He was the founder of the Unnamed Path, a shamanic path for men-who-love-men, a graduate of the Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course, a Member of AIRR (the Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers), and a respected worker in his own right. He was also the founder of the Stone and Stang gathering, and The Unnamed Path podcast, and was a regular guest on the Lucky Mojo Hoodoo Rootwork Hour radio show. An initiated Wiccan High Priest, he was also an initiate of Santeria and a Priest of Shango.

Those are the facts, but facts do not sum up a person, or a life.

Facts are but placeholders on the tablet of life; margins in which to write the quick, basic overview. A life is bigger than simple facts, and Dr. E.'s life was bigger still. So often when a beloved person dies we canonize them on the spot and play only to their goodness, their nobility, and their strengths. But, with Dr. E. it is impossible to not be staggered by his goodness, his nobility, and his strengths. The space here is simply not big enough to even begin to outline the margins of facts that were Eduardo Guti�rrez.

I can tell you that Eddy was born on January 1st, 1976 to Cuban immigrants Manuel and Vicky Sirgo Guti�rrez. Or, that he was an incredibly talented artist and gifted choral singer. That he was the youngest Priest ever to be initiated in his chapter of the Druidic Craft of the Wise, at age 18. I can tell you that he learned the Yoruba language on his own and studied diloggun divination with the great teacher Ochani Lele. Or, that he was a skilled astrologer, bone reader, geomancer, card reader, workshop presenter, rootworker, altar maker, designer, and typesetter ... the list could go on off the page and through the margins.

But, all those things are within the margins, within the page. What I cannot capture for you was his light. Not mere presence or force of ego, no, Eddy had a light. It was a light that he used to heal, to help, to discipline, and to guide. He shared it freely, joyfully, with the world and in doing so made the lives of all those who encountered him brighter, richer, and fuller. That cannot be contained inside the margins.

I can tell you that he was a Capricorn, a member of the AIRR Tech Team, who contributed many tireless hours to the betterment of the AIRR site; that he participated in the Pagan Blog Project; managed numerous websites, including his own Dr. E. Products web store; and was working on two books at the time of his death. Those things fit well within the margins.

But Eddy had a humor that was infectious and strong, wickedly sharp when used against the unrighteous and warm as honey when entertaining those he adored. He had an integrity that did not allow him to suffer liars, scam artists, abusers, or con-artists within any of his occult, metaphysical, and religious communities. He fought against them with passion and righteousness and in doing so he made more than his fair share of enemies and saved the spirits of many. That cannot be contained within the margins.

In the end I cannot sum up Eddy Guti�rrez within the simple margins that outline the page. I can only say that he was my friend, our friend, and that we all too sharply feel absence of his light, his humor, and his integrity.

In the end I know that Eddy entered his house justified ... and that makes the margins large indeed.

7th ANNUAL HOODOO HERITAGE FESTIVAL 

For the seventh consecutive year, Missionary Independent Spiritual Church is sponsoring our Hoodoo Heritage Festival in Forestville, California.  

This program is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. You do not need to be a student of the Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course or a Graduate Apprentice to come out to the program and learn conjure for two fabulous days in Forestville! Everyone is welcome, and every year people come from all across the country and all around the world to take these fun, fast-moving, hands-on workshops. 

These classes in African American folk magic, rootwork, and hoodoo will teach you practical tricks and tips to take your conjure work to a new level of confidence and knowledge. In addition to spell casting, we also showcase the mystery and magic of world-wide folk religions. And, above all, the Hoodoo Heritage Festival is a not-for-profit venture -- so, in addition to great teaching, you will receive goodie bags from our sponsors that are filled with freebies galore.  

Your ticket covers everything but your lodging -- you will go home with instructional flyers, advance copies of brand new books, and spiritual supplies from Lucky Mojo -- plus, Missionary Independent Spiritual Church sets out a generous supply of food and drinks, so there are no hidden meal costs for attendees.   

REGISTRATION FOR CLASSES 

Registration for classes begins during the month of JANUARY, 2014. Pre-payment is by Paypal through Eventbrite ticketing services. We encourage folks to sign up well ahead of the event.

This package includes:

• 5 one-hour hands-on hoodoo training classes
• Take-home goody-bags with spiritual supplies from every class
• Saturday-only opening service
• Free Southern-Style buffet food and drinks
• 2 brand new books on Saturday
  (a $27.00 retail value in books for Saturday)
• Access to the world's best readers and rootworkers
  (with separate charges for readings and rootwork consultations)

This package includes:

• 5 one-hour hands-on hoodoo training classes
• Take-home goody-bags with spiritual supplies from every class
• Free Southern-Style buffet food and drinks
• 3 brand new books on Sunday
  (a $27.00 retail value in books for Sunday)
• Access to the world's best readers and rootworkers
  (with separate charges for readings and rootwork consultations)

• 10 one-hour hands-on hoodoo training classes
• Take-home goody-bags with spiritual supplies from every class
• Free Southern-Style buffet food and drinks
• 5 brand new books for the weekend
  (a $54.00 retail value for both days)
• Access to the world's best readers and rootworkers
  (with separate charges for readings and rootwork consultations)

Make your travel plans now to attend this unique 2-Day Festival of Hoodoo Heritage, African American Folk Magic, and Spiritual Spell-Casting!