The Syncretic Worlds of Kabbalah and Conjure
By Storm Cestavani
Storm Cestavani is a kabbalist, astrologer, and practices transformational magic. He is the co-host of the popular metaphysical podcast “Keep It Magic” with Jacki Smith and the creator of “Your Daily Dose™” a daily astrology column. You can follow his work on Facebook or Twitter.
Have you ever seen the movie “Practical Magic”?
It’s a lovely film about witches starring Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, and Stockard Channing. The film centers around two sisters that are born into a mysterious witch family, in which one of the ancestors was heartbroken and cast a spell where she would never fall in love again. According to the prologue of the movie, the spell turned into a
curse and any man who fell in love with a witch woman born into this family, would die. Of course, like any movie, the two sisters must learn to eradicate the curse in order for the female members of their family to experience lasting love once again. The sisters, along with their aunts, use many herbs, spices, oils, and practical based elements to cast their spells – including margaritas and whip cream.
This is the essence of folk magic – using what you have and the power of mind over matter to achieve a desired effect. Within your own home, there are tons of magical components that can be used in order to cast the spells you need, from baby food jars (I love baby food magic) to basil leaves to cat litter. These items are used for magical
spells, communing with spirit guides, and of course developing relationships with your ancestors. For example, tobacco, alcohol, and coffee are very aromatic scents that attract spirits. They love the smells and are more apt to do your bidding if you offer these items to them.
Folk magic goes back thousands of years. A historic book (turned into a movie) which shows its usage is the “Red Tent”, which is based upon Dinah, who appears in the Holy Bible as the daughter of Jacob. Not much is written about Dinah in the Old Testament, but what is revealed by the historically researched novel is the secret life of women who lived deep within the enigmatic red tent that used practical magic, prayer, healing, and the use of herbs and oils in order to help their families survive. Kabbalists have long believed that women were on a higher spiritual vibration than men (see God Wears Lipstick), and perhaps the roots of modern day kabbalah lay within these tents -- where the biblical matriarch’s weaved their magic spells.
Hoodoo and Voodoo are two traditions of folk magic where the evocation of YHVH is alive and well. In fact, Zora Hurston (author of Mules and Men and Moses: Man of the Mountain) believed that “hoodoo” started before everything and that God conjured the physical world through the use of mighty words. This is not much different than the kabbalistic belief that the universe was created and crafted by the Hebraicalphabet and even the first word of the holy torah – Bereshit – is strategically placed so that the bible becomes a “blessed” talisman.
Kabbalah has many other similarities to folk magic. One of the most famous is the use of incense in order to attract the attention of God in order to seek his favor. This combination of herbs was known as ketoret (bring closer). It was burned twice daily in the tabernacle and the temple in order to increase the likelihood that good would hear our prayers – which is a fancy word for petition.
Although we no longer have a temple, we can still use these powerful herbs (biblical verse on ketoret is found in Exodus 30: 34-36) which have their own unique powers that can be used to have a magical effect to help us control and navigate the physical world.
The Holy Zohar states the following about ketoret:
“If only people knew how great it is before HaShem when they say the section of Pitum HaKetoret, they would take each and every word of the section and place it on their heads like a golden crown.” Essentially, the herbs of the ketoret are the ones most blessed by God and the use of them brings us spiritual favor. Below, I have compiled a list of these herbs and how they can be used in magic spells. Ketoret can be used in incense, herb, or oil forms.
Cinnamon – Cinnamon heats things up and is commonly used in love and money spells – mainly for relationships that already exist or to increase money you already have through investments of general business improvement. Cinnamon can also be used for HOT SEX and is used in sexual based spells.
Sandalwood – If you want your petition to be heard use a bit of sandalwood because its earthy scent attracts favor. Sandalwood is also a great dispeller and is frequently used to eliminate negative thoughts and energies.
Costus – Are you stressed out? If so, costus can reduce mental anxiety and fears. It is used in tranquility or happy home based spells and can calm the most intense emotions or arguments.
Saffron – Experiencing tension in relationships? If so, saffron can be used to bring about happiness or bring back that magic spark. It’s best used when relationships have been influenced by outside circumstances such as career problems, financial concerns, or infidelity. Also, saffron can be used to control the weather and other natural disasters.
Spikenard – This herb is used to promote good luck. It wards off negative influence and puts a blessing upon anything you newly begin. This is great for new businesses or new relationships. According to the kabbalistic sages, spikenard can also prevent disease.
Cassia – Do you need to win? Well, if you do, then Cassia can assist you. Cassia is great to seal that job interview, to make your voice heard, to succeed at things that seem insurmountable. You can use it for legal spells, career spells, or to influence others in your favor.
Myrrh – Myrrh is no stranger to magical practitioners. It’s a great herb to use for power boosting a spell and is often used with other herbs and oils. Myrrh is also used in protection and purification spells.
Frankincense – Probably one of the most popular herbs on the market for ritualistic based work and is often used for consecration. It can be used on any spiritual tool that you are using for the first time and is often used to protect practitioners from evil influences. Frankincense is also used in meditative and visionary based spells and is often burnt or used for anointing during psychic based work.
Galbanum – Need to get rid of something? Galbanum is used in banishing spells and used to prevent negative people from having influence over you. You can also use Galbanum for debt spells, legal problems, or to prevent or get rid of viruses.
Clove – Clove is the gossip stop herb. If people are speaking ill of you, then clove will help burn their tongues and they will be on their way. In Kabbalah, gossip is equivalent to murder because it essentially is character assassination. Clove shuts the person up and drives them away from your life. If you have a gossip problem, then clove can also be used to defeat this self-defeating behavior.
Balsam – Balsam is an amazing herb. It’s great to use when you need to attract things to you. So, if you are looking for a new job or a new love then Balsam will attract the things you truly want to you. This herb is especially good for manifesting anything – including money. Need some fast cash? Rub some balsam on your checkbook with the intention of receiving money and watch the ledge balance increase.
In her novel, Moses: Man of the Mountain, Zora Hurston refers to her biblical hero as “the finest hoodoo man in the world” and two likely syncretic systems (hoodoo and kabbalah) do not appears so different after all. They both are concerned with the plight of the oppressed and both seek the favor of the creator. They are invested in the pursuit of joy and happiness which brings the Owens sisters in their country kitchen together with Dinah and the biblical matriarch’s in their red tent. It’s clear that when intentions are based on love, we can respect separateness and acknowledge similarities. The only illusion is our differences. Don’t let your eyes deceive you.