SCAMMONY Convolvulacea:
(EURO PFAN J O HN 11fE CONQUEROR, SYRIAN BINDWEED)
Com'oll'llllIs scammonia
HIGH JOHN TIlE CONQUEROR. a member of the Morning Glory family. is a very
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
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
properties. so the substitution is not ill-i ntcmioned. However. SCAMMON Y root
is far larger than HIGH JOHN THE CONQUEROR ROOT - up to 3 feet in length ! _
so it cannot be carried in a mojo or as a pocket piece. Still, if HIGH JOHN ROOT
chips. powder. and pieces arc not avai lable, one can make a good John the
Conqueror Oil from SCAMMONY rOOI chips or powder. and when placed on an
allar. a whole SCAMMONY root makes a pretty impressive display.
Medical uses: SCM1MONY is a powerful laxative and purgative.
Bota nical notes: The typical SCAMMONY roo! is the size of a Sweet Potato.
Further bota nical noles at: F/Vf.-FL-.:GER GRASS. HIGH Joos mE CoNQuERoR
SCORPION see LIVE T HINGS IN YOU
SEA HOllY, SEA HOlM see RAITLESNAKE MASTER
SEA lETI1JCE see AGAR·AGAR
SEAl ROOT see SOLOMON'S SEAL ROOT
SEA SALT see SALT
SEA SPIRIT sec AGA R·AGAR
SELFHEAI ~1a1Z
( All HEAL, WOUNDWOR1)
Pnmefia I'lIlgaris
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
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
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
sickness from affecting visitors or family members.
Additional magical uses at : GOLDEN SEAL
.on
Medical WitS: SELF HEAL throat gargte ~uces s~"OI1en glands during a cold.
Botanical notes: Although SELF HEAL is sornc:r.irnc:s called ~ HEAL. do
not confuse it with VANDAl Roor or VAl..ERIAN. also caUed ALL HEAL.
Further botanical notes at: VANDAL ROOT
SEMEN see PERSONAL CONCERNS
SENECA SNAKE ROOT Polygaia=
(MILKWORT, RATl1..ESNAKE R()()1')
Polygala senega
SENECA SNAKE ROOT protects from SNAKE bite and the work of false friends. It is
used in the same way as BlJITON SNAKE ROOT. RAl11..ESNAKE MASTER.. and the like.
Under the name MILKWORf. il is said to aid lactation in cows. goats. and women: the
taxonomic name Polygala Int:anS "much milk" in Greek. Illustration: page 122.
Protective Shoe-Powder: Mix dried and powdered SENECA SNAKE ROOT
with any regular brand of fOO( powder. Dust your feel and inside your SHOES
with this. and no tricks laid in the dirt can hann you. for you will walk shielded.
SENNA Leguntinosre (Fabace:e)
(CASSIA, CASSIA SENNA)
Cassia acutifolia. Cassia (mgllsti/olia. Cassia marilandica. SemUl aie.mlldrillo
SENNA has a reputation as a love herb, but it is rarely used alone.
To Attract Someone Who Is Unawa re of Your Interest: Write the person's
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.
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
rinse water when you wash your lo . . er·s UNDERWEAR.
l\ledical uses: Senna is a strong purgative and Ia.>:ative.
Botanical notes: CASSIA SENNA is not the same as CASSIA BARK (ClNNA.\1ON
BARK). CASSIE A..OY'[R (ACACIA). or QuASSIA (Brm:R Roar). lis dose relative.
Crusiajismla. is also called ·'Cassia." bJt it is not called "Senna."
Fu rther botanical notes at: AcAcV.. ONSA.'10S. QuASSlA
SENSITIVE BRIER "'" SHAME BRIER
SEPIFOIL "'" F1VE·F1NGER GRASS
SERPENT'S TONGUE see ADDER'S TONGUE
SEXUAL FLUIDS see PERSONAL CONCERNS
,.,
SHAME BRIER Legumin""'" (Mlmosacere)
(SENSJllVE BRIER. SHAME FACE, SHAME JIM, SI:IAMJNG]UDY)
Mimosa qlltldril'Ofl'is, Schrr:mkiaj1oridallo, Schmnkia microl,hylfa,
Sclu"(mkia flJIIami. Schmllkia Imcillllfll
SHAME BRIER is one of several SCKalled "sensitive plants" in the Mimosa tribe of
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
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
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
three in your left SIIOE and three in your right SHOE. Your enemy will no longer
hann you, and you will walk shielded over anything put down for you.
