Foot Washing in the Hoodoo Tradition
- CopperFox
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Foot Washing in the Hoodoo Tradition
Hello, all!
I was reviewing one of my books, Magic & Medicine of Plants, to see if I could find any references to Hoodoo or Rootwork. The information I did find was (mis)labelled as Voodoo and Rootwork -- no Hoodoo mentioned, but it did reference the work of Hyatt. The particular book mentions a Hyatt informant who spoke of a footwash of running brier (greenbrier, possibly?) and pokeweed root to overcome a crossing. Has anyone run across anything similar? If so, do you know of any specific workings that call for footwashing?
I was reviewing one of my books, Magic & Medicine of Plants, to see if I could find any references to Hoodoo or Rootwork. The information I did find was (mis)labelled as Voodoo and Rootwork -- no Hoodoo mentioned, but it did reference the work of Hyatt. The particular book mentions a Hyatt informant who spoke of a footwash of running brier (greenbrier, possibly?) and pokeweed root to overcome a crossing. Has anyone run across anything similar? If so, do you know of any specific workings that call for footwashing?
Michelle Hunter, a.k.a that Tricky CopperFox
I will lift mine eyes up to the mountains, from whence comes my strength...
Psalm 121
I will lift mine eyes up to the mountains, from whence comes my strength...
Psalm 121
- catherineyronwode
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Re: Foot Washing in the Hoodoo Tradition
Running Brier is Shame Judy or Shame Brier, not Greenbrier. It is in the Pea family. It is used for a number of different things, but it is usually picked and used fresh because the "shaming" droop of the leaves is important to the work. You will find a whole page on it -- page 182 -- in my book "Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic." Pokeweed gets a shorter entry in the book, on page 156,
Foot washing is quite a common practice in conjure, especially among members of the Spiritual Church Movement. It is described in the Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course. We gave hands-on workshops on the techniques of footwashing at our annual May Church Convocation and Hoodooo Workshps in 2008 and 2009. We'll probably do so again at the annual workshops in 2010 as well, as it is an extremely popular topic and many professional root workers want a chance to practice their techniques and compare them to others.
Foot washing is quite a common practice in conjure, especially among members of the Spiritual Church Movement. It is described in the Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course. We gave hands-on workshops on the techniques of footwashing at our annual May Church Convocation and Hoodooo Workshps in 2008 and 2009. We'll probably do so again at the annual workshops in 2010 as well, as it is an extremely popular topic and many professional root workers want a chance to practice their techniques and compare them to others.
catherine yronwode
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
- CopperFox
- HRCC Student
- Posts: 407
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- Location: Bloomingrose, West Virginia
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Re: Foot Washing in the Hoodoo Tradition
Thanks, Ms. Cat!
My next order will surely include HHRM. One can never have too many herb/root reference books and the pages available for online reading are fascinating. I will have to look up the running brier as I have never heard of it -- it may not be indigenous to WV. I look forward to taking the course in the future.
I am eager to learn about this in the hoodoo tradition as I am assuming there are many varied types of footwashes I have never encountered or considered. I appreciate the time taken to answer this question and I can assure you I'll be back with more...so thanks in advance!
Addendum to post: found the plant, mimosa quadrivalvis ,on the USDA site -- nope, none for me here in WV! We do have some similar species, though...it would be interesting to learn if anyone has made use of them in the same way.
Thanks again, have a lovely evening.
My next order will surely include HHRM. One can never have too many herb/root reference books and the pages available for online reading are fascinating. I will have to look up the running brier as I have never heard of it -- it may not be indigenous to WV. I look forward to taking the course in the future.
I am eager to learn about this in the hoodoo tradition as I am assuming there are many varied types of footwashes I have never encountered or considered. I appreciate the time taken to answer this question and I can assure you I'll be back with more...so thanks in advance!
Addendum to post: found the plant, mimosa quadrivalvis ,on the USDA site -- nope, none for me here in WV! We do have some similar species, though...it would be interesting to learn if anyone has made use of them in the same way.
Thanks again, have a lovely evening.
