Southern-Spirits-Top-Banner-Icon
Lucky-Mojo-Home-Page-Icon
Home
Page
Lucky-Mojo-Forum-Icon
Read Our
Forums
Lucky-Mojo-Join-Newsletter-Icon
Join Our
Newsletter
Lucky-Mojo-Radio-Show-Icon
Radio
Show
LMC-Radio-Network-Icon
LMC
Network
Lucky-Mojo-and-Missionary-Independent-Spiritual-Church-Books-Icon
LMCCo
Publishing
Catherine-Yronwodes-Hoodoo-Rootwork-Correspondence-Course-Icon
Hoodoo
Course
Hoodoo-in-Theory-and-Practice-Free-Online-Book-Icon
Practical
Conjure
Tantra-Karezza-Sacred-Sex-Icon
Sacred
Sex
Lucky-W-Amulet-Archive-Icon
Lucky W
Amulets
Blues-Music-and-Hoodoo-Icon
Hoodoo &
The Blues
Sacred-Landscape-Icon
Sacred
Landscape

SUPPLEMENTARY TRANSCRIPTIONS
for
HOODOO IN THEORY AND PRACTICE
by catherine yronwode
and
HOODOO ROOTWORK CORRESPONDENCE COURSE
by catherine yronwode

Missionary-Independent-Spiritual-Churches-Hoodoo-Heritage-Festival-Workshops-Icon
Hoodoo
Workshops
Lucky-Mojo-Facebook-Page-Icon
Be a Fan:
Facebook
Lucky-Mojo-Complete-Inventory-Icon
Online
Shopping
Lucky-Mojo-My-Shopping-Cart-Icon
View Your
Cart
AIRR-Readers-and-Rootworkers-Website-Icon
Readers &
Rootworkers
Hoodoo-Psychics-Icon
Hoodoo
Psychics
Crystal-Silence-League-Icon
We Pray
For You
Free-Spells-Archive-Icon
Free
Spells
Spiritual-Spells-Icon
Southern
Spirits
Candle-Services-at-the-Missionary-Independent-Spiritual-Church-Icon
Candle
Ministry
Herb-Magic-Icon
Herb
Magic
YIPPIE-Icon
Yronwode
Institution

introduction | 19th century hoodoo | 20th century hoodoo | 21st century hoodoo

Lucky-Mojo-Pookline

CHARMS, LOVE-POWDERS, AND MAGIC
in HOODOO, VOODOO and MESMERISM

by Paschal Beverly Randolph

Paschal Beverly Randolph

This is an extract from "Seership!" by the great 19th century African American magicaian and Rosicrucian, Paschal Beverly Randolph (1825 - 1875). Born in New York State (of parents from Virginia), Randolph travelled the world widely as a Free Man of Color. He was a world-renowned Spiritualist and Clairvoyant Reader, and wrote extensively on Sex-Magic and the art of Mirror Scrying. He also worked for Abolition before the Civil War and helped to raise money for the Black Militias of Louisiana during the conflict. Immediately after the war, he taught literacy courses to newly freed slaves in New Orleans under the auspices of the Freedmen's Bureau. When funding cuts brought an end to the Freedmen's Bureau in 1867, he returned to his former career as a Spiritualist author. "Seership!" was published in 1870.

The material quoted here presents Randolph's beliefs about African-American Hoodoo, New Orleans Voodoo, Spirit Mediumship, Spell-Craft, and Mesmerism. His writing is old-fashioned and prolix, so some of the paragraphs have been broken into shorter pieces and a few explanatory notes have been added [in brackets].

(AFTER RANDOLPH DESCRIBES THE VARIOUS HEAVENLY SPIRITS WHO WATCH OVER HUMAN AFFAIRS):

Not all invisible onlookers, however, are to be counted in along with seraphs and angels, nor do they always take a subject away from the mesmerist for that subject's good; but it may happen that obsessing forces of the "Voodoo" grades step in to serve their own peculiar ends. People may laugh as much as they please at the idea of wicked, mean, obsessing, tantalizing, tempting beings, or at the old notions of the alchemists and others of that ilk; my researches and experience tell a far different story. When it is asserted that there is no mysterious means whereby ends both good and ill can be wrought at any distance; that the so called "spells," "charms" and "projects" are mere notions, having no firmer foundation than superstition or empty air alone; -- then I flatly deny all such assertions, and affirm that the conclusions arrived at are so reached by persons wholly ignorant of the invisible world about us, and of the inner powers of the human mind.

