Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones

Priestess Stephanie Rose Bird is a painter and the author of several bestselling books on earth spirituality, Hoodoo, and anthropology, including Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones, 365 Days of Hoodoo, Light, Bright and Damned Near White, and African American Magick. Priestess Bird, who holds a BFA cum laude and an MFA, is a devotee of the Divinely Feminine. She is an Elder, Eclectic Pagan, Magick-maker, and keeper of the spiritual wisdom of her indigenous African ancestors. Her work centers around the nexus of earth wisdom and the legacy of black cultural heritage. Visit her at www.stephanierosebird.com.

• Contents Acknowledgments xi Introduction 1 A Word About Nature 8 Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones 9 1 Fixin' to Work Roots 15 Time and Space 15 Equipment and Tools 16 Gathering and Drying Herbs 21 Storage 24 Extraction Techniques 24 A Note About Animism 25 2 It's in the Bag 27 African Concepts 28 Nation Sacks 39 3 The Broom in Hoodoo 43 Brooms and Africans 43 Brooms and African Americans 49 Chinese Wash 58 Sacudimento 59 A Spontaneous Broom Ritual 59 4 Cleaning Rituals and Spirit Washes 63 Spiritually Cleansing the Home 66 Spiritually Cleansing the Body 72 Soap 76 Body Oil 79 Body Powders 80 Sweet Waters 82 Fragrant Waters 83 5 Harvesting the Gifts of Fire 85 Autumn Holidays, American Style 85 Harvesting the Gifts of Fire 88 Candle Colors 89 Anointin' and Dressin' Candles 91 The Conjuring Altar 93 Disposal of Candle Wax 94 Kinnikinnik 94 Fire 96 Water 97 Earth 98 Family 99 6 The Elements of War 101 Power of the Universe 104 Ogun, Orisha of the Warriors 105 Oya, Orisha of the Wind 107 Shango the Alchemist 108 Foot Track Magick 108 Protection Rings 112 War Water Bottles 113 Graveyard Dirt 114 Elegba 115 The Crossroads 116 7 Keepin' the Peace 119 Waters of Peace 120 Dirt and Minerals 126 8 Prosperity 129 Growin' Green 130 Amulets from Ancient Egypt 134 Charming Gifts of the Sea 135 Irish Moss 136 Use the Element of Fire 139 Horseshoes and Nails 140 Lucky Hand Washes 141 Money Jars 143 9 Gettin' Some Love & Keepin' It Close 145 Making and Maintaining a Love Mojo 145 History and Traditions of Hoodoo Love Magick 148 Aromatherapy for Hoodoo Love Draw 151 Pomanders 153 Sunkissed Love Draw Tips 156 The Rose 157 10 Fertility 165 Goddesses of Fertility 168 Makela, Queen of Sheba 169 Mawu 171 Nefertiti 172 11 Sacred Rites of Commitment 175 The Language of Flowers 176 More Floral Ideas 178 Hoodoo in Shower Gifts, Wedding Accents, and Home Decor 184 The Book of Days 186 After the Ceremony 187 Reception 187 The Honey Moon 188 12 Hoodoo Child 189 Pregnancy 190 Childbirth 198 The Blessed Event 201 A Room of One's Own 205 Menarche and Manhood 206 13 The Conjurer's Dream 209 Protective Amulets 214 Divination and Prophetic Dreams 215 The Spirits Who Ride 221 Mythic Goddesses Who Inform Our Dreams 222 Kyphi 225 The Dreamer's Charms 226 14 Passin' On 229 Traditional Burial Customs 237 Hoodoo for the Terminally Ill 241 Rituals and Ceremonies 244 Appendix A: At-Risk and Endangered Materials 247 Appendix B: Resources 253 Appendix C: Organizations 257 Glossary 259 Bibliography and Recommended Reading 267 Index 271

2005 COVR Award Winner"...[I]n Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo & Conjuring With Herbs, Stephanie Rose Bird—a talented author, healer, and artist who inherited her family's way with roots and spirits—offers a deep, sumptuous new guide to hoodoo's true origins, philosophy, ethics, tools, and techniques, worth reading if just to learn more about Afro-Atlantic culture."—Village Voice"With humor and a positive outlook, Bird does a convincing job of inspiring the reader to rediscover life's magic through a connection with the natural world. In addition to providing plenty of useful and easy-to-follow recipes for making a 'mojo,' or trick bag, Bird shares her boundless enthusiasm and respect for the power of Hoodoo. Her book...shares a rich piece of American history that often goes untold."—Herb Quarterly"If you are fascinated with folk magick in general, or African spiritual concepts in particular, you will find this book captivating. Highly recommended."—Witchcraft Magazine"In this book you receive a topnotch appreciation of Hoodoo...Gifted with a smooth writing style that captivates the reader's interest, Stephanie Rose Bird give a fascinating account. With over three decades in the practice of rootwork, she is highly qualified to write this book."—Ghostvillage.com"If you want to keep your MOJO working, this is the book for you. This is a fascinating and well-researched book. It tells how many of the African religious practices which held close to nature spread around the world mainly because of slave trading...This is the most complete book I have read on the subject. It is not only history, but a wonderful text on how to create charms...This book covers everything you would want to know on the fascinating subject."—The Path Review"This book is a fascinating mish-mash of magickal recipes from all over the world, its extremely eclectic and contains some fascinating sounding spells such as Growin' Green, Oya's Herbal Graveyard Dirt, Queen Elisabeth's love dust, and Spirit of Love Floor wash! Recommended to people interested in African magick, who also work within a western pagan tradition."—Avalonia, UK"The author traces [Hoodoo's] roots back to Africa and gives practical advice on recipes, rituals, spells and charms."—The Cauldron, UK"Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones, primarily a recipe book of Hoodoo practices, serves as an invaluable reference for those interested in rootwork or herbal magick. In addition, it provides a glimpse into the ancient origins of an almost-extinct world where everything—from the trees in one's backyard to the stones in the driveway—is sacred."—Dancing World"It is always a rare and exquisite experience to find a new author, particularly when the subject is neglected and in jeopardy of being lost. Stephanie Rose Bird's Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones outlines and documents Hoodoo explaining its origins and practices...I think many Wiccan and Pagan practitioners will find this book helpful because it discusses the use of folk magic, Hoodoo, that can be adapted and incorporated in many different paths."—WiccaNet"I welcome Stephanie Rose Bird's contribution to the herbal literature. Her contribution stands well apart from most works already on the market, not least due to her focus on the magical herbal traditions of African American origin known as Hoodoo."—www.sacredearth.com"A magickal guide to African and African American herbalism with an emphasis on the spiritual aspects. Historical tidbits and lore of African herbalism makes this a great historical reference to herbal enthusiasts, and the practical recipes and crafts make it a must for any bookshelf!"—Carly Wall, editor of "Wholistic Woman," an www.iVillage.com magazine"What an excellent book! A grand contribution to African healing traditions, herbalism, and ethnobotany. Written with the expertise of someone who truly understands, from personal background and experience, the rich complexity of the African healing traditions. Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones is full of practical advice, recipes, and tips on how to apply this ancient system of 'rootwork' in our modern lives. I loved every page and plan to use this practical and inspiring book as a reference in my programs and classes."—Rosemary Gladstar, herbalist, author, and founder of United Plant Savers and California School of Herbal Studies