Hey everyone, my name is A'niya. I am a Hoodoo Practitioner, Astrologer, and Spiritual Creative. I have been practicing hoodoo for a while now, and started my own spiritual business as a practitioner. That being said, I want to use my space to delve into common misconceptions, options, and truths.
To be clear, this is from my stance as a hoodoo practitioner taught by elders.
Let me be clear, do not take anything in these books and just practice willy nilly, always research, divine, and double-check. Hoodoo and Spiritual Workings are not a joke or gimmick for any quick or unjustified workload, good or bad intentions.
Hoodoo is a closed ancestral practice cultivated in America during chattel slavery. Most certainly on the plantation after ADOS were integrating and being oppressed throughout society. A practice of healing, herbalism, conjure, rootwork, and alchemy, much more. It's practice rooted in survival, destruction, elevation, and renewal. It's a journey that is lifelong to be in practice with hoodoo; its elements become a lifestyle of cultivation. In hoodoo, we preserve and pass down the knowledge and wisdom that came before us. Hoodoo is survived by descendants and word of mouth; its sacred place in many lives is gifted by lineage. Not every person with hoodoo in their background is called to practice the work the same, if not at all. In hoodoo their is more than just different forms of magic; there are workers of preservation, philosophy, and gathering. Hoodoo revolves around God (Higher power), self, and the ancestral/family unit. Most practices inside hoodoo are derived to protect and elevate the line.
For disclaimer's sake, many elders in hoodoo have already taught, and the basis of hoodoo teaches that, in a closed practice, not much will be open to the public. Why do we have hoodoo books? One huge factor most forget when it comes to hoodoo practice is history, the one thing most of us are tied to without the golden ticket to hoodoo lineage. Most Afrcian Americas carry elements of hoodoo; its richness has fueled and expanded American and Southern history. We must preserve who we are, no matter what we practice, so that's one. Secondly, hoodoo was cultivated from the plantation, where most of our ancestors were banned from reading or participating in much organization or religion at all outside of Christianity. This is where hoodoo found its roots in books like the bible, and many books and texts from practitioners growing more open in modern times to teach the outlining history and cultivation of the practice. Practitioners and curious onlookers sought out hoodoo workers' books as outlets to come out to the world as practitioners. Most workers back in the day were colored, and weren't allowed or able to read. They would pay workers for information, but not all information was handled sacredly. Much was also told in the diea it would end up in the wrong hands, so things weren't told directly either. I want to point out that this practice has an element of secrecy and rickery to it for situations that many of our ancestors and we find ourselves in, forced to practice in protection rather than just openly put ourselves in scrutiny or danger. Many books are in the form of literature telling the life of rootworkers or projecting the life of a black person at that time, navigating spiritual and religious themes. Books are tools as well in this practice to learn the basics and explore the understandings that people have of our practice. Take certain books with a grain of salt; not every book is 100% accurate in detail and information. You may hear voodoo or certain mixed concepts in books that aren't historical or made by black people. Tread carefully and use discernment towards books; the information should be double-checked and researched carefully before you do anything like working or changes to lifestyle.
Disclaimer: This list will be changed and added to. These are tools ive learned from and have been pointed towards. Keep in mind that oral tradition is the best way to learn despite books great capacity to teach its concepts.
The Bible: One of the oldest hoodoo books there is. One of the common and consistent tools in the practice. I'm sure you have heard people say that the bible is a spellbook of tales; it definitely is a spellbook. This sacred text isn't used in the same way as Christians in the practice, but it all depends on the type of hoodoo worker. The church and bible has close and historical ties to hoodoo practice. The bible is used to understand and explore life just the same. We do switch it up and add more spirituality and discipline in how the bible is worked throughout the daily life of hoodoo practitioners. This book contains many ways to work with scripture, herbs, rituals, and more.
Family Books: This could be spellbooks, recipe books, or even herbalism notes. It could be anything about the hoodoo way; most of us commonly get Bibles passed down with messages and notes within them. Understands that hoodoo is practiced in many ways to conceal or be used in plain sight. These books are usually passed down from ancestors or elders in the family. They can conatin lineage based work or wisdom from before. There are ways our ancestors passed down their ways of practicing for us to pick up the torch.
