CommonPlace/Grimoire

Just reblogs of stuff

[hoodoogardens]

Don’t sleep on the simplest ingredients. When I tell you...the most POWERFUL cleansing/banishing I ever did, was just setting a bunch of black pepper on fire! Whew! It felt like I had gone into a trance, and then I got soooo fatigued but in clean feeling type of way. So I remember telling myself “just go to sleep. There must be a message for you.” Sure enough I had an incredibly vivid, prophetic dream. In hoodoo, black pepper is used in Hot Foot Powder and Goofer Dust.

[cuntatthecrossroads]

Methods of Divination in Hoodoo

While divination methods vary from practitioner to practioner, family to family, and region to region, there are some common threads when it comes to divination tools/methods in Hoodoo. This is by no means meant to serve as an exhaustive list.

Reminder: Hoodoo is for BLACK PEOPLE ONLY

BONES: “Throwin’ Bones” is a common Hoodoo divination method. A bone set consists of not only ritually collected animal bones, but sometimes shells, jewelry, small family heirlooms, coins, dice, other animal parts, etc. The bones are thrown and depending on where/how they land, an answer or message is determined. Bone divination existed in many ancient cultures all over the world, including cultures of the African continent, and enslaved African preserved this practice in the New World.

DICE: Divination with dice on their own is also common in Hoodoo. Most practicioners use a combination of numerology and intuition to decipher the message. Various groups of ancient Africans developed complex numerical systems and systems of numerical divination that they brought with them to the New World.

PLAYING CARDS: Many ancient civilizations, including societies all over Africa, had some form of cards for playing games as well as divination. Enslaved African people from various groups brought with them the knowledge of and philosophies about cards. When they arrived in the New World, only Western Style playing cards were available to them. Hoodoos and other Black cartomancers used intuition, ancestor contact, and African derived numerology to determine messages using playing cards.

***A Word About Tarot*** While many Hoodoo practioners are also skilled and successful tarot readers, tarot is NOT a part of traditional, authentic Hoodoo. It’s totally fine for Hoodoos to use tarot, but it should be noted that tarot is a separate practice, not to be conflated with Hoodoo. HOWEVER, it should be noted that the art on the deck known as the traditional Rider-Waite tarot deck was drawn by a biracial Black woman, Pamela Coleman Smith. This fact is often erased in contemporary tarot discourse. As such, it is now commonplace among Black spiritualists to refer to the traditional tarot deck as the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. Smith also illustrated several books of Jamaican and African folklore, if y’all wanna check that out.

DREAMS: Many Hoodoos use dreams or dream like trances to divine answers and seek ancestral guidance. Some have the gift of prophetic dreaming, others the gift of dream interpretation. Enslaved Africans brought with them their own folklore and omens to decipher the meaning of dreams. We all know it’s common among Black folks for your mom or grandma to have a dream about some fish, and that means somebody in the family is pregnant. They’re rarely ever wrong LOL.

COINS: Similar to throwing bones, it is also common in Hoodoo for a set number of coins to be thrown, and a message or answer determined by where and/or how the coins fall.

[hoodoospells]

Mojo Bags and How they work

This are 13 fail safe mojo bag recipes to fulfil your hearts truest desires. From love to safe travel there is something in this book for almost any situation of your life.

All of these Mojo bags are designed for ease of use, I formulated them so it would be easy for any individual starting out to find the ingredients and make the bag.

The bags recipes are all structured the exact same:

The color of the bag that is relevant to your situation.

A stone or crystal that is holds magic properties that pertain to what the bag is for.

If available, an object that symbolizes what the bag will be used for.

A Taglock (fingernail clippings, hair strands and even spit) to make it yours

A pen and paper to write down what you want from your Mojo bag.

An herb mixture with all ingredients being relevant

And the Obsidian Stone, to ward off any negative energy that could come into contact with your Mojo bag.

Altogether, it will make a powerful mixture for any of the situation that you need a little Mojo for!

But there are thousands of ways to make a mojo bag. The recipes in this book are merely the easiest way to do it.

Though not all of the ingredients have to be placed in the bag to work, it’s best for it to be plenty and for the number of ingredients that go into the bag to be an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc…) Just to make it more powerful.

The best place to find some of the more obscure ingredients is online. By google searching any stone or herb you will find many shops that will sell it. The herbs and stones in this book will run you from mere cents to 5 dollars.

What Is A Mojo Bag?

In general, a mojo bag or mojo hand, as it is also commonly called, is a mix of ingredients stored in a pouch to help promote your desired outcome of a situation.

OK, so it’s more than just some random junk in a bag, a mojo bag becomes part of you from the moment you breathe life into it until you give it a proper burial.

There are many ways you can make a mojo bag. It’s not a clear cut spell, or a scientific experiment where you have to mix exact parts or it fails.

So in fact these recipes are more guidelines you can add or subtract as much as you want. Your mojo bag is alive and working for you so you need to take care of it properly, feeding it, storing it, and burying it from beginning to end.

Naming Your Mojo Bag

When you name your mojo bag, you’re doing two things: 1, you are personalizing it for yourself and making it your own, and 2, you are bringing it to life and giving it a personality.

So the name, whatever you choose should be something you like and as another personal touch can be tied to what the bag is for.

For example, if you make a love mojo bag, try naming it something like Aphrodite or Cupid. And if you make a safe travel mojo bag, a good name for it would be Christopher as he’s the patron saint of travel.

Either way you decide to name you mojo bag. It should be a unique experience for you and your bag to develop a close and personal relationship.

Making Your Mojo Bag

If you don’t have a little felt drawstring pouch most mojo bag makers would advise you buy one. However, I like making my own mojo bags as it’s more personal and let’s face it, cheaper!

To make your own you will need to a piece of fabric that’s 6 inches by 6 inches of the specific color that correlates with what you are making the bag for. And you will also need a piece of twine or a cord for tying the bag up.

Place all the ingredients into the center of the fabric and when your finished just gather the ends and tie it up, super simple and a more personal touch than just buying a felt bag.

Feeding Your Mojo Bag

To keep your Mojo Bag fat and happy you should feed it on average two or three times a week. You could even feed it every day, however you should note that if you forget to feed it on the regular schedule that it may not work as well. A grumpy mojo bag is not ideal when we need it to work.

You can feed it numerous ways; the most popular is anointing the bag with oil. The oils can be found all over the internet with a simple internet search. You would take your bag and place 5 small dots of oil on it like how you would see on dice.

My favorite way to feed mojo bags is with an incense stick. Just light it up and let the smoke surround the bag. You can also do this with a cigarette if you are a smoker.

Burying Your Mojo Bag

When you are done with your mojo bag and it’s done its job well, you’ll need to send it off properly. It has done you a great service and it’s only fitting that you treat it with respect. There are a few ways that you can perform this action.

You can go to a flowing river and after saying a few words of thanks and remembrance send it downstream.

Another good way is to bury your Mojo Bag is to take it outside at night and bury it your backyard. Mojo bags like the dark so it would be fitting to have a night funeral.

Throwing it in the trash is a big sign of disrespect, and anyone or anything that could be watching you may not be very forgiving.

[ife-mi-blog]

Van Van Oil

This is used for purification, blessings, and the removal of negative energies in your home. Most floor washes and mojo bags need Van Van Oil.

Items:

16 parts lemongrass oil

8 parts citronella oil

1 part vetivert oil

1 part palmarosa oil

A handful of lemongrass

The first two are the most important. You can leave out the other two if you have to, but you’ll have a more powerful oil if you can get a hold of all 4 ingredients.

Blend everything and bottle it. Let the mixture sit in a dark place for at least a week.

[ozarkhealingtraditions]

Taking Care of Toby: Spirit Hands in Hoodoo and Conjure

From my blog, Necro-Beard Conjure

In this brief post I’d like to talk a little bit about hands. Now, of course we’re not talking about our physical hands, but instead the hoodoo and conjure notion of spirit hands, objects and items that can help us do things that we can’t physically do. The word toby refers to a certain kind of hand,what we in Hoodoo and Conjure also like to call a mojo bag, gris-gris, wanga, gregory, or simply a hand. But while all of these concepts might often be lumped in together, it’s important to note the differences in these ideas, mostly based upon regional beliefs and practices.

Let’s start off with a brief understanding of what exactly a hand is. First and foremost a hand is a spirit, it’s a conscious entity that specializes in certain kinds of magic. There are hands for everything under the sun, from love, luck, and healing, to hands to make your enemies bend down to you, and even hands to kill. Because these spirits are considered non-physical entities, they must then inhabit an object for safekeeping. Just like the spirit pots, containers for hands act as the spirit’s home and are respected as such. The spirit remains in their container until called upon by the conjurer. Also, because these hands are considered conscious entities, they have desires that must be met. This most often takes the form of alcohol or perfume offerings that are used to feed the spirit of the hand. These offerings are physically rubbed on the hands as a way of feeding the spirit inside. This process may be accompanied by prayers, or a brief conversation with the hand (a common occurring phenomena among the conjurers we see interviewed in works like Hyatt’s Hoodoo, Conjure, Rootwork, and Witchcraft).

