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The Art of Hoodoo Candle Magic in Rootwork, Conjure, and Spiritual Church Services
Within these pages you will find a treasure-trove of accurate, traditional, and easy-to-follow instructions that teach you how to work with candles and lamps in hoodoo folk magic and Spiritual Church services. Learn about Down-home Candle Magic for the Private Practitioner; How to Select and Prepare Candles for Personal Use; Auspicious Timing for Effective Spell-Casting; Candle Conjure for Love, Money, and Protection; How to Create, Craft, and Cast Your Own Candle Spells; How to Read Divination Signs from Candles; Spiritual Ministries, Altar Work, and Prayers; How to Establish a Private Vigil Candle Ministry; and How to Conduct a Public Candle Light Service.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
8 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Yronwode
63 books70 followers
Catherine "Cat" Yronwode
(b. 1947) is an American writer, editor, publisher, and teacher. A practitioner of herbalism and traditional magic, she is a founding member of the Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers. She has had an extensive career in the comic book industry, and coauthored Women and the Comics (1985), the first book on women in comics. Born and raised in California, Yronwode attended Illinois' Shimer College in the 1960s, through the school's unique early entrance program.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 17, 2019
The spirit of our ancestors is missing. If I could give it 3 1/2 stars I would. This 96 page book is for the beginner in Hoodoo. It's a book for reference; hence, it reads as a glossary. The authors give diagrams on how your altar should look in terms of where the candles are placed and any other items. They give definitions on what the color of each candle means and how to read your candle after it has completely burned out. They give plenty of instructions; for example, what to do if your candle goes out, how to dispose of your candle and where. The final 16 pages of the book, are for the seasoned practitioner; whereas, it discusses the how to's in conducting a candlelight service in Spiritualist Churches.
It would have been good to give a little history on Hoodoo as an African American spiritual practice that was used as a means of survival against the enemy or the oppressor. It rarely involved money bags, love spells and lucky mojo items. It was a means of survival. What's really missing from the pages are the reasons behind the practice. Why do we use a red candle or a green candle? Why do we read this certain Bible verse when lighting a candle? For instance, the book reads, "Recite Psalm 5 for finding favor with authorities..."; This was read in earlier days because many African Americans were being tried for a crime they did not commit. Granted, this book isn't a history lesson, but it's important to know the meaning behind the why you perform or recite certain chants or scriptures in any spiritual practice. The respect for the ancestors ways of practice tends to be shifted towards other cultures and traditions and watered down.
INTERIOR
The font is a tad small which bunches the paragraphs together. It is not easy on the eyes, but at least the subheadings are in bold. The book is a bit small and can easily get lost among your other books.
CONCLUSION
Again, it's a 3 1/2 star book for the novice practitioner, and a good addition to your library. Yes, you can find most of the material online, but it doesn't beat having everything in one book.
It would have been good to give a little history on Hoodoo as an African American spiritual practice that was used as a means of survival against the enemy or the oppressor. It rarely involved money bags, love spells and lucky mojo items. It was a means of survival. What's really missing from the pages are the reasons behind the practice. Why do we use a red candle or a green candle? Why do we read this certain Bible verse when lighting a candle? For instance, the book reads, "Recite Psalm 5 for finding favor with authorities..."; This was read in earlier days because many African Americans were being tried for a crime they did not commit. Granted, this book isn't a history lesson, but it's important to know the meaning behind the why you perform or recite certain chants or scriptures in any spiritual practice. The respect for the ancestors ways of practice tends to be shifted towards other cultures and traditions and watered down.
INTERIOR
The font is a tad small which bunches the paragraphs together. It is not easy on the eyes, but at least the subheadings are in bold. The book is a bit small and can easily get lost among your other books.
CONCLUSION
Again, it's a 3 1/2 star book for the novice practitioner, and a good addition to your library. Yes, you can find most of the material online, but it doesn't beat having everything in one book.
December 23, 2016
Detailed. Precise. Thorough. Clear, even at the risk of repetition. The author wants to make sure she got her points across.
The first thing the back of the book asked was, "Do YOU Know How to Burn Candles?" I'm not exactly a newbie, but I thought I did. After I read the book, it was obvious I didn't. It fills in blanks that are noticeably left open by a number of authors on the subject. It's almost as if they were so vague they barely knew what they were talking about, and that didn't escape my attention. But I just winged it anyway, sensing there was more to candle magic than what they were telling me. Ms. Yronwode more than confirmed my suspicions.
