When African slaves were brought to America, they were stripped of their religious beliefs and familial connections. However, much of their magical practices remained. African-American rootworkers acquired herbal knowledge from Native Americans. Later, when the United States was influenced by the resurgence of Hermetic magic that spread across Europe, African-American rootworkers began studying Kabalistic traditions. The result was the mixing of folk magic with Judeo-Christian sources, such as incorporating the Book of Psalms in various spells.
Hoodoo Candle Magic
Hoodoo relies heavily on candle magic. Candles are said to manifest certain desires based on their colors. Perhaps the most influential candlemancy book to the Hoodoo tradition was Henri Gamache’s 1940s publication entitled, A Master Book of Candle Burning: How to Burn Candles for Every Purpose. Gamache was greatly influenced by spiritualist Paschal Beverly Randolph and texts from Harry Hyatt, a folklorist who documented a wealth of information on Hoodoo.
Hoodoo Corresponding Candle Colors
- White: In the hoodoo tradition, white candles represent purity, vibration, faith, goodness,and balance.
- Yellow: This color is used for attraction, instilling confidence, unhexing, uncrossing, clarity of thought, clairvoyance and premonitions.
- Orange: The color orange is associated with encouragement, building concentration, attracting positive energy, adaptability and stimulation.
- Red: Because it is the color of blood, red candles symbolize vitality, good health and strength. It also symbolizes vigor, passion, love, and sexuality.
- Pink: This color is used to denote love (usually more platonic), friendship, overcoming evil, and morality.
- Purple: Purple is a particularly high vibration color used for meditation, spirit work, and powerful healing.
- Blue: This color is often used with purple for spiritual strength, complex healing, and spirit work. It also symbolizes peace, clairvoyance and premonitions.
- Green: Green is used for money, luck, fertility, growth, good crops and harvest, regeneration and healing.
- Brown: The color brown is associated with clearing up uncertainty and doubt.
Dressing Hoodoo Candles
Anointing or dressing candles is used to increase the potency of Hoodoo candle magic. By using various oils, hoodoo practitioners “charge” candles to bring about desired effects. Herbs and herb-infused oils work very well for candle dressing. One technique for dressing the candles it to start in the middle and rub down each end. It is important to visualize your desire as you dress your candle.
Below is an example of a dressing oil used in Hoodoo magic. When creating these dressings, be sure to place the ingredients into a sterilized bottle with a cork or some other non-reactive, airtight cap. Be sure to shake the bottle before each use!
Hoodoo Money Oil
For an effective money oil, add the following ingredients to jojoba oil.
- Essential oil of chamomile
- Essential oil of Texas cedar wood
- Essential oil of vetiver
References and Recommended Reading
For more information on the history or application of hoodoo, refer to the titles listed below.
Bird, Stephanie Rose. Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo & Conjuring with Herbs. St. Paul, Minnesota: Llewelllyn Publications, 2004.
Gamache, Henri. The Master of Candle Burning: How to Burn Candles for Every Purpose. 1942. Reprint, Old Bethage, NY: Original Publications, 1998.
Hurston, Zora Neale. Folklore, Memoirs and Other Writings. New York: The Library of America, 1995.
Yronewode, Catherine. Hoodoo in Theory and Practice. Luckymojo.com.
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