Hoodoo How We Do: Bay Leaf

November 21, 2023 By Lilith Dorsey

Bay leaf is one of those marvelously magical ingredients that can be found in almost every kitchen cabinet. Bay can be used for protection, cleansing, money, healing, success, financial gain, and anxiety relief. Hoodoo is a series of practices based on what works. This herb works in a whole variety of situations, I hope you try it out.

Bay is a Mediterranean plant, but it can be grown indoors in colder climates. The botanical name of this plant is Laurus nobilis and it has been cultivated as both a culinary and magical herb for many centuries. The Royal Horticultural Society recommends that gardeners “Choose a warm, sheltered planting site, protected from strong winds and in full sun or light shade. Bay needs free-draining soil that doesn’t get waterlogged.” In cold climates it is frequently placed in pots and grown outdoors during the summer, and then brought inside as a houseplant before chance of frost.

This plant is quite literally the stuff of legend, Greek legend to be specific. It is said to have been named after the river nymph Daphne. Daphne is said to have been turned into the tree in order to shield her from the unwanted advances of the God Apollo. More detail about this can be found on the site hellenicgods.org .

One of the beautiful things about bay is that you can add it to your magick in many different ways. You can burn it. You can add it to your food. Your spells and magicks will be customized for your intent. The plant is thought to be associated with fire and ruled by the sun. Consequently it is said to be especially useful for those with strong Leo placements. This plants fiery energy is probably the reason it gets added to so many ritual burns and bonfires. However Kitchen Witches know that bay leaves floating in soups and stews are how most of us were introduced to this magickal treasure. The following spell working uses both fire and water to bring success when needed.

Bay Success Spell Working – Success spells are the go to workings in my spiritual arsenal.

Ingredients:

3 Bay Leaves

1 cup rain water

3 new coins (with the current year’s date)

1 small white votive candle

glass bowl

Instructions: Gather all your ingredients together on your ritual altar or shrine. If you don’t have an altar or shrine, you can simply place them on a table where they will be undisturbed for the time of the working. Place the bowl in the center of the space. Add the rain water, bay leaves and coins. Place the white votive in the center of the bowl and light it. Repeat the following three times, “vision and action come to me, grant me all the success that will be.” Remember to never leave a burning candle unattended. As the candle burns down, think about all the ways success can and will come to you. Pay attention to any unusual thoughts you may have. Bay is a prophetic herb and may be guiding you towards some interesting and new avenues for success. When the candle has burned down take the items out of the water. Dump the water at a crossroads. Take the coins and place them in your purse or wallet. Bury the bay leaves as close to your front door as possible, if you do not have open ground there consider placing them in a flower pot. The used wax from the candle can be placed in the trash.

Herbal Magick: Conjuring Comfrey

September 25, 2022 By Lilith Dorsey

Conjuring comfrey photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Comfrey is a delightful plant that can do many things both spiritual and mundane. It may not be as popular as sage or lavendar, but it is infinitely valuable nonetheless. The use of this plant goes back over 2,000 years, and it’s botanical name is Symphytum officinale L. Comfrey is native to Europe and parts of Asia. This plant’s ancient history tells us that they are many magickal and practical uses which we will detail in this post.

Magickal Uses of Comfrey

Protection during travel (place in your luggage or pocket during trips)
Healing from illness (can be used in mojo/medicine bags for the sick)
Anti-Theft aid (plant near your door to deter unwanted intruders)
Financial abundance (place in your wallet or handbag)
Fidelity and commitment (can be used as part of a commitment or handfasting ceremony)
Gambling luck (place in your wallet, pocket or handbag while gambling)

I recently planted some comfrey in my community garden, and I started thinking about all it’s garden uses. People use it as a nutrient rich addition to the compost pile. It is also a good deterrent for slugs. Some people recommend using the leaves for mulch. However, the most popular use in the garden is the making of a comfrey tea.

Fertilizer Tea

This is a very stinky process that requires some patience, but comfrey tea is well worth it for your organic garden. The method is quite simple – add fresh comfrey leaves chopped up to some fresh water in a food grade jug or bucket. Cap or cover the mix and leave for three weeks or more. When ready it will resemble a thick slurry. Comfrey can irritate your skin so be sure to wear gloves. When diluted (recommended strength is 1:4 or greater) this mixture makes a great fertilizer, but can also be used as a foliar spray.

This herb has also long been heralded for it’s medicinal value. This is because comfrey contains a substance called allantoin which is known to rejuvenate cells. Commercially it is sold as a salve and used to heal skin and joints. It is best to use preparations made from the leaves, and as with all herbs and plants follow medical advice before using it on yourself.

Please check out the other posts in our Herbal Magick series. As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to give a like, comment, or share !

