" occult conferences and meetings and well can we blame them? After-all they do have the British Museum with its' occult section, John Dee's papers as well as various original grimoires (drool!) and mummies, bog men and Celtic Kings! Not to mention the Boscastle Museum of Witchcraft in Cornwall (more drool), older Thelemic lodges as well as things such as standing stones, sacred sites and mead! So we at the very least have the Esoteric Book Conference! There is no other event in which one has so many accomplished, published and serious occultists in one room. Sorry not even PantheaCon, which is considered "fluffy bunny", but a good party I have heard.

One of my favorite lectures was by Craig Williams who spoke about the Dark aspects of Kali as well as left path Tantra. I found myself silently saying "yes, YES!" as he pointed out that most folks who think they are communing with Kali are not as they do not understand about the three Goddesses who are gate keepers to Kali. Many just "think" they are getting messages when in fact they have not bypassed ego. It is not all in your head and there are protocols to working with Spirits. He also mentioned that getting your "Kundalini" activated in a weekend workshop and then going back to your normal life on Monday was crap too as when the Kundalini is activated all in your life changes and you would not be able return to what you were doing. He also added that this is life long work that YOU have to do not someone else. Then gave the example of someone "healing or clearing" your chakras, something that would be laughed at in Indian culture as you are the only one who can do this ---so save your money.

Another lecture I enjoyed was by Vere Chappell who talked about his biography of Ida Craddock, who was a turn of the 19th century sexual mystic and outlaw. She advocated that women should enjoy sex with their husbands, that married couples could enjoy ecstasy together and that men should refrain from ejaculating when having sex. All very shocking and taboo subjects at the time. Much of her work influenced the basis of Western Sex Magick practices and she was praised by Aleister Crowley in the Equinox. I am reading her book now and it is absolutely fabulous. One of the things that broke her open was going to the Chicago world fair in 1893 and viewing the bellydancing by Little Egypt on Cairo Street. That is right folks, bellydancing led to sexual revolutions in the West. At that time the dance held more of the symbolism of menstruation, birth and sexual control hidden in movements and the symbols of the costumes.

Yet another great lecture was put on by Robert Bartlett on the subject of Alchemy, or "Al Khemy", as the Arabics would term it coming from the black, fertile lands of the Nile. The differences he presented between chemistry, as a science of dead materials, and the "living" chemistry of alchemy, where a material is vivified led Ed and I to think of the practice of hoodoo. Many people think that a hoodoo formulation is just a mixture of certain herbs or oils...hence the many books of formulations. The same as a chemist might think an alchemical operation is just the distillation of a herb, to extract out "active components" to be used medically (without the sulfur, salt, and mercury separated and recombined into a spiritual harmony). But a true worker knows that the formulations are vivified by the actions of the spirits the rootworker is in sympathy with. Indeed, the way of knowledge comes down from these primal sources, through reification in the material world, and thus benefits the client in three worlds, body, soul, and spirit. Even the terms are similar, where "khem" means black, hence dark or hidden (or fertile), and the "root" of the rootworker comes from the dark and hidden, fertile, subterranean earth.

Of course the other two "areas of interest" were the book vendors and publishers themselves and the occult art gallery. The vendors are absolutely AWESOME and include many publishing houses such as Ouroboros Press, Fulgar, JD Holmes and many more smaller houses. Some vendors had antique books in first editions as well as hard to find limited editions. It was a libra-bibliophile lust fest of paper, ink and marble painted bindings. Ooooooh yummy! Then there was the occult art show. Each of the artists featured was also a working magician in their different traditions. All the art was inspired through ritual, entheogen use or magickal working. It was all inspiring and among the artists was Daniel Shulke Magister of the Cultus Sabatti, our friend Patrick Larabee with his amazing pen and inks, the infamous ritual artist Orryelle and many many more. Suffice to say we bought art. (!)

All in all the conference was great. Ed and I saw many old friends and made new friends, enjoyed eating at the symbol rich Voodoo Cajun restaurant on Queen Anne street and had an awesome time. We both fully and whole heartedly recommend this conference to the serious student of magick. It is affordable, close (at least to those of us in the West) and a place to make contacts and significantly broaden your magickal range. You will not be disappointed.

Getting Magick to Work...

2011-08-26T11:46:00.000-06:00

Sigh. Where do I begin with this one? It is difficult to convince folks who have been raised in a rationalist, materialist American society at this dawning of the Age of Aquarius that magick actually does work. It is also difficult for people who are interested in magick to wade through the psychologically slanted books on magick written by academics who are not workers. The books that say things like magick is "all in your head", "the Gods and Spirits are archetypes" and "all you need is intention" do not help the neophyte or student. Sorry Jung you did make some major breakthroughs in psychology but you knew virtually nothing about magick. Austin Spare used to call Jung and Freud "Junk and Fraud". Witches work in myth and myth does not always "make sense" so try to get out of the rational for a bit.

I suppose the best way for me to explain magick is to tell about some of my own experiences as well as experiences from the shop. Magick does work but in different ways than most people understand and reasons for this are many and varied such as cultural programing, religious fear, rationalist thought and fantastical ideas which are Hollywood inspired. So far I have not yet been able to summon a fire ball and blow things up (although Ed has!). I have however, been able to get clients out of serious jail time, draw in money when ever needed, bind restless deads and many other convenient things.

Magick itself is sometimes subtle and sometimes extreme. Sometimes it is slow and sometimes fast and depending on the conditions sometimes it is easier or harder. My partner Ed Grey often says that magick is sometimes like "drilling a hole in a brick one drop of water at a time." You are gonna get there but a good ole' Age of Aquarius hammer drill is gonna get there a hell of a lot faster. So why use magick? Because you have a gift and talent for it, because sometimes the hammer drill is not the best option and because you can change not only your life but the world around you according to your will. A true magician walks in both worlds, creating the mundane environment to get the job or go to school as well as magick. It is a balance...

