The Art of Conjure: San Simón Wishing Spell

Altars to San Simón always have a doll or effigy of some kind representing him along with cloth that is characteristic of the indigenous peoples of South and Central America. People turn to him with requests of good health, family harmony, job security, good crops, and the like. He has what is referred to as a dark side as well, but I like to refer to it as human. He is said to grant requests that have something to do with revenge and success at the expense of others.

Learn how to make a San Simon doll here!

The Art of Conjure: San Simón Wishing Spell

Lonely Voodoo Ju Ju Doll Seeks New Home

Here he is, or she is, you can decide the gender. One lonely Ju Ju doll who wasn't claimed last month. I still can't believe it. Ju Jus are nothing but good luck, and they are an heirloom too.


Usually, these dolls are adorned only on one side. This one is adorned on both sides. However, there is still room for you to add your own charms and what-nots if you would like. Here is a picture of my lonely Ju Ju's backside:





I have written before about Ju Jus and charm dolls. The reason I am posting this particular doll is because no one claimed it as the winner of the free Voodoo doll contest last month. But, in case you are interested in what Ju Ju dolls are all about, I have posted an excerpt from my book Voodoo Dolls in Magick and Ritual below.

Ju Ju Dolls

Ju Ju dolls are a commonly sought for their good luck and protection properties. The term "ju ju" refers to an object, in this case a doll, that has been blessed and functions to keep evil and negativity away. Sometimes Ju Ju dolls are referred to as guardians because they are used to protect the home from negativity. Other popular ju jus in New Orleans include talismans made of alligator heads and chicken feet. Ju Ju dolls are usually created as poppets, then adorned with colorful yarn, good luck charms, and gris gris bags filled with magickal items to bring positive blessings to their possessor. Ju Ju dolls can be hung above the doorway in your home to keep away evil and negative energy.


Sometimes, ju ju dolls are made in the form of familiars, such as the black cat, one of the most powerful animals in the Voodoo tradition. In the New Orleans Voodoo hoodoo tradition, black cats are considered to be good luck in matters of sports and gambling, particularly with card games and playing the lottery. Black Cat mojo bags are filled with a number of luck-bringing roots and herbs, including John the Conqueror root, and adorned with a small black cat charm on the outside and carried on the person for good luck. Black cat ju ju dolls are adorned with good luck charms and charms that carry a gambling theme, such as tiny dice and playing cards.


If you would like to adopt this wonderful Ju Ju Doll that I am so graciously willing to give as the free Voodoo doll of the month, leave your comment below and by Friday evening I will choose a winner from the responses. If you have not signed up for the contest yet, you can do so by visiting Free Voodoo Doll Contest at Planet Voodoo.


Good luck and laissez bon ton roulet! (let the good times roll!)

Voodoo-Doll-A-Day.com

It's been awhile since I have posted anything here, though it has not been a while since I have created any Voodoo dolls. Recently I have been inspired by my friend Gretchen Little who has been on a quest to create 1001 hearts, one heart per day at a time. She was inspired by other artists who have taken the one a day concept and created paintings and what not. I recently found a guy who was creating a skull a day. I wish I could remember his name. In any event, it's not like I need anything more to do; rather, this is probably just sympomatic of my ADD and Aquarian nature. But, Gretchen just created a doodle lens at Squidoo and right before I checked it out I had been doodling a couple of Voodoo dolls with Paint Shop Pro. It hit me that I should do something with all of this Voodoo dolling that I do and what better way to channel it than through a Voodoo doll a day? So, I bought the domain name and here is my first Voodoo doodle doll.

Frida Kahlo Day of the Dead Doll

Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist whose paintings were influenced by the indigenous cultures of Mexico, as well as European influences. Her paintings were vibrant in color with vivid imagery and incorporated elements of realisim, surrealism and symbolism. Frida was married to world famous Mexican painter Diego Rivera. She has achieved great international popularity especially since the 1970s. Frida Kahlo is the subject of many Day of the Dead artists, who portray her in paintings, murals, and calaveras, the popular Day of the Dead dolls.

This Day of the Dead altar doll is my tribute to Frida Kahlo, the great "woman of women". She is created in my unique conjure art tradition, combining the tradition of the Aztec calavera with New Orleans Voodoo art. She measures approximately 8 inches including the feathers on her head. She is wearing vintage lace and ribbons, and adorned with flowers, feathers, and rhinestones. She comes signed for authenticity.

Here, she is shown with her husband, the world famous Diego Rivera.

Both Day of the Dead dolls are available from my website, The Mystic Voodoo.