And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. --2 Kings 2:11 (KJV)Interestingly, I have found little mention of Elijah in writings about hoodoo, unlike Moses or other Old Testament figures. Odd, for he is credited with a number of wonder-workings—including raising the dead. [See 1 Kings 17:17-23 (KJV)]
The prophet Elijah’s name in Hebrew is Eliyahu Ha Navi. According to biblical accounts, he lived in the 9th century bce. According to Jewish tradition, Elijah went up into heaven on 10th day of the Hebrew lunar month Av, which falls sometime in the summer months of July and August on the Gregorian calendar. This prophet is certainly honored in numerous ways in modern Judaism, relating to Passover, bar mitzvahs, and much more. I will not go over them here, but you can read about them in Judika Illes, Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints, & Sages, A Guide Asking for Protection, Wealth, Happiness, and Everything Else! , 2011, p. 262. (Judika Illes’ book is an excellent resource that I highly recommend!)
This Old Testament prophet is very well known in many Christian denominations and sects. Indeed, Elijah was commemorated as a Christian saint in the 4th century. His Roman Catholic feast day is on July 20. The Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod also marks July 20 as Elijah’s feast day. On the Orthodox liturgical calendar, the feast day of Saint Elias/Ilias falls on July 20. (In the Julian Calendar, July 20 currently falls on August 2 of the modern Gregorian Calendar. ) In Russia, Elijah is honored as a saint on July 20 and July 30 and these two feast days are known as “Thunder Days.”
It is true that not all Protestant sects grant him the title of “saint”.
He is associated with thunder, fire, lighting, and rain. In some countries, Elijah is petitioned against bad weather. There is also folklore involving Elijah being petitioned to bring rain, justice, or to defeat spirits.
Holy Elijah may be associated with the color red--as red prayer candles are sold with a prayer in English and Spanish to “San Elias”:
Prayer to Holy Elijah who stood on Mount Carmel (Revocation, Protection from evil magic)Most powerful Holy Elijah who stood on Mount Carmel, favorite man of the Omnipotent, guide of the mortals on this earth, kneeling before you, I beg you to help me to remove from my home all those evil spirits that have lodged in it. Whether these spirits have been sent, or voluntarily have taken possession of my home, I beg you Holy Elijah--as you have defeated the enemy who has tried to harm the people under your protection--that I can defeat all those who try to harm me, whether through spiritual or material harm. Amen.
Oracion a San Elias del Monte Carmelo (Revocacin, Proteccion frente a magia negra)
Poderosisimo San Elias del Monte Carmelo, varon predilecto del Omnpotente, guia de los mortals que nos encontramos en esta terra arrodillado arrodillado ante ti te e suplico queme ayudes a sacarde mi hogara todosesos malos espiritus que se hayan alojados en el. Ya sean enviados o que voluntarlamente se hayan poses ionadode el. Te suplico San Elias que asi corro has vencido al enemigo que ha tratado de hacer dano a las personas que tu proteges asi puedayo vencer a todas los que me pueden hacer dano ya sean espirituales o materiales. Amen.
There is no traditional hoodoo formula for an oil to use in work with Elijah. (At least, I never found one.) Nevertheless, Shadow in his blog Shadows magick place has a suggestion for making an oil which could be used to dress candles for Elijah. Shadow describes his blog as “About Hoodoo and Traditional folk magick, folk craft, lore and Wisdom of other Cultures, Mystical world of Spirits and Magick of Nature.”
Holy Elijah Oil
Mix Juniper essential oil--or perhaps Juniper berries--into a base of olive oil. Also add a piece of Lightning struck wood. Ideally, it should be made on July 20—“or under stormy skies during summer”.
Another item that can be used is “Saint Elijah Water” aka “Saint Elijah the Prophet Water” which is already used in other systems of folk magic--other than USA hoodoo.
This water is sprinkled to banish spirits and gain mastery over adverse conditions. Shadow suggested it could be used as an uncrossing agent and also for empowerment. Author Judika Illes discussed use of this water in other folk systems.
Saint Elijah Water is rainwater collected in a vessel on July 20. Judika Illes called this water “Saint Elijah the Prophet Water” adding that this rainwater “...is believed to protect against the Evil Eye, malevolent magic, and disease.”-- Judika Illes, Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints, & Sages, A Guide Asking for Protection, Wealth, Happiness, and Everything Else! , 2011, p. 263.
Shadow also suggested using this water in floor washes, baths, or as a sprinkle. Shadow also proposed Elijah could be given thanks in the form of lighting a candle for him, or offering him a piece of cake and glass of fresh water.
Southern Evangelical preachers drew on the stories of Moses, Elijah, Daniel, and other Old Testament bible heroes for their sermons. I have wondered WHY “Elijah the Prophet” is not known to be a spirit whose assistance can be called upon in hoodoo/rootwork/conjure. My only guess relates to Jezebel Root and the powerful spirit of Queen Jezebel.
