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Candomblé is an African diaspora religion that developed in Brazil during the 19th century. It arose through a process of syncretism between several of the traditional religions of West and Central Africa, especially those of the Yoruba, Bantu, and Gbe, coupled with influences from Roman Catholicism.

Candomblé arose in 19th-century Brazil, where the imported traditional African religions of enslaved West Africans had to adapt to a slave colony in which Roman Catholicism was the official religion. It is thus one of several religions that emerged in the Americas through the interaction of West African and Roman Catholic traditions, and for this reason is considered a "sister religion" of Cuban Santería and Haitian Vodou.

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Obsidian

• ... that the Page of Swords can indicate a spy?
• ... that Archangel Haniel is associated with the love of God?
• ... that many neolithic cultures believed Heaven has multiple levels?
• ... that producers hired a Wiccan consultant for the 1996 horror film The Craft?
• ... that the diabolical pact of Urbain Grandier was written backwards?
• ... that the First Mirror of Lilith ritual summons Lilith through necromancy?
• ... that The Grand Grimoire recommends using a bloodstone to prevent fear?
• ... that mass murderer Peter Stumpp believed he could transform into a werewolf?

This month in history Pamela Colman Smith 1 February - German polymath Johannes Trithemius is born. (1462) 1 February - Anton Szandor LaVey performs a Satanic wedding ceremony for journalist John Raymond to New York City socialite Judith Case. (1967) 4 February - John Rogers is burned at the stake, becoming the first English Protestant martyr under Mary I of England. (1555) 4 February - The prophesized beginning of the Age of Aquarius as declared by philosopher Samael Anun Weor. (1962) 7 February - Pluto moves inside Neptune's orbit for the first time since either was discovered. (1979) 8 February - French author and occultist Éliphas Lévi is born. (1810) 8 February - American psychic Evangeline Adams is born in Jersey City, New Jersey. (1868) 12 February - Italian author Petrarch finishes his poem I Trionfi, the inspiration for later decks of tarot cards. (1374) 12 February - English author and Wiccan Gerald Gardner dies. (1964) 13 February - Accused witch Rebecca Nurse is born in England. (1621) 13 February - Galileo Galilei arrives in Rome for his trial before the Inquisition. (1633) 15 February - Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei is born. (1564) 16 February - Spanish theologian Michael Servetus is denounced as a heretic. (1553) 16 February - Pamela Colman Smith, an English occultist and illustrator is born. (1878) 16 February - British Egyptologist Howard Carter opens the sealed chamber leading to the burial chamber of Tutankhamen. (1923) 17 February - On his way to be burned at the stake for heresy, the philosopher Giordano Bruno has a wooden vise put on his tongue to prevent him continuing to speak. (1600) 18 February - Mary I of England is born. (1516) 18 February - German author and polymath Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa dies in Grenoble. (1535) 18 February - While studying photographs taken in January, Clyde Tombaugh discovers Pluto. (1930) 18 February - The first Church of Scientology is established in Los Angeles. (1954) 19 February - The anti-paganism policy of Constantius II forbids the worship of pagan idols in the Roman Empire. (356) 19 February - Nicolaus Copernicus, Polish mathematician and astronomer is born. (1543) 19 February - Spanish serial killer, Dámaso Rodríguez Martín, known as the Warlock is gunned down by police. (1991) 19 February - Occult horror film The Witch receives a wide release in the United States. (2016) 22 February - French fortune-teller and poisoner La Voisin is executed in Paris. (1680) 22 February - British astrologer and witch Sybil Leek is born in Staffordshire, England. (1917) 22 February - Salman Rushdie's controversial work The Satanic Verses is published in the United States. (1989) 23 February - Traditionally the date of publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western book printed with movable type. (1455) 23 February - English occultist Edward Kelley is knighted by Emperor Rudolf II for his work in alchemy. (1590) 24 February - With the papal bull Inter gravissimas, Pope Gregory XIII announces the Gregorian calendar. (1582) 24 February - Dutch physician and demonologist Johann Weyer dies in Tecklenburg. (1588) 25 February - Saint Walpurga, for whom Walpurgisnacht is named, dies. (777) 26 February - English author and occultist Robert Cross Smith dies in London. (1832) 27 February - Constantine the Great is born. (272) 28 February - John Dee's son is born, likely a result of Edward Kelley sleeping with his wife. (1588) 29 February - Christopher Columbus uses his knowledge of a lunar eclipse that night to convince Jamaican natives to provide him with supplies. (1504)

Featured image The Stele of Ankh-ef-en-Khonsu (also known as the Stele of Revealing) is a painted, wooden offering stele located in Cairo, Egypt. The designation of this object as the "Stele of Revealing" was given in April 1904 by the occultist Aleister Crowley, in connection with his The Book of the Law. According to Crowley, his wife Rose had already reported a revelation from the god Horus, through his messenger Aiwass. The couple went to the newly opened Egyptian Museum (where the stela had been moved), to see if she could recognize Horus on Monday, March 21, 1904. Rose recognized an image of the god on this painted stele, which at the time bore the catalogue number 666, a number holding religious significance in Thelema. Credit: Cairo Museum (More Images)

Featured Quote "Witches are firm believers in reincarnation, and they say that 'once a witch, always a witch.'" - Gerald Gardner

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