A hand can be made from any object, but commonly used items in hoodoo and conjure are natural objects like roots, nuts, rocks, bones, skulls, feet, etc. and sometimes these objects are chosen based upon something odd in their shape, color, or other physical characteristics. Examples of this choosing process can be seen with hands like the lucky hand root also called Salep root, which is one or more species of the Orchis genus, which is commonly shaped like a human hand. Other examples are the bat head root or the devil pod, which is also commonly known as the water caltrop, and the always-popular Adam and Eve root, which is thought to resemble male and female genitalia. All of these objects are considered perfect containers for hands, but in the end it’s not just about the container, but also about the spirit inside.

This brings me back to the most common hands in hoodoo and conjure, the toby, mojo, jomo, wanga, gregory, gris-gris etc. So, what differentiates between these words? Well, not a lot actually, as most of these words refer to similar concepts. All of these are hands in the end, but what separates the words the most, it seems, is regional variation. From Louisiana over to the tip of Florida we most often see the use of gris-gris and wanga in reference to this specific hand, this is most likely because of the influence coming in from Haiti and other French speaking places (although both of these words are not of French origin, but are most likely French corruptions of Fon or Kongo words). In old accounts of conjure we see the terms wanga doctor and wangateur/wangateuse coming out of these same areas. Gregory is a corruption of gris-gris and can be found in use along with mojo or jomo from Arkansas up into Missouri. Toby is a word that tends to only be used on the east coast, in places like the Carolinas. Although these may mark the places of origin of these terms, examples of all of them have been found throughout the South due to the movement of conjure terms from one area to another.

Despite the differences in terminology the importance of these hands remains the same. In interviews from Hyatt’s works we see that the conjurer and their hands are linked in a symbiotic relationship where the conjurer gains superhuman abilities and the spirit of the hand gets offerings and purpose in return. Neglect of this relationship most often results in the spirit of the hand leaving the service of the conjurer. For some this is a devastating occurrence. In one interview I remember from Hyatt we see a conjurer who made the mistake of neglecting to give his hand a bit of whiskey every Tuesday, the hand left his service and the man was ruined. The tragedy of the situation wasn’t in the loss of power, but that the man had felt he had sold his soul for the hand and was left in the situation of not only being unable able to find another hand but also facing sure damnation after his death. Depending upon the relationship the conjurer has with their hands, the spirit may be inclined to return to a penitent soul, but I have to say, in my own experience this isn’t a common occurrence.

Hands mark an important relationship between the physical and spiritual worlds. This relationship, like any other, is one that must be cultivated and taken care of. Neglecting the spirits who inhabit these hands is an insult, and in the eyes of conjurers and root workers it’s one of the worst things you can do to yourself and your power.   

[storiesandconjure]

Just to note specifically, depending on the worker, Gris Gris and Wanga specifically can be used to refer to general workings within New Orleans Voodoo and Hoodoo. Wanga itself is also a word used for magical workings in Haitian Traditions, alongside Travay, which just means work as I’ve seen sevites call it. 

The bag variation is the most popular, but gris gris and wanga can also be dolls, bottles, powders, anything. Especially that which is done in conjunction with good spirits (ie. the saints, Lwa, Orisha, Angels, and Mighty Dead, etc.) within a New Orleans context.

From there on trickles specific practices like Zombi bottles, Voodoo doll babies, Pakets etc (some of which are influenced by Haitian influxes, some of which are local to New Orleans).

[upyrica]

Playing card fortune telling - card meanings

These are the meanings I personally favour, anyway, inspired by the local tradition, with Lenormand associations added. Keep in mind the cards are to be read in combinations - that is, the meaning of each one shall be influenced or even reversed by those around it.

♣ Clubs - matters of legal, professional, or social significance.

6 - Rest or slow development, preparations, gathering information. Taking it seriously, sometimes too much so. Work-related or long distance trips. Cross. 7 - Discussions, news, change of opinion. Information has influence on the future. Effort. Work meetings, official letters. Mice. 8 - Presence of and help from an influential person. Important meetings, the need for objectivity and open mind. The events are significant for your future. Mountain. 9 - Development in previously started endeavours. Money. Patience, work, doing what you have to do for success rather than acting on feelings. Being open to possibilities. Fox. 10 - Positive changes, likely financial. Trouble is temporary. Bear. Jack - Energetic youth. Changes of moods and circumstances, sometimes troublesome. An offer of help, enthusiasm. Rod. Queen - Self-sufficiency, wit, competency. Ambition, experience, a middle-aged, influential woman. Somebody wise, yet proud and easily offended. A person the relationships with whom are not ideal, perhaps due to their power and experience. Snake. King - A respected, older man. Success, timely help, influence. Confidence. Somebody who is good to those he loves, and ruthless with others. Clouds. Ace - News in financial or legal matters, beneficial unless the other cards suggest otherwise. New ideas or endeavours. Surprise gifts. A visit to a wealthy home. Autumn or evening. Ring.

♦ Diamonds - finances and material well-being.

6 - Fulfillment of wishes, support of higher powers. Optimism, being rooted in reality enough to acknowledge responsibility. A pleasant journey or one that shall happen soon. Thrift, moving on from relationships. Clover. 7 - Pleasant conversations, celebrations, small gifts, dreams, projects. Rightful respect of those around you. Keeping a head on your shoulders, trusting your gut. Birds. 8 - Improvement in material or professional area. Luck, pragmaticism, a serious approach, physicality, honesty. Key. 9 - Personal needs a priority, independence, drastic improvement, new opportunities. The situation has something to do with money. Too much focus on the self when connection with others is needed. Coffin. 10 - Success, winnings, findings, open mind. Company of like-minded individuals. A journey, especially for work. Book. Jack - Support and consolation. Pleasant troubles.  An individual knowledgeable in finances and able to take care of themselves, but possibly untrustworthy. Short-term relationships, friendship based on being useful for each other. Scythe. Queen - A caring helper. A younger woman, a friend. Somebody well-meaning, yet not without troubles and doubts of their own, perhaps inexperienced. Choices: having to choose well, being careful with advices. Effort to balance wealth and ethics. Paths. King - Plans coming true as expected. A person with a complicated personality, one who should be treated carefully and not fully trusted. Knows his way around money. Having values, expressing them in action. Son of an older querent. Fish. Ace - Finishing projects, financial improvement. Papers and documents. Success, bravery. News. Daytime or summer. Sun.

♥ Hearts - love, friendship, and positive emotions.

6 - Hopes, dreams, plans, luck, joy, harmony. A fast, pleasant trip happening soon, a walk, a meeting of friends or lovers. With negative cards, being too optimistic. Stars. 7 - Intuition, prophetic dreams, communication, cooperation, trust. Energetic, optimistic, physically healthy. A change for the better. Tree. 8 - Sudden changes, discussions, something will make you happy. Friendly people. Need for stability. Moon. 9 - Joy, satisfaction, emotional independence. Somebody shall bring news. Infatuation, acting on the feelings. Movement. Rider. 10 - Dreams, plans, expectations. Anticipation. One on whom well-being depends. Love and happiness, a wedding. Dog. Jack - Pleasant company. An emotional, romantic person, a lover of pleasure. Troubles that may be devoid of reason altogether. Lover, fidelity. Need for stability and pragmatism. Heart. Queen - A loving, experienced, married woman. Sometimes, the querent. Changes, as a rule positive, but significant in any case. Voice of reason. A good friend. Emotional comfort, selfless help. Stork. King - Unexpected meetings, guests. A reliable situation. An older man, attractive, with a pleasant personality. A married man. Vastly improves the situation if negative cards are present. A trusted person, a social worker. Somebody with serious intentions, or at least they think so. House. Ace - Emotions, meeting new people, visiting a married couple. Intuition. Triumph, self-respect. A new romance. A man significant for the querent. Home. Spring, morning. Man.

♠ Spades - misfortune and trouble.

6 - Boredom. Future uncertain. Receiving something, usually information. A long or long-awaited trip, or one late at night. Tower. 7 - Satisfaction, defending a position. Documents. Meaning largely depends on surrounding cards. Letter.  8 - Conversations, often late at night, drinking, possible associated arguments and fights. Official events. Safety assured if surrounded by influential people, being taken care of. Achieving one’s goals with difficulty. Frivolty and its consequences. Garden. 9 -  Illness, trauma, quarrels, loss, news of death. Being steadfast when facing complications. Anchor. 10 - Restrictions, failure, illness, disagreements. Travels, change of plans. Outcome depends on the other cards and one’s ability to act wisely when challenged. Ship. Jack - Illness of another, meaningless worries, pointless conversations. Childishness, irresponsibility, crudeness and bluntness. An individual who is naive and trusting, yet unable to behave or reason, lacking in intelligence or experience in professional or social matters, and therefore untrustworthy. Child. Queen - An older, unfriendly woman. A witch or witchcraft. Anger, rivalry. Preventing success. Ends justify means. Visual attractiveness. Manipulation. Bouquet. King - An older, well-to-do man. A superior at work. Somebody self-centered, rough, focused on power and influence, unwilling to care about feelings of others. Achieving success is possible if the right method is chosen. Legal troubles. Lily. Ace - News, loss, big events causing anxiety. Sudden happenings. Possibly a large, loud celebration. Strong feelings and attachment cause problems. Secretiveness, forcefulness, being closed off. Night or winter. Woman.

