Spirit Work: Saint Peter

Saint Peter is also associated with bridges. Saint Peter is likewise invoked against fever, toothache, and foot problems, and is also called on for longevity. Most importantly, Saint Peter is often depicted holding a pair of keys because of these verses:

And Simon Peter answered [Jesus] and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:16-19 JKV

Because Saint Peter holds these keys of heaven and earth, images of him are used in prayers for protection from theft.  Yet, he may be invoked to unlock the way and remove obstacles. Thus, he likewise is called upon for road opening work. Christian folklore often referred to Saint Peter served as the gatekeeper at the entrance into the Christian Heaven. There are references to him looking for a individual’s name in the Book of Life before granting or refusing entrance. In folklore, collected from New Orleans, LA, “A picture of Saint Peter hung over the door of the house you moved into will bring you good luck, because Saint Peter holds the key to everything and opens all doors.” --Superstitions, Colloquialisms, Customs in Historical New Orleans. The same page in Historical New Orleans also had the belief that a picture of Saint Peter—without his key—would “bring success”, but a picture of  Saint Peter—with his key[s]—would “bring great and speedy success.” When Saint Peter’s keys are depicted as forming an X-cross, they may be seen and utilized by hoodoo practitioners as a connecting him to the powers of the crossroad--or as another form of his symbol of the reversed/inverted cross. Yes, according to Christian tradition, Saint Peter was crucified upside down because he stated that the was not worthy to be executed in the same manner as his Lord Jesus. His symbols also include a boat, a book/scroll (apparently the Book of Life), a fish with a coin in its mouth, and a crowing rooster. Because he holds the keys--and also because of the Feast of Saint Peter in Chains (August 1)--Saint Peter is also invoked in work related to court cases, probation, and parole pleadings.   Catholics honor Saint Peter as the first pope. His feast days include: June 29 "Feast of Peter" This is also called the “Feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul” as they share this date August 1 "Feast of Saint Peter in Chains" February 22 "Feast of the Chair of Peter", emblematic of the world unity of the Catholic Church Saint Peter's special day of the week is Tuesday. He is also known as Saint Peter at the Gate, Simon Peter, Cephas (Kepha/Keipha), Simon/Simeon, Saint Pierre "Prince des Apotres", San Pedro, Simon son of John, Simon Barjona, Simon ben Jonah, and Shimon Bar-Yonah.

Saint Peter with keys. Photographed at the Convent of Saint Mary, Zadar, by Richard Stracke. The significance of the keys to heaven and earth are visually emphasized by being so large.

White candles are often burned in petitions to Saint Peter--frequently these are church candles. However, I have purchased prayer candles, both red colored and white colored, at Mercados and Botanicas for home use with the image of San Pedro and his keys, with a Spanish prayer on the back of the label. Judika Illes provided a Saint Peter Uncrossing Spell, which involved a white candle in the shape of a cross. Ask Peter to break the chains that bind you. Request that he remove the cross that is so heavy for you to bear: 1. Dedicate a white candle in the shape of cross to Saint Peter. 2. Using the edge of a key, carve your name, your birthday, and your desire into the candle wax and then burn it. --Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints, & Sages, 2011, p. 573 Judika Illes did not provide an invocation or prayer. A Spanish-English red wax prayer candle for Saint Peter/San Pedro stated this simple prayer: O revered and blessed Saint Peter, keeper of the master keys to heaven, protector and helper of the faithful on earth, in your noble commission appointed by Almighty, I pray that you will intercede  for me before the  Lord that he may hear my prayer and grant this favor. (Concentrate on your desires). Amen. Oh, venerato y  bendecido San Pedro, custodio de las puertas llaves maestras del cielo, protector y ayudante de los fieles en la tierra, por noble encomienda del todopoderso .  Rezo para que intercedas por mi  ante  nuestro Senor para que  escuche nuestras oraciones y nos conceda nuestra suplica.  (Habla tus necesidades.). Amen.

Judika Illes also suggested the evening of July 31 which is the Eve of the “Feast of Saint Peter in Chains” might be the optimal time to remove or break any condition which crosses, oppresses, binds, blocks, or chains someone.

The “Feast of  Saint Peter in Chains” is directly related to events described in Acts 12, when Saint Peter was captured and imprisoned by Herod Agrippa I in Jerusalem.

