Sticks, Stones, Roots, and Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo & Conjuring with Herbs

Rating:
Summary: An invaluable source of authentic Hoodoo information
Review: Until recently you'd be hard pressed to find books on the practice of Hoodoo, sometimes called "conjure" or "rootwork." Most information on Hoodoo has been limited to the contents of small crude booklets you'd find in dark, cramped botanical shops or perhaps pick up as a souvenir while vacationing in New Orleans.

Now, sparked by renewed interest in the subject, there are several new titles available at your local bookstore or through online book sources.

One of the newest and best of these titles--Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones--retains all the charm and authenticity of those crude self-published booklets but with a modern, professional feel. It's full of interesting, traditional spells and rituals, including information on their origins and uses and step-by-step instruction.

Author Stephanie Rose Bird grew up in the tradition of Hoodoo and has practiced rootwork for over two decades. She gently introduces the reader to a tradition that has been her way of life.

Hoodoo is not a religion but a body of ritual and spellwork used by people of varying faiths. Bird does, however, note the spiritual purpose of the rituals, sometimes mentioning the specific orisha-a being compared to a god or goddess of the African-based belief systems--upon which a particular ritual or spell is focused.

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.

(c)2004, Queenie http://www.geocities.com/epiphanytarot
[The preceding material may not be reproduced in any way, either
in part or in its entirety, without the expressed written permission of the author.]

Reprinted from DancingWorld, the monthly newsletter of
Tarot, psychic and spiritual development, and the creative mind
(Editor: Eva Yaa Asantewaa) at
www.yahoogroups.com/group/DancingWorld




Rating:
Summary: Well Written, but Wanted More Hoodoo.
Review: When we hear the words Hoodoo, or Voodoo, most people automatically think of Zombies and Voodoo Dolls. And while many people try to hide it, "Yes these things do exist" these things are not what Hoodoo or Voodoo is completely about. I have been initiated into Santeria. But all my life I was raised and grew up in Puerto Rican Brujeria and Espiritismo. There is one thing that is common with Brujeria and Hoodoo. The practitioners of both paths come from various religious traditions, but both Los Brujos and the Hoodooists are consulted on things both Good and Bad. This is one thing that is greatly missing in this book.

I enjoyed the book immensely, but I felt there was so much missing, when I saw who the publisher was, "LLewelyn" it all came clear. Stephanie Rose Bird is a good author, and the book read well. It is a combination of Luisah Tesh's great book Jambalaya and the various Ray Malbrough books,

I felt she could have taken the book some place else. The recipes for making oils, and Four Thieve Vinegar, have been published before. There is so much more to Hoodoo than just these typical things, which Llewelynn allows its authors to write about.

Although I am not giving the book five stars, because most of the stuff is written elsewhere, I have to give Stephanie some credit for being informative, and I learned a few things, that I had not known.

This book is defiantly not only about Hoodoo, it is a mixture of Vodou, Santeria, Candomble, Brujeria and so forth. But unlike other authors who have done a messy job in trying to put the four-mentioned together, Stephanie really places them together nicely. In a way that is Very Brujeria, and yes we can even say, "Modern Day-Hoodoo."

For those who are interested in adding some Hoodoo into their practices, and have little knowledge, this is a good start. But my advice to Stephanie.

"Girl the way you write, has an honest feel, and I know you have more to teach than what your Current Publishers allow. Go to Original Publications, or another company, where you can really let people know what Hoodoo is truly about."