#uncrossing

Witchcraft 101:

Cleansing vs Uncrossing vs Banishing

Alright witches. Lets dive into some witchy basics and discuss the differences between cleansing, uncrossing and banishing. This will hopefully help you differentiate between them. But.. lets be honestly if you do something like call a spell an uncrossing when "technically" doing a banishing, who cares its all in good spirit. The reason i think its good to have a difference in mind between these falls into how you handle a spell. If I'm doing an uncrossing vs a banishing i would choose different spell ingredients, maybe work with different gods, or choose a different element to work with.

Cleansing: I consider cleansings as the foundation and most basic of these. Its almost an umbrella term the other two fall under. All banishings are cleansings, but not all cleansings are a banishing. Cleansings are when you're trying clear something away. Most often people will use this term in day to day workings and general upkeep to make sure nothing has stuck to them. This would include more casual things like smoke cleansing, showering and asking the water to cleanse you, sound cleansing, etc. Its not a full spellworking or ritual, but still done with energy and intention. Sometimes you may do a cleansing and realize whatever is there, is stuck deeper then you expected. So you take the next steps and do a more "intense" cleansing like an uncrossing or banishing.

Uncrossing Spells: Uncrossing specifically refers to removing unwanted energy. Usually when discussing what is an uncrossing, I sperate it from just a cleansing by describing it as a very intense cleansing where you're trying to strip away intense and specific energy. These are more work and a step up from an everyday cleansing for more intense scenarios. This is very spirit focused; think of it as taking out the bad and putting in the good. Some types of spells I would consider an uncrossing are: removing hexes/jinx/curses, removing the evil eye, spiritual detoxes, road openers, removing any stubborn energy, removing feelings, etc. I associate uncrossings with water: it's soaking in and getting that energy out. I would choose herbs/spell ingredients that are uplifting and purifying. Think salt, rosemary, rue, and lemons.

Banishing Spells: Banishing spells remove unwanted entities, spirits or people. You can use it to get rid of very deep rooted things like habits or insecurities. Banishings are quite a strong forms of spellwork. You're really kicking something out and away from you when you do a banishing. Its connected to more deep rooted things that you're trying to remove from your life. Some types of spells I could consider a banishing: cord cutting, exorcisms, banishing a spirit attached to you, getting rid of insecurities, freezers, etc. I associate banishings with fire. Burn and gtfo. I would choose herbs that have more of a kick to them and are defensive. Think nettle, blackberry leaves, cloves, even pepper in some cases.

Please note this doesn't have to be something strict. Like i said at the beginning this is just a guide that will help you differentiate so you can tackle the spellwork as effectively as possible.

Blessed Be Seeker of the Arcane,

Thank you for asking!

Uncrossing spell oils do have their origins in Hoodoo & African American folk magic. The metaphysical term of Uncrossing is defined by the removal of Crossed Conditions (ie; blockages, stagnant energy, challenges, curses, jinxes and hexes) in African American folk magic. While the practice of Hoodoo itself is closed to outsiders, sometimes it is okay for outsiders to purchase Uncrossing oils and other Hoodoo items from African American practitioners for their own personal use, if you are not African American.

If you are familiar with the book Hoodoo, Conjuration, Witchcraft & Rootwork by Harry Middleton Hyatt, some of you already know that African Americans have been selling Hoodoo items, mojos and spell oils to both African Americans, fellow Hoodoos & other non-African Americans for the past 200 yrs. This is actually a very well-documented historical fact.

Here are few screenshots about this from Hoodoo, Conjuration, Witchcraft & Rootwork for future reference and Hoodoo history's sake:

Many of African American Hoodunsi and Louisiana Kreyols were able to sustain a living and their livelihoods by maintaining this intersection and this truly has not changed in modern times. As long as you are not using those items to unfairly hurt an African American it IS okay for you to purchase items from African American witch shops for your own personal use, unless specified otherwise by that specific witch shop. If you have any concerns, feel free to message a shop owner directly and I guarantee they will QUICKLY let you know if it is appropriate to patronize their shop. However please keep in mind, that you are not owed anything and be on your best behavior, doing your absolute best to be respectful when doing so.

I wouldn't use any Hoodoo magical items that you've purchased for baneful or unjust purposes on other African Americans because it can backfire severely. A great deal of Hoodoo items are made under the watchful eyes of spirit and the ancestors, so it's best not to play with fire in that regard.

