~ Voodoo Priestess Estate ~ ©

Aunt Nadiene's Thai Carved Ruby in Zoisite, Crystal Skull in Sacred Lotus
with
Mwali Shafite Sorcerer's Mozambique Garnet Eyes 

A LiDiex Shrine Find

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This is another of our very long listings with an abundant text and 9 photographs, so please sit back and read the write-up through.

If you have come this far, we feel you will find it was worth the wait.

Nearly twenty-four and a half years have now past (12/06/2001) since we were called to do an estate that had been closed up for seventeen years!

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The Voodoo Estate!

This type of call usually gets us excited as they are a treasure trove.  Located here in Florida, there was no electricity or running water so we rigged our own lighting and in we went.  If you have ever seen the Adams Family you will have some idea as to what we were greeted with!  Then the attorney handling the liquidation gave us some background.  The estate had belonged to an alleged powerful Voodoo Priestess/JooJoo Exorcist, grand daughter of a Marie Laveau, and favored daughter of a Marie Glapion.

These names meant nothing to us, but the late night talk of Voodoo and exorcism in the old mansion was enough to make us decide to spend the night in a hotel and return in the morning to assess the estate.  The rest is history.

Our research has shown that this woman was what she claimed and was indeed descended from a long line of well known Vodoun family originating in New Orleans in the early 1800's.

We were pretty unnerved by this until we discovered they were also devout Catholics!  Although I have to admit this was unlike any Catholic home we have ever been in and some of the items found inside were a little more than unnerving.  There was no feeling of dread or unwelcome in the mansion, however there was quite a bit of contraband and other items we can or will not sell here.

This is one of a few pieces from this estate we will be listing this week, so check our other listings!

 We will, upon the new guardian's request, issue a named Letter of Authenticity with each lot from this estate, complying with the terms set forth to us by the estate's attorney.

Some Back Story

Found and recovered from what was named, "The LiDiex Chapel Room."  This was not the largest of the altar rooms but large nonetheless, as it measured 17 x 24 feet!  But it certainly was an unusual room that in describing, we could just as well be describing an ancient Cabinet of Curiosities.  It was indeed used as their chapel, "a place of solace and meditation where ancestors are revered," according to one of her journal entries.

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The LiDiex

The research involved in this estate has provided continuous fascination.  This was a group of men known to most simply as LiDiex.  Descendants of the original Man Known Only as "LiDiex" whose youngest son came to this country as a survivor and saboteur of the slave Ship Henrietta Marie in 1701.  He then found his way to New Orleans to meet with the parents of the infant grandmother of our priestess, Marie Laveau. The 1701 LiDiex was a wood carver as were many of his descendants.  This is another case of the multi-generational relationships we have encountered with this family as the LiDiex all had a strong association with these women.  Known and named as close practitioners and believed to be fathers to four children of three generations of these women.
 Many served as her enforcers as "Zuvembie" and are referred to in their journals as, “a skilled sorcerer, tactician, warrior and artist" who were deeply involved in her works.

~!~Aunt Nadiene 
 Although not a blood Aunt, she had been "taken into the fold as a child found" by her "mother" as she was said to refer to Marie Glapion.  Further chronological investigation revealed her to be the daughter of a prostitute that was in her mother's (Marie Glapion) employ.  Other notes found might lead one to believe her mother was an Algul.  Described as a vampiric jinn like creature they claimed to have encountered in remote desert regions. 
Our own research has not revealed very much other than Algul literally translates to "horse-leech" or "blood-sucking Jinn."  An example was found in the 'Thousand and One Nights' as Amine.  Although a drinker of blood, it is a Jinn, or demon that was never human.  Unkillable by most means, it can be destroyed by fire and sometimes magic.  Most inhabited unchartable regions of desert, but oil production has driven them from their homes and she claims "they live among us, posing no threat to adults save sexual fulfillment, but they must be watched around children and livestock."

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It is not clear if Aunt Nadiene was abandoned by her mother or if the mother died, orphaning the girl, but she was apparently treated and referred to as a family member, indoctrinated along with her "niece" and for many years she was her traveling companion and guardian.  Her journals note of Aunt Nadiene's passing in 1966.
She also notes of wearing Aunt Nadiene's jewelry, "Connected to her so closely in life, it awakens psychic qualities with a feeling of devotional joy to wear them."

Other journal entries allege incidents of Aunt Nadiene, "owl shape shifting," claiming the Great Horned Owl as being her spirit guide or token spirit animal, and because of this, her taking due care in the handling of owls in her bird and reptile ceremonies, not submitting them to the torturous ceremonial deaths many other species endured during these ceremonies.

She also notes of a number of dreams in which a Great Horned Owl wearing her aunt's jewelry would appear to her.  They also go into detail of her gazing into her stones (sphere's), to draw upon Aunt Nadiene's power to help her in this life.

