The Magical Record of Louis Martinie': September 1996

1¾

Sunday 1

To the swamp with Richard; then play with Krewe of Nuteria at Southern Decadence Parade in the Quarter; then to Voodoo Spiritual Temple for meditation; then do letters at Kaldi's. A gater watched Richard and I put the canoes in...it drew closer as we got into the canoes. A bit much for one day; this could be seen as a celebration of my return to New Orleans. But then, it is just as easy to become bored doing to much as doing to little.

Monday 2

RITUAL: Divination with white lizard at Temple Blanc Dan-i. WILL: Get feel for flow of etheric currents for week. LOVE: Entered the Temple and found a white lizard trapped on a red brick surrounded by water. Spoke to the lizard and told it I would free it and asked it in return to give me the divination for the week. I laid out the deck of cards around the Porteau Mi tan and freed the lizard. The small bit of whiteness hesitated then jumped to the "DANCE" card. Then it ran to the "MADAME LA LUNE" card and stopped. It then left the area. SUCCESS: Ah! I am told to dance to the light of the Moon by a white lizard. COMMENT: This may be less of a divination as a expression of the basis nature of the lizard. Albino lizards dancing in the moonlight on a warm night. Marvelous image. - Conversation on solitude with Christopher: Christopher let himself into the house and came into the room in which I was working. I startled. My reaction surprised me. Why did I startle? Some part of my consciousness must have expected to be alone (there are very few keys to the house). I do not believe I would have startled if Christopher had walked up to me in a Coffee House. I must have had an ongoing expectation of being alone. Perhaps this ongoing expectation of aloneness is what gave power to the Desert Fathers and their visions....gave power to all mystics who seek aloneness in a cave, a monastery, or in the desert. I had to be carrying my aloneness within me on a breath to b reath basis to be startled by Christophers presence.

Tuesday 3

Dinner with TC and C. They had told me that they had a gift for me earlier in the summer. They had found it in the river by Algeriers Point. It is a small figure about 18 inches high. Definitely the figure of a man. t. carved the face a bit to emphasize t he facial features, etc. A strong mojo. It is the root of a deep ocean plant. How it got so far up the Mississippi is a mystery. I have named the root Alex and agreed to raise the spirit that animates the figure. T says it drinks water (a lot) so far has not eaten anything. -Dream that night of a wild dance.

Wednesday 4

Sam Webster has an article in Gnosis in which he speaks of the value of the Pagan Community welcoming a Tibetan Buddhist current. I met Sam through Mishlen 10(?) years ago. Will write for more communication. - ??? said my drum sounded like a chant or a mantra at Southern Decadence. Overtones ands Spirits speak through the drum -Drum at Fauberg. I need to increase concentration. Let the hands play...forget. -Dream that Mishlen leaves me. I sense that this may be due to the lizard.

Friday 6

Dream Mom dies. Dream Ti Kala breaks in half...due to Lizard?

Saturday 7

Dream of end of world in war..White lizard are known as creatures of baleful influence...lunacy. I am sure that this series of dreams is the swishing of the lizards tail.

Sunday 8

RITUAL at Voodoo Spiritual Temple Will: To send DA to Miriam in her work in California Love: Charge veve to radiate the support of the Temple to Mombo Miriam. Offering of egg in white flour. Yenvelou rhythm for Damballah. Three cards to act as "heart" of veve. The cards to fall out were Ayida Wedo/Zombi/Ogun Ferrie. Significator of Mombo la Flambo. Did veve between mask of Danny (Dan-i) and alter to Marie Laveau. The mask of Danny became very masculine, strong Ogun presence. Tongue sticking out almost like Loup Garou. The head of lion on the cloth behind the mask stuck out. Drawings of Veves in file. Comment: Da to Dan to Dan-i. Why all the masculine force? Strong; Christopher saw the veve glowing. - Conversation with ???Woman artist at Temple....The 1920s marked the beginning of Coche for New Orleans voodoo as a whole. - Snake related to Pan and to Obatala.

Monday 9

Ritual: Dr John at Temple of Blanc Dan-i Will: To strengthen the Good Docter as a loa Love: Recitation of facts and legends that surround Dr. John Look to the stars as he did so long ago. Success: Sense of grace being given to the Doctor. Comment: Loa or spirits will die if not fed by word or thing. More of these rites are called for.

Tuesday10

Note on fishing with Richard. Phone and ans machine both out and that feels good. Hermit

Wednesday 11

A thing or a Word is a secret because it can not be heard in the World as it is. One's World must change fundamentally in order to hear a secret. Secrets need not be useful or true, but to hear them will change your World.

Thursday 12

Drumservice at Voodoo Spiritual Temple. Played the Calinda for the first time in the Temple. This is a version of the Calinda I got from work at the Archives of Traditional Music in Bloomington...recorded in Haiti/1939.

