IAP 44: Italian folk magic, ancestors, and you: Mallorie Vaudoise on cultivating a spiritual connection to your heritage

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In this episode of The Italian American Podcast , we talk with Mallorie Vaudoise, a Brooklyn-based spiritualist and author of the blog, ItalinFolkMagic.com. We talk to Vaudoise about Italian folk magic, rituals, and dreams and how practice in each can connect you to your heritage.

In our Stories Segment, you’ll hear a recording from listener Marc Grandinetti about his experience when he went back to Italy to visit his ancestral villages.

Marc in the town where his grandfather was born – Motta Santa Lucia, Calabria

Episode Quote

“I am a great admirer of mystery and magic. Look at this life – all mystery and magic.” – Harry Houdini

Tweetables

“The implicit rituals we have grown up with was reflecting a unique Southern Italian style.” – Mallorie Vaudoise
“If you know the dialogue, the people, and the music, you can’t separate them.” – Dolores Alfieri
“As a child I had this impulse to look for things which were hidden.” – Mallorie Vaudoise
“Italian American Folk Religion is something that anybody of Italian descent can benefit from.” – Mallorie Vaudoise
“In reality, there is nothing that is ever lost.” – Mallorie Vaudoise
“Dreams are a way for us to do several things, they provide guidance and connect us to our heritage.” – Dolores Alfieri
“With the strength and the position of privilege to promote culture, comes the responsibility to do just that.” – Mallorie Vaudoise
“The younger generation is coming back in and we’re bringing some knowledge with us.” – Mallorie Vaudoise

About our Guest… Mallorie Vaudoise

Mallorie Vaudoise, author of the blog, ItalainFolkMagic.com, is a Brooklyn-based spiritualist of Italian descent, with her mother’s family hailing from Campania and her father’s family from Abruzzo. She studies Southern Italian music and dance with world-renowned folk artist Alessandra Belloni. She believes that music, food, wine, and kissing are vital tools of spiritual evolution.

Episode Sponsors

The National Italian American Foundation

Verizon Fios (Mediaset Italia)

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Resources Mentioned

Madonnas That Maim: Popular Catholicism in Italy Since the Fifteenth Century

The Raccolta Prayers and Devotions Enriched with Indulgences

History and Presence

Christ Stopped at Eboli: The Story of a Year