This is not a very thick book (only ninety-six pages,) but it's enough for me to know the author not only has experience in the subject, but also researches her subject quite well. Historical background and reference has usually been a plus for me anyway. I like being educated on my subjects. It helps for me to know the source of a practice, and the why's and how's of how something like this got to the present point, which she explains briefly in the beginning. She goes on to describe...in painstaking detail...the different kinds of lights with their advantages and disadvantages, the different forms spells take, and of course, candle color, incense as an option, and timing. The author also gives instructions on how to actually prepare a candle, which is not usually addressed in other areas of Western Occultism; and if it is, it tends to be vague with few exceptions. So along with the inclusion of spell examples, what this gives you is the ability to actually envision how it would work. Capturing the imagination is a huge plus. And to my surprise, there's also information about "Candle Divination Techniques," something I never even thought of in direct connection to it.
Overall, this book is divided into three parts: One for the individual, the second part for "deacons" of her onsite candle ministry, and the final part includes Mikhail Strabo's writing. For the author to put this much effort into condescending her knowledge into such a small little book is admirable, considering it's the equivalent of explaining over email how to put shoes on and tie shoelaces in a way that the other person will get it. I don't envy Ms.Yronwode. That's hard work. I'll even forgive her of any occasional typos.
Don't expect this book to be Wiccan, Pagan, or New Ashee. This is Afro-American Protestant Christianity, and as such being coupled with the Occult, what you got is a kind magic that neither Scott Cunningham nor Pat Robertson would dare to venture into. It's a form of what I would call survival magic, the kind you use to accomplish goals by any means necessary, mostly because your normal avenues of recourse are very limited or even nonexistent. It's part of what practical magic was originally like before the rough edges were sanded off. So if you decide to do any form of this candle magic, be aware that you're walking into the realm of Judeo-Christian influence, Dixie-style. It can get rather raw, even if it is the Black Baptist aspect of God you're mostly relying on. If you're not prepared to use the instructions as is...and I know I shouldn't suggest this up front but...you can always borrow to create more satisfying spells for your own traditions or nontraditions.
This book is published by Missionary Independent Spiritual Church, a publisher I haven't seen the author use before now.
If I could give this book seven stars, I would. But five will have to do.
The first thing the back of the book asked was, "Do YOU Know How to Burn Candles?" I'm not exactly a newbie, but I thought I did. After I read the book, it was obvious I didn't. It fills in blanks that are noticeably left open by a number of authors on the subject. It's almost as if they were so vague they barely knew what they were talking about, and that didn't escape my attention. But I just winged it anyway, sensing there was more to candle magic than what they were telling me. Ms. Yronwode more than confirmed my suspicions.
This is not a very thick book (only ninety-six pages,) but it's enough for me to know the author not only has experience in the subject, but also researches her subject quite well. Historical background and reference has usually been a plus for me anyway. I like being educated on my subjects. It helps for me to know the source of a practice, and the why's and how's of how something like this got to the present point, which she explains briefly in the beginning. She goes on to describe...in painstaking detail...the different kinds of lights with their advantages and disadvantages, the different forms spells take, and of course, candle color, incense as an option, and timing. The author also gives instructions on how to actually prepare a candle, which is not usually addressed in other areas of Western Occultism; and if it is, it tends to be vague with few exceptions. So along with the inclusion of spell examples, what this gives you is the ability to actually envision how it would work. Capturing the imagination is a huge plus. And to my surprise, there's also information about "Candle Divination Techniques," something I never even thought of in direct connection to it.
Overall, this book is divided into three parts: One for the individual, the second part for "deacons" of her onsite candle ministry, and the final part includes Mikhail Strabo's writing. For the author to put this much effort into condescending her knowledge into such a small little book is admirable, considering it's the equivalent of explaining over email how to put shoes on and tie shoelaces in a way that the other person will get it. I don't envy Ms.Yronwode. That's hard work. I'll even forgive her of any occasional typos.
