#hoodoohistory

[3rdeyeblaque]

On January 7th, we venerate Ancestor & Hoodoo Saint, Auntie Zora Neale Hurston on her 133rd birthday (updated 2024). 🎉

Novelist, Anthropologist, Folklorist, Scholar, Vodou initiate & Historian, Zora Neale Hurston's legacy is forever cemented in Hoodoo Culture (and beyond) as the masterful wordsmith who cast a shining light on black excellence in all everyday forms/spaces, our ATR roots, & the preservation of Black Voices during the prime of the Harlem Renaissance.

Auntie Zora was born in Notasulga, AL and raised on 5 acres of land in Eatonville, FL by her preacher-father and free-spirited mother ; in what would be the first all-Black township in the country. After the shattering loss of her mother, Zora turned up in Baltimore, MD where she presented herself as a 16 year old (10 years her junior) in order to access free public school education resources; thereby finishing school. From then on, Zora lived her life presenting herself as 10 years younger than she actually was. She'd go on to graduate from Barnard College in 1928. 

She published several novellas & articles, including "Mules & Men"; a collection of Hoodoo Folklore. She entered the zenith of her career in the late 30s/40s after publishing her masterworks: "Their Eyes Were Watching God", "Tell My Horse", "Moses, Man of the Mountain", & an anthropological study on Hatian Vodou .After publishing her autobiography, "Dust Tracks on a Road, "Auntie Zora finally received the public recognition & literary respect that was long overdue. Despite her successes, and unprecedented contributions in classic literature & anthropology, Zora never received the financial contributions that her work so deserved. 

Zora Neale Hurston passed away; penniless, alone, & drifting into obscurity. Friends and supporters from near and far raised $600 for her funeral service and burial. She was buried in an unmarked grave, in a segregated section, at the Garden Of Heavenly Peace Cemetery in Fort Pierce, FL. Over a decade later, in 1973 the Great Alice Walker found the unmarked grave and ordered a headstone to be placed on it; engraved with, "Genius Of The South" in Zora's honor. It remains in place today.  “Let no Negro celebrity, no matter what financial condition they might be in at death, lie in inconspicuous forgetfulness. We must assume the responsibility of their graves being known and honored.” - Zora Neale Hurston to W.E.B. Dubois Auntie Zora wanted to be remembered & demanded that the same honor and respect be given unto her peers & others. Never forget the infectious voice that defined & defied, inspired & struck fear in many hearts of her time & after. We pour libations & give 💐 today as we celebrate Auntie Zora for her enigmatic spirit, ancestral wisdom, labor of love for Hoodoo Folklore, & for the seeing the beauty in the dark, sometimes solemn, corners in Black Culture. Let her studies continue to inform our own. Let her spark a fire in us to reconnect to our roots & grow within our lineages.

Offering suggestions: money, music, read/share her work, libations of water, & flowers.

‼️Note: offering suggestions are just that & strictly for veneration purposes only. Never attempt to conjure up any spirit or entity without proper divination/Mediumship counsel.‼️

#hoodoo Saints #Hoodoo Saint #zora neale hurston #Hoodoo #vodou #haitian vodou #the hoodoo calendar #hoodoohistory #hoodoos #atrs #atr #hoodoo culture #bvm #Hoodoo Folklore #Black authors #Black writers #own voices #Black Power

[neworleansvoudou]

Who's Who in Hoodoo History: Lige Broad Ax

Born in the late 1700s, Elisha Broadeaux, known as Lige Broad Ax, was brought to New Orleans from Cuba by a French planter. But it was in Kentucky where he earned his reputation as "the terror of Kentucky." The old Voudou priest preferred to be silent on the subject as he wanted to impress people with his declaration that he was 140 years old and would never die because he discovered the ELIXIR OF IMMORTALITY. Many folks asserted that the secret of his longevity was that he occasionally took the form of a vampire and repaired his shattered constitution with the blood of his younger victims. The power of old Lige to inhabit the bodies of animals at will was never disputed by those who knew him.

