Enemy Work and Morality

It would be irresponsible of me to devote a month to talking about enemy workings without addressing the morality involved. Looking from the outside at Hoodoo one could be easily confused. How can a worker use Psalms, prayers, and saints one minutes, and then goofer dust in the next? How does a rootworker justify this ? To make sense of it all we need only understand one key principle.

Enemy Work is not Revnge Work
 
This may seem counter intuitive because clearly if someone has made an enemy out of you they have wronged you in some way. Wouldn't counteraction be considered revenge? The answer is no, not if it's approached properly. A true rootworker does not act out of emotion or anger. Enemy work is only undertaken when justice has not been served or it is clear that such actions are the only way to stop the person from doing anymore harm. A skilled worker would first pray to their higher power, speak with ancestors, or perform some kind of divination before taking action. More often than not, after contemplation cooler heads will prevail. However when the work has to be done , it is done swiftly out of duty, not fear or hatred. Remember that a rootworker may not start fights but they sure as hell don't hesitate to finish one. There is a thin line between proper enemy work and crossing. Tread lightly.

5BS #4: Commanding Oil

Commanding oil is not exclusively an enemy work item, but I am fond of using it as such. If you have someone taking actions against you one of the best things to do is to simply command them to stop. Not ask nicely, or make a strong suggestion, but command them to cut the shit. Commanding oil and powder will do the trick. I usually use commanding oil in candle workings and the powder to dress poppets. As always they can also be deployed in foot tracks magic as well.

For commanding oil you will need:

Licorice Root

Frankincense

Calamus Root

Bergamot Essential Oil

A Glass Jar

A Carrier Oil (Almond, Jojoba, or Olive)

 

Break off Some Pieces of Licorice Root

Add the licorice root bits and a few pinches of frankincense and calamus root to the jar. Cover with oil.

Add Four drops or so of Bergamot oil to this mixture, Cap it tightly and shake it. Store this in a cool dark place. Shake daily and allow to seep for at least a week or until the oil has taken o the scent of the other items. Strain through a cheesecloth into another glass jar. Add a few pieces of licorice root to the finished oil. Also you can add a few drops of tincture of benzoin to the oil to prevent it from going rancid. See previous post for instructions on how to make that tincture. 
Want a limited edition, hand painted box containing all of the items in this series crafted by Brother Ash ? Click (Here)

5BS #3: Black Arts Oil

Black Arts Oil and powder are used for two purposes, one being crossing and the other is pact making rituals with demons or the Devil himself.  Most of the ingredients in this blend are standard ones found in many used for crossing, such as black pepper, sulfur,  and Spanish moss. One ingredient in particular seems to give Black Arts its evocational or pact making quality and that is mullein. While mullein is used for its crossing properties , it can also be used to protect from and command the infernal forces. Including this herb in your blend will increase your ability to coerce the forces called upon.  If you don’t plan on using black arts to call upon demons I would consider mullein optional. 

For crossing purposes you can sprinkle the oil or powder in the path of your enemy to cross and cause them great pain. I have also used it to anoint candles, poppets, and petition papers for enemy work.  For pact making rites I anoint myself, the candles and written pact with the oil. You can also use the powder to lay out the triangle of evocation. I don’t recommend using this oil or powder for demonic  workings without plenty of research, a solid regimen of spiritual cleansing, and a practiced method of spiritual protection. 

To make this blend out will need:

·         Patchouli

·         Vandal Root

·         Black Mustard Seeds

·         Spanish Moss

·         Mullein*

·         Sulpher

·         9 Whole Black Peppercorns

Add a pinch each of patchouli, vandal root, black mustard seeds, Spanish moss, mullein, and sulpher  to ½ ounce of carrier oil such as almond. I use jojoba  for my carrier. Let seep for at least a week in a cool dark place.  Shake it daily. Strain through cheesecloth into a bottle and add the 9 black peppercorns to the bottle. You can also add tincture of benzoin to keep the blend from going rancid.  I personally don’t mind having my black arts oil go rancid due to its nature. To make Black Arts Powder, grind all of the ingredients and add them a base of cornstarch. 

Tincture of Benzoin

Add 2 ounces of benzoin gum powder to 4 oz of water and 12 oz of clear alcohol such as vodka or everclear.  Keep capped for two weeks and shake daily.  Strain and bottle for use. 

I apologize for the lack pf pics in this tutorial. Camera Crapped out. Will be up and running with pics by the next post. 

Want a limited edition, hand painted box containing all of the items in this series crafted by Brother Ash ? Click (Here)

FBS # 2: Hot Foot Powder

I have changed the order around and decided to leave Goofer dust for the very last post as it will be a subject that will require some depth to cover. So this time we are focusing on Hot Foot Powder.

Hot Foot Powder is a traditional Hoodoo mixture used to remove an unwanted person from your life, home, neighborhood, or city. When "this town isn't big enough for the both of us", it's time to Hot Foot. Sometimes when dealing with enemies it is best to drive them far away where they can do no more harm. To make this powder you will need:

Red Pepper

Chili Powder

Sulfur

Black Pepper

 

Cornstarch Base

If you ingredients aren't already powdered you can use a mortar and pestle to grind them or if your lazy like me a coffee grinder. I used my grinder for the black and red pepper for this powder. Just set it to fine and you should be good to go. Once all of the powdered ingredients are ready to go you:

Add The Ingredients to Your Cornstarch Base

Mix Thoroughly

Hot Foot Powder Mixed Completely

Store In An Airtight Container

When my mother taught me to make powders it was the same way as when she cooked. So I couldn't tell you any exact measure measurements. I pretty much measure in handfuls and keep adding until it is the correct color and smell that I am looking for, If it's clearing your sinuses then you are on the right track, Trust your gut. There are many ways to deploy this powder. One the most traditional is through foot track magic. You would sprinkle it in the path of the person you wish to effect there you know they will walk. Make sure that you are waking backwards when you lay a powder like this or risk hot footing yourself!

