SCAMMONY Convolvulacea: Medical WitS: SELF HEAL throat gargte ~uces s~"OI1en glands during a cold.

(EURO PFAN J O HN 11fE CONQUEROR, SYRIAN BINDWEED) Botanical notes: Although SELF HEAL is sornc:r.irnc:s called ~ HEAL. do
Com'oll'llllIs scammonia not confuse it with VANDAl Roor or VAl..ERIAN. also caUed ALL HEAL.

HIGH JOHN TIlE CONQUEROR. a member of the Morning Glory family. is a very Further botanical notes at: VANDAL ROOT
popular hoodoo root and sometimes it is in short supply. so merchants
occasionally provide a substitule for it under the name EU ROPEAN JOHN THE SEMEN see PERSONAL CONCERNS
CONQUEROR. This plant. better known as SCAMMONY. is also a Morning
Glory. It grows from a tuber not un like the HIGH JOHN ROOT. wilh similar medical SENECA SNAKE ROOT Polygaia=
properties. so the substitution is not ill-i ntcmioned. However. SCAMMON Y root (MILKWORT, RATl1..ESNAKE R()()1')
is far larger than HIGH JOHN THE CONQUEROR ROOT - up to 3 feet in length ! _ Polygala senega
so it cannot be carried in a mojo or as a pocket piece. Still, if HIGH JOHN ROOT
SENECA SNAKE ROOT protects from SNAKE bite and the work of false friends. It is
chips. powder. and pieces arc not avai lable, one can make a good John the
used in the same way as BlJITON SNAKE ROOT. RAl11..ESNAKE MASTER.. and the like.
Conqueror Oil from SCAMMONY rOOI chips or powder. and when placed on an
Under the name MILKWORf. il is said to aid lactation in cows. goats. and women: the
allar. a whole SCAMMONY root makes a pretty impressive display.
taxonomic name Polygala Int:anS "much milk" in Greek. Illustration: page 122.
Medical uses: SCM1MONY is a powerful laxative and purgative.
Bota nical notes: The typical SCAMMONY roo! is the size of a Sweet Potato. Protective Shoe-Powder: Mix dried and powdered SENECA SNAKE ROOT
with any regular brand of fOO( powder. Dust your feel and inside your SHOES
Further bota nical noles at: F/Vf.-FL-.:GER GRASS. HIGH Joos mE CoNQuERoR
with this. and no tricks laid in the dirt can hann you. for you will walk shielded.

SCORPION see LIVE T HINGS IN YOU

SENNA Leguntinosre (Fabace:e)
(CASSIA, CASSIA SENNA)
SEA HOllY, SEA HOlM see RAITLESNAKE MASTER Cassia acutifolia. Cassia (mgllsti/olia. Cassia marilandica. SemUl aie.mlldrillo
SENNA has a reputation as a love herb, but it is rarely used alone.
SEA lETI1JCE see AGAR·AGAR
To Attract Someone Who Is Unawa re of Your Interest: Write the person's
SEAl ROOT see SOLOMON'S SEAL ROOT NAME ON PAPER with Dove's Blood Ink. put it in a red flan nel bag with
SENNA leaves, dress it wilh Come To Me Oil. and carry it on your person.
SEA SALT see SALT To Keep Your Lover Faithful: Soak SENNA leaves. C[J!>IJN seeds. and
CORIANDER seeds in water for ni ne days. Strain the liquid and usc it in the
SEA SPIRIT sec AGA R·AGAR
rinse water when you wash your lo . . er·s UNDERWEAR.
l\ledical uses: Senna is a strong purgative and Ia.>:ative.
SELFHEAI ~1a1Z Botanical notes: CASSIA SENNA is not the same as CASSIA BARK (ClNNA.\1ON
( All HEAL, WOUNDWOR1) BARK). CASSIE A..OY'[R (ACACIA). or QuASSIA (Brm:R Roar). lis dose relative.
Pnmefia I'lIlgaris Crusiajismla. is also called ·'Cassia." bJt it is not called "Senna."
Fu rther botanical notes at: AcAcV.. ONSA.'10S. QuASSlA
SELF HEAL. as the name implies. is used to aid health. Illustration: page 146.
A Mojo Hand ror Health: A pinch of SELF HEAL. a whole ANGEUCA root SENSITIVE BRIER "'" SHAME BRIER
and a pinch of SANDALWOOD in a red bag will keep the bearer in good health.
In Times of Sickness: When SOITlOOflC in the home is ill. make a tea of SELf SEPIFOIL "'" F1VE·F1NGER GRASS
HEAL. strain it. and sprinkle or spray the liquid around the room and on the
sick person. This is done both to relieve the afflicted one and to keep the SERPENT'S TONGUE see ADDER'S TONGUE
sickness from affecting visitors or family members.
Additional magical uses at : GOLDEN SEAL SEXUAL FLUIDS see PERSONAL CONCERNS

.on ,.,
SHAME BRIER Legumin""'" (Mlmosacere) SHAME JIM <ee SHAME BRIER
(SENSJllVE BRIER. SHAME FACE, SHAME JIM, SI:IAMJNG]UDY)
Mimosa qlltldril'Ofl'is, Schrr:mkiaj1oridallo, Schmnkia microl,hylfa, SHAMING JUDY <ee SHAME BRIER
Sclu"(mkia flJIIami. Schmllkia Imcillllfll

