Magick has long been a tool for empowerment, healing, and transformation. However, not all magick is benevolent or aimed at constructive outcomes. This article delves into one of the most controversial aspects of Southern conjure: D.U.M.E. candles, which stand for "Death Unto My Enemies." These candles are deeply rooted in the New Orleans Hoodoo tradition and are used for what is referred to as left-handed magick - cursing, crossing, intending to bring harm, or even intending death to one's adversaries.
The use of D.U.M.E. candles is not for the faint-hearted or the casual practitioner. It invokes powerful and malevolent forces, demanding a high level of responsibility and awareness of the potential consequences. Engaging in harmful magick such as this can have profound and far-reaching effects on both the conjurer and the target. This article aims to provide an exploratory look at the uses and potential repercussions of performing D.U.M.E. candle rituals, offering insights for those who seek to understand this powerful and controversial tool within the broader context of magickal practices.
New Orleans Hoodoo has a marked reputation for notorious conjure works such as D.U.M.E. For left-handed practitioners, this candle may be used either offensively or defensively; but for those who subscribe to justified conjure, then its use is reserved as a defensive measure for situations in which someone has caused harm on another and is in need of a serious slap down from "karmic" forces. In general, D.U.M.E. is reserved for cursing and crossing. According to lore, whenever a D.U.M.E. candle is burned it is for the express purpose of causing harm or even killing someone. It goes without saying that its use should never be taken lightly, and one should be fully prepared to deal with the consequences of acting as judge and jury on another human being.
Whether used for offensive or defensive purposes, using a DUME candle carries significant weight and responsibility. Here is a guide on how to use a DUME candle effectively.
Offensive Use
Offensive use of a D.U.M.E. candle refers to proactively employing the candle's magickal properties to harm, curse, or eliminate an enemy or adversary. This is done without waiting for a direct attack or harm to befall the practitioner. Instead, the practitioner takes the initiative to target someone they perceive as a threat or obstacle, aiming to preemptively neutralize or destroy the enemy's power, influence, or very existence. Offensive use is characterized by its aggressive approach, often driven by the desire for revenge, power, or dominance over the targeted individual. This type of magick is considered highly controversial and dangerous, as it involves serious ethical and karmic considerations.
A DUME candle may be employed offensively in situations where a practitioner seeks to take preemptive or retaliatory action against an individual deemed to be a significant threat. For instance, a practitioner might use this powerful tool against someone who is actively causing harm, such as an abuser, stalker, or malicious rival, with the intent to neutralize their influence or presence. In these scenarios, the D.U.M.E. candle serves as a form of magickal warfare, aiming to strike fear, misfortune, or even bring about the demise of the adversary. It is a drastic measure, typically reserved for extreme cases where other protective or defensive methods have proven insufficient. The offensive use of a D.U.M.E. candle underscores the practitioner's resolve to protect themselves and their loved ones by any means necessary, highlighting the candle's role as a last resort in the arsenal of Hoodoo's magickal practices.
Defensive Use (Justified Conjure)
Defensive use of a D.U.M.E. candle involves harnessing its powerful energies to protect oneself or loved ones from harm, rather than initiating an attack. This approach is reactive, employed after a direct threat or harm has been identified. The goal is to shield the practitioner from further malice and ensure the perpetrator faces the consequences of their actions. Defensive use is characterized by its protective intent, driven by the need for justice and safety.
A DUME candle may be used defensively when someone has already inflicted significant harm or poses an imminent threat. For example, a practitioner might use this candle against an abusive partner, a persistent stalker, or a vindictive enemy. By lighting the DUME candle, the practitioner seeks to return the negative energy to its source, effectively neutralizing the aggressor's power and influence. In this context, the candle acts as a safeguard, turning the tables on the adversary and ensuring they are unable to cause further damage.
This method is particularly useful in situations where other protective measures, such as cleansing or shielding spells, have failed to stop the onslaught of negative forces. The defensive use of a D.U.M.E. candle highlights the practitioner's determination to defend their well-being and uphold justice, using the candle's formidable energies as a formidable barrier against evil.
