#keepconjureblack

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TEN THINGS “Witchblr” NEEDS TO FUCKING KNOW ABOUT AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIONS:

Hoodoo is a closed system that IS NOT for non-Black people.

Hoodoo has deities, but Orisha, Lwa, and Mpungu are not part of Hoodoo. Those deities belong SOLELY to their own respective systems.

A tarot reading, intuitive reading, palm reading, “a feeling”, etc. CAN NOT help you determine which Orisha owns your head. Only an initiated priest of that system, using the specific divination tools of that system, can tell you this. The same goes for Lwa, Mpungu, etc. If you want to know, seek out and PAY a reputable BLACK priest.

Plenty of Hoodoos, myself included, use tarot but tarot IS not part of the Hoodoo system.

The Crossroads is not just some place where you go to dump your empty candle or otherwise dispose of completed spirit work. Spirits live there. Would you want someone dumping their trash at your house without even asking? There’s also plenty of other ways to dispose of works.

Just because deities in different systems are SIMILAR (or you perceive them to be) doesn’t mean they are the SAME, and definitely doesn’t mean they can be engaged with in the same way. Yemoja, La Sirene, and Mami Wata are DIFFERENT spirits (Mami Wata is actually a family of spirits, not a single spirit) that have different protocols for how to engage them. And initiation is required.

Hoodoo has initiations.

The Crossroads Man is NOT Esu or Papa Legba. They are different spirits. What they have in common is being the keepers of Crossroads, of course, but they also have their own individual things that they do and different protocols. See item #6.

High John the Conqueror does not work with non-Black people. If you’re non-Black and think you’re working with him, go ahead and cleanse that trickster spirit out ya house baby 🤣

The “Rule of Three” doesn’t apply in ATRs. You’re just scared a Black person might hex you 🤷🏾‍���️

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For Hoodoos that are depressed, mentally ill, Disabled, or chronically ill…

Something disturbing that’s been going around is people saying not to do things like cleansing and prosperity baths while you’re depressed, implying that depression will somehow pollute the working or render it ineffective. Not only is this take extremely ableist, but it’s just not true and quite frankly lacks common sense. If you’re feeling depressed, a spiritual bath will likely improve your mood and/or any circumstances causing you distress. Can extreme emotions sometimes cloud our ability to conjure effectively? Yes, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t . Calm down as much as you can and write down what you’re going to do. This will keep you on track as you put together your work/bath/candle etc. Take some deep breaths, divine, and proceed accordingly. Your depression will not “taint” the work. Remember our ancestors were dealing with some of the most dangerous and grotesque situations in human history. Many of them were likely depressed, scared, angry, feeling hopeless, and everything in between. But they still did the spiritual work they needed to do, and improved their lives using our African spiritual technologies. Being depressed, mentally or physically disabled, or chronically ill doesn’t make you any less of a spiritualist.

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Prayer is the one spiritual tool that we always have with us and that we never have to purchase. And prayer can take so many forms. Speaking, singing, writing, dancing, and cooking can all be/incorporate prayer, and prayer is one of the most effective tools we have available to us in conjure.

We don’t always need a million herbs or candles or a long ritual. Sometimes (most times) we just need to call our spirits to us and pray.

Pray honestly and often and watch things move.

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I still can’t believe this has to be said but Hoodoo Delish and Lucky Mojo are white appropriators with no authentic elders in this tradition, who spread misinformation regarding the practice of Hoodoo. Avoid them at all costs.

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Still on a break from Tumblr for my mental health but I decided to bless ya with a meme lol.

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CAN you? Yes, maybe.

Is it the BEST way to do so? Probably not.

If you’re very experienced with tarot and have already established with the spirits you work with what cards mean “yes” and what cards mean “no”, then you may be able to ask yes or no questions about your ancestral origins and go from there.

However, I suggest seeking a competent diviner that specializes in ancestral readings/ancestral investigation. They should be able to lead you to more concrete answers and ask questions you may not be thinking of.

question

for black witches and ATR practicioners/experts. can i use tarot to find out my ancestral origins?

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Simple and Powerful Prayers That Really Work:

1. “May I do what is best for me with ease.”

2. “Send me elders/mentors/friends/colleagues that are meant for my highest good and in alignment with my destiny.”

3. “May my roads be open, and my mind be wise.”

Pray them every day like you really meant it. Pray to your Ancestors or whatever deities you serve. Watch how quickly things move.

