The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the Entire Magical World - Judika Illes 2005

Simbi
The Divine Witch: Goddesses and Gods

Who says magicians need to be human? This most powerful of magical practitioners manifests in the form of a great snake.

Simbi names a family of Congolese water spirits who have gained prominence among the lwa of Vodoun. The various Simbis may also be understood as different aspects or “paths” of one spirit.

Simbi rules all aspects of magic. In the guise of Simbi Makaya, he is a powerful botanical magician. Simbi protects magical practitioners and offers them his tutelage. Legends describe children who go missing, stolen by Simbi, only to return to their homes years later, masters of magic.

In addition to magic and witchcraft, Simbi has dominion over communications, crossroads, and currents. As the ruler of currents, Simbi has dominion over the flow of information and energy: this ancient magician has become Patron of Computers and the Internet. Placing images of a snake on your computer (or as a screen-saver) allegedly protects it and reinforces its power.

Simbi accepts offerings of milk and water (especially rainwater), as well as alcoholic beverages such as whiskey or rum.

Milo Rigaud, a scholar of Vodou, identifies Simbi with Hermes. In the Vodou tradition, Simbi is also syncretized with Moses. Simbi represents The Magician in The New Orleans Tarot Deck.

New Orleans Voodoo Priestess Marie Laveau danced with a serpent known as “The Grand Zombi.” “Zombi” may be understood as a corruption of “Simbi,” not as a reference to the living dead.

See FAIRIES: Changelings, Fairy Doctors, Fairy Magicians.