The workings in this section come from Zora Neale Hurston’s article Hoodoo in America, first published in 1931 in the Journal of American Folklore 44 and later published in her seminal work, Mules and Men, in 1935. Referred to as the “Psalms of Voodoo” by Martha Ward due to their poetic nature, these supplications are said to have been passed down from Marie Laveau to those carrying on in her footsteps.
The Laveau supplications in Hoodoo in America were apparently reported to Hurston by two rootdoctors, Samuel Thompson and Albert Frechard—both of whom claimed to be the grandnephews of Marie Laveau. Whether or not they are actually related to Marie Laveau in some way is unknown, as Hurston reportedly used fictitious names, presumably in order to protect their identities (Hurston 1947). Of the supplications—or “routines,” as Hurston refers to them—she had this to say:
The Laveau supplications in Hoodoo in America were apparently reported to Hurston by two rootdoctors, Samuel Thompson and Albert Frechard—both of whom claimed to be the grandnephews of Marie Laveau. Whether or not they are actually related to Marie Laveau in some way is unknown, as Hurston reportedly used fictitious names, presumably in order to protect their identities (Hurston 1947). Of the supplications—or “routines,” as Hurston refers to them—she had this to say:
This is a ritual consisting of a series of formal petitions with
answering directions from the god. . . I found them in Bogalusa, La., and again in Shreveport I discovered a doctor who depended to a large extent upon the traditional “works” of Marie Leveau. In fact, I came to know that practically all of the hoodoo doctors of Louisiana know the Leveau routines, though most of them have developed also techniques of their own (Hurston 1931).
Some of the Laveau supplications appear in the popular Hoodoo spellbook Black and White Magic, which is said to have been written by Marie Laveau. Published in the 1920s, Black and White Magic is a popular book that influenced the evolution of conjure throughout the 1900s. Since Marie was illiterate, she could not have authored the book. And, if she had written a book, it would have been in French as that is the language she spoke. I suspect the book was written by Hurston—or its content was lifted from Hurston’s work—although Long suggests it was written by the owner of the Cracker Jack Drugstore, where it was initially sold. She comes to this conclusion in part because of the products recommended in Marie Laveau’s answers. Apparently, the products were among those sold at the drugstore. Despite the unknown origins of the book, it is a model for the kind of conjure Marie Laveau was known for.
The Laveau supplications follow a specific format. In general, supplications are a form of prayer whereby the petitioner kneels down and humbly requests assistance. A supplication always involves a request. The petitioner approaches Marie Laveau and makes a humble request regarding a need or desire. Marie Laveau then channels Spirit and responds with advice and guidance.
Note that if you read Hurston’s work or Black and White Magic, you will see the supplicant appeals to Marie Laveau and a Spirit of some sort, with the words Goddess or God used in the response. In the example that follows, I added Marie Laveau’s name next to the Goddess designation for clarity. Note that in some editions of the Black and White Magic book, there is no mention of either supplicant or god. In her book Voodoo Queen: The Spirited Lives of Marie Laveau, Martha Ward identifies the answer to the supplications as being both Marie Laveau and the god or goddess mentioned.
The Gambling Hand
Different versions of this working exist, depending on which source is referenced. The difference lies in the ingredients allegedly prescribed by Marie Laveau. This supplication is from Hurston’s Hoodoo in America. Following the working is the Gambling Hand decoded, where I describer the ingredients used in this work.
Supplicant: Great Goddess of Chance, I would ask your favor. I would ask for pieces of gold and pieces of silver from your hand for when I go to the racecourse the horse does not heed me or make efforts that I may be victor. And the driver of the chariot does not lash his steed that I may come in first line, but instead lags behind that I may lose my gold and silver. When I pray to you with the dice in my hand, you do not smile on me, neither do you guide the dice that they may show a smiling face to me; but instead you guide them that they may turn to the help of other players and I go home with my pockets empty and my heart heavy. So again when I set me down among the select men and play with them the game of cards, you do not put into my hand the card which will undo my opponents; but instead you put into my hand the low cards which will be my undoing and into the hands of the other players the high cards which will be my undoing. Tell me, O great Goddess of Chance, what can I do to appease your anger and win your approving smile; that I may wax fat and I may have into my purse the bright gold and jingling silver of the empire? I am your steadfast worshipper and would fain win your favor so that my horse will come to the victory line the first one, and so that the high cards shall burn to get in my hand, and so that the dice shall be friendly to me.