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But Back to the Skull 

 

Examination reveals a fine hand carving from a single piece of ruby in zoisite.  Similar carvings from the same source were found along with this one and others were used in some of the jewelry we recovered from this estate.  Carvings such as these are still being produced by the jewelers of Chanthaburi today. Chanthaburi is a well known center of semi-precious stones and jewelry.  It was once famous for its ruby and sapphire mines, but most of Chanthaburi's mines have been mined out since the 1980s.  Today it is an industry leader in colored stone processing, including gemstone treatments, enhancements, cutting and polishing.  Nearly 70% of the world's entire supply of rubies and sapphires pass through Chanthaburi.  Their journals tell us these pieces were chosen for their design and combinations of gemstone material. ~!~

This carving measures approximately 2 3/16" in height x 13/16" in length x 15/16" width, weighing 34.5 grams.She does tell us, the stones used in these carvings are host to a long list of metaphysical properties. 

Some of her journal entries concerning ruby read; "Their color brings light and change into your world.” 

“Wear it to shed the body of toxins.” "they have proven useful in relieving all ailments." "These contain life force residual of divine nature.  They spell well in making peace and as protectorates, warding sorcery and poison." "When worn they spell over great and specific distance."

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She notes of ruby in zoisite as "an amplifier whose natural vibrations become one with one's chakra.  Well used stones that enhance psychic ability during altered states of consciousness."

“It is a stone with strong spiritual energy that causes a shift in consciousness, allowing one to accept new spiritual learning through compassion.  It also enhances an observant awareness of physical ailments in their early stages.”

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Mwali Shafite Sorcerer's Mozambique Garnet Eyes

 

Their journals, and her inventory, attribute the Mozambique Garnet cabochons used as eyes they installed in the skull to a Mwali Shafite Muslim Sorcerer she befriended during a visit to the Comoros Islands in 1958.  Both their journals name him as, “Said Ahmed Soefu, a powerful and respected sorcerer and healer skilled in fertility and birthing.”

 

Her notes indicate she had obtained a sizable quantity of these 5 x 3.175 mm, 0.84 ct., high dome cabochons in their present form claiming, “We have invoked them during rights of love and luck.”

We also quote the following from her notes, "aside from its protective qualities this garnet has proven out an energy suited to aid one in gambling, romance and stability of life.  When held in place by the copulating bodies it has aided in the fertilization of the woman and sex magic energy we have been able to focus favor."

We estimate the value of these cabochons at $19 USD each.

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The Mwali and the Comoros Islands

 

The Mwali Comorian live on the islands of Moheli and Anjouan in the Islamic Republic of the Comoros, located in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the African nation of Mozambique.  The Comoros chain consists of four main islands along with several smaller ones.  The island of Moheli, which is also known as Mwali, is one of the smallest islands of the Comoros, and only 5% of the country's population lives there.

 

The Mwali Comorian are an indigenous blend of settlers from its past: Iranian traders, mainland Africans, Arabs, and Malagasy.  In 1975, all the islands of the Comoros, with the exception of Mayotte, declared their independence from France, which had ruled them since 1947.  The islands then became known as the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros.

 

Moheli is a plateau 1000 feet in elevation.  The valleys are fertile and the hillsides are covered with thick forests. Many of the Mwali Comorian work as farmers or fishermen, while a few breed cattle, sheep, goats, and donkeys.  A large number work in industries that produce vanilla and perfume.

 

The islands are poor and undeveloped.  The basic diet of the Mwali Comorian consists of rice, potatoes, corn, fish, coconuts, and bananas.  Other crops that are grown are sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, and pineapples.

 

Although many of the young people now wear Western style clothing, traditional clothing is still common among the adults.  In town, a Comorian man will typically wear a white cotton garment and a knee-length shirt, sometimes with a white jacket and white skull cap.  When he goes out of town, he wears a long cloth sarong.  Most women wear long, colorful cotton dresses, with bright shawls as face coverings.

 

Polygamy is an acceptable practice among the Mwali Comorian.  Children are expected to help with the farming, fishing, and caring of the animals.  For recreation, the Mwali Comorian enjoy dancing, singing, and playing instruments, especially horns and drums.

 

About 25% of the Mwali Comorian are literate and speak either Swahili, French, and/or Arabic as a second language.  Their language is a dialect of Swahili and a part of the Niger-Congo linguistic family.  French and Arabic are the official languages of the islands.

 

The majority of the Mwali Comorian are Shafite Muslim, yet mosque attendance is very low.  Mixed with their Islamic practices is a strong involvement in occultism and spirit possession.  They are very resistant to any kind of religious change.  Although there is freedom of religion on the islands, Christianity is not well received by these Shafite Muslims.  Their commitment to Islam, along with their involvement in occult practices, are well ingrained in their culture.

