Conjurin' Ole Time: Hoodoo Spells, 1800 - 1920 Paperback – September 10, 2012

Fantastic information in this small yet easy to understand book. This has old time information, assembled in a way everyone can understand. It will not matter if you are new or old to the craft this book is a must have.

Good back

Talia Felix's "Conjurin' Ole Time" is a slim volume packed with historical hoodoo spells with some commentary from the author.The book is divided into two sections --one that deals with common ingredients and another which consists categories of spells and recipes for the desired outcome. The first section has the most interesting material as the author uses different sources to trace well known hoodoo ingredients. I particularly enjoyed the black cat bone section --as gruesome as it is, it had information i didn't know and an unapologetic transcription of the methods used to acquire the special bone. The second section has a lot of spells but it's written in that style you find in George Hohman's "Long Lost Friend" or Albert Magnus' "Egyptian Secrets" --meaning spells that are about a paragraph long with basic instructions on how to mix/use the ingredients but without much else. It lacks the emotion and psychological aspect of putting the spells into action. While an in depth explanation of what it is like to make hoodoo might not have been her goal, she could have done a bit more to contextualize the spells. The cathartic experience of going through a complex ritual to get rid of one's personal life obstacles is, to me at least, the most important part of hoodoo's rituals. She seems experienced in making gris-gris and mojo pouches so she could have gone into some detail regarding the care and emotion that goes into making one. In spellwork the process is as important, if not more, than the ingredients.The books is not for beginners, She makes many references to things like Hyatt's informers (sources), the Petit Albert, and such without at least one sentence to explain what or who they are and why they are considered cornerstones of hoodoo. While the more experienced do not need such introductions, people new to the field might be left wondering about their importance. (Though she does get extra points from me for name checking my hero, rogue publisher L. W. DeLaurence whose influence both on hoodoo and occultism in the USA is often ignored.)Ms. Felix could have done well by teaming up with a good editor to tighten up her work and make her more aware of her reader's various points of view. Her writing style often comes across more like blog entries than anything else. She's often unnecessarily self referential --mostly with disclaimers regarding things she's not sure of or hasn't researched enough. She would be well served to be reminded that her readers are not very concerned with what she doesn't know as they are buying the book for what she does know. She sometimes comes across as a person who is both extremely confident and highly vulnerable at the same time.A good editor could also have helped her out when she discusses issues of race. I'm assuming she's not an American as she seems clumsy when the issue of race comes up and sometimes leads to some cringe worthy moments. As a New Yorker i tend to come across this mostly in conversations with Europeans. They don't mean any harm but are blissfuly unaware of the numerous subtle issues and intricacies Americans have with race and ethnicities. A book about hoodoo, a subject deeply tied with the evolution of race relations in the USA, should be more cognizant regarding this part of the discussion.Overall i would say the book is worth adding to a library of American grimoires but Talia Felix could well benefit from a partnership with a sympathetic editor who could help her bring her writing to a higher level. She has the resources but needs some help to use them to their highest potential. I would give her three and a half stars but Amazon only allows whole numbers so unfortunately i'll round down to three though she deserves a bit more.

Fast shipping and nice product thanks so much.

no

Talia Felix is my go-to girl for conjure books!

Makes good reading

This written in response to particular critique that is posted by another reviewer on this book: So bare with me here. You can find the other review posted below HOODOO is not witchcraft/ ritual styles ... it is very simple and Christian based. "The books is not for beginners, She makes many references to things like Hyatt's informers (sources), the Petit Albert, and such without at least one sentence to explain what or who they are and why they are considered cornerstones of hoodoo....."Today there is something called the internet. Why does everything have to be spelled out to people today? If YOU have interest in something, do you not seek the knowledge? Moreover, why is it necessary for the writer seek an editor... to critique the author's raw writing style... to interrupt/tint it to suit who? i felt a connection to the author's writing style and information giving was uncut and raw... we call real... all drink no chaser, perhaps, that is the goal... surely that is more important than mechanic. i feel when deciding to critique someone's writing to the extent that you went, a full understanding of the author's intent, targeted audience, and knowledge of the subject matter should be thoroughly examined and taking in account before bursting out with an academic type critique; with that said, we all can read that you have some kind of writing skills, perhaps a English degree or something, good for you, big words and shyt... i have several degrees in psychology and it never made me feel self important nor in my academic pursuit did institutionalized education loosen my common sense or abandon me from the real world or everyday world perspective. Perhaps you need more courses to understand all different styles of writing (like folk writing) and target audiences and course work or at least proper research in Hoodoo would be best suited in this subject matter, i really mean that. Now this is just a recommendation due to the fact that you "appear" to be somewhat educated. Furthermore, i notice your jumbling, binding the subject matter (Hoodoo) with occultism, "complex rituals" and your use of the word "spells /spell" over and over (written like a witch) instead of words like tricks or fixes lead me to believe you do not know jack about Hoodoo.Let me inform you with a simple glimpse into the subject matter of Hoodoo. Hoodoo IS an African American Southern conjuring point blank. ANYTHING a practioner add to the practice from there is very personal. i give you an example: Adding the practices of Voodoo to Hoodoo. That would be the practitioner’s religious believes (knowingly or not knowingly). Why? because Voodoo is religious/occult based and if the practitioner told you no it's not that would be a lie. Here is where common sense kicks in; if it walks like a duck, quack like a duck it is most likely than not a duck. The example giving here can be gained through research in the history and practice of Hoodoo, interviews with the author other well seasoned practitioners. This pursuit trumps just reading a book and expecting the author to just lay information out there for you; moreover, even if the author did just that, a person would still be at lost until he or she do his or her own personal research; go in depth and not just depend on free websites that give just enough information to promote the sale of their hoodoo items that are most likely just color water with artificial fragrance or mash up rocks and dirt or paid consultations that take advantage of a foolish people (i digress here), or self published books from Amazon or believing in unbelievable critique that appears to have authority in a particular subject matter when the actuality the person do not have a clue. • Lastly, i suggest to you to stay in your lane, and leave the conjure writing critiquing to the true practicing Hoodoo conjures. Your so-called academia, only book reading knowledge, non-Hoodoo practicing, new age witchy based critiquing on a subject and writing styles that you absolutely have no clue about, ZERO... Has no relevance to beginners or seasoned practitioners. Perhaps your lane is witchcraft, wiccan, etc. Stay over there. Moreover, HOODOO, is NOT an OCCULT (not Voodoo etc.), It is NOT an RELIGION... it is NOT RITUALISTIC in nature, for example, there are many personal ways to turn ONE trick for a purpose (like money drawing). What is it? It is faith based and Christian base...point blank. No ceremonies, chanting away, no rituals, No witchcraft bull shyt. it is about action, the bible is the center, believing, herbs, incense, candles, mojos, attracting, removal, healing, fixing, etc... and all one needs is simple common sense, belief, simple everyday tools and ingredients to simple yet powerful tricks (some practitioners are more gifted than others). One can produce big results through simplicity, there is nothing complex about Hoodoo. The practice is always personalized to fit the individual/ the practitioner wanting results. People reading this, please do your homework and watch out for critiques like this one.Shalom