Marie Laveau (Goddess of Chance): My son, you have asked a great favor of me, but you have not burned any incense at my altar and have not made any offering to my spirit. For I look only on those who are my steadfast worshippers. For those who come for a day, I know them not, neither do I smile on them. [Interestingly, I learned this sentiment as well as a youngster regarding her disposition in reference to Marie Laveau servitude.] But for those who worship, I smile on them; for those of good spirit, I love them. So, if you wish to carry my favor, you will put into a small bag made of the skin of chamois the following holy articles: the Grains of Paradise, the powder of the root called John the Conqueror, the powder of the Magnetic Stone, the Eye of the Eagle, the tooth of a shark. These you will close together tightly so that they cannot break out, and on the day you care to win, you will put on this bag the extract Has no Hanna and keep it in your left hand pocket and let no one touch it except the money you will wager on the games, so that it will multiply and grow. And on your hands when you are playing with the dice and the cards you will put the Essence of the Three Knaves and the Two Kings. Pour of these essences in the palm of your hands and rub it dry and in your room you will burn the incense and the spices of Saturn, so that you will quickly get your wishes and the cards, the dice and the horses will break in your favor and do as you wish. But fail not to worship me and love me, for the day you cease to worship me will be your loss. And the day you cease to love me will be your doom, for all things I have given I will take away. For those who never cease to love, I am a true mistress and shower my favors on them; and for those who love me for a while and forsake me, I am a hard mistress and cause them deep sorrow and desolation. So Be It (Hurston 1931, 328–329).
Marie Laveau (Goddess of Chance): My son, you have asked a great favor of me, but you have not burned any incense at my altar and have not made any offering to my spirit. For I look only on those who are my steadfast worshippers. For those who come for a day, I know them not, neither do I smile on them. [Interestingly, I learned this sentiment as well as a youngster regarding her disposition in reference to Marie Laveau servitude.] But for those who worship, I smile on them; for those of good spirit, I love them. So, if you wish to carry my favor, you will put into a small bag made of the skin of chamois the following holy articles: the Grains of Paradise, the powder of the root called John the Conqueror, the powder of the Magnetic Stone, the Eye of the Eagle, the tooth of a shark. These you will close together tightly so that they cannot break out, and on the day you care to win, you will put on this bag the extract Has no Hanna and keep it in your left hand pocket and let no one touch it except the money you will wager on the games, so that it will multiply and grow. And on your hands when you are playing with the dice and the cards you will put the Essence of the Three Knaves and the Two Kings. Pour of these essences in the palm of your hands and rub it dry and in your room you will burn the incense and the spices of Saturn, so that you will quickly get your wishes and the cards, the dice and the horses will break in your favor and do as you wish. But fail not to worship me and love me, for the day you cease to worship me will be your loss. And the day you cease to love me will be your doom, for all things I have given I will take away. For those who never cease to love, I am a true mistress and shower my favors on them; and for those who love me for a while and forsake me, I am a hard mistress and cause them deep sorrow and desolation. So Be It (Hurston 1931, 328–329).
The Gambling Hand Decoded
Skin of Chamois
Skin of Chamois, or more commonly known today as chamois leather, is a porous leather traditionally made from the skin of a type of European mountain goat. Today, it is made almost exclusively from the flesh split of a sheepskin and tanned with fish oil. Chamois cloths can be found in the automotive departments of any department or auto supply store. They are used to dry and polish cars because they won’t scratch the finish and have superior absorption properties. One cloth measures around 2 square feet and costs anywhere from $30 to $50.00. They are a great investment as you can make a whole lot of mojos with one cloth.
Grains of Paradise
Grains of Paradise, also known as Cardamom, Egyptian Paradise Seeds, Guinea Pepper, and Love Pods, are best known as food for feeding the saints. Zora Neale Hurston explains in a later section of the Hoodoo in America (1931) article about Grains of Paradise under the name Egyptian Paradise Seeds:
Skin of Chamois, or more commonly known today as chamois leather, is a porous leather traditionally made from the skin of a type of European mountain goat. Today, it is made almost exclusively from the flesh split of a sheepskin and tanned with fish oil. Chamois cloths can be found in the automotive departments of any department or auto supply store. They are used to dry and polish cars because they won’t scratch the finish and have superior absorption properties. One cloth measures around 2 square feet and costs anywhere from $30 to $50.00. They are a great investment as you can make a whole lot of mojos with one cloth.