Unfortunately not every one is cut out to work magick or even have a skill for it. Sorry if this is upsetting or not in accordance with those books that say "You can do it!!!". But hey not everyone is cut out to be a violinist or NBA basketball player. I mean perhaps you could learn to shoot a few hoops or pluck at a violin but to master these arts?....no. It is no different with magick and in Hoodoo we call it "gifted for the work" and in Traditional Witchcraft we believe that "it is in the blood." However, the best way to find out if you are gifted for the work is to learn, experiment and see if you get results. The key in my opinion is results (although without a "lust for results", paradoxical no?). Anyone can go around telling you that "the Goddess told me this", or "I am a great healer and worker". People can say anything or believe anything...and often do. A magickal foundation in tried and true sources that have been used for hundreds of years such as the "Key of Solomon", "Agrippa's 3 Books of Occult Philosophy" and perhaps some grimoires such as the "Grimorium Verum," are a great foundation. Often overlooked in the "foundation" stage, is the role of experimentation and practice. Just reading books on magic will do little to bring about "results", get out of your head and get into some work! Failure and documentation are are your best friends, as Hyatt used to say, "be willing to take a punch." Also, one must always be diligent in the art and healthy ability to "check your brain". That is to say that sometimes your mind plays massive tricks on you, not to mention the fact that all of us are stuck with programs and reactionary impulses. The works of Phil Hine, Timothy Leary and Dr. Hyatt are great at breaking patterns and un-locking the body for the flow of magickal work.

In my own work I have found that a combination of knowledge of the Art Magicka along with a relationship with the Spirits and experience form the foundation for good magickal results. I am interested in operational results not just "feelings" or "psychological experiences". I want what works! And if it does not work I figure out something else that does. Not every facet of magick works for me and not every Spirit heeds my calls. Part of the work is opening up yourself and learning directly from the Spirits as a one size fits all book just ain't gonna cut it.

Oh and take notes for the Gods sake! This is your magickal experiment so you need to know what you are doing. For instance if you are doing money work start smaller rather than larger because you want to build up your confidence along with your skill. Doing work to pay some bills is a heck of a lot easier than trying to win the lottery (besides EVERY Santero, Palero, Worker and Magician is trying to do the same thing and getting past all that energy is next to impossible). You get what you put in so when doing a ritual go all out for the Spirits. No, that tiny shot glass of whiskey probably is not enough. If you are holding back then so is the energy and the results. The Spirits can read your heart you know. So once you get results document it so you can go back to it later. The Spirits also teach us in dream and omen so be open to that and write it down as well so if it does not make sense now you can ponder it out later. And write down failures as well (perhaps even more important than success), it's like math, if you keep erasing your work, you'll never figure out what caused the mistake in the first place.

Another thing to consider is repetition. The more you practice the better you will get. It is like going to the gym, you have to sweat like a pig to look like a fox. Once the practice becomes rote interesting things happen and results appear. As I have said before I love results and I know it is not all in my head.

I suggest these steps to my students who are serious about magickal work:
1. Have a daily practice.
2. Journal about experiences, failures and successes.
3. Research! Read many magickal sources and traditions. Begin to see the links in your mind.
4. Practice! Whether you are doing the LBRP (Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram), meditating or memorizing a ritual make sure to practice like crazy.
5. Try different modalities and systems
6. Work to see your patterns and habits.
7. Don't take yourself too seriously.

M

On the Road

2011-07-30T09:35:00.000-06:00

So we are on the road back to Northern California to visit family, brethren and kin but also to share the bounty of Ancient Road. From the coasts to the cities we are rejuvenating in the ocean and forests and on the streets. There is so much art here and diversity. Our clan is strong here and we have old ties to the land. So I have been thinking a lot about magick and place. The practice of magick here is in the blood of the people, from Santeros riding the metro in Oakland to community gardens in San Francisco to the abundance of art. Gods the art. There is so much art here and music and poetry. It is almost as if the Bay Area inspires art. Perhaps it is the cool foggy weather (I for one cannot function in the heat of the deserts) or perhaps there is just some deep egregore here that tickles the imagination. Whatever it is this place inspires.

Soon we will leave the cities and head for the redwoods. Trees that have survived since the time of the dinosaurs. Old, wise, filled with magick and all connected by root. Root....rooted in magick...rootwork...If you know how to see you can find magick all over the place. An offering here, a talismanic symbol there....so much "hidden in plain sight"....

We are rejuvenating here as well as doing our Road Show. Work and play combined. We hope you who are in New Mexico are well... we miss you of course and will be back soon with stories to tell and magick to share....hopefully the rains will have refreshed you.

Blessings
Miss Maya & Ed Grey

A bit...

2011-06-05T10:57:00.000-06:00

It has been "a bit" since I last posted. We are busy at the shop and my desire to post regularly has fallen a bit off. Ah well a person can only do so much in a day. We are now close on Sundays and while the shop is just open a bit over part time we are still working when we are not open. Our out of State clients have sky rocketed and as we were always workers and less "shop keepers" we hold to our work as Rootworkers and Cunning folk. We are also not corporate wage slaves either so sometimes our hours vary. It is like old Europe or Mexico, you just have to get to know us. We feel when the time is right people show up, money shows up and odd circumstance shows up. We are around and continue to work for you and with the Spirits....

