I was shopping at a food store the other day and came upon a rack full of keychains that had voodoo dolls attached to them. They’re called Watchover Voodoo and the purveyors insist they’re not connected to voodoo. Is this true?In a word? No. These little keychain dolls are absolutely connected to voodoo and the evidence is all over the website, starting with their explanation of the origin of this product.
“In the heart of a bustling Caribbean island. . . there lived a wise and kind soul named Esmeralda,” the site explains. “Now, Esmeralda wasn't your ordinary islander—no sir! She was the mastermind behind the most marvelous Voodoo dolls you ever did see.”
The site goes on to claim that Esmeralda used “her special touch and a sprinkle of island mojo” to bring to life “vessels of hope and positivity” which are known as Watchover Voodoo dolls. However, the site adds: “We're not about dark spells or eerie curses—nah, we're all about spreading good vibes and reminding folks of the power of positive intentions.”
So, the creator of the dolls comes from the Caribbean, where voodoo is considered a major religion, and is a crafter of voodoo dolls that are sprinkled with “island mojo.” How is this NOT connected to voodoo?
Just to clarify for those unfamiliar with the practice of voodoo, it involves the worship of a god known as Bondye as well as lesser deities known as Lwa. Practitioners aim to be possessed by the Lwa in order to allow those spirits to manifest in the physical world and interact with the community. One of their practices involves the use of voodoo dolls which are considered to be a symbolic tool used to influence a person or situation through the use of magic. They are used for positive purposes such as healing, and negative purposes such as in curses.
The promoters of these dolls claim that because they’re made for positive purposes, they’re okay to use, however, magic is never okay regardless of what it’s used for because it invokes powers that are not sourced in God. And because this usage requires one to put their faith in the power of objects like talismans and lucky charms – which is considered a superstition - this is a direct violation of the First Commandment.
As for the Watchover Voodoo dolls being all about love and compassion, this is not true. Many of the product descriptions reveal evidence of the dark side of voodoo.
For example, the keychain doll called “Little Witch” makes a not-so-thinly veiled promise to introduce the dark arts into the keeper’s life: “Need a little magic to plan your future and boost your confidence? That's my specialty! Together, we'll conjure up the perfect path for you. Let's make your dreams a reality, one enchanting step at a time!”
The Wiz doll takes it even further with a direct reference to the occult: “Ready to unlock your inner sorcerer? With me by your side, you'll conquer every challenge that comes your way. Let's enter into the mystical realms together and make some serious magic happen! You're a wizard, and with me, there's no limit to what you can achieve!”
The doll named “Little Devil” also discredits the company’s claim that these products are not about dark spells and curses. In its description, this doll promises to be a resource for revenge. “Ready to turn the tables on those pesky offenders? I'm Ultimate Devil, and let me tell ya, it's payback time! Those rude folks won't know what hit 'em when I step in. With me by your side, we'll cook up some sweet revenge. So, who's up for a little devilish fun? Let's make 'em pay!”
The Voodoo Karma doll gets right to the point: “Let me drop some truth bombs on you: Karma? Yeah, she's my BFF, and she never clocks out. So, watch out, because whatever vibes you send out into the universe, they're coming back with a vengeance, and I'm here to make sure of it! Remember, revenge might take its time, but trust me, it's brewing. What goes around? Oh, it's definitely coming around!”
Guaranteed to confuse any Catholic child is the “Guardian Angel” voodoo doll. (If that’s not an oxymoron, what is?) “With me by your side every day,” the doll promises, “we’ll pave the way to a brighter future.” Do we really want our children to cling to a voodoo doll named “Guardian Angel” for daily help rather than the real deal?
Then there’s the doll called “Golden Voodoo” promises to be “the ultimate good luck charm with the Midas touch!” How’s that for encouraging faith in talismans?
Sadly, the concept of marketing voodoo dolls to children as harmless toys is not a new idea. In 2012, we wrote about a similar voodoo string doll being marketed to children by a Thai company. It was about 3-4 inches in height and came with a key ring and cell phone attachment. The doll came with the same kind of promises to fulfill desires and help the owner fight the battles of life.
In that article, we quote an exorcist named Father Patrick (not his real name) who denounced the toy for the same reasons why parents should pass on today’s Watchover Voodoo dolls.
“Lucky charms are superstitious in the first place,” Father Patrick pointed out. “It places faith in something that has no power. If the object is connected to any spirits, people are going to be giving those spirits power.”
He goes on to urge Christians to discern what is going on when something is supposed to have power. “If they believe in God and angels they should believe in demons too—fallen angels,” he said. “Whether they like it or not, they are accessing the other angels. Instead of accessing the Holy Spirit, they are opening themselves up to whatever power is connected to the object, and it’s not the Holy Spirit.”
God allows people to have freedom even if it’s to make a bad choice, he said. “If they are dumb enough to summon demons, then that’s what they get.”
But what if the kids are buying the dolls just because they’re a fad and everyone wants to show them off on their book bags and cell phones?
Fr. Patrick said that such a choice reminds him of the commercial against drinking and driving in which a guy says, ‘”But I’m just buzzed, not drunk’. Unfortunately, the woman he accidentally hit with his car, is still dying.”
Fr. Patrick explained that it can be a very fine line between owning something occult and using it for occult practices. “So why go there at all?”
This is a good question with an easy answer - don’t.
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