Hoyt's Cologne Questions and Answers

[Mama Micki]

I have been using Florida Water for cleansing my altar and jewelry. In a previous post, Miss Cat stated that Hoyt's was a more traditional part of conjure work and implied that it could be used in a similiar way. I was under the impression that Hoyt's is used primarily to dress mojo bags and oneself for luck. Has anyone used it for cleansing or in another way? Thanks.

[Devi Spring]

I use Hoyt's when preparing some fixed items for money drawing. However scent-preference varies greatly from person to person, so I don't make much use of it outside of that specific context.

One of the reasons I use Florida Water so extensively is because it's not only effective, but to me the smell is just divine. But I realize that it is more traditionally used in Latino and Afri-Carribbean folk traditions, rather than conjure proper.

[ConjureMan]

I have always associated Hoyt's cologne with luck, gambling, and mojo bags. Now, I know there are some references of using Hoyt's cologne for love in Hyatt's work, but I was never too clear on the cleansing aspect of it. I also wash down my altar and its tools with Florida Water.

I would defer to the expertise of Miss cat. Maybe she can advise of what would be great for cleansing the altar or altar tools. Maybe mixing our own wash?

[Mama Micki]

Thanks Devi and CM. I ordered some Hoyt's today and am looking forward to comparing its scent to that of Florida Water.

[catherineyronwode]

I use Hoyt's for everything. It smells like Memphis Tennessee, Oakland California, and a hundred small towns in the Sotuh to me.

Florida Water is cheaper by the ounce. Hoyt's is STRONGER, so a little goes longer.

You can mix them too, and the result is a super-nice blend.

Both Hoyt's Cologne and Florida Water Cologne are based on the old original Eau de Cologne of Germany -- Hoyt's is a more expensive, more accurate copy of the original, Florida Water is more dilute and emphasizes a few of the less costly essentials while de-emphasizing the more costly ones.
If you want to smell something near to the original from which both trace their lineage, try 4711 Cologne or Farina Eau de Cologne, both from the town of Cologne (Koln), Germany, where Cologne was invented. Another similar Eau de Cologne of the era, with a bit more of a citrus note, is Imperiale by Guerlain. The latter, like Hoyt's, is often positioned as a scent for men, as it is not ultra-floral. But don;t let that fool you. All of these 18th and 19th century perfumes are very light and natural, not at all like the modern, post WW II concept of a "manly" smell.

[Devi Spring]

I'm sure lots of people really enjoy Florida Water, or it wouldn't have been around for so long!

It is definitely a much more intense smell, as Miss Cat says. She's absolutely right in that a very little goes a loong way! I found that out the hard way the first time I used it and I was sloshing it around like I do with the Florida Water! LOL! Now I just use a dab here and a dab there.

It's facinating to me that they are based on the same formula, as the smell is so amazingly different! I would be very interested to to smell the 4711 Cologne or Farina Eau de Cologne. And I'll give mixing them a little try and see what comes of that. I know that I made a lovely spray by mixing some money-drawing oil into the florida water, so it can blend very nicely with other scents.

[ablake]

I wore 4711 as a teenager. It has a super clean scent. I wore it after I saw Demi Moore wear it in the 1980s movie "About Last Night". I will have to say though that if you don't like the smell of Hoyt's you most likely won't like 4711. I've smelled both and 4711 is a very "punched up" version of Hoyt's also a lot more expensive.

It has the scent of a blend of bergamot, orange, rose, sandalwood and vetiver.

[catherineyronwode]

It may be that what Devi wants is a very diluted or a very "open" scent, or both. We are speaking here of the difference in the amount of alcohol and the amount of essential oils -- with 4711, Farina, and Imperiale having both higher alcohol content and more essential oils per fluid ounce -- and Hoyt's also having more alcohol and more essential oils per fluid ounce than Flrida Water,than Florida Water, but not as much as the three expensive European Eau de Colognes.

Also, the "bouquet" or blended fragrance varies because some of the components of the citrus blend are more expensive than others. For instance, Farina Eau de Cologne and 4711 Cologne score higher in Neroli oil (from Orange flowers) and Pettigrain oil (from Orange leaves) than Hoyt's does, and the two of them, plus Hoyt's, score higher than Florida Water in those notes plus Bergamot oil (from Bergamot Orange rinds). Imperiale has even more citrus than 4711, but still bears the complexity of a true Eau de Cologne.

Neroli Oil, Pettigrain Oil, Bergamot Oil, Tangerine Oil, Grapefruit Oil, and Lime Oil are more expensive than Sweet Orange Oil (from regular Orange rinds) and Lemon Oil (from Lemon rinds), so as the price point of the finished product drops, we find not only a dilution of the alcohol and essential oil content, but also that some of the expensive citrus scents in the original formula are treated as mere "kisses" rather than major notes.