Dragon's Blood

2011-04-17T15:34:00.000-06:00

The smell of Dragon's Blood smoke rising from the brazer is intoxicating to me and I have had it in my cabinet of herbs from early on in my magickal career. In those early days I was not sure of what it "did" or was used for, I only knew that recipes called for it and various books I had said it was for protection. Reflecting to workings I have done in the past, they seem haphazard in my mind, and now I am much more careful in my ritual components than I once was.

I get a lot of frantic folks in the shop who burst through my door with worried looks asking for Dragon's Blood resin or incense because they have to "clear and protect" their house! I try to give them alternatives but they are adamant and well I am a shop keeper so I do sell a lot of Dragon's Blood. However, Dragon's Blood is a bit more complicated than just being a "protective" smoke, actually it is a two bladed spirit. Frankincense would be much more effective for these folks but then the Dragon is deeply rooted in our subconscious mind and frankly it just sounds cooler than "churchy" ole' frankincense.

So let's take a journey with Dragon's Blood resin and see what some of the master magicians of old have to say about it.

Dragon's Blood has a confusing history. It was known about by the Romans who often confused it with another red resinous substance called Cinnibari (mercury sulfide), which is quite toxic, and in fact they called all red resins "Dragon's Blood". However, the 'actual' Dragon's Blood that we think of in occult use is from the palm tree "Dracaena draco" from the Canary Islands, though there are several species such as Croton, Daemonorops, Calamus rotang and Pterocapus which also produce red resinous sap. Another interesting thing to note about the Dracaena draco tree is that the actual bark is 'scaled' and looks like dragon's scales. This of course is yet another example of 'sympathetic magick' in which one thing resembles another and therefore takes on those characteristics. More research on this can be found in "The Doctrine of Signatures".

Dragon's Blood began to be copiously traded in the early 15th century when Jean de Bethencourt sailed to the Canaries in 1402. It was used as a varnish for violins and also used medically to staunch blood and has antibiotic qualities and can be found in your local herb store. I have used it myself for menstrual troubles and to improve my immune system (it tastes terrible so make sure to have a water chaser on hand)!

Now that we have a brief idea of the mundane nature of Dragon's Blood let us now turn to the magickal uses and properties of it and where it is found in old books of magic and lore. In Agrippa's "Three Books of Occult Philosophy" we find a reference;

"They say that the blood of a basilisk, which they call the blood of Saturn, hath such great force in sorcery, that it procures for him that carries it about him, good success of his petitions, from great men in power, and of his prayers from God, and also remedies of diseases, and grant of any privilege."

There are several interesting things about this passage first of all the basilisk was an ancient mythological serpent who was actually thought to be the "king" of the dragons. A deadly and powerful creature it even appears in the Bible in Isaiah 14:29. Pliny the Elder writes about the basilisk and states:

"As to the basilisk, a creature which the very serpents fly from, which kills by its odor even, and which proves fatal to man by only looking upon him, its blood has been marvelously extolled by the magicians. The blood is thick and adhesive, like pitch, which it resembles also in color dissolved in water, they say, it becomes of a brighter red than cinnabar. They attribute it also the property of ensuring success to petitions preferred to potentates, and to prayers even offered to the gods; and they regard it a remedy for various diseases, and as an amulet preservative against all noxious spells. Some give it the name "Saturn's Blood".

It is interesting to note that the magickal qualities of the basilisk blood are the same as attributed to Dragon's Blood, that is does indeed have healing properties and that it's smoke carries the petitions of the magician to the Spirits. I would argue that above all else Dragon's Blood is a summoning incense of those infernal realms of Earth and attributed to Saturn. As ruler of the Earth, lord of Death and time, the spirits associated with Dragon's Blood have heavier and more Earth bound qualities as opposed to those celestial spirits. The qualities of the basilisk blood are identical to the Dragon's Blood resin and indeed it was used as a fixative in inks and has a sticky quality when wet and pliable. Pliny does state that is an amulet against all noxious spells and this is where I believe the idea that Dragon's Blood is protective came from. However, magick must make sense and we MUST know where our correspondences are coming from and why...and so since it has the qualities of the Dragon and of Saturn we can think of more Earth bound spirits that are summoned by its fumigation and realize then what it is that we are calling forth. We notice too in Agrippa that it is an empowerment to any work of sorcery and therefore a strong additive to any working.

In terms of protection Israel Regardie also writes about the basilisk in "The Garden of Pomegranates" and states that the basilisk is the sacred creature of Gevurah, the 5th Sephiroth in the Tree of Life. Gevurah being the Sphere of Mars which in its exalted form does have a protective energy as opposed to its associations as a lesser malefic. This is the reference where many felt Dragon's Blood as being protective, but again the protection of a fire breathing dragon should be wrought with caution considering dragon's have long been associated with dangerous magick and have often required hefty offerings or even sacrifices.

In Hoodoo we find references to the use of Dragon's Blood in love and marriage drawing rituals and mojo bags and this of course does make sense if we consider its "summoning" properties.

However, we use Dragon's Blood it is a strong incense and one that draws a specific type of Spirit. Take this into consideration the next time you feel you are "beset" upon and wish to "banish" the darkness from your life. You may just be doing the opposite....

Miss Maya

The Magic of Salt

2011-04-10T17:03:00.002-06:00

Regarded as one of the most powerful cleansing and protective substances, salt has a long history in human magio-consciousness. Since time immemorial, humans have had need of salt and it has been such a prized substance it has often been used as a currency in ancient times. It also has a long magical history and has been recorded in mythology, folklore and old books of magic.