Michelle Hunter, a.k.a that Tricky CopperFox
I will lift mine eyes up to the mountains, from whence comes my strength...
Psalm 121
I will lift mine eyes up to the mountains, from whence comes my strength...
Psalm 121
- MiracleMaxxwell
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- Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2018 12:35 pm
Re: Foot Washing in the Hoodoo Tradition
I learned as a young teen about foot washing from my Aunt & Grand Mother. What I learned is that this is a tradition of honor & respect. When my Aunt gave a foot washing it was to help cleanse a person to help them. This is something that she always did before any conjure or healing on a person.
I have had this done to me a handful of times in my life and found it helped on many levels. To me this is an old method but a very effective and good method that many don't seem to use anymore. To bad because many will tell you it is a great thing when someone can help with a spiritual foot washing.
V
I have had this done to me a handful of times in my life and found it helped on many levels. To me this is an old method but a very effective and good method that many don't seem to use anymore. To bad because many will tell you it is a great thing when someone can help with a spiritual foot washing.
V
- catherineyronwode
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Re: Foot Washing in the Hoodoo Tradition
Be sure to check out Tanisia Mooney-Greer's article, "Spiritual Foot Washing" in the book "The Black Folder: Personal Communications on the Mastery of Hoodoo."
In addition, Khi Armand's article Hands-On Conjure for Cleansing and Blessing" in the same book contains a short section on foot-washing.
BOO-GRI-BKFO
The Black Folder edited by catherine yronwode
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You can order right here in the Forum by clicking on the blue Add To Cart button.
In addition, Khi Armand's article Hands-On Conjure for Cleansing and Blessing" in the same book contains a short section on foot-washing.
BOO-GRI-BKFO
The Black Folder edited by catherine yronwode
$12.00

You can order right here in the Forum by clicking on the blue Add To Cart button.
catherine yronwode
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
teacher - author - LMCCo owner - HP and AIRR member - MISC pastor - forum admin
Re: Foot Washing in the Hoodoo Tradition
Michelle,CopperFox wrote:T
Addendum to post: found the plant, mimosa quadrivalvis ,on the USDA site -- nope, none for me here in WV! We do have some similar species, though...it would be interesting to learn if anyone has made use of them in the same way.
What you have available in WV is the same as I have here in NC, Mimosa microphylla. It works just fine as a substitute. In fact, given the geographic distribution, it's quite possibly the original and M. quadrivalvus is the substitute.
- JayDee
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Re: Foot Washing in the Hoodoo Tradition
Foot washing is covered in this book by Aura Laforest: "Hoodoo Spiritual Baths: Cleansing Conjure with Washes and Waters: --
BOO-GRI-HSPB
Hoodoo Spiritual Baths by Aura Laforest
$9.00

You can order right here in the Forum by clicking on the blue Add To Cart button.
For more information, see: https://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoospiritualbaths.html
HOODOO SPIRITUAL BATHS:
CLEANSING CONJURE WITH WASHES AND WATERS
by Aura Laforest
Hoodoo Spiritual Baths is a clear, concise, and authentic guide to traditional techniques of bathing and cleansing. Learn how to perform a spiritual house cleaning, how to take a magical bath, and how to ritually dispose of bath waters. This practical guide contains clear instructions on how to use easy-to-find ingredients for teas, baths, and washes, plus dozens of time-tested spells and recipes for every condition, including uncrossing, protection, love, sexuality, marriage, beauty, money drawing, business, gambling luck, blessing, and success.
Aura Laforest is a community herbalist and root doctor who wildcrafts, teaches and consults from her rural home in Quebec, Canada. When she isn't making herbal products from local herbs and roots, you'll find her hiking or leading herb walks.
