Table of Contents
Contents
Disclaimer xv
Introduction 1
Ethics in Folk Magic Practice 11
Part 1: Hoodoo
Chapter 1: About Hoodoo 21
Chapter 2: Types of Practitioners 29
Root Doctors 29
Conjure Doctors 31
Two-Headed Doctors 31
Chapter 3: History and Development of Hoodoo 33
Stages of Hoodoo Development 37
The Relationship Between Hoodoo and Healing 42
Marketeered Hoodoo 48
Henry Middleton Hyatt 51
Chapter 4: New Orleans Voodoo 55
Chapter 5: Basic Beliefs of Hoodoo 61
Chapter 6: Hoodoo/Conjure/Rootwork Today 67
A Community Divided 70
The Rebirth of Hoodoo Practice 76
Chapter 7: Hoodoo Charms and Spells 87
The Nature Sack 88
Brick Dust 88
Foot Track Work 90
Silver Dimes 91
Sweet Jars/Sweet Pots 92
Graveyard Dirt 93
Mojo Bags/Gris Gris 97
Crossroads Magic 98
Part 2: Appalachian Granny Magic
Chapter 8: About Granny Magic 103
Chapter 9: Types of Practitioners 107
Granny Women, Healers, Yarb Doctors, and Root Doctors 108
Goomer Doctors, Conjure Doctors, and Power Doctors 111
Seers 114
Water Witches and Witch Wigglers 115
Chapter 10: The History and Development of Granny Magic 119
Chapter 11: Basic Beliefs of Granny Magic 131
The Foundations of Mountain Spirituality 132
Crops, Animal Husbandry & the Weather 135
Marriage and Weddings 137
Healing 140
Birth 142
Death 147
Witches, Curses & Other Mystical Things 149
More Magical Beliefs & Practices 153
Chapter 12: Appalachian and Ozark Granny Magic Today 159
Chapter 13: Appalachian and Ozark Charms and Spells 169
Protection 169
Removing and Warding Off Curses 170
Health 171
Marriage and Home Life 172
Luck 172
Divination, Omens, and Portents 173
Part 3: Brujería and Curanderismo
Chapter 14: About Brujería and Curanderismo 177
Chapter 15: Types of Practitioners 185
Chapter 16: History of Brujería/Curanderismo 191
Chapter 17: Basic Beliefs of Brujería/Curanderismo 199
Divination 215
A Tale of Two Sisters 216
Chapter 18: Brujería/Curanderismo Today 231
Limpias…So Many Limpias 234
Chapter 19: Brujería/Curanderismo Charms and Spells 239
Aceite de Serpiente de Cascabel (Rattlesnake Oil) 240
La Piedra de Iman (Lodestones) 240
Los Siete Nudos (The Seven Knots) 241
Encourage Good Sleep 241
Childbirth Magic 241
Agua Bendita (Holy Water) 242
El Credo de los Apóstoles (The Apostles' Creed) 243
Las Doce Verdades de Mundo (The Twelve Truths of The World) 244
Crossroads of Conjure 249
Glossary 255
Bibliography 269
Index 275