Deep South Voodoo

Roots of Hoodoo

Hoodoo is an American term, originating in the 19th century or earlier, for African-American folk magic. Some authorities believe the word derives from "ju ju", meaning "conjure" in Africa, while others believe it is simply an adulteration of the term Voodoo. As a system of sorcery, hoodoo has its roots in African mythology and magic, which arrived in the New World with the slaves. Other influences include the herb and plant lore of Native Americans and the Christian, Jewish and pagan folklore of European immigrants.

Crossroads Blues

A central belief of hoodoo, which has its roots in African sorcery, is the idea that the intersection of two roads, a crossroads, is a place of great magical power. According to one hoodoo practitioner, a murderer can evade capture if, when he reaches a crossroads, he takes nine steps backwards down the opposite road to that which he intends to travel along. This will ensure that the pursuer takes the wrong road.

It is also believed that you can meet the devil at the crossroads and that he will grant your wishes - at a price.

This notion was made famous by Mississippi bluesman and guitar virtuoso Robert Johnson (1911-1938). Not only did he write and record a song called "Crossroads Blues," but it was rumoured that he himself had visited the crossroads and had traded his soul to the devil in exchange for guitar expertise and fame.

There may have been a grain of truth in this legend: commentators have suggested that during the early 1930s Johnson joined a hoodoo cult which practised crossroads magic, and that the "devil" at the crossroads was a version of the Voodoo spirit Papa Legba, guardian of the doorway between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Hoodoo Doctors

In general, the practise of hoodoo magic is concerned with getting tangible results in the material world. For a fee, a hoodoo doctor will put together a mojo (or magical charm) designed to help his or her client with their needs or wants in life - love, sex, money, and so on.

The mojo usually comes in the form of a red flannel or chamois drawstring bag. During a ritual the hoodoo doctor fills the bag with various herbs, roots, powders, stones, feathers, and bones, as well as personal items belonging to the client. Depending on its purpose, the mojo bag is then either worn by the client, or is placed in an appropriate place. It will then eventually bring about the circumstances the client desires.

Chewing the Root

Some hoodoo doctors are prepared to work malevolent magic on behalf of a client. If this involves hexing someone, the doctor might "chew" a root in the presence of his victim, while making signs and speaking incantations in "unknown tongues" (an indecypherable language from the depths of the unconscious mind).

The effect of this is understandably terrifying; the doctor swaying and muttering, his eyes rolled back, and the juice from the root running down his chin. Often the victim is brought to their knees, pleading for mercy, in a matter of seconds.

Stress Related Deaths?

There is even documented evidence that people actually die from curses and hexes. Behavioural science explains away such deaths as resulting from shock, due to prolonged and intense emotion (fear). On the surface, this seems to be a perfectly reasonable argument, especially considering the level of fear some hoodoo doctors inspire in their local communities.

However, statistics reveal that there is an almost total absence of stress-related death in other extremely stressful situations, such as earthquakes, tornadoes or hurricanes. Indeed, even hostages, who are under daily threat of death, do not die. It seems that humans can tolerate an incredible degree of stress without dying, so long as there is no hex involved.

Doctor Buzzard

Hoodoo doctors have also been known to predict winning numbers in lotteries, to control the roll of dice, the cut of cards, and even to sway judges and juries towards either conviction or acquittal. The famed Dr. Buzzard (18..? - 1947), of St. Helena Island, South Carolina, for instance, was well known as a "courtroom specialist".

If the severity of the case demanded it, he would appear in person at the court and during recesses would liberally sprinkle goofer (graveyard) dust and other powders on and around the seats where the judge and jury sat.

In particularly difficult cases, he would cast the evil eye or chew the root to intimidate witnesses.

A personal appearance by Dr. Buzzard was expensive, often costing as much as an attorney's fee. But where an attorney's Latin-loaded legalese often did the accused no good at all, Dr. Buzzard's "unknown tongues" generally stopped the proceedings cold.

Not surprisingly, he had a nation-wide clientele which numbered in the tens of thousands.

Although hoodoo doctors continue to ply their trade today, many of their potential clients are now working hoodoo magic for themselves, using one of the plethora of how-to books on the subject. Indeed, the market in hoodoo and Voodoo supplies is burgeoning world-wide to the extent that hoodoo looks set to be one of the major systems of folk magic in the new millennium.