Questions You’ve Asked Me: Summer 2010 Edition

Good afternoon my Occulties,

Its time again for me to answer some questions I’ve been receiving in the newest edition of “Questions You’ve Asked Me.” So…without any further ado, let’s get to some questions!

Q: Why do some jar candles/seven day candles explode?

A: Presumably, if we were to just apply basic science (there are other reasons, but let’s dispose with this first,) this could be caused by a bubble or defect in the glass chimney which has tried to expand or contract when heated by the heat of the candle inside of it, causing the glass to rupture, and also occiasionally, with certain manufacturers candles of this kind, the metal from the clip which holds the wick can heat a defect in the glass at an even higher degree of heat which can cause the glass to shatter.

On the magical side of the equation, this is often believed to signify that the work has broken down a large barrier or to expect a great break through in the work. Less often this is interpreted to mean that someone may be working against you, and they have “killed” your spell.

Q: Can you define what you mean when you say “You can’t explain your reasoning to a spell”?

A: Sometimes, mostly in spells of love or revenge, people will try to find a “loophole” in the guidelines given (especially no-initiating of first contact with love spells,) and think if they can explain this to me, or to someone else that the spell will not “punish” them for doing something they aren’t supposed to. In reality, there is no way to “cheat” on the rules of the spell, there are not likely to be exceptions to a rule, and the petitioner (person requesting spell,) does not want to admit to themselves that their actions are to blame for damaging the spell or halting its progress.

What is going on here is similar to someone pouring a bucket of water on a fire and then trying to tell the fire it can’t go out because its going to rain anyways, and so it isn’t a big deal if you put water on it…and expecting that fire to keep going as if nothing happened.

Q: When cursing someone, can I stipulate that this person not be physically harmed?

A: Yes, you can narrow it to emotional, psychological, and/or social harm, or even to allow physical harm so long as it will not permanently disable the target.

Q: I had left a figural candle in/near my window, and the sun melted it before I could use it. Is this a sign that I shouldn’t do the spell?

A: Actually its a sign that you need to take more care where you store your spell supplies. Wax left in a warm window can melt or disfigure. Candles need to be stored in a cool, dry place until used. Any candle stands a strong chance of becoming damaged if improperly stored, regardless of what spell or type of spell it is intended for.

Q: What if someone other than my target comes in contact with a “trick” I’ve laid for my target?

A: Its always your best idea to “name” the powder, oil, item, etc, so that it is laid only to effect your target. To do this, I would recommend that while you lay the trick out, you say, in the present tense, avoiding using negatives (no, not, never,) your intention and who it is intended for. For example, let’s say I’m laying a trick with anointing oil on the handle of car door. I might say, “Jimbo Florgenstein, the more you try to resist loving me the more you love me,” using your index finger or a q-tip (I don’t let my darker oils for cursing to touch me if I can avoid it) to stroke the oil onto the handle. I’d recommend saying the same command a specific odd (3, 5, 7, 9) number of times. This is how you name a trick for its intended target. The idea behind that is that if anyone other than your intended target comes in contact with the trick, that this person will not be affected or would be perhaps only negligably negatively effected.

That said, I still stand by that the best idea when laying a trick is, not only to name it for the intended recipient, but, if at all possible, to lay the trick where only the intended target would be apt to come in contact with it.

If you are worried about a non-target being affected by making contact with a trick, you can also perform a cleansing and blessing on the person you believe has become an unintended victim.

Q: Can I have sex and do magic at the same time?

A: While there are instances of Sex Magic (ie using lovemaking to raise energy,) I’m for some reason thinking you might mean like screwing and lighting candles and incense on an altar as you do. I guess, my main concern for you there would be fire accidents or the altar knocking over, but if you can keep your concentration while you do it, and your partner is into it, I see no problem with that.

The instances I can think of where sex magic is used in hoodoo… Well, there are spells where you try to collect semen without orgasming yourself or wiping yourselves down with a rag after lovemaking and using this rag to capture that lover; spells for gathering pubies, and menses, and sorts of sexual and groinal area items. Visualization during these encounters, and the raising of energy and focus of intent could definitely improve the materials collected making the spell you utimately use them in all the more powerful.

Q: Can I eat food offerings I’ve left for a saint/spirit/diety?

A: In certain instances it might be part of a ritual (sort of like “dining” with the being,) but generally no. By eating food or consuming a consumable offering you’ve given to this being, you are literally doing the equivellant of coming over to my plate and eating off it when I am your guest. Its incredibly rude. I do not suggest showing such poor manners to a being you are requesting help from is in your best interest. So…if its not part of the ritual (there are some the specify you eat a part of the food,) then definitely do not eat the food you gave to someone else. 😉

That’s all for now, occulties!

~Cat

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