SHAME BRIER is one of several SCKalled "sensitive plants" in the Mimosa tribe of SHAMROCK see CLOVER. RED and CLOVER. WHITE
the Legume family whose Icaves Icmpornrily collapse when touched. closing up as if
ashamed or "fainting," [\ is IlOI sold in commerce a.~ a spiritual supply, because there is SHOEMAKE see SUMAC
a ritual to gathering it thai empowers it only for the use of the one woo picks it.
To Shame un Enemy Inl0 Leaving You AIOIw: Find a growing SHAME SHOES see PERSONAL CONCERNS
BRlER, pass your hands over its leaves. and as they faint, call the enemy's name
and say, "Be slulIIU!d." Do this six times. then pick the six folded leaves. and put SILVER DIME
three in your left SIIOE and three in your right SHOE. Your enemy will no longer (MERCURY DIME, UBERTY-H.EAD DIME, TOKEN,
hann you, and you will walk shielded over anything put down for you.
WINGED UBER1Y DIME)
To Get a Job: Pass your hand over a growing SHAME BRIER and say. "Be U.s. ten·cent coin: nOll·montf(lry tokells
sillmled," until the leaves faint. then dig three pieces of moL Soak the roots in
Any coin or non-monetary metal mKEN can be camed for luck. but in hoodoo there
Hoyr's C0l.0G1>o'E and wear this as a perfume when you apply for work, or sew
is a preference for the "MERCURY" DIME. officialJy known as the "WINGED
them in a piece of red flannel. feed this hand with Hoyr's COI..DGNE. and carry
LIBERTY' DIM£. which was minted between 1916 and 1946. This makes sense.
it on you when asking for a job. Alternatively, you may chew the roots or use a
because Mercury was the Roman god who ruled crossroads. games of chance. and
SHAME BRIER twig as a toothpick while you look for work. However you
sleight of hand tricks - and as such was equivalent to the African ganlbling and
decide to use the SHAME BRIER roots or twig. look the boss in the eye while
crossroads spirits Ellegua. Legba. and Eshu. who had the same domain of influence
being interviewed. SHAME BRIER will make the boss hire you because you
and are lrnown as keepers of the crossroads. A metallic MERCURY gambling chann is
appear to be both humble ("shamed") and fonhright (looking him in the eye).
highly valued as well. and although the figure on the DIME was Liberty. flO( Mercury,
To Get a Lawsuit Against You Dropped: Cut pieces of BROOM STRAW. four ar>d was long ago changed to Fmnklin Delano Roosevelt. folks still want the old·style
inches long. out of a BROOM. one SnAW for each pany to the court action who DIME: As one hoodoo marl told me, "YOII lIeed 1I Mercury dime to do ),OU allY good
may harm you. including all witnesses. attorneys. and the judge. BROO~lS are at af!." In addition. a leap-year date on the coin is luckier than another dale. due to the
used to sweep away people. and this spell will remove them from your life. Find rarity or unusualness of a leap-day - one day out of 1461 - that recommends the
a growing SHAME BRIER. pass your hands over its leaves. and as they faint, leap-year coin to long-shot gamblers. (Leap-years are those divisible by 4 with no
call each party's name (md say. "[Name/. he slwmed." Dig a piece of the remainder. excepting those that end with a zero: 1916. 1924. [928. 1932. etc.)
SHAME BRIER root four inches long and bundle the STRAWS around it with
Some mojo makers combine a leap-year DIME with a two dollar bill. On the surface.
thread. making one tum around and tying one knot for each party. As you make
it is the comparative rarity of this bill that suggests winning against long-shot odds and
each wrap and tie each knot. call out again "[Nomel. be sluulled." Next. dig a
thus endears it to gamblers. but sub-textually, for many decades two dollars was a
piece of RAm.ESNAKE MASTER root that is longer than the other pieces. say five
prostitute's fee for her services. and hence a two dollar bill represented "whore's
inches long. As you dig it. call your own name and say, "/, [Nwllej, am the
wages" and was identified with the sporting life. (As Lucille Bogan sang in the 1935
Master.·' This root represents you and is longer and stronger than the others.
blues. "Sha\'e 'Em Dry," " MY /llck;,,'s made for the II'orkin' mL/JI'S nl'O dollars. ")
Wrap and tie the RATn..ESNAKE MASTER root to the bundle of driven-away and
shamed parties. making one wrap and tying one knot for each per.;on. calling In addition to drawing money. SILVER DIMES are the most common payment given
out each one by name again as you tie the knot. saying, "[Name). thlls do i for GRAVEYARD DIRT and. like other lucky TOKENS. they are used as protective
master YOII." Roll the bundle in red flannel and sew it up very tight. then place channs. All coins with heads on them. such as 1l"'01AN HEAD CEl\'TS. function as
it in a red flannel bag. Carry the bag in your pocket. and the lawsuit will either "lookouts:' and silver coins are especially effective against GooFER DUST tricks.
be dropped outright or, if it comes to court. it will be settled in your favour.
From 1900 - 1940. many manufacturers distributed lucky pocket pieces - copper.
Bota n ical notes: SHAME BRIER. although cO\'ered with prickles. is not a bronze. or brass TOKENS bearing im.ages of a RABBIT FooT, FOUR-l...EAJ' CLOVER.
true brier or ROSE. Rather. 1\ is a member of the BEMI AND PEA family. swastika. and so forth. emblazoned " Health · Wealth· Love . Luck" or "Good Luck
will Accompany the Bearer." These were sold via ads and dlstribuled as premiums:
SHAME FACE see SHAME BRIER the ones available through spiritual supply stores .....ere the mosl elaborate and beautiful.