[revpapaj]

How To Use Petition Paper.

In this post we're going to talk about how to actually make a petition paper with in Hoodoo.

Now there many ways people make a petition and I've been asked about this subject a few times and I get it, I've seen the videos, and herd about the books and in reality all of it is hype. People marketing on this subject and over complicating the work. When the work is over complicated and you don't understand it then you won't do it right or at all. Then you end up paying for someone to do it for you or you buy one of there kits to use for whatever.

So im going to give you the step by step how to write a petition paper, why I doing it this way and why the other ways are incorrect in my opinion.

To understand this you should want to be apart of this community and 2nd to understand about African cosmology and how it is set up when it comes to things like this. When you look at the veves of voodoo or patipemba or firmas of Palo all of these patterns have a meaning. These symbols is a language it's not really a sigil but a signature for the spirit. It's a way to direct the spiritual forces in a direction that you ask them to go. They are used to call upon, recognize, and honor our ancestors and the spirit of Africa itself.

So what I want is for all to keep this in mind. When working with petition paper its the same thing as a symbol. It's not just writing a name on a piece of paper but its much more but it's not complicated.

Get you self a brown piece of paper you can find some it at the store or buy some then tear it in a squares. (don't cut it) Originally, petitions were written on cloth or brown paper bags. This kinds of paper and cloth is what were easily accessible to the slaves and lower income witch doctors that practiced the ancient rite. As time went on, it was realized that paper has its own energy and the use of the paper can also affect the spell. (But if you can't find the brown paper white would do)

First: Remember the numbers 3, 5, 7 and 9.

3 & 5 Attracts. 7 protects. 9 repels.

Let me use an example let's say 9, let's say you want to repel someone. You'll write the client's name on the paper 9 times. Them your or the client's name 9 time, Now I know it's said to turn the paper to the side a writ your name in a cross pattern. NO. You want your name to pierce or slice theirs like a knife. If your work was to cause confusion you will right there name nine times then write the word confusion across their name because I want confusion to be attached to them. Same thing with domination work, write it across their name.

Let say your doing work for love, money etc. If you want that to come to you or to another your woud write the name 3 times or use 5 or 7. But we'll use 3 for this example. You're right the name three times and in between those names in between the spaces of the name you will place the word love three times or money three times because you are bringing in that work you're bringing in that blessing of love and money or to you or to a client.

Now the key is when folding it and I know you all herd that if you fold it away from you it's for negative and if you fold it towards you it's for good. Stop 🛑. It's Bulls #@. That's the kind of stuff that's been marketed for you to believe.

I want you to remember you are steering the spirit, So in a way this petition paper is a spell in its own. So when working you're steering the spirits. This paper in a way is opening a way through the other side so the spirit that you are working with can understand what you are doing if that makes sense.

Last: The folding. If you can not get to a cross roads mark 5 dots on the paper. (Think of it as a makeshift crossroads) One in the middle, and one at each corner then you fold it in those spots. Again remember it doesn't have to be perfect the spirit doing the working with you is perfect.

[thewitchsheart]

Mojo Bags - Howto

Mojo Bags - HowTo.

Most people in the magickal community have heard of mojo bags, but they can be very confusing, with so many people saying so many different things. In the How-to below, I will be giving you, my version of Mojo bags. This may not be the most “normal” way, it may not be your way, but this is a method of making mojo bags and I hope that this is able to clarify and clear up the very confusing world of mojo bags, a little bit.

Ingredients :

A suedette bag - preferably red (traditional), or a colour that related to your intent (modern). Herbs - one or a few that relate to your intent. Crystals - One of many that relate to your intent (again), they are often added in “magick” numbers, or in numbers that relate to your intent. Paper and Pen - this is for your sigil, symbol, rune, of phrase. Tokens - commonly used in more traditional mojo bags, a small token such as a four leaf clover charm of a lock of hair can be added depending on your intent (optional).

How-To:

Find a quiet space where no one will disturb you - this is very important.

1) Choose a suedette bag, suedette is chosen because it stops herbs from falling out of the bag, which is incredibly useful. The traditional colour of a mojo bag is red, but if you don’t have red or you would rather relate the colour to what you are doing then pick a related colour, such as: Yellow for intelligence, green for luck/money.

2) Pick out your herbs, you can use one or many, but they need to relate to what you are doing so check up the herb lists on this website, or a good book (e.g. Scott Cunninghams-Encyclopedia of magical Herbs) for all the uses of each herb. Once chosen they need to be mixed together or ground, depending on their size, I use a prestle and mortar to do both; while you are mixing the herbs you need to infuse them with your intent, before adding them to the bag.

3) Next you can pick out a collection of crystals (chippings, points, small wands, tumble stones), whatever you have around. It is common to add them in magickal numbers such as 1, 3, 7, 13, but for a mojo bag 1-3 is fine unless they are very small chippings. However, in some cases, such as love spells, it may be best to add in 2 crystals, to symbolise the two people. Hold the chosen crystals in your hand and infuse them with intent before adding them into the bag.

4) The next step is to create a phrase/word/symbol/rune or sigil that you can add into the bag to physcially show your intent. Which ever option/s you choose depends on what you feel most comfortable with or most drawn to, but they should be drawn/written onto the paper in either black or a corresponding colour ink. While you are creating the phrase/symbol/rune/sigil/word, you must infuse your intent with it before placing it into the bag.

5) The adding of tokens is something that is commonly done in the old way of mojo bag creation, less commonly used today, it can be missed off if you feel it suitable to do so. The adding of tokens is to add in items that have symbolism, for example if you want to reconnect with a lost friend you could add in a piece of jewellery of theirs, if you want to bring luck, you may want to add in a small four leaf clover charm. Before you do anything you must infuse it with your intent and then place it either in the bag, or with charms you can sew them onto the outside of the bag with corresponding coloured thread.

6) Finally you can seal up your mojo bag, by pulling the drawstrings and tying them around the bag, ensuring it will stay sealed. Despite the bag being full, it is not yet “alive”. Begin by infusing the whole bag with your intent, then you have to “feed” it. This is done with oil or incense, whichever you have available, but they must relate to your intent.

For incense , simply light the incense allowing it to glow red before blowing it out. Pass the mojo bag through the smoke several times, while infusing it with intent.

For oil , simply add a few drops of the corresponding oil onto the bag, infusing it with intent - this can be done by massaging it in with your fingers or by simply holding the bag.

8) You must keep the bag touching you for the first week or so (I tie a piece of string around it and wear it around my neck, some people put them in bras, even boxers, or you can cheat a little and keep it in your pocket for 2 weeks), after that the bag can go under your pillow or by your bed for the length of time it takes to work - this can be anything from a few weeks/months to years, depending on the spell. During this time you must keep “feeding” the bag with oil or incense and keep fusing it with your intent every week, to keep it “alive”.

Note : Do not let anyone see or touch the bag - if it is seen then you can bring it back to life by feeding it again, however, if it is touched then the bag is considered “dead” and you will have to start again.

I hope this helps someone in creating their own mojo bags, I find this method incredibly useful.

[spiritroots]

The Hoodoo Library

After weeks of continuous writing, research, and all-nighters, the original Hoodoo Masterpost has officially evolved into the Spirit Roots Hoodoo Library!

The Hoodoo Library is a growing collection of tutorials, traditional recipes, directories, and databases of information on everything from traditional Southern black belt hoodoo to modern urban rootwork. All content within the Library is created by and for black rootworkers, which means that all sources of information about hoodoo come from black rootworkers only.

The Library mostly contains original content written by me, but it also features quotes and posts from other black authors, scholars, and rootworkers that are fully credited as a shareable/rebloggable embedded post or via a citation.

>>> 🌿 JUJU BABY ZONE

A space dedicated to answering the age-old question, “How do I get started with practicing hoodoo?” These articles and guides are specifically for those new to the traditions of rootworking.

Hoodoo Dictionary: A guide to terminology and concepts

Hoodoo History: An overview of the tradition’s origins and development

Hoodoo vs. Witchcraft: The key differences (and overlap!)

Ancestral Foundations: The important role that our ancestors play

Basic Hoodoo Skills: A summary of key skills for rootworking

Petition & Prayers: Understanding how we communicate with Spirit

Crossroads & Road Opening: The role of the crossroads

Mojos, Hands, & Spirit Bottles: A deep dive into one of the most powerful hoodoo practices

Psalms in Hoodoo: The complex history behind the usage of Psalms

>>> 💫 HOW TO HOODOO

A gallery of tutorials and walkthroughs on rootworking techniques, skills, and methods. You’ll find step-by-step instructions for different traditional techniques and in-depth explanations of hoodoo methodology.