To Get a Job: Pass your hand over a growing SHAME BRIER and say. "Be
sillmled," until the leaves faint. then dig three pieces of moL Soak the roots in
Hoyr's C0l.0G1>o'E and wear this as a perfume when you apply for work, or sew
them in a piece of red flannel. feed this hand with Hoyr's COI..DGNE. and carry
it on you when asking for a job. Alternatively, you may chew the roots or use a
SHAME BRIER twig as a toothpick while you look for work. However you
decide to use the SHAME BRIER roots or twig. look the boss in the eye while
being interviewed. SHAME BRIER will make the boss hire you because you
appear to be both humble ("shamed") and fonhright (looking him in the eye).
To Get a Lawsuit Against You Dropped: Cut pieces of BROOM STRAW. four
inches long. out of a BROOM. one SnAW for each pany to the court action who
may harm you. including all witnesses. attorneys. and the judge. BROO~lS are
used to sweep away people. and this spell will remove them from your life. Find
a growing SHAME BRIER. pass your hands over its leaves. and as they faint,
call each party's name (md say. "[Name/. he slwmed." Dig a piece of the
SHAME BRIER root four inches long and bundle the STRAWS around it with
thread. making one tum around and tying one knot for each party. As you make
each wrap and tie each knot. call out again "[Nomel. be sluulled." Next. dig a
piece of RAm.ESNAKE MASTER root that is longer than the other pieces. say five
inches long. As you dig it. call your own name and say, "/, [Nwllej, am the
Master.·' This root represents you and is longer and stronger than the others.
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
out each one by name again as you tie the knot. saying, "[Name). thlls do i
master YOII." Roll the bundle in red flannel and sew it up very tight. then place
it in a red flannel bag. Carry the bag in your pocket. and the lawsuit will either
be dropped outright or, if it comes to court. it will be settled in your favour.
Bota n ical notes: SHAME BRIER. although cO\'ered with prickles. is not a
true brier or ROSE. Rather. 1\ is a member of the BEMI AND PEA family.
SHAME FACE see SHAME BRIER
IR?
SHAME JIM <ee SHAME BRIER
SHAMING JUDY <ee SHAME BRIER
SHAMROCK see CLOVER. RED and CLOVER. WHITE
SHOEMAKE see SUMAC
SHOES see PERSONAL CONCERNS
SILVER DIME
(MERCURY DIME, UBERTY-H.EAD DIME, TOKEN,
WINGED UBER1Y DIME)
U.s. ten·cent coin: nOll·montf(lry tokells
Any coin or non-monetary metal mKEN can be camed for luck. but in hoodoo there
is a preference for the "MERCURY" DIME. officialJy known as the "WINGED
LIBERTY' DIM£. which was minted between 1916 and 1946. This makes sense.
because Mercury was the Roman god who ruled crossroads. games of chance. and
sleight of hand tricks - and as such was equivalent to the African ganlbling and
crossroads spirits Ellegua. Legba. and Eshu. who had the same domain of influence
and are lrnown as keepers of the crossroads. A metallic MERCURY gambling chann is
highly valued as well. and although the figure on the DIME was Liberty. flO( Mercury,
ar>d was long ago changed to Fmnklin Delano Roosevelt. folks still want the old·style
DIME: As one hoodoo marl told me, "YOII lIeed 1I Mercury dime to do ),OU allY good
at af!." In addition. a leap-year date on the coin is luckier than another dale. due to the
rarity or unusualness of a leap-day - one day out of 1461 - that recommends the
leap-year coin to long-shot gamblers. (Leap-years are those divisible by 4 with no
remainder. excepting those that end with a zero: 1916. 1924. [928. 1932. etc.)
Some mojo makers combine a leap-year DIME with a two dollar bill. On the surface.
it is the comparative rarity of this bill that suggests winning against long-shot odds and
thus endears it to gamblers. but sub-textually, for many decades two dollars was a
prostitute's fee for her services. and hence a two dollar bill represented "whore's
wages" and was identified with the sporting life. (As Lucille Bogan sang in the 1935
blues. "Sha\'e 'Em Dry," " MY /llck;,,'s made for the II'orkin' mL/JI'S nl'O dollars. ")
In addition to drawing money. SILVER DIMES are the most common payment given
for GRAVEYARD DIRT and. like other lucky TOKENS. they are used as protective
channs. All coins with heads on them. such as 1l"'01AN HEAD CEl\'TS. function as
"lookouts:' and silver coins are especially effective against GooFER DUST tricks.
