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Such a beautiful thing to be able to escape reality and expectations and experience peace and connectedness.

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latin phrases worth knowing:

(in case you wanted to know because i fucking love this language) 

ad astra per aspera - to the stars through difficulties 

alis volat propriis - he flies by his own wings 

amantium irae amoris integratio est - the quarrels of lovers are the renewal of love 

ars longa, vita brevis - art is long, life is short 

aut insanity homo, aut versus facit - the fellow is either mad or he is composing verses 

dum spiro spero - while I breathe, I hope 

ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem - with the sword, she seeks peace under liberty 

exigo a me non ut optimus par sim sed ut malis melior - I require myself not to be equal to the best, but to be better than the bad

experiential docet - experience teaches 

helluo librorum - a glutton for books (bookworm) 

in libras libertas - in books, freedom 

littera scripta manet - the written letter lasts 

mens regnum bona possidet - an honest heart is a kingdom in itself 

mirabile dictu - wonderful to say 

nullus est liber tam malus ut non aliqua parte prosit - there is no book so bad that it is not profitable in some part 

omnia iam fient quae posse negabam - everything which I used to say could not happen, will happen now 

poeta nascitur, non fit - the poet is born, not made 

qui dedit benificium taceat; narrat qui accepit - let him who has done a good deed be silent; let him who has received it tell it 

saepe ne utile quidem est scire quid futurum sit - often, it is not advantageous to know what will be 

sedit qui timuit ne non succederet - he who feared he would not succeed sat still 

si vis pacem, para bellum - if you want peace, prepare for war 

struit insidias lacrimis cum feminia plorat - when a woman weeps, she is setting traps with her tears 

sub rosa - under the rose 

trahimir omnes laudis studio - we are led on by our eagerness for praise

urbem latericium invenit, marmoream reliquit - he found the city a city of bricks; he left it a city of marble 

ut incepit fidelis sic permanet - as loyal as she began, so she remains

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PLEASE REBLOG IF YOU ARE 18+

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Ring Magick

Rings have always been used in magick, whether as a form of talisman, amulet, or enhancement in your magick.

One’s hands both have different meanings and attributes, they are not identical nor are they twins, they are sister and work with each other like yin and yang.

Metals also have a large influence on how the energy flowing from your hands are directed, especially when it comes to your intention.

Fingers & Hands

Right Hand

Gender~ Masculine

Attributes~ The Right hand is seen as the hand of assertive action. Destruction and creation, this makes the right hand more preferable. This makes it a good partner for Gold

Left Hand

Gender~Feminine

Attributes~The Left hand is seen as intuitive and wise. Which makes it a good partner for Silver.

Thumb

Planet(s)~Mars & Venus

Attributes~Willpower and Logic

Pointer/Index Finger

Planet~Jupiter

Attributes~Influence, Money, Decision Making

Middle Finger

Planet~Saturn

Attributes~Success, Focus, Intellect

Ring Finger

Planet~Sun

Attributes~Ambition, Commitment, Power

Pinky Finger

Planet~Mercury

Attributes~Dreams, Communications, Memory

Metals and Alloys

Gold

The Sun

Gender~Masculinity

Element~Fire

Sign~Leo

Attributes~Success,Power,Wealth,

Silver

The Moon

Gender~Female

Element~Water

Sign~Cancer/Aquarius

Attributes~Truth,Loyalty,Dreamwork,Purity,Wisdom

Copper

Venus

Gender~Feminine

Element~Water

Sign~Taurus

Attributes~Luck,Love,Wealth, Exchange of powers

I Love Yall ❤️🧿

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How to Cast Spells That Work

In her book Wicca for Beginners Thea Sabin says, “When you do a spell, you are telling the universe that you intend to bring about a certain change and you are putting the energy in motion to achieve that end.”

A spell is sort of an energetic shove to get things moving in the way you want them to, and we do this by creating a ritual to build and then release the energy to get things going.

Most spells are based on a principle called imitative magic.

