Hoodoo is a practice born out of slavery and oppression. At it’s foundation it is about finding justice, and fighting for equality. It saddens me to say it but these things are just as life threateningly important as they ever have been. Black lives always matter, mine and all the rest. If I can help protect just one life with these time honored tactics, then I have done my job as a writer and as a person. This post is designed give you the basics: protection for when you are out and about, or at home, and what do do if you face injustice, and as a result end up involved in court.
One night not so long ago one of my dear friends messaged me and asked for a spell. They needed help remaining hidden during the Black Lives Matter protests in their area. They hoped to photograph some of the violence and related aggressions that were taking place by law enforcement and others. These individuals were only trying to speak out against tragedy. In these situations the simplest Hoodoo advice used to carry out something undetected is cinnamon powder. Cinnamon powder can be placed in your pockets and/or your shoes to help with invisibility. For extra effectiveness consider carrying a piece of calcite, which was even scientifically studied to use in developing a cloaking device. However these methods work best on one’s person, but what are the hoodoo solutions for protecting your home, or place of business.
Blue Balls and Blue Salt for Protection
Many witches know about Black salt, which I have written about before here on the Voodoo Universe blog. But blue salt and blue balls can also be used as protection mojo for your space. Blue balls also known as laundry bluing, bluestone or anil, are a traditional ingredient in cleansing and protection magick. They can be used to make a protection wash for your home or business, you can find an easy recipe here. While blue salt can be made by adding equal parts indigo powder and sea salt. Once called ‘blue gold’ in the southern United States, indigo is used for both protection and wealth. The salt can be sprinkled in the corners of a building to bless and protect it.
Hi-John and Lo-John for Court Cases
Victims of injustice very often find themselves in court. The most popular Hoodoo root for those who are working with this problem is Hi-John. People use it for justice, eloquence, money, healing, power, love, gambling, just about everything you can imagine. It can be grated or shaved and used in gris-gris bags or sprinkling powders. Some people just carry it whole. The following recipe from my post on Hi-John can be sprinkled on your hands and feet before going into court.
Hi John Anointing Water
small pinch hi john root shavings
3 drops vetivert oil
3 drops lime oil
3 drops cypress oil
1 oz. spring water
1 oz. Holy water
Mix all ingredients together in a glass bottle. Shake the bottle well to combine the contents, just as you are doing this focus you mind on your desired intent. Then blow one long infusing breath onto the bottle. Use as needed to anoint high john root, gris-gris-bags, or use as a sprinkling water during the waxing moon.
These are only a few suggestions, for more spells and resources please check out my book Voodoo and African Traditional Religion. It features a whole chapter on justice magick.
Magick and Hoodoo should always be used in conjunction with common sense. Please be safe and sane. As always if you have liked what you find here please remember to like, comment, and share !
In the world of Hoodoo psalms are used as spells, incantations, and invocations. Historically, there are many reasons for this. One main reason is that for over a century there were prohibitions against magick in colonized and occupied countries. Enslaved people were forced to convert to Christianity, and very often the only book they were allowed to have was the Bible. However, fortunately the Bible is also a magickal text. There is a transformative power to the words of the psalms that can be utilized in times of need.
One author who has written about this extensively is Reverend Ray T. Malbrough. His book The Magical Power of the Saints: Evocation and Candle Rituals was written in 2002 and has since become a classic reference text. In it he talks about 74 different saints and also discusses how to use psalms to bring about change in your life. The section on psalms gives information on which ones to use for pain, business issues, enemies, bad habits, faith, dreams, love, marriage, pregnancy, luck, safety, travel, respect and more. There are instructions on addressing very specific problems in these areas by reciting certain psalms.
Personally, I have also always loved using psalms as spells even when I was very young. Despite my parents alternative spirituality I attended a Christian school, and there they gave me a bible in pre-school. So I guess in some ways that was my first magickal text. It was drilled into our brains, and I quickly realized the psalms had the power to achieve things far beyond their intended use. This impacted me so much I even included some psalms in my book Love Magic. One of my favorites was for St. Dymphna, the patron saint of mental illness.
St. Dymphna spell from Love Magic by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
Part of this working uses one of my favorite psalms, Psalm 119 1-101, which is as follows:
ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5 Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
25 DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
33 HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
41 VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
49 ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
57 CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
65 TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
73 JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
81 CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
94I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. (KJV)
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People get intense over pumpkin spice. I have nothing against the deliciousness of anyone’s coffee, but the same delightful flavors you love in your cup or doughnut, also pack a pretty powerful kind of pumpkin spice magick.