CONTENTS
Dedication 4
Acknowledgements 4
Hoodoo, A Bit of Background 5
Spiritual Supplies 6
Basic Conjure Terminology and Practices 8
Cleaning the Home and the Body 9
House Cleaning and Bathing for Specific Purposes 10
Hiring a Hands-On Spiritual Worker 10
How Often and How Long 11
Preparation: Terminology and Techniques 12
Spiritual House Cleaning 14
House Cleaning in Seven Easy Steps 15
Floor Washes 16
Fixing the Laundry 18
Floor Sprinkles 20
How to Take a Spiritual Bath 22
Bathing by Proxy 24
Timing When to Bathe 26
Prayers for the Bath 28
Drinking Teas and Bathing 30
Bathing Body Parts 32
Dissolving Words in Water 33
Deployment and Disposal of Waters 34
Ingredients for Teas, Baths, and Washes 35
Special Waters 35
Liquids Other Than Water 36
Minerals 37
Herbs 38
Oils 40
Spiritual Soaps 41
Recipes For Spiritual Baths 42
Baths for Uncrossing 42
Baths for Protection 42
Baths for Love, Sex, and Marriage 46
Baths for Money Drawing and Business 52
Baths for Gambling Luck 54
Baths for Blessings and Success 56
Baths and Washes for Beauty and Glamour 56
Baths and Washes for a Peaceful Home 60
Frequently Asked Questions 62
Bibliography 96
ILLUSTRATIONS
Baths and Floor Washes, 1934 - 2014 13
Circa 1890 Bath Tub and Shower Combination 21
Published by
The Lucky Mojo Curio Company
6632 Covey Road
Forestville, California 95436
https://luckymojo.com
BOO-GRI-HSPB
Hoodoo Spiritual Baths by Aura Laforest
$9.00

You can order right here in the Forum by clicking on the blue Add To Cart button.
For more information, see: https://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoospiritualbaths.html
HOODOO SPIRITUAL BATHS:
CLEANSING CONJURE WITH WASHES AND WATERS
by Aura Laforest
Hoodoo Spiritual Baths is a clear, concise, and authentic guide to traditional techniques of bathing and cleansing. Learn how to perform a spiritual house cleaning, how to take a magical bath, and how to ritually dispose of bath waters. This practical guide contains clear instructions on how to use easy-to-find ingredients for teas, baths, and washes, plus dozens of time-tested spells and recipes for every condition, including uncrossing, protection, love, sexuality, marriage, beauty, money drawing, business, gambling luck, blessing, and success.
Aura Laforest is a community herbalist and root doctor who wildcrafts, teaches and consults from her rural home in Quebec, Canada. When she isn't making herbal products from local herbs and roots, you'll find her hiking or leading herb walks.
CONTENTS
Dedication 4
Acknowledgements 4
Hoodoo, A Bit of Background 5
Spiritual Supplies 6
Basic Conjure Terminology and Practices 8
Cleaning the Home and the Body 9
House Cleaning and Bathing for Specific Purposes 10
Hiring a Hands-On Spiritual Worker 10
How Often and How Long 11
Preparation: Terminology and Techniques 12
Spiritual House Cleaning 14
House Cleaning in Seven Easy Steps 15
Floor Washes 16
Fixing the Laundry 18
Floor Sprinkles 20
How to Take a Spiritual Bath 22
Bathing by Proxy 24
Timing When to Bathe 26
Prayers for the Bath 28
Drinking Teas and Bathing 30
Bathing Body Parts 32
Dissolving Words in Water 33
Deployment and Disposal of Waters 34
Ingredients for Teas, Baths, and Washes 35
Special Waters 35
Liquids Other Than Water 36
Minerals 37
Herbs 38
Oils 40
Spiritual Soaps 41
Recipes For Spiritual Baths 42
Baths for Uncrossing 42
Baths for Protection 42
Baths for Love, Sex, and Marriage 46
Baths for Money Drawing and Business 52
Baths for Gambling Luck 54
Baths for Blessings and Success 56
Baths and Washes for Beauty and Glamour 56
Baths and Washes for a Peaceful Home 60
Frequently Asked Questions 62
Bibliography 96
ILLUSTRATIONS
Baths and Floor Washes, 1934 - 2014 13
Circa 1890 Bath Tub and Shower Combination 21
Published by
The Lucky Mojo Curio Company
6632 Covey Road
Forestville, California 95436
https://luckymojo.com
HRCC Graduate #2156, Forum Moderator, Reader and Root Worker.



