Intro Hoodoo

Intro to Hoodoo Week 1 of 6 Oseaana December

What is Hoodoo?

Hoodoo is an African-American system of herbal lore and folk magick found mostly in the southern states of America. Hoodoo is different from Voodoo/Vodou because it is not a religion. There are no Hoodoo deities or gods. It is a magickal system that makes use of herbs, roots, bark, minerals, and other curios to bring about change in one’s life. There life. There is no strict code or dogma associated with Hoodoo and it has adapted many different traditions, religions and cultures which is one of the main reasons it thrives today. The word Hoodoo is an American term from the 18th or 19th century. One of the first recorded uses of the term Hoodoo can be found in an 1891 journal entry by the classical composer Samuel C. Taylor who says he met a Hoodoo Doctor on a train ride. Hoodoo is a folk magick system that came to America from Africa with slaves brought here. It has influences from the spiritual practices in the Congo region of Africa, Native American herbal folk lore and Europ ean folk lore and has been pract iced by both blacks and whites for centuries in this country. Hoodoo is often called rootwork, conjure, witchcraft, juju, laying tricks, and voodoo. In New Orleans the terms Hoodoo and Voodoo are often interchanged. Rootwork is the use of dried herbs and roots for magickal purposes and for healing. Hoodoo is largely influenced by Christianity with its use of The Holy Bible and The Book of Psalms. Saints and Angels are often called upon in Hoodoo to aid in spellwork. In the neo-pagan community Hoodoo is often unheard of or inappropriately called Voodoo and/or considered “black magick”, magick ”, and while it may be Black Magick (magick practiced by black people) it is often wrongly confused with negative magick. Many of the spells used in neo-pagan traditions are straight from Hoodoo. It makes use of some of the same spell ingredients as other forms of magick/witchcraft such as container spells, poppets, mojo hands (or spell bags), candle magick, graveyard work, spiritual baths, etc.

Skull Candle Spell

Vinegar Jar

Love Mojo Bag

In general, Hoodoo places emphasis on power within which is why there is no specific theology and each practitioner takes responsibility for their own actions. There is no “three“three-fold law” or “karma” associated with Hoodoo because it is based on African religions and for t he most part those beliefs do not exist in Africa. Even though Hoodoo is heavily influenced by Christianity it can be used and incorporated into any religion. Because Hoodoo was brought to America by African slaves it is mostly a verbal tra dition. The slaves weren’t allowed to read 1 Copyright © 2013 Pumpkin Cottage Conjure/The Moonlit Sea No portion of this document can be copied or distributed without prior written consent of the author. Information shared here is based on folklore and tradition. Please use common sense and good judgment when performing magick. Always research herbs, oils and other curios before using. Always practice fire safety when burning candles and incense.


or write and when they met and mixed their traditions with the Native Americans it was all done verbally so that there was no written proof of the exchange. Who Doin’ That Hoodoo?

The word Hoodoo is used in many different ways. It can be used as a name for someone as in “Aunt Caroline Dye was a great Hoodoo in her day.” or to name an action such as “She used Hoodoo on him.” Practioners of Hoodoo are often called Root Doctors, Hoodooers, Hoodoo Man or Hoodoo Woman, Conjure/Root Doctor, Two-headed Man, Conjurer, Witch, etc. Hoodoo isn’t all magick and spells, a good worker will know how to use herbs for medicinal purposes as well. The photo to the right is of a famous Hoodoo Lady called Aunt Caroline Dye. Ther e isn’t much known about this woman other than she was a well-respected rootworker and healer. The photo seems to have been marked with spiritual images and symbols adding to the mystery of Aunt Caroline. So what is used in Hoodoo spellwork?

If you have been to a botanica or a well-stocked metaphysical store you will see what is referred to as “condition oils” or “formulas” such as Love Me, Follow Me Boy, Hot Foot, Crown of Success, Money Drawing…these are some of the tools of Hoodoo. In the 1930’s ther e was a spiritual supplies catalog called the King Novelty Company Curio Catalog. The catalog was delivered via mail and folks could order any type of oil, root, herb, incense or other curio they needed for a specific condition.