IR? .,
 A lTaditional Gambling Ha nd: A powerful gambling mojo consists of a
MERCURY DIME. a small lOHN THE CONQUEROR ROOT or root chip. and
SKUll.CAP
SClIlellaria integrifolia. Scutellaria Imerijlora
""'la""
a LUCKY HAND ROOT. wrapped and folded in a two dollar bill on which you
have written your own name seven times. The folded packet is carried in a The fact thai thcre are two very different magical uses for SKULLCAP is an indicator
red bag dressed with Fast luck. Three lacks And A King. or Van Van Oil. thai il may havc entered conjure work from IWO dilTerent cultures. On the one hand,
or with essential oil of BAYBERRY, it may be made into a mojo hand with IWO smalll.JJoEs'ror,.'ES by women who wish to
!..rep their husbands faithful: on the other hand it is kept in a saucer with some coins
An Old·Time Mojo for Gambling Luck: Another traditional conjure and dressed with Attraction Qilto attract gifts of money. I/Iustrtllioll: IXlge 171.
hand for playing games of chance contains a SILVER DIME. a RABBIT
Foar. and nine short lengths of DEVIL'S SUOE STRtNGS which have been SKUNK CABBAGE Am=
tightly rolled up and tied inside a dollar bill on which you have written
(POLE CU WEED)
your NAME. The three ingredients are carried in a red flannel bag dressed
S)'lIIplocarpus fU'tidus
with Ihe URINE or MENSTRUAL BLOOD of the gambler's beloved.
SKUNK CABBAGE smells like fl)(ting meat. so it is used to cross up enemies or put
A Sih'er Dime Hand to Get a Job or to Gamble: Cut a small square of red the jinx on them. Mixed with CALAMUS root. LICORICE root, PoPPy seeds. and Essence
flannel. place a SlLVER DIME in the center. and cover it with a pinch of of Bend-Over Powder. it is spread at peoples' doors to dominate them in a hateful way.
GRAVEYARD DIRT. Fold the cloth toward you to draw your wish to you. fold it
again and again, fl)(ating the cloth each time so that you always fold toward
SLIPPERY ElM UIma=
you until you make a small, flat packet Sew the packet shut and sprinkle it
VII/illS full'{l
with HOYT's COLOGNE. Wear the packet in your right SHOE for nine days.
dressing it every day with HoYT'S COLOGNE, then switch and wear it for nine SLIPPERY ELM bark is said to make one impervious to the slander, libel. malicious
more days in your left 51-10£. still dressing it every day. On the nineteenth day. gossip. and lies spread by family members. jealous ro-workers. and false friends.
apply for a job and you will gel ii, or go to gamble and you will be lucky. To Stop Gossip and Slander: Place a small pinch of SUPPERY ELM in the
A Sih'er Dime to Counteract Unnatural Illness: If you ooil a SILVER comers of your room or work place. carry it in a pocket or conjure bag. or wear
DIME in water or MILK and drink the liquid, it will kill the effects of occull it in your SHOES; this protects the horne, rids the premises of evil. and grants
poisons like GRAVEYARD DIRT, GooFER OUST. FROG spawn. RATn..ESNAKE immunity from the harmful tales told on you by covetous neighoors. back·
powder, SPIDER eggs. or SNAKE shed dust thai may have been put in your food biters. and hidden enemies posing as friends. If you born SLIPPERY ELM to
to poison you with LIVE THINGS. Likewise, if you boy a new file and ashes and use the ashes to draw a cross on the bottoms of your SHOES. it is said
completely file a SlLVER DIME 10 powder. pour it into half a glass of warm that you can walk among gossips and not become the target of their loose talk.
MILK. and drink it down. you will protected from witchcraft for seven years.
Additional magical uses at: ADDER'S TONGUE, AGRIMONY, ALDER, CAT'S
A Sih'er Dime to Warn or El'i1 Work: I( is an old custom to wear a SILVER EYE SliELL
DIME at the ankle or in the SHOE as a warning device and apotropaic charm Medical USC5: SLIPPERY ELM barl is a soothing demulcent.
against enemy work: if the coin turns block, an enemy has laid OUI GooFER
DUST, HOl Foot Powder. or Crossing Powder, and you have stepped in it. but il SMAllAGE see CELERY
will prove harmless 10 you. Since fomlulas for these malicious powders often
contain SULPHUR. which tums silver black on contact. the DIME'S magical
power is based in practical chemical knowledge. Likewise. some folks keep a
SMART WEED Poiygonaca:
SlLVER DlME under their longue when taking food from a person whom they (WATER PEPPER)
SUSpe<..1 of evil ; the coin will tum black if the food has been poisoned.
Polygorlllm hyd'Vf);peroides, Polygonllm pUT/ctall/m

Additional magical uses at: ALDER. AlfALFA. ALUM. BlACK PEPPER. SMART WEED is a close relation to SNAKE WEED (BISTORT) and is more or less
interchangeable with it in magical practice, for both are carried to attract money. to
BLUEING. BucKEYE. DEvIL'S SHOE STRINGS. FIG, GRAVEYARD DIRT. HIGH JOH!"l
THE CONQUEROR ROOT. 1r.'OIA1'/ HEAD CENr. l.JVE THINGS IN You, LUCKY HAND clear the mind. and hence 10 help one manage one's IllOney. Illustration: page 171.
Roor, MERCURY. NUTMEG, PERsoNAL CoNCERNS, RATn.£SNAKE MASml. Steady.j\·loncy Mojo Hand: Combine SMART WEED. FENUGREEK seeds,
SASSAFRAS. SMART WEED, SNAIL, SQUILL. TollACCO IRISH Moss. SARSAPARILLA., and SASSAfRAS. plus one coin each of five different
denominations. one coin for each herb. Carry these in a gn.-en bag anointed
SILVERWEED "", FIVE-FINGER GRASS weekly with Special Brown Oil (also known as Special Oil Number 20).

