Saints, Talismans, and Psalms in Hoodoo

Saints, Talismans and Psalms! Saints are people  recognized as having attained a certain level of holiness. Characteristic  of Hoodoo is the incorporation of Catholic icons, saints, talismans, and psalms in magickal workings.

Who and What is a Saint?

The Saints in Voodoo

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

Who and What is a Saint?

There are more than 10,000 canonized Roman Catholic saints. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that it does not, in fact, make anyone a saint. Rather, it recognizes a saint. In the Church, the title of Saint — with a capital 'S' — refers to a person who has been officially recognized (canonized) by the Roman Catholic Church, and is therefore believed by this church to be in Heaven.

Though the term is mostly used for Christians considered holy or virtuous, the concept can be used for other religions. In Hinduism, for example, saints are generally referred to as a mahatma, paramahamsa, or swami, or given the prefix Sri or Srila before their name.

According to John A. Coleman S. J., associate professor of religion and sociology at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, saints across various cultures and religions have the following family resemblances: (a) exemplary model, (b) extraordinary teacher, (c) wonder worker or source of benevolent power, (d) intercessor, and (e) possessor of a special and revelatory relation to the holy.

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.

Grotto in Dickeyville, Wisconsin

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

St. Francis

The Saints in Voodoo: Afro-American Syncretism

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 Voodoo deities (orishas) and their corresponding saints.

Eleggua / Elegua/ Legba: Messenger, Opener of the Way, Trickster. Likened to 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. Likened to Our Lady of Mercy and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

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

Oya: Goddess of the Marketplace, Ruler of the Winds and Hurricanes, Female Warrior, Spirit of Wind, Storm, Thunder, and Magic. Likened to  Our Lady of Candelaria, Saint Catherine, and Saint Theresa.

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

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

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

Orula / Orunla/ Orunmila: God of Divination, Teacher, Prophet. Likened to Saint John the Evangelist taking Jesus down from cross.

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

Saint Simon-Peter

St Simon-Peter was a leader of the early Christian church, who features prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. According to Biblical accounts, he was one of Twelve Apostles, chosen by Jesus from his first disciples. He was a Galilean fisherman assigned a leadership role by Jesus (Matthew 6:18) and was with Jesus during events witnessed by only a few apostles, such as the Transfiguration.

Feast Days: In the Orthodox Daily Office every Thursday throughout the year is dedicated to the Holy Apostles, including St. Peter. There are also two feast days in the year which are dedicated to him:

June 29, Feast of Saints Peter and Paul—This is a major feast day and is preceded by a period of Lenten fasting known as the Apostles' Fast

January 16, Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy and All-Glorious Apostle Peter—commemorating both the chains which Acts 12:1-11 says miraculously fell from him, and the chains in which he was held before his martyrdom by Nero.

Over the years "St. Peter" has evolved into a stock character that is now widely used in jokes, cartoons, comedies, dramas, and plays. Such caricatures almost all play upon Peter's role as the "keeper of the keys of the kingdom of heaven" in Matthew 16:19, on the basis of which he is often depicted as an elderly, bearded man who sits at the pearly gates that serve as heaven's main entrance, and acting as a sort of hotel-style doorman / bouncer who personally interviews prospective entrants into Heaven, often seated behind a desk, or standing at a lectern.

In the Cuban Santería and Palo Mayombe, he has been syncretized with Ogún.

Saint Peter is said to be the patron saint of the following categories:

Petitioned for - foot problems, fever, longevity

Locations -

San Martin Caballero

Born in Hungary during the late Roman empire, San Martin Caballero 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.   The popularity of devotion to St Martin among men is significant because historical evidence shows that “feminization” had affected French Catholicism in the nineteenth century. During the nineteenth century Frenchmen influenced by secularism, agnosticism, and anti-clericalism deserted the church in great numbers. Martin was a man’s saint and the devotion to him was an exception to this trend. For men serving in the military, Martin of Tours was presented by the Catholic Right as the masculine model of principled behavior. He was a brave fighter, knew his obligation to the poor, shared his goods, performed his required military service, followed legitimate orders, and respected secular authority.

St Martin and the Beggar, by El Greco, ca. 1597-99 (National Gallery of Art, Washington)

San Martin Talisman

San Martin Caballero, "Saint Martin the Horse-rider," is the one most frequently encountered in luck charms. A talisman of San Martin Caballero can consist of his picture and/or a horseshoe.

Our San Martin Caballero Talismans are framed 8 x 10 collages that consist of a horseshoe wrapped in red, with a cross, gambling and other good luck charms and images of San Martin Caballero.

Order a San Martin Caballero Talisman for just

$34.95

Saint Anthony of Padua

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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