Recap

The Practice of Voodoo

High Priestess Maria Burton discussed her deep involvement with the ancient religion of Voodoo. Seeking to clear up misconceptions about the practice, she said she uses Voodoo as a way to help people and enhance their lives, rather than for evil or negative purposes. She conducts healing rituals and religious ceremonies, and offers her clients incantations, readings, fortune telling, potions and spell casting. Some spells can involve the creation of voodoo dolls, which might for instance, have a lock of hair of a love interest woven into them. The doll works as a "transference of energy," casting a particular desire out into the world, she explained.

Priestess Maria said she communes with spirits in her work, and might make an offering to them such as a fine liquor or cigar-- something that the spirit might miss in their realm. She doesn't incorporate animal sacrifice into her practice, however, describing her version of Voodoo as a more modern approach.

A special segment during the interview featured callers sharing their (mostly negative) experiences with the Ouija board. Burton cautioned against the use of the Ouija, suggesting one might encounter entities that hadn't moved on. She also noted that particularly negative spirits would be more likely to come through on bad weather or rainy days.

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