HOODOO
IN THEORY AND PRACTICE

PART A: HOODOO IN THEORY

The Community

Hoodoo in African American culture

A Brief History of Hoodoo

Definition of terms
What Hoodoo Is: An African-American Folk-Magic Tradition
What Hoodoo Is Not: Voodoo, Santeria, etc.
Admixtures: European, Spiritist, and Kabbalist Influences
Admixtures: Asian, Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist Influences
Cherokee and other Native American inclusions in hoodoo

Protestant Christian Folk-Magic

Hoodoo and Religion

Is Hoodoo a Religion?
What Religion Do Hoodoo Practitioners Follow
Who Are the "Saints" in Hoodoo?
The Use of the Jewish Psalms in Hoodoo

Baptist Exhortational Sermons as Curses in God's Name

"Hitler and Hell" by Rev. J. M. Gates
"Will You Spend Your Eternity in Hell?" by "Black Billy Sunday" -- Reverend Dr. J. Gordon McPherson

Rootwork for Hire: Two-Headed Doctors and Fortune-Telling Women

Dr. Buzzard
Aunt Caroline Dye
Uncle George Jackson Dennis, and the Wilson, Williams, and Gavin Family in Maryland, 1936
Myrtle Collins, Hoodoo Root Doctor of Memphis, Tennessee, 1938 and 1939
Dr. Jim Jordan
Professor Konje, Professor De Herbert (Herbert G. Parris)
The Seven Sisters of New Orleans

From Rural to Urban: Evolving Trends in 20th Century pre-WWII Hoodoo

Hoodoo, Kabbalah, Obeah, Dr. L. W. de Laurence and the Unkus Man, 1938 (A Patreon Page)
Jewish Suppliers to the African-American Hoodoo and Conjure Community
Lucky Brown cosmetics: Morton G. Neumann
Clover Horn Company: Marcus Menke
Hoyt's Cologne: LeRue Marx
Joe Kay, Lewis de Claremont, Henri Gamache, and the Enduring Mystery of Mr. Young
Mikhail Strabo: A Pseudonym of Sydney J. R. Steiner

The elaboration of spells under Mail Order European grimoire and spell book influence

Abramelin (a Kabbalistic formula in hoodoo)
"Albertus Magnus' Egyptian Secrets"
"The Ancient Book of Formulas" by Lewis de Claremont
"The Ancient's Book of Magic" by Lewis de Claremont
"The 8th, 9th, and 10th Books of Moses" by Henri Gamache
"The Guiding Light to Power and Success" by Mikhail Strabo
"How to Hold a Candle Light Service" by Mikhail Strabo
"Legends of Incense, Herb, and Oil Magic" by Lewis de Claremont
"The Magic of Herbs" by Henri Gamache
"The Master Book of Candle Burning" by Henri Gamache
"Master Key to Occult Secrets" by Henri Gamache
"Pow Wows or The Long Lost Friend" by John George Hohman
"Secrets of the Psalms" by Godfrey Selig
"The 7 Keys to Power" by Lewis de Claremont
"7 Steps to Power" by Lewis de Claremont
"Terrors of the Evil Eye Exposed" / "Protection Against Evil" by Henri Gamache

Urban Hoodoo: the post-WWII development of spell kits>
Urban Hoodoo: the discovery of hoodoo by Afro-Caribbean religious adherents
Urban Hoodoo: deployment issues, ecological disposal issues,
Urban Hoodoo: rejection of animal body parts and personal concerns due to social, political, and health issues
Internet Hoodoo: the discovery of hoodoo by Neo-Pagan religious adherents
Internet Hoodoo: the discovery of hoodoo by Occultists

Some Aspects of the Material Culture of Hoodoo in the 20th Century

Blues Lyrics and Hoodoo supplementary transcriptions
Hoodoo Candle Manufacturers
The Clover Horn Company, Baltimore, Maryland Double Fast Luck brand soap
The lucky aspects of commercial hair care preparations
Hoyt's Cologne, a lucky perfume
Lucky Brown beauty products
Lucky Heart hoodoo products
Lucky MonGol brand curios
lucky room sprays
Egypt Candle Store, Oakland, California

Natural Magic: The Core beliefs

Astronomical and Astrological Wisdom

The Phases of the Moon
The Planets and the Days of the Week
The Signs of the Zodiac
Planetary Rulers of Herbs, Roots, Flowers, and Seeds (A Patreon Page)

Materia Magica: Roots, Minerals, and Herbs

Herbs, Roots, Seeds, Nuts, and Flowers:

The Herb Magic Shop at HerbMagic.com is one of my several sister-sites that contains hundreds of informational web pages and images about world folk magic in general, with an emphasis on African American hoodoo.

