May

Some of that Museum Mojo…

By Tess

…Voodoo Museum, that is.

I had to go down to the Quarter this morning to replenish stock from the Museum. Much to my surprise, Voodoo Priest John T was personally in residence.

He’s an older man, quiet until he takes your measure, but happy to share after he’s decided you’re okay. Intense. He’s that rare sort of person that you know is really looking at you. Slightly unsettling in a kindly way…I can’t imagine they have many shoplifters.

So I’m picking out the gris-gris bags we’re low on and he says, “You know I just lost my baby too.”

Oh…no. I knew he was talking about Eugene, his Burmese python- 20+ feet long, better than 200 lbs and John’s friend and security system (Eugene roamed the upstairs free and unfettered), although I don’t think he was used in rituals.

But it was the ‘too’ part I was curious about. (see here & here)I haven’t seen John in at least 6 months since he’s usually too busy to be tending the shop, but I guess one must accept these things when talking to a Voodoo Priest and psychic.

So we talked about our poor lost pets and got the sniffles. As I was getting ready to go, he told me to take one of the items inside a lined bowl on the shelf. “It’s the strongest juju there is,” he said. “I guarantee you put that on your dashboard and you won’t have anybody else touch your car or you, either.”

Need I say I didn’t mention our car theft? Coincidence? Likely…but then again…

At any rate, I’d have to say I agree that it would tend to deter thieves:

Yes, that would be a dried chicken foot, tied with yarn and a skull bead, blessed and whatall by John. “You come back here on Friday,” he said, cocking an eyebrow my way. “You’ve been having a hard time. I’m gonna have something for you on Friday.”

Here’s the thing- I don’t really believe in this stuff…but I’m superstitious enough that I’m not throwing it out.

And, obviously, I’m going to be there on Friday, too.