"Getting the memory from Slughorn now seemed not only possible, but positively easy . . . The potion seemed to be illuminating his path a few steps ahead. . . ."
Love, life, health, sex, money . . . luck. JK Rowling didn't invent these keenest desires of material existence any more than the Sumerians invented cuss-words (although, if reputable sources are to be believed, they did invent writing and the wheel). Nor did she first invent magics to invoke and secure such blessings. Indeed, its charming universality and adherence to familiar tropes is one rather large factor in Harry Potter's popularity.
Besides straight-up spells for luck, the universe of real magick has its own versions of these "light my path" type potions in the vein of Felix Felicis, for bringing good fortune and a literally easy way forward. One bears a Spanish rather than a Latin name: Abre Camino, or "Open the Walkway" --- Road Opener.
A Road Opener brand online. Keys are a common ingredient in this type of potion and/or spell
I first got Road Opener recommended to me in, what, 2011?, for my own book. It didn't follow through, but then again, not only was I not a hoodoo expert at the time, but you gotta follow through, too. Even if you can't fully see the way ahead, like Harry couldn't beforehand, it still helps to have a good goal and a few action steps.
Now, with more hoodoo kenning under my belt, and the timing right, I'm poised to make my own Road Opener potions, probably ones a lot nicer-smelling and more effective than the one I smelt --- and didn't buy, as a result --- in the shop.
A typical Road Opener candle sort of like the one I purchased. Ideally, the oil and candle are used together in a spell, often with a prayer
When is it beneficial to use Road Opener? Obviously, it won't magically mend a popped tire. It works more like the lucky potion, actually, especially when it comes to liberating your magic, creative juices, and next curve of life's path. Even magick experts, brilliant practitioners, find themselves unable to practice their magick effectively. They feel blocked and restrained despite their vast experience in spellcraft, potions, hoodoo, or plain career. Nor need you be into magic or the occult. The symptoms of feeling stymied and inhibited, of having a blocked energy field, are intense and, though of a slightly different nature, evident in your job, money, love life and success in general. As a creative, I know this feeling of being unproductive and "stuck", no matter how hard I try. Of not getting optimal or even good results, or even knowing what goal I should aim at. It stinks!
What causes a "blocked" condition? According to one Shadow, the worst offenders seem to be:
• You've exhausted your magickal reserves. Technically a person's magickal energy is inexhaustible, but if you work too hard, try too many spells or just get burned out, your aura may hoard energy until you feel strong from within again. You may need a break. This can cause “writer’s block” and other stuck conditions.
• You can be blocked from outside sources in a magickal/spiritual manner by another, by means of curse, binding, the "evil eye" or glance of malice, also called Ojo Malo/Malochio, or energy theft.
• Psychic vampires exist, people who are never satisfied, or can never be "cured" of their issues no matter how you try to help them, and they won't take steps to fix their own troubles because it's easier to leech conpassion from others. These people can drain your productive energy quickly, making you feel ineffective.
• Your own bad deeds may be the reason behind the blockage. Here, a personal cleansing and recognition of the ill-doing is recommended. In traditional hoodoo, this can be done with Hyssop baths and reciting Psalm 51st, prior to Road Opener work.
As a partial empath, I've felt drained simply by other people's energy fields pressing on mine, mainly when they're discordant with my own. Even if the person isn't a psychic leech, their energy can still suck, especially for us introverts. Passive-aggressive, insecure, needy, drama-inducing, image-focused, sex-obsessed, even hyper-buoyant
. . . heck, I get like Snape: Get that crap outta my face. I loathe strong emotions. And being stuck living with discordant energy is awful. How about moving repeatedly? Constantly afraid of not having enough for rent or food?
Uh, yeah?
That's a block waiting to happen. Situations like this can put you in survival mode and deplete power. Been there, ready to be done with that.
An orange candle seems to work best for road opening and obstacle-removing spells, preferrably dressed with the oil
If you're strong in will and mind, being more stubborn than the obstacles or energy blockages may work. But willpower is what often breaks first, and there is the constant lack of overall energy. If you feel unable to break those blockages and clear away obstacles, there are two main ways to deal with it using magick, according to Shadow:
• Using products such as Abre Camino and/or Road openers. Abre Camino originates from Santeria, and Espiritsismo of Spanish and Latino people, whereas Road opener is a Hoodoo product. The names mean the same, and both function the same, but they may have considerably different formulas, herbs, and spells.
• Making a petition to “Road Opener” spirits such as PaPa Legba, of Voodoo Loa, New Orleans Voodoo Loa, or Santerian Ellegua. Analogous to Hecate and other "gatekeeper" crossroads divinities.
There are also products one can use for removing life-path obstacles:
• Abre camino oil.
The main and key ingredient of a Road Opener formula --- and the only one needed --- is Abre camino herb (Trichilia Havanensis) used in Spain and Latin America mostly, or Palo Abre Camino (Eupatorium villosum) used by Santeria and Palo practitioners. Mind that the second is endangered species in the States, though it can be found in somewhat greater amount in California.
