URBAN VOODO: Are Needled Lemons Being Hanged Along Coquitlam Trails Against Coronavirus Or People? 

Are needled lemons found hanging on trees along Port Coquitlam trails “toona-taana” – curse offering and are they being hanged by local Indo-Canadians or others. And are they supposed to be against COVID-19 (ward off the virus) or are they intended to be against people using the trails? In September 2016, lemons pierced with sewing needles, similar to the Port Coquitlam, were found in woodland in the Black Country in Wolverhampton, England, which at the time was said to be connected to witchcraft or voodoo. At the time, Facebook users believed it to be an 'urban voodoo' lemon and pin charm, which removes curses originating from a Italian or Hindu myth.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff 

PORT COQUITLAM – Are needled lemons found hanging on trees along Port Coquitlam trails “toona-taana” – curse offering and are they being hanged by local Indo-Canadians or others. And are they supposed to be against COVID-19 (ward off the virus) or are they intended to be against people using the trails?

Many such questions linger but the two lemons full of sewing needles found so far in Port Coquitlam has sparked an investigation by RCMP, which  told people to report all such needled lemon spotting.

Mounties are urging anyone who walks in the area around Gates Park and the Coquitlam River to stay alert, call police directly if they find another lemon and avoid throwing the evidence in the garbage, reported Coquitlam News.

Such lemon needled offerings are common in India, usually done by people against others or to ward off bad spirits.

In September 2016, lemons pierced with sewing needles, similar to the Port Coquitlam, were found in woodland in the Black Country in Wolverhampton, England, which at the time was said to be connected to witchcraft or voodoo. They were found to be in a similar setting as Port Coquitlam, the Warley Woods, Bearwood, a lush green forestry area.

At the time, Facebook users believed it to be an 'urban voodoo' lemon and pin charm, which removes curses originating from a Italian or Hindu myth. According to Mythology Dictionary, pinning a piece of paper bearing the name of a person to a lemon was said to cause illness, or even death of that individual.

According to a police news release on Wednesday (July 15), the first lemon was found hung from a branch in Gates Park on June 22.

The second lemon was found on July 14 tied near a trail by the Coquitlam River at Whyte Avenue.

Both instances were reported through emails to the city and RCMP.

“If you see something that could be a deliberate attempt at harm, you must call police on the phone rather than send an email,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin.

“Both of these lemons were thrown into the garbage by the people who found them. By the time police received the emails, the evidence was gone and an investigation was virtually impossible.”

Police aren’t entirely sure if the lemons were left to intentionally hurt someone, as it's believed by some that citrus can act as a repellent of mosquitoes.

McLaughlin also had a message for the culprit: “If you are leaving these lemons full of needles in public, we ask that you stop, and then talk to us to explain what you were doing.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550, or call 911 if someone is placing needle-laden lemons right in front of you.