Although I am not called upon here to explain the rational involved in this special department at full length, yet elsewhere I have clearly indicated the direction in which it is to be found. As well tell me that the sun does not rise, as that there are no means whereby two dissevered persons cannot be brought in contact, or that methods do not exist by means of which one person can assuredly so work upon another as to gain desired ends -- of course said ends ought always to be good, but even if they be evil, the self-same principle and power exist, and can be easily brought into active play and power -- no matter whether said ends be those of love, affection jealousy, revenge, or love of gain and lust of power.

I have seen too much of that sort of thing in Asia, Africa, France, California, England, Long Island and New Orleans, to doubt the evidences of my senses, and the experience of years of attentive study of this branch of the great magnetic law, makes it impossible for me to doubt it. Indeed, so thoroughly convinced was I of the truth, that I spent years in travel and association with experts in order to become master of the processes and the rather unpleasant secrets of the lower -- as well as of the higher -- kind.

In New Orleans nothing is more common than for both men and women to employ the VOUDEAUX to effect contact with loved or desired ones. I have never known a failure, albeit some experiments of acquaintances of mine were rather expensive. A man loves a woman and can not reach her, or vice versa; then comes in the voud. I have a personal story to tell on this head, with living witnesses in Boston, that would convince the most sceptical person living.

[Within the term "voudeaux" Randolph included those who practiced any African diasporic religious tradition, as well as those whom we would now call hoodoo doctors or rootwork practitoners. Unfamiliar with French conjugation, he coined the word "voud" for a single individual rootworker.]

More than that: in this matter of sympathetic art I know that a pair of twin rings, containing each other's hair, one worn by the loved, the other by the lover, will blend the two in magnetic rapport to an astonishing degree. The whole thing is magnetic -- another word for magic; and so it is also of the "love-powder" business, for although most of the charlatans who pretend to deal in them are conscienceless swindlers, yet it is possible to prepare and charge certain materials so that they will retain the nerve aura of one person, and impart it to another, kindling up magnetic love between them, just as a little yeast will leaven a whole barrel of flour.

[The "'love-powder' business" refers to the prevalence of the use of magical sachet powders in the hoodoo tradition.]

Again, it will not do to tell me that one person cannot throw a spell upon another, and affect them favorably, or the reverse, at any distance! Hundreds are living witnesses today of my public exposure and defiance of the whole tribe of VOUDEAUX QUEENS -- Alice H___n and Madame D___s -- a victim, that I gained much of my knowledge in these occult points of black magic.

[The identities of the Voodoo Queens Alice H___n and Madame D___s remain a mystery pending further research in the New Orleans City Directory covering the period of Randolph's residence there. It is also interesting that Randolph, a younger contemporary of the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveu (Marie Philomene Laveau Glapion,1794 - 1881 [?]) did not name her; her fame was achieved primarily by stories told about her after her death.]

I have known it to be practiced for purposes of lust, passion, love, revenge and pecuniary speculation, and always with a strange and marvelous success.

Again, we are told that powers of evil guard hidden treasures, and successfully obfuscate and confuse the would-be finders. I believe it; and also believe that said obfuscation can easily be overcome by a timely resort to powers of a higher grade.

People are wont to laugh at and deride all this, in spite of the fact that the loftiest minds earth ever held, from HERMES TRISMEGISTUS, and the ALCHEMISTS, down the ages, to the last elected members of the SORBONNE, have believed, do believe it, and I glory in being found in such August company, including ALEXANDER of RUSSIA, and NAPOLEON III.

In corroboration of what I have written, I beg leave to introduce, without comment, the following article concerning "Voudooism -- African Fetich Worship among the Memphis Negroes," from the Memphis Appeal: --

Go to "Voudooism -- African Fetich Worship among the Memphis Negroes"

This material is reprinted from

Seership!
The Magnetic Mirror
A Practical Guide to Those Who Aspire
to Clairvoyance-Absolute

Original and Selected from Various European and Asiatic Adepts

By
Paschal Beverly Randolph.