How to Contact Ancestors: A simple guide to making and building a relationship with your ancestors

How to Set Up Altars: Step-by-step through the process of constructing your own altar whether it’s for prosperity, love, or to honor your ancestors

How to Time Workings: A walkthrough of the hoodoo perspective on using times of the day, days of the week, and lunar cycles

How to Work the Crossroads: Tips, tricks, and traditions for working the crossroads, road opening, and meeting crossroads spirits

How to Read Playing Cards: Background on the role of divination in hoodoo and how to use this traditional rootworker’s divination tool

How to Write Petition Papers: Tutorial for writing and working petitions

How to Use Florida Water: An overview of the many different ways to use this popular cologne

How to Work Candles: An in-depth guide through the process of shaping, dressing, and working a candle the hoodoo way

How to Work Mojos & Spirit Bottles: Working mojos and spirit bottles, including awakening and feed their spirits

How to Dominate: Essential tips and tricks for putting the roots on someone to be under your control

>>> 📖 BOOK OF ROOTS

Recipes and instructions for working the roots, including a wide range from traditional Southern black belt methods to many of Yejide’s personal recipes as well as from other modern black rootworkers!

Altar Designs: Layouts and suggestions for ancestor altars, shrines for saints or spirits, or working altars for prosperity and love

Types of Dirt: Traditional uses of dirt in hoodoo and how to collect them

Cologne & Perfume Recipes: How to make your own Florida Water, Hoyt’s Cologne, and Kananga Water

Honey & Sugar Workings: Recipes and instructions for sweetening work

Spiritual Bath Recipes: Traditional and modern spiritual bath recipes

Mojo Bag Recipes: Southern black belt recipes for making mojos

Oil Recipes: YYejide’s classic oil recipes including Van Van, Fiery Wall of Protection, and “Come to Me”

Powder & Dust Recipes: How to make both traditional and modern varieties of hoodoo powders and types of dust

Hoodoo Psalms: Correspondences for the Psalms

Symbols & Sigils: An overview of different symbols across African traditions and a list of Afrocentric sigils

Card Spreads & Decks: Cartomancy spreads designed for rootworkers

>>> 🌳 HOODOO HERB DATABASE

The Hoodoo Herb Database currently includes over 70 different species of plants and natural materials traditionally used by black rootworkers.

Master List: All the entries in the whole database listed out in alphabetical order

Usage List: For entries where potential or traditional hoodoo usages are known, they are listed by type of working or properties

>>> 🗺️ ROOTWORK DIRECTORY

As a rootworker, it’s invaluable to know where you can safely learn more about the traditions and where to purchase supplies or readings. In this curated directory, you’ll only find black-owned blogs, websites, and businesses!

Books: Well-known works on hoodoo with commentary and information about the sources to uplift black authors and encourage critical reading

Websites & Blogs: Black rootworkers who share tutorials and information on hoodoo through their websites and blogs

Shops: Black-owned businesses and diviners

>>> ☕ THE NOOK

The Library is maintained and hosted by Yejide, but it will always be created for, inspired by, and guided by the needs, interests, and requests of the broader black rootworking community. The Nook is a space dedicated to Library subscribers for getting involved by sharing feedback and submitting content.

Feedback Surveys: The Library will continue to grow and evolve in the directions that the community wants to see

Content Submission: There are ways both big and small where subscribers can contribute (and be fully credited for the help!)

PROTECTED ACCESS

The Library is protected in order to keep all this content in the hands of those who truly can practice hoodoo. Only people of African descent have the ancestral link to rootworking traditions that is necessary to practice them (see more on this here).

To get access to the Library, please create an account on the Library main page here. You will see further instructions there, but feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I’m happy to help (:

Updated January 3rd, 2020. Stay tuned for future updates. See disclaimer.

[spiritroots]

Happy New Years!! It’s the first year anniversary of the Hoodoo Library, so I saved up and invested in upgrading the website to keep the content more securely protected and make access requests way faster to process. You can now create an account on the site and use your own personal password to access the Hoodoo Library. No more monthly passcodes going forward (:

In this first year, alongside hundreds of access requests, there was also an outpouring of amazing stories and folks’ personal journeys to studying and practicing rootwork and what it means to them. Thank you for sharing and inspiring me on my learning journey as well <3 Wishing yall the best and many blessings for 2020!

[365daysawitch]

Playing Cards Divination

If you donot have your own set of tarot/oracle cards. you can use normal playing cards instead!

How to

Use them just like oracle/tarot cards. First charge the deck, you do this by holding them in your dominant hand and pushing your energy into them, then touch each card one by one. fan the deck out in your non-dominant hand and ask for guidance and clear readings (from who ever you want readings to be influenced by, eg: god/dess, universe, spirits) From here I like to start with a little game to make sure the cards are giving me accurate readings, pick a person you know really well, then ask the deck for a card that represents that person the best, find the meaning, and if the card is accurate you’re good to go. if not cleanse it in the moon light or under salt then try again (you can skip this step, it just lets me know my cards are accurate and it also shows me a bit of the personality of the deck) Now you are ready for your reading, you can do a simple single card draw for advise to keep in mind for the day, or a 3 card draw 1- past 2-present 3- future, there are of cause a bunch of very complicated card spreads and alot of simple once, they aren’t hard to find

Meanings

Hearts

Ace A love letter, or some other pleasant news (reversed: A visit from a friend) King  A fair, liberal man (reversed: A meeting with disappointment) Queen A mild, amiable woman (reversed: Possibility of having been crossed in love) Jack A carefree bachelor who thinks only of pleasure (reversed: A discontented man, possibly connect with the military) Ten Triumph, happiness (reversed: slight anxiety) Nine Satisfaction, joy, success (reversed: A passing annoyance) Eight  A fair persons affection (reversed: indifference) Seven Pleasant thoughts, tranquility (reversed: tedium, weariness, boredom)  Six A sea voyage, good luck (reversed: sudden change of fortune) Five Dreams of great significance (reversed: jealousy) Four An engagement to be wed (reversed: difficulty in choosing between two lovers  Three Trust your instincts (reversed: danger of trouble through lack of prudence)  Two Great success (reversed: exercise caution in business dealings) 

Diamonds (make a small mark on these cards so you can tell if they are reversed) 

Ace  A letter soon to be received (Reversed: a letter containing bad news) King A fair man who can be cunning and dangerous (reversed: A very great threat caused by him) Queen An ill-bred, scandal-loving woman (Reversed: she is to be feared) Jack An unfaithful friend or employee (reversed: will cause many problems) Ten A relocation of home of business, a journey (reversed: the change/journey is not for the better) Nine Delay, with resultant annoyance (reversed: a quarrel with your family or lover) Eight An attempt to make love (reversed: the attempt thwarted) Seven Satire, mockery (reversed: a foolish scandal) Six Unhappy ends to a marriage (reversed: loss of your possessions) Five Children bringing joy, prosperity in business (reversed: a unexpected financial loss) Four Trouble and aggravations (reversed: loss of a friend or a good employee)  Three Disputes and arguments in the home or office (reversed: a law suit) Two A love affair or close friendship developing (reversed: scandal, loss of a friend)

Clubs

Ace Joy, prosperity or god news (reversed: the joy will be of a brief duration)  King A frank, liberal man, fond of serving him friends (reversed: he will meet with disappointment)  Queen An affectionate, quick-witted woman (reversed: Jealousy and maliciousness)  Jack A clever an enterprising young man (reversed: A harmless flirt and flatterer) Ten Fortune, success and fame (reversed: need for success)  Nine A legacy, unexpected gain (reversed: a disappointingly small gift received)  Eight A dark persons affection. If returned they will result in great prosperity (reversed: an unwanted suitor)  Seven A small debt repaid to you (reverse: an even smaller amount received, disappointment)  Six  Hard work resulting in good prosperity (reversed: Hard work with little or no return) Five Good prospects for the future, a possible wedding (reversed: Plans coming to nothing) Four A change in fortune, impending evil (reversed: Sudden and unexpected bad luck) Three Wealthy connections, possibly through marriage (reversed: loss of income) Two A disappointment (reversed: opposition to your desires) 

Spades

Ace An emotional relationship that could cause trouble (reversed: unexpected bad news)   King The envious man, an enemy or dishonest lawyer who is to be feared (reversed: impotence, malice)   Queen A widow (reversed: a dangerous and malicious woman) Jack A dark, ill-bred, young man (reversed: he is plotting against you) Ten Grief, prison, restraint (reversed: brief affliction) Nine News of a death (reversed: the death of a near relative) Eight Approaching illness (reversed: a broken marriage engagement, and offer refused) Seven Many annoyances (reversed: foolish intrigue) Six Good plans and intentions meeting with failure (reversed: lack of ideas or plans)  Five Quarreling brought about by short tempers (revered: bickering, petty annoyances) Four Being passed over for a promotion, missed opportunities (reversed: jealousy and envy) Three Faithlessness in love, bitter (reversed: news of indiscretions)  Two Separation, change (reversed: unwanted and unexpected change)

[witchy-woman]

@sorcieresaphique this is what I was talking about the other night!

