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The Magical Power of the Saints: Evocation and Candle Rituals
Learn how to do powerful, practical magic when you use candles and call on the saints in Reverend Ray T. Malbrough's The Magical Power of the Saints . This book can be your personal guide to help you call on the saints as your spiritual allies. You will learn how to work with seventy-four different saints through the use of "seven-day vigil candles" (saint candles), prayers, psalms, herbal baths, and more. For example, you would call on Saint Benedict (whose candle color is white and day of the week is Saturday) to help end fevers, heal sick animals and more. You might call on Our Lady of Charity (whose candle color is yellow and day of the week is also Saturday) for protection of the home and family, to bring a new lover, or to obtain better finances. But, The Magical Power of the Saints includes much The Magical Power of the Saints includes over forty-five illustrations of saints to help you in your work.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Ray T. Malbrough
5 books14 followersRay T. Malbrough was born in New Orleans and was raised in the "Pays des Cajuns" Region of southeastern Louisiana. He learned the basics of hoodoo in his early teens with the permission and encouragement of his mother. At age 19, he started working in a New Orleans tearoom as a reader/advisor, and has since earned a good reputation as a Hoodoo worker all over the region surrounding his hometown of Houma. He is a 1982 graduate of the Seax-Wica Seminary founded and directed by Dr. Raymond Buckland. The author is active in the parapsychology Association in Thibodeaux, Louisiana. Today, Ray is a full time reader/advisor and hoodoo worker in his home in Houma.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 30, 2014
The book The Magical Power of the Saints: Evocation and Candle books was an interesting read. It was just what it states its about. The book focuses on Saints and candle magic and nothing else. THis book never claims to be Hoodoo or anything than working with saints which is excellent. Its a great introduction guide for working with saints and gaining spiritual knowledge from the practice of working with saints.
Before I read this book I knew about maybe two or three saints. I knew of Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Jude, and Saint Paul. This book while not providing detailed information about the saints provides information on 74 different saints that can be worked with for spiritual and practical gains in our lives. The information provided is direct and to the point.
This book contains 11 different chapters. Each of the chapters focuses on a different aspect of what the author calls "popular religiosity" or the working of religio magic or magic with the saints. The topics of the chapters are varied but provide a cohesive system for working with saints.
The book gets started right away in the first chapter by talking about working with saints and deities. The author begins by telling you a bit about how ancient pagans gave offerings to deities and spirits when asking for something. The author then goes on in to how the saints started to have the same roles and practices used with them. This is popular religiosity. From there he gives a list of saints some with images and some without with their associations, colors, and what they are patrons of. You can start formulating your work right away.
The second chapter deals with the practice of divination before doing any sort of working. Now this is not just about telling things based on as they appear with the cards or tool used. This discussion of divination includes finding out what sort of offerings to give, blocks in the way of the working, and the proper saints and spirits to work with. This chapter also discusses the importance of the diviner priest to know magic and divination.
The third chapter focuses on ancestors and the dead. The author explains how prayers to the ancestors can work with a biblical verse. The author then talks about a concept called the "Mighty dead" which is found in various traditions of witchcraft. He relates this concept to working with saints and ends the chapter with a prayer you can offer to your ancestor for working with them.
The fourth chapter is all about working the candles. Here we get our first taste of the type of work that is ahead of us. The author goes into the history of candles in magic and prayer. The majority of the chapter focuses on several different types of candles and their uses for work. The chapter ends with a "ritual of transformation"
The fifth chapter is really three chapters together. This chapter focuses on reading the signs in the candles as they burn, several different candle spells, and oils for working the candles. This is the spell and correspondence section of the book and provides different spells and rituals for basically every need.
The sixth chapter focuses on the use of the psalms in the bible. The author doesn't go into a discussion about the use of the psalms merely states that they are a historical magical use. The author then provides a list of the different psalms that can be used in spells and candle work for various needs. They are grouped by need or use in numerical order.
The seventh chapter focuses on aspects of ritual. Here the author talks about incenses, baths, and washes. These are components of different magical practices that can be obtained and add benefit to the other workings. Here the author introduces the concept and how to be ware the costs of those selling washes, baths, and the like.
The eighth chapter is all about putting the practices together. Here the author talks about working with planetary hours on the days. The author also includes arch angels and the hours and items they can be petitioned for. The author also includes ideas on how to make prayer beads and work effective magic that way.
