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Introduction
The Origin of Hoodoo
No one knows exactly when what we know today as Hoodoo began, but it probably started not too long after Indigenous Americans, Africans, and Europeans came into daily contact with one another during the colonial era. All three groups had significant indentured-servant and enslaved populations that worked, socialized, and intermarried with one another on a regular basis. Most Europeans during the colonial era were overwhelmingly Protestant and hailed from England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, and the Netherlands.
The majority of the approximately 388,000 African people that were shipped to North America (including Canada) between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries came from a variety of ethnic groups. They were Malagasy, Kongo, Igbo, Maghrebis (Moors), Akan, Mandé, Hausa, and Fulbe, among many others. There were hundreds of Indigenous tribes in the southeast alone prior to colonization, the smaller of whom later joined or were absorbed into larger confederacies, such as the Creek or the Cherokee. Unbeknownst to many, there were also other nationalities and ethnic groups that were enslaved, indentured, or voluntarily migrated to North America during the colonial era as well. There were dark-skinned “coolies” from India and China, Pacific Islanders, and Roma people (a.k.a “gypsies”), many of whom were reclassified and denationalized in official documents by using descriptors such as white, mulatto, or negro. These groups are also the ancestors of many, many Black Americans who may have incorporated their knowledge into Hoodoo, but today have no clue they have this ancestry. All of the aforementioned peoples from around the world had their own cosmologies, philosophies, folklore, and remedies.
Thus, some might say that Hoodoo is North America’s only totally unrestricted repository of esoteric knowledge.
Getting to Know the Hoodoo Tarot
The structure of The Hoodoo Tarot is based on the extended family unit, which was the traditional familial structure of the vast majority of Indigenous peoples.
The Elders, the Family, and the Community
Just as the Major Arcana is the foundation of the tarot, the Elders are the foundation of the family. The Elders in Indigenous communities serve the same purpose as the Majors: to transmit age-old knowledge and wisdom via the use of complex symbolism and story. Thus, the Elders are venerated as living libraries from which an unfathomable amount of data may be accessed regarding a culture’s traditions, history, and what that people perceives to be their ultimate purpose (as warriors, artisans, etc.).
The Family is equivalent to the court cards in standard tarot decks. In this regard, the Family in this deck actually represents the idealized American nuclear family model, instead of aristocrats and their servants. However, the Family and court cards share a similar purpose, in that they both represent specific people or personality types.
The Community relates to the Minor Arcana, as they both reflect the lessons of the Elders regarding mundane life experiences.
The Tools
The tools represented by the suits reflect everyday objects utilized by all Americans. However, the esoteric significance and aesthetic of these tools (when applicable), were often specific to people of Indigenous and/or African descent in general, and at times, rootworkers specifically.
What do the four tools represent?
Coins—Wealth, Security, Protection
Sticks—Primal Energy, Power, Passion, Authority
Knives—Ideas, Thoughts, Beliefs
Baskets—Love, Emotions, Healing
SAMPLE CARD MEANING
Dem Bones
(Judgement)
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.
—John 7:24
Plant: Carolina Buckthorn
The Image
A woman puts her hand over her mouth in shock at what the bones on the table reveal to her.
Astragalomancy, meaning divination using bones or dice, was practiced by Indigenous American and African people. Divination with bones requires the reader to associate different meanings with each bone, based on where and how they land. The bones of chickens and cats were the most commonly used, but other small and medium-sized animals were also acceptable. Contrary to popular belief, the choice of which animal to use was strictly up to each individual rootworker. A set of dem bones could include not only the remains of an animal, but also other items such as keys, seashells, and crystals. Like other forms of divination, all the items in a reader’s set had clear associations, but it’s a reader’s innate talent that determines accuracy.
Meaning
When Dem Bones appears in a reading, you are being reminded that it’s time to focus on what you need, rather than what you want. Most likely, you will have to make some tough choices, but if you’re willing to put your ego aside and do what you have to do, the best possible outcome is guaranteed.
Dem Bones may be reminding you that people are going to talk about you no matter what you do. So make sure that you remain in alignment with your goals, dreams, and aspirations. Acknowledge that no one escapes judgment, even if the judge is oneself.
Dem Bones could also indicate that it is time for a more in-depth reading concerning a matter of great importance. This reading will provide relief and solutions to your problems.
If you receive Dem Bones in a reading, consider the following:
• It may be time for an honest self-assessment.
• What is your reputation? Are you still in alignment with it?
• If you want a fresh start, start fresh.
• The neutral position is no longer an option.
• Do others need to know where you stand on that issue? If so, stop stalling and tell them!