Lanman and Kemp-Murray Florida Water, for instance, places its emphasis on Sweet Orange (from regular Orange rinds) and Lemon Oil, with very little Neroli or Pettigrain and only a modicum of Bergamot, Lime Oil, Tangerine Oil, or Grapefruit Oil. The result, to some noses, is a more "hollow" or "open" scent, without all the filled-in "grace notes" or "complex citrus notes" or "harmonies" that were originally obtained by working with each essential oil from each individual part of the citrus plant and also with citrus plants of several species.

There are other floral essences involved in this family of perfumes too, but that was just a description of the variety you'll find in a series of so-called "citrus-scented" perfumes.

[Devi Spring]

Very interesting information. Thank you Miss Cat. It's very true that I generally prefer very subtle and more simple scents. Especially when they are alcohol based type products.

[ConjureMan]

You know, I never thought of mixing Hoyt's with Florida Water. I always split the associations into Hoyt's = Gambling, luck (love and otherwise), mojos and such and Florida Water= spirits and cleansing. But mixing them together and using them to wash altars and altar tools sounds like a great idea. I'm definately going to order some more and try it out.

[jwmcclin]

I love my Florida Water and use it to clean candles...as for Hoyt's cologne, I have not used it to date but I have some in my inventory.

[Miss Bri]

I'll put in another cheer for Hoyt's cologne--I LOVE it and I use it in most areas of my magical work. I do use Florida water on my ancestor altar and for spirit work, but, I am going to try mixing some with Hoyts--that's a great idea!
take care,
Bri

[Joseph Magnuson]

This is a fantastic thread! I just bought 2 small bottles of Hoyts today, at the store, and have already begun soaking High John in one and Rattlesnake Master in the other...

Great information and thoughts from everyone!

[cognitivedissonance]

I'm preparing my next order after having read HHRM, and I'm going to prepare the lucky High John the Conqueror/Devil's Shoe Strings/Hoyt's Cologne wash as my first dive into the DIY aspect of hoodoo.

Will I need to pour the Hoyt's Cologne into a different container or will I be able to fit the roots into the bottle without slicing them? The recipe says I need a whole HJtC root, so are chips out of the question? And I assume that topping off the cologne with whiskey when it gets down is an acceptable practice?

I'm looking to hear people's experiences with this trick.

[jwmcclin]

If instructions say a whole root use a whole root...

[Devi Spring]

You will not be able to fit the roots into the bottle - you'll need to move everything to a different container.

[Turnsteel]

And I assume that topping off the cologne with whiskey when it gets down is an acceptable practice?

I wouldn't, if your planing on wearing it, you smell like a drunkard. It be better to top it off with more Hoyt's in any case.

[MsSha]

I just received my order of Florida Water and planned on using it to wipe down my alter, incense holder, etc. This may sound like a dumb question but when you clean everything using a cloth or whatever, do you HAVE to throw that cloth away since Florida Water is used for cleansing or is it safe to reuse the cloth? Or am I thinking to deeply about this? Just don't want to set myself up for a big mistake.

[catherineyronwode]

MsSha, these questions about cleansing AFTER cleansing, throwing away even the cloths or bowls used for cleansing seem to only come up in this forum. I have NEVER heard them from practitioners, in my shop, or even from telephone clients who seek my help through rootwork advice and consultations. I think the reason these things come up is that the internet attracts people who are new to root doctoring and conjure and have no experience with it at all, and tend to complicate and complexify it, often from a standpoint of making it more difficult and costly than it need be.

Let's look at the history: Hoodoo is African American folk magic and for hundreds of years, African Americns were slaves and then servants. Only recently have they taken their place as equals under law with white Americans. Due to these conditions, they were kept in poverty and want. You speak of an altar, but in a small house or apartment, 90% of conjure altars have traditionally been located on a nightstand or side-table or vanity or chifferobe or the top of a piano or refrigerator or mantelpiece.

Now let's ask the obvious question: Would the folk magic of a community that lived frugally, due to widespread economic discrimination and hardship, whose very altars were positioned on word-a-day and makeshift items of furniture include such conspicuous WASTE as throwing away a wash cloth every time it was used to wipe down a nightstand or side-table or vanity or chifferobe or the top of the piano or refrigerator or mantelpiece>

The answer is obviously, "No."

Furthermore, for the record, in the days before the invention of plastic varnish, if the furniture was varnished in the conventional way, the use of a caustic alcoholic substance like Florida Water would be damaging to the furniture finish. Most altar spaces are covered with a nice cloth, anyway, and those cloths would have been hand-edged in lace. Would you throw away your hand-made laced cloth every time you wanted to clean your altar.

COL-HOY-02OZ
Hoyt's Cologne, 2 oz.
$5.25





Oh, and last of all, Florida Water was never used in hoodoo until the heavy immigration of Afro-Caribbean practitioners of Santeria got in on the scene. Hoyt's Cologne was our cologne of choice -- and it was NEVER used for washing altars. You would wash the altar cloth by hand in Fels Naptha or Ivory Flakes and wash the altar with Chinese Wash.