#hoodoo #hoodoohistory #conjure #rootwork #neworleansvoodoo #crossroadsuniversity #ligebroadax

[neworleansvoudou]

Who's Who in Hoodoo History: Laura "Lala" Hopkins

“Marie, yo’ da greatest—yo’ help me do my work.” This is the prayer Lala prayed at the beginning of all her conjure work. She was a two-headed conjure woman and an ardent admirer of Marie Laveau. Her devotion to the legendary Voudou Queen illuminated her path as a disciple of the esoteric arts and weaver of spells that drew admirers and foes alike. As a practitioner of Laveau Voudou and Hoodoo, she made enemies with community members by being a conjure woman for hire; at the bequest of some, she would harm others. She was also known for her gris gris charms for love, and money. Lala was dirt poor, eccentric, and always on the outs with the locals. At the same time, she was creative, resilient, and skilled in the conjure arts, making her a formidable adversary. Learn more: Who's Who in Hoodoo History (crossroadsuniversity.com)

#hoodoohistory #LalaHopkins #hoodooqueen #voodooqueen #neworleansvoodoo #conjure #rootwork #witchcraft #crossroadsuniversity #marielaveau #witches of color #witch community

[neworleansvoudou]

Who's Who in Hoodoo History: Black Herman

In the early 20th century, during the era of segregation and racial discrimination in the United States, an extraordinary figure emerged to challenge societal norms and break barriers in the world of entertainment. Black Herman, born Banjamin Rucker, was a larger-than-life performer, a master illusionist, and a charismatic showman who enchanted audiences with his mesmerizing magic shows and captivating stage presence. Despite facing numerous challenges as a Black entertainer in a racially divided nation, Black Herman's career flourished, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations to come.

Black Herman's performances often had a spiritual and mystical flair, and he claimed to possess supernatural powers. He used these elements to add an aura of mystique to his shows. These performances often involved dramatic rituals, incantations, and the invocation of spirits, which were common elements found in Hoodoo practices.

#Black Herman #Hoodoo #Conjure #Rootwork #Magic #Illusionist #HoodooHistory

[neworleansvoudou]

https://www.crossroadsuniversity.com/courses/who-s-who-in-hoodoo-history

Honoring the ancestors of the hoodoo, Voodoo, conjure, and rootwork traditions. Get to know the real people, the forgotten ones, the famous, and the infamous, foremothers and fathers who passed down their knowledge to the tradition keepers of today. Sign up today and be informed. 🪄

#hoodoo #rootwork #conjure #neworleansvoodoo #witchcraft #marielaveau #authordenisealvarado #crossroadsuniversity #whoswhoinhoodoohistory #hoodoohistory

[neworleansvoudou]

Who's Who in Hoodoo History: William Wells Brown William Wells Brown (circa 1814-1884) was a formerly enslaved man and an abolitionist who documented Hoodoo practices of enslaved people in St. Louis in two of his books. Brown was born enslaved in Kentucky. In 1827 Brown’s enslaver, Dr. John Young, moved near St. Louis, Missouri, and established a small farm. Dr. Young hired out Brown to work in the city of St. Louis for steamboat captains and local merchants. During his years enslaved in St. Louis, Brown saw conjure practices of enslaved people that he documented years later in his autobiographies after he escaped from slavery on the Underground Railroad. https://www.crossroadsuniversity.com/courses/who-s-who-in-hoodoo-history

#williamwellsbrown #hoodoo #Hoodoohistory #conjure #Crossroadsuniversity

[neworleansvoudou]

Who's Who in Hoodoo History: Aunt Caroline Dye

Caroline Tracy Dye (1843? –1918), better known as Aunt Caroline Dye, was born into slavery in South Carolina. She was gifted with the Far-eye as a child, able to see things outside of the realm of the mundane. As she grew older and other folks became aware of her abilities, she was labeled “fortune-teller”, though some say she never saw herself as such.

Aunt Caroline Dye was a highly respected seer whose name was recognized in Arkansas and the Mid-South in the early years of the twentieth century. She was born into slavery in Spartanburg, South Carolina, about 1843—there is conflicting information through the years about her date of birth and early life. According to Craig (2009): “Caroline Tracy became aware of her abilities as a seer while still a young child. She could reportedly see things outside her line of vision that others could not.”

Aunt Caroline had a large following from all over the south and in particular from Tennessee. According to Craig (2009) she only used a deck of cards to help with her readings, and she refused to give readings about love or the outcome of World War 1. “She did, however, tell many people the location of strayed or stolen livestock, sometimes giving specific directions, and she helped people locate missing jewelry. She gave visions of the future for her clients and offered advice on missing persons” (Craig, 2009). It was after Dye moved to Newport (Jackson County) that her reputation began to grow. She never claimed to be a fortune teller; that title was given to her by others. Her clients were both Black and White, and most showed their appreciation by paying her a few dollars for a reading, although payment was not required. Dye reported that she received twenty to thirty letters a day, with most including money for her services. It was said that some prominent White businessmen of Jackson County would not make important decisions before consulting her. All day long, people crowded into her home in Newport waiting for a reading. She took advantage of the large number of visitors and sold meals from her house. Dye reportedly only used a deck of cards to help her concentration and would not give readings about love or the outcome of World War I; she did, however, tell many people the location of strayed or stolen livestock, sometimes giving specific directions, and she helped people locate missing jewelry. She gave visions of the future for her clients and offered advice on missing persons. Dye died on September 26, 1918, in Newport. After her death, large amounts of cash were reportedly found in her house. She is buried in Gum Grove Cemetery in Newport next to her husband, who had died in 1907.