Grains of Paradise
Grains of Paradise, also known as Cardamom, Egyptian Paradise Seeds, Guinea Pepper, and Love Pods, are best known as food for feeding the saints. Zora Neale Hurston explains in a later section of the Hoodoo in America (1931) article about Grains of Paradise under the name Egyptian Paradise Seeds:
Egyptian Paradise Seed (Amonium Melegreta). This is used in seeking success. Take a picture of St. Peter and put it at the front door and a picture of St. Michael at the back door. Put the Paradise seeds in little bags and put one behind each saint. It is known as "feeding the saint."
I am not sure that the scientific name she provides is correct. Perhaps in her day, Ammonium Melegreta was the botanical used; however, today, Grains of Paradise are commonly identified as Aframomum melegueta.
On the other hand, according to Wylundt’s Book of Incense, Grains of Paradise are identified as Elletaria Cardomomum. They are associated with the planet Venus, the element earth, and are used as an “aphrodisiac, (to) brighten disposition, fertility, gain, good luck, happiness, love, and success” (Wylundt 1996, p. 77).
According to Scott Cunningham, Grains of Paradise are Aframomum melegueta and are associated with the planet Mars, the element fire, and are used for lust, luck, love, money and wishes. Cunningham’s interpretation is more closely aligned with New Orleans conjure than Wylundt’s.
The misidentification of plants used in conjure is common given most people who are authors are not botanists or researchers. Additionally, when you research the magical associations of an herb, take care to note the magical tradition from which the author is writing, as well as how the botanical is used in the tradition for which you seek information.
John the Conqueror Root
Clearly, the most popular of all roots used in conjure is High John the Conqueror root or Ipomoea Jalapa. There is a whole body of folklore behind this root that illustrates its sociohistorical significance in the lives of African Americans. John the Conqueror root is much more than just a root; it serves as a vessel in which to carry the spirit of the man who survived slavery and whose stories teach through the trickster paradigm. In "High John De Conquer,” Zora Neale Hurston describes John de Conquer:
...like King Arthur of England, he has served his people. And, like King Arthur, he is not dead. He waits to return when his people shall call him again. . . High John de Conquer went back to Africa, but he left his power here, and placed his American dwelling in the root of a certain plant. Only possess that root, and he can be summoned at any time.
The whole legend of High John de Conquer by Zora Neale Hurston can be found at this link, http://www.unz.org/Pub/AmMercury-1943oct-00450 or by scanning the QR code with your iPhone or Android.
High John the Conqueror roots are anointed with High John the Conqueror Oil and carried in the pocket as a powerful amulet for love, protection, health, luck in gambling and games of chance, brings great strength, success, personal power, money drawing luck, personal mastery, commanding power, and strengthening nature. Small roots are anointed and added to mojo hands to add power and luck to money and gambling spells. It is said that the person who holds the High John Root will be lucky in all things from love to gambling to money, business, and all finances.
Powder of the Magnetic Stone
Powder of the Magnetic Stone is simply magnetic sand or lodestone filings.
Eye of the Eagle
I am uncertain as to what this ingredient is, whether it is a magic seal of some sort or an herb with a name that is no longer used.
Tooth of a Shark
Tooth of a Shark is quite simply a shark’s tooth. Shark's teeth are used for protection and can be placed in mojo bags or gris gris for that purpose. They can also add potency to any charm bag and can bring good luck with money.
Extract of Has No Hannah
Has No Hanna comes from the term hasnuhana, another name for night-blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnam). Thus, the primary ingredient for Has no Hanna formula is jasmine. I like to add a little vetivert to the mix to ground the flowery fragrance of the jasmine. I also add some dried night blooming jasmine blossoms to my formula. Modern rootworkers often add a safety pin to their bottles of Has no Hanna, purportedly to make their luck stick.