In hoodoo, Queen Jezebel is a powerful spirit who frequently is called upon to help women. Often, Jezebel Root is used in hoodoo by women to attract prosperity, power, and control--as well as to wield a curse against men. In the Old Testament, Jezebel is the bad girl who honored foreign Gods and spirits. She was at odds with Elijah—whose name meant “Jah is God” or "Jehovah is God." (“Jah” is short for “Jehovah”--as in “Hallelu-jah” which simply means "Praise Jah" or "Praise Jehovah”.)
Anyone who has called upon the spirit of Jezebel--Queen of Israel, princess of Tyre, wife of King Ahab, and who fed the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah at her table---ought to NOT EVER call upon Elijah the Prophet of Jehovah. Queen Jezebel will not like it. I am also certain that if Elijah ever helps someone out that he will expect that petitioner to never use the powerful Jezebel Root again.
Yet--in one of those interesting twists of fate--Elijah is well known and venerated as San Elias in the Spanish speaking Dominican Republic. The image of San Elias is also found in Dominican Vodou. Furthermore, the lwa, Baron Del Cementerio, is served with the image of San Elias. Well, they can both be called for protection from malignant spirits and evil influences. (Perhaps that is why San Elias' image and prayer was on that candle in English and Spanish?)
I have included more prayers:
Carmelite Prayer to Saint ElijahFinal Note: The candle I saw in the mercado (Latino grocery store) suggested no bible verses to be recited while petitioning Holy Elijah. The advice with the African American folk magic system of hoodoo often used bible verses. I would suggest 1 Kings 18:36-37 KJV, because it contains a prayer by Elijah:O glorious Saint Elijah, ever a mirror of sanctity and justice, while living in this valley of tears, obtain for us of God the grace to be your followers on earth, that we may one day be partakers with you in the everlasting glory in heaven. O great Patriarch of the Order of Mount Carmel, teacher of God's people and the defender of their Faith, disperse, we entreat you, the darkness of our intellect, obscured by our evil passions, and preserve in our hearts the Faith which is kept living by works of charity. O holy Patriarch of the Most High, taken into heaven in a chariot of fire, and who shall be the precursor of Christ, when He shall come in the splendor of his infinite majesty to judge the living and the dead, pray for us, that loving Him and sincerely serving Him on earth, we may have the great happiness of loving Him for all eternity in the blessed kingdom of heaven. Amen.
Novena to Holy Elijah (prayed on nine consecutive days)
O Holy Elijah, you appeared, a prophet of fire with words like a flaming torch; you shut up the sky and three times called down fire. O Glorious Elijah, the wonder-worker who has done such marvelous deeds, the word of God carried you to the desert where you shared bread with all God’s creatures, you raised a child from death, you fed the poor and hungry in time of famine, and spoke the word of the most high. You sought the presence of God in the silence of a cave and listened more deeply than either whirlwind or earthquake to find the Living One in the murmur of the heart. You were raised up to heaven in a chariot of fire, and let your mantle fall upon Elisha and all the children of the prophets we humbly beseech you to share your spirit with us, and intercede with God for our well-being and peace, especially in the following matter: [mention request] O Holy Father Elijah, strengthen us to hear the murmuring voice of God in the still caves of our hearts. Amen.
Saint Elijah (San Elias) Revocation Prayer: English
Saint Elijah (San Elias), three times I call on the holy name. With the help of the powerful strength of Samson, you will give me your three selected spirits, so any man or woman born may not do an act of treachery against me, and no injustice will condemn me. Let all evil and perverse ideas that my enemy may have against me be revoked. Make them come humiliated and repenting with all their hearts to me, by the order of the LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel!
Recite three Our Fathers.
Oracion a San Elias del Monte Carmelo Revocacion: Espanol
San Elias, tres veces invoco el santo nombre. Con la ayuda de la poderosa fuerza de Sanson, me daras tus tres espiritus seleccionados, para que cualquier hombre o mujer nacido no haga un acto de traición contra mí, y ninguna injusticia me condenará. Deja que todas las ideas perversas y malvadas que mi enemigo pueda tener contra mí sean revocadas. Haz que vengan humillados y arrepintiéndose de todo corazon para mi, por orden del Senor, Dios de Abraham, Isaac e Israel.
Recita tres paters.
When things are looking extremely grim and all around you seems to be negative and evil, revoke all negativity, evil, and malignant magic with the power of San Elias. Read the San Elias Revocation Prayer [above] along with Psalm 23 and ask for his help and guidance.
And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 1 Kings 18: 36-37 KJVA petitioner could also read 2 Kings 2:11 (KJV).
copyright August 2018, Myth Woodling
Sources:
Judika Illes, Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints, & Sages, A Guide Asking for Protection, Wealth, Happiness, and Everything Else! , 2011.
Shadow, St Elijah the Thunderous , Jul 19, 2012, accessed July 12, 2018. (Contact Shadow of Shadows magick place, Shadow-333@hotmail.com