WitchBlood Working-Dark Moon:Unearthing the Skull/The Black Flame is Lit!

Palo N'ganga or Spirit Cauldron

Here is some reference material in regards to the Spirit Cauldrons or Palo N'ganga's...I really feel a strong inclination towards this 'tool/vessel' in regards to Magick...and will continue to work and document my efforts in this area...

I do prefer to call them 'officially' "Spirit Cauldron', since we are modifying significantly elements of the traditional Palo N'Ganga...

"I was intrigued with the whole idea of the nganga, the spirit pot, seeing this as the genuine witch's cauldron". introduction * iii

"The term nkisi refers to the manifestation in the Spirit pot" pg 13
The nkisi was a particular form of medicine, a holy medicine that both encapsulated a part of the divine, but was truly a livign, divinely-endowed talisman. This was a god made by man, who was enabled to create by virture of man being extensions of Nzambi on earth, thus creators by right. The nkisi was empowered by bilongo, the magical or active part of inspired nature, such as herbs, animals and minerals. The bilongo was placed at the heart of the figure and animated. This would then constitute the soul-heart of the nkisi...
The nkisi, when endowed with the powers of bilongo, would then possess a number of powers and functions.
The nkisi is a wooden figure or an object filled with bilongo and animated by nature, the knowledge of its maker, the Nganga and Nzambi. The nkisi gives a materiality to the invisible power..."

Bilongo: A gathering of magical and powerful medicine that activates nkisi or a working. Also used in the sense of 'making a work'.

Nganga: The Spirit Pot, the body of the nfumbe as it turns into nkisi.

Nkisi-The soul of the Nganga.

Nfume-Chief of ritual.

Nzmabi- The fiery creator, Entity of Flux & Fire...referring to the creative impulse, often understood to be remote from human activities...

Palo Mayombe: The Garden of Blood & Bones
~ Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold~