This upcoming weekend will be the feast day for Our Lady of Guadalupe, an avatar of the Virgen Mary that appeared to Juan Diego, a poor countryman of Tepayac, who told him of her wish to have a Shrine built when she visited him. Juan Diego petitioned the Bishop, who wanted proof and the Virgen instructed him to gather roses in his tilma, a blanket-type covering, to take to the Bishop. When he presented the roses to the Bishop, her image was imprinted on the tilma, thus convincing the construction to begin and making the tilma a Holy Relic.  The tilma was framed and is hanging in the Cathedral in Mexico City. You can read more about the legend by clicking here.

On this day, many begin to decorate their Christmas trees in the United States and attend Mass with the Mariachi band playing music to the Virgen and later the family gathers at home for warm foods such as tamales, pozole and atole. Some bring the scarlet poinsettia plants to construct a household altar, as the poinsettia plant is native to Mexico. Many will light vigil candles such as this one, to offer petitions to Her.

The Virgen of Guadalupe is revered everywhere and Her image can be found on shirts, jewelry and many have her image as a tatoo to show devotion and asking for her protection. Here is one that I found on the Internet:

Some people believe that if you paint her image on the building where you have your business, that you will not be bothered with break-ins and graffiti. Ironically, it actually is true, as I have read an article that observations has shown that Her image reduces crime in the area. Here is a shop owner who wants a peaceful neighborhood.

Whatever your intensity of devotion to the Virgen of Guadalupe, you can agree that she is an influencal image throughout the Southwest and West. Many of these statues at this market will be relocating in the living rooms of many Latino families very soon.

Here is a simple but effective candle spell that can be used while entertaining guests as a centerpiece or even an altar and they won’t even know the blessings you are surrounding them with!

INGREDIENTS:

1 Cranberry Red Candle
1 Pumpkin Orange Candle
1 Golden Spice Candle
1 bottle “Crown of Success” Oil
1 bottle of “Fast Luck” Oil
1 bottle of Protection” Oil

This candle spell is easy and the earthy scents of the Condition/Anointing Oils will be mixed with the delicious aromas from your kitchen and your guests will not know that you are actually bestowing them with protection and best wishes for their luck and success.

Clean candles as prescribed in right hand column labeled in Categories as “Proper Candle Preparation”. Let dry.

Carve three little holes/wells in candle top and add the “Fast Luck” to the cranberry red candle, the “Crown of Success” to the pumpkin orange candle and “Wall of Protection” to the golden spice candle.

Arrange on something pretty like the gold charger I am using here. Decorate with leaves, mini pumpkins or even glass ornaments. I used faux mini squashes and gourds.

Keep an eye on your candles while you are entertaining because if you use free standing ones as I have here, they will eventually distort and hot wax will run down one side. Extinguish with a candle sniffer before taking a post dinner nap.

Enjoy this festive celebration and Give Thanks for all that the Universe has given to you.

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Saint Expedite, or San Expedito, is a well loved Saint around New Orleans. It has been reputed that he is the Saint to petition when you need “Fast Luck” or when you need ‘things in a hurry’. He is also the Saint to petition when someone is procrastinating about an issue.

Above, we show a simple alter set up for St. Expedite. An image, framed photograph or chromograph or statue (we show both), a glass of water and a candle anointed with either “St. Expedite” or “Fast Luck” Condition Oils (both available through www.lucky13clover.com ). The only other addition may be a petition written on a piece of white paper and placed under the candle.

Once the petition or wish has been granted, legend tells that you must offer him a glass of red wine and some pound cake. Some variations on the offerings can be the whole pound cake or slices arranged on a plate with a coin (usually a dime) placed on top. Once a few days have passed, take the cake outside for the birds and pour the wine and water down the drain. Give the coins to the poor.

Some say that despite their efforts to ‘work’ with Saint Expedite, he does not respond to them. I have heard that either you have much success or no success with St. Expedite.