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Either you trust your (benevolent, ready to work on your behalf) Ancestors, or you don’t.

Trust is a HUGE part of Hoodoo practice.

Trusting your Ancestors.

Trusting your gifts.

Trusting the lessons your Ancestors send, and that you are right where you need to be.

What’s the point of connecting with your dead people if you’re not going to trust them? Why even pray? The old folks used to say, “You can’t pray and worry at the same time.” This isn’t to say that worry, anxiety, and fear won’t present. They will. Lord knows I get scared all the time. But I’ve learned the hard way that in order for things to move in my favor, my faith must be bigger than my fear.

And what I love about my Ancestors is that they give me EVIDENCE, every time. So now, when I am scared, troubled, anxious, etc., I can be reminded, “Didn’t we take care of you before? Why would we stop now?” And it’s true.

When I had no food or money, they provided.

When I had no spiritual elders, they sent them.

When I was close to death, they saved me.

Times get hard in life, that’s a fact. But don’t pray and worry. Pray like you expect a shift in your favor. Pray like you KNOW it’s coming. Even if you’re screaming and crying and laying on floor, have faith.

They haven’t left you.

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I’m a scholar/historian so I’m really excited for a few new books that are coming out soon that analyze the history of Black women’s religious lives during slavery. Folks are always asking for books for “how to” do Hoodoo and reputable ones don’t really exist (nor am I completely convinced that they should, gives too much access to non-Black people). Slavery narratives however, are full of gems if your heart and mind are open. Get some slave narratives and sit at your altar and read. The answers will come.

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Please be specific.

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Most people tend to use the terms “rootwork(er)”, conjur(er), “diviner” interchangeably (especially on the internet) but there are varied and distinct roles within Hoodoo and they do not all mean the same thing or serve the same function, though they may at times intersect. Here is Root Doctuh, medicine woman, and Hoodoo Historian Lissah Mason (with help and guidance from Hoodoo elder Mama Rue) on roles in Hoodoo community. (Some of this is from last year’s Hoodoo heritage month, but I felt it was especially relevant now.)

It’s a New Moon. Ask your Ancestors what your role is, and listen for the answer.

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To my Black American Spiritualists…

I wasn’t finna post this because it was gon make some of y’all mad but when has that ever stopped me lol. Plus, Spirit sent me confirmation in two different forms so….

I don’t know who needs to hear this but if you are Black American, it is likely that you have very little (if any) genetic Yoruba ancestry, and you might be blocking your blessings by ignoring the varying Bantu/Kongo, as well as Igbo, ancestors, spirits, and customs that make up your genetic and/or spiritual lineage.

This doesn’t mean you can’t practice a Yoruba based religion, the spirits call who they call, and your Black non-Yoruba spirits may have made a pact with some Yoruba divinities on your behalf so you can get what your need in this life.

BUT ALSO… skipping over your Bantu and other West-Central (heavy on the Central 👀) African ancestors and running to a Yoruba based system simply because it is easily accessible to you, or is framed as more palatable, is not wise.

Remember, Black Americans are the product of over 50 African ethnic groups. When you look at the history of enslavement, you will see that the Yoruba were some of the last Africans to be enslaved, and were not brought en masse to North America. And even in places where the Yoruba were enslaved in large numbers, other African groups (and their culture/religion) had already been there for decades. This is why when we look at what we consider “Black American Culture”, it is largely Kongo, Igbo, Ewe, Fon, Dahomey, etc. depending on location in the US. There are *some* Yoruba influences, but they tend to be relatively recent and more subtle.

This is not to discourage participation in Yoruba based religion, especially diasporic Lucumi (which isn’t as purely Yoruba as folks would have you believe, because historical context), nor would I EVER disrespect the powerful Yoruba cosmology, but simply to encourage folks to think critically and use history as a guide for how they view their spirituality. People disrespect and misunderstand Kongo based religions like Hoodoo and Palo because they are trying to apply the tenets of Yoruba religion to these practices. It doesn’t work like that. One of my elders (who herself is an Ifa and Lucumi priest, as well as a Hoodoo Rootdoctor and Palera) makes this VERY clear.

I say all that to say, practice whatever your spirits approve, and whatever you need for elevation, AND also don’t be hard headed and disrespectful by ignoring a LARGE portion of your spiritual frame and genetic lineage. Sit at your altar and learn who YOUR people are. You might be surprised.

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Mojo Medic does Water Divination in the tradition of old school Black American hoodoo! Check them out!