Essence of Three Knaves and the Two Kings
Well-known in commercial hoodoo as a fragrance for gamblers, Three Jacks and a King is designed to attract luck, love, and an easy life. I suspect that Essence of Three Knaves and the Two Kings is a name chosen by a store owner for a similar product. I have not been able to locate a formula for Essence of Three Knaves and Two Kings. The closest thing I come to is Three Jacks and a King. One formula is as follows:
Ingredients
- Galangal
- Vetiver
- Thyme
- Patchouli
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon
Add the ingredients to a base oil fixed with vitamin E to prevent rancidity.
Incense and Spices of Saturn
According to twentieth century occultist Franz Bardon (1967) in The Practice of Magical Evocation, the following herbs are associated with the planet Saturn:
- Black poppy seeds
- Willow leaves
- Rue leaves
- Fern
- Cumin
- Fennel seeds
To burn the above herbs as incense, simply blend equal parts together and burn on charcoal blocks.
Court Scrape
The works contained in Black and White Magic follow a format that begins with a supplication to Marie Laveau followed by Marie Laveau’s spiritual advice, which is dispensed by her while under possession by a god. Sometimes the supplication is merely suggested, and it only contains Marie Laveau’s advice, such as the following Court Scrape. The supplicant’s plea for this particular work is omitted in the original text, but from Marie Laveau’s response we can assume the petitioner went to Marie Laveau because she is afraid of being found guilty of something in the court of law and is worried she will go to jail. This working calls for eighteen candles in total: nine brown and nine black. I have provided the original text from the book followed by a description of the additional ingredients needed for the work.
Marie Laveau: O, my daughter, you come to me in your trials and tribulations and say unto me: "O, good mother, I am sore of feet and heavy of heart, for the power of man has said that I shall be put in the darkest dungeon and that I shall be deprived of the beauty, pleasures and good will of the world, that my friends shall look down on me and that they shall show displeasure and pass me with their faces turned away; that my enemies will vilify me and say untruths, blasphemy, and perjure me, to my dismay so that they can point their finger at me and pass me by in the streets of the city with contempt and vile words and heap curses on my head on the heads of those dear to me and those who love me."
O, daughter, I say unto you that you shall meet the judges and the scribes and the law men who will pass judgment upon you and according to your faith and hope, so will you be judged, and according to wise counsels and smooth tongues so shall you be judged, and according to your sacrifices and invocations you shall be judged.
O, daughter, to cool the wrath of the gods you shall take of Big John the Conqueror two drachmas, of dried Dragon Blood one drachma, of Dove's Blood liquid one, and wrap them in bright colored tissue and put them in the farthest corner of your house so that no hand shall touch them. And you shall take nine brown candles and burn one every day with the names of your friends and helpers under them. And you shall take nine black candles and burn them, one every day with the names of your enemies under them, written in very small letters. And you shall burn one brown and one black candle side by side every day so that the waxes will not mix. For the brown candles are those for victory and the black candles are those for conquering your enemies; and on the day that the judges and scribes shall call to you, you will hearken and go to them with your man of law. And you shall take with you in your right hand pocket the beans of the wish plant called Wish Beans, and you shall chew them and drop the hulls about you so that the judges and the scribes shall hearken unto the testimony of your friends and bear with you; and so that they shall bear with pleasure the words of your witnesses and believe them and at the end shall say unto you, "Be gone, O my daughter, and abide in peace." So Be It.
Marie Laveau: O, my daughter, you come to me in your trials and tribulations and say unto me: "O, good mother, I am sore of feet and heavy of heart, for the power of man has said that I shall be put in the darkest dungeon and that I shall be deprived of the beauty, pleasures and good will of the world, that my friends shall look down on me and that they shall show displeasure and pass me with their faces turned away; that my enemies will vilify me and say untruths, blasphemy, and perjure me, to my dismay so that they can point their finger at me and pass me by in the streets of the city with contempt and vile words and heap curses on my head on the heads of those dear to me and those who love me."
O, daughter, I say unto you that you shall meet the judges and the scribes and the law men who will pass judgment upon you and according to your faith and hope, so will you be judged, and according to wise counsels and smooth tongues so shall you be judged, and according to your sacrifices and invocations you shall be judged.