From 1900 - 1940. many manufacturers distributed lucky pocket pieces - copper.
bronze. or brass TOKENS bearing im.ages of a RABBIT FooT, FOUR-l...EAJ' CLOVER.
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:
the ones available through spiritual supply stores .....ere the mosl elaborate and beautiful.
.,
 A lTaditional Gambling Ha nd: A powerful gambling mojo consists of a
MERCURY DIME. a small lOHN THE CONQUEROR ROOT or root chip. and
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
red bag dressed with Fast luck. Three lacks And A King. or Van Van Oil.
or with essential oil of BAYBERRY,
An Old·Time Mojo for Gambling Luck: Another traditional conjure
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
tightly rolled up and tied inside a dollar bill on which you have written
your NAME. The three ingredients are carried in a red flannel bag dressed
with Ihe URINE or MENSTRUAL BLOOD of the gambler's beloved.
A Sih'er Dime Hand to Get a Job or to Gamble: Cut a small square of red
flannel. place a SlLVER DIME in the center. and cover it with a pinch of
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
you until you make a small, flat packet Sew the packet shut and sprinkle it
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
more days in your left 51-10£. still dressing it every day. On the nineteenth day.
apply for a job and you will gel ii, or go to gamble and you will be lucky.
A Sih'er Dime to Counteract Unnatural Illness: If you ooil a SILVER
DIME in water or MILK and drink the liquid, it will kill the effects of occull
poisons like GRAVEYARD DIRT, GooFER OUST. FROG spawn. RATn..ESNAKE
powder, SPIDER eggs. or SNAKE shed dust thai may have been put in your food
to poison you with LIVE THINGS. Likewise, if you boy a new file and
completely file a SlLVER DIME 10 powder. pour it into half a glass of warm
MILK. and drink it down. you will protected from witchcraft for seven years.
A Sih'er Dime to Warn or El'i1 Work: I( is an old custom to wear a SILVER
DIME at the ankle or in the SHOE as a warning device and apotropaic charm
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
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
SlLVER DlME under their longue when taking food from a person whom they
SUSpe<..1 of evil ; the coin will tum black if the food has been poisoned.
Additional magical uses at: ALDER. AlfALFA. ALUM. BlACK PEPPER.
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
Roor, MERCURY. NUTMEG, PERsoNAL CoNCERNS, RATn.£SNAKE MASml.
SASSAFRAS. SMART WEED, SNAIL, SQUILL. TollACCO
SILVERWEED "", FIVE-FINGER GRASS
, o.
SKUll.CAP
SClIlellaria integrifolia. Scutellaria Imerijlora
""'la""
The fact thai thcre are two very different magical uses for SKULLCAP is an indicator
thai il may havc entered conjure work from IWO dilTerent cultures. On the one hand,
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
and dressed with Attraction Qilto attract gifts of money. I/Iustrtllioll: IXlge 171.
SKUNK CABBAGE Am=
(POLE CU WEED)
S)'lIIplocarpus fU'tidus
SKUNK CABBAGE smells like fl)(ting meat. so it is used to cross up enemies or put
the jinx on them. Mixed with CALAMUS root. LICORICE root, PoPPy seeds. and Essence
of Bend-Over Powder. it is spread at peoples' doors to dominate them in a hateful way.
SLIPPERY ElM UIma=
VII/illS full'{l
SLIPPERY ELM bark is said to make one impervious to the slander, libel. malicious
gossip. and lies spread by family members. jealous ro-workers. and false friends.
To Stop Gossip and Slander: Place a small pinch of SUPPERY ELM in the
comers of your room or work place. carry it in a pocket or conjure bag. or wear
it in your SHOES; this protects the horne, rids the premises of evil. and grants
immunity from the harmful tales told on you by covetous neighoors. back·
biters. and hidden enemies posing as friends. If you born SLIPPERY ELM to
ashes and use the ashes to draw a cross on the bottoms of your SHOES. it is said
that you can walk among gossips and not become the target of their loose talk.
Additional magical uses at: ADDER'S TONGUE, AGRIMONY, ALDER, CAT'S
EYE SliELL
Medical USC5: SLIPPERY ELM barl is a soothing demulcent.