Aunt Caroline Dye

Images from King Novelty Catalogs The term condition or formulas can be confusing for people. Why are they called Condition Oils? To understand why the term is used you must understand the importance of a good Root Doctor in a black southern community. Having a good Root Doctor around was just as good as, if not better than, having a good medical doctor around. A Root Doctor could not only cure what ails you, like a belly ache or a sore back, but a good Root Doctor could cure a broken heart or make your husband stop cheating or do protection for your home. Doctor is used in the same way as a medical doctor - therefore there are conditions with symptoms and formulas that cure. 2 Copyright © 2013 Pumpkin Cottage Conjure/The Moonlit Sea No portion of this document can be copied or distributed without prior written consent of the author. Information shared here is based on folklore and tradition. Please use common sense and good judgment when performing magick. Always research herbs, oils and other curios before using. Always practice fire safety when burning candles and incense.


Christianity in Hoodoo

Hoodoo does incorporate the use of the Bible, mainly the psalms. There are various psalms used for various conditions or intentions and it is thought that the use of psalms proves the influence of Jewish mysticism in Hoodoo. Examples of psalms and their use in Hoodoo:  Psalm 3 - cure a headache or backache  Psalm 10 - protection  Psalm 31 - escape from slander  Psalm 94 - bring justice Popular Saints & Archangels used in Hoodoo:  St. Barbara – courage, strength  St. Ann – for peace  St. Joseph – for selling your home  St. Expedite – for urgent causes  Archangel Gabriel – for delivery of messages, communication  Archangel Michael – for protection It is worth noting here that St. Expedite is not an official Catholic Saint. He is a very popular Folk Saint whose real origins are unknown. People have been working with St. Expedite for a long time and have gotten favorable results. You can find his image and statues at most botanicas and even some Catholic Church gift shops that are in a neighborhood with a high Latino population. St. Expedite is petitioned for urgent causes such as if you need money for your rent or you will be kicked-out, or your electricity is off because you can’t pay the bill, or you are unemployed and need a job now. Petitioning St. Expedite for money to go on a cruise or to by a new car when you already have a working car isn’t going to get you results. When petitioning him it is traditional to place a glass of water, rum, and a slice of pound cake next to his candle and image. Tell him what you need and promise to pay him with more rum and cake and by also letting it be known the favor he has granted for you. Spreading St. Expedite’s name and publically praising him is most important. He loves when people know about him! Sometimes folks post on the Internet how wonderful St. Expedite has been to them. Often people post in the local newspaper a short note such as: “Thank you St. E for findin g me the money to pay my rent!” As with any Spirit paying what you promise is very important.

The Doctrine of Signatures

Hoodoo also incorporates what is called the Doctrine of Signatures. The Doctrine of Signatures is the philosophy that God marked everything with a sign or signature that would indicate it’s specific purpose. The look or shape of a plant or even where the plant grows was intended or imprinted by God for a specific purpose. Eyebright used to treat eye ailments. 3 Copyright © 2013 Pumpkin Cottage Conjure/The Moonlit Sea No portion of this document can be copied or distributed without prior written consent of the author. Information shared here is based on folklore and tradition. Please use common sense and good judgment when performing magick. Always research herbs, oils and other curios before using. Always practice fire safety when burning candles and incense.


The Doctrine of Signatures was popularized in the early 1600s and states that herbs, plants and roots that resemble certain parts of the body can be used to treat any ailment of that part of the body. The image on the right is a diagram from the Middle Ages showing the resemblance of the eye to the flower Eyebright, a plant used to treat eyesight problems. Other examples of The Doctrine of Signatures:

The Doctrine of Signatures in Food:

Deer’s Tongue (grass that resembles a tongue) used in Hoodoo for eloquence of speech if a person puts a piece under their tongue before a giving a speech or appearing in court.

Yarrow used in a poultice to heal wounds. It’s thought the tiny holes resemble punctures like in a wound.

Kidney beans are good for your kidneys.