O, daughter, to cool the wrath of the gods you shall take of Big John the Conqueror two drachmas, of dried Dragon Blood one drachma, of Dove's Blood liquid one, and wrap them in bright colored tissue and put them in the farthest corner of your house so that no hand shall touch them. And you shall take nine brown candles and burn one every day with the names of your friends and helpers under them. And you shall take nine black candles and burn them, one every day with the names of your enemies under them, written in very small letters. And you shall burn one brown and one black candle side by side every day so that the waxes will not mix. For the brown candles are those for victory and the black candles are those for conquering your enemies; and on the day that the judges and scribes shall call to you, you will hearken and go to them with your man of law. And you shall take with you in your right hand pocket the beans of the wish plant called Wish Beans, and you shall chew them and drop the hulls about you so that the judges and the scribes shall hearken unto the testimony of your friends and bear with you; and so that they shall bear with pleasure the words of your witnesses and believe them and at the end shall say unto you, "Be gone, O my daughter, and abide in peace." So Be It.
Court Scrape Decoded
Big John the Conqueror
Big John the Conqueror is another term for High John the Conqueror, which refers to the root by the same name. As it states a weight of two drachmas, that indicates a liquid. Thus, you could use either Essence of High John or High John conjure oil for the working.
Dried Dragon Blood
Dried Dragon Blood is likely Dragon’s Blood resin. Dragon’s blood resin is often burned as incense, and its deep red pigment is used as a varnish and a dye. The resin has been used for centuries in magical traditions in a variety of forms to add power to any work as well as for its inherent protective properties. It is still used today in modern conjure and witchcraft where it is powdered down and used as an ink to write spells.
Dove’s Blood Liquid
This could be Dove’s Blood ink or Dove’s Blood oil; one could conceivably use an oil blend of Roses and myrrh as well as that is the primary ingredient in Dove’s Blood formulas.
Wish Beans
These are likely Fava beans, otherwise known as St. Joseph Wishing Beans. The association of Fava beans (aka St. Joseph Wishing Beans, African Mojo Beans, Mojo Beans) with luck began during the famine in Sicily, where the bean was used as an agricultural feed for livestock. To survive, they were used as a major food for farmer's families, as well. Hence, they considered themselves lucky to have them. The bean is also a symbol of fertility since it grows well even in poor, rocky soil. Italians would carry a bean from a good crop to ensure a good crop the following year. In New Orleans, they play a large role in the Sicilian tradition of the St. Joseph Table or St. Joseph Altar. They are traditionally served in a frittata or in garlic sauce. When dried, roasted and blessed, they become the famous "lucky bean." Legend has it that you will never be broke as long as you carry one. Devout Catholics believe that if you keep one in the pantry, there will always be food in the kitchen. Bowls of these beans are kept on St. Joseph altars on St. Joseph's day and they are taken by devotees and kept for good luck.
Big John the Conqueror is another term for High John the Conqueror, which refers to the root by the same name. As it states a weight of two drachmas, that indicates a liquid. Thus, you could use either Essence of High John or High John conjure oil for the working.
Dried Dragon Blood
Dried Dragon Blood is likely Dragon’s Blood resin. Dragon’s blood resin is often burned as incense, and its deep red pigment is used as a varnish and a dye. The resin has been used for centuries in magical traditions in a variety of forms to add power to any work as well as for its inherent protective properties. It is still used today in modern conjure and witchcraft where it is powdered down and used as an ink to write spells.
Dove’s Blood Liquid
This could be Dove’s Blood ink or Dove’s Blood oil; one could conceivably use an oil blend of Roses and myrrh as well as that is the primary ingredient in Dove’s Blood formulas.
Wish Beans
These are likely Fava beans, otherwise known as St. Joseph Wishing Beans. The association of Fava beans (aka St. Joseph Wishing Beans, African Mojo Beans, Mojo Beans) with luck began during the famine in Sicily, where the bean was used as an agricultural feed for livestock. To survive, they were used as a major food for farmer's families, as well. Hence, they considered themselves lucky to have them. The bean is also a symbol of fertility since it grows well even in poor, rocky soil. Italians would carry a bean from a good crop to ensure a good crop the following year. In New Orleans, they play a large role in the Sicilian tradition of the St. Joseph Table or St. Joseph Altar. They are traditionally served in a frittata or in garlic sauce. When dried, roasted and blessed, they become the famous "lucky bean." Legend has it that you will never be broke as long as you carry one. Devout Catholics believe that if you keep one in the pantry, there will always be food in the kitchen. Bowls of these beans are kept on St. Joseph altars on St. Joseph's day and they are taken by devotees and kept for good luck.