Here are just a few sample herbs and roots that specifically relate to hoodoo practices.

Angelica Root
Bat-Nut (Devil Pod, Chinese Horn Nut)
Buckeye Nut
Devil's Shoe String Root
Goofer Dust
Graveyard Dirt
Job's Tears
John the Conqueror Root
Lucky Hand Root
Rue
Planetary Rulers of Herbs, Roots, Flowers, and Seeds (A Patreon Page)

If you want to learn more about hoodoo herbs, roots, seeds, leaves, and flowers, you will find almost 200 of them in the
The Herb Magic Index
with a link to each herb's specific page, where you will find free spells for your use.

Metals, Stones, and Chemicals:

Ammonia
Ashes
Bluestone
Lodestone
Magnetic Sand
Horseshoes
Needles, Pins, and Nails (A Patreon Page)
Coffin Nails
Square Cut Nails
Railroad Spikes
Salt
Saltpeter

Animals:

Alligator Foot
Alligator Tooth
Ants and Termites
Badger Tooth
Black Cats
Black Dogs
Black Hens, Hen Eggs, and Frizzled Fowl Feathers
Lucky Rocks (Fish Otoliths)
Mockingbird Tongues and Feathers (A Patreon Page)
Rabbit Foot
Raccoon Penis Bone
Rattlesnake Skin and Rattles
Snake Sheds
Bones
Cow dung

Personal Concerns:

Fluids: Menstrual Blood, Urine, Semen
Solids: Feces, Hair, Skin, Fingernails
Touched by the Body: Washcloths, Dishrags, and Hat Bows(A Patreon Page)
Touched by the Body: Socks: Railroad Magic No. 2: Socks on a Train! (A Patreon Page)
Touched by the Body: Shoes: Railroad Magic No. 3: Travelling Shoes! (A Patreon Page)
Touched by the Body: Underwear
Impressions of the body: Foot-Track Magic
Visual Representations: Photographs (A Patreon Page)
Symbolic of the person: Name Papers and Birthdates

Talismanic Magic:

The Lucky W Amulet Archive at AmuletArchive.com
is one of my several sister-sites that contains hundreds of informational web pages and images about world folk magic in general, with an emphasis on African American hoodoo.

Here are just a few sample amulets from the Lucky W collection that specifically relate to hoodoo practices.

Silver Mercury Dimes
Indian Head Cents
Lucky Tokens

If you want to learn more about hoodoo amulets, charms, talismans, or lucky pieces, you will find more than 100 of them in the

The Lucky W Amulet Archive Index.

Spoken Charms

Invocations (Father, Son, Holy Ghost; King Solomon)
Recitation of Psalms
"Hitler and Hell" by Rev. J. M. Gates, a call-and-response sermon-curse
contrast the vert few rhymed chants and enchantments in hoodoo with the many rhymed charms in Euro-magic

Written Charms, Petition Papers, and Inscribed Wishes

Seals and Sigils
Inscribed Amulets (A Patreon Page)
Inscribed Papers, Name Papers, and Birthdates
Chalk Marks
Marked Money, Bingo Cards, and Lottery Tickets (A Patreon Page)
Feather Quill Pens for Magical Writing
Magical Scented Inks

The Basic Tricks

Drawing: How to Enhance Luck and Draw What you Want in Love, Money, and Work

Mojo Bags and Conjure Hands
Nation Sacks
Jomo Charms
Honey Jar Spells

Hurting: How to Harm Others, Drive Them Away, or Give Them an Unnatural Illness

Negative or Harmful Foot-Track Magic
Jomo Work as a term for Negative Foot-Track Magic
"Live Things In You"
Tying the Nature (A Patreon Page; opens to the public in April 2026)

Dominating: How to Get Your Way, To Rule, and Succeed

Female Spells of Domination

Protecting: How to Protect Your Self and Your Home from Tricks

Protection Spells

Cleansing: How to Free Your Self and Your Home from Crossed Conditions

Bathing and Cleansing the Self, Home, and Business
Chinese Wash
Van Van Spiritual Supplies
Uncrossing Spiritual Supplies

