A friend of mine just got back from Puerto Rico. It seems she had a talk with a "spiritual woman" down there about me. OK then...

I've been having a run of bad luck. She was told by this woman I've been doing too many love spells, (I haven't done one of those in years,) and a few other things for personal gain, which is bad. OK, I don't view a spell to try to find a job before I go homeless personal gain, but what do I know?

She went on to tell my friend that I need a Rose of Jericho. I mentioned to her I have one I haven't opened and I have to do it at the new moon. She told me no, the "Spiritual woman" told her it can be done anytime. When I mentioned they're used for luck, my friend got mad and hung up on me, not telling me the rest of what this woman said. Not to mention, any bookmarks I had that pointed me to non-Santeria uses for the plant vanished in a crash and I'm not having luck finding links at the moment.

I opened the bag today, as it is the new moon. The insert tells me it has to be done at 9:00 AM or PM on a Tuesday or Friday. And to say a prayer to Jesus. Now, as a Pagan, that bit about Jesus just isn't going to work for me.

So do any of you have any suggestions on non-Christian incantations for this thing? Any help would be appreciated.

Missannthrope,

Why do you have such an aversion to Jesus? He was an incredible prophet and healer. You can always substitute any deity that you wish for the incantation/spell. I have chosen Jesus to work with many times in healing spells, they worked quite well.

It is the intent that matters. Personally, I would write my own, but not everyone does.

The Rose of Jerischo is known as the "ressurection plant" what is that you desire to do with it? Remember that any magick is not a quick fix for a problem. If you are suffering from financial woes (aren't we all?) I would look outside the box for employemnt...waiting tables, cashiering at a gas station...anything to help you get by. Try not to limit yourself either. Call freinds, family, people you know and be prepared.

Contact your landlord and let them know the situation....sometimes they will work with you as well..communication is key in situations like these.

I wish you best of luck, and remember a Spell is just a "prayer with tools."

Here is info I found about Rose of Jericho:

The Rose of Jericho is an ancient symbol for luck, love, a long life and everylasting beauty! Peace, power, abundance. Called the resurrection plant because when placed in a bowl of water, what appears to be a dead, lifeless, dried plant comes back to life within hours. Rose of Jericho in the home erases bad influences and brings peace, power and abundance.
This fascinating, mysterious plant grows mainly in extremely dry regions, exists in an air dry state for long periods of time and continues to grow when moistured. In a dry state, the Rose of Jericho apears as a green-greyish ball. Put it in a bowl of water and you can witness a littel miracle starting to happen. The plant unfolds, the sprouts begin to spread and change to a lively green colour. This natural phenomenon can be repeated infinitely. When wet, the Rose of Jericho can be used as an air-conditioner and smoke-stopper, generating a fresh and positive climate in your room.

Blessings Bright and Dark,

Thanks everyone. Let me explain a bit further.

I am dedicated to a specific Goddess. While I have no aversion to Jesus, I know the incantation/prayer that came wtih it is from Anna Riva's Herbal Spellbook, which I've had for years. I do think it's the Santeria element of it that bothers me. There's something about the words that rub me the wrong way, even with the modification to exclude my non-existent family.

Also, it says to use every bit of your faith as you touch it and say the words. My calling to another came at an early age and I've never been sure I've had much faith in Jesus.

Not to mention, my friend told me no, this isn't a spell to replace other spells, it's to dispel negativity. That it's not even a spell. It was pointing out to her they come with a spell and are used for luck in every aspect of life that pissed her off. I guess the woman told her something else. Something about all I have to do is put it in a bowl and let it bloom and all negativity will be erased.

The woman she spoke to didn't have a personal object of mine, as any gifts I've given my friend aren't what you'd pack for a week's trip. I know she asked specifically, out of concern. Somehow, she also got out of this reading that I'm lazy because I'm looking for a desk job, as my ankles swell, I have back problems and I keep spraining my left ankle. Otherwise, I would have been waiting tables or saying, "paper or plastic" long ago. But somehow, physical disability has translated into laziness. I also think wires got crossed, as I joke to her that I need to find a rich man. I wouldn't be surprised if that somehow subliminally got into the reading.

But there's also the discrepancy between the Riva book and the insert, which has me more confused. The book says you say the incantation when it blooms. The insert says as you put it in water. So this is confusing me, too.

I think part of my confusion is, this woman told her spells are bad, but told her I need to do a spell, but that it isn't spell. And also, how now she believes the woman over me as far as spells I haven't been doing. Know what I mean?

I have tried to talk to her, but she's not taking my calls or putting her Yahoo on. I don't even have a clue as to what made her so upset. All I said was, I have one of those I've been meaning to use, they're used for luck. I don't even know how fresh it is, I've been meaning to use it for at least a year now, but kept putting it back away for space restraints, time restraints, etc. But it seems to be the fact that it has aspects other than erasing negativity that really annoyed her.

Yes, I agree with you Coyote Moon and Alora. Doesn't have to be complicated.