Avocado strengthens the womb.

Ginger calms an upset stomach.

Lungswort used to treat lung ailments. The spots on the plant resemble spots on a diseased lung.

Bat nuts or devil pods are an interesting example of the Doctrine of Signatures. It is the seed pod of the Chinese salt water aquatic plant Trapa Bicornis. If you look at it you will see why it is called bat nut or devil pod, depending on how you look at it the pod resembles the head of a devil or a bat In China the bat is considered a lucky animal so the pod is often used for luck. They are roosted like chestnuts and the seeds are eaten to bring luck and good fortune. In America folks place the devil pod above doorways for protection or wear it as an amulet. In Hoodoo it is often used in mojo bags to break jinxes or in Run Devil Run spellwork. The fresh water variety is slightly different and is often found along the banks of 4 Copyright © 2013 Pumpkin Cottage Conjure/The Moonlit Sea No portion of this document can be copied or distributed without prior written consent of the author. Information shared here is based on folklore and tradition. Please use common sense and good judgment when performing magick. Always research herbs, oils and other curios before using. Always practice fire safety when burning candles and incense.


rivers. It is used for the same purpose. Tools of the Trade

Mojo Bags or mojo hands - these are traditionally made from red flannel usually cut from an old shirt. It is filled with plants, flowers, herbs, stones, roots, etc. that would be appropriate for the purpose. For example, a love mojo hand would include a lodestone with magnetic sand, rose petals, sugar and a personal concern

Personal Concerns - hair , body fluid, photo, business card, etc. This has the “essence” of a person on it and can be used for a variety of magickal workings.

Incense - used in Hoodoo and often carries the same names as many of the oils that you find. Various herbs, resins, flowers and woods are mixed together according to their purpose. The smoke can be used to attract or banish energy.

Spiritual Baths – are different then your regular sit in a tub and soak bath. Traditionally these baths were done by a Rootwork on a client. The worker would prepare the bath using holy/sacred water and herbs, roots, oils, minerals, etc. The worker would pray over the bath, often times using a verse from the Bible or a psalm. The client would stand naked in a basin or tub while the worker poured the bath over the client’s head a specific number of times. Then the worker would run their hands over the energetic field of the client ’s body in an upward motion to gain/attract energy such as love or money or in a downward motion to take off/repel energy such as a curse or illness. Other times the client would be sent home with the bath and specific instructions on how to perform the bath themselves using candles and prayers. Powders - easy to throw into the path of a person you are trying to hoodoo (such as a Follow Me Boy powder in the path of a man you want to attract) and are often used to dress papers such as legal documents or resumes to bring about the outcome you want.

5 Copyright © 2013 Pumpkin Cottage Conjure/The Moonlit Sea No portion of this document can be copied or distributed without prior written consent of the author. Information shared here is based on folklore and tradition. Please use common sense and good judgment when performing magick. Always research herbs, oils and other curios before using. Always practice fire safety when burning candles and incense.


Container spells – the most popular container spell is a honey jar. Honey jars are used to “sweeten” a person or situation to you. Arguing with your husband? Do a honey jar. Want your boss to give you a raise? Why not sweeten him with honey. Very simply a honey jar is a jar filled with honey and appropriate herbs, personal concerns, oils, etc. are added to it. Once all the ingredients are in the jar and sealed a candle is burned on top in the appropriate color for the work. Honey jars are prescribed for love spells and can also be very effective in legal/court case spells. Traditionally the color of the honey was matched to the color of the skin of the target. Other sweeteners were used too, such as molasses, Karo Syrup, or white sugar.

