A boss voodoo doll is a figurine or doll used to represent a person in the workplace who holds a position of authority, such as a boss or manager. It is believed that by manipulating the doll through different means, one can exert control or influence over the actions and decisions of the person it represents. The concept of using voodoo dolls as a means of casting spells or curses on others is derived from the Afro-Caribbean religion of Vodou, which has its roots in West Africa. The use of boss voodoo dolls in the workplace is generally considered to be a light-hearted and humorous way of expressing frustration or dissatisfaction with a boss. It is often used as a form of stress relief or a means of venting frustrations in a non-confrontational manner. However, it is important to note that using voodoo dolls to harm or manipulate others is generally considered unethical and offensive.
If you would like to authenticate using a different subscribed institution or have your own login and password to Project MUSE
Feminists and others have rightly criticized this view as anachronistic in its psychological underpinnings and insensitive in its avoidance of the reality of the desired violence. Making use of ethnographic studies of abduction marriage in a variety of cultures, Faraone places such spells next to ancient bridal theft as similarly practical attempts to initiate a relation with a woman to whom access is blocked by parental interference or disapproval, by betrothal to another man, or by the unwillingness or haughtiness of the woman herself.
However, it is important to note that using voodoo dolls to harm or manipulate others is generally considered unethical and offensive. The boss voodoo doll typically resembles a small, cloth or stuffed doll that is handmade and personalized to resemble the targeted boss. It may have features such as the boss's face, hairstyle, or clothing, and may even include additional accessories or items related to their personality or position.
Journal of Interdisciplinary History
This exemplary book studies ancient Greek magical spells designed to attract or keep lovers, and it advances a clear and persuasive argument. Faraone divides erotic spells into two distinct types: eros magic, "those rituals used generally by men to instill erotic passion in women," and philia magic, "those used generally by women to maintain or increase affection in men" (27, emphasis original). The first type tortured or maddened its victims, usually young women still in their natal home, so that they would leave their family and come to the user. The second type enervated or mollified its victims, usually male heads of household, so that they would reduce their anger and esteem and remain with their companion. The few examples of women using eros spells and men using philia spells reveal the socially constructed character of gender in ancient Greek culture. The women who used the traditionally male forms of erotic magic were courtesans and prostitutes, whose social autonomy and sexual freedom placed them, at least occasionally, in the "masculine" role according to the ancient gender ideology (146-160). The assumptions that structure these rituals--that men are naturally lustful and uncontrolled and that women are naturally chaste and self-controlled--disrupt the prevailing gender stereotypes in elite texts from antiquity, which usually assume the opposite (160-171). These spells, then, provide an illuminating access to ancient Greek ideologies of love, sexuality, and gender, which enriches and complicates the standard modern understandings of them.
As Faraone discusses in a particularly clear-headed way, the definition of "magic" and how, if at all, to distinguish it from "religion" and "science" are famously contested issues in modern scholarship (16-18). The very intractability of these problems signals the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach in examining the rituals studied here. A purely philological method, which dominates many studies of ancient magic, would limit itself to the spells themselves, establishing a taxonomy of their literary forms but eschewing wider questions of their social contexts and cultural implications. Wisely and with great care, Faraone uses a [End Page 250] variety of ancient sources, such as literary depictions of the use of magic, to provide a thicker description of ancient erotic discourse. The diversity of the texts required that Faraone master the interpretive skills of disciplines ranging from literary theory to cross-cultural anthropology, with illuminating insights on old problems.
For example, modern scholars have struggled to make sense of the graphic violence in many of the spells that seek to bring a woman to a man presumably in love with her ("agoge spells"), epitomized by a famous clay effigy in the Louvre of a bound woman pierced by thirteen needles. A recent popular approach interprets such violence as therapeutic, intended to project and so to ameliorate the lovesick spell user's own feelings of pain, madness, and helplessness. Feminists and others have rightly criticized this view as anachronistic in its psychological underpinnings and insensitive in its avoidance of the reality of the desired violence. Faraone adds that many practitioners of such spells appear to be "dispassionate" in their use, rather than "helpless victims of erotic infatuation" (82-84). Making use of ethnographic studies of abduction marriage in a variety of cultures, Faraone places such spells next to ancient bridal theft as similarly practical attempts to initiate a relation with a woman to whom access is blocked "by parental interference or disapproval, by betrothal to another man, or by the unwillingness or haughtiness of the woman herself." In each case, violence is "a necessary but transitory step" in the creation of "a new social alliance" in the face of obstacles (84). This interpretation neither psychologizes nor dismisses ritualized violence, but contextualizes it in a wider cultural discourse of gender, eroticism, and social networks.
David Brakke
Indiana University
If you would like to authenticate using a different subscribed institution or have your own login and password to Project MUSE
It is a widespread prejudice of modern, scientific society that "magic" is merely a ludicrous amalgam of recipes and methods derived from primitive and erroneous notions about nature. Eros and Magic in the Renaissance challenges this view, providing an in-depth scholarly explanation of the workings of magic and showing that magic continues to exist in an altered form even today.
Some boss voodoo dolls are commercially available, while others are custom-made by individuals. To use a boss voodoo doll, one may engage in various actions or rituals, such as sticking pins into specific parts of the doll's body or reciting specific incantations or prayers. The intent behind these actions is to mimic the physical or psychological harm that one wishes to inflict on the boss, although it is important to note that no actual harm can be caused to the person through the manipulation of the doll. While some people may find the idea of boss voodoo dolls to be amusing or cathartic, it is crucial to maintain a respectful and professional attitude towards one's superiors in the workplace. Open and honest communication should always be the preferred method of addressing concerns or conflicts with a boss, rather than resorting to passive-aggressive or harmful tactics..
Reviews for "Unlocking the Power of the Boss Voodoo Doll for Personal and Professional Success"
1. Michael - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to try out the Boss voodoo doll after hearing so much hype about it. However, I was extremely disappointed with my purchase. The quality of the doll was subpar, with loose stitching and frayed edges. Additionally, the pins that came with the doll were too short and kept falling out. Overall, I found the whole experience underwhelming and definitely not worth the price.
2. Sarah - 3/5 stars - I had high expectations for the Boss voodoo doll, but unfortunately, it fell short. While the concept is intriguing, the execution is lacking. The doll itself is rather flimsy and the pins provided are too small to stay securely in place. Furthermore, the instructions on how to use the doll effectively were vague and confusing. It's a shame because with better materials and clearer instructions, this product could have been a hit.
3. Alex - 2/5 stars - I regret purchasing the Boss voodoo doll. The doll arrived looking nothing like the picture advertised. Its appearance was cheap and the stitching was poorly done. I also found the pins to be too fragile, breaking upon attempting to push them into the doll. It was a wasted purchase and I definitely won't be recommending it to anyone.