And that's the way i still do it, and the only way i recommend that my students work.

[Donnalee2]

Hi All, I just wanted to add my use of Florida Water & Hoyt's. I put a whole bottle of Florida Water in my spray bottle & 2 tbls. Of Hoyt's, I spray my shop every morning when I open & every evening when I close. Everyone who enters makes a comment, that it smells beautiful. I add a whole cinnamon stick to the bottle for prosperity. This is so much nicer than the store bought plug ins & such.
Donnalee G # 1569

[Devi Spring]

Yes, since this thread began I made a spray of 80% Florida Water and 20% Hoyt's and I spritz it over my Prosperity altar each day. It does smell divine!

[Lord SP]

I just bought some Hoyt's Cologne today and I must agree with everyone who's tried it,it truly does smell awesome.I'm going to mix some Master Root in it to see what happens...Later yall

[heartexalted]

I just prepared an infusion of Hoyt's with seven herbs and curios: High John, Frankincense, Bay Leaves, Bayberry, Five Finger Grass, Sage, and Solomon's Seal. I used seven bay leaves, and I rubbed a different oil on each one (Money Drawing, Money Stay With Me, Crown of Success, King Solomon Wisdom, Van Van, Five Finger Grass, and my 4oz Rootworker's Special), while praying over each leaf individually. It's sitting on my Money/Success altar, infusing as we speak...

[Santiago]

I just prepared an infusion of Hoyt's with seven herbs and curios: High John, Frankincense, Bay Leaves, Bayberry, Five Finger Grass, Sage, and Solomon's Seal. I used seven bay leaves, and I rubbed a different oil on each one (Money Drawing, Money Stay With Me, Crown of Success, King Solomon Wisdom, Van Van, Five Finger Grass, and my 4oz Rootworker's Special), while praying over each leaf individually. It's sitting on my Money/Success altar, infusing as we speak...

I had been wanting use this idea along with a headrub using Hoyt's & 9 Devil's Shoe Strings. Today I got my LM order so I was able to get started. In addition to the above roots, I also added Master Root and Dragon's Blood. I used the Money #2 Rootworker Blend, the above oils, as well as Attraction, Indian Spirit Guide, African JuJu, Solomon Seal Root, John the Conqueror oils to dress the leaves, jtc roots, etc.

I poured the entire bottle of Hoyt's into the jar containing everything, and it just barely tops it off. I'll need to order another bottle of Hoyt's.

Right off the bat, I noticed that Hoyt's is something that truly can be used for everything. I need to listen to the Now You Know Show that discussed Hoyt's. To me, this type of infusion is similar to what Professor Porterfield talked about. Which gets me thinking that you could create other types of infusions, such as attracting love, or establishing protection, personal power enhancement, even coercive or commanding type work, and on and on. I could make whole slew of different Hoyt's infusions.....lots of possibilities here.

I see that I need to order a bottle of Hoyt's at least every other order, if not every order, and an herbal curio or two wouldn't be a bad idea.

[Santiago]

I started thinking that every time I top off my hairwash, I'll add some oils to the Hoyt's as well.

How much is an adequate amount of condition oil to add to a bottle of Hoyt's?

[Miss Aida]

Hello, Santiago,

I would think a few good drops would be adequate

Sounds like you're on to something creative and great!

Take care

[BCAC]

I have a question regarding Hoyt's cologne. I forgot to measure out how many drops I wanted to use on a candle and I may have used a few more drops than I would have liked. Would using too much create a blockage or make what I'm doing more powerful? I used that and Come to Me oil if that helps anything.

[Miss Aida]

Hello, BCAC ,

No, it doesn't affect the performance of the spell at all.

Just be careful that you don't use so much because of the alcohol content. You don't want to do something to affect the physical burn of the candle

Take care

[Shutter]

In one of Miss Cat's books I read 3 days root in a bottle of Hoyt's cologne and then bury it under the front doorstep for luck. Possible it would work just as well for luck if I kept it under my bed? The way my front steps are setup there's way too much cement to be able to actually dig under there to plant it. :/ Just placed the root in tonight.

[catherineyronwode]

Shutter, sure, that would work. Not all houses are built the same, as you noted. People also sometimes put such a bottle in the basement, or under the floorboards.

[Shutter]

Fabulous!!!!! Your "yes" gives me confidence

[Brujo_Sireno]

So, my mom bought a bottle of Hoyt's and she was thinking of pouring some into a bottle of gold flakes, then using the mixture to dress her hands before we go to the casino or buying lottery tickets/scratchers. I told her I thought it was a good idea, but I was hoping for some feedback from the forum.

[Miss Athena]

Hello Brujo_Sireno,

Sounds like a good idea. I hope it helps you win big.

Good luck!