Week 1:
History
The Origin of Hoodoo
An overview of Hoodoo and its journey from the Central African/Congo/ Bantu system of magical practices to the Southern United States during the slave trade.
What Hoodoo is and what Hoodoo is not
Common misunderstandings are cleared between the practice of Hoodoo and other common African-Diaspora spiritual traditions.
Structure in the Non-Structure Practice of Hoodoo
Solitary by nature, the Rootworker’s magical traditions are passed on from person to person without any formal Initiation or set theology. Links are found between Conjuring, Mojo’s & Gris-Gris work in this privately practiced tradition.
Week 2:
Influences
African Herbs/Oils and their American Substitutes
From the land that cradled all humankind to her bosom, this rich and diverse country called Africa , has herbs and oils that other magical practices have yet to discover. An informing, brief, yet educational starter list of African Herbs/Oils and their American substitutes are given.
The Melting Pot
Cultural influences transformed Hoodoo into a melting pot of magical & botanical practices that are intermixed with Pennsylvania Dutch Pow-Wow magic, Jewish, Christian & European folk religious practice.
Week 3:
Deities, Saints & Ancestors
Chapter 6: Working with Saints & Deities
How did African Deities become Saints? Equating an African God/dess with a Catholic saint became a common practice in the southern states, particularly New Orleans . This chapter gives incite into the Old World deities and how honoring them in secret kept them from being consumed by Christianity. Discover how Saints and Deities can be used in conjunction with conjuring, prayer and candle burning.
Chapter 7: Ancestor Veneration, Psalms and the Books of Moses
The importance of ancestor (worship) veneration within the practice of Hoodoo and how they can influence your Conjure work. Magically effective recitation of Psalms and the Books of Moses to invoke certain names of God and other spirits will cause magical works to be accomplished.
Week 4:
Chapter 7: Ancestor Veneration, Psalms and the Books of Moses continued
Chapter 8: Novena & Hoodoo Candle Magic
Novenas, commonly associated with the Roman Catholic Church, are prayers enacted for a certain set amount of days to remove obstacles and help to manifest ones desires. In this chapter learn how Candle colors, Candle figures, & Religious Novena candles/ votives can be used for prayers and Rootwork.
Week 5:
Family Bonds
Folk Tales & Tall Tales
From Brer Rabbit to John Henry, African American Folktales & Tall Tales have been woven with magic, humor and an underdog that triumphs by using their wits.
(Neo) Soul Food
This ethnic cuisine was eaten throughout the times of Slavery to Modern Day. Adopting more of a healthy alternative Neo Soul Food keeps the flavor and tradition alive. Recipes for Cooking for Luck, a New Baby, a Wedding, a Funeral, for Company or for Strangers are included in this chapter.
Week 6:
Goin’ Back to my Roots
Home Remedies from my paternal family in Winterville , Louisiana are shared.
Fears & Revelations
Myths & Realities about Consequences What is Karma & the 3-Fold Law and does it apply to Hoodoo? Common rules in the religious Pagan communities are examined and the reasons of how and why Karma & 3-Fold Law have no weight in the Hoodoo community are explored.
Teacher - Thiemba Ferguson
TBA
Thiemba, or Mama Blackberry, is a Rootworker and has been taught the Louisiana style of Hoodoo from her late Grandma Phebo, her aunts and father. She keeps in constant connection with her living paternal family in Louisiana and soaks up her lineage through the oral tradition of tall tales (folk tales), laying tricks and conjure work that continues be a part of her family’s daily life.
Believing that African Folk Magic is rarely addressed in the Pagan community she has penned a manuscript called Family Roots: The Practice of Hoodoo. Her lecture/workshop series is based on the manuscript.