Friday 13

Contemplation: The lizards come to the kitchen window to eat the moths attracted by the light. I often sit and watch. If we have all had innumerable incarnations as the Tibetans teach, then both this particular moth and this particular lizard have, at one point been my Mother. They have cared for me, kept me alive. They have shown me kindness. Now one, out of hunger...to survive... hunts and eats the other. - Work on Calinda.

Saturday 14

Initiation is revolutionary, turns you around and you end up where you began only different. - Fall spirits in today. The green light and the air had their imprint. Conversation with Mishlen regarding teachings I have received from Mr. Norbu. Much, much more than information. These teachings are like rocks that when taken together compose the mountain of initiation. Work on flag for Manman Brigitte. See house a possible new house we would share with T&C.

Sunday 15

Mombo Miriam returned from Workings in California today. I brought Alix the RootBoy to the Temple with me to introduce him to the Spirits. As soon as I got out of the car it started to rain. Alix does love water. I was soaked. Miriam sat with him for a lo ng time. He was happy...very much at home, Miriam brought a pen back for me as a gift from California. The pen has a face on it very much like Alix's. Hung the pen around Alix's neck. I will see if he wants to use the pen to write through.

Monday 16

Run through with the Mombo Muslima for the ritual on Sunday. In courtyard of my house. Muslima danced under the banana leaves to the Guedes. In the tradition of Marie Laveau, there will be a large audience for the Rite Sunday. - Conversation with Mishlen. She pointed out that one tale is that the original Buddha died from eating poisoned mushrooms. Wondered if this was a reference to the use of psychotropic mushrooms. A clue that they were in use and/or a warning against using them. - Initiation is truly revolutionary. It causes the initiate to turn around (revolve) and see the world from a different perspective, and in the end return to the beginning of the circle (spiral) after a different fashion.

Tuesday 17

Reading historical novel set in the 1300's in Denmark.I met a perfect match for one of the characters about a week ago. Selective perception creating my (a/the) world. - Staff meeting and rest. Long day at school; I am so tired. There is occurrence and stillness and I am in need of a bit more stillness.

Wednesday 18

Bayou with Richard called off and drum with Nuteria called off. Foreshadowing of change (and time for stillness...I am very glad the Bayou and Drumming were called off.

Thursday 19

Drum service at Spiritual Voodoo Temple. The Mother of a friend of Christopher was in an accident in Austin and would be removed from life support tonight. Christopher drew a veve to Obatala and to the Ancesters. We played the slow, measured rhythm of Obatala and I gave the calls for Batala and Blanc Dan-i, the Name s/he is known under in New Olreans. A bank of elephant ear plants caught my attention and I turned to look at them. The great leaves were still and then as we drummed would move slightly; f irst one leaf then the other. It was as if the cool breeze of Batalla moved among them causing one then the other to nod solemnly yet gently in acknowledgment of the Working. Ritual: Protection at Temple Blanc Dan-i Will: Stop flow of destructive current toward M. Love: Sent Mary (a spirit I have worked with for over 15 years) out in protection. Fed wine and pepper in water. Success: M.'s sigil appeared in the pepper in the water. Comment: From that occurace I take it that M. has opened up the window for the current to flow through.

Friday 20

Asked Manman Brigitte for a word and received "kafu."Similar to many words I know but not quite the same as the ones I am familiar with. -This may be the last Dali Lama. Dali Lama said this is "no Problem. Things change" Ah! the beauty of The View.

Saturday 21

Up early to vote, I only vote when that asshole Duke runs. The only thing that will get me up on Saturday is to vote against him. Completed Flag to ManMan Brigitte. It is truly a map to this great spirit. I have the experience of the crossroads being a si mple stick stuck into the earth. So beautiful...so elegant. The Porteau Mitan follows suite. Bought liver at WinDixie. Felt need for iron. Both familiars, Mary and Alex would not let me alone until I gave them some of the blood. It is good for both me and for the spirits in my charge that I so seldom feed on flesh. As I know from Mary, raising these familiars is very much like raising a dog or a cat. If you feed it steak or shushi that is what it is going to consistently want. Cats and dogs and familiar spirits can live quite well on much less "expensive" foods. - Sent Mary out again in protection for M. This time the pepper in the water took on the appearance of a swatztika Mary shows layers beyond this. Confusing.