In his book Backwoods Shamanism, Ray Hess says, “Imitative magic means that making a symbolic gesture, when combined with intent and will… can affect the intended change on a grander scale.” [Note: I don’t actually recommend this book, but I like Hess’s definition of imitative magic.]

So, for example, you may have heard of a “cord cutting” ritual, where you symbolically cut your spiritual ties to a person you no longer want to have a relationship with. You’re symbolically creating a separation between yourself and that person, which creates physical separation in real life.

There are four basic components to any spell: your will, your intention, focused energy, and a ritual action. Some magical traditions add extra steps, like casting a circle, but from what I’ve read and been taught, these four basic components are constant no matter which tradition you’re following.

Let’s start with the most important bit: your will. Your will isn’t just what you want: it’s the desire and drive that is in alignment with your highest good. But in this case we’re also talking about will in the sense of willpower — Basically, your will is your personal spiritual authority and the source of your magical power.

Any spell that is not in alignment with your will won’t work. This is why it’s important to be clear about what you want and why you want it before you attempt a spell.

There’s also an element of belief here. Because magic only works when your spells are in alignment with your will, if you don’t believe your spell can work, it won’t. This is because you, yourself are blocking it from working.

The second important component of a  spell is your intention. When you do a spell, it’s important to clearly state what you want to happen. Some traditions will write the intention down on a piece of paper, which is called a petition. Other traditions will use a spoken statement of intention in the form of an incantation. Some witches use both.

You need to be clear about your intention before you begin your spell. Magic will always follow the path of least resistance, so it’s important to be specific. However, I find that magic works better when your intention leaves a little bit of wiggle room. It’s about finding that happy medium.

You also want to keep your petitions and incantations simple. If it’s more than a couple of sentences, you probably need to trim it down a little.

The next important part of a spell is focused energy. Magic is a way of directing energy, and this means that your own energy needs to be focused for it to work.

Don’t get too stressed out about focus. Your spell isn’t going to fail if your mind wanders for a few seconds. But you should set aside some time where you’ll be able to fully dedicate yourself to your spell. Try to find a private place where you won’t be interrupted. Turn off the TV, put your phone away, and try to avoid distractions. You might find that playing meditation music or burning incense helps you focus.

While you cast your spell, keep focusing on what it is you want to manifest. Again, don’t overthink this and don’t worry if your thoughts wander a little, but try to stay in the moment. Repeating your incantation can help with maintaining focus.

The last important part of a spell is your ritual action. This just means doing a specific set of things, in a specific order, with a specific intent behind them. If we go back to our definition of imitative magic, your ritual actions are symbolic of the change you want to manifest.

Your ritual actions do not have to be complex. A very common ritual for spells is anointing and lighting a candle. Making a charm or poppet is also popular. But any action can be a magical ritual if it is done with intent and focus, in alignment with your will. Making a cup of tea or coffee can be a ritual. Running a bath can be a ritual. Cooking food can be a ritual. The only limit is your imagination.

These four things are literally all you need to cast a spell. A spell doesn’t have to be complicated or include a bunch of crystals and herbs to work. You can do an effective spell with nothing but your own mind and body.

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Hodou terminology and concepts.

“Born with a veil - Child born with a caul or a piece of amniotic sack covering their face, it is believed that a person born ‘with the veil’ would have heightened spiritual power.

Called - one way to legitimately enter Hodou practice. The ritual of being called involves some unusual or supernatural event that signals the G_d-given ordination of a potential conjure doctor. The unusual event can happen at birth or later in life. (born with a veil, clapping of thunder, or lightning striking a tree).

Chew the root - Once well-known “court case ritual” in which the conjurer attends the court hearing of a client and chews galanga root (chewing John), recites personal words of power, and spits in the courtroom.

Conja - (Conja commonly heard by Southerners, Conjure, Northerners) Another term for ‘work’ done within the Hodou tradition or a practitioner of Hodou. 

Cross - similar meaning to “to trick,” “to gopher,” “to Hodou,” or “to root”. 

Fix - Act of putting roots on a person, to hex, or dress.

Hand - Another name for a mojo bag.

