Hello all,
My name is Kristina. I’m from S. Louisiana. My ancestral heritage is Nordic , Spanish, and grown from the swamps of Cajun Country , Louisiana. I have been a self taught & independent researcher for the last 6 years. In my neck of the woods, the type of folk magick we use is called Cajun Gris gris (gree gree)
It’s my absolute favorite 
Welcome @SuckOnMySunshine . This a really great community! There is much to learn and explore here also. Im new to witchy/spiritual stuff. Some of my interests are qigong, crystals green/hearth and home type craft. I also like guided meditations. Looking forward to learning from and with you!
Many blessings 
Hi, @SuckOnMySunshine! I’m Amethyst from Southern West Virginia. Welcome to the forum! 
Do you like Kristina? Or @SuckOnMySunshine? Cause I gotta admit, that second one gave me a good giggle! It’s nice to meet you, either way! I don’t think we’ve had anyone from Cajun Country before. Not sure, but I’m sure I’d love to learn some of the folk magic you know. I know a bit about powders and things, but I don’t use them that much. Mainly because I live in an apartment building, they’d notice if I put powder in the hallway. We have a bunch of nosy people here.
I saw that you asked a question, and I’m sorry I didn’t have more answers for you. I’ve never really studied transmutation before. But it sounds like what is called Shadow Work here. Sort of.
I’m sure we can learn a lot from each other, though! I look forward to chatting with you.
Merry Meet, Kristina!
Your introduction has such rich energy! Nordic roots, Spanish lineage, and Cajun Country? That’s a powerful blend of traditions and lived magic. And gris gris work… I love that you’ve embraced something so rooted in your land and culture. There’s something really special about practicing what grows from your own soil. I have to admit I’ve heard of gris gris but I don’t know much else about it. I’m excited to learn more!
I’m Stephanie or Eira of the Living Hearth as I’m known here in the forum. I am an eclectic witch from California. My practice leans into hearth craft and green witchery, along with divination (tarot, runes, oracle, Lenormand), ancestry (I also have Nordic roots) and shadow work, and weaving everyday magic into home life: cooking, herbs, candles, and creating spiritual tools.
I really respect that you’ve spent years self-teaching and researching, that kind of dedication builds a deep, personal connection to the craft. I think you’ll find a lot of kindred spirits here who appreciate both tradition and individuality.
So glad you’re here!
Blessed Be. 
Welcome, @SuckOnMySunshine, and Merry Meet! We’re glad you’ve decided to join us. I’m Feathertip, from SE Michigan. I’m a lifelong Pagan, and I work with Nature and stay close to all her critters. I love growing and working with herbs. I practice Yogic meditation and use Lenormand cards for divination.
The best kind - sounds like you’re following where the path leads.
Cajun Gris gris sounds fascinating - I’d love to hear more about it from you. Looking forward to learning more! Blessings. 
Hello and welcome @SuckOnMySunshine 
I´m Katharina, an art-witch and art therapist from Vienna, Austria! I´m practicing magick very much through art making! I love altar craft, candle making, poppet work, spell boxes, jars and all kinds of creative magic shenanignas. Working in my Book of Shadows is a big part of my pratice. I love all things tarot and practice this art since many moons.
The forum is huge and it takes time to get to know everything. The people here are very sweet and helpful, so just make yourself known if there´s any questions, someone will certainly show up to help you.
Brightest blessings!
Hello 
That sounds fantastic! I’m also into crystals! I call myself the coonass crystal collector 
I can’t wait to learn from you as well!
Take care dear
Merry Meet SuckOnMySunshine
I just wanted to welcome you.
Love your name. the type of folk magick you use sounds fascinating.
I am from a small village in Lancashire, England. 
I am a Solitary Eclectic/Hedge Witch and my divinations are crystals, candle magic, tarot, runes, angel numbers, lenormand, tending outdoor, indoor plants and growing herbs, garlic, tomatoes, spell jars, spell bags, sun & moon water, water meditation and home cleansing. I am doing the daily Oracle Cards which is my new go to. I am experimenting with making my own spells which is both exciting and rewarding.
I try to simplify, balance and live intentionally to create a calm, peaceful, relaxing home for my family and and two German Shorthair Pointer Dogs and Koi Fish
Everyone is very supportive, caring and helpful with anything you need it is a wonderful coven to be a part of.
Wishing you blessings 
Hello Kristina @SuckOnMySunshine,
Welcome to the forum! I’m Bry, an Eclectic Witch and one of the moderators. Just wanted to stop by and say hi, it’s very nice to meet you 
I don’t know much about folk magick from Cajun Country, but it sounds like you’ve dedicated a lot of time to your studies and practice. That’s really neat! If you ever feel called to share or teach about folk magick traditions where you are, please know that the forum always loves to learn about different magickal topics and traditions. You’re also warmly invited to jump into any open discussions that interest you - please make yourself at home here!
Blessed be
Hello dear!
Of course! I can definitely share some of my local woowoo stuff!
So for instance, around here, if you have obtained like a sun burn for instance, and you can’t/don’t want to go to the doctor, we have Cajun treaters to help. They’re also called traiteuers (treaters).
The treaters help anyone in need of their services and you mustn’t thank them when done.