The Hoodoo Bible: Not every aspect of this one is concrete, but it's definitely solid. To be clear, Hoodoo is not voodoo or orisha work. Those are separate practices, and mixing practices in hoodoo is a big no-no, especially if it's not within your own line in the first place. We cans till acknowledge hoodoo origins and influences inside the practice itself. That being said, this book has some great information; at best, it helps you understand basic concepts and ways inside hoodoo practice. This book is also a history book of ancestral historical relevance. I personally think this book is informative and detailed; it has great knowledge and understanding. It has a lot of hoodoo principles outlined to learn the way things were and why they are today. Now this one is more mid-level advanced.
Stories of Rootworkers Hoodoo in the Mid-South: This book, so far, is delightful. It's more about the stories and lifestyles of hoodoo workers that make up our history, as well as spiritual tales. As someone who has been reading black hoodoo-esque literature. This book rings similar to many deep south novels, telling the story of black life in the south. This book is exactly as it sounds, it's filled with stories and historical telling of hoodoo figures and soulaan people down south, back in the day to now. It goes into rootworkers' stories of tales and remedies. Note that most stories like this should be taken with a grain of salt; it's a known fact that, despite their great knowledge, many rootworkers gave mixed information purposely to white observers and book makers. This book was created by a white man named Tony. Keep in mind that oral tradition is the best way to learn, despite books' great capacity to teach their concepts.
Papa Jims's Herbal Magic Workbook: One of the few I adore, made clearly for a hoodoo worker...though it's always something with books nowadays. This is set for rootworking, and those learning such. It's a tool for learning how to use herbs for workings. Though a full book, I have noticed certain herbs aren't present. It lists its usages mainly with brief descriptions of the herbs' traits. This one has less general meaning and definition of properties. It's not a beginner tool, though it can be used to learn. The way it's written is designed for certain spiritual work associated with herbs. It also included pictures of some of the plants listed, which can help with fresh herbs. It's a beautiful book of hoodoo-based herbs, ones you may not find in the more beginner/novice books that tell the understanding.
Papa Jim Magical Oil Book: This is a gem for any hoodoo worker to have. This book goes even deeper into advanced concepts of rootwork and herbalism. It is absolutely advanced in its teaching if you're able to understand how to truly work it. its goe sinto details about the workings and usage of the oil, brief yet informative descriptions of herbs used in workings, and ways certain oils are made and worked. This one is packed with alphabetical lists of all the information. It's not organized outside of that, but it's mixed with really great ways of working, not that you have to do anything exactly that way. Though a book of work its meant to show the usage and knowledge of the oil.
Hoodoo, Herb, and Root magic: This is a gem for any hoodoo worker to have. This book goes even deeper into advanced concepts of rootwork and herbalism. It is absolutely advanced in its teaching if you're able to understand how to truly work it. It goes into details regarding the workings and usage of the oil, brief yet informative descriptions of herbs used in workings, and ways certain oils are made and worked. This one is packed with alphabetical lists of all the information. It’s not organized outside of that, but it's mixed with really great ways of working, not that you have to do anything exactly that way. Though a book of work, it's meant to show the usage and knowledge of the oil.
Hoodoo Cleansing and Protection Magic: I like the way this one contained lots of information on the hoodoo regulars of cleansing, like washing down, using ammonia to clear anything harmful, and the aura. It is a great beginner tool for understanding how protection works in everyday life. It goes into detail explaining the principles and elements behind different forms of protection and cleansing. There's also information on how protection and cleansing can be compromised in everyday life. It's a beginner's 101 of moving through the energy of cleansing and protection. There is some mixed information, like most, so again, this is to understand the energy of cleansing and protection from a hoodoo-based lens; this book instructs confirmed gospel.
Power of Psalms: This one is a favorite of mine. It has a great summary of Psalms and the different ways to work scripture to get things done. There is everything from healing sickness to daily prayers. It does a great job working as a prayer book as well. This book breaks down the prayer into sections to fully grasp the psalm's meaning and many uses. This book helps understand how to work psalms in your favor or someone else's favor.
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