Sunday 22

RITUAL: Autumnal Equinox WILL:Feeding and praise to the loa LOVE: At the Fauburg Center. Praise to Legba, Ogun, Manman Brigitte, Oshun, Yeyema, Guedeh, Marassa, Oya Simbi. I brought the Porteau Mitam and 20 big, old banana leaves.About 7 ritualists and 80 people most of which could speak only French. Did veves. Begin with libations/Legba/Presentation of flags/Calinda as court dance/for Ogun played rhythm to the ogun Annie C hristmas/Amrita(Muslima's child) got Honey to end ritual fight/Ancestors Guede'/Marassa danced by Amrita with wonderful flips and somersaults/Oshun and Yemaya/ into Bamboula as the crowd started moving/Rhythm to Snakes...Simbi and Damballa but the snakes did not come??? SUCCESS: Toward the end of the rite a woman in her 60/70? came out into the ritual space and I felt the presence of Manman Brigitte...I gave the calls and thanks. COMMENT: Manman and the flag I made are the strongest elements for me. Why did the snakes not come? Ti Kala my snake was danced but then, she was blueing. Meditation at the New Orleans Voodoo Spiritual Temple...at a Temple business meeting we all came to an understanding of the official name of the Temple. NEW ORLEANS VOODOO SPIRITUAL TEMPLE. MEDITATION....on breath. Emptiness (open space) Didergiedoo and bouron accompanent...the joys of a port city reflected in the variety of instrumentation. Fine concentration.

Monday 23

Letter on the Insect Loa. I said that it is best to reguard these loa as "alien" beings and do what works in a"B" grade science fiction movie in order to make contact. For example, feed them and save their lives; remove them from danger. After a time (for me about a year) of acting like this these loa will allow you an expedition into the their nation. What they know and what they do is a secret...something living only in the experience that will change the World you live in. A "Fierce allegiance to life" is one of the most important words I left the expedition with;" mechanism (in that cause and effect rotate with absolute precision)" and "movement." All else lives w ithin me as a small space radiating the current of the Insect Loa. To try to re-member this current only confuses the issue.
- Contemplation: Nuit says"no",nature of Samsara.

Tuesday 24

Sitting in the Courtyard. Clear moon behind moving clouds...a piece of eternity. Reconstruct Temple Blanc Dan-i. Leaving flag in pile of red brick before alter of ManMan Brigitte. Stones are more traditional..red brick is more to the spirit of New Orleans. An alter in Bloomington would best be constructed of sandstone; that cities abu ndant material of the earth.

Wednesday 25

Reviewing notes from ritual at SummerHawk...Blessing of the Drums. The Red Palm Oil(Blood) rubbed on the drummers hands moves from the hands to the head of the drum and out the mouth of the drum as sound.

Thursday 26

To Bloomington at time of Lunar Ecipse. Witches Moon in New Orleans. Dark clouds threaded before the Moons face. Before leaving I was in the Temple and cut myself. So.....where is the Red Palm oil. When the voodoosants attention lessens, the loa have the power to take what they need. Best to pay attention and provide food They will accept on your terms. As I was In the Temple, high school memorabilia literally lept on to a new alter I had just created a few days ago. The purpose of the alter is to provide my "shadow" with a more solid existence. - Who rides nightmare? odd question to come up. Good question, very evocative. Which of the loa would ride mightmare?

Friday 27

Bloomington. Reviewing some thoughts from this past summer: There is an exoteric and esoteric understanding of Liber L. The exoteric dimension of the book describes the cultural bent and place of Western/European culture. It even predicts future happenings. But it is only of direct relevance to a member of this culture (anyone who views themselves as members of this culture is a member). On the esoteric level the Book is universal and speaks to the experience of all peoples equally For example; the "island" one is told to fortify in the Book is exoterically an existant island, esoterically it could easily relate to the chakras.

Saturday 28

Bloomington (reconstruction...original record lost) Ritual: In Temple of Crystal Serpent. Michael, Mishlen, Marty, Linda, Louis Will: Michael has a spirit that has been bothering him for years and he has traveled to Bloomington to speak with Marty. The ritual is to remove this spirit and place it in a poppet. Love: Banishing and Quarters by Marty,Dancing by Linda to raise power, Marty calls Rathamanthos to assist him in removing the spirit from Michael, Mishlen and I drum. Michael lies supine and a poppet is fashioned on his stomach area by Marty and Linda. Ma rty removes the spirit and places it in the poppet. Success: Michael; sense of release. Comment: The ritual will be complete when Michael seizes the spirit in the poppet and eats it. Michael has the word "Nightmare" scarred upon his arm. When asked, Michael it is a name he was known by. Very nice...so, who does ride NightMare now?

Sunday 29

Bloomington Tibetan Center Sanga with Mr. Norbu. His presence is a blessing; ashe' fall from him. I asked him again what is the antidote to anger and once again he said "patience."

Monday 30

Bloomington to New Orleans Arrive in New Orleans. Thanks and offerings to Mary and Ellegua for keeping the house safe. During the middle of the night I in some how knocked a piece of a meterioite off an end table at the bottom of the bed and into a cup of coffee I had sitting on the floor. How I did this with my foot is beyond Mishlen and I. A meteriote is sky metal and thus sacred to shango. Michael (Bloomington working) has Shango as a main orisha. Putting the stones in water is a way of cooling their power down. Coffee though ? cision)" and "movement." All else lives within me as a small space radiating the current.

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