The Hoodoo You Probably Already Knew

July 12, 2022 By Lilith Dorsey

Many Black folks like myself probably grew up doing a lot of Hoodoo magick and they didn’t even realize it. A psalm for protection, some salt on the doorstep, a root in the pocket… all of these are time honored Hoodoo practices that for many of us have become second nature. They weren’t taught in a classroom or an online course, they were passed down in a traditional manner, whispered from parent to child to teach them how to survive. I’ve written extensively about some of these things here on the Voodoo Universe blog before. I urge you to check out the following:

Black Salt, White Salt photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Black salt, White Salt, and Red Brick Dust All Over – Here I write “There are many traditional Hoodoo, Voodoo and magickal items that can be used for protection. White Sea Salt, Black Salt, and Red Brick dust are a few of these powerful tools.” Quite frankly these are some of the best items you can stock in your magickal arsenal, not just for protection but also cleansing.

Hi John Root photo by Lilith Dorsey. Copyright 2014 all rights reserved.

Hi John the Conqueror Root is probably the most well known root in Hoodoo. The folklore surrounding it is voluminous. One of my favorite tales is by Zora Neale Hurston. ” In her story we see a folk hero of epic proportions always eluding trouble, and eventually marrying the devil’s daughter and becoming the mayor of Hell. This is all a bit reminiscent of the James Cagney movie of the same name. Now folklore is folklore for a reason, and myth is not reality. Her depiction of Hi John the Conqueror includes all the themes and tropes of the Harlem Renaissance: Devils, tricks, and shiny instruments. Zora Neale Hurston, was however a Voodoo priestess and I think it amazing that she found a way to weave one of Voodoo’s most important herbs into the lore of history.” You may have seen this wrinkly treasure before, and if you haven’t you should check it out. It works to bring about justice, eloquence, healing, luck, power, and love.

It always makes me smile when I see someone on social media surprisingly proclaim Psalms Are Spells. Of course they are. In the context of Hoodoo their use most likely came about because enslaved Blacks in the U.S. were very often forbidden to read or write, and not allowed books, except for the Bible. However, fortunately the Bible is also a magickal text. There is a deep and transformative power to the words of the psalms that can be utilized in times of need.

Much of the practices of Hoodoo are centered around using what you have at hand. Making the most of your common sense and logic, go hand and hand with traditional knowledge to get the job done.

As always if you have enjoyed this post please remember to like, comment, and share !

Review: CBD For Your Health, Mind & Spirit

June 20, 2022 By Lilith Dorsey

CBD for Your Health, Mind, & Spirit. Photo courtesy of Llewellyn Worldwide. All rights reserved.

I’m a big supporter of CBD so when I got the change to review CBD For Your Health, Mind & Spirit, published by Llewellyn Worldwide, I couldn’t be more excited. Written by veteran author Kerri Connor this book is a comprehensive look at all things CBD, also known as cannabidiol. It begins with the history of Cannabidol and Cannabis as a whole. One of the earliest mentions of the substance is the Hindu Vedas written around 1100 BCE. The God Shiva is said to have delivered it to the people to use for their enjoyment.

Personally I’ve used CBD for pain, anxiety, and a whole host of other situations. I truly appeals to me as a natural medicine, that can even be used on pets. The part of the book that I found most valuable were the recipes and formulas, there are over 40 of them included in these informative pages. Here’s the recipe for the Amp’d and Easy Brownies. It starts with a boxed brownie mix and adds buttermilk, extra cocoa, espresso, and of course CBD.

CBD recipe — CBD brownie recipe courtesy of Llewellyn Worldwide. Photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

One of the best parts of the book is the section on connecting to spirit in the garden. Here Connor tells us ways to bless and honor our seeds ” thank and bless these seeds in whatever way suits you best. Send them energy. Thank them. Talk to them if you want.” CBD For Your Health, Mind & Spirit also talks about using CBD as a healing remedy for pets. It can be a useful tool for assisting them with some of the same maladies we are dealing with. There is very little this plant can’t do, and this book explores many new and exciting ways to discover.

The author Kerri Connor is the author of several books including Spells for Tough Times. She can be reached at her website www.KerriConnor.com

As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share !

Hoodoo How We Do: Spells For Injustice

May 4, 2022 By Lilith Dorsey

Injustice Anywhere photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC 2.0

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.

Calcite can be used for invisibility. Image courtesy of Robert M. Lavinsky. Licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0

Spell For Invisibility

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 !

The Power of Ogun’s Machete

October 21, 2021 By Lilith Dorsey

Ogun Shrine — Ogun shrine photo courtesy of wikimedia. Licensed under CC 4.0

Ogun’s machete is his most powerful tool. Forged in fire it is a weapon used in many ways. For those unaware Ogun is a divinity revered in many of the African Traditional Religions. In Haiti he is known as Ogou. Here he is known to have been an instrumental force guiding those who were responsible for the Haitian revolution and the country’s subsequent independence. La Regla Lucumi, more commonly known as Santeria, honors this energy as an Orisha called Ogun who focuses his energy on iron and the forge. In my book Voodoo and African Traditional Religion I write about how Ogun among the Yoruba in West Africa, “he is the owner of the gun, the knife, the razor, the police and the law, metal, driving, and more. Even swords are called gu or gubasa after Ogun.” His power of protection and necessary healing are celebrated worldwide.

