Your Path v.s. Orthodoxy

Calling an item a gris gris is connecting it to tradition, mostly the Louisiana region. Also, you missed the part where I was agreeing that one can be eclectic, as long as you do not claim any part of the tradition. You're influenced, not apart.

The amount of money someone makes does not validate them. Also, you're leaning heavily toward bashing Christianity. "Careful Icarus." Also, the true meaning of this post is a rant for being called out.

Called out on what exactly? If I where to take a picture of my item more then likely everyone would say, hey that's a cool mojo bag or that's a cool ju ju fetish item. They wouldn't call it a gris ju or something dumb like that because your friend says it's so. They would give it the correct names. Also this is really pointless because both items represent what their intended for in the first place and it hasn't changed a darn thing about tradition. It's amazing to me how a little string holding two items together can cause an argument in the chatter.

And now you're leaning heavily toward bashing a tradition, and now you are trying to debase someone's character.

1) Step away from the computer.
2) Breathe.
3) Realize FOR YOURSELF that not being apart of a tradition is OKAY.

You do not have to be apart of any tradition. At all. But it is very insulting for those who do, and those who came before you, and those who will come after you, that are apart of the "set path" for someone to come in and try to suit it for their needs because their needs have not been met by the tradition. It is also arrogant to change something that has stood long before you. Even I am a GUEST in this tradition I am apart of and forever learning. Being an eclectic New Aged mess before hand, this is really hard.

Again, there is nothing wrong. NOTHING WRONG with not being apart of a tradition. Just like there is NOTHING WRONG with following a "set path."

It is about respect. Do you respect your fellow workers enough to leave the "set path" alone? Do you respect the people who will come after to leave it alone? Do you respect the suffering and the torture of the ancestors who fought for their traditions to be passed? If you respected them, you wouldn't try and change it.

There are many many "set paths" out there. Each should be treated with respect. Being eclectic is wonderful, but there needs to be respect given to these traditions.

I understand it is okay to be eclectic, and I have been there, but do you understand that it is okay to be outside of a tradition? Do you understand that it is okay to be eclectic? Do you feel in your heart that it is okay to form "your own path"?

If you do, then why are ranting about people who choose to keep the traditions pure for our ancestors, for our posterity, for ourselves.

Orion Foxwood is both a pagan and a conjure worker. Conjure work works heavily with The Holy Bible. Here is a link to a radio show he was in with Starr Casas and Mark (Dr. Luv Bug).

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/oldstyleconjure/
2011/03/05/conjuring-roots-with-the-bible-part-3

Here is a link to the Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers for Casas.

http://www.readersandrootworkers.org/wiki/
Association_of_Independent_Readers_and_Rootworkers

I'm sharing this as an example of how you can be apart of a tradition without changing it. As well as showing one does not have to be Christian and practice conjure. Also, Orion Foxwood is eclectic.