Dirt – is often used in Hoodoo. The most popular dirt used is from a cemetery. Cemetery dirt can be used for everything from healing to crossing. When doing graveyard work it is appropriate to pay the spirit whose grave you are using. Paying could be leaving a 9 shiny dimes, a flower, and/or a libation of water or alcohol. When it comes to cemetery work there are spiritual protections that one should incorporate into their journey. In Hoodoo people often cover their heads in a white scarf to protect their “crown chakra” from unwanted spirits attaching themselves to the head. Other precautions include: spiritual cleansing before and after the visit, wearing protective charms and amulets, walking out of a cemetery backwards, crossing water on your way home or taking a different route home. Dirt from different graves can be used for different workings. A solider’s grave dirt can be used for protection. Dirt from the grave of a criminal can be used for sneaky-tricks. There are other dirts that are useful in spellwork. Dirt from a bank, doctor’s office, hospital, police station/jail, wealthy person’s home, church, sacred sites, etc. are all good to have in your magickal cupboard. Candles

In Hoodoo candles are dressed in oils and herbs for the purpose. Fire is magickal in itself and can illuminate and call attention to a situation. Candle magick can be as simple as a candle lit next to a picture of a family member who is ill or as complex as a candle spell that involves a numerous candles that are lit and moved around over the course of a few days.

Different candle types: Novena Candles – also called chimney candles, 7-day candles, or vigil candles. The top of the candle is inscribed with names, phrases, and/or symbols and then herbs, powders and oils are added before burning. People also write on the glass of the candle. These candles can be bought with various labels and images of Saints too.



Taper candles - also called altar candles or church candles and are used by rubbing oils, powders and herbs on the candle. These come in one solid color and also come in two colors as shown to the left or three colos. The two color variety are called double-action or reversing candles and are used in reversing spellwork.

Generally double-action candles come in white/black, red/black, and green/black. Each color is for a different purpose (green/black to get rid of bad money juju). Double action candles are worked differently than solid color tapers. The wick end (usually the color end) of the candle is cut off to form a base, then the candle is reversed and on the other end (the black end) a new point is carved so the wick shows , this is called “butting” a candle. The candle is now “reversed” and burned from the black end first.

Triple action candles come in three colors and are burned vertically. The original wick end is kept intact and a second wick is carved on the other end. The candle is turned on its side and stuck on a nail or pin to hold it. Then the candle is literally burned at both ends. Triple action candles are burned for peace and blessings, typically for the home and family. They come in blue/white/red and green/white/red. 7 knob candles – sometimes called wish candles and are worked over a period of 7 days for various purposes. One intention or wish is inscribed into each knob of the candle and one knob is burned each day. These candles come in many different colors.



Figural – candles in various shapes and forms. Human figural candles come in different colors and can be used for healing, love reconciliation work, etc. Pyramid candles are burned for prosperity and wealth and often have trinkets and charms inside that can be used in mojo bags or amulets after the candle is burned. Cross or crucifix candles are used for protection and healing. Skull candles can be burned to get into someo ne’s head or for mental clarity. Color Correspondences/Symbolism Used in Hoodoo

These are some common situations that specific colors are used for candles and for other spellwork purposes. red ~ love, attraction, passion, vitality, good health, sexuality orange ~ encouragement, concentration, stimulation, road opening, dreams yellow ~ intuition, devotion, confidence, attraction, clarity of thought green ~ money, prosperity, luck, good harvest, business, job/work blue ~ peace, healing, blessing, harmony purple ~ power, spirit work, ambition, command white ~ faith, balance, spiritual blessings/strength, purity, healing pink ~ attraction, romance, friendship, morality brown ~ court cases/law, neutrality, special favors, clearing up uncertainty and doubt black ~ banishing/releasing, crossing, uncrossing. Double Action candles…

red and black ~ remove obstacles or energy blocking love, creativity and strength white and black ~ cleansing and purifying and removing negative energy green and black ~ remove obstacles or energy blocking money, job, career, health, success

Magickal Correspondences

Days of the Week

Lunar Phases

Sunday This day is ruled by the Sun, the color yellow, orange, gold and all solar deities. Sunday is a good day for magick concerning peace, harmony, riches, making friends, preventing conflicts, world leaders, friendships, learning and education, reason and strength.

