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