I know I’m not alone, but pumpkin spice is one of my favorite flavorings. I’ve joked for years in my workshops that it’s quite ironic that these delightful spices which are used for the Orisha Oshun have also been proven by science to mimic some of the chemical processes one has when in love. My fellow Patheos Pagan blogger Heron Michelle wrote about Pumpkin Spice Witchcraft in 2018. She talk about how “powerful blend of Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Allspice and Nutmeg bring the Four P’s: potency, protection, passion and prosperity.”
There are many herbs and spices that can go into a traditional pumpkin spice blend but the mixture usually includes –
Cinnamon– Cinnamon is hands down an herb of love. It also contains properties of healing, and one of my favorites invisibility. In my book Love Magic I write ” Cinnamon heats things up, and love and sex are no exception; it’s the rule. ”
Nutmeg– Nutmeg is known to help with dream magick, in fact in large quantities it is known to be both toxic and hallucinogenic( use with caution.) This common kitchen spice is also associated with love, relationships, healing, financial success, fidelity, strength, and divination and can make a welcome addition to your magickal spells and potions.
Allspice– Allspice isn’t actually all spices, but instead the berry of a type of evergreen tree. Both Venus and Aphrodite are given this spice as offering.
Clove– Clove is a great spice for a variety of different things. These include healing, love, and stopping gossip.
Ginger– This spice is often used in love and sex magick, and also for healing.
All of these can all be added to your ritual bath spells, floor washes, and spell oils to spice up your magick. Or you can use this mixture which combines them all.
Pumpkin Spice Gris Gris Bag-
This gris-gris, or mojo bag, is designed to attract love and joy. As with all love spells, there can be ethical issues, so please be sure to focus your intent on bringing the best possible love for you directly to you.
1 teaspoon cinnamon, powdered
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
1/2 teaspoon allspice, powdered
1/2 teaspoon clove, ground
2 teaspoons red rose petals, dried
Glass or Ceramic bowl
Spoon for mixing
Small Red Cloth Bag
Place all the herbs together in the bowl. Mix well with the spoon. Place the herbs in the bag. Tie the bag shut and rub it quickly between your hands to charge it with your energy. Then carry the pumpkin spice magick bag in your pocket or place it under your bed to attract joy and love to you.
As always if you have enjoyed this pumpkin spice magick and the other posts you read here please remember to like, comment, and share !
Hoodoo Underwear Spells photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
Underwear spells … yes, you read that right, this post is about spells using underwear and other items of clothing. In lots of ways Hoodoo and Conjure workings are about resourcefulness, and making magick with the items you have at hand. Footprints in the dirt, hair, fingernails, and clothes are often used in these systems to represent and connect to an individual.
Several years ago I had an interesting and eye opening experience when I went with a friend to clear out the storage locker of someone we knew who had passed away. Our friend had left us too soon, and we solemnly had gone to his space to clear out anything he would not have wanted his family to see. We found lots of interesting things. One of which I’m still laughing about almost a decade later, was a small treasure chest filled with women’s underwear and all kinds of mojo mixed in. There were big panties, small panties, obviously he was an equal opportunity panty spell caster.
There is certainly an ethical question that has to be considered when doing any kind of magick with underwear and other personal items. These types of spells are a kind of commanding and controlling, and those things always have consequences. I have heard of people wrapping up their hair and that of their partners, tying them together and then surrounding it with the underwear. Personally, I would never do such things without my lovers permission, in that way I know that everyone is a willing participant in the process.
The simplest type of Hoodoo spell work you can do with underwear is to use your own to attract love and passion. This type of working can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish to make it. You can use oils, candles, crystals, herbs, or any number of items as part of this process. In my book Love Magic I give a spell that would work well, namely the Happy Delights Spray.
Happy Delights Spray
You can spray this on your underwear, your bed, your pillow, and anywhere you wish to attract joyous love.
Combine all ingredients into your glass bottle. Make the sign of the cross in the air with the bottle, then gently toss into the air and catch it. This will make sure it is charged and blessed by the realm of the invisibles. Now it is ready for use.
As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share.
Protection Spells photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
The newly released Protection Spells by Arin Murphy-Hiscock addresses one of the most important areas of Magic today. Without adequate protection, Witches and other Psychic practitioners leave themselves open to unnecessary harm and chaos. This book contains over 100 different spells for defense and protection, so there is something here for just about everyone.
A large part of this book is concentrated on spells for children and young folk. There are spells here for general fears, anti-bullying, and also nightmares, things that can plague folks of any age, but are particularly troubling for youth. There are also simple ways to both ground and center yourself which can be helpful for anyone. A large part of protection magic is designed to provide comfort and security and that is what this book provides.
