The French Quarter of New Orleans is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and intriguing traditions. Among these traditions is the mystical practice of voodoo. Voodoo is a belief system and set of rituals that originated in West Africa and was brought to Louisiana by enslaved Africans. One of the most iconic symbols of voodoo is the voodoo doll. Voodoo dolls have always held a certain fascination for people around the world. While many associate them with harmful spells and curses, their purpose and symbolism in voodoo are quite different.
As a matter of fact, “apart from throwing ale in someone's face, insults included man handling a person riding or walking on the highway, making a minor attack on a man's beard or hair.”
The fact that specific offenses relating to beards were codified under the law, and that such offenses could also be deemed insults to a man, reinforces the importance of beards in Norse culture and history, and more specifically, as a foundation for Forn Siðr. From an Æsir and traditional Norse god perspective, a beard is therefore always associated with masculinity and virtue, including moral strength, manliness, valor, excellence, and worth, while the absence of a beard expresses feminization as well as depravity and immorality.
While many associate them with harmful spells and curses, their purpose and symbolism in voodoo are quite different. In voodoo, the doll is considered a representation of a person, and its purpose is to focus intention and energy towards that person. It is used in rituals to bring about positive outcomes, such as healing, love, or protection.
A ‘defining feature of masculine men’ — soldier’s Norse pagan faith earns beard waiver
A soldier serving in Afghanistan with the Nevada Army Guard has been granted a religious accommodation to grow a beard in accordance with a Norse pagan faith that traces its origins to Scandinavia. Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Hopper, a 34-year-old Alabama native and member of the Nevada Army Guard’s 3665th Ordnance Company, was granted the waiver following a lengthy review process that concluded with the Army’s acknowledgement of his sincerity as a heathen.
Hopper’s exemption is the latest example of the military’s effort — most notably the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force — to acknowledge the diverse religious practices represented in its ranks. The first such accommodation came in 2017 following years of beard-exemption requests and legal pressure from Sikh soldiers seeking to preserve religious traditions while wearing a U.S. uniform. Then, in November 2018, Staff Sgt. Abdul Rahman Gaitan became the first Muslim airman to be granted the exemption in observance of the tenets of his faith. Because the 2017 directive is technically applicable to all religions, final judgement is often left to individual leadership to discern authentic exemption request from insincere.
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The faith rooted in Norse myths is experiencing a resurgence.
Further blurring the beard waiver criteria is that while Norse paganism encourages the growth of a beard, or “skegg,” the religion doesn’t require it. The Open Halls Project, an advocacy group for heathens serving in the military, sought to clarify any existing confusion in a 2017 post about beard exemptions. “There is no religious requirement for beards in Heathenry,” the post read. “Sikhs are allowed to wear beards and turbans because it actually is a religious requirement of their faith that they do so. Kesh, or ‘uncut hair’ is one of the five religious requirements of baptized Sikhs. We, as Heathens, have no such religious requirement with regards to hair.” No matter the religious requirements, the Army interpreted Hopper’s request as genuine.
“My personal faith is deeply tied to the modern warrior lifestyle that I have been able to live during my military career,” said Hopper, adding that the beard has never hindered his ability to put mission first. “In short, it is honoring the pillars of heathenism, our ancestors and ancient gods and way of life.” Hopper, like service members who have sought exemptions before, was advised to meet with a chaplain to present his case. Chaplains cannot officially approve or deny requests, but recommendations based on perceived sincerity can be made on the service member’s behalf. “The chaplain corps will work with any military member to aid them in a genuine pursuit of an accommodation,” Joint Force State Chaplain Maj. Donald Crandell said. “However, we are not actively promoting a trend in this direction or seeking to normalize it.”
But a trend, as minimal as it may be, has certainly been stirring among the rank-and-file. The already-growing list of religious exemption requests inflated earlier this year when Spc. John Hoskins applied for a beard exemption as part of his proclaimed devotion to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster — a faith also known as “Pastafarianism.”