Wild Man in Solitude

Many of the sacred stories, also known as patakis, that talk about this Orisha tell of his time spent alone in the forest with his dogs. It is here he forges his tools and weapons. My post on this Orisha explains ” some view him as the archetypal “wild man of the woods.” For this reason, shrines to Ogun are often located outdoors, at the base of trees or near a forge. A sacred shrine may also be located on the floor behind the front door. It all depends on which tradition one is honoring. The forced migration of the middle passage is perhaps the most important explanation for the multiple incarnations of the Ogun spirit.” It is said that even though this is where this Orisha does his work, it can also be the place where he indulges in self-reflection. The religion cautions us however, that these times must not turn to inaction and depression, because Ogun is also needed to protect the community in his role as warrior.

“He has heart who knows fear, but vanquishes it; who sees the abyss, but with pride.
He who sees the abyss, but with eagle’s eyes,- he who with eagle’s talons grasps the abyss: he has courage.”

― Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra

It is a delicate balance that takes place in this solitude, and I included the above quote, which illustrates the strength and courage Ogun can pull out of this abyss. I recently participated in the Intimate Partner Violence Awareness TeleConference organized by Phoenix Coffin-Williams. Here I spoke about this solitude, this abyss that can both harm and heal. The entirety of my talk can be seen here.

Ogun Mural located in Spanish Harlem, NYC. Photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Ogun as Soldier and Healer

There are many dualistic aspects to Ogun. This plays out very often in his roles as both warrior and healer. His machete is a necessary tool both for agriculture and protection. In Haitian Vodou, and also 21 divisions, there is an avatar of Ogun known as Ogun Balendjo, who is seen as both a physician and a military man. He is often syncretized with St. James and honored on July 25 in accordance with the saint’s day. It is important to remember that a scalpel can be a weapon or a healing tool, it all depends on how you use it. The same is true for the Ashe or sacred power and energy of Ogun. Approach it wisely and carefully.

Ogun Offerings

Many people have heard me speak about my dear friend Santero Luis Manuel Nunez. He was an integral participant in the early days of the Voodoo Spiritual Temple here in New Orleans. He has risen up to join the ancestors, but fortunately he took the time and effort to write Santeria: A practical Guide to Afro-Caribbean Magic. In it he talks extensively about Ogun and lists his herbal/food offerings as follows: “palo vencedor, rabo de piedra, palo bomba, escandon, pincha de gato, Eucalyptus, sasparilla, boneset, blessed thistle, restharrow, senna, datura, carpenter ants, guao (comocladia dentada), tree native to Cuba, sweet soursop, guamao (Lonchocarpus sericeus),Cuban timber tree, red pepper, black pepper, mastic tree, castor oil plant, oak leaves, and indigo plant among others.” Ogun’s sacred energy or Ashe runs through these offerings which are given frequently. Please honor this ashe respectfully.

As always if you have enjoyed what you find here please remember to like, comment, and share !

HooDoo How We Do: Angelica Root For Plagues and Protection

August 24, 2021 By Lilith Dorsey

Angelica root plant. Image courtesy of Wikimedia.

Angelica Root was traditionally used to cure the plague, so if this isn’t the time to write about this Hoodoo botanical, I don’t know when that would be. Hoodoo herbs tend to have powerful names and this plant has one of the best, Angelica is also called root of the Holy Ghost. This is straight up proof that this plant has been used for millennia. It grows naturally in colder climates, and is native to places such as Russia and Scandinavia. It’s botanical name is Angelica archangelica and it is closely related to parsley and carrots.

Hoodoo Healing with Angelica Root

Angelica root is definitely part of the go-to list in Hoodoo for healing. It was used during the plague of 1510 in Italy, and Paracelsus, a noted alchemist and prominent physician of the time called it “marvelous medicine.” It has long been connected with the archangel Michael and is said to bloom on his holy day.

A simple healing bath can be made by pouring 1 cup of very hot tap water over 3 tbs. powdered angelica and 1 Tbs. dried basil. Stir well and let sit for 3 hours. Then strain and add liquid to your bath water. The root can also be washed in holy water then left to dry. When this is accomplished, carry it in your right pocket for healing and protect when travelling far from home. Another tip is to put powdered angelica under you doormat so your home is protected from both illness and danger.

Drink Your Medicine

Popular liquors like gin and chartreuse are known to include Angelica root as part of their ingredient list. But if your don’t want to drink this delightful plant, you can take it as a supplement. In fact it is even mentioned on the WebMD website, saying it can be useful for ailments ranging from arthritis to flatulence to premature ejaculation. It’s healing powers even seem to be successful for the fires down below.

Hoodoo Protection Charms

Angelica is ruled by the sun and is thought of as an herb of fire. It can be used in spell-work for healing, divination, psychic connection, removal of negativity, and not least protection. One popular protection charm is made by simply attaching the root to a cord and wearing it around your neck, tuck it under your clothing so it is not touched by others. Angelica is also the prefect thing to place into a gris-gris bag and hang high up in a child’s room to keep them safe.

As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share. And check out the other Hoodoo posts here on Voodoo Universe.