One segment that is particularly interesting to me is Protection Spells that revolve around magickal cleaning supplies. I have long advocated that people add charged crystals and/or ritual oils and waters to their cleaning supplies. Here the book tells us that ” Magically programming your cleaning supplies is one of the easiest ways to support the magical maintenance of your home.” The spell that follows allows you to charge whatever item you wish with an incantation, and spiritual focus.
I also really appreciate Protection Spells including workings for use while travelling. These include both a passport protection spell, and also a travel version of Florida Water. My own godson lost his passport on one of our trips to New Orleans ( always have a photocopy,) so this spell is dear to my heart and my history. And everyone knows I am a big fan of Florida Water, just look at all our posts about it here, and this recipe is a welcome addition to our travelling practices.
Arin Murphy-Hiscock is the author of the Way of the Green Witch, Pagan Pregnancy, Power Spellcraft for Life, Solitary Wicca for Life, Birds: A Spiritual Field Guide and many other titles. She’s been active in the field of alternative spirituality for over 20 years, and lives in Montreal, Canada. Murphy-Hiscock is also a 3rd degree Wiccan high priestess who has been teaching spell craft since 2002.
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The Book of Flower Spells photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
The Book of Flower Spellsby Cheralyn Darcey begins like any good spell book should. It has a description of various components that go into the making of a successful spell. It talks about the attributes of the days of the week, crystals, and the stuff this this book is about… Flowers. Flowers are magical, intoxicating, the stuff of life.
The spells in this book are numerous, and they’re not the usual once you see everywhere either. One of my favorites is the frangipani self-confidence spell. This talks about one of my favorite flowers. It even goes into some of the folklore surrounding this magical bloom. Darcy writes that “in Malaysia at the scent is said to accompany the appearance of the Pontianak – a female vampire.”
One interesting thing about The Book of Flower Spells is that the author give substitutes if you can’t find the flower you need for a spell. Magnolia is replaced by corn flour, lilacs are replaced by lemon blossom, and daffodils are replaced by petunias. As many of us know sometimes it’s hard to find the exact right ingredients for a spell, especially when the flower or herb is not in season. Fortunately Darcy provide solutions for us.
This spell book is well thought out and would be a useful addition to any beginner or experts library. The authors bio tells us that she is a “botanical explore, organic gardener, independent natural history scholar, artist, educator, and the author of several books and oracle decks. For more information see www.cheralyndarcey.com
In case you missed it, this blog also contains much more information about using flowers in your magick. Please see our Herbal Magick posts featuring : Hibiscus, Dandelion, Lily of the Valley, Primrose, and more. We hope to feature more of these in the future so please let us know which flowers and herbs you would like to see.
As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please please please remember to like, comment, and share.
Zora Neale Hurston photo courtesy of wikimedia commons.
There is a song in the air. People have been buzzing about it for weeks. It’s a song of angry women. Really it’s not just angry women, it’s an angry society that feels unheard and afraid. As I write this there are upwards of a million women and their allies preparing for the Women’s March on Washington this weekend for unity, protection, power, and progress . Speaking at the march are feminist icons Gloria Steinem and Angela Davis. The other notables set to appear include Scarlett Johansson, Michael Moore, Gwen Carr, Uzo Aduba, Cher, and many, many more. Sister marches have rose up here in my hometown of NYC, and all across the world really including India and New Zealand. In the words of Zora Neale Hurston ” If you are silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it.” The people rising up are proud and courageous, but in my sincerest heart of hearts I also hope they are protected.
Signs of protest photo by ielepaloumpis . All rights reserved.
There are many protection spells people can do to prepare themselves, and one is to carry rocks. No, I don’t mean for throwing but crystals for safety and protection. Some good crystals to carry in these protest situations would be clear quartz ( for blessings and clarity,) black tourmaline ( for protection and to transform negativity into positive change,) obsidian, carnelian, and turquoise.
Another good idea is to make a gris gris bag, or mojo bag, for protection. You can include your favorite power herbs and stones and whatever else you need. If you would like more information on making one of these, please see my video for Maman Brigitte.
Maman Brigitte is a loa of the Vodou and Voodoo pantheon who is seen as a wise and powerful grandmother to all mankind. Her sacred domain is justice. It is obvious why this is a particularly good protection spell to make up for marches. You can carry this bag with you, or even tie it to your protest sign. Luck and blessings to all who will be protesting, I hope to see you there !
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