History of Hoodoo: Hoodoo is an African American folk magic tradition that was developed over several centuries in the Southern United States from the cultural convergence of African, Native American, European, and Near Eastern spiritual and magical practices. By Desiree Szabo It is known by various regional names like “conjure,” “rootwork,” “root doctoring,” “working roots,” “tricking,” “helping yourself,” “using that stuff,” and “doing the work.” With the movement of emancipated African Americans north during the late 19th and early 20th centuries — a period known as “The Great Northern Migration” — hoodoo practices spread throughout the United States and through cross-cultural mixing acquired and adapted concepts and methodologies adapted from the magical traditions of other minority cultures within America. Hoodoo is now found wherever African Americans live and it is practiced with a greater or lesser degree of authenticity and respect for its roots by a variety of Americans of other ethnicities. While strongly aligned with a number of other African diasporic traditions, hoodoo is not a religion, nor is it a purely an African form of belief, but rather it is a spiritual and magical practice. Most root doctors — like most African Americans — follow the Protestant faith. The combination of the culturally mingled magical traditions of African Americans with Protestant Christianity leads hoodoo to be seen as a form of African American Christian spiritual practice. Hoodoo covers a variety of divination and spell-casting practices and traditions that have been passed down through family lines and from teacher to student. Although hoodoo varies slightly in style from region to region and family to family, there are common practices among the traditions. Spirit work in the hoodoo and conjure tradition often involves enlisting the psychic aid of discarnate entities in order to accomplish specific prayerful, spiritual, or spell-casting goals. Spirit Work is also a term that covers a broad range of altar work and prayer as well as magical traditions of spell casting in which root doctors may contact or seek the aid of spirits, angels, and spirit guides. A Spell to meet your Guardian Angel Items Needed: Altar Candle Day candle Offertory Candles 3 Violet candles 3 White candles Crystal ball or glass of water Anise, cardamom, or coriander incense Jasmine, lemon, rose, or sandalwood oils Cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, or sandalwood bathing herbs Preparation: Breathe deeply and build a ball of protective light around you. While soaking in your ritual bath, meditate on the whole ritual: the steps you will take and what you wish to say to your Guardian Angel when you make contact. Ritual: Enter the circle and light the incense. With the oil, dress the altar candle and the day candle while concentrating on the purpose of the ritual. Light the anointed candles and state your intent: I am here to make contact with my Guardian Angel and to acknowledge him or her. With a sharp instrument (perhaps an athame), inscribe the violet candle #1 with the word “Angel.” Dress it with oil. Light it, direct your energies into it, and say: Here do I light the first Lamp of my Guardian Angel. May its light reach out across the barriers from this world to the next. May it make contact with that World of Angelic Realm into which we will eventually enter. Take your censer or incense wand and swing it around censing the whole area around the altar, while rhythmically repeating the word “Merge” and building up energy to focus. Replace the censer and pick up violet candle #2. Inscribe it again with the word “Angel” and dress it with the oil. Put it back on the altar, light it, direct your energy into it and say: Here do I light the second Lamp of my Angel. May its light also reach out across the barriers from this world to the next. May it make contact with that World of the Angelic and help spread the light, illuminating the passageway between our worlds. Again, take the censer or incense wand and cense the entire area around the altar while chanting the word “Merge” Build up your energy to focus. Take violet candle #3, inscribe with the word “Angel,” dress with oil, charge with your energy, light it and say: Here do I light the third Lamp of my Angel. May its light also reach out across the barriers from this world to the next. May the light from these three lamps blend and grow, dispelling all darkness and lighting the way that my Guardian Angel may come to me and speak with me here today. Inscribe the 3 white candles with the word “Truth” and anoint each candle with oil. Light the 3 white candles in order of 1, 2, 3, and say: Here do I build Truth. As these candles burn throughout this ritual, their power generates nothing but truth in all that transpires between this world and the next. Through these candles there is truth in all communications that come to me. Again, cense the entire altar area while chanting the word “Merge.” Replace the censer and continue chanting. Sit comfortably while chanting, and gaze into the crystal ball or the clear glass of water. Continue chanting until you feel it is right to let the chant taper off. Continue to quietly look into the crystal ball or glass, not trying to picture anything. Keep your mind blank, so whatever comes will appear in its own free will. Gaze into the center of the crystal. There is no need to try not to blink. Look into the crystal and blink naturally. Try not to notice anything in your peripheral vision, just the center of the crystal. Eventually an angelic face or angelic figure will appear. This may take a long time, or it may appear almost immediately. If it doesn’t come at all within approximately 20 minutes, abandon this attempt, extinguish the candles in the order in which they were lit, leave the altar set up, and try this ritual again in three days. You should have results within a month at most. When a figure does appear, ask if he/she is your Guardian Angel. You will hear an answer. You may not hear it out loud, or even see the figure’s lips move, but you will be aware of the answer. This is how most of your conversation will proceed. You will ask your questions mentally (or out loud) and the answers will be clear inside your mind. Ask if you have more than one guardian angel. If yes, ask the others to appear also. You may ask anything you wish to know, but it is suggested to establish a connection first where your Angel may appear to you at any time, or at specific times, so that you can converse with other spirits through him/her. When you have finished speaking with your Guardian Angel, thank him/her, and then sit for a moment with your eyes closed, meditating on all that you have learned. Extinguish the candles in reverse order to clear the circle. Angelica Root Angelica Root (also known as Holy Ghost Root, Archangel Root, and Dong Quai) is widely thought to be a powerful Guardian and Healer, and to provide Strength to Women. Angelica Root is used by many people for the purpose of warding off evil and bringing good luck in health and family matters. Some folks tell us that they place the root in a white flannel bag, anoint it with Blessing Oil and keep it near the baby for protection. Others use it in a ritual magic spell called the Fiery Wall of Protection. It is also widely claimed that dressing a whole Angelica Root and a pinch of Lavender Flowers with Peaceful Home Oil and carrying them in a blue flannel bag will bring peace to the home and faithfulness to the marriage. In America, Angelica root is commonly found in African-American mojo bags prepared for protection from evil, for uncrossing, and to break a jinx. In powdered form, it is an ingredient in sachet powders used for healing and blessing. It may also be dusted on magic candles used for protection and prayer in matters of spiritual peace and blessing. In Mexico, when an adolescent girl has suffered a bout of susto (a form of supernatural fright), she may be given a white flannel bag containing an Angelica Root and a small print of Saint Michael Archangel to carry for protection. There are actually seven Archangels in the Jewish belief, four of whose names are mentioned in scripture. Two of them are symbolically connected to this root. Archangel Michael, the eldest, is used with Angelica Root as a defender of women. Archangel Gabriel is concerned with the announcements of pregnancy, is allied with this root in its role as an herbal tonic for women’s reproductive health. Many more spells utilizing Angelica Root and its close relative, Master Root can be found in the book Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic. Website: www.luckymojo.com. Angelic Spirit Work in the Hoodoo Tradition When undertaken by a professional rootworker, consulting with and petitioning the spirits on behalf of a client may at times involve aspects of altar work and prayers, recitation of portions of scripture, such as The Book of Psalms, and Candle Services. If engaged as a form of divination or prophecy, spirit work may include mediumship or channeling. Angelic Spirit Work is a concept that embraces many forms of contact with non-material entities and the gaining and transmission of otherwise hidden knowledge. The four major divisions of Spirit Work are religious, divinatory, magical, and mediumistic. Spiritual entities consulted by a conjure doctor on behalf of clients may include Deities, angels and archangels, personal spirit guides, as well as the spirits of ancestors and the dead. Spirits may also include the spirits of places, animals, plants, water sources, and beings other than humans; and a rich and varied roster of spiritual entities. What is an Angel? Angels, called Malakhi in Hebrew, are beings of Spirit who function as the messengers of God. Archangels, known in Hebrew as Malakhi Adonai (Angels of the Lord) have dominion over them. Guardian Angels are those Angels assigned to help individual beings on Earth. Both Christian and Jewish root doctors may call upon the direct aid of Archangels, Angels, and personal Guardian Angels for the help and protection of clients. Working with Angels is a form of Spirit Work, a term that covers a broad range of altar work and prayer as well as magical spell casting in which root doctors may contact or seek the aid of Spirits and Spirit Guides. Spirit Work is a term that covers a broad range of altar work and prayer as well as magical spell casting in which root doctors may contact or seek the aid of Spirits and Spirit Guides, Angels, Catholic Church Saints, and/or Catholic Folk Saints.

From the Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers

Petitioning Angels and Archangels Archangels are petitioned for aid by conjure doctors and hoodoo practitioners who are Jewish, Christian, Spiritualists, or folk magicians, or who serve a folk magical client base. Each one has a story — and a magical or spiritual specialty when it comes to helping people. Four different Angels are used for prayers, petitions, and spell-craft associated with the Angels and Archangels among spiritual workers in the folk magic tradition. If you have a specific Archangel or Angel that you are work with by all means tell your rootworker. A Guardian Angel is a personal Angel who watches over one’s life. In Jewish and Christian belief, a Guardian Angel is commonly thought of as a personal Angel, one assigned by God to watch and protect one’s life, to prevent accidents, to steer one towards the good and away from evil. In the Catholic Church, October 2nd is the Feast of the Guardian Angels. The idea of a Guardian Angel is a very old one, mentioned by the ancient Greeks and according to some, hearkening all the way back to the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. In the Tanakh or Jewish Bible (known to Christians as the Old Testament) the Books of Job and Daniel both present beliefs based on the idea of a personal Guardian Angel. In the Christian New Testament, the books of Matthew and Acts also allude to the belief in a Guardian Angel. Throughout the ages stories have been told of individuals who reported interaction with their Guardian Angels. In some cases people believe that their Guardian Angel steers them away from dangerous or life-threatening situations, and in others they have perceived to feel comfort, hope, or renewed strength during times of sorrow and trouble. Many people believe that one’s Guardian Angel will appear near the time of death; this idea of a messenger who guides one during death is quite ancient. Although Angels are generally thought of as not having a gender, it is common practice in the Americas and Europe to depict Guardian Angels as women who watch over their charges with the tender care of loving young mothers. Often they will be shown with white-feathered wings and in white or glowing robes. Hoodoo root doctors, as well as practitioners working within Spiritualist or New Thought traditions, often keep a statue of the Guardian Angel on any altar where work is being performed for the blessing, cleansing, healing or protection of clients. Archangel Michael Michael is recognized as an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions and is one of only a few Jewish archangels who have been made a saint in the Catholic Church. Michael is mentioned by name is the Books of Daniel, Jude, and Revelation in the Bible and is usually seen as the Field Commander of the Army of God. His iconography generally shows him defeating Satan, crushing him underfoot while his hand wields a sword or spear. Michael is one of the archangels called on by ceremonial magicians, and in these magical traditions he is generally associated with the element of Fire. He is viewed as a powerful ally for protection work against evil, as well as for personal mastery. Names or images of enemies may be placed under his statue while petitioning his help in spiritual battle, and he is said to help the faithful defeat their enemies. In the Catholic Church, nine-day prayers called novenas are prayed to ask for Michael’s protection. As Saint Michael the Archangel, he is the patron of policemen, soldiers, and security guards and he is honored on the Feast Day for all Archangels on September 29th Hoodoo root doctors and Spiritualist practitioners who work with angels may keep a statue of Michael on an altar where work is being performed for the protection of clients. Conditions for which Archangel Michael is petitioned: Protection, Warding off Enemies, Personal Power, and Mastery. Archangel Michael image copyright Steve Roberts. Used with permission. Archangel Gabriel The Archangel Gabriel is a messenger of God in Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and other faiths. The name Gabriel means “strength of God,” or “God has shown himself mighty.” In the Book of Daniel, Gabriel explains to Daniel his visions. In the Book of Luke, Gabriel foretells the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias and the birth of Jesus to The Virgin Mary. And it was Gabriel who revealed the Koran to Muhammad over a period of 23 years. John Milton’s Paradise Lost is the first mention of Gabriel as the angel whose trumpet blast brings the Last Judgment, an idea with no source in the Hebrew Bible or the New Testament — but of great frequency in African-American spirituals. Gabriel is recognized as an Archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions and is one of only a few Jewish Archangels who has been made a saint in the Catholic Church. As Saint Gabriel the Archangel, he is the patron saint of communications workers, such as messengers, broadcasters, and postal workers. In the Catholic Church, the Feast Day for all Archangels is celebrated on September 29th. Hoodoo root doctors and Spiritualist practitioners may keep a statue of Gabriel on an altar where work is being performed for the clients in need of blessing, healing, and tranquility or who seek help with issues of fertility, pregnancy, and childbirth. Conditions for Which Archangel Gabriel is Petitioned: Blessing, Cleansing, Healing, and Tranquility, Fertility, Pregnancy, and Childbirth. Archangel Raphael Raphael is recognized as an Archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions and is one of only a few Jewish Archangels who has been made a saint in the Catholic Church. As Saint Raphael the Archangel, he is the patron saint of doctors, nurses, and fishermen. He is also petitioned by those who wish to meet their future wife or husband. In the Catholic Church, the Feast Day for all Archangels is celebrated on September 29th. Raphael’s name is not mentioned in the Bible, but he appears in several books of Jewish Apocrypha. The story of Raphael is told in The Book of Tobit, which concerns the adventures of Tobit’s son, Tobias (also spelled Tobiah), is sent by his blind father to collect a sum of money that his father had previously loaned to a distant kinsman in the far off land of Media. Raphael represents himself as Tobit’s kinsman Azariah, and offers to aid and protect Tobias on his journey. Under the guidance of Raphael, Tobias makes the trek to Media, accompanied by his dog. Along the way, Raphael teaches Tobias to catch a fish and to prepare medicine from its gall and a magical incense from its heart and liver. At the climax of their journey, Raphael helps Tobias meet the young woman he is to marry and to use the magical incense to deliver her from a demon that has brought death to her first seven husbands on their wedding nights; and on the return home, the fish-gall medicine Raphael has made is used to cure Tobit of his blindness. Raphael is usually shown with the young Tobias as they venture on their travels together. Sometimes he is depicted holding a large fish, which he is offering to Tobias, and sometimes the two are seen walking in the countryside with Tobias’ faithful dog, as Raphael holds the packet of medicine which will eventually be used to cure Tobit. Hoodoo root doctors and Spiritualist practitioners may keep a statue of Raphael on an altar where work is being performed for the clients in need of healing. Archangel Raphael is petitioned for healing. Archangel Uriel Archangel Uriel is recognized as an Archangel in Jewish and some Christian traditions. Unlike Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Uriel is not recognized as an Archangel in the Catholic tradition. He is, however, venerated within the Eastern Orthodox churches and his Feast Day is celebrated on November 8th known as the Synaxis of Archangel Michael and the other Bodiless Powers. Uriel is often petitioned by those facing severe crisis, and is believed to sometimes warn individuals away from danger. Uriel, whose name means light of God, is believed to be one of the angels mentioned but not named in the older books of the Hebrew Bible. Some Jewish mystical traditions hold that Uriel is the angel of Sunday and of Poetry. Tradition holds that he was the angel who checked for blood on the doors of the faithful Israelites during the final plague of the death of the first born children in Egypt. He is also considered by many to be the angel who warned Noah of the impending Flood. Uriel was recognized and venerated in both Jewish and Christian tradition, including Catholicism, until 754 A.D. when Pope St. Zachary, in an attempt to subvert worship of angels, struck off many angelic names from the list of sanctioned angels. Uriel was among those who were eliminated from this list. However, the Eastern Orthodox Church maintained its belief in Uriel’s position as an Archangel and venerate him still. Uriel is usually depicted in fiery shades indicating the meaning of his name as “light of God.” He carries a book which originally was the Torah with Hebrew lettering, but in many images today, the book has been changed to the Holy Bible with English lettering. A blazing sun halo sits at his crown. Hoodoo root doctors and Spiritualist practitioners may keep a statue of Gabriel on an altar where work is being performed for the clients in need of blessing, healing, and tranquility or who seek protection while traveling. Conditions for which Archangel Uriel is petitioned: for blessing, safe travel, warding off evil.

Desiree Szabo is certified in Mediumship, an Angel Therapy Practitioner, and Integrated Energy Therapy. She is an Ordained Minister, Creator of the Blog Talk Radio Show, Adored Angel, and co-host of Achieved Radio shows. She is also a well-known writer for numerous metaphysical publications for the spiritual realm. To learn more, visit her website: http://www.adoredangel.yolasite.com.

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