Do Voodoo Dolls really work?

Traditional voodoo dolls undergo a bit of a process to "set" them to their purpose -- you don't just start stabbing at them. According to the process in the hoodoo instruction book "Death and Destruction" you need to put some hair or something like that belonging to the person the doll targets into it, and some herbs or oils depending on the needs of the spell, and then have a baptism where you name the doll and infuse the target's personality into it. "When the doll is ready, it must be activated with a baptism in order to take on its magical effect. You may take the doll to a riverside, or you can perform the rite in private with some bottled river water or holy water. Also keep some High Altar Oil ready. Another way the doll's influence over the target can be strengthened is to use an appropriate Zodiac Candle – a small white candle dressed with a sign-specific oil appropriate to the target (Taurus oil, Sagittarius oil, Virgo oil &c.) will do. If the target's astrological sign isn' ...  more