I can't promise that will be the last David Bowie reference ever made on this blog. Moving on!
The Sacred Well is pleased to announce that we are now carrying Dorothy Morrison's Wicked Witch Mojo candles. These candles are both whimsical and effective, with names like Flying Monkey for protection. We plan to expand to include her line of mojo oils as well.
"Mojo?" some of you might be saying. "What in the heck is that?"
Mojo is a term you hear a lot if you learn anything about hoodoo or conjure. (Or if you listen to a lot of blues music, which is no coincidence.) Hoodoo is a form of folk magic that has its origins in the African-American community, particularly in the rural South. Hoodoo combines African-American belief with First Nations botanical lore, as well as some European folk practices. It is a living magical tradition, and one that is incredibly practical.
Unlike some other magical systems, hoodoo relies less on the idea of personal will and more on proper ingredients and procedure. This means that while there are many talented rootworkers in North America, for many concerns a person can do her own work. Furthermore, since hoodoo is a magical system and not a religious one, it can be used by people from all walks of life. (This is not to say hoodoo can be divorced from its roots – indeed it shouldn't be, and anyone with a serious interest in the subject would do well to read up on the topic.) Preloaded candles, like the Motor City Hoodoo or Dorothy Morrison candles stocked at the Sacred Well, have the advantage of being preloaded by someone who understands rootwork, meaning that you don't need to go searching for five finger grass or whatever else you may need; all you have to do is charge the candle and light it.
Your humble webmistress is quite a fan of preloaded candles as it cuts down on costs in the long run; essential oils aren't cheap, and many ingredients are hard to find. Candlemaking is also something I don't always have time to do. Most importantly, I have found the candles extremely effective; non-magical friends who have been given the Motor City Hoodoo candles as gifts also report success with them. In the end it's results that matter to your Mama Fortuna!
Hoodoo is a fascinating topic that can really only be touched upon in a blog post. For those interested in learning more, I would suggest the following titles:
Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic - by cat yronwode. This is quite possibly the definitive guide for anyone interested in pursuing rootwork, and an invaluable resource.
Hoodoo - Conjuration - Witchcraft - Rootwork - Harry Middleton Hyatt. This is unfortunately out of print, but if you can find a copy hang onto it!
Voodoo and Hoodoo: The Craft as Revealed by Traditional Practioners – by Jim Haskins. This one can be found on Amazon used fairly cheaply, but it costs a fair bit to buy new. Your webmistress is trying to secure used copies for the store.
The Magical Power of the Saints: Evocation and Candle Rituals and Charms, Spells and Formulas – by Rev. Ray T. Malbrough. These books are easy to read and manage to cover a fair range of topics, albeit concisely. Saints focuses on the use of Catholic imagery, and so may be well suited to those with a Christian background. (This might be more properly classified as a Santeria-derived system rather than strict hoodoo, with a fair dash of Western Ceremonial influence if the involved planetary hour charts are any indication.) Spells and Formulas focuses more on oils, washes, and gris-gris bags.
Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo and Conjuring with Herbs – by Stephanie Rose Bird. This is the only book on the list your humble webmistress hasn't personally read; it appears to be an introductory guide geared more to those of a Wiccan persuasion.