Any other herb added is purely the practitioner's choice, but can be picked from a list of Hoodoo Road opening herbs.
• Pa’ Legba oil.
Oil dedicated to this Road opener Loa, or spirit, will honor the Loa and open roads for you, blasting away the obstacles and leaving clear way for luck and success to come to you. Combine Legba herbs that have Purification, Clearing/Cleansing and Road Opening properties. Here is a list of some of Legba associated herbs that You might use for this oil:
Hoodoo Road Opener Oil
Lemongrass
Lemon
Citronella
Five fingers grass
Mint
Salt
Camphor
Other ingredients may include Sage, Frankincense, Vetivert, Patchouli, Sandalwood, or anything else that can charge, empower or break obstacles. Other common ingredient in Hoodoo Road Openers are mastery herbs such as High John or Master of the Woods. Another good addition is broom straws, from a new broom.
Powders and Incense
• Try this incense :
Palo Abre Camino
Camphor
Lemon
This has a very fresh and nice smell, easy to make, and is a true Abre Camino type of incense. Burn on charcoal since it's not self combustible, unless you add it to a base of saltpeter (I've seen this for sale at Moonshadow).
Powders --- dry potions, for sprinkling on floors, objects, pathways, for use in charm pouches, and more --- should contain either Abre Camino or Abre Camino Palo with salt, while other ingredients are added much as in oils or incense. It's best if three or nine ingredients are used, these being powerful numbers.
Spirits
Several good Road Opener spirits to work with, tradition depending, are:
• Papa Legba
• Maximon
• Pomba Gira
• Hekate
• Ogun
It's always a good idea to research the various methods and preferences for working with each of these entities.
Traditional Hoodoo utilizes the Psalms of the Bible in magick, and also heavily favors the use of candles. Orange or purple candles dressed with Road Opener and/or Van Van oil, another powerful blend, seem to work best for Road Opening, combined with prayers and intentions for the removal of obstacles in life. It's best if these magicks are done for nine consecutive nights.
Even a nonreligious person can use Hoodoo, with faith being in the greater spirit force uniting all rather than a single god. I should think use of the Psalms is easier for either the devout or mystic mages, and less easy for newly-minted witches who may still have trouble with the words and dogma of Hebraic faiths. In this case, prayers to the Lord are made for deliverance, guidance and to cleanse one's way, remove obstacles, and lead one on the right path. Pray in your own words, along with praying Psalm 23 or these suggested below.
Here are some Psalms associated with road opening:
Psalms 16:11: Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psalms 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalms 25:4: Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
25:10: All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
119:35: Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
119:105: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
The source of these Psalm suggestions is the Luckymojo website.
Road Opener prayer
in English and Spanish, for a three-color Road Opener candle (orange, green, gold):
"I invoke the sublime influence of the eternal father to obtain success in all the subjects of my life and to smooth all difficulties that are in my was. I invoke the aid of the holy spirit, so that my house prospers and my company and my person receive a message of good luck, sent by the divine providence. Oh great hidden power, I implore your supreme majesty so that you separate me from danger, at the precise moment, that my way is illuminated by the light of fortune. I shall receive the infinite blessing of the sky. I believe in God all powerful Father, Amen!"
3 COLORES ABRE CAMINO - NARANJA / VERDE / ORO (Abrir la ruta de acceso al dinero, salud, éxito, amor y mucho más!)
Oracion:
"Yo invoco la sublime influencia del Padre Eterno para obtener éxito y adelanto en todos los asuntos de mi vida, y para allanar todas las dificultades que hayan en mi camino. Invoco la ayuda del Espíritu Santo, para que la buena Estrella alumbre mi camino y me espante la mala sombra que me siga. Invoco al Dios de las Alturas para que mi casa prospere, y que mi empresa y mi persona reciban un mensaje de buena suerte enviado por la Divina Providencia. ¡Oh Gran Poder Oculto! Imploro tu suprema majestad para que me apartes del peligro en el momento preciso, y para que mi Camino se vea iluminado por el Faro de la Fortuna. Yo recibiré las infinitas bendiciones del Cielo. Creo en Dios Padre Todopoderoso. Amén."
Also, for those who'd rather take a European or Celtic approach, there is this prayer:
SCOTS-IRISH PRAYER FOR THE ROAD
God before me
God behind me
I on Thy path, O God
Thou, O God, in my steps.
In the twistings of the road.
In the currents of the river.
Be with me by day.
Be with me by night.
Be with me by day and by night.
So why the emphasis and research on Road Opening for me at the moment?
Sometimes, the only explanation for an act of magick is, "the time is right," but one witch said well that the time is always right for magick. Thus, I think it's more a matter of what kind. My magickal progress over the course of this lovely past year at Grandma's House, the current planetary configuration, and several other winds of change, seem to indicate the time is right for Road Opening --- for removing whatever barriers remain so that I may, at last, bring some of my great talents out into the world. Possibly, coupled with going physically further out into the world, via travel.
No matter which road I end up on, I think the most important thing is that it be my road, and that wherever I go, I am committed first and foremost to my Magistery and to being happy. All else will follow.
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