What is Hoodoo and Rootwork?
December 20, 2021
Hoodoo and its synonym, Rootwork, is a set of spiritual practices of folk magic employed by southern African Americans, using certain herbs, roots, minerals, and animal curios by way of oils, powders, incense, mojo bags, waters, poppets, and spell bottles. It is closely akin to shamanism, whereby natural spiritual forces are utilised to manipulate our physical reality.
In truth, regardless of ethnicity or race, anyone who wishes to work with magic originating from nature can incorporate Hoodoo elements into their own spiritual practices. After all, plants, animals, and minerals are God’s creations made available to every being.
Living in Singapore means that sometimes it can be difficult or costly for me to procure the herbs native to America. But the good news is that there are so many other herbs in this region awaiting someone to identify their spiritual properties. And as a spiritual doctor, the topic of magical herbalism really excites me.
For example, houttuynia cordata, also known as fish mint, is a Southeast Asian herb used for culinary and medicinal. It has an unique fish-like smell that one either loves or hates. Now wouldn’t it be an appropriate herb to use for invoking water spirits?
Its leaf is shaped like a heart, resembling a Violet leaf that is used as a love herb in Hoodoo. So could fish mint be used in the same way? I would surely love to find out, and if God willing, I hope to make some new discoveries on the magical ascriptions of our local herbs and roots.
Houttuynia Cordata
Anyhow, I’d recommend further reading on Hoodoo’s history as well if you are seriously interested in practicing it. That way, we can honour a great spiritual tradition as we learn to appreciate its beauty and the (African) people’s ingenuity.
So why should one learn rootwork?
- To better the quality of our lives
Rootwork is unlike those psychological feel-good New Age fads we see commonly nowadays. It is empowering and effective, producing actual results despite its simplicity. Most importantly, it provides us with a better shot at achieving our goals and dreams, and who doesn’t love an extra edge?
- To solve a wide range of problems using spiritual remedies
We humans rarely have an easy life. More often than not, there will be challenges we will eventually come to face, ranging from minute problems to major trials and tribulations, which sometimes can render us helpless. After exhausting all the possible resolutions, we are resigned to fate.
However, it need not be so. The majority of our mortal problems pertaining to love, money, luck, career, and health can be improved by rootwork.
Having said that, I do not advise doing spiritual work as a last resort. As a matter of fact, I highly suggest everyone do it right at the beginning in order to reap the best outcome.
Please do not wait until the condition is too late to salvage and hope that the spirits can create a miracle. Sure, they are able to do so, and I’ve personally witnessed some incredible manifestations that happened, but this is not good team collaboration.
We have to perform our part, making sure the practical means of manifestation are taken care of, and by so, we meet the spirit helpers halfway.
- To protect ourselves and our loved ones
I feel that this point is often overlooked. Evil, unseen forces coexist in the spiritual realm. Many believed that only those who dabbled in occult would have to deal with such problems. This is not true at all.
If we are just unlucky to cross paths with an evil entity, it can launch a spiritual attack (often disguised as a freak/unnatural accident), causing us serious bodily harm or even death. They do not care if you are a believer or not.
There are rootwork spells meant to shield and protect us physically as well as spiritually. In addition, there are benevolent spirits who can watch over us and help us avert dangers.
Even if you are lukewarm about rootwork, it is wise to habitually say a simple protection prayer to either an ancestor or a deity you have an affinity. Or perhaps to God even.
Blessing ritual to strengthen a marriage
Hooray! Rootwork sounds amazing! Does that mean it can manifest whatever we wish for?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Results will depend on a few factors such as the person’s spiritual abilities, whether there is any strong support from spirits, does the intended outcome derail he/her from his/her destined path (some souls do have a divine mission that they must undertake in that lifetime), timing, etc.
There are, of course, no guarantees, and often, there is a very good reason why it fails. Hence, it is always best to seek guidance from the spirits (through divination/card reading), for sometimes, they may point us to a different route or reveal to us a bigger plan.
And when should one avoid doing rootwork?
- If one is fearful of spirits
Doing rootwork attracts their attention. And by that, I don’t mean that spirits will start appearing right in front of our eyes (rarely the case). Usually, they make contact through signs and omens. It is also common to call upon spirits such as our ancestors, the dead, and higher beings to aid us in bringing our desires to fruition.
The fear stems from a lack of knowledge and understanding of spirits. They are not as terrifying as many perceived. We just have to exercise caution when working with them.
- If one doubts the existence of spirits
The spirits have nothing to prove to us and certainly do not have to help those who approach them with disrespect and judgemental views.
- If one has a self-defeating and limiting mindset
This can weaken the efforts, making it counterproductive. Our energy constitutes a portion of the spiritual work, and hence, by doing it with conviction, we increase the chances of success. Be realistic, and at the same time, do not let doubt creep in to undermine the aims. Have faith because the spirits can often deliver some rather surprising outcomes.
Hope you enjoy reading.
I’m Alurea, a spiritual doctor, teacher, and tarot reader in Singapore. My spiritual practice is a mixture of African American Hoodoo and Native South American Shamanism. I’ve been working extensively with Archangels, Catholic saints, and other divine spirits for a decade.
If you’d like to have rootwork done on your behalf, please feel free to contact me contact@alureaconjure.com to discuss.