New Moon Magic The new moon spans from the day of the new moon (when the first sliver of the moon can be seen) to three-and-a-half days after. The new moon is great for starting new ventures, making new moon wishes, beginning projects, birthing new ideas and other new beginnings. (New Moon and Dark Moon 8

Copyright © 2013 Pumpkin Cottage Conjure/The Moonlit Sea No portion of this document can be copied or distributed without prior written consent of the author. Information shared here is based on folklore and tradition. Please use common sense and good judgment when performing magick. Always research herbs, oils and other curios before using. Always practice fire safety when burning candles and incense.


Monday It is ruled by the power of the Moon, the colors white and silver and all lunar deities. This is a good day for magick, reconciliation, purity, dreams, messages, and female fertility.

are often interchanged.) Waxing Moon Magic The waxing moon spans from seven to fourteen days after the new moon. The waxing moon is best for constructive magick, such as love, wealth, success, courage, friendship, protection, luck or health.

Tuesday It is ruled by the planet Mars and the color red. This is a good day for magick concerning courage, hunting, conflict resolution, strength, war, vitality, power and logic.

Full Moon Magic The full moon spans from fourteen to seventeen-and-a-half days after the new moon. This is the best time for magick concerning prophecy, protection, and divination. Any spellwork that needs extra power should be done during the full moon

Wednesday It is ruled by the planet Mercury and the color purple. This is a good day for magick concerning self-improvement, divination, mystical insight, divination and resourcefulness. Thursday It is ruled by the planet Jupiter and the color blue. This is a good day for magick concerning money, success, minimizing greed, legal matters, loyalty, endurance, and luck. Alternatively, this day is also associated with the color green.

Waning Moon Magic The waning moon spans from three-and-a-half to ten-and-ahalf days after the full moon. The waning moon is used for elimination, decreasing and banishing magick.

Friday It is ruled by the planet Venue and the color green. This is a good day for magick concerning fertility, love, art, music, abundance, money. Alternatively, this day is also associated with the color pink.

Dark Moon Magic The dark moon (when the moon can’t be seen in the sky) spans from ten-and-a-half to fourteen days after the full moon. The dark moon is a time for banishing bad habits, cursing, binding spells, and inner work. (New Moon and Dark Moon are often interchanged.)

Saturday It is ruled by the planet Saturn and the color black. This is a good day for magick concerning motivation, hexing, banishing, understanding, and will.

Fixing a Candle for Any Purpose

1.

Clean the candle using a floral water, whiskey, lemon juice, holy water, etc. – a cotton ball is great for this, just soak the cotton ball and rub all over the candle…don’t forget to clean the top of the wax too! Candles sit on store shelves and collect dust and energy from other people, cleaning and cleansing that dust and energy is the best way to start a 9 Copyright © 2013 Pumpkin Cottage Conjure/The Moonlit Sea No portion of this document can be copied or distributed without prior written consent of the author.

Information shared here is based on folklore and tradition. Please use common sense and good judgment when performing magick. Always research herbs, oils and other curios before using. Always practice fire safety when burning candles and incense.


candle working. 2.

Carve name of intended person into the wax – use a bamboo skewer, pin, nail, pen, etc.

3.

Turn candle ¼ turn clockwise

4.

Carve your intention/purpose into the wax

5.

Poke 4 holes into the wax – use a bamboo skewer, pin, nail, screwdriver, etc.

6.

7.

Add herbs, powders, root bits, oils, etc. – sprinkle in a clockwise motion to attract, sprinkle in a counter-clockwise motion to repel/banish. | Pray over the candle

8.

Wrap your hand around the top of the candle and blow into the candle

9.

Cover the top of the candle with your hand

10. Make a fist with your other hand and lightly tap the hand over the candle 3 times 11. Remove your hand 12. Put a bit of oil on your finger and rub it along the rim of the glass 13. Your candle is now fixed and ready to burn

Candle for Healing

What you will need: Blue Novena / 7-Day Candle Something to Inscribe in the Candle Wax Healing or Blessing Oil 7 Healing Herbs such as Hyssop, Frankincense, Myrrh, Lavender, Rue, Rosemary, Life Everlasting 10 Copyright © 2013 Pumpkin Cottage Conjure/The Moonlit Sea No portion of this document can be copied or distributed without prior written consent of the author. Information shared here is based on folklore and tradition. Please use common sense and good judgment when performing magick. Always research herbs, oils and other curios before using. Always practice fire safety when burning candles and incense.