, o.
SMEUAGE see LOVAGE Using a lh'e Snake to Poison an Enemy: Capture a SNAKE. dress illighlly
with GooFER DuST, and tum it loose to cross the enemy's pathway. When the
enemy's FOOT TRAcK crosses over the SNAKE'S zig-zag lnlCk. he or she will
SNAil. Helldclz be stricken with pains or swelling in the feet. as if bitten by a live SNAKE.
Helix (lspersa
Calming the Mind: Rub SNAKE SHEDS between your hands until they rum 10
Dried and powdered SNAILS are fed 10 enemies to cause l.JvE THINGS 10 grow in !he
powder and blow away; as they go. so will any ncr.'OU~ condition or mental stress.
body. and they are included in recipes for GooFER DuST. Because SNAIL5 exude
mucus. they are also I:lken to be symbolic of women 's sexual organs in love work. Additional magical uses at : BU\CK Cow'S MILK. BlACK ROOT. Burro.-.: SNAKE
Roar, FIG, GAlL OF TIlE EARll-I. GEI\'TlAN. GooFER OUST, liVE THL'lGS IN YOU.
To Capture a Man: If your man won' l commit hi mself to a long-tenn
PlANTAIN, RArn..ESNAKE. RATIU'.SNAKE M ASTER. RED PEI'I'ER. SM1PSON SNAKE
relationship, have sex with him. then douche with a pint of water and save
Roar. SILVER DI.\IE., SNAKE HF.AD, SNAKE WEED, SUJ..PHUR. VIRGINIA SAAKE ROOT
the water. which contains your co-mingled SEXUAL FLUIDS. PUI a live
SNA IL in this douche water. boil it until it is all dried out but not burned. Herbs and other curios with the word SNAKE in their names are used to ward off
then crush it to powder. and put it into capsules with ASARETlDA powder. venomous SNAKES or cure SNAKE-bite. They are so numerous that many people
The next time your man is ill. feed him these capsules. one per day. under become confused by their multiplicity. Here is a convenient list that may help you avoid
the ruse of their being a type of herbal medici ne. and he will never leave collecting or growing the wrong plant or ordering the wrong item from an herb dealer.
you. A simpler form of this spell. bUI riskier. is to rub a live SNA il on your
BLACK SNAKE ROOT is Omicifllga rtlcemosa: sec BLACK SNAKE ROOf
man's penis whi le he sleeps, then ki ll the SNA IL and keep it in a bag. Bl!ITON SNAKE ROOT is UlIIriS scariosa. Lit/Iris spicma, Limn's sqllUrroSO;
To Kill a Woman's lnterest in Other Men: Boil a SNAIL in water and then see BlfITON SNAKE ROOT
wet a brand-new HANDKERCHIEF in the SNAlL WATER. Let it dry out and CORl'l SNAKE ROOT is Ermgirul/ ~1'P.: sec RATfLESNAKE MASTER
SAMPSON SNAKE ROOT is II namc used for three dilfe1"l!nl groups of plants:
later. under the guise of wipi ng the woman after having intercourse with her.
A.flu tf'stil"us: oot uo;cxi in hoodoo. but see SAMPSON SNAKE ROOT
use this dressed HANDKERCHIEF to draw a cross on her vulva. Keep the £t:Jiill(Jcea spp.; M:C SAMPSON SNAKE ROOT
HANDKEROiIEf hidden among your own things lhereafter. 11le dead snail kills GemUIII(1 spp.; ~ GENTIAN
her nature for olher men. and they won't come near her. either. SE.'ffiCA SNAKE ROOT is Pof.\"ga/a sell~ga: see SENECA SNAKE ROOT
To Catch a Woman in Adultery: Dry and powder a SNA ll to make SNAKE BITE ROOT is Trim/IIII pentMwlI: see SOlITHERN JOHN ROOT
SNAKE HEAD is CheffH/' g/abm: see SNAKE HEAD
SNA il dust. Pour some water on a INDIAN HEAD CENT and some water on a
SNAKE ROOT GENTIAN is Pff'natl/es Wp.: see GALL OF THE EARTH
SILVER DIME. Add these two waters to the SNAIL DUST. Sprinkle this on SNAKE ROOf GINGER is Asortllll !iPp.: see GINGER
the woman's privates and the next man who has intercourse with her will gel SNAKE WEED I~ PoIVgOIlJlIII hislorttl: see SNAKE WEED
stuck just like a dog. (The SNA IL is the woman's genitals, the iNI)IAN HEAD VIRGINIA SNAKE ROOT is Arislo/ochia serpellf(lria: see VIRGINIA SNAKE ROOT
CENT is your "'lookout"' and the StLvER DIME warns of evil doi ngs.) WHITE SNAKE ROOT is EuplIIorium rtlgosum: see BONESET
Additional magical uses at: GoorER OUST. LtVE ThINGS IN You There is a separate entry for spell .. that specify that lhe species of SNAKE should be
a RAlTLESNAKE. and there is also a separate list of herbs and roots with the word
SNAKE Colubridao Elapid:e, Viperidz RATTLESNAKE in their names.
body pans of l'arious spp. of Nonh American SfI(lkes
The blood. eggs, heads. flesh, sheds. and skins of all species of SNAKES are used in SNAKE-BITE ROOT "'" SOUTHERN JOHN ROOT
jinxing and crossing, and in making CiooFER OUST. SNA KE dust and SNAKE eggs-
used alone or wilh SPIDER eggs, l IZARD heads. FROG eggs, and lhe like - figure in SNAKE HEAD Scrophulariaccx: (Veronicacea=)
spells whereby an enemy surreptiliously feeds biological "poison" 10 you. and the (BALMONY, TUR11.. HEAD)
animals in queslion hatch OUI in your blood strearn, causing liVE ThL'l(jS IN YOU. ChelO/Je gfabm
The specic.'i of SNAKE is not terribly important, bul one early 20th cenlury conjure. Despile its soothing alternate name of BALMONY. SNAKE HEAD is used for jinxing.
" Daddy Snakelegs" Alexander of Richmond. Virginia. was known to prefer Colubrid manipulative control, and putting liVE THL"KlS IN You. lfIJ4strtltiO/I: page /7 J.
family BLACKSNAKES for his work. He would kill the snake. hang it upside down. A Substitute for S n~kcs : In any spell calling for SNAKE skin. SNAKE sheds. or
and druin the blood. This was preserved in WHISKEY for use in dosing drinks to dried and powdered SNAKE heads. if you can't get the zoological goods. you
produce UVE ThL'IGS L~ You. Later. when the SNAKE'S bOOy was dry. he \\-wkl can substitute SNAKE HEAD herb. allhough it is nOI at; strong. of course.
powder the skin. bones. and flesh to make G<:lof'B OUST 10 jinx people for his clients.
 strong Jinx on an Enemy: Mix SNAKE HEAD with Crossing Incense. can An Unjinxing 8ath: Blend SOLOMON'S SEAL with MINT and BALM OF
your enemy's name, and light it. As it bums, write your enemy's full NAME GILEAD BUDS for a cleansing bath used when unexpecled evil or harm has
backwards nine times in black ink on a sheet of paper that is tom on all four befallen a person, to put a SlOp 10 the evil, and 10 encourage a fresh sian.
sides. sprinkle it with GooFF.R OUST, wrdP it around SNAKE HEAD and SNAJa!
Additional magical uses a t: MINT, PEONY
shed powder, place the bundle in a raggedly+tom black cloth, and tie it With
black thread. Bury the packet in a graveyard and your enemy will get sick.
SOUIHERN JOHN ROOT Uliac",",
SNAKEROOT (8F11:1 ROOT, BIRll.. ROOT, OIXIE)OHN, RATI1.ESNAKE ROOT,
For protection spells, see BLACK SNAKE ROOT SOUfHERN JOHN TIlE CONQUEROR, SNAKE-8ITE ROOT,
TRDLIUl\1, WAKE-ROBIN)
For protection and health spells, see BONESET (WHITE SNAKE ROOT)
Triflium erectum, TrilliulII pendulum. Trillium peruJlllatlllll
For protection from snakes and false friends. see BUlTON SNAKE ROOT
For money-finding, see GALL OF THE EARTH (SNAKE ROOT GENTIAN) SOUTHERN JOHN or DIXIE JOHN, also commonly called TRLLLlUM or
For protection and heating up love, see GINGER (SNAKE ROOT GINGER) BETH ROOT. is used for luck in love. sex. and family matters.
For proIOCtion!rom snakes, "" RATTLESNAKE MASrnR (CORN SNAKE ROO!) For Luck: Native Americans carried whole dried TRILLI UM root for luck.
For domination and virility spells. see SAMPSON SNAKE ROOT
which is probably how it entered the hoodoo "wteria I1lllgica.
For protection from snakes and faise friends, see SENECA SNAKE ROOT
For protection from snakes and for good luck, see VIRGINIA SNAKE ROOT For Protection: Like all the other plants named RATTLESNAKE ROOT.
this one too wards off venomous snakes and is said to cure snake bile.
SNAKE WEED Polygo_ To Attract a Good Lo'-er : Make a tea from DIXIE JOHN root and drink
( BISTORT, RED LEGS, PATIENCE DOCK) a little every night while you burn Love Me IncenSe. This is said to attract
Polygorlllm bisrortll a good partner for marriage and to keep you from making a bad choice in
SNAKE WEED. often sold under the name BISTORT, is carried for luck and money; love. You can also burn a few of the "hairs" from the root along with the
like other "SNAKE" plants. it also prOlects the bearer from SNAKES and false friends. incense. Some people sprinkle the root hairs on food for the same purpose,
Don'\ substitute HIGH JOHN niE CONQUEROR Roar. it is a powerful laxative.
j\'fojo and Incense: Add SNAKE WEED to any protective or money..<frawin3
hand. Bum it with FRANIClNCE>ISE and Fast Luck lncense for luck in a huny. A Marriage Mojo: Put a whole SOUTHERN JOHN ROOT in a red
flannel bag with a pinch of V[OLET leaves and a pinch of LoDESTONE grit
Additional magical uses at : SMART WEED dressed with MAGNET[C SAND. Dress the bag with HoYT' S COLOGNE and
Stay With Me Oil. If you and your mate have been fighting, substitute
SOCKS see PERSONAL CONCERNS Peaceful Horne Oil for the Stay With Me Oil. or mix the two,
For Good Sex: lie a SOlITHERN JOHN ROOT in a muslin bag and throw it
SOWMON'S SEAL IiJiacer
in the washing ITI3Chine with your bedding and NIGHT-Cl.OrnES when you
Corn'aJ/aria polygorllllum. Com'al/aria nlll/riflomm, Po/ygollalllm bifloro, erc, launder them. If you can launder your panner's N[GIIT..Q.ornES, treat them this
SOLOMON'S SEAL is named for King Solomon ofthc Bible. who kept demons in way as well; if you can'!. then do y~ alone, just so all the bedding isoone and
a jar by means of a miraculous seal. Due [0 these associations, it is a powerful protector you will be sleeping in your bed. Make up the bed with this fixed bedding to
used to ward off evil. increase wisdom, and break jinxes. Illustration .. page J71. increase your sexual slamina and encourage reciprocal energy rrom your partner.
A Mojo to Gain Respect and Famur: SOLOMON'S SEAL ROOT, JOHN !ME To Break Up a Love AlTair That is Troubling a Lnwful Marriage: Mix
CoNQUEROR chips. DEvILS SHQ€ SnuNc;s, FrYE-FINGER GRASS. and ~·s SOUTHERN JOHN ROOT with the HAIR. FL'lGER.'-'A[L CUPPINGS. or Ct.antFs
Bwoo carried in a red flannel bag will draw success and friendship to you. of both your spouse and yourself and burn them to ashes. Use the ashes to mark
the four comers and center of your bedroom as well as the rour comers and
Home Protection: Put SOLOMON'S SEAL ROOf chips along the window
center of your bed. With each mark. call upon God [ 0 keep the intruder away.
sills, FERN leaves can be added if there is a threat of break-ins or robbery,
Additional magica l uses at: Lmu JOHN m CtIEW
For Insight a nd Decision Making: Bum SOLOMON'S SEAL ROOT
and BAY LAUREL with King Solomon Wisdom Incense to clear the mind Medical llS4$: SOUTHERN JOHN ROOT is often known as BETH ROOf or
and make wise decisions in career, business, and family matters. BIRTH ROOT because: it is is used medicinally to stop hJ:morhaging in
chlldbinh. It is also used to Slop oosebleeds,