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Unalome
Painted on the forehead and bottom of the carving, we see a pair of unalome done in gold paint, and this is how they got there!
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Buddha Magic Incantation Party

 

 This carving was chosen to be one of the contents for a spell box that were assembled in the spring of 1973.  That was when the group of eleven Theravada Buddhist Monks sailed here aboard the Agwe at the invitation of the 1888 LiDiex.  They left for home in mid July.  It is obvious their hostess and host went out of their way to make their guests feel welcome.

 

One of the monks is named as Somdej Phra Nyanasamvara.  Most of those named in this party apparently had their names edited out of the journals by various means.  ie; black ink, white-out, erasure and razor cuts were all employed in the ledgers during the post period of their visit.  Our feeling is more than one of the residents had a hand in this and that it was done to protect the identities of the monks.  Her journals describe this as "a decadent group" and the timeline of their return to Thailand indicates a rash of such behavior by a group of monks there we believe to be one and the same.

 

Most, but not all of their names were censored out of the journal entries and we believe this Somdej Phra Nyanasamvara, was the man who would go on to become the 19th. Supreme Patriarch of Thailand who would later be appointed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1989.

 

In 1972, he was given the title Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the same basic title that he bears today (10/03/1913 - 10/24/2013). This is a rarely used monastic title that had not been granted to a Thai bhikkhu in over 150 years!  The granting of this title placed Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara at the top of the Thai monastic establishment, and set the stage for his being named "Sangharaja," or "Lord of the Sangha"  (Supreme Buddhist Patriarch of Thailand).

 

Other than being a notable person and willing participant in a 'mass dressing and blessing' of a group of mostly Buddhist depictions their hosts provided from their personal collections, such as this carving, Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara does not stand out in these journal entries.  He is however worthy of further research so we are providing a link to his Wikipedia page if this is of interest to you;

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajira%C3%B1%C4%81%E1%B9%87asa%E1%B9%83vara

 

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The Agwe

This estate included four off-site properties.  One of which was a nautical dry-dock, warehouse and storage yard on Old Griffin Road in Dania Beach Florida.  This was another overgrown property we literally had to cut our way into.  The massive bougainvillea that lined the fence line is what most likely prevented vandalism and theft, although her journals tell otherwise, attributing this to her spells of protection.

Restoring power to the site we began our inventory with the surprise find of their yacht, named, "The Agwe."  Her journals, inventory and our own research revealed this one hundred and seventy two foot, twin screw diesel, steel-hull motor yacht was custom built for her in 1930 by the Defoe Ship Building Company.  This was a small ship builder that was established in 1905 in Bay City, Michigan which went out of business in 1976 after failing to renew its contracts with the United States Navy.

The Agwe was designed for transoceanic voyages and upon inspection we found disguised, armored turrets with pintle gun mounts, and a secure, but empty armory.  No guns or munitions were recovered from the Agwe, but her journals and inventory list an extensive array of then state of the art, military grade weaponry she and her associates procured for this vessel.

 

The Agwe was named after a Voodoo Loa who her journals tell us, “is invoked as Shell of the Sea, Eel, and Tadpole of the Pond.  He is a Sea Sovereign and a lover of Erzulie.  He cares for the fauna and flora and all ships which sail upon the sea.  His symbols are brightly painted oars, shells, tiny boats, and small metal fish (all of which were found onboard).  He favors uniforms and gunfire, and is a protector of those at sea.”

 

We sold the Agwe to a local automotive distributor who sent it to Holland to be refurbished, and we understand from the family (the buyer had since passed away) that he sold it after reports from the Dutch restorers that the ship was haunted.

 

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Our research revealed this ship passed through several stages during its career.  The first was the initial contract to build it.  Then began the design phase which was carried out by a naval architect.  Construction then began in the shipyard.  Once completed, the ship was launched and delivered to them in Florida.  They procured the Dania Beach shipyard where they conducted an elaborate ceremony where they named and launched their ship.

 

 The Agwe would receive constant maintenance during its career, and once it was returned to Holland to repair major damage sustained at sea in 1946.  Most steel-hulled ocean-going yachts can have a lifespan of over one hundred years if maintained.

 

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But Back to the Party! 

 

One of those eleven monks 'dressed and blessed' the skull in a mass incantation ritual blessing they held in the Main Ballroom of this estate. 

 

The unalome is an important symbol and word that is still shrouded in mystery.  Our own research lead us to quite a few interpretations of what many people felt what it was, and/or what it meant.  Most coming from well meaning, we're sure, tattoo artists!

