Hoodoo is a lot of things, it’s resourceful, it’s powerful, it’s a set of practices revolving around time honored traditions and generational magicks. Many exotic and unusual ingredients have been known to find their way into Hoodoo spells including, but by no means limited to:
Raccoon Penis Bone – Used for potency
Grains of Paradise – Used for power
Dog Hair – Used to start arguments
High John Root – Used for protection
Graveyard Dirt– Used for Ancestor blessing and controlling spells
Holy Water – Used as an amplifier in all different types of spiritual work
Many may wonder how, or why, a Catholic mainstay like Holy Water found it’s way into traditional Hoodoo spells and formulas. I have already mentioned Hoodoo is resourceful, it’s practices survived and thrived despite years of prejudice and oppression. Most Hoodoo spells exist in the form they do today because of their power. Quite simply, why would someone keep doing a spell if it didn’t work. When faced with the challenge of economic, religious, and cultural hardship Hoodoo grabbed what it could and went to work. One thing that the Catholic religion does well, regardless of your opinion of it, is make sure people have access to it’s practices. Holy Water is, and has been, readily available to the general public, for a price.
Does It Have To Be Catholic Holy Water?
Every time I give my workshop on Sacred Oils, Waters, and Baths of Voodoo and Santeria someone asks the question “ Does it have to be from a Catholic Church?”
I wish there was a simple answer. I understand many people have had very bad experiences with the Catholic Church, some involving abuse of all kinds. Under those instances it is completely valid to wish to use an alternate ingredient for spells, however the results may vary. The same way we quickly discover food tastes and acts differently when we use an egg substitute or try going gluten-free, our magickal formulas may be different too. There are certainly other Sacred Waters you can use- from Hindu blessed Water from the Ganges, to blessed water from the well of Brighid, or you could try and make your own.
A long time ago, I was attending a large Pagan event at a hotel in New England. I found myself without any traditionally blessed Holy Water for an upcoming workshop. I quickly set about making a Pagan Holy Water. A novel idea I thought as I went around to my friends, the Pagan elders, who were in attendance. Everyone else thought it was a great idea too, and they quickly added their breath, blessings, or otherworldly words of transformation to the brew. We brought it to my workshop and I allowed the participants of the class to bless the concoction as well. Then we used it in the various magickal mixes and formulas throughout the afternoon. I would love to report it worked as well, if not better, than your average Catholic obtained liquid, but that wasn’t the case. The energy of the blend, by my own accounts and others functioned differently, and was not as effective for it’s intended purposes. But by all means if you want to make your own Holy Water, go ahead, let me know how it goes, maybe we were having an off day. The following spell can be done any day, but consider using it whenever you feel the energy of your home getting funky.
HooDoo Home Blessing Spell
Ingredients:
White Votive Candle
3 Drops Sandalwood oil
Holy Water
Place the Sandalwood oil on top of the candle and light it. Walk around your home counterclockwise starting at the front door. Sprinkle the Holy Water in the corners and on the windowsills as you travel through your home. Repeat as necessary.
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