Burn the skin of a red onion for good luck, if your spouse leaves you in anger take their left shoe bury it in your front yard and they will return shortly, eat black-eyed peas on New Years Day for good luck and plenty of money, if a spirit is chasing you put your clothes on inside out and cross over running water--that way they can't follow you anymore.
Some of these sayings might sound familiar to folks, especially if they grew up in the South, others are a bit more unknown. All of them are examples of tricks or little spells found in traditional Southern-style Hoodoo.
Roots-Root Work-Hoodoo-Conjure: these are some of the most common names for the system of folk magic that I practice. There is a lot to say about what traditional Conjure is and what it is not, and in my opinion the person who has said it best is my teacher miss cat yronwode. So rather than re-cap what has already been well-written and intensely researched, I invite those interested in the history, personalities, and framework of traditional American Conjure to visit this page for excellent, detailed, information.
One of the most common questions that clients who are interested in custom root work ask is:what kind of work I do and what do I recommend? Many conjure men and women will request that the client get a reading or consultation before any work is started. As far as the work itself, the truth is that a good, full-service root worker will tailor-fit work to each client's specific situation. There are, however, some common components specific to traditional Hoodoo that can help us discern this folk-magic system from others.
The first aspect of traditional Hoodoo that varies from other magical traditions is the use of conditions in diagnosing someone's situation. Some common conditions that Hoodoo root workers will talk about are:
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Crossed conditions--where an individual is suffering from a stream of bad luck, illness, feeling "blocked" or thwarted in their lives, and diminished vitality. Crossed conditions can be dealt with in a number of different ways but cleansing the client is the foundation for dealing successfully with any crossed condition.
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Love and Romance-this condition speaks to a number of different requests--bringing in a new love, reconciling with an old lover, strengthening a romance, marriage, or friendship, and increasing or tying down someone's sexual nature.
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Money Drawing, Personal Prosperity, Better Business--these are a family of conditions where the client would like to increase their finances, keep more money in the bank every month and draw the good things in life to them. Money Drawing and Money Stay With Me work can be done on behalf of individuals or businesses. Breaking jinxes on money and maximizing the different areas that a person can get money from are also part of the work associated with these conditions.
So the use of conditions to describe a client's situation is one of the first signs that we are working within a framework of traditional Hoodoo and Conjure. Another indication are the kinds of tricks or spells that may be employed to deal with the conditions. These include:
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Candle and Lamp spells (taper candles that have been blessed, dressed with condition oils, herbs, and sachet powders, and prayed over, fixed glass vigil lights, jar candles, oil lamps, and figural candle spells)
- Bottle Spells (break-ups, reconciliations, honey jars, and bottles dedicated to Saints, Prophets, and Religious figures)
- Sprinkling and blowing of sachet powders formulated for specific conditions
- Altar work (creating specific altars for clients, working with Saints, Prophets, and Religious figures, setting lights, daily prayers and affirmations)
- Petitions written on the clients' behalf and prayed over, placed under lights, and used in magical workings
- Spiritual cleansing and uncrossing through the use of Spiritual Bathing.
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preparation of custom mojo hands, spiritual baths, condition oils, sachet powders, and incense blends for clients to use at home
- Use of the Bible, with special emphasis on the Psalms.
You will not find Pagan, neo-Pagan, or Wiccan Gods or Goddesses mentioned in traditional Conjure, although various influential Hoodoo authors in the 1920's, 30's, and 40's did infuse an interest in world religions, notably Hinduism, into their writings and practices. While Hoodoo haas been influenced by various traditions, it is not Hatian Vodou, New Orleans style Voodoo, Youruban traditional magic, Palo, or Brazilian Candomble. Nor is it a reconstruction of an African Traditional Religion, traditional Hoodoo is a living, vital system of folk-magic that has been continuously practiced in America for several centuries by African-Americans, Caucasians, and Native Americans. Through time it has also been influenced by Latino, Chicano, and Mexican folk-magic practices such as Santeria, Espiritismo, Brujeria and Curenderismo. Though much of what we consider traditional Hoodoo developed in the rural South, Conjure has also been heavily influenced by large urban centers like New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
I perform a number of different kinds of ritual work for clients. My specialties include: Love and Romance, Money Drawing, Business Success, Family, Blessings, Protection, Strength-Mastery-Personal Success, Cleansing-Uncrossing, Honoring the Dead, Altar building, and Prayer work.
I also provide Magical Coaching for clients who want to learn more about the tradition of Conjure and want to do some work for themselves, but need a little bit of guidance and mentoring. Rootwork Consultations are available if you are considering my professional ritual services and want more information and a diagnoses of your case. Helping others help themselves is one of my greatest joys!
Contact me today for inquiries about spiritual readings and consultations, customized ritual work, candle-setting services, hand-crafted mojo bags, and spiritual products designed to assist you in all of your endeavors!
The Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers (AIRR) is a gathering of professional practitioners of African American folk magic, hoodoo, conjure, and rootwork who provide psychic readings and spiritual root doctoring services to the public. AIRR promotes quality service and ethical conduct by means of accreditation and evaluation of our members. Unlike commercial online psychic reader services, AIRR is a membership-supported organization that receives no fees or kickbacks for referrals.