UK publisher Hadean Press recently released the introduction of an upcoming publication, Humberto Maggi’s Queen of the Seven Crossroads:
Introduction
The Queens of Quimbanda, Queens of Magic and Sorcery, and Queens of Hell are considered to be powerful spirits who deserve great honors and reverence. To each of them are assigned Astral Kingdoms that govern over different aspects of magical work and that connect with the mundane plane strongly at specific places and times, though their power in truth knows no limits or boundaries.
Like the dead heroines of older times, who received cult and were expected to aid the living, the Queens of Quimbanda, as with most of the lesser spirits in this system, are reputed to have been extraordinary whilst living – for good or evil. The diabolical aesthetics and the historical origins of Quimbanda associated and associate these women with the Devil – although here the Devil is not seen as the orthodoxies teach. Quimbanda moves toward a restoration of the original cosmogonies misrepresented by the Christian churches. It accepts the superficial ideas and images developed by Christianity to accuse and to frighten, but proposes a core interpretation that in the end completely undermines Christian theologies.
The Quimbanda that arose in Brazil is a fig tree with roots in European witchcraft and African religions; it is the inheritance of people who were exiled and enslaved – at its core it is reaction and rebellion against Church and State, against Inquisition and Slavery.
History and myth come together to create and continuously develop the definitions and the interpretations of who or what the Queens of Quimbanda are. Research and revelation compose this short treatise dedicated to the Queen of the Seven Crossroads with whom I have being working for several years. She came into my life at a moment of great and difficult change, and she has guided me faithfully since then. Often experiences with the Queen of the Seven Crossroads are frightful – but there is always a surreptitious feeling that things are under control and all is for the best. These are entities that test and improve their protégées.
The idea of writing a short treatise on the Queen of the Seven Crossroads came to me during one of the works I do regularly with her. I have a large image of her at home, and a smaller one that travels with me wherever I go. Under her guidance we are going to survey the historical developments that influenced the creation of this concept in the Quimbanda that emerged in the first half of the 20th century in Brazil, as well as the ideas and techniques inherited both from Europe and Africa; we also are going to follow the thread of inspirations I received and we will borrow from the practices I learned both as a Chief of Quimbanda and as a researcher.
The aim of this treatise is then to provide the conceptual background for a better comprehension of the identity and role of the Queen of the Seven Crossroads which will enable the devotee to develop a consistent practice of work and communion with this elevated spirit.
Humberto Maggi
The fine hardcover edition of the book is litho-printed, section sewn with gold foil blocking on the front and spine, and covered in Skivertex Malaga. The hardcover and paperback edition can be pre-ordered now; the digital edition will be made available on 11 August, the official date of release.
The title currently open for pre-orders.