It is common knowledge that one use salt to protect a home or cleanse a ritual space. Many folks who come into Ancient Road know that salt is used but they do not know why. And in fact many of the so called books of "magic" and "Wicca" espouse the use of salt without a further word as to why. It is taken as a dogmatic "truth" and I suppose it is one of the better ones out there. However, when dealing with magic we must know why we are doing what we are doing. There must be links and correspondences and not just a willy nilly "it feels right to me" reasoning. That is the reason I chose to discuss salt in depth, one of the most used and common magical components to almost every ritual, so here is why it is used in magic.

First of all early man realized the benefits of salt in its antiseptic and preservative qualities. Here was a substance that could take infection out of a wound and preserve meat from rotting. Two things that were essential to life before antibiotics and refrigeration. Here was a substance that aided in the ease of life and helped mankind and therefore had magical properties. Homer called salt "divine" and Plato described it as a substance that was "dear to the Gods."

The Latin word "sal" is the root of the word "salt" and the art of understanding letters as holy unto themselves with a distinct etymology can be found in Latin (as in Hebrew) and is a lost art of occult understanding. Therefore, let us look at the magical etymology of s.a.l.

S: represents the joining of two circles; namely the sun and the moon and is therefore like the yin-yang a perfectly balanced symbol of the masculine and feminine energies.

A: (Alpha) is the beginning of all things. The first. A strong indication that Salt is a building block to all life on Earth.

L: is the Latin emblem for all the celestial glory in the heavens.

So we can see a strong link to a powerful occult etymology in the very word associated with salt. In fact salt is of the Earth and in Traditional Witchcraft is associated with the element of Earth often found on many a witch's altar. Earth is the foundational element where the witch stands and the use of salt in modern Witchcraft traces its roots to the Catholic Church (as do many of the modern rituals). We also know that both the aspurging water and the holy water in Catholic churches contain salt. So why then if salt is "of the Earth" and the Earth in Christian reasoning is a place infected with the infernal would such a substance be considered so holy and purifying?

The answer to this is again related to the virtues of salt and the use of salt again as a purifier against decay and as a healing agent. The presence of salt meant the absence of decay and evil. So what we have here really is an example of sympathetic magic used in the Catholic Church and because Traditional Witches practice dual faith observance many of the traditions from the church found their way into Witchcraft. The absence of salt is yet again revealed in the taboos of spilling salt. When Judas (who had an absence of goodness and integrity) overturned the salt cellar in the Paschal Supper this was said to have angered God and created a space for evil spirits to reside. The spilling of salt is related to this concept and therefore is related to Judas and is taboo.

In the "Three Books of Occult Philosophy" written and compiled by Agrippa in the early 16th century we find an important clue to the magical nature of salt. Agrippa writes " ...Consider, that everything moves, and turns itself to its like, and inclines that to itself with all its might, as well in property, viz. occult virtue, as in quality, viz. elementary virtue. Sometimes also in substance itself, as we see in salt, for whatsoever hath long stood in salt, becomes salt." And if you have ever brined a turkey or eaten salted pork you KNOW just how salty it has become. That is salt "saltifies" that which it touches preserving it forever as salt. In occult terms salt is a great neutralizer of energy and space. Salt also has a crystalline structure and crystals have long been used in many magical traditions to trap energy.

In Ozark folk lore it is believed that witches (who were evil as opposed to Cunning women) eat very little salt because "The Devil hates salt." It is also believed that animals who will not eat salt are bewitched. This again goes back to the belief that the absence of salt allows negative energy (and rotted disease) to be present. There was also the belief that if salt got too low in the cupboard or if you ran out of salt it would mean an entire year of poverty and privation. Again by allowing the protective agent (salt) to disappear meant you were "courting" the dark, decaying forces of the Devil.

So now we can see albeit in a nutshell, how salt works magically and why it is important to the magician. By calling the power of Earth, Malkuth, the plane where we are in our physical bodies, corporeal nature is brought into a balanced neutrality so that you, the magician, may work from a familiar grounded starting point. Salt being heavy of Earth and a purifier is an almost impossible medium for spirits to work with and is vitally connected to us. This is why in Hoodoo (which traces its lineage to the Grimoric traditions of Europe, Jewish Kabbala and African Folk Magic) salt is the main ingredient in our Uncrossing baths. It is a spiritual "re-set" button and a medium that spirits cannot cope with. We are also participating in an ancient ritual use of salt to purify and preserve that our ancestors used. And in my experience one need not use fancy sea salt flown in from the bottom of the Dead Sea. Table salt works just as well.......

Miss Maya

Why you should get Rootwork...

2011-03-18T12:36:00.000-06:00

Hoodoo Rootwork is a system of folk magic that originated from the American South and up through Appalachia and later spread with folks as they migrated to various cities such as Houston, Oakland and Detroit. A mixture of magical practices from the black slaves from West Africa, the white slaves from Ireland, Scotland and Wales and Native American practices, Hoodoo is a system of the dispossessed which has grown in power and can be found all over the nation today.

Unlike other other healers in other systems the Rootworker is concerned with the daily and mundane challenges of life. Challenges such as how to pay the bills, get a job, get out of jail, find love and make the marriage happy once again. That is not to say that the Rootworker is not concerned with the spiritual, quite the opposite, the Rootworker sees the world as a living breathing realm of spirits in-twined in the daily lives of all people. You cannot pray if you are starving for love, food or shelter. It is this axis much like the Poto Mitan in Vodou (the center post the Lwa descend from into the physical world) where the Rootworker stands, that is as the axis of the world of the Spirits and that of the Mundane. Rootwork is a trine crossroads of three traditions mixing to the beat and flavor of America to help the community with the Spirits and the use of herbs, roots, powders, oils and incense.

