Seeds of Faith

In this dream, religious belief was a kind of disease that was spread via mysterious sunflower seeds, that when seen opening up (the shell), would infect the observer and turn them into a mindless preacher. Another way to turn was to see an open seed and then hear the preacher. They would lose their identity, their awareness, their compassion, becoming no more than a vessel to spread The Word. I can't remember where the seeds came from but I will mention that I had to save children from this. By the end, I found a black lady who was a good friend of mine and practiced old witchcraft (voodoo?) and sold me a handmade bracelet and ring that was designed to protect me from certain influences. I was desperate. She knew this and wanted to help, giving the bracelet & ring to me for free but I insisted paying. Later on we caught the preacher and tried a kind of exorcism on them. I can't remember if it was successful or if we found out anything useful.