Brimstone Spell
(Voodoo folklore)
The Legend:
When believers in the occult arts burned brimstone in order to drive away
evil forces, one ritual was based on invocation of Voodoo loa or gods. A
pinch of brimstone was put on a piece of red paper which in turn was placed
on a metal plate or saucer. Each container was placed in a separate corner
of the room. At midnight all of the brimstone was ignited, and each in turn
was named by speaking aloud, " (1) Grand Bois (2) Carrafour (3) Cemetiere
(4) Damballah In your all-powerful names which I have invoked with this
offering, I command evil demons and hexs to flee this dwelling, never to
return,"
Windows were opened during this ritual......Although ostensibly to furnish
an avenue of departure for the malevolent forces, no doubt a practical
necessity had some part in the open window requirement. To have been in a
closed chamber with burning brimstone would have invited great
unpleasantness. This ritual would seem to have combined Voudoun and
European Witchcraft. |