Rootwork works and more importantly my Rootwork works. My clients can attest to that. I have been working practical magic for clients for many, many years starting with my family. From the age of 12, being trained by my mother and grandmother, I have been laying on of hands and doing readings. Our lineage goes back on that side to a Welsh born Judge in Texas who was a cunning man and pagan and refused baptism and to go to church and who helped keep the border safe; to a Great-great grandmother who was a Cherokee Rootworker and medium who was so renown in Marshal, Texas that she was often hired by police to psychically solve murder cases. It is in the blood and I also have a talent for court cases. Many of my clients hire me for Court Case work and I have gotten folks out of jail in 30 days to completely wiping clean 2nd offense DUI's (the courts some how "lost" all the paper work). However, I work on many other cases besides those of the Court and have been successful in house selling, protection, ancestral workings and calming angry deads to wealth and money drawing cases. One client even named their new-born daughter "Maya" after I worked to bind a murdered relative who almost claimed the life of the mamma and baby. I was stunned by that honor and humbled by their sincerity to me.

Most folks get into trouble and have need of spiritual and magical help to resolve their issues. Yes that means you too in the magick and pagan communities! I myself get work when needed and it just makes sense. Hiring a Rootworker can be shrouded in mystery and there are many tales of folks being ripped off by workers who had no ethics. Many of my African American clients are AMAZED at how cheap my rates are. In the South a court case working like the ones I do are in the THOUSANDS. My work is $60 per week or $100 for a single ritual per condition. I have some clients who have been told by their worker that they owed them $50,000 dollars for a single ritual or they have met up with Black Gypsies and have fallen prey to the classic "candle scam" where the worker "claims" they have a disease or a dark spirit haunting them and they now owe the worker $200 dollars (or whatever) for all the "work" the worker has done on their behalf. My goodness folks do not let yourself get scammed! No amount of work is worth your retirement savings! We are a teaching shop here at Ancient Road and we adhere to ethics and confidentiality about your case. We take our work VERY seriously and often I will give remedies and work for clients to do at home because it is not a one sided street to healing. It takes both the worker and you to get you to the place you want to be. I have heard it all so do not be embarrassed or shamed with what you are struggling with in life.

So if you are having problems with a court case, money issues, love, or simply need a bit of a boost in your magical world I am here to help you! Ancient Road is the ONLY shop of this kind in the entire State of New Mexico and we provide valuable resources to the community here. So stop on in for a little Southern Hospitality, have some tea and see what I can do for you and your case. Remember Rootwork addresses issues that are the MOST pressing for folks and it WORKS! I can help you and I am here to serve.

Many blessings and powerful Juju!
Miss Maya

Racism, Voudou, Hoodoo and getting to work!

2011-03-16T09:58:00.000-06:00

It is amazing to me how the continent of Africa and her Gods can illicit so much fear and revulsion even among those who claim to practice magic and the old ways. There is a subtle racism that rears its' head and says "well isn't Voodoo evil?" or "Black magic?" Some folks upon entering the shop and expecting a more "New Age" atmosphere quickly walk out again once they are greeted with Orisha and Voudou Saints and the traditional components to natural and practical magick. It is an ugly subject, racism in the occult, but one that I feel needs to be brought out into broad daylight and looked and spoken about. Of course it goes both ways and there are many Santeria Botanicas where if you are white and don't speak Spanish you are treated with disdain. This never stoppled me as I can fumble in broken Spanish and am friendly and know what to buy. Interestingly many of the Hoodoo/Voudou botanicas survived by being run by white folk because after the Civil Rights movement many younger blacks turned away from the folk magic ways of their grandmothers in order to gain more acceptance and not be seen as superstitious. This led to a few botanicas surviving due to eccentric white hippies. There is a nice recent article by the Wallstreet Journal on the subject.: HOODOO SHOPS .

Still we see so much racism in the Occult today, which is of course a reflection of the larger cultural issues of the people involved in what-ever magickal society they are participating in. I always tell my students if it makes you uncomfortable or afraid... research it and try it out. At Ancient Road we answer a lot of questions about "Hoodoo vs. Voudou", and rightly so, as they sound alike and are similar and linked. Folks don't know about Hoodoo here in New Mexico and there is so little knowledge about Voudou as well. My simple answer is that "Hoodoo is a magickal practice and Voudou is a religion" but that is a bit too simplistic as they are closer than that. Hoodoo has strayed from the religion of Voudou in the sense of working with the Loa and all that entails but Hoodoo retains much of the magickal praxis of Voudou and specifically that of the bokor blended into the religion (which varies) of the practitioner.

Hoodoo works because practical magick and sorcery work. The reason practical magick and sorcery work is because of the relationship between the practitioner and the spirits and if the person is gifted for the work. This is what people interested in magick work around and why many who are involved in celebratory communal workings fail to get their spells or rituals to work. Many people in the New Age movement and even modern Paganism have an adverse reaction to African diasporic traditions fearing them as evil, Satanic and a source of "Black" magic. I have to laugh because yes it is "Black" magic, they are African! The roots of this fear, along with the ideas of "karma", "the 3 fold law" and "the law of return", are Christian in nature and show a lack of occult thought, training and work with the spirits. Which is ok, it is just a belief system that is part of a dogmatic faith and not a magickal practice. It shows a fear of magic and that of a "higher punishing power". These beliefs are often pushed onto everyone the same as Christian dogma is. We do believe in your work being justified but it must be justified by the spirits you are working with! Magick and religion are not the same thing, they operate in different spheres.

As the late Grandmaster, Victor Anderson, of my tradition stated, "White magic is poetry, black magic is anything that works."