5 Black Saturdays Pt 1: Poppets

I always prefer to use a poppet whenever possible for  enemy work.  They are just very  hands one to me and get me in the right mindset for the task at hand. Poppets can be made from a variety of materials such as clay, wax, straw, spanish moss. When I make poppets, my go to is usually a spanish moss one. Making a spanish moss poppet is the essence of simplicity.

You will need:

Two Strong Sticks

 The sticks can be any kind of wood. You can chose a wood that corresponds to the purpose of the poppet if you chose. I have used bamboo skewers in a pinch with no problems.

Cord Or String To Tie the Sticks Together and Bind the Moss to the Sticks

 In this doll I am using raffia to bind the sticks and the moss. You can use any material that you wish. I usually use jute or raffia as they are natural fibers and strong enough for my purposes.

Spanish Moss

 Spanish Moss is traditionally used in dolls that are meant to represent a person no matter what condition the doll is created for.

Rectangle of Fabric. Black in this Case

Cord, String, or Ribbon to Bind the Outside of the Poppet

 The color of the cord should match the intent of the doll. I like to use waxed thread (Tandy Leather in this case) because it binds so well

Step  One:

Tie the Two Sticks Together in a "T" Shape

Step 2:

Wrap the Sticks With Spanish Moss

Step 3:

Use Cord to Bind Moss to the Sticks

Step 4: 

Lay the Fabric Over the Poppet and Bind With Cord

That's it. Pretty quick and simple. I tend to make a mess with the spanish moss and probably spend more time cleaning up than making the doll. You can add any pictures, personal concerns, or details to the doll that represent the target at this time. Once the doll is made it just needs to be consecrated and then "baptized" for the work at hand. 

Baptizing Your Doll

The process of baptizing your doll is essentially the final task in naming the doll after the intended target and making your will be known that this poppet will act as a sympathetic link to them. Your ritual should be along the lines of this:

“I baptize thee (Name), in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost (you
may substitute your personal Higher Power here). In life, this is now that who
I wish you to be. All that is asked of you happens now as I so do command.”
“As day goes by and time is infinite, I alone now control the deepest desires,
dreams, and actions of (Name of doll or person whom the doll represents).
Your life is now as joyful servant to me and my family, you are mine to
control, for my purpose alone.”

Credit: Denise Alvarado "Voodoo Dolls in Magick and Ritual"

While speaking the words I anoint the forehead of the poppet with Black Arts oil in the form of a cross. Once  baptized you can use it in any spell that calls for a poppet.

Hope You enjoyed Part 1! Remember, share all five posts on either Facebook or Twitter and be entered to win you own "Black Box" with all five handmade items from this series and 4 surprise items used in enemy work. See you next week for part 2.

Want a limited edition, hand painted box containing all of the items in this series crafted by Brother Ash ? Click (Here)

Five Black Saturdays

It just so happens that the month of July has five Saturdays, five Sundays, and 5 Fridays. Sundays would be a good day for success and money magic, Fridays for love, and of course Saturdays focusing on enemy workings, curses, etc. I will be focusing Saturdays as this kind of working is something I have experience in and get a lot of request for information about. So each Saturday of this month I will detail how to craft a different item used in Hoodoo for this kind of work. In this series I will cover:
July 2nd- Poppets
July 9th- Goofer Dust
July 16th- Hot Foot Powder
July 23rd- Commanding Oil
July 30th- Black Arts Oil
There will be a post on poppets before the end of the day. But wait, there's more! I will be creating enough to make three "Black Boxes".  Each box will be hand painted by me and include all 5 items made in the posts as well as 4 additional curios that will bring the item count to 9. 2 of the boxes will be for sell, but one luck person will be getting one for free! Tell me more you say? I will be holding a contest and both Facebook and Twitter followers will be eligible. All you have to do is share or tweet all five post in the series to be included in the drawing for a hand made conjure box. On Facebook tag Crossroads of Sorcery each time you share a post. On twitter include @Brotherash. I will keep track of everyone that shares all of the post in the series and do a drawing at the beginning of next month. Time for some of the "ol' black magic".

Want a limited edition, hand painted box containing all of the items in this series crafted by Brother Ash ? Click (Here)

You Say You Want a Revolution?

Are We Anonymous ?

I have to say that I really dig what the collective known as Anonymous stands for. I have been wondering recently why there isn't a magical equivalent of this group. We as magicians are also "Hackers" of sorts. We also have just as much  ability to effect the world around us and our communities for the better. Should sorcerers get involved magically in a sociopolitical aspect? Is this an abuse of what we are capable of, or exactly what our skills were meant for? I don't claim to have all the answers to these questions and I try to avoid pontificating on this blog as much as possible. Instead let me provide a quote for you:

"And thou shalt be the first of the witches known;

And thou shalt be the first of all i' the world

And thou shalt teach the art of poisoning,

Of poisoning those who are great lords of all

Yea shalt make them die in their palaces;

And thou shalt bind the oppressor's soul (with power)

 And when ye find a peasant who is rich,

Then ye shall teach the witch, your pupil, how

To ruin all his crops with tempest dire,

With lightening and with thunder (terrible),

  And with hail and wind...." Aradia : Gospel of the Witches

I am not a Witch in any traditional sense of the word but these words strike a chord with me. Is it time for sorcery to once again fulfill its role in civil rebellion? Again this is just a question  that I don't yet have an answer for. I would love to hear others thoughts on this so please comment. Below is a recent video by Anonymous that inspired this post. Also check out part 2,