, nn , nn
 Botanical notes: SOUTHERN JOH N ROOT is not related to HIGH JOHN..,. SPANISH SAFFRON see SAFFRON
CONQUEROR ROOT or to Lrm.P. JOHN TO CHEW. It cnn be visually distinguished
from them because it is an ovoid root with long. stiff. curved "hairs" sprouuna
from its surface. whcn:as Hro!! JOliN resembles a small. dark brown, shrivcled spEARMINT "" MINT
sweet potato. and In'n...E JOliN" is a reddish tan colour and is joinled and forked
III segments. HO'Aev~. because or the similarity of names. some of the magical SPIDER see LIVE THINGS IN YOU
allributes of HIGH JOlIN TIlE C~ ha\"e also been given to SOUTHERN
JOHN. Another (.'(KIUtlOn name fOf SOlITHERN JOHN is RATI1..ESNAKE
ROOT. but that is a catch-ali ternl for nny root that is efficacious agaillSl snake- sPIKENARD
bite. and il is also applied to Cimidjilgtl (BlJ\CK SNAKE Roor). Goodyero (Net- (NARD) Valerianacere
Leaved Plantain). and Pn!llarhf'S (GALL OF TIlE EARnt), among 0Ihe1'$. Nardosrachys jmamallsi
Further botanical notes at: HIOtt JOlIN" THE CONQlIFJIOII ROOT (AMERICAN SPIKENARD) Araliaca:
Aralia racemosa
SOUfHERNWOOD Compos_ (pLOUGHMAN'S SPIKENARD) Composita:
(OlD MAN, lAD'S LOVE) Irm/a cOllyza
Artemi1ia abrO/mwln
SPIKENARD is a ramed herb menlioned in the Bible. II is said to improve the love
SOUTHERNWOOD is said to be a protective herb; when burned. it will keep life. enhance sexual fidelity. and encourage proposals of marriage.
trouble away from you and your home.
For a Happier 1\,larriage: Mi x S PIKENARD and SANDALWOOD into Stay
To Keep Peace and Quiet in the Home: M.ixed SOUTHERNWOOD wid! With Me Incense and bum it on charcoal to improve a marriage. or brew a
Peaceful Home Incense or Peaceful Home Herb Mix and dress with Blessing tea of SPIKENA RD and use it to wet or wipe down a rramed PHOTO of
Oil: bum daily on charcoal to bring tranquility to family relationships. your mate to ensure domeslic faithfulness. If you want to keep your work
8otllllil'1I1 note: Thc name SOUTHERNWOOD mcnns Southern WORMWOOO. secret. dried SPIKENARD can be placed on an unframed PHOTO or NAME-
PAPER that is buried face-up al the bottom of a flower pot in which you
Further bohlllicul notes at: MUOWORT. SAGE. WORMWOOD
grow a BASIL plant. ror BASIL also promotes a happy marriage.