The Ritual
The following ritual may be used for offensive or defensive use of a DUME candle. The difference lies with your intention.
This ritual is best conducted during a waning moon to take advantage of the moon's decreasing energy, which is ideal for banishing, cursing, and removing unwanted influences. The waning moon symbolizes a time of release and letting go, making it the perfect phase to channel the destructive and purging power required for a D.U.M.E. candle ritual. By aligning with the natural cycle of decline, you can enhance the potency of your intentions to diminish the power of your adversary and effectively expedite the desired outcome of the ritual.
Items Needed
- 1 bottle of DUME oil
- Black ink pen
- Red ink pen
- Toilet paper
- Black Sharpie
- 1 black candle
The black candle can be a plain black candle or a black figural candle such as a goat, black nude figural candle, black skull candle, black devil candle, or a glass-encased DUME candle from Creole Moon.
Preparation
If you purchase your DUME candle from Creole Moon, it will already be fixed for you. The real magick happens when you focus your intention into the candle.
Begin by ensuring your intent is clear and justified. Take several minutes to really think about what you want to happen to the perpetrator. Allow your emotion to build. Transfer all of that energy into the candle ritual. Strong emotions create energetic movement.
Begin your petition by writing your target's name with black ink nine times on a piece of toilet paper. If you don't know their name, create a descriptive phrase or them like, "That fucking pedophile," "Low-life ho," or "That God damned rapist." You can even make it short and sweet like "My enemy."
After writing their name on the toilet paper, write your intention nine times across the name with red ink. Be specific and let it all out. Take advantage of the therapeutic nature of the ritual.
Dress the candle with oils like Black Arts Oil or Crossing Oil to amplify its potency. Even if your candle is already fixed, you can still add a couple of drops of a condition oil to amplify your intention. Sprinkle with cursing herbs such as black pepper, graveyard dirt, or red pepper if your candle is not fixed.
Inscription
Carve the name of your target into the candle. Include any other relevant symbols or sigils associated with your intent. If using a glass-encased DUME candle, write their name and a command on the candle with a black sharpie. For example, "Die, Name, Die."
Place the candle on a heatproof dish and set it on top of the petition. Surround it with photos, personal items, or other links to your target. Add some Devil's Claws or Witch's Burrs for added potency and protection against any spiritual retaliation. As the candle burns, visualize the curse taking effect, and recite your curse with unwavering focus and intent.
Light the candle while reciting your intention, calling upon powerful spirits or deities to aid in your work or asking God for Divine Retribution. You can say the Prayer for Divine Justice and Righteous Retribution:
In the name of Divine Justice and Righteous Retribution, I call upon the forces that govern the balance of good and evil.
[Name], for the harm and suffering you have inflicted upon me [or another, whom you should name], I invoke the curse of despair, agony, and destruction, if my cause is just.
May your mind be filled with confusion and turmoil, if my cause is just.
May your eyes grow dim and your vision be clouded, if my cause is just.
May your mouth be silenced, and your lies turn to ashes on your tongue, if my cause is just.
May your breath become labored, and your lungs filled with pain, if my cause is just.
May your heart ache with sorrow and succumb to failure, if my cause is just.
May your stomach churn with unending pain and hunger, if my cause is just.
May your intestines twist in agony and bring you unbearable suffering, if my cause is just.
May your hands tremble and be unable to cause harm, if my cause is just.
May your feet falter, and your path be fraught with obstacles, if my cause is just.
By the power vested in this flame, I call upon the spirits of justice to deliver this curse unto [Name], to restore balance and bring forth the deserved consequences of their actions. So be it.
Allow the candle to burn completely. This can take up to seven days if burning a Creole Moon DUME candle. On the last day of the burn, carefully remove the petition from under the candle and burn it in the flame.
If you need to extinguish the candle temporarily at any time, snuff it out rather than blowing it out to avoid dissipating the energy. Maintain a watchful eye on the flame, noting any unusual behavior as an omen or sign. Once the candle has finished burning, dispose of the remnants away from your home, preferably at a crossroads, to ensure the curse is delivered and the negative energy does not linger in your space.
