Parran Matt's Blog

The LaPlace's of Our House

It has taken me a little bit of time to get my thoughts together for blogging. One thing that I thought my be interesting is to write a little bit about the role of the "LaPlace" in our New Orleans Voodoo House.

At our convention last year we had the great experience of appointing the two gentlemen who are now the LaPlace's of our House. They did a great job and we look forward to the many years we are sure to have together.

We didn't have a lot of time to explain to everyone the exact role of the LaPlace. The LaPlace's are still learning and will continue to do so as their service continues. But basically, the LaPlace's, along with the father of the house (that's me), are the guardians and protectors of the house.

So first and foremost, the role of the LaPlace is to protect The House in every way possible. Historically this role was much more arduous than it is today. Literally, the LaPlaces physically guarded The House. The LaPlace was armed and ready to kill to protect The House. Rival "flag boys" as they were called (as they protected the flag of the house) were known to battle in elaborate rituals and fights. Each of our LaPlace's was given a bell at the Convention. The bell of the LaPlace at one time was used to alert the members of the house of danger or threat so that they could get away.

The bell was/is also the link between the different LaPlace's of the House and the Father of the House. The Father of the House is the guardian over the LaPlace's and, in turn, the LaPlace's are the guardian of the father. The bell of the LaPlace is used to call for the father of the house if needed and is a spiritual link as well. The ringing of the bell when danger is not present signifies that the LaPlace needs the protection or guidance of the father of the house.

The LaPlace also uses his bell to communicate in secret with the other LaPlaces of his house (and with the father of the house). Houses have elaborate "bell codes" that the LaPlaces can use during ceremonies or every day life to communicate with each other and the father of the house. This is often done in ritual so as to not interrupt the ritual with talking but rather soft bell ringing which has meaning and is a way of communicating without talking. This is also done to alert each other of some kind of danger or inappropriate behavior that might just be starting and the LaPlace's want to alert each other and the father, but not necessarily alarm the congregation. (The LaPlaces and the father of the house determine these codes.)

Today LaPlaces tend to have the duties of keeping rituals flowing properly, attending to the congregation, all while keeping the peace and watching out for any kinds of inappropriate behavior. LaPlaces also bring to the attention of the father of the house anyone or anything that could be considered a threat to the peace, reputation, or progress of the house.

We are very lucky to have our two wonderful LaPlaces, both of whom will learn much, much more about their roles as time passes.

TAke care all, Parran Matt

Time to Blog!

Hello to all out there! Before I get into today's post I want to apologize for taking so long to get into the idea of blogging. I am not a person who usually writes what I want to say. I usually prefer to talk to someone face-to-face and it is taking me some time to get used to the idea of mass messages, text messages, and all of the other media we use to communicate with each other now.

But I have to say that I am starting to enjoy the idea of social and business communication on the computer and so I promise to make time to blog!

So what would you like to hear from me? Are there subjects that you would like to hear my perspective on from my position in our New Orleans Voodoo family? I have some ideas, but certainly would like to hear from all of you on an ideas you have for me.

Looking forward to communicating with you all!

Best to all,
Parran Matt

Happy Easter!

While I realize that not everyone may celebrate Easter, let me say if you do, please have a happy and safe day.  Enjoy your family, friends, and especially yourself. 

The religious aspect of this holiday may be a Christian one to most, but there are also pagan aspects of the holiday.  While Easter primarily serves as a day of remembrance and rejoicing over the Resurrection of Christ, many of the traditions and symbols of Easter are actually based on pagan traditions and symbols.

Since Easter has always taken place during the spring, it became interwined with pagan celebrations of the arrival of spring and renewal of life. In Europe and Asia, this time was dedicated to goddesses of fertility and birth. In Saxon mythology one of the main goddesses was known  as "Oestre" or "Eastre." Quite a few authors and historians consider this goddess's name to be the origin of the name "Easter."

What about those Easter eggs and rabbits?   These are meant to symbolize reproduction and were thought to invoke the fertility of spring. Even the painted eggs and egg-hunts originated from pagan ceremonies of various cultures!  Eggs were painted and hidden even by the Babylonians as part of the rites of the beginning of spring with vigorous contests proving strength and ability.

Just something to think about while you are enjoying those chocolate bunnies!

Love, Parran Matt

The Godfather

Hey everyone.  As many of you know from the 2007 Albuquerque Voodoo Convention, I have finished a large portion of my New Orleans Voodoo training.  This is of course not to say that I don't still have a lot to learn because obviously I do.  But taking my position beside my wife, Marran Sam, as head of our Voodoo family is something that I take very seriously.