Hoodoo Community

I’ve been doing my research on different modes of divination that work best with reaching out and speaking with the ancestors. I can’t seem to find anything having to do with water divination within the hoodoo practice. Can anyone tell me what you do or what you used to learn?

Any other hoodoo tips or experiences are appreciated too.

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On Community and Elders in Hoodoo (Read fully to understand)

Hoodoo is a community based religion, like most other ATR/DTR paths. It is meant to be practiced in the company of other devotees, and under the tutelage of elders. A few years ago, there was a trend on here pushing for solitary Hoodoo and I just don’t get that. Yes, Hoodoo is about your personal growth and transformation, but it is more about how Black people survive collectively, together. Hoodoo was born out of a collectivist spirit, not an individualist one. This is why so many hoodoo communities and spiritual societies value mutual aid, collective work, inter-generational homes, etc. we are meant to sing, dance, cook, and pray TOGETHER. Solitary Hoodoo will only get you so far (trust me, I know). White supremacy sought and still seeks to separate Black people from each other because they know our collective power is far greater than anything we can achieve on our own. We need to have the various ideas, prayers, and spirits of trusted community members and elders to benefit us all.

So how do I find community?

The word “community” gets thrown around a lot (especially on the internet) and has honestly been diluted so much. When I say community, I am not simply talking about a group of people that you just happen to share a few common characteristics with. I’m talking about a group of people committed to caring for and preserving each other, people committed to holding each other accountable, people who see the misfortune of one as the misfortune of all, and the blessing of one as the blessing of all. I am not talking about being “friends”. Friends are important, but friendship is based on how one feels emotionally about another, which can shift from day to day. Not every community member will be your friend. You may not even like some folks on a personal level. But you’re able to trust them with your life. Why? Because you’ve all made a commitment to something bigger than yourselves. Over 50 tribes and ethnic groups were chained together during the slave trade. You think they all always got along? Hell no! But they made it work because defeating their common enemy was most important. To paraphrase The People’s Oracle, they were sharing the burden of survival with one another. So how do you find community on your Hoodoo journey? Start by looking at the criteria I just laid out, and pray. Ask your Ancestors to send you REAL Community that is in this path and that are meant for your highest good. It really works! Remember: while these folks may become close friends, friendship is not the main goal. Spiritual growth and accountability, is.

Does my Hoodoo community have to live near me or be in person?

Thanks to technology, NO! Your community may be Black people living anywhere in the world. BUT USE DISCERNMENT AND DIVINATION when attempting to form real community in online spaces. Always remember the criteria above, and TAKE YOUR TIME. Real communities are not built overnight. Also, if you’re disabled like me, in person gathering isn’t always an option. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a healthy viable community on your spiritual journey.

Meet in person as often as you can and as safely as you can though, cuz I will say there is nothing like sharing physical space with folks on similar journeys.

Do I need elders to practice Hoodoo?

At a certain point (and I’d argue sooner rather than later, given the amount of misinformation that goes around), yes. Elders are tasked with guiding us on our spiritual path, helping us to connect deeper, and clearing the cobwebs of conditioning that may stunt our spiritual growth. Elders can be family members, members of community, friends, etc.

A competent elder has been in the tradition long enough and been through enough that they have lessons to teach, and are approved for you by your Ancestors.

NOT ALL “Elders” in this tradition, are necessarily “older” than you. Some of my elders are old in age, others are my age (mid-late 20s), and some are actually younger than me. Eldership is less about age and more about wisdom. It also depends on what your specific spiritual needs are.

How do I find elders?

If you don’t have people in your family to guide you (not everyone does), you can ask your Ancestors to lead you to the appropriate elders when you are ready. Studying under someone will increase the amount of responsibilities and tasks you are given, so before even asking about elders, make sure you have a consistent practice of being at your altar and praying, refreshing and cleaning your altar space, leaving offerings, etc. Once you’ve been doing that for a while and it becomes second nature, ask your ancestors if you are ready to receive an elder. If they say yes, ask them to send you elders that are wise, ethical, safe, and knowledgeable. When you feel like you’ve met the right person or people, divine on it to make sure.

That’s all for now.

[cuntatthecrossroads]

Please remember that Hoodoo is a LIBERATION practice. And not everything that liberates you from the hand of your enemy is “love and light”. As a matter of fact, MOST things that liberate you from your enemy ain’t “love and light”. Stop letting the wiccans and the struggle witches fool you.