You weren’t born to live your own life,” Bela Nova says (39). “Your life, like mine, belongs to the people. For the right price, yes. But doing work for people, our people, who deserve to get a splinter of happiness in this dreadful place we call a world, you hear? Your life will be dedicated to helping them.
-- Bela Nova (chapter 4)

Importance: In this quote Bela Nova illustrates some of the ethical beliefs behind practicing Voodoo and hoodoo. An important part of what she teaches Augusta is to be unselfish and to work on behalf of others, not herself.

I pray that you will bless me accordingly, spreading far and wide my name once I am gone. That women who are desperate, who are not secure, who are not right, will call out to Bela Nova when my body leaves this world just as they seek me out now.
-- Bela Nova (chapter 7)

Importance: This quote shows Bela Nova's...