The dark magic doll operation is a dangerous and controversial practice that involves the manipulation and control of a doll for malevolent purposes. This operation is typically carried out by individuals who possess knowledge of dark magic and are seeking to harm others or achieve their own personal gains. The main idea behind the dark magic doll operation is to transfer one's intentions and desires onto the doll, which is then used as a vessel to carry out harmful actions towards the target. These actions can range from causing physical harm to the target, such as by inflicting pain or illness, to manipulating their thoughts and emotions, leading to psychological and emotional distress. One of the key aspects of the dark magic doll operation is the connection that is established between the practitioner and the doll. This connection allows the practitioner to exert their will and command over the doll, effectively controlling its actions and influencing the target.
The earliest examples of figure magic come from ancient Egypt, where stone or clay figurines or inscribed figures representing enemies of the Egyptian state were subjected to rituals intended to protect the ruler by suppressing rebellion or attack. Images were decapitated, pierced, or drilled with holes, suspended or bound with ropes, placed under door hinge-posts so as to be ground down with each turning of the hinge, and inscribed in the shoe so as to be trodden upon with each step. 2 This pharaonic magic became translated over time into the more familiar interpersonal personal usage against individual enemies, and the practice also made its way into Egyptian magical texts that in turn influenced Greco-Roman magic. There are many fascinating examples of these effigies, and they can reveal a lot about the magical practices used with them, so let's look at a few.
8 Nineteenth century Gaelic folklore collections from Scotland still speak of the corp crèadha , or clay corpse, which would be enchanted and stabbed with pins, pierced with flints or elf-shot. The limbs of the wax figures had been wrapped around each other as if in a passionate embrace, creating a sympathetic enactment of the intended consequence of the spell.
This connection allows the practitioner to exert their will and command over the doll, effectively controlling its actions and influencing the target. The doll becomes a conduit for the dark magic and serves as a tool for the practitioner to enact their desires. It is important to note that the dark magic doll operation is not widely accepted or practiced, as it is considered unethical and harmful.
On Halloween, Insensitivity Goes Beyond Kimonos And Black Face
A New Orleans Saints fan holds a voodoo doll at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans in 2016.
Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Never mind ghosts and goblins, zombies and vampires. For some people, the scariest part of Halloween is the deluge of offensive costumes, from frat boys in black face to white kids in kimonos to sexy celebrity Pocahontases.
At this point, every masquerader (should) know that race is not a costume. But the racial politics behind certain get-ups aren't quite so obvious.
This week on Ask Code Switch, we got a question from Jennifer, a Pennsylvania woman whose daughter is entranced with the occult. The costume in question? Voodoo doll.
Here's Jennifer:
My 9-year-old daughter (half German-American, half Jewish-American) saw a voodoo doll costume she wants to wear for Halloween. It's styled modestly, is pretty while still being a little "ghoulish," and isn't commercial or political — all of which make it attractive to me. But I don't know enough about Louisiana culture or African religious traditions to know whether this would hurt or offend someone. My daughter says voodoo was in The Princess and the Frog, so it must be OK. But I know Disney has messed up in the past. Can you help?
Halloweeners, read on:
I totally get why your daughter wants to be a voodoo doll. It's spookier than a princess, more creative than a ghost, not as played out as a witch. I understand why it's appealing to you, too. (Although I wouldn't go so far as to say it's not political.)
But your instinct that there might be something off? Dead-on.
To understand why, it helps to have a little background about what exactly "voodoo" is. That is actually much more complicated than you might think.
The term "voodoo" is often used as a catchall for several distinct, but related religions that combine elements of Catholicism and West African Vodun. There are different variations of Voodoo (Vodun, Vodou, Hoodoo, Vaudou) practiced in Louisiana, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. But the most well-known, at least in American popular imagination, is Haitian Vodou.
Vodou is one of Haiti's official religions. It was created by enslaved Africans and their descendants, who came in contact with Roman Catholic missionaries in the 1500s and 1600s.
The religion's "fundamental principle is that everything is spirit. Humans are spirits who inhabit the visible world, and other spirits . populate the unseen world." That's according to the Encyclopedia Brittanica, in an entry written by Elizabeth McAlister. She is a professor of religion and the author of a book about Haitian Vodou, called Rara! Vodou, Power, and Performance in Haiti and Its Diaspora.)
But Jennifer, most Americans know nothing about Vodou as an actual religion. What we know about is the pop culture version: what a scholar named Adam McGee refers to as "lower case 'v' voodoo" — that witchy, bloodletting revenge stuff from New Orleans. (Again, that's not to be confused with Louisiana Voodoo, a real religion practiced by many.)
