Hoodoo (also called rootwork, conjure, or working roots) is a form of African American folk magic that developed in the United States, particularly in the South, drawing from West and Central African spiritual traditions, Indigenous American herbalism, and European folk magic brought by Appalachian settlers.
It is important to distinguish Hoodoo from Voodoo (Vodou): Voodoo is a religion with deities (Loa), priesthood, and ceremonial structure, originating in West Africa and developed in Haiti and New Orleans. Hoodoo is not a religion — it is a system of practices compatible with Christianity (and is predominantly Christian in its original form, using psalms, prayer, and Christian symbols extensively).
Core elements of Hoodoo practice:
Roots and Herbs (the origin of “rootwork”): Plants carry inherent spiritual properties. John the Conqueror Root (for power and luck), High John Root, black cat bone, graveyard dirt, and hundreds of herbs form the pharmacopeia of conjure work.
Candle work: Similar to candle magic but with specific Hoodoo protocols — dressing oils, rolling in herbs, carving names. Seven-day jar candles (vigil candles) are central.
Mojo bags (gris-gris): A flannel bag filled with roots, herbs, curios (lucky items), and a petition paper. Dressed with oil, breathed into life, kept close to the body. Each mojo serves a specific purpose: love, money, luck, protection.
Floor washes and spiritual baths: Prepared from herbs, minerals, and spiritual supplies, then used to cleanse the body or home of negative energy or to attract desired conditions.
Petition papers and name papers: Written intentions or names of people placed under candles, inside mojos, or buried.
Hoodoo is pragmatic magic — it addresses real-world needs: love, money, protection, healing, and justice. The concept of “crossing” (harming) and “uncrossing” (removing harm) plays a significant role in the tradition.