The ninth chapter is about becoming a diviner priest or priestess. Here the author goes into the training that is required to become a diviner priest or priestess. the author also provides a simple but also diverse divination style that a diviner priest or priestess may need to be familiar with in order to complete their training.
The tenth chapter of the book is all about the church that the author is a reverend of. The author includes photo copied images of his certifications to prove he can teach what he teaches and is what and who he says he is.
The last chapter in the book is a final set of advice. Here the author gives a final bit of advice for when seeking the help of a professional root worker, witch, or what ever. Not everyone who offers these services is what they say they are.
All in all the author provided a good basis to start delving into your own work with saints and angelic spirits. While there could have been more lore provided for the various saints and more information about the herbs and incenses and oils, the book will get you started on the path of working with saints and angelic forces. When you combine this work with the recommended reading list the author provides more then enough sources and information to begin feeling comfortable in these practices.
Before I read this book I knew about maybe two or three saints. I knew of Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Jude, and Saint Paul. This book while not providing detailed information about the saints provides information on 74 different saints that can be worked with for spiritual and practical gains in our lives. The information provided is direct and to the point.
This book contains 11 different chapters. Each of the chapters focuses on a different aspect of what the author calls "popular religiosity" or the working of religio magic or magic with the saints. The topics of the chapters are varied but provide a cohesive system for working with saints.
The book gets started right away in the first chapter by talking about working with saints and deities. The author begins by telling you a bit about how ancient pagans gave offerings to deities and spirits when asking for something. The author then goes on in to how the saints started to have the same roles and practices used with them. This is popular religiosity. From there he gives a list of saints some with images and some without with their associations, colors, and what they are patrons of. You can start formulating your work right away.
The second chapter deals with the practice of divination before doing any sort of working. Now this is not just about telling things based on as they appear with the cards or tool used. This discussion of divination includes finding out what sort of offerings to give, blocks in the way of the working, and the proper saints and spirits to work with. This chapter also discusses the importance of the diviner priest to know magic and divination.
The third chapter focuses on ancestors and the dead. The author explains how prayers to the ancestors can work with a biblical verse. The author then talks about a concept called the "Mighty dead" which is found in various traditions of witchcraft. He relates this concept to working with saints and ends the chapter with a prayer you can offer to your ancestor for working with them.
The fourth chapter is all about working the candles. Here we get our first taste of the type of work that is ahead of us. The author goes into the history of candles in magic and prayer. The majority of the chapter focuses on several different types of candles and their uses for work. The chapter ends with a "ritual of transformation"
The fifth chapter is really three chapters together. This chapter focuses on reading the signs in the candles as they burn, several different candle spells, and oils for working the candles. This is the spell and correspondence section of the book and provides different spells and rituals for basically every need.
The sixth chapter focuses on the use of the psalms in the bible. The author doesn't go into a discussion about the use of the psalms merely states that they are a historical magical use. The author then provides a list of the different psalms that can be used in spells and candle work for various needs. They are grouped by need or use in numerical order.
The seventh chapter focuses on aspects of ritual. Here the author talks about incenses, baths, and washes. These are components of different magical practices that can be obtained and add benefit to the other workings. Here the author introduces the concept and how to be ware the costs of those selling washes, baths, and the like.
The eighth chapter is all about putting the practices together. Here the author talks about working with planetary hours on the days. The author also includes arch angels and the hours and items they can be petitioned for. The author also includes ideas on how to make prayer beads and work effective magic that way.
The ninth chapter is about becoming a diviner priest or priestess. Here the author goes into the training that is required to become a diviner priest or priestess. the author also provides a simple but also diverse divination style that a diviner priest or priestess may need to be familiar with in order to complete their training.
The tenth chapter of the book is all about the church that the author is a reverend of. The author includes photo copied images of his certifications to prove he can teach what he teaches and is what and who he says he is.
The last chapter in the book is a final set of advice. Here the author gives a final bit of advice for when seeking the help of a professional root worker, witch, or what ever. Not everyone who offers these services is what they say they are.
All in all the author provided a good basis to start delving into your own work with saints and angelic spirits. While there could have been more lore provided for the various saints and more information about the herbs and incenses and oils, the book will get you started on the path of working with saints and angelic forces. When you combine this work with the recommended reading list the author provides more then enough sources and information to begin feeling comfortable in these practices.
September 25, 2013
In terms of practical Catholic folk magic, I would call it the "The 'Only New Orleans Voodoo' Book You Would Ever Need," although not necessarily the only one you would ever want. There will always be more books on the subject on a practical level; nevertheless, I would recommend having this on your shelf as a staple among any of the other books you would have or buy on American folk magic.