Cautions and Considerations
In terms of magick, D.U.M.E. is as serious as you can get. It is right up there with goofering. Today's internet witches and magicians will have you think goofer is a harming tactic, but traditionally, goofering is done when you want someone dead. Similarly, the use of a DUME candle is not to be taken lightly. It can invoke serious and irreversible harm.
Be prepared to deal with any backlash or karmic repercussions should you decide to use a D.U.M.E. candle. Acting as judge and jury can have profound effects on your own life and those close to you. In the context of New Orleans Hoodoo, however, there are scenarios when using a D.U.M.E. candle is considered justified. For example, if your child was murdered and the perpetrator is standing trial, burning a D.U.M.E. candle to sway the jury towards a guilty verdict and a severe penalty can be a way to seek justice and retribution. This act, though severe, can be seen as a form of exerting control in a situation where you otherwise feel powerless.
Engaging in such a powerful magickal act can also serve as a psychological tool. Taking action, even in a spiritual sense, can provide a sense of empowerment and control in dire circumstances. Magick, in this context, becomes a healthy outlet for channeling intense emotions like grief, anger, and helplessness.
Staying Safe
When you perform a D.U.M.E. candle ritual, taking precautions to protect yourself is paramount. The ritual's nature involves dealing with powerful, often dark energies and intense emotions, making it essential to safeguard your spiritual and physical well-being. Here is a summary of the steps discussed to ensure your protection throughout the process:
- Spiritual Preparation: Before initiating the ritual, prepare yourself spiritually. Begin with an uncrossing spiritual bath. This bath can be infused with protective herbs, sea salt, and cleansing oils like hyssop, rue, or rosemary. The purpose of this bath is to purify your aura, wash away any lingering negativity, and create a protective shield around you. As you bathe, recite prayers or affirmations focused on protection and purification.
- Setting Up a Protective Space: Designate a sacred and protected space for your ritual. Cleanse the area thoroughly by smudging with sage, palo santo, or frankincense. Consider casting a protective circle with Black Witch's Salt around the space to keep negative energies at bay. Visualize a barrier of white or golden light surrounding the area, impenetrable by any malevolent forces.
- Wear Protective Amulets or Talismans: Equip yourself with powerful protective items. Wear a strong protective amulet, such as a pentacle, a Hamsa hand, or a Saint Michael amparo. These items serve as spiritual armor, guarding you against any backlash or negative energies that might be released during the ritual.
- Grounding and Centering: Grounding yourself before and after the ritual is crucial. This practice helps maintain your energy balance and ensures that you stay rooted and stable. Sit quietly, visualize roots extending from your body into the Earth, and feel its stabilizing energy flowing into you. This connection to the Earth helps dissipate excess energy and prevents you from feeling overwhelmed.
- Focused Intentions: Clearly define your intentions before lighting the D.U.M.E. candle. Ensure that your actions are justified and necessary. Reflect on the ethical implications and potential consequences of your ritual. Your intention should be focused, precise, and aligned with a sense of justice.
- Performing the Ritual: When performing the ritual, maintain a respectful and solemn demeanor. Light the D.U.M.E. candle with focused intent, reciting incantations or prayers that align with your purpose. Visualize the negative energy being directed toward the target, while simultaneously reinforcing your protective shield.
- Post-Ritual Cleansing: After the ritual is complete, take another spiritual bath. This post-ritual cleansing helps remove any residual negative energy you might have encountered. Use similar cleansing herbs and oils as before and visualize the water washing away any remnants of the ritual's energy.
- Continual Protection: For the days following the ritual, continue to wear your protective amulet and consider carrying protective stone like petrified wood or red jasper. Regularly cleanse your space and yourself to ensure ongoing protection.
- Self-Reflection and Ethical Consideration: Reflect on the ritual's impact and your motivations. Understand that engaging in such powerful magick carries significant responsibility. Be prepared to deal with any karmic repercussions and ensure that your actions align with your moral and ethical beliefs.
By following these steps, you can conduct a D.U.M.E. candle ritual while maintaining your safety and well-being. Always approach such rituals with caution, respect, and a clear understanding of the potential consequences involved.