[hoodoowitchesofthetrials]

Mojo Bags

Some good info on mojo bags and how they are made.

HOW A MOJO BAG IS MADE

Although most “Southern Style” conjure bags are made of red blue flannel for a peaceful home mojo, and so forth. Leather flannel, some root doctors favour the colour-symbolism employed in hoodoo style candle-burning magic and thus use green flannel for a money mojo, white flannel for a baby-blessing mojo, red flannel for a love mojo, pale bags are also seen, but far less frequently than flannel; they are associated with West Indian obeah, another form of folk magic closely related to African-American hoodoo. Mojo bags can also be made in leather – either split hide (modern) or fine chamois (shammy) leather (more old-fashioned. In the 1970s, i also purchased mojo bags made in Bull Durham tobacco sacks, and items that were effectively the same as a house-mojo (that is, one to be secreted in the home, not carried on the person) made of white handkerchief cloth, complete with white cotten hand-crocheted lace edging. As early as the 1920s, mail order spiritual supply houses also carried mojo bags made in the Himalayan double-drowstring style, with Chinese characters stamped on them, under the names “Chinese novelty bag” – and these lucky mojo bags contained the usual African American mojo hand ingredients, including lodestones an magnetic sand.Not all lucky mojos are made in the form of bags, either. A square of red flannel can be tied around the ingredients with a string, forming what i call the “flaming bomb” or “flaming comet” form of mojo hand. In my youth, this form was seen mostly in the work of toby-makers who were men and did not know how to sew. It is a more common form in the West Indies, i am told. In common parlance of the time, this was called a “wrapped” or “folded and wrapped” mojo hand. hand.And what is contained in the mojo hand? Well, that varies a lot, based on what the wearer hopes to accomplish by carrying the amulet and what the maker finds effective or customary to use in preparing it.A mojo bag carried for love-drawing will contain different ingredients than one for gambling luck or magical protection.The objects most commonly found in mojo bags are roots and herbs, minerals, petition papers, name papers, plus a variety of animal parts such as hair, fingernails, bones, or dyed feathers – green for money, red for love, orange for change or warning, blue for spiritual peace – rattlesnake rattles, dried frogs, swallow hearts, and bat wings. (Modern urban practitioners may substitute a toy plastic bat for the latter). Coins, metal lucky charms, crystals, good luck tokens, and carved stone amulets may also be added for extra power or for their symbolic value.Generally there are at least three items in a mojo hand. Some root doctors try to ensure that the total number of ingredients comes to an odd number – usually 3, 7, or 9, but sometimes 5, 11, or 13. On the other hand, just as many root doctors don’t bother counting the items at all; they just compile the traditional items they like to work with, according to the situations, conditions, and needs of their clients.Some conjure workers who do like to count out 3 ingredients will make sure each item is singular and distinct – say, one root, one personal item, and one mineral. To other, equally proficient workers, the count of 3 may include one personal item, one petition paper, and two paired minerals counted as one; or one animal curio, one petition paper, and half a handful of mixed herbs and seeds, in which case, no matter how many varieties there are in the herb mixture, the mix itself is counted as one item. But not all toby makers count their ingredients out, and if you were to have purchased as many conjure bags as i have over the years, you would soon understand, as i have come to understand, that there is no canonical “sacred number” used in making a mojo bag.Some root doctors are known for their use of favorite or “trade mark” ingredients – one man i knew, for instance, put tobacco snuff in every bag he made; another was famed for his “Good Luck Herb Mixture” and used it in almost every bag i bought from him, as well as selling it in the form of incense and baths; a third man was known to me for his consistent and otherwise unexplained inclusion of a coin – usually a modern penny – in every bag he made. But the use of such “trademarks” is not too common, in my experience; most makers vary the contents of their bags quite a bit, depending on the case at hand, and there is no canonical list of “sacred ingredients” used in makng a mojo bag.Some root workers top off their mojo bags with parchments upon which are printed medieval European grimoire seals and sigils of talismanic import, particularly the Jewish-derived seals from the Greater Key of Solomon and The 6th and 7th Books of Moses, both of which are sold as sets of seals printed on parchment paper, and are used without reference to the rituals given in the texts of the original grimoire books.

FIXING AND FEEDING THE MOJO HAND

Fixing the mojo is not merely a matter of dumping a bunch of items into the bag. It involves a ritual – which will vary from maker to maker – of filling the bag and then awakening it to life. It may be “smoked” in incense fumes or the smoke from a candle, or breathed upon or into, to bring it to life. Prayers may be said, and other methods may be used to accomplish this essential step.The mojo is then wrapped or tied. In all my years of practice PRIOR TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTERNET, i never purchased a lucky mojo bag made of cloth or leather by an African American practitioner in or from the South that was not tied, snugged-up, wrapped, or sewn shut in some way. However, i did purchase several mojo bags made for me by Anglo Americans serving the African American community that were not tied or sewn shut. Go back to the Bantu word “tobé” to see why a toby is tied shut.Of course, traditional methods of tying or snugging up a cloth mojo hand vary according to the inclinations of the individual, family, regional, and/or personal training received by any given practitioner, but my younger days, the tie used on a flannel cloth drawstring bag, as well as on a “flaming comet” style of wrapped flannel cloth square, was, almost every time, a miller’s knot.  There are both historical and practical reasons for this and i can explain them to my students.Again, speaking from personal history, i can say that in my life prior to the development of the internet, leather mojo bags with leather or nylon-braid drawstrings were sometimes tied with a reef knot or left snugged up tight, due to the lesser flexibility of the leather. But even those may be tied with a miller’s knot if the leather is thin and flexible enough to be manipulated in that way.Once prepared or “fixed,” the mojo is “dressed” or “fed” with a liquid of some kind.

  The most common liquids used to feed a hand are alcohol, such as whiskey; a perfume, such as Hoyt’s Cologne or Florida Water; bodily fluids, such as spit or urine (or sexual fluids for a love-drawing hand); or with a specially-prepared condition oil. The bag is not generally soaked through, but simply dabbed with the liquid, although some old-time poker players i knew during in my youth, during the 1960s, used to say that to get a gambling hand to really work for you, you had to have your lover pee all over it out in the alley between rounds of play. Such a lucky mojo would only be used for the one night, after which it would be discarded.Why is the mojo fed to keep it working? Because it is alive with spirit.

One major difference between typical European-style magical talismans and a lucky mojo bag is that it is almost universally claimed and believed by practitioners of conjure that the mojo is alive, is inhabited by a spirit, and/or contains a fragment of the spirit of the owner. Few, if any, European magicians say that sort of thing about their religious or astrological talismans. Yes, astrological talismans are embued with, or reflective of, the energy of a planet or a fixed star, or a moment of transient vibration between two or more such planets or stars – but they are not alive, kept fed, and cossetted the way a mojo is – and for good reason.A secondary difference between mojos and European talismans is that mojo hands are customarily fed with scented liquids that are themselves derived from various magical herbal ingredients – herbal conjure oils, magical herbal-floral colognes, and even liquors such as whiskey (“water of life”) in which herbs have been soaked. This is nature magic, the use of this earth’s spiritual interweb of magically active beings, in which persons, animals, plants, and minerals are bound together in social patterns on an invisible plane.

[witch-vomit-deactivated20190906]

🌟👏🗣Commanding & Compelling Roots & Herbs in Hoodoo🗣☄

When you really need to assert your will and dominance over a situation or person - or when you’re simply tired of people stepping all over you and want to fight back - Commanding, compelling, and Domination spells are the way to go.

Whether it’s a rival, a lover, a boss, or a family member, these herbs and roots are said to give you the chance to lead, control, and govern your way to success or to others.

☄🌟🌟🗣🌟🌟☄

🗣HIGH JOHN THE CONQUEROR - conquers all in your way (to be used by Black people ONLY). Increases strength and power, gives confidence, nothing can stop you.

🔥CALAMUS ROOT - a “hot” root that controls and defeats a person’s will. A not so subtle but very strong commanding herb.

🗣MARSHMALLOW ROOT - a gentler, milder controlling herb that influences things to your favor

🔥CLOVES - strong, forceful, compelling herb.

🗣VANILLA - compelling, especially in matters of love and money.

🔥DEVIL’S BIT - Commanding and compelling! Depending on what you combine it with it can be used for love, money, success, etc.

🗣BLOODROOT - Commanding herb that can be used for good or bad. Commands respect.

🔥ELDER - A more subtle yet still powerful plant for commanding and influencing a person or situation

🗣SASSAFRAS - Commanding and twisting, helps get you out of court cases or helps in releasing someone’s hold on you.

🔥POPPY SEEDS - Confusion, dominates and morally weakens the target.