That kind of voodoo, with the dolls and the zombies, is what you see in movies like Indiana Jones or Princess and the Frog. White Zombie, a 1932 horror film, was one of the first movies to establish a set of racial tropes about Haitian Vodou — voodoo dolls among them.
McGee writes that the voodoo we see in the movies was lightly inspired by religion but is primarily the brainchild of Hollywood producers and long ago travel writers. And it has a very specific purpose:
"This imagined religion serves as a venue for the expression of more-or-less undiluted racial anxieties, manifested as lurid fantasies about black peoples. .
"As something that is coded as black, presenting voodoo in scenarios that are belittling, denigrating and, most especially, aimed to evoke terror is a way of directing these sentiments at blacks without openly entering into racist discourse."
So, back to voodoo dolls. As you might imagine, they have no real connection to Haitian Vodou.
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Kyrah Malika Daniels, a professor of of art history, African & African Diaspora Studies, and theology at Boston College, says she sometimes sees the dolls being sold in places like the checkout line at Barnes & Noble. And for her, that serves as "this small reminder that any exposure we have to black religion that is not Christianity is satanic. Is devilish. Is something to be feared."
"This is incredibly damaging to so many devotees of African and African-derived religions who have been able to rely upon these traditions for faith, for community, for healing purposes," Daniels says.
To put all of this in context, Daniels says, think about what it might look like if you subbed out Vodou for Christianity and used it as a Halloween costume:
"If we were to consider how Christians might feel if somebody were to dress up as a gruesome, gory, bloody Jesus, hanging from a cross — what would that look like? Would that not be offensive?"
Daniels adds that what is even more profound about this "is that a gory representation of Jesus, while perhaps quite offensive, would not be inaccurate. It actually is a component of the religion. Whereas the voodoo doll is not."
I think that about says it.
So, what should you tell your daughter? Haitian Vodou and Louisiana Voodoo are fascinating religions, and if she seems interested in learning more about them, there are some great resources available.
But when it comes to Halloween, treat Vodou like you would any other faith. That is to say, don't delve into anyone else's religious traditions (real or dreamed up by Hollywood) in search of a costume.
But hey — if you're still in need of something to wear on Halloween, an unofficial poll of everyone I know suggests that regular old dolls are creepy enough as is. Happy haunting!
So readers, what racially sensitive costume will you don this Allhallows Eve? And what are your best alternative costume ideas for Jennifer? Let us know. We're [email protected].
And as always, if you have a racial conundrum of your own, fill out this form and tell us the deets!
"If we were to consider how Christians might feel if somebody were to dress up as a gruesome, gory, bloody Jesus, hanging from a cross — what would that look like? Would that not be offensive?"
Many believe that the use of dark magic for personal gain or harm goes against moral and spiritual values. Furthermore, the consequences of engaging in such practices can be severe, both for the practitioner and the target. Overall, the dark magic doll operation is a highly controversial and dangerous practice that involves the manipulation and control of a doll for malicious purposes. While it may offer a means to achieve one's desires, it is important to consider the ethical implications and potential consequences before engaging in such practices..
Reviews for "The Wonders of Dark Magic: How Dolls Can Influence Reality"
1. Jane - 2/5
While I usually enjoy supernatural and mysterious stories, "Dark Magic Doll Operation" left me disappointed. The plot was convoluted and lacked coherence, making it difficult to follow. The characters were underdeveloped, and their actions often felt forced and unrealistic. Furthermore, the pacing was inconsistent, with long periods of dullness followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. Overall, I found it to be a frustrating and confusing read.
2. Mark - 1/5
"Dark Magic Doll Operation" was a complete waste of my time and money. The storyline was predictable and cliché, offering nothing new or refreshing to the genre. The writing style was amateurish, filled with repetitive phrases and awkward dialogue. The author failed to create a compelling atmosphere or build any suspense, which is essential for a book of this genre. I found myself struggling to get through it, and in the end, I regretted even starting it.
3. Emily - 3/5
While "Dark Magic Doll Operation" had an intriguing premise, it fell short in execution. The writing lacked depth and failed to engage me fully. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked complexity, making it challenging to feel invested in their journey. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, with certain moments dragging while others were rushed. I believe with better editing and development, this story could have been much more enjoyable. But as it stood, it was an average read at best.
4. John - 2/5
"Dark Magic Doll Operation" had potential, but it failed to live up to my expectations. The world-building was superficial and lacked depth, leaving me feeling like I was only scratching the surface. The plot felt disjointed, with subplots that seemed unnecessary and unresolved. The conclusion was underwhelming and left me with more questions than answers. Overall, I felt let down by this book and wouldn't recommend it to fellow fans of the genre.