Voodoo & Hoodoo: Their Traditional Crafts Revealed by Actual Practitioners Paperback – May 12, 2005

Loads of valuable information

As with many of the books writtten about Voudou and Hoodoo, I found this one quite enjoyable. The interviews and stories told give a true flavor to the old beliefs and customs of the period in which he writes. Combining the information with Harry Middleton Hyatt's volumes of Hoodoo, Witchcraft, Conjuration and Rootwork makes for a very accurate look at Hoodoo and Conjure practices. Although, I must stress that Voudou (traditional spelling) is not Hoodoo. There is a big difference between the two is that Voudou is a religion. Hoodoo is folk magic, medicine and customs and is NOT religiously affiliated despite those who do work with Bible Scriptures such as the Psalms.

Great book already finished it Super for beginners great recipes highly approved for an introductory book lots of history on the subject as well GET IT!! :)

I first read this book back in the early 90s while I was stil in school. I actualy had to hide it from my parents for fear they would accuse me of being a "devil-worshipper". That fear was not paranoia as this was at the end of the "Satanic Panic" phase of the late 70s to the mid-90s.For those who don't know, the book is not about Voodoo. Haskins did not originally want the term "Voodoo" in the title. Instead, this was done by the publishers. There's a reason for it. This book is about hoodoo, a.k.a. root work or conjure work. It's a form of folk magic native to the Southern U.S. and more closesly associated with blacks than whites. Harry Middleton Hyatt travelled the South collecting hoodoo folk magic stories, tricks, and recipes, and he was told that 90% of black believed in hoodoo and 40% of whites believed in it. That's almost all blacks and half of whites believing in the power of hoodoo. So that will give you an idea of how prevalent the practice is in the South, both in times past and into modern times. The problem is that white, non-practicing academics began to use the term "Voodoo" to refer to the practice. The term stuck. Now most white people, especially non-practitioners, refer to it as "Voodoo". You will hear this a lot, of "Voodoo in the South". This is why the publishers put "Voodoo" in the title, to cater to the ignorant outsiders who would purchase the book.Once the reader realizes what the book is truly about, a folk magic tradition that has been practiced here in the Southern U.S. for a very long time, then the reader will truly see what a wonderful gem of a book this truly is. However, I shoul state that I hate this new cover. The older cover with the title and black-background is far better.Also, I should state that this new version contains censored material. There is a statue of an African god shown with a huge phallus. In this issue it's phallus has been removed! LOL

Don't let the title fool you, it's not about Voodoo at all. That was a marketing ploy by the publisher.The book is a pretty good collection of bits and pieces of folk magic.

A great introduction to hoodoo and voodoo: "...in primitive societies...the individual doesn't see himself as separate. Indeed, his very identity...is defined in terms of the people and the world around him. ... The soil, the rocks and mountains, the trees, the rivers are all believed to be inhabited by spirits--spirits that never knew human form." From this very solid foundation on how voodoo came to be, the author goes on to deliniate many spells and conjures, all the ingredients necessary to make gris-gris and mojo hands. Very entertaining and thoughtful book.

Reading this book as well as "The Black Skull" I've been reading alot of the Orisha's book that also bring interest to true religion.

Good read and good inside look on this life style and world