Ok, this might be a little cotroversial and I'm sure it will piss off a few of ya'll but here it is anyway.....

Often we get asked, " How is it you practice heathen/pagan magic but also combine it with christian magic? Doesn't that piss off God?"

The answer is simple: What Xians (Greek spelling of Christians) believe to be God is not GOD. Yahweh/Jehovah and Jesus are Spirits. In Vodu, they call them LWA (pronounced Low-Wah) Spirits; in Yoruban, they are Orisha (pronounced Ore-Ree-Shah) .

IT, the creator, is HUGE, infinite, unknowable. The universe is 14 BILLION light years wide. Do you really think some Jewish LWA created all that? Um, I don't think so...... and His 'Son' is now in control of all that? Um, really???( my belief solely)

IT (GOD/DESS ) created the LWA Spirits to help us. YHVH, Jesus, and what not are LWA of the Jewish nation just like Wolf Spirit, is a LWA of the Native American Nation; just like Thor is a LWA of the Norse Nation; just like Shiva is a LWA of the Hindu Nation; and so on. So, what we think are 'God/desses' are nothing more than LWA Spirits. Every nation in this world has its own LWA. China and Africa get it because they each have literally tens of thousands if not more of LWA they honor and revere and call upon in times of need.

Spirits got worshiped because mankind created religion. Someone wanted power too. That led to meetings, which led to structure, which led to formats, which led to rules of conduct, which led to forcing people to think a certain way. (See what I mean?) It is hard to control someone without structure and rules.

The Spirits took advantage of this and enjoyed getting fat and lazy by being fed by ignorant humans. Yahweh demanded His people worship Him as their only god. That led to Judaism and then to Christianity and all its offsprings.

Vodu itself merely means 'communicating with the Spirits'. A houngan knows how to call and feed the Spirits so the Spirits look favorably on them and if they want to talk to one, they'll come quickly because they want to be fed.
Somewhere deep in my mind, I've always known that you do not let a Spirit dictate Its terms to you. You ask for It to do something for you and then feed It when It has done the work. You do not worship the Spirit but rather call It and feed it when necessary and send It out to work for you. (kind like you scratch my back and I scratch yours...)

And whether we call on Enki from the Sumerian pantheon or Baldur from the Norse pantheon or Pwyll from the Celtic pantheon or whoever, you will get results even when you would summon an Angel like Michael or Uriel.

The main thing I'm trying to get across here is if you wish to expand your practices, you need to let go of archaic (relating to...) notions of Xianity and your upbringing. You can call upon the Green Man to help you with your garden this year - He'll assist! Or you can summon Paralda and ask Him to shift the winds of an oncoming storm; or call upon Agwe, Poseidon or Njord to help you make a safe journey by sea on a ship. And what's more, you do NOT need to fear the wrath of Jesus or Yahweh either! They have no power over you unless you willingly give that to them..
Well folks, I just wanted to get that of my chest and hopefully we get a discussion going. It's been a little quiet here lately. LOL
Romana

Thanks for the kick-start. You're right, we needed it.

I'm still in the process of letting go of my up-bringing. Old habits die hard.

I am trying to open up to and embrace the variety of spirits out there. I find myself a bit overwhelmed. Any ideas on how to cull it down a bit?

I am curious about your references to 'feeding' the spirit. I am picturing my usual response to horses. They are beautiful, but huge. I know they can be kind. However, when feeding, if you don't really know the horse, that apple can look very small compared to those teeth! Perhaps I need different imagery.

I needed a good laugh...but seriously, it's not so much the amount than what they like. Some like food, some like rum,tobacco, flowers, fruit etc. you get the idea. Ask and they will let you know.... and for to chose which spirit: I guess it would depend on your path and which ones you are comfortable with. I would just try it with a very limited number at first because you don't want them to take over and never, ever let them 'ride' you unless you have oodles of experience doing so.

Take care, R

Just found your forum, and really liked your post. I've been moving religious candles into another room while doing spell work - kind of like hiding the craft from the saints. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but your post made me feel better about combining elements of multiple beliefs. It makes more sense now.

Well, IMO it's like that.....whatever works for you should count. I don't think that the Saints would care or not because I think that they are evolved Spirits and non-denominational. But if it makes you feel better to move some workings somewhere else that is all what matters for your craft to work.
BTW, welcome to the forums and I hope you enjoy your stay here because there are some very fine and knowledgable people here. Romana