A self-styled astrologer terrorises an innocent woman
Second of many parts
A team leader at my workplace encouraged me to write my story for publication in Indian Newslink.
My story relates to an Indian Astrologer and Soothsayer who claimed to ‘ward off all bad effects’ hovering over me and make my life happier and healthier.
But he has left me in a state of anguish, helplessness and sickness.
He practiced black magic which has caused me and my family harm.
My name is Mariam (not my real name) and I live in Auckland. I am a depressed woman, cheated and victimised by people who have no conscience or scruples.
I can now recall how cunningly this witch doctor conned me into believing that he could actually multiply my money by utilising my good luck and my father’s good fortune combined with his divine prayers.
Tripling money
He first sent me to the Manurewa Mall along with his wife and asked me to buy some rice. He put two $20 notes (which I gave), along with the rice into a box, added turmeric powder and closed it after reciting some Mantra.
He then instructed me to keep the box safely in my cupboard and not let even my family see it, saying that ‘good luck should be preserved.’
I did so and brought it to him after two days. When he opened the box after reciting some Mantra I found $60!
He convinced me to bring more cash so that he could perform this good luck prayer for me. Unfortunately, I did so – with money taken on loan.
I can now understand how he performed this magic. He instructed his wife to give me incense sticks and perform some prayers in the small prayer room where he had an arrangement of flowers and rice in a beautiful pattern with some fruits placed as offering to the Gods.
While I was engaged in performing this prayer with his wife, he managed to quickly place the rest of the notes inside the box and close it.
I was then led into believing that my money had multiplied because of his prayers for good luck and good fortune.
Pool of blood
After returning home following one such visit to his place, I started peeling a cucumber to prepare salad. As I was peeling, my new Japanese knife slipped from my hand and fell on my right foot with such a strong impact that within five minutes I was standing on a pool of blood.
As I looked down at my foot, I saw a fountain of blood spurting from the cut on my leg. I began bleeding profusely.
My son quickly rushed me to Accident & Emergency where a team of doctor and nurses applied stitches and sent me home.
I was in a state of shock and depression. I had to stay at home until the stitches were removed.
Three weeks later, I went to see him again as he asked me to ‘receive protection.’
Possessed body
After I arrived at his place, he expressed a lot of concern for me and then pointing towards a similar cut on his foot he said, “You know, sister, this evil thing tries to escape from your body through such cuts, causing it to bleed. I have a similar cut while catching an evil spirit and it entered my body and escaped through this cut.”
“Somehow, I recited some prayers and kept this spirit inside your body under control. We have to capture this bad thing quickly sister, because it is very angry right now and is looking for some escape from your body. If we do not catch it quickly, it will cause you serious harm,” he added.
I was horrified.
Since I was already in a state of shock and depression, I started to believe whatever he said and advised. My emotions had dried and intuitions shut off.
He was a chain smoker. I can recall a plastic can full of cigarettes just outside his doorstep.
I was unable to read all the warning signs that were available to me because I doubted my gut feelings and dismissed them.
Next Issue: The vanishing bank balance
About Pratima Nand
Auckland based Pratima Nand is a true community and social worker, who helps people in distress and brings them to the attention of Indian Newslink readers. Last year, she launched a campaign against fake astrologers, soothsayers and those who claim to practice black magic and witchcraft (which are illegal in New Zealand), helped in a sting operation of TV3 and attracted the attention of Immigration New Zealand. These offenders from India advertised in all Indian newspapers, radio and television stations and mainstream community newspapers to promote themselves. Ms Nand, a victim of one such astrologer, coordinated single-handedly with the authorities to being the perpetrators to book but all of them fled the county. Ms Nand, who was among the three top finalists (out of more than 330 nominations) at the recently held Metlifecare Senior New Zealander of the Year 2016 Awards recently introduced to us a victim (a person of Indian origin from Mumbai), of one such so-called astrologer and remover of black magic. We have changed her name to protect her identity but the Auckland woman is keen to tell her story, which will be serialised in three consecutive issues. The story appearing here is the second part. The first part appeared in our May 1, 2016 issue.