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. Acts 12:5-8  KJV

Of course, the Saint Peter uncrossing spell could be used at times other than the "Feast of Saint Peter in Chains", as well.

Folk Magic and Prayers Associated with Saint Peter

Saint Simon Peter is also traditionally petitioned to cause fevers to depart as Saint Peter once besought Jesus to heal his mother-in-law of a “great fever” when they returned from the synagogue:

And he [Jesus] arose out of the synagogue, and entered into [Peter] Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. Luke 4:38-39 (KJV)

Saint Simon Peter as you beseeched the Lord Jesus Christ to heal your mother-in-law, pray for this sick person to be healed of this fever. + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. So be it. Amen.

Blessed Virgin Mary, you who were conceived without sin, pray for this sick person, so that s/he may be healed. + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. So be it. Amen. (Make the sign of the cross at +)

Peter sat on a marble stone, weeping;
Christ came past, and said, “What aileth thee, Peter?”
“O my Lord, my God, my tooth doth ache !”
“Arise, o Peter!  Go thy way; thy tooth shall ache no more.”

As Peter sat on a tomb stone
Up come Jesus and he alone
Oh, Peter, Peter why do you ache
Oh my Lord and Saviour it is the toothache
Rise up Peter and he healed
And anyone that says this prayer
Three times by night three times by day
Shall never suffer from the pains of the toothache.

According to Judika Illes, Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints & Sages: A Guide to Asking for Protection, Wealth, Happiness, and Everything Else! 2011, Saint Peter assists health problems with feet—“from bunions to diabetes” (p. 573). I found a fragment of a healing prayer that "Restores Vitality", which relates to healing of foot ailments, "Blessed Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles, restores strength to my legs, restores safety to my step, restores health to my feet...Amen." This prayer was on a prayer candle for sale online.

The following prayer specifically focuses on Saint Peter and his famous keys. I do not know if it has been used in hoodoo practice, but I provided it here because it seemed most fitting.

English:
O venerated and most holy Saint Peter, Custodian of the Keys of the Gates of Heaven, Protector and helper of the faithful on earth, in thy noble appointed powerful position, I pray that you will intercede for me in the name of our Lord that he answer my prayer and grant this petition.  (state petition)

O God, who hast given unto thy blessed Apostle Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and the power to bind and loose: grant that we may be delivered, through the help of this intercession, from the slavery of all our sins: Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Espanol:
O, venerado y santisimo San Pedro, guardian de las llaves de las puertas del cielo, protector y ayudante de los fieles en la tierra, en tu noble posición de poder, te pido que intercedas por mi en el nombre del Senor para que responda a mi oracion y conceda esto peticion. Amen. (Hagase la peticion.)

O Dios, le diste a tu bendito apostol Pedro las llaves del reino de los cielos, y el poder de atar y aflojar, liberanos con la ayuda de esta intercesion, de la esclavitud de nuestros pecados: quien vive y vive. reina a lo largo de los siglos. Amen.

Italiano:
O venerato e santissima San Pietro, custode delle chiavi delle porte del cielo, protettore e aiutante dei fedeli sulla terra, nel tuo nobile posizione di potere nominato, prego che vi intercedere per me nel nome del Signore che egli rispondere alla mia preghiera e concedere questa petizione. Amen.  (Dichiara la tua richiesta.)

O Dio, avete dato il vostro beato apostolo Pietro le chiavi del regno dei cieli, e il potere di legare e sciogliere, fa 'che noi siamo liberati con l'aiuto di questo l'intercessione, dalla schiavitù dei nostri peccati: chi vive e regna nei secoli. Amen.

A key with an image of Saint Peter in and Jesus in heaven, a protective charm, “RUEDA POR NOSOTROS” (Pray For Us) The other side says, "GUIA MI CAMINO" (Guide my path.)	Photo of a pendant depicting the two keys of Saint Peter

Copyright 2019 Myth Woodling. All photos copyrighted by Myth Woodling, except where stated otherwise.

Sources:

Judika Illes, Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints & Sages: A Guide to Asking for Protection, Wealth, Happiness, and Everything Else! 2011.

Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers, Saint Peter, June 5, 2013, accessed 5/23/2019.

Superstitions, Colloquialisms, Customs in Historical New Orleans website, 1996, accessed 5/23/2019.

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