Rootork Using the Folk Magick of Black America for Love, Money and Success [Paperback]

In this groundbreaking book that placesRootworkin its rightful spot among other magickal traditions, Tayannah Lee McQuillar offers a fun and practical guide to improving your life with the help of African American folk magick.Rootworkbegins with the basics, from explanations about the magickal powers of the four elements (air, earth, fire, and water) to instructions on creating talismans, charms, and mojo bags. Also included are spells to help you:

• find your soul mate
  
• spice up your sex life
  
• get a new job
  
• improve your health
  
• discover your inner muse
  

Accessible and easy to use,Rootworkoffers the insights of a time-honored tradition as a means of self-empowerment and spiritual growth.Tayannah Lee McQuillarstudied anthropology at the City University of New York and has studied the magio-religious practices of Black America. She lives in New York City. Visit her at www.tayannahmcquillar.com.Chapter 1:What Is Rootwork?

Rootwork is a form of folk magick that uses the elements of nature to create change in ourselves, others, or our environment. It is an African-American form of shamanism that makes use of herbs, stones, rocks, and other organic material to heal the body or the mind, or to solve a problem. Like all other forms of shamanism, Rootworkers believe that we can use the unseen forces of nature to manipulate the tangible world.

Rootwork is also known as Hoodoo in the southern part of the United States. The wordHoodoois probably derived from the wordjuju,an African word meaning magic, or from Voodoo, a corrupted version of the Fon wordVodun,meaning spirit or god. But unlike Vodun, Lukumi, Candomble, Shango, Batque, etc., Rootwork is not a religion. It has no pantheon or priesthood. It refers only to a set of healing and spell practices, and the practitioner can be whatever religion they wish. The theology behind the spells has bl£•