SPANISH BAYONET see YUCCA For a Proposal or j\'larnage: Mix SPIKENARD. DEER's Tor-;oUE. and
loVAGE rool into Love Me Oil. Get some of this onto your hands and secretly
wipe it on your lover's HAIR to promote a proposal or marriage.
SPANISH BONE see RACCOON PENIS BONE
Additional magical uses at: QUEEN EUZASETH R OOT
SPANISH DAGGER see YUCCA BOianicll1 notes: In contemporJry usage. Ihree unrelated plants bear the
name SPIKENARD. Biblical NARD is a relath'e of VANDAL ROOT: it is in
SPANISH MOSS BromeUaccoe the Valerian family . AMERICAN SPIKENARD is related to GtNSE."O; it is
7illalldsia !ISlleoides in (he Aralia family. Thc PLOUGHMAN'S SPIKENARD of England is
related 10 EUCA."IPAI"E and BITTER WEED; it is in the Aster family. Although
SPANISH MOSS is a common sight in parts of the South. where it festoons ancient their botanical families and their medical uses vary. all three plams called
trees with ilS tnliling. greyish growths. As a magical herb. this eerie-looking plant SPIKENARD arc cmployed inlcrchangeably in lo\'c magic.
has contradictory uses: A few folks claim that it enhances money-drawing channs.
Further botanical notes at: ELEcA~IPANE
but most root workers will tell you that il is a powerful jinxing ingredient for use in
evil work:. for which purpose they add it to War Water. Everyone agrees that it is me
SPIRITS OF HARTSHORN see AMMONIA
beSI all-purpose filling ror a doll-baby intended to represent another person. no
mailer whether the doll is used ror good or evil ",•.'orks.
SPIT S<e PERSONAL CONCERNS
Doll-Baby Stuffing: Old-time conjures stuff a eloth doll-baby wim
SPANISH MOSS and a blend of three or seven love herbs or destruction
herbs (depending on the purpose orthe doll). then sew the HAIR of the victim
SPREADING DOGBANE S<e DOGBANE
within the dollie's head - and lhey claim that this is the most potent effigy
one can make. SQUAW HUCKLEBERRY see HUCKLEBERRY

,~
 To Ward Off Envy and Bring Luck: Many people like to carry a STAR
SQUAWVINE Rub~
ANISE pod in a conjure bag to ward off the Evil Eye or Mal Occhio. It is
(PARTRIDGEBERRY, CHECKERBERRY)
also said to bring good luck in love, money, and heahh matters, especially
Mitchellia repens
through powerful visions or lucky hunches.
As its name implies. SQUAW V INE was employed among Native Americans for
Botanical notes: STAR ANISE is II member of the Magnolia family and.
medical conditions relating \0 the health of women's reproductive systems.
all/lough its spiritUal uses are similar. it is not to be confused with ANISE. which
particularly during pregnancy and at childbirth. Its magical use follows upon this. ' is in the Umbel family and is thus more closely related 10 PARSLEY and <:aERy.
To Protect an Unborn Child: Pregnant women who bathe in SQUAW Further ootanirnl notes at: ANtSE
VINE tea once a week say that it keeps jealousy from harming the unborn
baby and will prevent the child being "marked" by the evil thoughts of
STAR GRASS .,e UNICORN ROOT
envious people.
Medical use: Drinking a tea of SQUAW VINE and RASPBERRY leaves is said
STAR ROOT"", UNICORN ROOT
10 ease laoour pains.