 

Basically it is a Theravada Buddhist Sak-Yant, usually found as a tattoo that is considered to be very spiritual.  Its meaning and source are still a mystery and nothing is from a credible source.  It is a spiritual symbol used in practice by the Theravada Buddhist along the path to enlightenment.  In form, its bottom spiral represents life's struggles, these struggles get thinner as one continues and attains enlightenment or nirvana.

It is often found as a tattoo and isn’t confined to just one meaning and symbol.  It has varied patterns and each pattern has a different meaning.  Sometimes it represents the moon, the light that shines in the darkness along the path of enlightenment.  It also represents strength and resilience.

”Some of her journal entries relating to this yant read; "The magic yant, the unalome, see it well.  It is Aum, in the design of sacred geometry.  Casting chanted spell magic is recited mantra that begins and ends with it."

"See it well, it is not the only element necessary for magic power.  Contained within are sacred geometry that cast the spell in the 'Bpug Sek Kata'.  It is essential to activate this magic power within the Yant.  By entering Samadhi and visualizing what should be active in the Yant."

 

“It is one of the nine Gao Yord, that permits entrance into the lineage of masters.”

 

“Here is representation of the crown of the Arahant's”.

 

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Yant Magic 

The presence of these marks makes this carving, "Yant Yun."  Our own research has shown that all Yant fall into the amulet category  known as Kruang Reang i.e. Objects of Magic.  These are sacred images of high age from past guru masters that are highly collectible and can command a high price on today’s market.  The symbolism they display are usually seen as tattoos known as Sak Yant, of the Khmer Sorcerer Monks, Muay Tai fighters, mixed martial artists and some celebrities today.  When this  intricate script is written on cloth it is known as 'Pha Yant'.  It is also etched on the soft metals used in Takrut's and on many Thai amulets.

The word Yant itself comes from the old the Sanskrit meaning, 'a sacred geometrical design', and is usually accompanied with a written Khom script or set of characters which are linked to the prayer or katha.  The script is a combination of Khom, Thai and the Sanskrit language, which is a style of early Khmer wicha magic that has been adopted by Buddhist monks and Ajarns (civilian Brahmins) of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia.

In its form as a tattoo, (Sak Yant) it is much more than a fashion statement.  It is intrinsically linked to Buddha, Buddhist precepts and the guru master who created it.  The worshiper must truly believe and follow any instructions, as it is said the embedded wicha power may vanish if the are not followed.

Each design is unique in meaning and purpose as crafted by its maker, but follows a common theme such as bringing good luck and fortune, protection from harm and accidents, warding off evil spirits, love and attraction, power and success, great fighter, great lover, great talker etc.  In any of its forms, the sorcerer monk will chant his own form of incantation spell and ancient katha chant, at some point during the end of the process of making the yant, which concludes with Pao Katha, a blowing of the masters breath across the article to bind and activate the magical formula.

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Final Commentary

The nine photographs below are the best taken from two photo sessions.  We deemed a second session necessary in order to get nice clean photos.  It did not go well.  Over the years we have come across quite a few items that just refused to be photogenic.  Most were from this estate and attributed with magical powers.  These skull carvings are no exception.  Reports from those that have handled them consist of whisperings and or thoughts entering ones mind.  Nothing sinister, the photographer for example is quoted as hearing "don't take me picture" and "You don't have my permission,"

  And that our friends concludes the listing for this unusual artifact with an extraordinary provenance that is much nicer than the photographs are able to depict.

 

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We have been contacted and visited by a number of people who were interested in the items from this estate since our first batch was listed.  Among the buyers have been known psychics and practitioners.  More than one, after adorning themselves or handling their purchase, stated, "this is a woman of power!"  Many of our customers, after receiving items from this estate have reported dream contacts and other unexplained phenomenon.

Unusual, authentic Voodoo Priestess Estate piece and at a bargain price!

This is truly a rare opportunity to own anything with attributes to this estate.  The majority of this estate is now gone.  Most of what we had left, and it was considerable, has been split up and sold to a couple of private, foreign collector practitioners and will never be available to the public again.  We made the decision to do this as we have had some pretty strange visits from even stranger individuals and there have been enough unexplained phenomenon going on in the warehouse where her things were kept that many of our employees refused to go in there.

The pieces offered and sold here are some of the few remaining pieces that will ever be offered to the public.

Nice addition to any collection, altar or decor, displays really well.

Really doesn't get any better than this.

There are 9 photographs below to tell the rest of this tale.

Buyer to pay $0.00 for Insured Shipping with Tracking, handling and lagniappe.

Rest assured your order will be carefully packed to withstand the onslaught of the most deranged of carriers.

International Buyer's, please email us for a shipping quote.

Payment is due at listing end.

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©Text and Photos Copyright 2001-2026 bushidobuce, all rights reserved.

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You are buying the ruby skull carving Only.  The Props Are Not Part Of The Deal, But you knew that already.

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