Skull Candle to Influence Someone

You will need: White Skull Candle Appropriate Herbs/Roots/Flowers At least 1 o Commanding/Controlling Herb Poppy Seeds o Appropriate Oil Petition/Name Paper Personal Concern/Photo  

  

This can be used to connect with someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time. It is also useful for students who are studyin g for a test or for general mental clarity. The ingredients may change slightly depending on the individual purpose. Create your name paper (see below) or write your targets name and intention.

How to Create a Name Paper Write your target’s name. Cross that name with your name. In a circle around the two names write your intention. DO NOT lift your pen/pencil from the paper. Keep writing in one continuous circle. Connect the last letter with the first letter. Then go back and cross “t’s” and dot “i’s”

On a heat safe dish place the petition/name paper. On top of that place the personal concern/photo. Carve the target’s name in the forehead of the skull candle. As you do say, “I name this candle (target’s name). As I tell th is candle to do, so shall (target’s name) do.” Above the name carve out a small hole (keep the wax from the hole). Pack the hole with some of the herbs and poppy seeds (save a pinch of each to sprinkle on top of the candle later). While packing the hole with the poppy seeds and herbs speak aloud your intentions to get into your target’s head and what thoughts you want your target to think. Take the wax that came from the hole and cover the hole and the herbs. With a match or lighter lightly melt the wax to seal the hole. Place the skull candle on the heat safe dish on top of the name paper and personal concern. Pour a few drops of the oil on top of the skull candle then sprinkle a pinch of the remaining herbs and poppy seeds on the skull candle. 11 Copyright © 2013 Pumpkin Cottage Conjure/The Moonlit Sea No portion of this document can be copied or distributed without prior written consent of the author. Information shared here is based on folklore and tradition. Please use common sense and good judgment when performing magick. Always research herbs, oils and other curios before using. Always practice fire safety when burning candles and incense.


Light the candle and say, “Light by fire. Fire by flame. You shall now be known by (target’s name) name.” Speak aloud your prayer or intentions again. Let the candle burn as long as you can. Make sure to practice fire safety and tend to the candle. Sometimes the herbs packed inside the candle can catch fire. So please don’t leave candles untended. If you must put the candle out, do so with a candle snuffer and say “Even though this flame is no longer lit, my desire still burns bright.” or something to that effect. As the candle is burning be sure to notice how it is burning. One side m ay melt more, it may hollow out or it m ay melt into a puddle of wax that resembles something. These could me signs and messages from the Spirits. Once the candle has finished burning; dispose of the remains at a crossroads or in a body of running water. Disposal of Spell Remains

How you dispose of spell remains (left over wax from a candle, bath water from a spiritual bath, etc.) is just as important as the ingredients that go into a spell. It is common in Hoodoo that the remains are disposed of at specific times or in a specific manner. For example, a spiritual bath for healing may be done before sunrise and the remaining bath water is thrown to the east toward the rising sun. This draws that healing energy to you. A poppet may need to be buried in a graveyard to put an end to something. People often bury old bad habits such as smoking or drinking by making a poppet of themselves doing that habit and burying it in a cemetery. A spell may be required to be buried for a specific amount of time and then dug up. Hoodooers often use plastic baggies or plastic containers to put the spell in and then bury it in the earth. Many spells call for the remains to be disposed of in running water to take the energy away; toilets, river, and oceans are often used for this purpose. Working the Crossroads