So you might wonder, what IS a Parran?  Technically the term means "godfather" - this term is adapted for use in the New Orleans Voodoo heirarchy to mean the spiritual Father of a particular Voodoo family.  Parran is the title that is used by the public and followers of the family who are not initiated into the family.  (Actual initiates of the family use the term "MaPere" - my father - when referring to me.  Interestingly in most Cajun families, MaPere refers to the actual grandfather of the family.  This is supposed to be taken from parents referring to their own fathers to their children as "my father" to explain to a child who the grandfather of the family is. However, the term MaPere is used by the children of a Voodoo family to describe their spiritual father. It's a little confusing, but makes sense when you think about it.)

Another question probably is, what does a Parran do?  First off, I am very active in our business, www.spellmaker.com.  Besides my spiritual duties for the family, I assist in consecrating of items, shipping, working on the website, ordering, product development, packaging, and general day-to-day operations.  A lot of my participation in the business is much more behind the scenes than Mambo Sam (Marran Sam).  You may not see me but I am always there!

Marran and I work together almost every day.  We are blessed in that we work well together and complement each other very well in our work ethics.

Right now we are working on developing new packaging systems for products so that they arrive in the best possible condition to you.  Additionally, we are planning the 2008 Albuquerque Voodoo Convention.  I hope to meet many more of you this year.  I am looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. 

Until next time, take care everyone and many blessings to you all, Parran Matt.

How to Lose a Man - Part I

Hello everyone.  As you know I am Mambo Sam's husband and co-owner of our business, www.spellmaker.com.  Right now I am the lone "male voice" of our Spellmaker family!  Now that is not a bad position to be in, believe me.  The ladies of Spellmaker are a mighty force to be reckoned with!

Over the years, many times in speaking with our female clients, I see things that they could really avoid doing.  Sometimes the lady is in a troubled relationship with no clue that some of the trouble is "her."  (Now don't get all upset with me just yet.  I do promise to later on address the issue of what "he" does to lose his relationship with you!  Believe me, I definitely see two sides to every story.  I am very much a "what is good for the goose is good for the gander" type of guy.)

But the truth is that 75% of our clients are women - wonderful and beautiful and good women.  But the things I see some of them doing really give me cause to pause. So I am going to share with you Part I of "How to Lose a Man."  (But pay attention, men, a lot of this can apply to you, too!):

1. Don't bother getting to know him. Instead try to immediately turn him into what you think he should be. "Because that will work."  Do you want a puppet or a man?  If you don't like him just the way he is, don't be with him.  He is not a "fixer upper."  You wouldn't want to be viewed that way, don't do it to him.

2. Ask his opinion and immediately do the opposite.  If you think you are "involving" him in your life by asking his opinion when you don't really want it, you are mistaken.  All that happens is that he feels like you don't value what he has to say.

3. Rather than sit down and talk "it" out try to manipulate the situation in your favor.  Men do want to talk about whatever it is that is bothering you.  They don't want to talk about it for hours, but they do want to talk about it.  Being manipulative, conniving, and whiney is unattractive (for either sex!)

4. Withhold sex when you don't get your way or for any other controlling reason.  If you use sex as a weapon in  your relationship, then the sexual intimacy in your relationship will cease to be about love and will be about who is controlling whom.

5. Cheat on him, hide it, and when you get caught find some way to blame it on your man.  "You're never there for me." 

6. Always have to be right and when you find out you are right, rub it in his face.

7. Don't let him help you with anything, always be the "fiercely independent woman."

8. Take your female friends' side against your man and later use that to attack him. "You know what Susie said about you?  I think she might be on to something."  Your man could care less what Susie thinks about his relationship with you!  Leave her out of it.

9. Play the jealousy game: Go out of your way to make your man jealous and then get angry when he shows it.

10.  Make sure he knows that he never does anything right. Never be satisfied with what he gets you or does for you.  Be sure to criticize his choices where you are concerned:  "I don't like daisies."  "That color is all wrong for me."  "I know you meant well, but...."   If he stopped at the convenience store and saw a little bouquet he thought would brighten your day, know that he meant it lovingly.  He was thinking of you even if he didn't got to the florist and get two dozen of the finest roses. 

So there's a start on how to lose a man.  I will definitely post more soon and can't wait to get started on what we guys do wrong!  ;-)

Welcome to My Blog!

Hello everyone!  I am Matt Corfield, co-owner of www.SPELLMAKER.com.  I hope you enjoy my blog.