Folk magic practices, also known as folk or traditional medicine, are the cultural beliefs and practices passed down from generation to generation. This form of magic is deeply rooted in the cultural and historical context of a specific community or region. It often involves the use of herbs, rituals, and charms to heal or protect individuals from supernatural forces or ailments. In many cultures around the world, folk magic practices are an integral part of everyday life. These practices are often based on the belief that there are unseen forces or energies that can be harnessed to bring about positive change or ward off negative influences. For example, in some African cultures, traditional healers or witch doctors may use various herbs and rituals to cure individuals of illnesses or ailments.
For example, in some African cultures, traditional healers or witch doctors may use various herbs and rituals to cure individuals of illnesses or ailments. The use of charms and talismans is another common folk magic practice. These objects, often made from specific materials or with specific symbols, are believed to possess magical powers or protective qualities.
Saints still trying to shake curse of Superdome being built on top of abandoned cemetery
Sunday, the Saints can finally bury their past – even though they once dug it up.
Call it Supernatural.
In 1971, when the site for the Superdome was being excavated, workers were spooked. Their backhoes brought the first skeleton up from the ground. The deeper they went, the more gruesome it got, with caskets and coffins, the remains of the abandoned Girod Street Cemetery. Victims of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1850 and the cholera epidemic of 1930 were buried there and never claimed by family or kin when the resting place was deconsecrated in 1957. And in a city that takes this kind of thing seriously, the Saints, in spite of their holy name, were deemed to be cursed.
Up until this season, who could argue? In fact, the Saints themselves had brought in a voodoo priestess named Ava Kay Jones to perform a ceremony prior to the 2000 playoff game against the Rams. She took to the Superdome floor, a boa constrictor wrapped around her neck, and was joined by Who Dat Nation in chants, which she continued herself at Congo Square while the game was being played.
According to one published account, that’s where Jones, on her knees, was told that Brian Milne had recovered a fumble to clinch the team’s first-ever postseason win. Unfortunately, the Saints brought her back before a Monday Night Game against the Rams the next season, which ended tragically as fans threw beer bottles onto the field – at the Girod Street end.
“I think the Saints cursed themselves,” she said.
Of course, in leaving no headstone unturned, we felt compelled to do our intrepid duty to see if the legend was still holding water in the Crescent City. We contacted Bloody Mary, a priestess who conducts a popular tour of New Orleans spiritual sites.
“The Curse is more of a joke than a reality and no one is joking bout any curse now,” she said. “The more you talk or joke about things, the more power you give them.
“Our city is in a frenzy of exhilaration, including our ghosts,” Bloody Mary added. “Winning the first playoff game alone brought on echoes of chanting and screaming. People were walking through the streets of New Orleans in a candle vigil. Quite interesting.”
Bloody Mary notes that a GPS might disagree with the exact location of the old cemetery underneath the field – “maybe a piece of the parking lot and nearby old train stop,” she said.
“For the most part they did move the bodies,” she notes. “New Orleans is notorious for not doing so and though I cannot swear that a few stray bones may have been left behind, the majority of them were moved and are in a caveau (a vault) below the floor in Hope Cemetery on Canal Street.”
She has talked about the bones on her tours and made jokes about the Saints, she says, but has never used the “curse” word, she said.
“I have done several cleansing rituals on the Superdome just in case and honored the ancestors,” she said.
She is also convinced the Saints will be crowned Sunday night.
“It was already told to me by the spirits before the season started,” she said. “I even have a deceased Saints player popping up – not physically. After the incredible energy healing surge that this town got after Katrina when that first game was played and won in the Superdome, I appreciate a different level of camaraderie and power. I will never underestimate the power of football again. And never again will a baghead be seen in town.”
We’re not sure how comforting this is to the Saints players. Most of them recoiled when asked about the Superdome curse during the week.
Randall Gay, who grew up in Louisiana and has an appreciation of these things, looked shaken. He said simply, “I don’t know how to answer that.”
With a win, of course.
THE SCORE HEARS …
By Wayne Coffey, Michael O’Keeffe & Mark Lelinwalla
Say Hey, Mantle & Ford make hay
Any Yankee fan worth his Dooley Womack baseball card knows that the 1962 World Series against the Giants was full of high drama, but according to Willie Mays, we don’t know the half of it. In a wide-ranging interview with Bob Costas that will air Tuesday night on the MLB Network‘s Studio 42 program, Mays, whose biography by James S. Hirsch will also be released today, tells a story about the nocturnal doings of Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford, noted party boys.
It seems that the night before Game 1 in San Francisco, Mantle and Ford ran up a tab of $5,000 on Giant owner Horace Stoneham‘s account at the tony Olympic Country Club. When Stoneham found out, he told Ford he’d forgive the debt if Ford could strike out Mays in Game 1 (why an owner would give an opposing pitcher an incentive to strike out his All-Star center fielder is an issue for another Score item).