There is one spirit that is worked with widely by Hoodooers. This spirit is the Black Man at the Crossroads or simply the Dark Man or the Black Man. Black or dark isn’t necessarily associated with the color of the man’s skin, it simply means that it is a black, shadowy or dark figure. The Black Man at the Crossroads is sometimes confused with the Christian Devil or Satan but that is far from the truth when it comes to Hoodoo. He is the man who dwells at the crossroads. He is sometimes found in cemeteries as well. He is transformation and change and the keeper of the “in-between”. Because folks have connected The Black Man with the Devil this ceremony is often referred to as “selling your soul to the Devil”. Folks who want to gain a skill, usually a skill using their hands such as a musician or carpenter, go to the crossroads at midnight and do a ceremony over a number of nights to meet the black man. Depending on who you talk to this ceremony is done 3 nights, 9 nights, or 12 nights in a row. The person goes to a crossroads with the skill they want to learn, an offering for the Black Man (cigar, rum, whiskey, money, etc.) and they ask for the Black Man to help them. The person sits at the crossroads and works on their skill and waits for the Black Man to appear. Stories from folks who have done this ceremony have reported the Black Man coming to them in many forms; sometimes he is a dark shadowy figure, or in the form of a black dog/wolf, or an actual person dressed in black, or even a black car passing by. Often people report the Black Man 12 Copyright © 2013 Pumpkin Cottage Conjure/The Moonlit Sea No portion of this document can be copied or distributed without prior written consent of the author. Information shared here is based on folklore and tradition. Please use common sense and good judgment when performing magick. Always research herbs, oils and other curios before using. Always practice fire safety when burning candles and incense.


taking the items from the person’s hands and showing them how to use them properly. This is repeated each night for a number of nights and each night an offering is left at the crossroads as payment. This is a famous Hoodoo ceremony and it has been retold in blues music and movies. The 1980’s film “Crossroads” with Ralph Macchio touches on this subject. There is a famous story about a musician “selling his soul to the Devil”. Blues singer Robert Johnson claimed to have done this ceremony to learn to play the guitar. In later years, after research, historians have found out that it was Robert’s brother Tommy Johnson who actually did this ceremony but still the story is interesting to read about. Robert’s telling of the ceremony is as follows: "If you want to learn how to make songs yourself, you take your guitar and you go to where the road crosses that way, where a crossroads is. Get there, be sure to get there just a little 'fore 12 that night so you know you'll be there. You have your guitar and be playing a piece there by yourself...A big black man will walk up there and take your guitar and he'll tune it. And then he'll play a piece and hand it back to you. That's the way I learned to play anything I want." – from LuckyMojo.com The crossroads are used for disposal of spell remains too. A crossroad is traditionally a spot where two roads cross or the spot where three roads meet, usually out in the middle of nowhere. However, Hoodoo is adaptable and in modern times people use a four-way stop or a red light as a crossroads. Numbers in Hoodoo

Numbers play a big part in Hoodoo. Odd numbers are often used when creating spells or choosing ingredients (example: 7 herb bath created for luck or a 13 herb bath for healing). The thought behind using odd numbers is that it will trick or fake-out anyone trying to do work against you. Traditionally 3, 5, 7, 9 and 13 are numbers often used in hoodoo. To Sum it Up 

Hoodoo is a traditional folk magick practice brought to America by African slaves. It has influences from Native American spiritual practices, Jewish m ysticism and European folk lore.

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Hoodoo can be a benefit to anyone of any religion.

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It is a verbal tradition and best learned from a respected practioner. Hoodoo is definitely NOT one of those things you can’t learn from a book…no matter how good the book is .

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Hoodoo is best learned by practice, study, talking with practioners, learning hands on, and more practice.

Resources and References used for class: LuckyMojo.com MyHoodooSpace.Ning.com Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic by Catherine Yronwode Conjure in African American Society by Jeffrey Anderson Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones by Stephanie Rose Bird Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells by Judika Illes Powers of the Psalms by Anna Riva Spiritual Cleansing by Draja Mickaharic The Master Book of Candle Burning by Henri Gamache 13 Copyright © 2013 Pumpkin Cottage Conjure/The Moonlit Sea No portion of this document can be copied or distributed without prior written consent of the author. Information shared here is based on folklore and tradition. Please use common sense and good judgment when performing magick. Always research herbs, oils and other curios before using. Always practice fire safety when burning candles and incense.

Intro Hoodoo

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