SMAllAGE see CELERY
SMART WEED Poiygonaca:
(WATER PEPPER)
Polygorlllm hyd'Vf);peroides, Polygonllm pUT/ctall/m
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
clear the mind. and hence 10 help one manage one's IllOney. Illustration: page 171.
Steady.j\·loncy Mojo Hand: Combine SMART WEED. FENUGREEK seeds,
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
weekly with Special Brown Oil (also known as Special Oil Number 20).
SMEUAGE see LOVAGE
SNAil. Helldclz
Helix (lspersa
Dried and powdered SNAILS are fed 10 enemies to cause l.JvE THINGS 10 grow in !he
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.
To Capture a Man: If your man won' l commit hi mself to a long-tenn
relationship, have sex with him. then douche with a pint of water and save
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.
then crush it to powder. and put it into capsules with ASARETlDA powder.
The next time your man is ill. feed him these capsules. one per day. under
the ruse of their being a type of herbal medici ne. and he will never leave
you. A simpler form of this spell. bUI riskier. is to rub a live SNA il on your
man's penis whi le he sleeps, then ki ll the SNA IL and keep it in a bag.
To Kill a Woman's lnterest in Other Men: Boil a SNAIL in water and then
wet a brand-new HANDKERCHIEF in the SNAlL WATER. Let it dry out and
later. under the guise of wipi ng the woman after having intercourse with her.
use this dressed HANDKERCHIEF to draw a cross on her vulva. Keep the
HANDKEROiIEf hidden among your own things lhereafter. 11le dead snail kills
her nature for olher men. and they won't come near her. either.
To Catch a Woman in Adultery: Dry and powder a SNA ll to make
SNA il dust. Pour some water on a INDIAN HEAD CENT and some water on a
SILVER DIME. Add these two waters to the SNAIL DUST. Sprinkle this on
the woman's privates and the next man who has intercourse with her will gel
stuck just like a dog. (The SNA IL is the woman's genitals, the iNI)IAN HEAD
CENT is your "'lookout"' and the StLvER DIME warns of evil doi ngs.)
Additional magical uses at: GoorER OUST. LtVE ThINGS IN You
SNAKE Colubridao Elapid:e, Viperidz
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
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
spells whereby an enemy surreptiliously feeds biological "poison" 10 you. and the
animals in queslion hatch OUI in your blood strearn, causing liVE ThL'l(jS IN YOU.
The specic.'i of SNAKE is not terribly important, bul one early 20th cenlury conjure.
" Daddy Snakelegs" Alexander of Richmond. Virginia. was known to prefer Colubrid
family BLACKSNAKES for his work. He would kill the snake. hang it upside down.
and druin the blood. This was preserved in WHISKEY for use in dosing drinks to
produce UVE ThL'IGS L~ You. Later. when the SNAKE'S bOOy was dry. he \\-wkl
powder the skin. bones. and flesh to make G<:lof'B OUST 10 jinx people for his clients.
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
be stricken with pains or swelling in the feet. as if bitten by a live SNAKE.
Calming the Mind: Rub SNAKE SHEDS between your hands until they rum 10
powder and blow away; as they go. so will any ncr.'OU~ condition or mental stress.
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.
PlANTAIN, RArn..ESNAKE. RATIU'.SNAKE M ASTER. RED PEI'I'ER. SM1PSON SNAKE
Roar. SILVER DI.\IE., SNAKE HF.AD, SNAKE WEED, SUJ..PHUR. VIRGINIA SAAKE ROOT
Herbs and other curios with the word SNAKE in their names are used to ward off
venomous SNAKES or cure SNAKE-bite. They are so numerous that many people
become confused by their multiplicity. Here is a convenient list that may help you avoid
collecting or growing the wrong plant or ordering the wrong item from an herb dealer.
BLACK SNAKE ROOT is Omicifllga rtlcemosa: sec BLACK SNAKE ROOf
Bl!ITON SNAKE ROOT is UlIIriS scariosa. Lit/Iris spicma, Limn's sqllUrroSO;
see BlfITON SNAKE ROOT
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:
A.flu tf'stil"us: oot uo;cxi in hoodoo. but see SAMPSON SNAKE ROOT
£t:Jiill(Jcea spp.; M:C SAMPSON SNAKE ROOT
GemUIII(1 spp.; ~ GENTIAN
SE.'ffiCA SNAKE ROOT is Pof.\"ga/a sell~ga: see SENECA SNAKE ROOT
SNAKE BITE ROOT is Trim/IIII pentMwlI: see SOlITHERN JOHN ROOT
SNAKE HEAD is CheffH/' g/abm: see SNAKE HEAD
SNAKE ROOT GENTIAN is Pff'natl/es Wp.: see GALL OF THE EARTH
SNAKE ROOf GINGER is Asortllll !iPp.: see GINGER
SNAKE WEED I~ PoIVgOIlJlIII hislorttl: see SNAKE WEED
VIRGINIA SNAKE ROOT is Arislo/ochia serpellf(lria: see VIRGINIA SNAKE ROOT
WHITE SNAKE ROOT is EuplIIorium rtlgosum: see BONESET
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
RATTLESNAKE in their names.
SNAKE-BITE ROOT "'" SOUTHERN JOHN ROOT
SNAKE HEAD Scrophulariaccx: (Veronicacea=)
(BALMONY, TUR11.. HEAD)
ChelO/Je gfabm
Despile its soothing alternate name of BALMONY. SNAKE HEAD is used for jinxing.
manipulative control, and putting liVE THL"KlS IN You. lfIJ4strtltiO/I: page /7 J.
A Substitute for S n~kcs : In any spell calling for SNAKE skin. SNAKE sheds. or
dried and powdered SNAKE heads. if you can't get the zoological goods. you
can substitute SNAKE HEAD herb. allhough it is nOI at; strong. of course.
 strong Jinx on an Enemy: Mix SNAKE HEAD with Crossing Incense. can
your enemy's name, and light it. As it bums, write your enemy's full NAME
backwards nine times in black ink on a sheet of paper that is tom on all four
sides. sprinkle it with GooFF.R OUST, wrdP it around SNAKE HEAD and SNAJa!
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.
SNAKEROOT
For protection spells, see BLACK SNAKE ROOT
For protection and health spells, see BONESET (WHITE SNAKE ROOT)
For protection from snakes and false friends. see BUlTON SNAKE ROOT
For money-finding, see GALL OF THE EARTH (SNAKE ROOT GENTIAN)
For protection and heating up love, see GINGER (SNAKE ROOT GINGER)
For proIOCtion!rom snakes, "" RATTLESNAKE MASrnR (CORN SNAKE ROO!)
For domination and virility spells. see SAMPSON SNAKE ROOT
For protection from snakes and faise friends, see SENECA SNAKE ROOT
For protection from snakes and for good luck, see VIRGINIA SNAKE ROOT
SNAKE WEED Polygo_
( BISTORT, RED LEGS, PATIENCE DOCK)
Polygorlllm bisrortll
SNAKE WEED. often sold under the name BISTORT, is carried for luck and money;
like other "SNAKE" plants. it also prOlects the bearer from SNAKES and false friends.
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.
Additional magical uses at : SMART WEED
SOCKS see PERSONAL CONCERNS
SOWMON'S SEAL IiJiacer
Corn'aJ/aria polygorllllum. Com'al/aria nlll/riflomm, Po/ygollalllm bifloro, erc,
SOLOMON'S SEAL is named for King Solomon ofthc Bible. who kept demons in
a jar by means of a miraculous seal. Due [0 these associations, it is a powerful protector
used to ward off evil. increase wisdom, and break jinxes. Illustration .. page J71.
A Mojo to Gain Respect and Famur: SOLOMON'S SEAL ROOT, JOHN !ME
CoNQUEROR chips. DEvILS SHQ€ SnuNc;s, FrYE-FINGER GRASS. and ~·s
Bwoo carried in a red flannel bag will draw success and friendship to you.
Home Protection: Put SOLOMON'S SEAL ROOf chips along the window
sills, FERN leaves can be added if there is a threat of break-ins or robbery,
For Insight a nd Decision Making: Bum SOLOMON'S SEAL ROOT
and BAY LAUREL with King Solomon Wisdom Incense to clear the mind
and make wise decisions in career, business, and family matters.
, nn
An Unjinxing 8ath: Blend SOLOMON'S SEAL with MINT and BALM OF
GILEAD BUDS for a cleansing bath used when unexpecled evil or harm has
befallen a person, to put a SlOp 10 the evil, and 10 encourage a fresh sian.
Additional magical uses a t: MINT, PEONY
SOUIHERN JOHN ROOT Uliac",",
(8F11:1 ROOT, BIRll.. ROOT, OIXIE)OHN, RATI1.ESNAKE ROOT,
SOUfHERN JOHN TIlE CONQUEROR, SNAKE-8ITE ROOT,
TRDLIUl\1, WAKE-ROBIN)
Triflium erectum, TrilliulII pendulum. Trillium peruJlllatlllll
SOUTHERN JOHN or DIXIE JOHN, also commonly called TRLLLlUM or
BETH ROOT. is used for luck in love. sex. and family matters.
For Luck: Native Americans carried whole dried TRILLI UM root for luck.
which is probably how it entered the hoodoo "wteria I1lllgica.
For Protection: Like all the other plants named RATTLESNAKE ROOT.
this one too wards off venomous snakes and is said to cure snake bile.
To Attract a Good Lo'-er : Make a tea from DIXIE JOHN root and drink
a little every night while you burn Love Me IncenSe. This is said to attract
a good partner for marriage and to keep you from making a bad choice in
love. You can also burn a few of the "hairs" from the root along with the
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.
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
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
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
in the washing ITI3Chine with your bedding and NIGHT-Cl.OrnES when you
launder them. If you can launder your panner's N[GIIT..Q.ornES, treat them this
way as well; if you can'!. then do y~ alone, just so all the bedding isoone and
you will be sleeping in your bed. Make up the bed with this fixed bedding to
increase your sexual slamina and encourage reciprocal energy rrom your partner.
To Break Up a Love AlTair That is Troubling a Lnwful Marriage: Mix
SOUTHERN JOHN ROOT with the HAIR. FL'lGER.'-'A[L CUPPINGS. or Ct.antFs
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
center of your bed. With each mark. call upon God [ 0 keep the intruder away.
Additional magica l uses at: Lmu JOHN m CtIEW
Medical llS4$: SOUTHERN JOHN ROOT is often known as BETH ROOf or
BIRTH ROOT because: it is is used medicinally to stop hJ:morhaging in
chlldbinh. It is also used to Slop oosebleeds,
, nn
 Botanical notes: SOUTHERN JOH N ROOT is not related to HIGH JOHN..,. SPANISH SAFFRON see SAFFRON
CONQUEROR ROOT or to Lrm.P. JOHN TO CHEW. It cnn be visually distinguished
from them because it is an ovoid root with long. stiff. curved "hairs" sprouuna
from its surface. whcn:as Hro!! JOliN resembles a small. dark brown, shrivcled spEARMINT "" MINT
sweet potato. and In'n...E JOliN" is a reddish tan colour and is joinled and forked
III segments. HO'Aev~. because or the similarity of names. some of the magical SPIDER see LIVE THINGS IN YOU
allributes of HIGH JOlIN TIlE C~ ha\"e also been given to SOUTHERN
JOHN. Another (.'(KIUtlOn name fOf SOlITHERN JOHN is RATI1..ESNAKE
ROOT. but that is a catch-ali ternl for nny root that is efficacious agaillSl snake- sPIKENARD
bite. and il is also applied to Cimidjilgtl (BlJ\CK SNAKE Roor). Goodyero (Net- (NARD) Valerianacere
Leaved Plantain). and Pn!llarhf'S (GALL OF TIlE EARnt), among 0Ihe1'$. 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
SPANISH BONE see RACCOON PENIS BONE
SPANISH DAGGER see YUCCA
SPANISH MOSS BromeUaccoe
7illalldsia !ISlleoides
SPANISH MOSS is a common sight in parts of the South. where it festoons ancient
trees with ilS tnliling. greyish growths. As a magical herb. this eerie-looking plant
has contradictory uses: A few folks claim that it enhances money-drawing channs.
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
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.
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
within the dollie's head - and lhey claim that this is the most potent effigy
one can make.
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.
Additional magical uses at: QUEEN EUZASETH R OOT
BOianicll1 notes: In contemporJry usage. Ihree unrelated plants bear the
name SPIKENARD. Biblical NARD is a relath'e of VANDAL ROOT: it is in
the Valerian family . AMERICAN SPIKENARD is related to GtNSE."O; it is
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
their botanical families and their medical uses vary. all three plams called
SPIKENARD arc cmployed inlcrchangeably in lo\'c magic.
Further botanical notes at: ELEcA~IPANE
SPIRITS OF HARTSHORN see AMMONIA
SPIT S<e PERSONAL CONCERNS
SPREADING DOGBANE S<e DOGBANE
SQUAW HUCKLEBERRY see HUCKLEBERRY

,~

SQUAWVINE Rub~
(PARTRIDGEBERRY, CHECKERBERRY)
Mitchellia repens
As its name implies. SQUAW V INE was employed among Native Americans for
medical conditions relating \0 the health of women's reproductive systems.
particularly during pregnancy and at childbirth. Its magical use follows upon this. '
To Protect an Unborn Child: Pregnant women who bathe in SQUAW
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
envious people.
Medical use: Drinking a tea of SQUAW VINE and RASPBERRY leaves is said
10 ease laoour pains.
SQUILL
IlIia=r
Scilla maritima. Urginell scilla
Powdered SQUlLL root attracts money and good fortune to business ventures.
A Money Jar to Draw Wealth: Place a handful of SQUilL root powder
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
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.
To Draw Customers to a Business: Sprinkle SQUILL root powder
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
LODESTONE kept in your cash register, SQUILL is said to help you avoid
making errors in business and to attract money.
STAR ANISE MagnoUaceae
(ANISE FSTREUA, BADIANA, CHINESE ANISE)
llIiciulII verum
STAR ANISE is an A"ian tree in the Magnolia family whose sacred character is
obvious from the fact that it is planted around tombs and temples in Japan. Its baric
is a fragrant incense, but in America we generally only see the seeds forsaJe, in their
chamcteristic stellate capsules. These are held to be of great mystical power.
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
in love claim that a psychic dream can lead to a lifetime of happiness. Others
diagnose healing through dreams. Therefore, folks place a dish of STAR
ANISE seeds on their altar and bum STAR ANISE mixed with Psychic
Vision Incense before sleeping. to dream winning numbers. see their future
mate, or otherwise foretell the future. CELERy seed can be added as well.
To Ward Off Envy and Bring Luck: Many people like to carry a STAR
ANISE pod in a conjure bag to ward off the Evil Eye or Mal Occhio. It is
also said to bring good luck in love, money, and heahh matters, especially
through powerful visions or lucky hunches.
Botanical notes: STAR ANISE is II member of the Magnolia family and.
all/lough its spiritUal uses are similar. it is not to be confused with ANISE. which
is in the Umbel family and is thus more closely related 10 PARSLEY and <:aERy.
Further ootanirnl notes at: ANtSE
STAR GRASS .,e UNICORN ROOT
STAR ROOT"", UNICORN ROOT
STEEL DUST see MAGNETIC SAND
STICKLEWORT see AGRlMONY
STINGING NEITLE see NETfLE
STOCKINGS see PERSONAL CONCERNS
STORAX see SWEET GUM
STRING see PERSONAL CONCERNS
STYRAX see BENZOLN
SUGAR see SWEETENERS
SULPHUR
(BRIMSTONE)
(/ 1r001-metallic elemellt
SULPHUR is a naturally occurring mineral that, in powder or dust form, is used
to do evil work. It is often included in GOOFER DUST AND CROSSING POWDER
recipes. Although primarily used to jinx an enemy, on the principle of ··like
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.
To Kill Your Enemy: Draw a coffin on a BLACK HEN'S EGG and write your
enemy's NAME inside the coffin. Wrap the EGG in a woollen cloth, and bury
it in a hole at your enemy's doorstep. Leave it there for eight days and then
uncover it. Pour a teaspoonful uf SULPHUR II teaspoonful of SALT, and a
teaspoonful of BLACK PEPPER into the hole with the EGG and cover it over
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
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.
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.
Light all four comers of the paper with a match and step back. II wi ll blow
up and your enemy wi ll be forced to leave town.
To Make an Enemy Your Friend: Borrow or secretly gel something sharp
and pointed from your enemy - a NEEDLE, PiN, knife, or scissors - and take
it home. Pass the point through a flame, wipe it clean, and dip it in
SULPHUR. Pass it through the flame again. to set the SULPHUR on fIR.
Wipe it clean again and then wash the entire object completely with HOYT'S
COLOGNE and return it to where you found it. Your enemy will befriend you.