This is the second of three books Ray T. Malbrough has written. As of this date, I haven't read his first one yet, even though it's been around my place for years. I hope to read the first and third really soon.
This is also one of the better Llewellyn books, which is evidence to me that not all books from Llewellyn skate on fluffy-bunny New Age ice. It's very good.
This is the second of three books Ray T. Malbrough has written. As of this date, I haven't read his first one yet, even though it's been around my place for years. I hope to read the first and third really soon.
This is also one of the better Llewellyn books, which is evidence to me that not all books from Llewellyn skate on fluffy-bunny New Age ice. It's very good.
May 8, 2012
There is much here that is useful. I will definitely keep it around for information and reference. However, there is equally as much that I will not use in my own personal practice.
August 13, 2020
Interesting
The book was interesting. I wish it was more than just an introduction. It could have used more examples and prayers.
The book was interesting. I wish it was more than just an introduction. It could have used more examples and prayers.
December 9, 2020
Informative
Straight to the point. Tells you what you have to know in a manner that is easy to comprehend. I would recommend.
Straight to the point. Tells you what you have to know in a manner that is easy to comprehend. I would recommend.
Read
January 20, 2021No stars yet as I am still using this book. It is more reference than a text you ‘read.’ But I will revisit when I have applied more of what I read.
August 5, 2022
This is a very good book and the spells work if you are a true believer.
Read
January 1, 2023I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice way of encorporating los Santos en la practica de brujeria.
(2008)
(2008)
June 28, 2023
I found it very bland and unhelpful, especially coming from a folk catholic practitioner.
November 19, 2023
Really enjoyed this book. Gave good detail.
July 7, 2016
I realize the book has its weaknesses but I do support it as a cursory, and over-simplified introduction to Folk Catholicism, and basic Conjure practices. It is, by no means, complete, or comprehensive. It gets 3 stars because it is so easy to find. Better books have been made since the time of release.
It is published by Llewellyn, so, no doubt, editing of content had to be done.
The saints presented are some of the more popular, some of which are used in Conjure.
I really appreciated the chapter about Biblical attitudes toward divination, and the types approved in the Old Testament. I believe that would be enlightening to many.
The brief chapter regarding honoring the dead, particularly one's ancestors, considering how important this is, still helpful for those beginning the practice.
As with the saints, he discusses the common purpose candles one might find in a spiritual store, as well as, the various meanings of the colored candles. In addition, a plethora of practices to meet many common needs using these tools. Following how to dress them, in both taper, and glass candles.
A quick glance at geomancy that simply gives a few attributes, without meaning.
It is published by Llewellyn, so, no doubt, editing of content had to be done.
The saints presented are some of the more popular, some of which are used in Conjure.
I really appreciated the chapter about Biblical attitudes toward divination, and the types approved in the Old Testament. I believe that would be enlightening to many.
The brief chapter regarding honoring the dead, particularly one's ancestors, considering how important this is, still helpful for those beginning the practice.
As with the saints, he discusses the common purpose candles one might find in a spiritual store, as well as, the various meanings of the colored candles. In addition, a plethora of practices to meet many common needs using these tools. Following how to dress them, in both taper, and glass candles.
A quick glance at geomancy that simply gives a few attributes, without meaning.
December 18, 2025
A good and thorough read for Christians and Pagans alike. Definitely geared for followers of Folk Catholicism/Christianity, not to mention Hoodoo, Voodoo/Voudon, Santeria and other Afrocubano religious practices. Also could be geared to someone interested Italian folk magic which deals heavily with the saints. Not only did was it bursting with correspondences and rituals related to the saints, it incorporated basic candle magic, as well as incarnations of the Virgin Mary and some of the angels as well. A must read for anyone interested in this type of spiritual practices.
October 8, 2013
I found it both too vague (more Bible quotes and personal anecdotes than nuts-and-bolts info) and idiosyncratic to be of much use--I'm more interested in classic Hoodoo/Conjure. Maybe not a bad book if it's what you're looking for, but not for me. It does have a few reference sections of saints and psalms that could make it useful to have around, and I liked the chapter on ancestral worship.
June 23, 2015
Uh ok lol! I thought this was a book about history of saints and I was looking for a particular one. But it's not, it's like a little how-to book on religious folk magic type stuff. It was interesting in some stuff but idk...
January 19, 2010
This is the ultimate candle refernce book. The only one that I go back to again and again.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews