A HOODOO DICTIONARY
Following is a list of terms and phrases that can often be found among practitioners of Hoodoo, Conjure and Rootwork. This list if not exhaustive by far and I will make additions as necessary. They are:
- Anointing- A term used to describe rubbing a condition oil on an individual. It is sometimes used interchangeably with dressing.
- Blessing- A type of spell or prayer intended to spiritually cleanse a person, place or thing while infusing it with the positive energy of the divine and one’s hopes.
- Botanica- A retail store that sells spiritual goods such as herbs, oils, statuary, etc...
- Butting- A term used in candle-magick to describe the act of cutting the tip off of a candle, turning it upside down and digging a new tip out of the bottom. Symbolically this is said to reverse people and conditions as symbolized by the color of the candle or the words carved upon it. Sometimes also referred to as Flipping.
- Cold Reading- A type of technique used by disreputable psychics, mediums, and fortune-tellers which utilizes general statements to determine details about a person. By gauging the individual’s reaction to these general statements, an experienced fortune-teller can extrapolate more information about the subject giving the appearance of having true psychic ability. This technique is also used in the entertainment industry by mentalist, illusionist, and stage-magicians. Compare to Hot Reading.
- Condition Oil- A term used to describe oils which have been designed to address a specific issue or bring about a specific condition. Examples include, Cast Off Evil Oil, Follow Me Boy, and Money Drawing Oil.
- Crossroads- A place where two roads connect forming an X. Crossroads are places of spiritual power where magickal items are often disposed of and rituals pacts are formed.
- Curse- A type of spell intended to bring harm to an individual in some form and for a variety of reasons (i.e. to punish, teach a lesson, etc...). Other related terms include: hex or jinx.
- Divination- The ritual process of gaining information about the past, present, or future either with the use of tools such as Tarot Cards, Playing Cards, Sortilege etc...or without tools utilizing one’s own psychic faculties, or through the observation of signs and omens.
- Dressing- A term which refers to rubbing a condition oil on an inanimate object such as a candle, a mojo bag, or a talisman. It is sometimes used interchangeable with anointing.
- Feeding- The act of dressing a mojo bag with oil, or a lodestone with oil/magnetic sand to nourish it and keep it strong to work for you.
- Hand- Another word for a Mojo Bag (see also "Root")
- Honey Jar- A type of spell which uses sweeteners such as honey, syrup, molasses, etc… in conjunction with a candle(s) and designed to compel an individual to favor your petition in business, love, or court-cases.
- Hoodoo- A form of folk-magic originating in Africa which, through the process of syncretism, has absorbed beliefs and practices from other cultures such as Native American spirituality and European Grimoires.
- Hot Footing- A type of spell or ritual intended to drive a person, such as an enemy or some other troublesome person, away. It is synonymous with banishing in other magickal traditions.
- Hot Reading- The use of knowledge gained about an individual beforehand when performing a reading for another individual. See also cold reading.
- Job- Another term for spell. Also working.
- Lady Hearted- A Root-worker or spiritual practitioner who is morally opposed to bringing harm to another individual or animal through the use of spells and magick.
- Live Things In You- A term which refers to the belief that, through the use of magick, live beings such as snakes, scorpions, and/or spiders have been introduced into the human body.
- Loading- A term which refers to digging a small hole in the bottom of a candle and introducing herbs, personal concerns, oils, powders, etc… into it before resealing the hole.
- Mojo Bag- A type of talisman which takes the form of a small flannel drawstring bag containing an assortment of animal, vegetable, and/or mineral curios believed to attract or dispel certain influences.
- Personal Concerns- A term used to describe anything that is associated with a person’s physical body either having once been a part of it or having intimate contact to the body. Examples of personal concerns include blood, semen, hair, clothing, one’s signature, photograph, etc…
- Poisoned Through the Feet- A term used to describe when a person has walked over or stepped through a magickal powder that has been laid down in their path for the purpose of affecting them in a negative way.
- Reader- A Root-worker, or spiritual practitioner, who is psychically gifted.
- Root: 1) The part of a plant that attaches it to the ground 2) A spell, or working 3) A mojo-hand or talisman.
- Root-worker- A practitioner of Hoodoo. See also Two-Headed Doctor.
- Runs- A term used by candle-workers referring to the practice of lighting a new candle for the same intention shortly before an old one has burned out until satisfactory results are achieved.
- Setting Intentions- Making a firm decision about something that you want to be, do, or have and then going about being it, doing it, or having it. Making your decision is the first step, the second step is performing a symbolic act such as a spell or ritual and then you follow up with thinking, speaking, and acting in accordance with your intention.
- Setting Lights- A term which refers to the process of preparing a candle for an individual’s petition and praying over it daily until it has burned out.
- To Throw For- A term which refers to throwing down powders where a person will step over or walk through them.See also Poisoning Through the Feet.
- Two Headed Doctor- A Root-worker, or spiritual practitioner, who is also a reader.