To Keep Other Men From Visiting Your Wife While You are Aw.y:
Sprinkle a mixture of SlJLPHUR and SALT behind you as you leave and
men won't visit your wife when you are not home.
Additionru magical uses at: ALoEs WOOf), MtM01'o1A, ANGEUCA, BLACK CAT
HAiR. BLACK Doc; HAIR. BLACKHEN'S EGo, B~ PEPPER. DIRT DAUBER NEST,
FIG, GINGER. GooFER OUST. GRAVEYARD DIIIT. KNoT WEED, MUSTARD SEEDS
(BtX:K), PERsoNAL CONCERNS. REO PEPPER. SALT. SU.VER DL\1E, WUJ..OW
Chemical noles: SULPHUR is an ingredient in GUNPOWDER
SUMAC AnacardJaccz
(SlJMAOI, SHOEMAKE)
Rlllls copalina, Rhus glahntlll, Rlllls t)'phintl. Rhus hintl
SUMAC brings hannony and resolves difficulties. lIlustralion: page 197.
A Last-Ditch Law Trick: If you have been found guilty in a court case. it is
said that you can slill help yourself if you gather nine berries from a living
SUMAC plant and carry them in your pocket when you go before the judge
for sentencing. for you will receive a lighter sentence or a smaller fine .
Homt'-Made Triplt.'-Strcngth Peace Water: Before you use commercial
Peace Water to bring hanllony 10 your mamage and pUI a stop to arguments CJI
fights. place SUMAC leaves or berries in the bottle and let the bottle stand open
under your bed as you make 1000e with your spouse. Afterward, put n linle of
your mixed SEXUAl. FLUIDS in the bottle and shake it up. TIlls "fixed" Peace
Watcr should be sprayed around the house the same day you fix it, and it wiD
be much, much suonger in power than un-prepared Peace Water. of course:·
Botanical noles: Do not use Poison Sumac, Rhus \'t'mir, in these spells!
SWAMP AIDER see ALDER
SWEET BASil. see BAS IL
SWEET BAY see BAY
sWEET FIAG see CALAMUS
H;unamelidacca:
sWEET GUM
(UQUIDAMBER, STORAX)
Uqllidamber oriell/alis, Liqllidamber !U)'raci/lIw
SWEET GUM is a softwood tree oftcn designated by name when one is told to nail
or bore a hole into n t.rCC as part of a jinxing or unjinxing spell. Its bark is fragrant and
can be burned as incense; the liquid gum that flows from it is used in perfumery.
Cause an Enemy Pain: CUI a piece from the toe and a piece from the heel of
your enemy's SocK or SlOCKING. Sprinkle them with REo PEPPER. and stab them
together with ninc PINS. Go into the woods. bore a hole in a SWEET GUM tree,
and put the pieces in. Cm a plug from a branch of the same tree and plug the
hole. As the tn.'e gnw:s over the plugged hole, yoorenemy's fect will swell up.
Get Someone Out of Your Life: Pick up the bothersome person'!. going-away
Foor TRACK, heel to toe. put it in bottle. and hang it by a cord from a SWEET
GUM tree. As the cord twists and untwists. the person will become mentally
uncertain: when the cord rots and breaks. he will leave you alone.
Additional magical uses at: PERsoNAL CO'CERNS. VL-.:EGAR
Botank,lI notes: STORAX (SWEET GUM) IS not related to STVRAX (BENZOIN).
SWEET WOODRUFF see MASTER OF THE WOODS
SWEETENERS
(CANE SYRUP, CORN SYRUP, HONEY, MOLASSES, SUGAR)
liquid wul cn'.\'llIl1i~ed products O/Zell, SOrghlllll. Chenopodillm, mul Apis spp.
SWEETENERS figure in three major classes of work - drawing love, developing
goodwill toward one's perron. and altracting customers and money 10 a business. In
most of these spells. any sweetener can be substituted for another. the only limitation
being physical, in thai sugar is a solid (unless dissolved) and the Olhers are liquids.
,"'or the Return of a Lo\er: Write your absent lover's NA\lE ON PAPER nine
times and cross it with your NA.\lE written nine times. Place the NAME-PAPER
in a while saucer and fill the saucer ..... ith white SUGAR, Buy nine small white
candles and bum one, sel upright in the SUGAR. each day for nine days. If
your lover has not returned after nine days. bum everything in a fire and start
again with new materials, repealing the process nine more days. If your lo\'er
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,
.'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
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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