Laying Tricks and Disposing of Ritual Remnants

Burial in Earth in the Home Yard
Deployment in Food or Drink
Deployment in Clothing or on Objects
Deployment or Disposal at a Crossroads
Interment in a Quincunx Pattern in a Building
Burial in a Graveyard
Deployment in a Tree
Deployment or Disposal in Running Water
Disposal in Fire

Contacting Supernatural Entities:

Hags
The Dead (Ancestors and Others)
Who Are the "Saints" in Hoodoo?
Crossroads Rituals

PART B: HOODOO IN PRACTICE

Divination, Fortune Telling, and Reading

Readers, Root Workers, and Black Gypsies

Bibliomancy
Throwing the Bones
Jack Balls and Queen Elizabeth Root pendulums
Cartomancy, Reading the Cards
Lucky Numbers:

The Secret of Numbers Revealed
Hyatt's informant using his interview number to place a bet
Lucky numbers given out in commercial incense and candles

Dreaming Lucky, Dreaming True, Dream Books for Omen-Reading, Lucky Number Dream Books

"Aunt Sally's Policy Players Dream Book" and others
"Billy Bing's Dream Book"
"Kansas City Kitty Dream Book"
"Madam Fu-Fu's Lucky Number Dream Book"
"Pick'Em Dream Book" by Rajah Rabo (Carl Z. Talbot)
"Rajah Rabo's 5-Star Mutuel Dream Book" by Rajah Rabo (Carl Z. Talbot)
"Rajah's Lucky Number Dream Book" by Rajah Stanley
"Stella's Lucky Seven Star Dream Book"
"Stella's Success From Dreams: Number Interpretations"
"True Fortune Teller" by The Gypsy King (Ralph Anderson)

Lucky Number Lottery, Policy, and the Numbers Game Rundowns and Work-Outs

"Billy Bing's Red Book of Relative Numbers"
"Billy Bing's Work-Out Book: Work-Outs That 'Work'"

Rootwork: Spells and Charms

Herb and Root Magic

Herb Magic Index: alphabetical links to spells for 180 Herbs
Herbs, Curios, and Spiritual Supplies Grouped by Use or Purpose
Herbal Quick-List in Alphabetical order

Tying, Wrapping, Folding, and Sewing

Altar Cloths Red Flannel Lucky Mojo Bag
Brocade "Chinese Fortune Bag"
Fringed Leather "Medicine Bag" Pouch
Velvet Bags and Pouches
How to Make a Mojo hand
Nation Sack
Jomo Charms

Doll Babies

How to Make and Use a Doll-Baby (A Patreon Page)

Bottle and Box Spells

Bottle Spells (Vinegar, Honey, and Ammonia jars)
Honey Jar Spells (and Red Apple or Onion spells)
Ice Box and Freezer Spells (tongue, pickle, paper packet)

Crossroads Magic

Going Down to the Crossroads

Railroad Magic

Railroad Magic No. 1: Trains and Tracks (A Patreon Page)
Railroad Magic No. 2: Socks on a Train! (A Patreon Page)
Railroad Magic No. 3: Travelling Shoes! (A Patreon Page)
Railroad Magic No. 4: Spells of Return and Death! (A Patreon Page)
Railroad Spike Magic

Spiritual Supplies

How to Use Dressing Oils
Popular Oil Blends
How to Use Sachet Powders
How to Use Baths and Floor Washes
How to Use Incense
How to Use Spell Kits (A Patreon Page)
How to Burn Candles

The History of Candle Burning in the Hoodoo Rootwork Tradition
Colour Symbolism in Candle Magic
Occult Meaning os Colours (A Patreon Page)
The Symbolism of Figural Candles
Dressing, Marking, Measuring, Lighting, and Extinguishing Candles
How to Read Divination Signs from Candle-Burning
How to Burn Candles in Secret
How to Ritually Dispose of Used Candle Wax
Simple Candle Spells for You to Try

