Voodoo.
There is a preconceived notion that
Voodoo is a left-hand path magickal practice. Perhaps the media has fuelled
this misconception just a little bit too often and with a touch of too much
bias. There are video clips showing practitioners in trance being squirted
with the blood from some sacrificial animal and tales of woe abound on how
So-and-So turned at Death's door after a Voodoo practitioner stuck pins in a
Voodoo doll made to his or her likeness, expressly with the intent to do
harm. As a result, many people live in fear of Voodoo, and hold the opinion
that Voodoo can only be used for vengeful and harmful purposes.
That is a rather warped and unbalanced way to look at this unique and
interesting magickal craft.
Voodoo is the legacy of African shamanism in the Americas. As is the case
with African shamanism, magick is considered a neutral, natural force. It
can be used for both positive and negative purposes. The decision rests with
the individual practitioner. For those who are worried, but still manage to
find the courage to ask a spell doctor what his or her philosophy towards
practicing negative magick is, the answer will in all likelihood be
reassuring: Most voodoo spell doctors are quick to tell you that negative
magick has the nasty habit of returning to you, three times more powerful
than the magick you originally sent. For this very reason, the majority of
voodoo practitioners today refrain from performing black magick spells and
placing curses.
If you want to practice beginner spells, stick to those intended for
positive ends. Fortunately voodoo spells are quite simple and focused on
things of daily living. So, as a beginner you should not have too much
difficulty getting the hang of it.