SQUILL STEEL DUST see MAGNETIC SAND

IlIia=r
Scilla maritima. Urginell scilla
STICKLEWORT see AGRlMONY
Powdered SQUlLL root attracts money and good fortune to business ventures.
A Money Jar to Draw Wealth: Place a handful of SQUilL root powder STINGING NEITLE see NETfLE
in a jar and add to it one CENT, one Nickel. one DIME, onc Quarter. one
Fifty Cent piece, and one Dollar coin (that is, one each of each STOCKINGS see PERSONAL CONCERNS
denomination of coin). Dress with a few drops of Money-Drawing Oil,
close the jar, then shake it up as you speak aloud your desire for money or
recite the 23rd Psalm. Shake this money jar up at least once a week. STORAX see SWEET GUM
To Draw Customers to a Business: Sprinkle SQUILL root powder
STRING see PERSONAL CONCERNS
around the business propeny {O increase traffic at your store. Mix it with
other herbs that you bum in the shop or add it to noor washes for business
prosperity. When mixed with MAGNETIC SAND and used to dress a STYRAX see BENZOLN
LODESTONE kept in your cash register, SQUILL is said to help you avoid
making errors in business and to attract money. SUGAR see SWEETENERS

STAR ANISE MagnoUaceae SULPHUR

(ANISE FSTREUA, BADIANA, CHINESE ANISE) (BRIMSTONE)
llIiciulII verum (/ 1r001-metallic elemellt
STAR ANISE is an A"ian tree in the Magnolia family whose sacred character is SULPHUR is a naturally occurring mineral that, in powder or dust form, is used
obvious from the fact that it is planted around tombs and temples in Japan. Its baric to do evil work. It is often included in GOOFER DUST AND CROSSING POWDER
is a fragrant incense, but in America we generally only see the seeds forsaJe, in their recipes. Although primarily used to jinx an enemy, on the principle of ··like
chamcteristic stellate capsules. These are held to be of great mystical power. fights like," it is sometimes found in spells to kill ajinx. It can be burned, but the
fumes are toxic, so to be safe, only bum it out-of-doors.
Dream Lucky and Dream True: People experienced at games of chance
claim that if they dream lucky. they will have good luck the next day. people To Kill Your Enemy: Draw a coffin on a BLACK HEN'S EGG and write your
in love claim that a psychic dream can lead to a lifetime of happiness. Others enemy's NAME inside the coffin. Wrap the EGG in a woollen cloth, and bury
diagnose healing through dreams. Therefore, folks place a dish of STAR it in a hole at your enemy's doorstep. Leave it there for eight days and then
ANISE seeds on their altar and bum STAR ANISE mixed with Psychic uncover it. Pour a teaspoonful uf SULPHUR II teaspoonful of SALT, and a
Vision Incense before sleeping. to dream winning numbers. see their future teaspoonful of BLACK PEPPER into the hole with the EGG and cover it over
mate, or otherwise foretell the future. CELERy seed can be added as well. again. On the ninth day, the EGG will burst and your enemy will die.
 To Cross and to Uncross: Lay a cross-mark of SULPHUR over a pel'SOn's SWEET BAY see BAY
Foor TRAcK to cause harm, or, if you see marks where tricks were laid,
sprinkle lines of SULPHUR mixed with SALTacross them to clear out the area. sWEET FIAG see CALAMUS
To Move Someone Away: Pick up your enemy's left FOOT TRACK, mix it
with SULPHUR and GUNPOWDER, and put it on a piece of brown paper. H;unamelidacca:
sWEET GUM
Light all four comers of the paper with a match and step back. II wi ll blow (UQUIDAMBER, STORAX)
up and your enemy wi ll be forced to leave town. Uqllidamber oriell/alis, Liqllidamber !U)'raci/lIw
To Make an Enemy Your Friend: Borrow or secretly gel something sharp SWEET GUM is a softwood tree oftcn designated by name when one is told to nail
and pointed from your enemy - a NEEDLE, PiN, knife, or scissors - and take or bore a hole into n t.rCC as part of a jinxing or unjinxing spell. Its bark is fragrant and
it home. Pass the point through a flame, wipe it clean, and dip it in can be burned as incense; the liquid gum that flows from it is used in perfumery.
SULPHUR. Pass it through the flame again. to set the SULPHUR on fIR. Cause an Enemy Pain: CUI a piece from the toe and a piece from the heel of
Wipe it clean again and then wash the entire object completely with HOYT'S your enemy's SocK or SlOCKING. Sprinkle them with REo PEPPER. and stab them
COLOGNE and return it to where you found it. Your enemy will befriend you.
together with ninc PINS. Go into the woods. bore a hole in a SWEET GUM tree,
To Keep Other Men From Visiting Your Wife While You are Aw.y: and put the pieces in. Cm a plug from a branch of the same tree and plug the
Sprinkle a mixture of SlJLPHUR and SALT behind you as you leave and hole. As the tn.'e gnw:s over the plugged hole, yoorenemy's fect will swell up.
men won't visit your wife when you are not home.
Get Someone Out of Your Life: Pick up the bothersome person'!. going-away
Additionru magical uses at: ALoEs WOOf), MtM01'o1A, ANGEUCA, BLACK CAT Foor TRACK, heel to toe. put it in bottle. and hang it by a cord from a SWEET
HAiR. BLACK Doc; HAIR. BLACKHEN'S EGo, B~ PEPPER. DIRT DAUBER NEST, GUM tree. As the cord twists and untwists. the person will become mentally
FIG, GINGER. GooFER OUST. GRAVEYARD DIIIT. KNoT WEED, MUSTARD SEEDS uncertain: when the cord rots and breaks. he will leave you alone.
(BtX:K), PERsoNAL CONCERNS. REO PEPPER. SALT. SU.VER DL\1E, WUJ..OW
Additional magical uses at: PERsoNAL CO'CERNS. VL-.:EGAR
Chemical noles: SULPHUR is an ingredient in GUNPOWDER
Botank,lI notes: STORAX (SWEET GUM) IS not related to STVRAX (BENZOIN).