Spending your money at any variety of African American Hoodoo shops should not be controversial but unfortunately it is and this is rightfully so due to racial tensions and these unprecedented times. This has honestly led to a great deal of witchy cultural appropriation by non-African Americans and thievery, because there has always been a demand for these items that used to be met and supplied but recently there have been many false rumors, that purchasing items from Hoodunsi or African Americans is not okay and appropriative.

I personally am of the belief, that this rumor was spread on purpose so that others could financially exploit and steal from African Americans, slowing down business to steal additional profits for themselves, after subtly causing all this infighting as a distraction. This rumour has always simply been an all-out bald-headed lie, especially when we go back to actually look at the history for reference.

As a self-proclaimed historical preservationist of Hoodoo, I will not stand for ANY historical revisionism, when it comes to Hoodoo, Rootwork & Conjure. I always do my very best to deal in truth and facts, painstakingly refining and re-correcting if any mistakes have been made. I am deeply passionate about maintaining the integrity of Hoodoo’s history and its gotten me into trouble a few times.

Here's a cool but little-known metaphysical fact:

A strong majority (but not all) of spell oils, recipes and potions on the western wiccan and pagan marketplace currently can actually trace their origins from Traditional African American Folk Magic , Conjure & Hoodoo recipes. Up the power in your witchy arsenal by going directly to the source.

Remember in order to practice Hoodoo, you must be African American but purchasing items from a Hoodunsi or supporting an African American witch shop, does not mean you are practicing Hoodoo.

Hoodoo is a bloodline genetic practice, the only way to practice Hoodoo is if you have African American heritage.

If you've finally made it to this part,

Thanks for reading and joining me on this brief history lesson on African American folk magic. Also thanks again for asking me a genuinely interesting question.

I hope this was helpful for you,

xx

All of us practicing magic publicly should probably be doing more evil-eye removal, uncrossing, and cursebreaking than we do. Protective wards and servitors are great, but even if we never leave our enchanted sanctuaries, some things will still get through. To that end, evolving variations of this spell have become a regular part of my magical protection and spiritual hygiene regimen. I shared a…

Glory unto God the Father, and unto God the Mother, & unto God the Son, as it was, is now, and ever shall be unto the Eon of Eons.

Our Father who art in Heaven hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done. On Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our Daily Bread,. Forgive us our trespass and smite our trespassers. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the Power, & the Glory, forever. Amen.

St. Cyprian, Patron of Sorcerers and Magicians, I beseech you that you preserve me from all evil intents, arts, and perfidies. May they be full of confusion, those who attempt against my life. May my enemies be confused and scattered to the winds.

Guard my vision and my thoughts that I may understand the secret doctrines without error. Assist me to grow in power and wisdom that I may serve the good of mankind.

Grant me the power to intervene on behalf of those that come to me for help. Assist me in serving those who are bound by hexes, bewitching, and possessed of evil, so that the rabid wolf shall have dominion over them no longer.

Holy St. Cyprian, Mage, Martyr, and Mystic; Theurge, Thaumaturge, and Theophoros; Saint, Sorcerer, and Sage! Pray for us now, and at the hour of our death.

Let's start with a uncrossing.

Uncrossing: Is where someone has put something on you or a negative energy of a person is causing a negative effect in your life and the uncrossing will undo all of that.

A Road Opener: This will clear away blockages. When we take a different direction or unexpected path like a left turn onto another road this helps take us back on the original path. It can also help rid the blockages thats be in our way. [Example] If you ask God or the universe for something and you constantly squander those blessings you can lose them and the universe don't want to give help any more then a road opener can help with that.

Last we have the Blockbuster.

As part of the Uncrossing section of the healing focus, I wanted to share some techniques that you might like to try to support or supplement your work. Along with the usual practice of home cleaning, prayer, bathing, and uncrossing rituals, it is possible to engage other workings. Some of these may suit you better than the standard approaches to Uncrossing work. I encourage everyone to try these…

Barring all health and other issues - do your due diligence and rule all mundane issues out first, please - freezer spells will usually take hold kind of like an abnormal chill. You will feel abruptly colder than normal until the work has officially settled in; some may add an ingredient to throw you off, but not always. Or you may not feel the chill physically, depending on your disposition and protections - your life will just gradually reflect the fact that someone threw you in the back of the fridge.

The solution to any compromising work is often to restore spiritual sovereignty, so if you’ve divined and diagnosed for a freezing work, try to match it with moistening, heating energies. Pray first to your higher self and spiritual support for additional clarity on how to address the work, but some general insight is below.