What they do is laying of hands mixed with Catholic prayer spoken in French. Traiteuers have been a community blessing to southern Louisiana since the 18th century, mostly amongst rural families. It’s a mixture of Cajun, creole, and native American elements. Outsiders may refer to treaters as “Catholic witch doctors” but they’re not witches. They’re healers whom are deeply anchored into their faith. They see their ability to help comfort citizens and neighbors, as a gift directly from God. It is a dying practice. The elders started passing away before passing down their knowledge, so it is pretty hard to find one these days, but they’re still around.
The way this is supposed to go is, a male teaches a female (ex: grandfather teaches daughter, grand daughter, etc) and a female teaches a male (ex: grandmother teaches son, grandson, etc). But only a female can heal a female, and a male heal a male. You can not say thank you and you can not pay them. Some treaters MAY take a token of appreciation, but most likely, they won’t take anything for it. I am not too sure if you have to be a Cajun or have Cajun in your blood to learn the traiteuers practice; I’ve asked my father in law, and he said he thinks so but hes not sure. I’ve been on a hunt to find out because this is the best thing to be down here. It’s just phenomenal.
I have been treated once. I had a really really bad sun burn (the summers here are brutal!) and when I tell you, I walked out that room, after the treatment was over with, my sunburn was INSTANTLY gone! I swear on everything I love. It was crazy awesome.
Would you ever consider being seen by a Cajun treater?
Hello there!
I’ve been fiddling with my tarot cards, recently. I’m trying to learn, but it’s a lot to remember. My biggest thing is combining the cards into a story to tell. Hopefully you can help me because right now, I’m a lost cause! Haha!
Thanks dear! Hope to hear from you soon!
Ps. Sorry for the late reply, this app is something kooky, and it’s hard to find the forum where discussion is happening. 
I’ll get used to it eventually, but just wanted to apologize!
-kriatina
Hello Kristina and welcome to Spells 8. I have heard of gris gris, but don’t really know anything about it. How interesting!
I’m Jayne, an eclectic witch, originally from the UK and now living just west of you, in the Houston, Texas area - so I understand about the brutal summer sun!! 
My practice leans towards earth and natue magic.
As others have said, this is a wonderful community and there’s a ton of information here, and on the Spells 8 website. Feel free to jump into any conversation that interests you, and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask.
Blessed Be!
Greetings!
Pleased to meet you. Texas, huh? I love Texas. My dad used to take me to Houston to go to six flags astroworld! It was truly the best & will forever be awesome memories.
How do you like living in the states? How do you like Texas?
Can’t wait to learn more from you and maybe learn how to obtain a green thumb!
Take care.
Your friend,
Kristina
Coming from England to Texas was a bit of a shock, I can tell you, especially since I arrived in August!!! I came over in 1982 when I married an American. We split up 14 yrs later, but I had a job and commitments then, so I stayed here, got my own place, rather than move back. Then eventually I met and married my current husband, Eric and we have been happy ever since.
I’ll admit, I often wish we lived somewhere else. As you mention, the summers are brutal down here, and the Houston area, especially, has no scenery to speak of. But we have a comfortable home that we have made our sanctuary, and I love my garden, such as it is. So I guess we will stay here.
That’s amazing! I’m glad you were able to see a treater and that they were able to help. I’ve had a few nasty sunburns in my time, so I know how awful they can be! Especially at night - oof The ability to heal one like that is really powerful.
Absolutely! Healing magick is an area I’m fascinated with. I think it’s a wonderful skill to be able to help others in need and I’d be honored to meet or, even better, get to see a treater work their Craft.
Thank you so much for sharing, I learned a lot!
Much love and many blessings
Greetings from New Mexico!
Welcome @SuckOnMySunshine!
I have heard of gris gris, but not in any detail. Would you be willing to share more?
This sounds wonderful. I’m game.
This sounds very much like Lenormand. You might enjoy this thread.
You are so darn helpful!
I can share what I’ve learned and personally practice, but I want to be clear I’m not speaking on behalf of any closed traditions or formal lineages. What I’m describing is my own experience with Cajun folk practices and regional influences.
Cajun gris gris, as I understand and experience it, is a form of folk magic rooted in Louisiana culture that blends practical, everyday elements like prayer, intention, herbs, and simple workings. It’s not about elaborate ritual for me, but about using what’s available—jars, petitions, candles, and spoken prayer—to influence situations or bring protection, luck, or clarity.
It’s very down-to-earth and personal. A lot of it revolves around intention, faith, and repetition rather than strict rules. For me, Catholic prayer plays a big role, and I build my own workings rather than following a formal system.
There are also a lot of “old wives’ tale” type practices that carry meaning. For example, spitting on a broom if your feet get swept to avoid bad luck, or having an older unmarried sibling dance with a broom or mop at a wedding if a younger sibling marries first. Things like that might seem small, but they reflect the same underlying belief that everyday actions can influence outcomes.
I have a small and growing collection of old wives tales. They are good to have around. I pass them along on occasion in other posts, like the recent MMM post on cabbage butterflies feeding on non-poisonous plants.
Thank you for sharing! I look forward to learning more from you!
Hi
Thank you for sharing your ancestry. Your journey is very personal and is shaped by you.
I look at it as we are brought up with beliefs from our ancestors and family however, we grow, change a little and the parts of our traditions which are sacred to us we will keep.
Being a Treater is rare indeed. My Cousin is qualified as a “Reiki Healer”. Having your burns healed is in a different league. I would see a Treater as any form of help is a gift.
There are lots of our coven members from all over the world who can try to help with any questions you might have. It is a wonderful coven to be part of.
Brightness Blessings 