🗣DEERS TONGUE - grants eloquence and pleasing speech to those who carry it. Use it so your words are more convincing and make things in your favor.

🔥TOBACCO - can be added to any control or domination work to make the effects stronger.

🗣FIVE FINGER GRASS - carry a bit before asking for a favor to get a favorable response.

🔥LICORICE ROOT - especially good in love work, use this to take control over a person or situation. Very strong in commanding and compelling spells. Great to use in lusty glamor type of work too, as it is also an aphrodisiac!

🗣MUSK - (real musk is unethical and illegal, please use a synthetic alternative instead) Strength and self confidence, along with commanding and compelling particularly in the sexual areas.

🔥MASTER ROOT - As the name implies, you will always be the master. Useful for influencing others.

[spiritroots]

The Hoodoo Masterpost

Given how hard it is to find reliable hoodoo/rootwork/conjure resources on Tumblr, I’ve created this compilation of as many posts, spells, tutorials, and informative posts as I can find! The vast majority of them were written by Africana, Afro-Latinx, or Latinx witches, rootworkers, and hoodoo witches.

All credit goes to the original authors of each post and resource. Please message me if you want something added/removed for any reason!

>>> BEGINNER’S GUIDE

❓|  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I practice hoodoo and/or is it okay to be interested in it?

What if I have recent black ancestry, but don’t identify as black?

Do you have to be Christian to practice rootwork? [x] [x]

Can I practice hoodoo if I’m an atheist?

Can you learn hoodoo if you don’t have direct family ties to it?

Do you have to learn hoodoo from an in-person practitioner?

Can I mix hoodoo with other types of magic and/or witchcraft?

Can I incorporate hoodoo into brujeria as an Afro-Latine person?

❗|  KEY INFORMATION & RESOURCES

Hoodoo & Witchcraft: Overlaps & Differences

Hoodoo & American Folk Magic

“What I Wish I Knew Starting Out” // Advice

Improving at Hoodoo // Advice

“Hoodoo Is…” - Poem About African American culture

❌ |  RACISM & APPROPRIATION

The Racism & Appropriation of Africana Traditions Masterpost

Why “Black/White Magic” Terminology is Racist

Avoiding Appropriation as a Rootworker

Asian Influences in Hoodoo

Burning Ancestor Money

Romani Culture & Botanicas

Respecting Judaism

 >>> FOUNDATIONS OF THE PRACTICE

✅ |  ESSENTIAL TOPICS & CONCEPTS

Hoodoo Correspondences

Types of Hoodoo Magic

The Crossroads

Moon Cycles

Using Intent in Hoodoo 

Definitions & Terms

Hoodoo/Rootwork vs. Voodoo

Ashe

Juju

🏠 |  ANCESTOR WORK

Introduction to Ancestor Work

Ancestor Work FAQ

Lines of Ancestry

Making an Ancestor Altar

Ancestral Invocation Prayer

Informal Ancestral Prayer

Difficulties Working With Ancestors

Ancestral Magic // Personal Story

On Honoring Ancestors // Video

>>> TECHNIQUES & TUTORIALS

🌀|  HOODOO TECHNIQUES

Mojo Bags & Gris-Gris

Psalms & Verses

Petition Papers

Using Dirt in Spells

Hoodoo Candle Dressings

Nkisi Spirit Bottles

Afrocentric Sigils: Adinkra

Four Thieves Vinegar

Head Cleansing

Cascarilla Powder

Domination Spells

Spiritual Self-Defense

🃏 |  DIVINATION METHODS

Playing Cards Divination

Hoodoo Tarot Spreads:

The Mojo Spread

Bad Juju Spread

Obi Divination

Candle Reading

Basics

Example

If The Glass Turns Black

7 Day Candles

🌿 |  ROOTS, HERBS, & INGREDIENTS

Commanding & Compelling Root & Herbs

Reversing & Protection Herbs

Abre Camino, the Road Opening Herb 

Element of Earth in Rootwork

Herbal Remedies from Slaves

Snake Skin

💦 |  HOODOO WATERS

Element of Water in Rootwork

War Water

Florida Water

Tutorial & Recipe 

19 Ways to Use It

21 Ways to Use It

>>> SPELLS, RITUALS, & RECIPES

🍯 |  SWEETENING & BLESSING

Honey Jars 

Tutorial I

Tutorial II // Video

Sweet Talkin’ Spell

Blessing Oils, Incenses, & Powders

Faithful Lust

🛡 |  PROTECTION & BANISHING

Protection

Easy Protection Lemon Freezer Spell

Banishing Gossips and Wicked Lies 

Eggshell Powder

Stay Away From Me Powder

👻 |  CURSES & CROSSING

Bye Bye Hex

Revenge Curse

Sour Jars

Break-Up & Separation Curse (Brujeria)

💰 |  MOJO BAGS & GRIS GRIS

Mojo, Gris-Gris, & Hands // Information 

Mojo Jars

A Good Night’s Sleep Mojo Bag and Oil

Recollection Gris Gris

💵 |  PROSPERITY, SUCCESS, & MONEY

Checks of Abundance

Osain Money Drawing Powder

Financial Gain

Prosperity & Money

Prosperity Spell

Easy Lucky Money Spell

Career, Income, & Passion Jar

High John the Conqueror Root Spell

Road Opener Powder

✨ |  CLEANSING & UNCROSSING

Cleansing Spiritual Baths

Brujeria Egg Cleansing

Floor Wash for Cleansing & Uncrossing

Uncrossing Powder

💕 |  SELF-CARE MAGIC

Self-Love & Healing Sachet

Smoothie of Love Potion

Love Yaself Spiritual Bath

Self-Love Body Scrub

Pick-Me-Up (Confidence & Happiness)

“Don’t Touch My Hair” Hair Growth Oil

Delightful Bedtime Soak

📖 |  THE PSALMS

Psalms 3

Psalms 4

Psalms 35

>>> ARTICLES, BOOKS, & RESOURCES

📚 |  BOOK LISTS & DOWNLOADS

Beginner Books for Rootworkers

Series of Rootwork Books // Free Downloadable

Book List on Hoodoo & ATRs (by black authors only)

A Rootworker’s Reading List

Herbal Books & Resources

Hoodoo Book Posts [x] [x]

Book to Avoid (Misinformation & Appropriation)

💻 |  ARTICLES ON ROOTWORK

Hoodoo Witches Speak Out on the Appropriation of Their Craft

The Legacy of Hoodoo Within the Black Church

A Telling Tale of a Conjurer’s Travesty

ThoughtCo - What is Hoodoo?

📝 |  QUICK TIPS & QUOTES

Quick & Easy Hoodoo To-Do’s

Hoodoo Tip

Protection Tip

Afro-Witch Tips

African Origins of Hoodoo

Essential Hoodoo Concepts

Herbal Spirits

Updated June 23rd, 2018. Stay tuned for future updates.

[tipsycad147]

Honey jars to sour jars – magick hoodoo jars for every need

BY PIP DE BELFRY

Hoodoo honey jars are used to sweeten up situations and people, whereas sour jars are for returning negative energies to malicious gossips or to troublesome people…

Many people are familiar with the concept of using hoodoo honey jars for sweetening up situations or people. But did you know you can also make sour jars to return negative energies to people who may be talking badly of you or just trying to cause trouble in your Life?

We’ll play nice and go with the honey jar first. These can be used for any purpose where you want to sweeten someone or something. Husband or boyfriend not treating you right? Hit him with a honey jar – well, maybe not literally or that could end you in a whole lot of trouble that no honey jar will get you out of.

To do this, all you need is a jar with a lid, some honey, some brown paper (the kind grocery bags are made of) and a candle. If it’s a Love working, I would use a red, pink or purple candle.

Take your piece of brown paper and write the name of the person you wish to enchant across it three times. Then turn the paper clockwise and write your name across their name three times. When you have done that, write around the border of the paper “asthishoneysweetenslifesoyoushallbesweettome” (Yep, that’s deliberate – you should write it all joined together without taking your pen off of the paper. If you do, then start again. Dot the i’s and cross the t’s afterwards, that’s fine).

Once you have your petition paper made, fold it towards you, turn it clockwise, fold it again and turn it clockwise again, and then do it a third time. You can tie the petition paper with a piece of red, pink or purple ribbon or thread if you wish, just to seal in the Love.

Put some honey into the jar, remembering that it is really important to taste the honey first. Honey jars are the the working of choice of Oshun, and she loves honey, but someone tried to poison her with honey once, so you need to prove to her that it is safe. Place the petition paper into the jar on top of the honey, then add more honey and if you wish, you can add in love drawing herbs and crystals.

Once you have completed your jar, make sure to seal it tightly with the lid. Also make sure that you have poured all of your good lovin’ intent into the jar. We want no half measures. Put the lid on the jar, and give it a gentle shake just to get it all activated nicely. Place your candle on top of the jar (you can anoint it with a Love drawing oil if you like), and light it. Leave it to burn while you fill your mind with thoughts of the Love that you wish the jar to bring you. It doesn’t matter if the wax drips down the sides of the jar, as it will just serve to seal all of your intent into the working.