Of course the sorcerer knows that Voudou or any religion is just that, a religion, with its constrictions, dogmas and rules. At it's source Voudou has many of the same tenants as any other major religion with its kindness to neighbors, mistrust of greed and envy, its ideals of community and generosity to those in need coupled with a communal spiritual practice that are more similar to many practices than not. The sorcerer, witch, rootworker and mystic knows that spirits have no ideals of racism, they work with people who they have a relationship with. It really is as simple as that. Keep yourself straight with the spirits and the human concerns can work themselves out as they will. So get to work, take notes and see for yourself if it is true what you read in a book or heard from a guru.

Miss Maya

There arose a discussion...

2011-02-18T11:51:00.001-07:00

There arose a discussion amongst the Priesthood and the Wise on the affairs of humanity.

Priests: Look at the unenlightened masses, look at their pain and sorrow, think of what We might be able to do to help cure the human condition through our knowledge.

The Wise: A person grows in knowledge through their own unfolding, the pain and sorrow you speak of is sometimes necessary for their own growth. No amount of pulling on a sapling causes it to grow faster, in fact this often leaves a twisted, stunted growth.

Priests: But, We have gained in knowledge and wisdom through our study of the Mysteries, We have not been twisted or stunted, how else will a person come into possession of the Mysteries if We do not bring them the fires of heaven from our lips?

The Wise: The desire to teach such, while rooted in good intentions, may be wrought with error. Those who are ready will come unto the Mysteries through strange occurrences and through right action. The rose knows the proper time to bloom, and enriches the world thereby. By setting yourself as the authority in such matters, this lessens the ability of the person to become their own authority.

Priests: You would attempt to keep the Mysteries for yourself, while we write them down to preserve them for the continuation of mankind. We build temples and refine scripture, thereby giving solace to the masses, while you stand aloof. Ours is the new way forward, a beacon of light for humanity.

The Wise: The Mysteries will ever preserve themselves through the continuation of blood, for even if we all passed tomorrow, soon enough one of us would be born anew to remember them. Temples are built to impress and control the people, scripture is designed to teach dogma and not wisdom. Your way is not new, not some new Aeon or Age, merely the same way that has existed since time immemorial, since Zoroaster, since Buddha and the Christ, since Mohammad. Wisdom and illumination comes from within, not without.

For millennium, on the outskirts of the temples, outside the mosque or shrine, beyond the city state's massive ziggurats, stood the Wise watching. In all times the Witch has been reviled by the masses, workers of magic, dedicated to their own understanding. The Priest has ever attempted to codify and control the tameless fires of the Mysteries, by setting themselves as the interpreter of the will of the Gods for the people, usually for a tidy tithe. Even the great pagan empires of Rome and Greece decried witchcraft, around 500 BC Heraclitus of Ephesus talks of “mageia” as among various amoral and despised acts, based on false views of the gods. The mageia, the “people of the night”. (1)

In tantric practices, we see a division between the “left-hand” and “right-hand” paths. The right-handed path attempts to make the Mysteries “easy to understand,” leads to Orthodoxy and Superstition, and places more reliance on the Priesthood and Prayer as the way to illumination. Contrast this with the left-hand path, which is “hard to grasp", as an offhand catch often is, relies more on experiential understanding, and comes from the individual’s self meditations. The left-hand path utilizes inversion as a technique, inversion of societal norms, inversion of religious dogma, inversion of self to overcome limited understanding and codification. (2)

Paul Huson describes one of these traditional methods of inversion in our current age, namely the inversion of “The Lord’s Prayer” of Christianity. (3) Throwing off the shackles of religious dogma is a necessary step, indeed an activity to actively embrace throughout one’s lifetimes. Constantly the Priests, the Politicians, the Lawgivers are working to tie up the energy within you for their own ends. This is reflected in the Laws of the State against entheogens, against “unnatural” sexual behavior, against freedom of expression in the arts and the all too subtle and overt forces of racism. This binding of the energy lessens the Witch’s ability to run the current and to unfold. Many come into the “Craft” holding these bonds and then desire to turn the Craft into a priesthood or religion; unfortunately, this is all they have ever known. The sapling begins to become stunted.

Humans love to pass on their knowledge, to feel that they have something to contribute to the betterment of their kind. Students, often when first learning a technique, especially when not under the watchful eyes of a teacher, run to teach it to others. There are many Sufic tales that relate this phenomenon, for example:

Once a guru with many students sought the advice of a Sufic Master who lived on the other side of town. He mentioned to the Master that he desired to become more, to understand as well as the Master did the fires of heaven and God’s mind. The Master prescribed him a number of exercises. The guru immediately ran back and began teaching his students these exercises, indeed he began publishing these exercises within the city of Samarkand. Soon enough, the Master’s students fell ill and people who had read the book began to fall ill as well. The guru ran back to the Master and asked for additional exercises, since these were not working and of no use. The Master remarked, and what of your students? What of the people? The guru admitted that the people had become very ill, to which the Master replied, ah, that is because these exercises were designed for you alone, but I foresaw that you would teach them in such a manner. Now the people regard you as the charlatan you are, and you have learned a great lesson.

Witchcraft is about liberation, is an ecstatic embracing of the Mysteries, it is a lover’s relationship between the Witch and their Spirits. Lovers embrace trust, they embrace a lover’s silence about their intimacy. The Craft is intimate; the Craft cannot be had for a few pieces of silver, a .pdf download, a weekend workshop, or a church-esqe revival group. Teachers know and love their students intimately; those who show up through odd occurrences, those who walk under signs and omens…for indeed many of those who walk with us again are those who have walked with us before. Brothers and Sisters of the Dark Forests, of the Windswept Seas, of Thessalian Mountains, of Basque Redoubts, of the Desert Fires, and Frozen Pictland, rejoice! For we have seen the rise and fall of the temples, we have seen the crumbling of empires, and we will see once again the folly of the Priest. Hele, conceal, and never reveal.

