Amazon amazon.com Category:  Vision/Metaphysical Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide, Inc. ISBN-10:  0738702757 Type: Non-Fiction Copyright: June 1, 2004 ISBN-13: 9780738702759 "Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo and Conjuring with Herbs," is the modern Hoodoo's handbook. With respect and devotion Hoodoo is traced back to its West African roots, examined in early African American life and then updated so that it becomes a practical, vibrant, modern day tradition. "Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo and Conjuring with Herbs," is the book for the modern pagan practitioner. This book revolves around the primarily African American folkloric traditions of hoodoo but is inclusive and welcoming towards many different cultures and spiritual paths. Non-racist or judgemental, this book covers the basics of Hoodoo, magical herbalism, conjuring,mojo purpose and construction, in a practical way geared towards rites of passage. This book is designed for those who love botanical crafting, especially when that craft revolves around magick and mysticism. Author presents groundbreaking ideas for the contemporary Hoodoo, embracing respect for animals, teaching how to Hoodoo while still being respectful towards the environment and filled with ideas on how to use plants in a manner that regards conservation and sustainability highly. There is a focus on doing good with Hoodoo rather than cursing or hexing which has brought negative attention to the craft. Still, not for the faint at heart, "Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones," will help you change your life in a very powerful, self-determined, hands-on way. Are you ready?  Excerpt Understanding 'Jumping the Broom' "The humble broom holds an elevated position in African and African American folklore, magicko-religious beliefs and spiritual practices. Most folks are familiar with our reverence for the broom because of its prominent role in traditional African American weddings. The jumping of the broom ceremony, for example, has been embraced as a vestige of Black heritage. Yet, looking into the elaborate broom etiquette and customs of early African Americans and hoodoos only provided a partial understanding of the role of the broom. For an in-depth understanding of the relationship between brooms and Black folks, we must journey much further back in time. Tracing the broom's usage back across the Atlantic sheds the brightest light on its complex articulation in African and African American culture." (From "The Broom in Hoodoo," page 43.)

Sticks, Stones, Roots, Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo and Conjuring with Herbs
By Stephanie Rose Bird
LLewellyn
ISBN 0-7387-0275-7
288 pages, including extensive index, bibliography, glossary and appendices
Released: June 2004

I welcome Stephanie Rose Bird's contribution to the herbal literature. Her contribution stands well apart from most works already on the market, not least due to her primary focus on the magical herbal traditions of African American origin known as Hoodoo. There are hardly any books available on this subject, neither as scholarly ethnobotanical works, nor as popular how-to literature. Stephanie Rose Bird's approach is refreshing - it is not a scholarly work, yet it is well researched. The true well of knowledge though from which this work is born is her own intimate knowledge of her traditions. She manages to explain many of the concepts of herbal magic in clear, down to earth terminology that is neither abstract nor wishy washy. As such she has written a book that has the user in mind. It is full of practical advice and suggestions as well as recipes.

Hoodoo, the herbal magic laid out in this work is a truly 'American Tradition' in the sense that it incorporates elements from various traditions and acknowledges the flow of knowledge between different ethnic groups, especially those that have become divorced from their home land. Hoodoo, although it contains elements of African folk magic, is a hybrid that has adapted old traditions to a new land with different plants. But, that being said, cultural traditions are only alive as long as their practitioners manage to adapt them to the changing circumstances of life - that is what makes them living traditions. Those practices that nobody any longer understands become dead, meaningless rituals.

This is a book that deals with African American herbal folk magic, which concerns itself with the problems of every day life: love, health, happiness, prosperity, grief, rites of passage, spiritual cleansing and protection. It also offers explainations for some spiritual concepts, gods and paraphernalia such as 'the bag of tricks' and 'Mojos' that are unique to the African American tradition. I also welcome the fact that she suggests alternatives to killing animals for making talismen and such, and also draws attention to the concern of endangered plant species.

Considering the number of books available on other American traditions e.g. Native American or Mexican American, this book has long been overdue and I am glad it is finally here. Although it will more than likely be grouped with the cookbook style pagan/magical herbals on the shelves of book sellers, this book actually stands well above them and distinguishes itself by its thorough research and down-to-earth practical approach and language.

For questions or comments email: kmorgenstern@sacredearth.com


Judikailles.com review
by Judika Illes (author of "The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft," "Mother Earth Magic," "Pure Magic: a Complete Course in Spellcasting," THE ELEMENT ENCYCLOPEDIA OF 5000 SPELLS: The Ultimate Reference Book for the Magical Arts, among others

Stephanie Rose Bird is a visual artist, a brilliant herbalist and an evocative writer. In "Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones" she has crafted a beautifully written, clear, lucid and inclusive book of folk magic based on various African traditions.
An extremely high percentage of books on the magical arts focus solely on Northern or Western European traditions; Bird's book, a course in eclectic, practical magic based on an African framework, is thus very refreshing, crucial and important.


"Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones" is a book of functional, practical Earth-centered magic containing LOTS of spells, potions, recipes and rituals. It is a vivid description of one woman's magical journey as well as her generous effort to share her experiences and knowledge with us. It is not intended as a history book: I sense that some of the disappointment expressed by other reviewers is because they anticipated a book detailing historical Hoodoo practices. There are other sources for that sort of information. Instead, Bird offers, in her own words, "a guide to a magical life."

Bird is not a new-comer to the traditions; she relates her experiences growing up amidst the tenets of Hoodoo. Following in the steps of the earliest Hoodoo practitioners, Bird has a questing mind. She is not a strict traditionalist but like both those earliest Hoodoo practitioners and the most modern, urban, eclectic practitioners, she inventively and effectively incorporates new influences. Thus her Hoodoo is laced with Yoruba orishas, Brazilian magic and the work of Scott Cunningham.

The recipes and formulas in this book are clear and easy-to-follow. A source guide for obtaining materials is included. Lending the book a personal touch are the many blues lyrics and Bird's own lovely illustrations that are interspersed through the text. Reading this book, one clearly senses the presence of the author guiding you and communing with you.

Bird offers her versions of various traditional formulas and gives explicit instructions for crafting a mojo hand. "Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones" also offers candle rituals, spiritual cleansings, rituals for luck, love and blessings, psychic warfare, peace,important rites of passage, workings with brooms and the construction of altars.

"Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones" is a book to be used and treasured. It is fresh and does not regurgitate material found in other books. I recommend it highly.

Review by Donna Maria (author and cosmetics designer)
Book Review by Donna Maria, author of:
Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions: 101 Natural Formulas to Revitalize & Nourish Your Skin
www.makeyourcosmetics.com

Title: Sticks, Stones Roots and Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo & Conjuring with Herbs (Llewellyn Publications, 2004)

Author: Stephanie Rose Bird

Book Details: 274 pages including appendices, glossary, bibliography, recommended reading and index. Soft cover.

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. It's In The Bag
3. The Broom in Hoodoo
4. Cleaning Rituals and Spirit Washes
5. Harvesting the Gifts of Fire
6. Elements of War
7. Keepin' the Peace
8. Prosperity
9. Gettin' Some Love & Keepin' It Close
10. Fertility
11. Sacred Rites of Commitment
12. Hoodoo Child
13. The Conjurer's Dream
14. Passin' On

While Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones shares many ingredients used in other books containing recipes for beauty products, it goes beyond the typical "ounce of this and teaspoon of that" to shed light on some of the ancient history surrounding the art of concocting products to enhance body, soul and the life experience overall. Written from the perspective of a woman who inherited her family's way with sticks, stones, roots and bones, this book is filled with more than recipes. As highlighted by the above excerpt, the book includes an extensive backdrop for many recipes in the form of history and insights into the beliefs, rituals and traditions of the African people who inspired them.

For example, rather than simply provide recipes for romance in the chapter entitled, "Gettin' Some Love & Keepin' It Close," Bird provides historical references to the use of roses in the ancient world. Another example from the same chapter refers to orris root as an herb considered in ancient Khemet (a part of northern Africa describes as "Black Egypt") to have been able to enhance the power of individual herbs and even "transform" any other plant it came into contact with. Against these types of backdrops, we find recipes such as Love Fruit Pomander, Angels on High Soap and Nefertiti's Milk Bath.

Many of the recipes include references to the "hoodoo" behind the concoctions. For example, the recipe for Money Bathing Ritual (p. 138) contains ingredients which, according to Bird, are said to be linked to general well-being, prosperity, money and "luck drawing." Whether this appeals to you or not, the ingredients of Epsom salt, dried basil, peppermint leaves, sea kelp, essential oils and more are sure to help you create a relaxing bath. Similarly, the recipe for Love Fruit Pomander (page 155) suggest repeating a sort of love mantra, if you will, while you are inserting cloves into the holes made in the skin of the orange.

I made Nefertiti's Milk Bath and enjoyed every minute of the process, plus the bath! The recipe calls for neroli hydrosol (orange blossom water), essential oils of rose and myrrh, milk and rose petals. Because I have a really large bath tub, I used a gallon of whole milk instead of the cup called for in the recipe, and I used a full cup of kaolin instead of just 1/2 cup. How yummy is that?!

If you enjoy using herbs, flowers and oils to enhance your self-care experience and your life in general, you'll be delighted by Bird's recipes. The fact that the author also includes her unique perspectives combined with well researched references to African history, is a rare and special bonus.

Buy It Now