Presenting the 1st International Symposium of Brazilian Magic and Spirituality

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The ‘firmeza’ of Quimbanda

Quimbanda is a cult centred on the direct and head on interaction with spirit, hence developing mediumistic skills and capability in spirit trafficking is integral and vital to working Quimbanda. Possession is a phenomenon that intrigues and also scares. After all we have all seen movies like The Exorcist and other horror thrillers giving visual spectacles to how hostile spirits can take over the human body, mind and soul in intrusive and fatal ways. But possessions do find a counterpart in the shamanic rapture as much as in the prophet whose soul is filled with angelic light that makes him or her prophetic. Possession is not only about the full given over of your material vessel to a spirit that in turn uses the faculties of the medium to engage various forms of work. Inspiration, dream and to be ‘under the influence’ are potentially valid and worthy avenues for connecting with spirit. Yet another avenue for good spirit trafficking is the communion, or what Jake Stratton-Kent ca...

A Quimbanda FAQ

In this article I will try to answer some questions concerning Quimbanda that surfaces with frequency. Questions concerning how to work this cult solitary and somehow dislocated from the cultural climate of understanding here in Brazil are frequently asked as are questions concerning the magical tools, such as guias, patuás and statues, available to the general public. I want to be initiated in Quimbanda, how do I proceed with that? When we speak of initiation in the perspective of Quimbanda we are speaking of a true and intense merging with spirit that involves a pact/agreement, a spirit vessel (assentamento), ordeal and oath. There are elements used in this process that are common to every house/terreiro/cabula/lineage of Quimbanda that reveals a common origin. There are different varieties of Quimbanda in Brazil, and the expression of the common root, will always depend of the constellation of spirits we find in the tronco. In other words, a ‘Casa de Exu’ that is dominated...

The Enchanted Tradition of Jurema

Cabocla Jurema Jurema is a term that refers to two distinct but related subjects: a plant species and a cultural tradition. The Jurema plant is native to South America and belongs to the species Anadenanthera peregrina, Mimosa tenuiflora, or Tabernaemontana catharinensis. These plants are commonly used in traditional medicine for medicinal and ceremonial purposes, just like Ayahuasca is used. Jurema originated in the Amazonian north of Brazil and preserves the secrets and mysteries of wood spirits and caboclos – amongst many others. The Cult of Jurema is a spiritual tradition that through plant sacraments, the smoke of different herbs and the teaching of disincarnated Masters and Mistresses gives access to the mysteries held by enchanted spirits, of the spirits of the wood, teaching spirits and a wide array of other traditions and mysteries. The Jurema is centred around the use of Jurema as sacrament. This sacrament facilitates spiritual healing, provide guidance and protection,...

The Starry Cave

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