Ok, on to the not so sweet … If you have someone who has been bad mouthing you, or if you have people trying to cause trouble in your Life, you can send it right on back at them. It may be an ex who is trying to cause trouble, or your partner’s ex stirring in your relationship.

You start with the same basic lidded jar, but go with a black candle. Half fill the jar with vinegar (some people use their own urine ,but if you’re understandably not too keen on that idea, vinegar is perfectly fine). Take a piece of brown grocery bag paper as before, and write their name across it three times. If you don’t know their name, you can just go with something like “The Evil One”, as YOU know who you’re aiming your intent towards. Next turn it and write your name across it three times. This time, around the edge you want to write “asyouhavesouredmylifesoshallthisvinegarsouryours”. Again, remember to write it in one continuous flowing word – no taking your pen off the paper.

Fold the paper away from you, focussing all of your intent on what you are trying to achieve, then turn it anti-clockwise and fold it away from you again, and then repeat it third time. You then take a nail and pierce the petition paper with it. If it is difficult to do, you can start the hole with scissors. Pop it into the vinegar jar, and add in anything sharp like pins, broken glass or whatever feels right to you. If you are happy with broken pieces of mirror, they work really well, as they “reflect” the negativity back to the sender. But if broken mirrors would make you anxious, leave them out, as you won’t be able to focus your full intent on the working.

You can also place multiple petition papers into the same jar – you don’t have to do a separate jar if you have more than one person causing you grief. Finally, pop the lid on the jar, place your black candle on the top (you can anoint it with any kind of revenge oil if you wish), light it and force as much of your desire for them to stop hassling you into it as you can. Leave it to burn for as long as you feel is necessary, and when this one is done, you just need to pop it somewhere dark and away from sunlight.

So there you go – whether there are people in your Life that you want to sweeten up or ones that you just wish would hush their blabbering, you have the perfect solution in your hands.

If you try either of these, or have done in the past, let me know what kind of results you got!

https://pipdebelfry.com/honey-jars-to-sour-jars-magick-hoodoo-jars-for-every-need/

[grimoire-the-book-of-shadows]

How to Cast a Jar Spell: Witchcraft for Beginners

Jar spells, also known as bottle spells or container spells, are an old form of folk magic. While this form of magic is mostly found in cursing and curse-breaking, it’s not just for baneful magic. The Hoodoo ‘honey jar spell,’ for example, is common in love magic. The jar spell is versatile overall and can be custom-designed for a variety of needs.Note: If you prefer to use magical timing, you might look up the most effective day, and planetary hour to lend power to your spell.Here’s how to design and cast a jar spell. How to Cast a Jar or Bottle Spell in 7 Steps:

Define Your Intent

Select a Container

Choose Your Jar’s Contents

Fill Your Jar

Seal Your Jar

Meditate on Your Intent

Finish Your Spell 

Step 1: Define Your Intent

The first and most logical step in a jar spell is to define your intent. Your intent is what everything in your spell will revolve around. As per usual with magic, your intent should be:

Specific: Focus on precise goals (i.e. no wishing, no generalizing, no multi-purpose spells for 12 different things).

Realistic: Make sure those goals are attainable (no Dungeons & Dragons or Harry Potter fantasy stuff).

Ethical: I’m not going to say what is or isn’t ethical, but you should certainly consider your spiritual ethics and think about the consequences of your actions.

Once your intent is determined, you can begin to design your jar spell—namely, what kind of things you need to put into it to achieve your goal.

Step 2: Choose a Container for Your Jar Spell

Basically, any kind of container can be used for a spell. I have to admit up front that I’m not entirely comfortable using containers made of plastic, but opinions vary on its effectiveness. I prefer glass, though people use clay and other materials. As long as it has no cracks and a tight-fitting lid or cork, you’re golden.

To find a suitable bottle, scrounge around the house or at thrift shops. Consider using anything from mason jars, baby food jars, and mayo or pickle jars to old salad and oil bottles.

Note: Make sure you cleanse and consecrate the container you’re going to use, as well as all the items you plan to fill it with.

Paint Your Jar (Optional) If you want, you can paint your jar in a color that corresponds with your intent or with symbols and images. This is not necessary, but any little help can give you a boost—plus, it keeps anyone who might stumble upon your jar from seeing the contents.

Step 3: Choose Your Jar Spell Contents

Deciding on the contents is basically the ‘meat’ of this magical working. While there is no limit to what you can choose to include, it’s important to select things that will help you work toward your ultimate magical goal. I like to choose things from the following categories:

A Personal Item

A photograph, hair, nail clippings, blood or other personal item is crucial to your spell. You could also use a name written on paper. This should be of the person you are casting the spell on—so if you’re casting the spell for yourself, you’d use your own picture, item or name. If casting the spell for a friend or on someone else (such as a spell to get a bully to leave you alone), you would use their photo, name or item.

Written Intent or Prayer

There is a lot of power in words, so I always find it helpful to write my intent on something and slip it into the jar. If you are seeking the aid of a deity in your jar spell, you can write a note to them asking for their assistance.

Liquids

Generally, the bottle should contain some liquid, but which liquid you choose depends on your intent.

Urine is used for protection jars and jars to break a curse, but can also be used for manipulative spells over others.

Vinegar is used to curse or harm others or to ‘spoil’ something. Safety note: vinegar jars can explode—so don’t fill it to the top, and keep the jar wrapped in cloth or towels (unless you’re burying it).

Honey, sugar water or some kind of nectar is used when you want to compel someone or something. This is because if you were seeking to make friends, to be more persuasive, to soothe over hurt feelings, etc., you’d want to ‘sweeten’ their disposition.

Ammonia is used for ‘cleansing’, when you want to banish negativity or malevolent entities, or when you wish to start anew with a ‘clean slate’. Safety note: never burn candles on ammonia and do not place ammonia jars near heat, as it can be explosive and flammable.

Tinctures, infusions, oils, etc. can be used for a multitude of purposes, such as blessings for health or prosperity and the like. Naturally, you should choose something based on your intent—for example, a money spell might include a tincture, infusion or oil made from money-drawing herbs like cinnamon or mint.

Water can be used, but I don’t really recommend plain water. At the very least, you can make an herbal infusion with it to give it more of a boost. I personally think heavily salted and blessed water can be good for purification purposes, but beyond that, I would avoid plain tap water.

Solids

Like with liquids, there are different types of solids that you can choose from based on your intent. You can be pretty creative with this! Here are a few examples:

To break a curse, jar spells usually include items like rusty nails and glass shards.

To break up a couple, the caster might add some cat hair and some dog hair to the mix—to make the people fight like ‘cats and dogs’ (again, though, think about your ethics!).

Heart-shaped glitter or confetti might go into a jar spell to draw love. You might even tie a ribbon around the whole jar to hold on to love, or to bind someone.

In a money-related jar spell, you might include some coins (preferably with the year of your birth printed on them).

If I wanted to break writer’s block, I might make a jar spell with a small pencil and roll of paper wrapped around it.

Herbs and Crystals

Two items that are both magically powerful and easy to come by are crystals and herbs. You can find a variety of them anywhere, and they are able to carry the energy that you’ll want to put into your spell. Below, I include a quick reference chart for herbs and crystals that you can refer to if you’re new to working with them.

That said, I highly recommend studying up and familiarizing yourself with some basic herbs and/or crystals you might have access to (my chart only scratches the surface). The more you work with herbs and crystals and get a feel for them, the more skilled you will become at spellcraft.

At the end of the day, just use your noggin and think of things that give off the kind of energy you’re interested in raising. They’ll be even better for your spell if they’re personally meaningful to you (vs. only using items that are commonly associated with your goal).

Note: Remember, just as you cleansed and consecrated your spell jar, so you must do with the items that you plan to fill it with. If the objects you have chosen are not spiritually clean (i.e. on an energy level), your spell will be less likely to help you attain your goal.

What Crystals and Herbs to Use for Spells

Banishing: obsidian, jet, black tourmaline, smokey quartz, clove, dragon’s blood, garlic, hot pepper

Binding: jet, agrimony, knotweed, spiderwort, witch hazel

Communication: sodalite, tiger eye, turquoise, mint, orris root

Curse-Breaking: onyx, clear quartz, selenite, angelica, bloodroot, boneset, mandrake, salt, sage, rue

Fertility: agate, emerald, garnet, malachite, peridot, apple, cucumber, fig, ivy

Health: agate, amethyst, jade, sunstone, coriander, dogwood, eucalyptus, galangal root, ginger, rosemary, sage, thyme

Intellect: aventurine, flourite, benzoin, dittany of Crete, nugmeg, rosemary,

Love: amber, calcite, copper emerald, lapis lazuli, moonstone, rose quartz, Adam & Eve root, apple, basil, beet, catnip, clove, laurel, lavender, marjoram, rose

Money: gold, malachite, moss agate, pearl, cinnamon, ginger, orange, patchouly, vervain

Peace: amazonite, blue lace agate, rhodocrosite, silver, cumin, lavender, violet

Productivity: fuschite, gold, hematite, ruby, allspice, oregano, vanilla

Protection: amber, carnelian, citrine, malachite, petrified wood, angelica, cypress, frankincense, mugwort, sandalwood, wormwood

Psychic Abilities: lolite, jet, malachite, moonstone, quartz, turquoise, silver, acacia, gardenia, mugwort, tuberose, yarrow

Relationships: moss agate, pearl, peridot, rhodocrosite, sapphire, turquoise, pansy, rose, valerian

Step 4: Fill Your Jar

After having grounded and centered yourself, pick up one item at a time (or place it on your pentacle) and charge it. Charging empowers the item with your personal intent while stirring and stimulating the item’s own natural energy that you’re trying to tap into.

