Bottle Tree Captures Evil Spirits

My earlier recent post, "Hotter Than Hot..." referred to all sorts of unusual occurrences I've experienced recently. I was bemoaning the onset of mysterious forces attacking my car, malfunctioning household appliances, a non-functioning house air conditioning unit, a damaged yard water pipe to name just a few items. Some who commented could readily identify with my woes, as I expected. Others even related a litany of calamities I was grateful for not having experienced myself. I derived hope knowing they all had survived, actually overcome their obstacles, and lived to tell the tale.

One fact became very clear, actual final resolution of the varied problems I and others described, generally involved employing repair persons, and/or visiting store keepers, then ultimately transferring some form of monetary funds from ourselves to others. Personally, in this process I like to think I'm helping the economy despite impoverishing myself.

I noted some who commented about their experiences, also shared their various coping mechanisms. I soon realized the import of these informative offerings and am especially appreciative to each who shared. I have come to believe as a public service I am duty bound to briefly summarize what I've learned from them for my own and others possible future reference. I do stop just short of recommending some of these measures, since some refer to unusual less traditional methodology. In fact, some of their methods could even be thought of as unorthodox. However, I say, whatever works, is worth a try. But, I offer this caution and disclaimer, that if you undertake any of these actions, you do so of your own volition and at your own risk.

Joy at "Joy of Six" employs an interesting technique in times of disaster, but a coffee table is required. I believe her description suggests it's important to undertake this measure soon after first discovering major interior house destruction is underway. Actually it's quite simple, you just run round and round the coffee table, but she failed to disclose the length of time for which this must be continued. Also, I'm not clear about whether this action is to be done only in instances when unwanted water is spurting from wall pipes into various rooms in the house, or if the activity can be utilized for more ordinary catastrophes like a ceiling falling down. Perhaps she's still perfecting the technique.

Since I have two small rectangular coffee tables, I'm adapting her methodology to include aligning my tables in such a way I can include not only repetitively running around them, but jumping over them one at a time, should I ever encounter the problem she described.

I'm so happy I became a blogger and have an opportunity to learn all this from others.

Millie at "My Mom's Blog" quickly ascertained numbers were coming into play, citing the possibility the old saw about events happening in "threes" or that combinations might be at work. She's probably still trying to master how to overcome that challenge, as I haven't been able to figure it out either.

Pattie at "Texas Trifles" can always be counted upon to provide more exotic strategies that often have their roots in Deep South traditions, Texas folklore, or emerge from Louisiana's swamps. Some less well-informed individuals might discount them as simple myths. She clearly recognizes we should all be thinking more along the lines of preventative measures, though some of her suggestions can be instituted to ward off repetition of previous problems.

Reading of my woes, she instantly recognized the presence of "bad juju." She counseled my need for "mojo" to ward off evil spirits. A musical link she provided obviously set the right mood to initiate a search for just the right mojo. She reminded me of the possible benefits of dried chicken feet, candle lighting, but I failed to grasp the significance of her suggestion a "bottle tree" might be beneficial. I even naively suggested she must be confused (as she once erroneously thought I was) and was referring to the bottle brush tree.

Fortunately, Chancy, "Driftwood Inspiration" at quite knowledgeable herself about southern traditions, was intrigued enough to search for more information about the bottle tree. Thanks to Chancy for sending me this link to "Out of Nowhere" by Don Drane, with a colorful picture of a bottle tree.

You may see here, 74 yr old Charlotte Conner has an impressive looking "Blue Bottle Tree."

Then among the Mississippi Delta Artists there is the "Bottle Tree Man" who has a different variety tree.

Africa is the bottle tree's place of origin. The belief is the night's evil spirits are captured in the bottles, then destroyed when the next day's sunlight penetrates them as described in this Wikipedia article.

I'm sure there are many more ways to alleviate our woes, but these must suffice for now.