SUMAC AnacardJaccz
SWEET WOODRUFF see MASTER OF THE WOODS
(SlJMAOI, SHOEMAKE)
Rlllls copalina, Rhus glahntlll, Rlllls t)'phintl. Rhus hintl
SWEETENERS
SUMAC brings hannony and resolves difficulties. lIlustralion: page 197. (CANE SYRUP, CORN SYRUP, HONEY, MOLASSES, SUGAR)
A Last-Ditch Law Trick: If you have been found guilty in a court case. it is liquid wul cn'.\'llIl1i~ed products O/Zell, SOrghlllll. Chenopodillm, mul Apis spp.
said that you can slill help yourself if you gather nine berries from a living SWEETENERS figure in three major classes of work - drawing love, developing
SUMAC plant and carry them in your pocket when you go before the judge goodwill toward one's perron. and altracting customers and money 10 a business. In
for sentencing. for you will receive a lighter sentence or a smaller fine . most of these spells. any sweetener can be substituted for another. the only limitation
Homt'-Made Triplt.'-Strcngth Peace Water: Before you use commercial being physical, in thai sugar is a solid (unless dissolved) and the Olhers are liquids.
Peace Water to bring hanllony 10 your mamage and pUI a stop to arguments CJI ,"'or the Return of a Lo\er: Write your absent lover's NA\lE ON PAPER nine
fights. place SUMAC leaves or berries in the bottle and let the bottle stand open times and cross it with your NA.\lE written nine times. Place the NAME-PAPER
under your bed as you make 1000e with your spouse. Afterward, put n linle of in a while saucer and fill the saucer ..... ith white SUGAR, Buy nine small white
your mixed SEXUAl. FLUIDS in the bottle and shake it up. TIlls "fixed" Peace candles and bum one, sel upright in the SUGAR. each day for nine days. If
Watcr should be sprayed around the house the same day you fix it, and it wiD your lover has not returned after nine days. bum everything in a fire and start
be much, much suonger in power than un-prepared Peace Water. of course:· again with new materials, repealing the process nine more days. If your lo\'er
Botanical noles: Do not use Poison Sumac, Rhus \'t'mir, in these spells! still does not come back. again bum everything. and make a third altempt. If
this spell does not work after Ihree tries. your lover will not return,
SWAMP AIDER see ALDER .'or Business: To attracl customers. mix SUGAR with a moncy-drawing herb
like CINNAMON. This can be u~ as a sprinkle or dissolved in water to make a
SWEET BASil. see BAS IL noor scrub, to which one's URtNE may be added 10 personali/c the attraction.

, M
 Honey Jar for Sweetening Someone: A small glass HONEY jar in which a
pef5Orl'S NAME'PAPER is placed (along with a wish and the person's HAIR, if it
can be had) is used as a base upon which to rum candles for a variety of
PUrJX>SCS, from 3ttmcting a new lover or reconciling with an old one to
influencing a judge to favour one's court case or a boss to grunt one's request
for a raise. Some worken fill the jar with MOLASSES. CORN SYRUP, or
CANE SYRUP instead of HONEY, depending on what they have at hand or
upon the skin-colour of the person they are trying to influence. The candles
burned atop the jar lid are usually co[our·keyed to the worker's intentions: white
for blessings. stopping malicious gossip, or finding a new love: pink for
reconciliation: red for sexual love: brown for court cases; blue for peace in the
home: and green when asking for a mise or seeing a bank officer about a [oan,
To Dress a Lo,'c Letter: Mix SUGAR. GRAVEYARD DIRT' and l.ovE ME or
any other commercial love-dmwing powder and sprinkle a lillie into an
envelope you use to mail II. letter to the one you love. When the person
touches this material. he or she will feel affectionate toward you. 81ue Vtal.t.
VIOl. pop4,OtIoc...
To Commit Ad ultery: If you want to cheat on your marriage, but you
don't want any objections from your spouse. make a mojo hand with Sweet Whllt Violet.
Viola. blanda.
broken PINS and NEEDLES (to symbolize your broken vows). one of your i)Wb.rf Sumac IU'/J~ copalhna..
spouse's PuBIC H AIRS. a pinch of TOBACCO SNUFF (10 dominate your mate), 47. S U:'IAC. pagt /94. 48. VIOLET. page 204.
and a pinch of SUGAR (to keep the relationship sweet), Sew this up, wear
it next to your skin, and your spouse wi ll not raise a fuss, even if you get
caught ru nning around.
Additional magical uses at: ALUM. AMMONIA. ANTS, APPLE, BAU,l OF
GIlLAD BUDS, B ERGAMOT ORANGE. B LUEING, CINNAMON. GERANIUM. Lrm..E
J OHN TO CHEW, ORANGE. PERSONAL CONCERNS. RED B RICK PowDER, REo
ONION. ROSEMARY. SALll'ElU, SASSr\F1lAS, TOBACCO

SYRIAN BINDWEED sec SCAMMONY

'D\BLE SALT "", SALT

TACKS sec COFF[N NA[LS

TAG AIDER see ALDER

TAILED PEPPER see CUBEBS

TAllOW SHRUB see BAYBERRY

TANSY Cornposi[%
Ped'~ulaM$ ~nuis.
TlItleCeflll1l I'lligan! Vll'1Iln~.5l\lke RQCll ANtaloctl.~
""" "'''''>'
A pinch of TANSY in the SHOES keeps the law away, as does bathing in TANSY lea. 50. WOOD RF.TOSY. pagt 207.
49. V IRGL" '" SNAKE R OOT. page 204.

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