Note: You do not need to cast a circle for this spell, but if you wish to do it within a ritual circle, you may. If you wish, you may also invoke a deity for assistance.

As you add items to your jar, chant to raise power. For example, while filling your jar, you might say something such as, “By the power of Earth, Air, Fire and Water; By the Power of the sun, moon and stars; With the blessings of the Goddess Aphrodite, I charge you, rose quartz, to attract love to me.”

Words of Power

When I prepare a spell, I always like to plan a chant to say while I’m casting it. Chanting is a great way to raise energy. You can find a chant in a book or online, or you can make up your own. It doesn’t have to be Shakespeare to be effective. Something simple works just fine, like:

Money, money, come to me;

Help me pay these bills I see.

As long as it suits the occasion and is meaningful to you, it’ll work.

Rhythm and rhyming can help you memorize it quickly before you start, and then you can really get into it like a mantra when you’re casting. By letting it spill from your lips effortlessly, it bypasses that conscious part of your brain and taps into your source of power—that part of the mind that sends the energy toward your goal.

Step 5: Seal Your Jar

When you’re finished filling your jar, you can seal it right away (and then burn a candle on it if desired), or you can burn a candle in the open mouth of the jar and seal it that way.

Note: Candles are not necessary in jar spells, but I find it adds yet another boost of power if you combine it with candle magic. If you choose to incorporate a candle into your jar spell, find one of the appropriate color and dress it (see the article above for more details) before burning it in the mouth of the jar or on top of the sealed jar, letting all the wax melt down. You can burn multiple candles on a jar over a course of time for an ongoing project.

Step 6: Meditate on Your Intent

Meditate on having acquired your goal. Don’t envision yourself wanting your goal, or you leave yourself in a perpetual state of wanting; envision yourself having your goal. What will life be like, how will you feel, when it is done?

Hold onto your visualization for about 20 minutes, or as long as you can.

Step 7: What to Do With Your Spell Jar Now?

There are a few different options now that you’ve cast your jar spell. Basically, you can bury it, hide it, toss it in water, keep it on your altar, or dismantle it. Which you choose depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.

Bury the jar if …

You are seeking permanent protection or to break or repel a curse. This will stand sentry on your property and protect you (or on the property of the person for whom you cast the jar spell). If you don’t have land of your own, you can bury it in a flower pot of soil left by your doorstep.

You want your jar to be a ‘magnet’ of sorts to continue to draw things to you (attention, health, wealth, etc.). Bury it on your property or the property of the person you’re casting for and be done with it.

You are trying to rid yourself of something (or rid the person you’re casting for of something), like a disease or bad habit. Bury the jar at a crossroads, don’t look back, and (ideally) never return.

You are casting a spell on another unbeknownst to them (but remember your ethics!). Bury it on their property—ideally somewhere they cross over every day, like beneath their doorstep.

Note: If you were doing some major cursing to harm another, you could bury it in a graveyard (not something I personally recommend, by the way; but I’m just passing on the information).

Hide the jar if …

You want to bury it, but burying it is not an option. Hey, I am originally from New York City—I understand you can’t bury a jar easily when you live in an apartment. If this is the case, just hide it deep in the home somewhere—inside a wall, in the junk closet, or wherever it won’t be disturbed.

You plan on dismantling it sometime in the future, which will disengage the spell when done properly.

Toss the jar in water if … *

Using it to banish or exorcise any entities, or if you are working with any ‘questionable’ entities (again, not recommended, just passing on the information). Running natural water sources will purify it and protect you from their return.

It’s successfully removed a curse, a disease, a bad habit, etc.; this is an alternative to burying it at a crossroad. Keep in mind you could be fined for littering if you’re just tossing stuff into local waters.

*Tip: If it floats, puncture the cap with a hole or tie it to a weight.

Keep the jar on your altar if …

… your goal is an ongoing one that you’d like to keep working on. You can continue to burn candles over the mouth of the jar or shake it while saying your chant to keep it working for you.

Alternatively, if you have a shrine to your God/dess and sought their aid, you can keep it there. Again, shake it occasionally while chanting to keep the power going.

This is actually a good option for spells that are going to require a great deal of time and effort—for example, if you were to do a jar spell to help you pass tests, you might keep it on your altar all through college. You might repeat your chant, burn a candle or shake it the night before exams. This is better than making a new spell for every exam.

Dismantle the jar if …

… the spell’s power is no longer necessary and you’d like the effects to stop. For example, if you cast a jar spell to attract love, you might have had many interests for a while. Now, you are getting married and you don’t want to attract any more potential lovers. So you would dismantle the spell.

To do this, remove the contents and bury them at a crossroads or into running water, clean the container and dispose of it. With a proper cleansing, you could re-use it.

Warning: It’s not generally a good idea to dismantle a jar used for cursing or hexing, or one for breaking a curse or hex, unless you really know what you’re doing. Just bury it at the crossroads or in running water and be done with it.

Do Not Burn Your Spell Jar

One thing I do not recommend is throwing it into a fire, as is mentioned in some sources. This was, in particular, a method of cursing and curse-breaking; the Witch would throw the jar into the fire and when it burst, it meant the curse was working (torturing the person it is cast on) or it meant the curse you were lifting has broken.

This is not necessary, and not a safe option at all. However, if you do dismantle a jar spell and have some components left over (ribbon, paper, etc.), you could burn those items after it’s dismantled if you have a safe means of doing so.

More info: ۞

[hexes-and-happiness-deactivated]

Homemade Cough Drops

You need:

~ 1 tablespoon peppermint

~ 1 tablespoon chamomile

~ 1 teaspoon lemongrass

~ ½ teaspoon cinnamon

~ ½ teaspoon ginger

~ ¾ cup boiling water

~ ¾ cup honey

~ (optional:) a few drops of your favorite consumable essential oil

          Steep peppermint, chamomile, cinnamon, lemongrass, and ginger for 10+ minutes. Strain and keep water. Add honey, bring to a boil. Take a candy thermometer and bring mixture to 300 degrees. Cool for 5-10 minutes until it becomes syrupy. Add your oil of choice.

          Drop small spoonfuls onto parchment paper and let cool and harden. Dust with corn or potato starch and store in an airtight container.

[sazvariboy]

The Gris-gris - Age Old Tradition In Spirit. —————————————————- Gris-gris /ˈɡriːˌɡriː/ GREE-gree, also spelled grigri, and sometimes also “gregory” or “gerregery”,[1] is a Voodoo amulet originating in Africa which is believed to protect the wearer from evil or brings luck,and in some West African countries is used as a method of birth control. It consists of a small cloth bag, usually inscribed with verses from the Qur'an and or Bible containing a ritual number of small objects, worn on the person. Hoodoo Gris-gris have been around for centuries, a hybrid of native African spirit and Native American. : : In our clan/tribe, we approach Gris-gris with the notion that we are creating a physical servitor that will have spirit for a specific need. Like any good physical mojo spirit, one has to consider the physical components of a body; skeleton, mind, heart, stomach, hands and feet. The best Gris-gris always contain a powerful root to represent the skeletal our foundation of the spirit. High John ( justice, money, protection and peace) Master root ( sex and seduction, overcome enemies, domination, spirit conjurering and control-money and Power) Mandrake root (Power, Protecting inof spirit and physical body, Spirit Conjuring and control). Once you have your root, you need to get a mineral that will represent ‘reason’ for the Gris-gris. Amethyst and turquoise are good. No wrap in a small swatch of blood red fabric. Every aspect of your Gris- gris should be wrapped by itself so that it’s function won’t hinder other aspects of your mojo. Each element should work together, but not directly, like how our organs work together. You know have to create to he 'hands’ of the mojo, either to receive or give. Look at it this way, what do you want? Then put and example of that in the mojo, along with a small tendril of masterroot. 'Feet’ should be represented by a grounding stone, a rough garnet is good. Pls always include a lodesone (with dust to make sure it’s feed) and Black tourmaline. Also Include a small piece of shimmering obsidian for 'fortitude’ This is the basic of a strong mojo bag. Now add assorted herbs (no more than three) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_OUgrQlshN/?igshid=1ndidedxkurj8