(1) Frisvold, Nicholaj de Mattos. Arts of the Night. Chadezoad Publications, 2009.
(2) AMOOKOS Training Manual. Mandrake Press, 1992.
(3) Huson, Paul. Mastering Witchcraft. G.P. Putnams, 1970.

Conjure Copy Cats

2011-02-01T12:31:00.000-07:00

We live in a time when information can be "cut and paste" a mile a minute from site to site. A time when sacred knowledge is sold cheaply to the masses for quick profit like any ol' televangelist prophet with their "guarantees". Where folks can "claim" to be Rootworkers, healers, magicians or witches with no training or guidance what-so-ever. Or prescribe magickal remedies from books they bought at Amazon and make up incense, brews and oils with-out the deeper understanding of such things. What does Frankincense really do? Why does everyone think Dragon's Blood protects(actually it does just the opposite). How are spirits conjured (really they are not just in your mind)? Why even if you have a Grimoire is it just not enough to read through it and why do your spells not work by just recitation?

But you know that magick is deeper than that. You know in your heart that there are mysteries not found in books that swirl on the twisted path of your soul. And you know a copy cat "witch or Rootworker" when you see one.

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery but it really kind of sucks. The copy cats are on the loose folks, and it was bound to happen to Ancient Road. Hey my teacher and friend cat yronwode at Lucky Mojo deals with this stuff ALL the time! So I suppose it was bound to happen to Ancient Road as we soar into the New Year with triple the merchandise and sales and clients coming in from all over the country. If you do not believe me check out this article from the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703989004575653102537901956.html

So yes there are copy cat products out there as well as copy cat websites and copy cat Hoodoo Rootworkers (it takes years of study folks and the trust of the folk magic, African American and greater Hoodoo communities as well) in the Albuquerque area! Ya know before I opened my business in 2008 no one knew what a Rootworker was.... hmmm....

But copy cats do arise because folks lack creativity, integrity and wits. Remember that Ancient Road is the ONLY working Hoodoo Botanica in New Mexico. We make all of our products from recipes passed down orally and my partner Ed and I have over 40 years of experience combined in the occult community, greater Hoodoo Rootwork community including Lucky Mojo, the Feri/Faery Tradition of Witchcraft, Ceremonial/Grimoric Traditions both here and in the UK and we have strong ties to the local Thelemic groups. We are also a brick and mortar store and a teaching shop. That is you can come in at your convenience, browse around, meet us and conduct research from our in-shop library. We are here to serve your magickal needs and we offer TOP notch classes, Rootwork, advice, readings and products from a place of integrity, honor and magick. So don't settle for cheap illusionary rip-offs. Stop by and visit for a spell and enjoy some old time Hoodoo in the comfort of a unique little shop in the heart of Nob Hill.

Blessings
Miss Maya

Ancient Road

3110 Silver Ave SE

Albuquerque, NM 87106

505-268-0532

The only working (and authentic) Hoodoo Botanica in New Mexico!!

www.ancient-road.com

Love and SEXXXX work in Hoodoo

2010-12-27T19:37:00.001-07:00

Sex and love work in Hoodoo is elegant and complex and aside from court cases is one of the requests I receive most from clients. Many times folks need a bit of guidance or magickal help to achieve their goals. There is a lot a person can do for themselves but like many things in life (and including magick) sometimes you need to go to a professional for help and a boost. Hoodoo is an amazing mix European Witchcraft/Cunning craft, African diasporic traditions, Kabala and Native American folklore. My background in Traditional Witchcraft and Hoodoo training mix beautifully and I have noticed many of the same magickal workings and even praxis from each vein and even from the mouths of my teachers in each tradition.

Love and Sex work is old. Cunning men and women and Houdouns have been employed for centuries in these pursuits for clients. There are many charms and spells passed down in traditions as well as recorded in books even going back to Ancient Egypt. Coral for instance was used by the Romans as a love charm and is to this day found in many love spells or ground up in love incense. In my own workings for myself and for clients I have found that sex work is BY FAR the easiest magick to work. Sex is a basic human need and even on the bottom pyramid of Maslow's hierarchy of needs included with food and water and shelter. One of the easiest ways to get sex is to "dress" yourself as we say in Hoodoo with various oils and powders. One tip that I tell both male and female clients is to put a bit of "pussy juice" or semen behind your ears when you go out. This is full of your sex chemicals and intoxicating to other humans. This technique is used to draw potential sex partners if you do not have anyone in mind. If you do have someone in mind then more magick is needed. An old, old technique is to say a love charm aloud as you place some of your semen or menstrual blood into their food. This is the reason many men do not eat food they have not witnessed being prepaired by women that are not family.

I have had the most success with sex work and love work however, the hardest of all is reconcilliation work.

In terms of love spells there are many written about out there. I however; like to talk to the client and get a full understanding of their case and then prescribe a unique spell designed just for them. In my experience love work when one is asking for their true love to be brought to them versus imposing their will upon a crush or love interest works far better. Spirit or the God Self as we say knows more than our "talking ego mind" and when the gates are opened for the one to come, instead of someone you have desired for a long time, is much much easier.

Food for thought: If God gave us free will then what right do you have to impose your will upon another?
Food for thought: You are a worker of magick and societies rules are programs of control that you are trying to break. Therefore imposing your will or Wiccae (bending) reality is what you the worker of magick does.