Hodou - The traditional African - American folk healing and spiritual controlling system. This system draws most heavily from African traditional religion but later, as a result of enslavement, integrates elements of Native American traditional religion and beliefs and some (very little) old world European folk beliefs. The term also is used to designate a rootworker, conjurer, two-head, or root doctor, as in that person is a Hodou.

Hot foot - A term most likely devised by snake oil Hodou markeeters ( People who were not connected to Hodou through Ancestry attempting to hype up terms in order to gain profit).

Juju - A generic term referring to any and all types of traditional and alternative African religious practices.

Long head - Another name for a conjurer or root doctor.

Mojo - A traditional African American amulet.

Put the bad mouth on - this phrase refers to the traditional West African and Hodou belief in the power of the spoken word. 

Root doctor, rootman, root woman, root worker - A traditional African American community lay Hodou practitioner, folk herbalist, and healer.

Roots, put roots on, to be rooted - To cast a spell, usually negative, on someone in the Hodou tradition is to root them. 

Seer - A root worker with the power to predict the future or to see unrevealed phenomena. 

Two - Head - An old term for a conjurer, root doctor, root worker, or Hodou practitioner. the term refers to the belief that the root worker can see into two worlds: the corporeal world of everyday existence and the invisible spirit world.”

Edit * - Hazzard-Donald. (n.d.). Mojo Workin’: The Old African American Hoodoo System - Kindle edition by Katrina Hazzard-Donald.

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The Ultimate Guide to Potion Bases

We all spend so much time thinking about the correspondences of the actual ingredients that go into our potions that we often forget to think about what the potion base represents! (At least I do.) It would be nice to have a list of all the various liquids that can be used in place of water. Naturally, I can’t think of everything but I think this is a pretty good starting point! What else can be used? Eventually, at some point down the road, I will compile all these thoughts into a book on potion making and want to include this! Keep in mind that these are my own correspondences. Let me know if you disagree or if you’d change anything up! Let’s see how big we can make this list. Also, I should probably note that not all of these liquids can be ingested. (Obviously.)

The List

Vinegar: Used for cleansing and purification potions.  Lemon Juice: Used in hexing, cursing, or revenge potions.  Cranberry Juice: Used in love potions. Apple Juice: Used in healing, knowledge, and youth potions.  Ammonia: Used in banishing, cursing, purification, and protection  Red Wine: Love potions and potions dealing with death and the afterlife.  White Wine: Used in platonic love potions as well as success brews.  Rum: Used in potions involving spirit work.  Whisky: Another good base for potion work.  Vodka: A good base for work involving rapid banishing.  Laundry detergent: Good for cleansing potions.  Oils: Used to speed up a process.  Molasses: Used in potions intended to slow a situation down.  Rubbing Alcohol: Another good base for cleansing and purification. Hydrogen Peroxide: Used in healing potions.  Milk: Used in potions to promote sleep and peace.  Sour Milk: Used to cause nightmares or in potions designed to torment. Orange Juice: For potions of solar importance, healing, success.  Soda Water: Used in potions designed to encourage laughter and giddiness.  Ginger Ale: Used in health or healing potions.  Olive Juice: Used in peace potions.  Honey: Used in potions to sweeten up another’s disposition. Syrup: Used in abundance and prosperity potions.  Beer: Used in potions intended to induce slumber.  Clam Juice: Used in aphrodisiacs.  Cough Syrup: Used in healing potions and to make someone ‘cough it up.’ Soy Sauce: Used in protection potions. (Thanks Lexa Rosean for this one!) Pineapple Juice: Used in abundance potions and fidelity potions.  Coconut Milk: Used in spiritual and magical cleansing potions.  Ice: Solid first, then melted for transformation potions. Coffee: Really, a potion in and of itself in my book. Vanilla Extract: In small amounts, used in passion potions. Witch Hazel: Used in communication and cleansing potions.

What else can you all think of?

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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.

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This is so soothing

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The Holy Trinity of modern day witchcraft

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☀️🌙

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I’m getting a cleansing today

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✦ . ˚ Southern Witch ˚ . ✦

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Black Witches Everywhere 👸🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🖤