Mays got three hits in his first three at-bats against Ford. “I used to kill Whitey all the time,” Mays says. In his fourth at-bat, Mays got behind. Ford fired a nasty spitter and struck him out. Mays looked out and saw Mantle out in center field, clapping. Puzzled, he turned to catcher Elston Howard.
“Elston, what is wrong with that fool out there?” Mays said.
Replied Howard, “I can’t tell you now, but I’ll tell you later.”
Nearly a half-century later, Mays misremembers the sequence of the day – he thought the strikeout was his first at-bat, not his last – but not the upshot of it: that a future Hall-of-Famer threw a World Series strikeout pitch worth five grand.
Who are you kidding?
Janet Jackson‘s wardrobe malfunction, Up with People, Bruce Springsteen‘s crotch in our face – is there anything weirder than the Super Bowl halftime show? Why do musicians accept a gig that gives them just 12 minutes to race through their greatest hits while most of the audience is using the toilet?
Even more important, why would The Who – one of the greatest rock bands in history – want to play at America‘s most bloated and overhyped annual event? Did The Who sell out?
Willie Nile, the great New York singer-songwriter, says no way. “I may not watch the game but I will definitely watch Pete (Townsend) and Roger (Daltrey) play,” Nile says, referring to the band’s surviving original members. “To see Pete do a few windmills yet again will make my heart jump.
“They’ve earned a pass,” adds Nile, who got to know Townsend and Daltrey when he was the opening act during their 1980 tour. “The raw edge of their music – there’s nothing like it. When I listen to ‘Who’s Next,’ it’s like reading Ginsberg or Corso or any of the other
great beat poets. It makes me fiercely jubilant.”
Nile is one of the 20 artists who will be performing music of The Who on March 2 at Carnegie Hall; proceeds from the show will be distributed to six non-profit music education organizations. Other musicians scheduled include Mose Allison, Bob Mould and Frank Black. “It’s going to be a great night,” Nile says. “We’ll celebrate The Who and raise money for a good cause. How cool is that?”
Crack open a Six Pack
The Mets have introduced their revamped Six Pack Ticket plans for the 2010 season at Citi Field and they already know Dwight Gooden‘s favorite selection – the Hall-of-Fame pack.
When the Mets host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday, Aug. 1 at 1:10 p.m., Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Frank Cashen and Davey Johnson will all officially be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame.
Other six packs have games for Opening Day against the Marlins on April 5, Pyrotechnics Night on July 5 vs. the Reds and a Champion Pack which has the May 21 Subway Series contest against the Yankees. Six Packs start at $106 per set.
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We’re not sure how comforting this is to the Saints players. Most of them recoiled when asked about the Superdome curse during the week.
For instance, in some European folk traditions, wearing a silver necklace or carrying a specific herb in a pouch may be seen as a way to ward off evil spirits or bad luck. Folk magic practices can also involve divination or fortune-telling. This may include techniques such as reading tea leaves, observing the patterns in the stars, or using cards or bones to gain insight into the future. These practices are often used to seek guidance or to gain a deeper understanding of oneself or a situation. It is important to note that folk magic practices can vary widely depending on the specific culture or region. What may be considered folk magic in one community may not be recognized as such in another. Additionally, it is crucial to approach these practices with respect and an understanding of the cultural context in which they occur. In conclusion, folk magic practices are an important part of many cultures around the world. They reflect the unique beliefs, traditions, and wisdom of a community and are often used to heal, protect, or seek guidance. While these practices may not be scientifically proven, they hold significant cultural, historical, and spiritual value for those who practice them..
Reviews for "Folk Magic and Love Spells: Attracting Romance and Passion"
- Julia - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Folk magic practices" but was ultimately disappointed. The book promised to provide in-depth information about various folk magic traditions, but it felt like a superficial overview. There were no detailed instructions or practical advice, which was what I was looking for. I also found the writing style to be dry and lacking enthusiasm. Overall, it didn't meet my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to those seeking practical guidance in folk magic.
- Chris - 2/5 stars - As someone interested in exploring different magical practices, I was excited to delve into "Folk magic practices." However, I found the book to be quite repetitive and lacking in original content. Many of the concepts discussed were already well-known within the magical community, making it feel like a rehash of information I already had. I was hoping for more unique insights and lesser-known traditions, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver. It may be suitable for beginners, but for more seasoned practitioners, I would recommend looking elsewhere.
- Sarah - 3/5 stars - "Folk magic practices" had some interesting historical anecdotes and cultural insights, but beyond that, it fell flat for me. The information provided was very basic and lacked depth. I was hoping for more detailed instructions on how to perform specific rituals and spells, but it was more of a surface-level exploration. Additionally, the book seemed to focus more on the history and origins of folk magic rather than practical applications. It may be a good starting point for someone completely new to the subject, but for those with some knowledge already, it may not offer much value.