Reconcilliation work: This is by FAR the most difficult work to engage in. It is not impossible but it is hard. I as a worker will only cautiously take these cases and I tell my clients that there is not a high success rate but if they still want to continue then that is up to them. Perhaps the love of another would be better for you....

xo
Miss Maya

So you need Fast CASH? Ask Saint Expedite!

2010-12-04T16:23:00.004-07:00

When times are troubling you and money is low you can call upon St. Expedite to bring you cash quickly. Part of his name has the Latin "ped" meaning foot and to move quickly and that he does. Legend has it that he was a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity and was quickly killed in 303AD during a persecution of the Christians and for his disobedience to Rome. Another legend tells of a box of Saint statues being delivered to some French nuns in the 18th century with "spedito (RUSH)" stamped on the side and so they thought this was St. Hurry up!! Expedite is also associated with Hatian Voudou in the guise of Baron LaKwa and rules death, cemeteries, children and sex. In Hoodoo we work with him when we need things done quickly, especially in money matters or where a soldier can be of service to us. And as always with Spirits they need to be fed. St. Expedite requires a glass of fresh water, pound cake and flowers.

I have been working with him daily for three years now and I can honestly say that he has NEVER let me down. There was one instance two months ago in fact when I needed to make $1000 in a week. I prayed to him and gave him offerings with a promise of flowers when he came through. I made $978.17, close enough really and he got his flowers! We have a full time working altar dedicated to him at the Ancient Road shop. Here you can come and visit him and get to know him, say hello and place a petition at his feet. Of course when you get your money or what ever it is you asked of him you want to make sure that you pay him his proper due as he can be quite vengeful if denied payment. Hey soldiers do expect to be paid you know.

St. Expedite is good at:
1. Bringing things to you in a hurry
2. Cursing your Enemies
3. Situations that seem hopeless

So here is a Spell to work with St. Expedite:

Write your petition to him for what you want.
Ask him with devotion and need for what you want. (Be specific.)
Light a red 7 day vigil candle for him and give him a fresh glass of water.
Wait and be open to receive that which he will bring to you.
When you receive it offer him flowers and or pound cake.

Good Luck!!
Miss Maya

Between the Age of Pisces and the Age of Aquarius

2010-12-01T15:40:00.001-07:00

All ages turn the wheel of the Zodiac and each age is roughly 2000 years old and has its own flavor, beauty and horrors. At the moment we are in the Age of Aquarius having only recently passed from the Age of Pisces. Of course being in an Age ourselves it can be hard to see outside of the constraints and hegemony constantly directed at us. It can be especially hard for folks who identify as witches, magicians and other magickal folk who often automatically feel "outside" the norms of society. Of course my answer to that is , well you do identify as a witch and that means to be outside of normal society. You cannot have it both ways.... do you stay in the warmth of the fire light with the tribe or do you wander alone outside into the darkness to discover what ever lies in wait there?

This is an interesting time for magickal folk as we slip more and more deeply into Aquarius. We are in an in-between time where we can use our magick to the fullest and I will tell you why. Most people who are in power do not believe in magick, most see those of us who call ourselves Wiccans, Witches, Workers, Magicians as crazy hippy types that are not a threat or who cannot create change. Of course the greatest change we can create is within ourselves but we have an advantage here in that the "gauntlet of the hegemony" toward magick is weak, and magick works even if you do not believe in it. This is one of the reasons my gifts as a Court Case worker have even greater success. There is absolutely NO opposition to my work EVER.

So what does this mean for us as magickal workers exactly. Well Age of Aquarius is marked by the characteristics of Aquarius; scientific, calculating, cold, airy and in the realms of thought. Ever wonder why there is so much new technology and amazing swift advances in science? (No it is not because there is an interstellar war between the Grey Aliens and the Pleadean council). It is because that is the mark of Aquarius and the Age. Ever wonder why there was such a back lash against sexuality and such rigid controls of sex for the last 2000 years? Pssst I will tell you a secret (Fish don't Fuck). The female lays eggs and the male fertilizes them. It is almost virginal in a way. That is Pisces for you which was the Age ruled by the Christian authority and why the "fish" is such an important symbol of Christianity. Really there is so much zodiacal magick in the Bible ... Of course there are other Piscean attributes but we are moving on....

As witches we are in a beautiful in-between time where we do not have to worry about the Church rooting us out and burning us. The Scientific Inquisition will be much worse but hey we have loads of time (at least in this life time), to learn hone and build our magickal skills. You do take these with you into the next life by the way as that is part of the function of the God Self or Amakua as the Hawaiians say. So I would implore you dear reader to make the most of your magick this time around. Don't just give it lip service because you do have the luxury of being able to practice, learn, and have diabolical books and none of that is against the law. Don't pretend. Really do the work, learn, ask questions, practice, keep what works and throw away what does not! That is one of the reasons that Ancient Road was founded... as a place for magkickal folk to learn and practice and have a safe space. So don't be a stranger.... come in and say hello, ask questions, take a few classes, they are the best around for magickal practice and create a relationship with us.... we love new faces.

Blessings
Miss Maya

www.ancient-road.com

A commentary on the procedure of “Drawing Down the Moon”

2010-10-28T16:09:00.000-06:00

Two references of “Drawing down the Moon” in classic literature:

From Virgil’s Eclogues:

http://www.theoi.com/Text/VirgilEclogues.html#8

[64] “Bring out water, and wind soft wool round this altar; and burn rich herbs and male frankincense, that I may try with magic rites to turn to fire my lover’s coldness of mood. Naught is lacking here save songs.