Don't expect this book to be Wiccan, Pagan, or New Ashee. This is Afro-American Protestant Christianity, and as such being coupled with the Occult, what you got is a kind magic that neither Scott Cunningham nor Pat Robertson would dare to venture into. It's a form of what I would call survival magic, the kind you use to accomplish goals by any means necessary, mostly because your normal avenues of recourse are very limited or even nonexistent. It's part of what practical magic was originally like before the rough edges were sanded off. So if you decide to do any form of this candle magic, be aware that you're walking into the realm of Judeo-Christian influence, Dixie-style. It can get rather raw, even if it is the Black Baptist aspect of God you're mostly relying on. If you're not prepared to use the instructions as is...and I know I shouldn't suggest this up front but...you can always borrow to create more satisfying spells for your own traditions or nontraditions.
This book is published by Missionary Independent Spiritual Church, a publisher I haven't seen the author use before now.
If I could give this book seven stars, I would. But five will have to do.
Read
January 25, 2014This is an alright book if you have absolutely no experience with conjure work. Otherwise, spend your money on something else--it is full of information that is available via many other (very aaccessible) avenues.
Biggest dislike? Yronwode publishes people's legal/known names where they have previously used pseudonyms. As the folks she outs are dead, they can't give permission. She goes on at length about how she discovered the 'real' names of various authors and talks about their lives like it's all public knowledge and fine to do. Left a bad taste in my mouth for sure.
Biggest dislike? Yronwode publishes people's legal/known names where they have previously used pseudonyms. As the folks she outs are dead, they can't give permission. She goes on at length about how she discovered the 'real' names of various authors and talks about their lives like it's all public knowledge and fine to do. Left a bad taste in my mouth for sure.
January 12, 2025
I think Catherine Yronwood is a national treasure in the magickal community at this point. Somebody needs to write her biography. If she does it, it will be 25 pages and boiled down to facts. All of her books are affordable and to the point so you are not stuck wtih 120 pages of ego and 40 pages of basic techniques.
I do not practice Hoodoo. This book is valuable in pointing out where hoodoo is mentioned in songs, candle figures, colors, astral signs and additional books on spiritual movement, candle magic and candle light services and does it in 96 pages. There is a great quantity of information that crosses over into other traditions and practices. She breaks down the different types of candle divination.
She has all of the cool stuff like the candle figures, the oils, powders and oil lamps in her online store.
I do not practice Hoodoo. This book is valuable in pointing out where hoodoo is mentioned in songs, candle figures, colors, astral signs and additional books on spiritual movement, candle magic and candle light services and does it in 96 pages. There is a great quantity of information that crosses over into other traditions and practices. She breaks down the different types of candle divination.
She has all of the cool stuff like the candle figures, the oils, powders and oil lamps in her online store.
January 8, 2020
I got a signed copy from Catherine 🙌🏽✨✨✨✨ A very well thought out and organized compendium. I really was drawn to the pyromancy and being able to decipher visions and the specific situation that could occur during divination. Catherine also details specific operations in which you could protect others or self and that has been my focus especially with tying in hermetic philosophy and ceremonial magick.
She did a great job with the illustrations and also got right to the point even with expressions on the history of where the operations derived from. I hope this is released on kindle one day so than I can keep the digital copy on me at all times. 🙏🏽 #KindleCompatibility
She did a great job with the illustrations and also got right to the point even with expressions on the history of where the operations derived from. I hope this is released on kindle one day so than I can keep the digital copy on me at all times. 🙏🏽 #KindleCompatibility
March 20, 2022
A no-nonsense guide to candle work. This book outlines the mechanics of working with candles in detail, and is a great reference for practitioners. Beginners will be left with lots of questions, though I think this could be a good jumping off point for further study. The intermediate worker will find many nuggets of wisdom in this little book.
The book ended with a pamphlet from the 1940's on how to conduct a candle light service which was an interesting look into history.
Overall an easy and enjoyable read.
The book ended with a pamphlet from the 1940's on how to conduct a candle light service which was an interesting look into history.
Overall an easy and enjoyable read.
September 27, 2013
A good introduction to the topic, with a decent summary of the history of candles in Southern folk magic. Some parts of the book are simply a reproduction of Yronwode's manuals, which could have been rewritten so that they made more sense in context. However, this is a solid, non-fluffy, non-misappropriating text on candle magic which is definitely worth reading.
November 3, 2013
I have been looking for this for so long and I never even knew it. I can't wait to read more of this wonderful author's works, and to look into the works mentioned as well.
December 15, 2015
There are other books I would probably recommend if you are wanting the basics of candle magic but did enjoy pages 55-60 where she touches on how to learn the art of reading a candle and the wax.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews