Hoodoo is a practice that combines traditional West African elements with Native American and European elements. It is also sometimes called rootwork, working the roots, or root doctoring, which shows the importance of magically and spiritually significant plants to rootworkers. The history of Hoodoo may have some religious elements, but it is not a religion—it is a distinct magical tradition with roots in the Southern United States.
What Do Hoodoo Rootworkers Believe In?
Even though prayers and religious symbols can figure in Hoodoo rituals, Hoodoo itself is not a religious practice. Like other magical traditions, it is not bound to any particular faith. Many, but not all, rootworkers are Protestant Christians. Others range from Catholic to secular. Rootworkers believe in their own inherent power and the natural powers of the herbs, roots, and other curios they use. Praying or petitioning a saint or deity is not necessary, but they may choose to do so to get their help with a spell.
Hoodoo rootwork is not inherently good or evil. Like all magical practices, its goal is to create change. There is as much space in Hoodoo for healing the sick as there is for punishing an enemy. Some rootworkers choose not to perform work intended to cause harm to someone, but others see good and evil as equal parts of the natural world.
Hoodoo Roots and Herbs
Some plants have achieved particular prominence as useful Hoodoo curios:
- High John the Conqueror root invokes the cleverness, strength, and enduring spirit of the legendary folk hero. It’s a staple for gaining power, drawing luck, and overcoming challenges, especially for men seeking strength and respect.
- Adam and Eve roots are used in powerful love spells, particularly to strengthen bonds between couples or to draw true, lasting affection.
- Calamus root is traditionally used for commanding and controlling situations or people. It’s often included in court case and domination work.
- Angelica Root is a protective and healing herb, sometimes called “Holy Ghost Root.” It is favored by women for strength and spiritual defense.
- Devil’s Shoestring offers strong protection and is one of the go-to roots for court case success and job-getting work.
- Orris Root (Queen Elizabeth Root) is used in feminine empowerment and love-drawing rituals. It enhances attraction, especially for women working on love or beauty spells.
- Grains of Paradise are often used for luck, money drawing, and gambling rituals, connecting fiery energy with prosperity.
- Five Finger Grass (Cinquefoil) helps bring success in anything a person can do with their hands—love, money, health, and legal matters.
- Yellow Dock Root is used for drawing money and clearing away internal and external blockages.
- Black Cohosh Root provides protection and is sometimes used to drive away unwanted spirits or influences.
- Rattlesnake Root is known for uncrossing and removing jinxes or hexes.
- Blessed Thistle Herb is used for spiritual protection, health, and breaking hexes.
These are just a few of the many powerful botanical allies used in rootwork. Part of Hoodoo’s beauty lies in its adaptability. From the ashes of displacement, African American practitioners wove a sacred system using the plants, stones, and spirits available to them—each root becoming a thread in a tradition built on power, prayer, and perseverance.
Using Roots and Curios
Though roots, herbs, and other curios are important to rootwork, working with them successfully involves more than just throwing them together. Roots and herbs can be infused or distilled into oils, to create a liquid version suitable for dressing candles or anointing people. They can also be steeped in liquid to add to a bath or floor wash, which allows the power of the roots to permeate a person or place. Sprinkling a tea made of rue around the home helps to ward off evil and protect the inhabitants.
Sometimes, the roots and herbs are used dry instead. They may be ground into a sachet or sprinkling powder used as a dusting powder, sprinkled in or around a building, or used to dress a candle. Dry herbs are added to mojo bags or sweetening jars to lend them their power. Add fresh or dried red rose petals to a sweetening jar to help draw a lover to you, or place dried petals in a love mojo and carry it on you.
Other Curios
Even though it is called rootworking, not all Hoodoo curios are plant-based. Shells and stones are just as powerful. The lodestone, in particular, has an entire set of traditions surrounding how to care for and feed it. Because of its magnetic properties, it is a very powerful way to draw your desires to you. Pyrite, or “fool’s gold,” is used to bring money and success.
Shells, particularly cowrie shells, are used for money spells and divination. Divination is particularly important to rootworkers—it helps them uncover hidden information about the situations they are working to change, allowing them to work more successfully.
Hoodoo should not be confused with Vodou (or Voodoo) because it is not a religion. It also should not be confused with European witchcraft because it has its own unique practices. Hoodoo rootwork is a powerful, beautiful form of magic on its own, steeped in tradition and strengthened by its blend of cultural influences.