Practical Hoodoo Spells for Various Conditions

Opening the Way
Love Spells
Reconciliation Spells
Break-up and Anti-Love
Money-drawing and Drawing Customers to a Business
Gambler's Luck
Job-getting and Steady Work
Success in Career or School
Domination
Bend-Over
Protection Spells
Law Keep Away
Hot Foot and Drive-Away
Jinxing
Jinx-Breaking
Crossing
Uncrossing
Blessing, Purification, and Healing

PART C: A SELECTED HOODOO FORMULARY

Condition Oils, Powders, Incenses, and Washes

History of Mail Order Spiritual Supplies of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries

How to Use Dressing Oils ("History" section only)
How to Use Sachet Powders ("History" section only)
How to Use Baths and Floor Washes ("History" section only)
How to Use Incense ("History" section only)
How to Burn Candles ("History" section only)
How to Use Spell Kits ("History" section only)

Descriptive Selection of Commercial Spiritual Supplies (Condition Formulas) with Spells

Abramelin (an Old Testament formula for Heavenly blessings)
Adam and Eve (for primal, unmediated, sensual love)
African Ju Ju (an old African formula for luck and power)
Algiers (a Louisiana formula for good luck)
Attraction (to bring in what you want; also used to bring in money)
Aunt Sally's Lucky Dream (to bring lucky numbers through dreams)
Banishing (to bar or ban unwanted persons)
Bat's Blood (for pacts, for gambling, for dark arts)
Bewitching (adds mystery, fascination, and sexual allure to love spells)
Black Arts (to aid in destructive spells and pact-making rituals)
Black Cat (to bring back a lost love, for gambling, for dark arts)
Blessing (for purification, blessing, healing, and comfort)
Block Buster (for blasting apart obstacles)
Boss Fix (to fix things with your boss or supervisor)
Break Up (for splitting up a couple, for divorce or separation)
Buffalo Ammonia (for purification, spiritual cleansing, and protection)
Cast Off Evil (to break bad habits or drive away evil companions)
Chinese Wash (to clean away crossed conditions in a home)
Chuparrosa (Hummingbird) (for luck in a sincere and lasting love)
Clarity (put an end to confusion and unknowing; for insight and true vision)
Cleo May (a favourite with those who want monetary tips from men)
Come To Me (to draw a lover of the opposite sex closer)
Commanding (to rule, control, dominate and lead others)
Compelling (to make someone do as promised or pay what's owed)
Confusion (to drive someone into a state of mental disarray)
Controlling (to drive someone into a state of mental disarray)
Court Case (to influence judge and jury to decide in your favour)
Crossing (to mess someone's life up by jinxing their luck in all ways)
Crown of Success (for success in school, career, or on stage)
Crucible of Courage (to increase personal determination, courage, and bravery)
Cut and Clear (to Fall Out of Love and Open the Way for New Love)
Damnation (for cursing a wrong-doer to suffer in Hell for his or her crimes)
Destruction (to destroy, take down, and obliterate enemies)
Devil's (used by those who wish to harm others or to do mischief to them)
Devil's Shoe String (to tie down and restrain the devil and also human enemies)
Dixie John Root in Oil (used for help in family, love, and luck. Contains genuine Dixie John Root.)
Dixie Love (an old Southern Love formula for men or women)
Do As I Say (to give one the power to command others to obey)
Domination (for those who wish to rule others and control them)
Dove's Blood (for love spells directly from the heart)
Double Cross (a sneaky twist to wreck and enemy's love and money)
Double Luck (for love and money, for luck with a person of another race)
Dragon's Blood (for power, luck, protection, and magic)
D.U.M.E. ("Death Unto My Enemies" -- burned on black candles to harm others)
Essence of Bend-Over (to subjugate someone to your will)
Fan Laundry Soap (for Uncrossing and Jinx-breaking)
Fan Medicated Soap (for Purification and Protection)
Fast Luck (for immediate sexual and money luck)
Fear Not to Walk Over Evil (for protection from tricks and crossing)
Fiery Wall of Protection (for protection from enemies and bad people)
Fire of Love (to engender passionate desire)
Five Finger Grass (for success in all the things that your five fingers can do)
Florida Water and Kananga Water (for purification and spiritism)
Follow Me Boy (to dominate and control a man with sexual allure)
Follow Me Girl (to dominate and control a woman with sexual allure)
