Vodou Love Magic: A Practical Guide to Love, Sex, and Relationships
Readers tired of the usual dating avenues-websites, bars, reality television-may want to check out this compilation of Hatian Vodou love spells. Author Filan warns away skeptics and the easily discouraged; the longtime Hatian Vodou practitioner (and managing editor of newWitch magazine) advises leaving yourself open to "a quiet miracle," and good-old fashioned practice, to "overcome the hurdle of disbelief." Filan introduces readers to a number of Iwa, the everyday spirits of the vodouist, explaining how and for what reason to tap into their powers. Summoning methods vary from Iwa to Iwa, as do spell casting techniques: summoning "the Iwa of beauty and luxury," Freda, involves sprinkling water on the ground; Papa Ogou, Iwa of strength and honesty, requires a machete and rum. Those looking more for a love's lusty approximation will want to break out their seven-day candle and Nightmare Before Christmas doll before turning directly to the chapter on Ghede, the "bringer of booty calls." Aside from some interesting cultural history, Filan's text is largely dry and instructive, not a bad thing given many spells' inconvenient steps. Though long in tradition, even Filan admits these time-consuming methods shouldn't replace "reconnecting with the people around you"; to borrow from another tradition, Iwa often help those who help themselves.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.