To Be Silent....

I am sure that many in the conjure community are by now familiar with the controversy surrounding noted Root doctor Dr. Kioni in regards to a ritual sacrifice utilized in a clients work that some have found questionable. Dr. K posted a picture of the working in question on his Facebook page which resulted in some offended parties starting an online petition , and the family of the deceased that grave belonged to being informed of the working. I personally have no feelings regarding the nature of the sacrifice. How he does is work is his business. It also seems that the way this is being pushed by certain parties has more to do with bad blood going on behind the scenes than concern for animal rights. It is sad that it couldn't quietly between them instead of spilling into something very public that would allow for such a negative light on conjure. I am not sure how often Hoodoo gets national press, so on the rare instance that is does, I find it regretful that the headline would have to read "Hoodoo ritual sacrifice shocks family" in USA Today. 

What I feel Dr. Kioni did do wrong, was share the picture and any details of the working in the first place. It was clearly an attempt at self promotion that back fired and gave fuel to potential enemies. He has since acknowledged and apologized for the mistake. I urge all those new to this work to learn from this lesson. Secrecy is one of the most important and often times overlooked aspects of this art. Growing up you would have never known that conjure was done in our house, there was no permanent altar, and no curios or roots to be seen. I was taught that that even though you friends and family may have the best of intentions and on the surface seem to hope the best for you and all the success in the world, subconsciously jealousy is what a lot of  them will have. That deeper jealousy turns into negative energy projected at you and any thing you have in the works that they are aware of. Play all of your workings close the vest at least until they come to pass to prevent the possibility of this energy becoming an obstacle. By the time the working has come to fruition what is the point in talking then unless it is simply to brag? Bragging is not very becoming and also can cause more problems then its worth. 

If secrecy is important to guard against friends you have to know it goes double for enemies. Never give your enemies anything except for that proverbial "enough rope to hang themselves". Conjure is not a religion, it is a magical or occult practice. There is no need to advertise and and seek some sort of social acceptance of it's practice.  It is not meant to be shared with or even necessarily understood by those not in the know. If you reveal too much of what you do, those that would wish to harm your image in the public eye can easily do so by appealing to the most base ignorance and fears of those around you. Don't give them that fuel when there is no need to. You study conjure enough and you will see the stealthy and hidden nature in which is has developed, and is continued to be deployed to this day. That has been cultivated over time for a reason, respect that, and it will serve you well. 

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)