Four Thieves Vinegar (to protect yourself and drive off enemies)
Good Luck (for general good fortune in love, money, and games of chance)
Goofer Dust (to wreck someone's life up or kill them)
Graveyard Dirt (to kill someone or bring them under your control)
Healing (for relief of sickness and sorrow; to mend emotional and physical problems)
Hot Foot (to drive someone out of your life or cause them to leave town)
House Blessing (to cleanse, bless, and protect your home)
Hoyt's Cologne (for gambling luck and luck in love)
Indian Spirit Guide (for contact with Indian Spirit Guides in the Spiritual Church)
Inflammatory Confusion (to cause confusion with fussing and miscommunications)
Influence (to influence the thoughts or actions of others.)
Intranquility (to force a wandering lover to return)
Jezebel (for working women and for female renegades)
Jinx (to steal someone's luck in love or money)
Jinx Killer (to kill a jinxing spell that was laid fown)
John the Conqueror (for strength, mastery, love, and money)
King Solomon Wisdom (for intelligence, wise decisions, and occultism)
Kiss Me Now (to rapidly bring about a sexual affair)
Lady Luck (for dice-play and risk-taking ventures)
Lavender Love Drops (for drawing gay and lesbian love and sex)
Law Keep Away (to keep off the police, IRS, DEA, and other agencies)
Lodestone (to attract and draw luck, money, and love)
Look Me Over (to attract admiring attention to one's physical body)
Love Me (to attract a new lover or turn an old friend into a new lover)
Lucky Buddha (for good luck in wealth, health, money, and gambling)
Lucky Hand (for a "helping hand" in money matters and gambling)
Lucky Mojo (for all around good luck in love, money, and gambling)
Lucky Number (for betting in any game that involved Numerology or Numbers)
Lucky 13 (to "dress the house" and fix one's money when gambling)
Magnet (to draw luck to you in love or money matters)
Magnetic Sands (to feed the lodestone for love or money matters)
Marriage (to get married, to bless a new marriage, for wedded bliss)
Master (for skill, self-discipline, and leadership ability)
Master Key (for occult power, strength of will, and insight)
Money Drawing (to bring in money through business or general good luck)
Money House Blessing (to bring in money through business or general good luck)
Money Stay With Me (to bring in money through business or general good luck)
Moses (to honour or petition the great Prophet, Law-Giver, and Leader.)
Oil of Gladness (for love and pleasure, formula from Psalms 45.)
Pay Me (used when attempting to get back money that is owed.)
Peaceful Home (for a happy marriage or domestic relationship)
Peace Water (to ensure that only good people and spirits enter the home)
Power (to increase your personal strength and spiritual power)
Prosperity (for better business and financial ease)
Psychic Vision (to enhance spiritual insight and induce prophetic dreams)
Reconciliation (to repair lovers' spats)
Return To Me (to bring a lover or friend back from a distance)
Road Opener (to break blockages and open the way)
Safe Travel (for a happy journey and a safe return)
Special Oil No. 20 (an all-purpose candle-dressing oil)
Stay At Home (to cause a partner to stay home and not wander)
Stay With Me (for conjugal fidelity and marital faithfulness)
Steady Work (to get a good job and hold it)
Stop Gossip (to stop back-biting and slander)
Three Jacks and a King (for luck at gambling and card games)
Uncrossing (to break jinxes and remove crossed conditions)
Van Van (to open the way, drive off evil, and anoint amulets)
Victory (to win aganst others in athletic events and contests)
Wealthy Way (for a life of ease and luxury)
War Water (to declare occult war on enemies and cause trouble for them)

Candles

Popular Candles in Conjure

Seven-Day and Seven-Knob Candles
Votive Candles, Lux Perpetua Candles, and Tea Lights
Glass Encased Religious Novena Candles
Glass Encased Vigil Candles
Unlabelled Plain Glass Encased Vigil Candles
Pull-Out Candles (Vigil And Novena Candle Refills)
Double Action and Reversing Jumbo Candles Popular Types of Figural Candles (second part of web page)
Inventory of 7-Day Vigil Candles

FURTHER SOURCES

Bibliography of Source Writings on Hoodoo by catherine yronwode
Index to Charms, Talismans, and Amulets by catherine yronwode
Index to Blues Songs and Hoodoo by catherine yronwode
Southern Spirits: Historical interviews of Hoodoo Practitioners
Hoodoo at a Glance: Herba, roots, and spiritual supplies grouped by conditions of use