Saints, Talismans, and Psalms

Saints, Talismans and Psalms! Characteristic  of Hoodoo is the incorporation of Catholic icons, saints, talismans, and psalms in magickal workings.

Seven Potencias Talisman

Saints

Saints are people  recognized as having attained a certain level of holiness.

Grotto in Dickeyville, Wisconsin

Photograph by Denise Alvarado,  © 2007. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Who and What is a Saint?

The French sociologist Emile Durkheim proposed that the central concept of religion was the distinction between sacred and profane, as opposed to deity.  Based on studies of Indigenous Australians, Durkheim stated "religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden." According to his theory, the sacred is embodied in groups of sacred symbols, icons, and totems. The profane, on the other hand, involves mundane individual concerns. Durkheim explicitly stated that the dichotomy sacred/profane was not equivalent to good/evil: the sacred could be good or evil, and the profane could be either as well.

Saints can be considered sacred symbols of certain religions. While the concept of sainthood developed in the Christian tradition, there are parallel concepts in other religions that recognize certain individuals as having attained particular holiness or enlightenment. Judaism speaks of a class of (unidentified) individuals known as Tzadikkim. Buddhists hold the Arhats and Arahants in special esteem. Islam holds the hadrat in similar esteem. According to the Bible, a saint is one who is sanctified, and there are references to all early Christians as saints (Book of Hebrews 13:24; Jude 1:3; Philemon 1:5, 7).  The concept of sainthood is rooted in the Judeo-Christian belief that aligning one’s motives and actions with the “will of God” makes one more perfect and holy, and that it is possible in life to approach perfection. As Christianity developed, the word saint came to be used more commonly to designate specific individuals who were held to be exemplars of the faith, and who were commemorated or venerated as an inspiration to other Christians. Shortly thereafter, another type of saint became recognized. This was the anchorite or hermit, of the type of Anthony of Egypt. Although hermits did not die in the physical sense, they did resolve to die to the pleasures of the world, making them effective martyrs. Subsequently, after the formation of monasteries, monks came under consideration as saints. When convents were formed, nuns began to be canonized. Also, outstanding laymen became more frequently considered as saints. Within some Protestant traditions, saint is used to refer to any born-again Christian. To assist in the differentiation of the various kinds of saints, terms were invented to differentiate between them. In addition to the existing bishop, martyr, and hermit, Virgin and Matron for women, Confessor, Abbott and Abbess, Priest, and other words were added. Since then, churches have created additional such terms to assist in differentiating the ever-proliferating types. There are more than 10,000 Roman Catholic saints.

Saints of the Roman Catholic church. In Christian iconography, saints are often depicted as having halos.

The Saints in Voodoo

One way in which African slaves could continue to practice their traditional religions was by shrouding them in elements of Catholicism. Thus, there are corresponding saints for each of the major deities or Seven African Powers. The Seven African Powers is largely a Hoodoo term that is used by practitioners of Santeria, New Orleans Voodoo, Candomble, and other religions. In Spanish, they are referred to as Las Sietes Potencias.

Following is a list of some of the major deities (orishas) and their corresponding saints, courtesy of LuckyMojo.com.

Eleggua / Elegua/ Legba: Messenger, Opener of the Way, Trickster
          Saint Simon Peter
          San Martin (Caballero)
          Saint Anthony (of Padua)
          El Nino de Atocha
          Saint Expedite
          Saint Michael Archangel

Obatala / Obatalia: Father-Mother of Humanity, Bringer of Peace and Harmony
          Our Lady of Mercy
          Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Yemaya / Yemalia / Yemalla: Spirit of Motherhood, the Ocean, and the Moon
          Our Lady of Regla
          Mary, Star of the Sea (Stella Maris)

Oya: Female Warrior, Spirit of Wind, Storm, Thunder, and Magic
          Our Lady of Candelaria
          Saint Catherine
          Saint Theresa

Oshun / Ochum: Lady of Love, Beauty, and Sexuality, Spirit of Fresh Water
          Our Lady of Caridad del Cobre (Our Mother of Charity)

Chango / Shango / Xango / Sango: Fourth King of the Yoruba, immortalized as Spirit of Thunder
          Saint Barbara
          Saint Jerome

Ogun / Ogum: Lord of Metals, Minerals, Tools, War, Birds, and Wild Beasts
          Saint John the Baptist
          Saint Anthony (of Padua)
          Saint George
          San Pedro (Saint Simon Peter)

Orula / Orunla/ Orunmila: Teacher, Prophet
          Saint John the Evangelist taking Jesus down from cross

Babalú-Ayé: Spirit of Disease and Sickness, also Provider of Money to the Poor
          Saint Lazarus of Dives

Talismans

A talisman or amulet is a piece of jewelry, a trinket, charm, picture or collage that is used to protect one or attract that which one desires such as love, money or whatever it may be. According to some traditions, amulets are charged when the moon is waning and talismans are charged when the moon is waxing.

To consecrate or ritually charge an amulet or talisman, light sopme incense as an offering to the One Most High. Place the object on your altar. 

Sprinkle the object with salt and say:
"I consecrate you with the element of Earth."

Pass the object through the incense and say:
"I consecrate you with the element of Air."

Pass the object through candle flame and say:
"I consecrate you with the element of Fire."

Sprinkle the object with water and say:
"I consecrate you with the element of Water."

Place the object on the altar and hold your hand over it. Visualize a beam of light coming from the One Most High through your hands into the object. Say:

I hereby declare this object charged with the powers of earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. That it shall be used only for good, according to my will and divine law. May it serve me well in this world, between worlds, in all the worlds. Let it be so!

Your talisman or amulet can now be used.

St. Anthony

An amulet of St Anthony can consist of his image.

If you wish something returned to you, turn an image of St. Anthony upside down by a St. Anthony candle. Carry the amulet and pray to St Anthony until your request is granted.

If you desire money, each week offer Saint Anthony a loaf of bread.

Light an anointed Saint Anthony Candle while you soak in Special Favor Bath. Anoint the amulet with Saint Anthony oil and place it under your pillow. Pray yourself to sleep, asking St Anthony to fulfill your request. Anoint yourself daily with Saint Anthony perfume.

Saint Anthony Collage © 2006 Denise Alvarado, All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

San Martin Caballero

A talisman of San Martin Caballero can consist of his picture and/or a horseshoe.

San Martin Caballero, "Saint Martin the Horse-rider," is the one most frequently encountered in luck charms. Born in Hungary during the late Roman empire, he was pressed into service in the Roman army, where he became a centurion, One day, while riding his horse, he chanced upon a near-naked beggar and cut his cloak in half to give the poor man a covering. That night he had a dream in which the beggar appeared to him as Jesus, so he quit the army and became a monk in Italy. He was later promoted to the rank of Bishop of Tours (in France) but always lived a simple life and gave a great deal to charity. Thus San Martin is the Patron Saint of those who hope strangers will aid them.

In Mexico San Martin Caballero is especially popular among shop-keepers, who rely on the kindness of passing strangers for their livelihood, and among truck drivers, who see in his horsemanship a parallel to their own manner of earning a living. Because the horse he rides is associated with the lucky horseshoe, he is also a favorite saint among gamblers. In Cuba, some Santeros identify him with the orisha Ellegua, probably because the latter is associated with crossroads and hence with travel.

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