Over the years, Aunt Caroline Dye's legend has grown to describe her as seer to hoodoo woman, two headed doctor, fortune teller, psychic and conjure doctor.

Learn more about the OGs of Hoodoo: https://www.crossroadsuniversity.com/courses/who-s-who-in-hoodoo-history

#hoodoo #Hoodoohistory #crossroadsuniversity #Auntcarolinedye

[3rdeyeblaque]

Peace 😌 🖤 Happy Hoodoo Heritage Month 🖤 And WELCOME to the official page launch of 🎉🎉 The Hoodoo's Calendar 🎉🎉  My name is Chloé. I am a Hoodoo, a Rootworker, also a Seer & Dreamer, et al. I'm Jersey born & raised; borne of Peoples who largely hail from East of the Mississippi. And I am the Creator of The Hoodoo's Calendar. This is a passion project borne out of another that I created solely for my personal growth & development as I strive to keep Hoodoo at the forefront of my life. Because we all know that Hoodoo is not a trend or a mask or a costume to adorn once a year, Hoodoo is OUR way of life. It is only with my ancestors' blessing & guidance that i extend this passion project to the Hoodoo Community. 🖤

Looking forward to sharing The Hoodoo's Calendar + learning & growing with you in what will be a SAFE ASS, GATEKEPT ASS, BLACK ASS space. 😏🤟🏾 📢 Dropping Pre-Orders Details SOON! TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS & follow on IG https://www.instagram.com/thehoodoocalendar/ for more ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The specific intention that I have for The Hoodoo's Calender is to educate, inspire, and be of service to the Hoodoo Community on our ways of life, history, traditions, and culture expressed via my own understanding/practice/experiences (which are ever growing) & through the multidimensional lenses of our Peoples. The purpose of The Hoodoo's Calender is to keep our traditions & our heritage at the forefront of our minds ALL YEAR ROUND. To keep the Ancestors, Saints/Elevated Spirits, by name & by place, in our daily practices. To gatekeep our traditions & keep them alive as the bridge that connects us to the past and to the future of our lineages. To learn& grow in our understanding of all of the above. To raise our awareness of the cosmologies, legacies, & histories of our predecessors within this tradition/culture/religion that is Hoodoo. 🔥 Lastly, The Hoodoo Calender is EXCLUSIVELY for & will ONLY accessible to Black Indigineous "Americans"/Descendants of West & Central Africa, & Peoples across the entire Afro-Diaspora. More on that later.

#hoodoo #juju #ATR #ATRs #hoodooreligion #hoodootradition #hoodooculture #roots #rootwork #conjure #hoodooheritage #hoodoohistory #hoodoocosmology #hoodooheritagemonth #blackspirituality #blackreligion #blackreligions #bipoc #blackculture #black indigenous #westafrican #westafrica #centralafrican #centralafrica #kongo #kongoreligion #kongocosmology #dikenga #spookyseason

[neworleansvoudou]

Lala Hopkins, a hoodoo queen from New Orleans, used this very image, cut from a newspaper in the 1930s, as the image of Marie Laveau for her altar. She had a small table in the corner of a room where she had this image, and this is where she laid her workings, before working them. She always paid homage to Marie Laveau, thanking her for the gift of magic. Magic to Lala was empowerment and solutions to the challenges of every day life. I devote a chapter to her in my latest book, Witch Queens, Voodoo Spirits, and Hoodoo Saints: A Guide to Magical New Orleans. #hoodoo #conjure #rootwork #neworleansvoodoo #marielaveau #lalahopkins #witchqueens #witchcraft #conjurehistory #hoodoohistory #voodoohistory (at Saint Johns, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg_aCABuSHs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#hoodoo #conjure #rootwork #neworleansvoodoo #marielaveau #lalahopkins #witchqueens #witchcraft #conjurehistory #hoodoohistory #voodoohistory