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The importance of one’s hair or beard can never be understated.
“This request is based on my deeply and sincerely held belief in the Pastafarian faith,” Hoskins wrote in his request to the Army. “It is my personally held belief that growing a beard will bring me closer to my God and bring me into his favor.” This time the Army declined, but only after Hoskins’ request made it all the way to the desk of a deputy chief of staff.
“The Army takes pride in sustaining a culture where all personnel are treated with dignity and respect and not discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender and national origin,” Cathy Brown Vandermaarel, an Army spokeswoman, told Army Times when asked about the decision to deny Hoskins’ request. “While we cannot speak to the specifics of any particular case, religious accommodation can be disapproved if it is determined that the request is not based on a sincerely held religious belief or if the accommodation would create a specific hazard that cannot be reasonably mitigated.” In Afghanistan, meanwhile, Hopper keeps his waiver on him at all times in case any superiors question the facial feature he refers to as a “sacred and defining feature of masculine men.” Regulations specify a beard can be no longer than 2 inches in length. “Once I present my memorandum for record and cite all of the applicable regulations and directives, the focus on the beard tends to go away, for the most part,” he said in the release. “I see it as a phase very similar to when the Army authorized the wear of black socks during the fitness test. It is something new and authorized, and you will always encounter people who do not like change. “That is just life.”
Observation Post is the Military Times one-stop shop for all things off-duty. Stories may reflect author observations.
This goes great if you have short or long hair. If you have long and thick hair on your face, you should consider the long Viking beard style. A long beard can be more of a challenge to grow out, but the end result will always be worth it.
The French Quarter is home to numerous voodoo shops and stores, where visitors can find an array of voodoo dolls for sale. These dolls come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, and each one is unique. Some are made from fabric and stuffed with herbs or other natural materials, while others are intricately carved from wood or molded from clay. The process of creating a voodoo doll is a deeply personal one, often involving specific ingredients, rituals, and incantations. Each doll is crafted with great care and intention, with the maker imbuing it with the energy and purpose it is meant to serve. It is believed that the more closely the doll resembles the intended person, the stronger its connection and effectiveness. Visitors to the French Quarter can purchase voodoo dolls as souvenirs, but it is important to approach them with respect and understanding. These dolls are not mere trinkets or toys; they are sacred objects with deep cultural and spiritual significance. It is also crucial to remember that voodoo is a religion and should not be taken lightly or used for harmful purposes. In conclusion, the French Quarter voodoo doll is a powerful symbol of the voodoo tradition in New Orleans. It represents the interconnectedness of the spiritual and physical worlds and the belief in harnessing energy and intention for positive outcomes. When encountering voodoo dolls, it is important to approach them with reverence and respect, appreciating their cultural significance and the beliefs they represent..
Reviews for "The Dark Side of French Quarter Voodoo Dolls: Curses and Revenge"
- John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the "French quarter voodoo doll". The doll itself looked cheap and poorly made. The stitching was coming undone and the colors were faded. It definitely didn't live up to my expectations. Additionally, the instructions were confusing and didn't provide clear guidance on how to use the doll properly. Overall, I would not recommend this product.
- Sarah - 1 star - I have to say that I was highly unimpressed with the "French quarter voodoo doll". It arrived with missing parts and the ones that were there were of poor quality. The doll looked nothing like the pictures online, and it didn't even come with a proper explanation of how to use it. It felt like a waste of money and I regret purchasing it. I would advise others to steer clear of this product.
- Samantha - 2 stars - The "French quarter voodoo doll" didn't meet my expectations at all. It was much smaller than I imagined and the materials felt flimsy. The doll's limbs were not attached securely and one even fell off within minutes of handling it. The overall design was lackluster and it didn't have the charm or authenticity that I was hoping for. I wouldn't recommend this product if you're looking for a high-quality voodoo doll.