I’m so happy to be able to introduce you to this author. Deidre Ann Banville has written a wonderful book on Caulbearers. I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did. It was a real eye-opener for me, and made me want to read the book. Don’t forget to leave a comment so your name will be in the running for a beautiful Southern Living basket.
Also, after the article are the addresses of other blogs on this tour. We’d love you to visit them, enjoy the articles, and leave comments for more chances to win.
NEW ORLEANS CAULBEARERS
During the early 1900s, there was a very large, majestic live oak tree which grew on Jackson Square, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Looking across it’s massive branches and moss covered limbs one could see the St. Louis Cathedral and the Mississippi River. It was and still is a reminder of New Orleans’ old cultures and superstitions. Witches or anyone thought to be a witch, dealing with spirits and the supernatural were hung in this tree. Thus this historic tree was called The Hanging Tree.
My mother was born in 1908 with a veil. Then as is now, a baby born with a “veil” was known as a caulbearer. A facial veil is a thin layer of SKIN, not membrane from the amniotic sac, as it was described to me by my birthing physician. You see, when I was born in 1941, I too was born with a veil, but it was a full veil. Facial veils just cover the baby’s face, mine covered my face and body. Because there are so many superstitions and myths that follow this type of birth it wasn’t spoken about to anyone. Most family members were not told if a baby was born a caul. Remember, New Orleans at this time was a melting pot of cultures from immigrants who came from all over the world. Many people believed in voodoo, witches and other cult religions. It was the law way back then, that anyone even suspected of being a witch would be hung on the Hanging Tree. It is written now that less than 1 baby in 100,000 babies born are born with a veil.
When I came along, my mother harbored this information from me and the rest of the family. As time went by, noticing I was different, I would ask questions of my mother. I would witness spiritual things going on with my mother. I would get a pat on my head as a child and just told, “oh, you were born with a veil”. That was it. There was no “google” to go check, and I was too young anyway to know what people were whispering about me. I grew up normal, but thought everyone could hear, see, think the same things I was experiencing.
I vividly remember a summer trip with the family to Arkansas. My father was driving, mom in the front seat, and children in the back of a very long Buick. We drove for miles while my father looked for a stream he wanted to go fly fishing in and we could cool off in the stream and have a picnic. Suddenly, without fanfare, I saw this place my father was thinking and talking about. I leaned forward and told him exactly where it was, how far to drive and look on the left. The whole car gazed at me, but I just thought they were thinking how cute I was. I was eight years old. We pulled right up to the spot, kids all screaming to get out and go swimming and it was the exact spot that I saw in my mind. These types of things went on and are still going on.
During my 70 years on earth, I have learned so many things. Living with the gift of a veil has been, and still is, an amazing spiritual trip for me. There are too many stories to put here in this little blog, but I have just released my new book, and the only book of it’s kind. True stories debunking superstitions associated with the veil, all good things, all Godly things and I am truly blessed to have been born a caulbearer.
I do run into many evil skeptics and it never bothers me, because I know a message will soon be given to me or to them that will change their beliefs.
Helping other people gain encouragement or knowledge as to how to listen to their hearts and souls, is what is exciting for caulbearers. God gives us the information we need, when we need it and directs those who need help to us in the most exciting “coincidences” you have ever heard of.
Sometimes it is wise to be skeptical at the things you read on the internet. There are truly false prophets out there and my book explains, through witnesses, just how you are supposed to gather your gifts. I wrote my book mainly because I was driven to by God, for other caulbearers, so they may help others as I do on a daily basis. We are not witches, we are not starting a new religion, we are only answering God to help others. I questioned a lot of messages I was given, over and over I argued with Him, I didn’t want to look like a fool, telling strangers things I didn’t know where the information came from. I am an educated woman and so I argued with the voices. I found that every time I am asked to interpret signs, or get messages for people I do not know, they are always the correct things to do. The joy someone has who has lost a son by suicide, who hears me say, he is okay now, he is in heaven, he is telling me to tell you, this or that…he has on a blue shirt, with sleeves rolled up, and on it goes, that mother sobs for her son, but since I described what he had on when he killed himself, and he is talking…how can the mother doubt what I just said. That is how it goes and more.
I am a caulbearer, but mostly an astounding listener. To this day, I get amazed at some of the things God has me do. Throw in every word you know about paranormal, saints, visitations, ghosts, angels, everything, and that is who we are and what we do. But, only through God. He has chosen caulbearers to be his messengers on earth for the souls that have passed through the veil.
BIO:
AUTHOR, Deidre Ann Banville, is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana and has released her first book BORN WITH A VEIL; NOW WHAT? this month. Already she is getting raved reviews. Here are a few:
JW: “Be prepared for a full range of emotions as experienced by a real living Caulbearer. Rich in detail and captivating in its honesty, you will not put this book down once you’ve read the first page. For most of us, the failures and disappointments in life take their toll, but not for Ms Banville. Capturing life’s ups and downs with faith, humility and a strong belief in the Almighty, this book demonstrates that with God, all things are possible.”
pac: “What a wonderful view of life! The author carries you along with her in her many experiences. This is a book you will keep and read over and over again.”
vhs: “Truly, she has a gift from God. More than just stories, these inspirational experiences are uplifting. Deidre’s life long desire to understand her blessings and use for greater good, leaves you yearning for more. ”
Please visit her website for more information about her book and video trailer: ithaveil.com
And for your further reading pleaseure, check out the blog of Penny Leisch today, and the two blogs listed below hers on Monday. Thanks for coming and good luck!
Blog Owner: Penny Leisch
Guest Blogger: Trisha Faye
Title: “Change…as the moon goes on shining”
URL: http://apennyandchange.pennyleisch.com/blog
Tour Date: Mon. July 2
Blog Name: Zetta’s House of Random Thoughts
Blog Owner: Zetta Brown
Title: “Texas Tornadoes and Other Memories”
URL: http://zettashouse.wordpress.com
Tour Date: Mon. July 2
Blog Name: Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia
Blog Owner: Patricia Dorsey
Title: “A (Southern) Life in Poems”
URL: http://patricianeelydorsey.blogspot.com/
Ryder Islington's Blog 