Boston
Randolph Publishing Co.
1870

Long after Randolph's death, a reprint of this book, combined with a portion of another book by Randolph ("Eulis!") was edited and published by R. Swinburne Clymer under the revised title:

Seership
Guide to Soul Sight
A Practical Guide for Those Who Aspire
to Develop the Vision of the Soul

The Magic Mirror and How to Use It

By
Paschal Beverly Randolph, M. D.

Published by
The Confederation of Initiates
Beverly Hall, Quakertown, Pa.
1930

The latter edition is the one most commonly found; the text above appears pages 21-23 of the 1930 reprint.


Search All Lucky Mojo and Affiliated Sites!

You can search our sites for a single word (like archaeoastronomy, hoodoo, conjure, or clitoris), an exact phrase contained within quote marks (like "love spells", "spiritual supplies", "occult shop", "gambling luck", "Lucky Mojo bag", or "guardian angel"), or a name within quote marks (like "Blind Willie McTell", "Black Hawk", "Hoyt's Cologne", or "Frank Stokes"):

Pookline-for-the-Southern-Spirits

Contact-the-Southern-Spirits-Website copyright © 1994-2021 catherine yronwode. All rights reserved.
Send your comments to: cat yronwode.
Did you like what you read here? Find it useful?
Then please click on the Paypal Secure Server logo and make a small
donation to catherine yronwode for the creation and maintenance of this site.

Pookline-for-the-Southern-Spirits-Website

Lucky-Mojo-Sponsor-Banner-for-the-Southern-Spirits-Website

Pookline-for-the-Southern-Spirits-Website

Old-Tomb-Postcard-Icon-for-the-Southern-Spirits-Website-by-catherine-yronwode
This website is part of a large domain that is organized into a number of
interlinked web sites, each with its own distinctive theme and look.
You are currently reading
SOUTHERN SPIRITS by cat yronwode
.

Here are some other LUCKY MOJO web sites you can visit:

OCCULTISM, MAGIC SPELLS, MYSTICISM, RELIGION, SYMBOLISM
Hoodoo in Theory and Practice by cat yronwode: an introduction to African-American rootwork
Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic by cat yronwode:a materia magica of African-American conjure
Lucky W Amulet Archive by cat yronwode: an online museum of worldwide talismans and charms
Sacred Sex: essays and articles on tantra yoga, neo-tantra, karezza, sex magic, and sex worship
Sacred Landscape: essays and articles on archaeoastronomy and sacred geometry
Freemasonry for Women by cat yronwode: a history of mixed-gender Freemasonic lodges
The Lucky Mojo Esoteric Archive: captured internet text files on occult and spiritual topics
Lucky Mojo Usenet FAQ Archive:FAQs and REFs for occult and magical usenet newsgroups
Aleister Crowley Text Archive: a multitude of texts by an early 20th century occultist
Lucky Mojo Magic Spells Archives: love spells, money spells, luck spells, protection spells, and more
      Free Love Spell Archive: love spells, attraction spells, sex magick, romance spells, and lust spells
      Free Money Spell Archive: money spells, prosperity spells, and wealth spells for job and business
      Free Protection Spell Archive: protection spells against witchcraft, jinxes, hexes, and the evil eye
      Free Gambling Luck Spell Archive: lucky gambling spells for the lottery, casinos, and races

POPULAR CULTURE
Hoodoo and Blues Lyrics: transcriptions of blues songs about African-American folk magic
EaRhEaD!'S Syd Barrett Lyrics Site: lyrics by the founder of the Pink Floyd Sound
The Lesser Book of the Vishanti: Dr. Strange Comics as a magical system, by cat yronwode
The Spirit Checklist: a 1940s newspaper comic book by Will Eisner, indexed by cat yronwode
Fit to Print: collected weekly columns about comics and pop culture by cat yronwode
Eclipse Comics Index: a list of all Eclipse comics, albums, and trading cards

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence Course with cat yronwode: 52 weekly lessons in book form
Hoodoo Conjure Training Workshops: hands-on rootwork classes, lectures, and seminars
Apprentice with catherine yronwode: personal 3-week training for qualified HRCC graduates
Lucky Mojo Community Forum: an online message board for our occult spiritual shop customers
Lucky Mojo Hoodoo Rootwork Hour Radio Show: learn free magic spells via podcast download
Lucky Mojo Videos: see video tours of the Lucky Mojo shop and get a glimpse of the spirit train
Lucky Mojo Publishing: practical spell books on world-wide folk magic and divination
Lucky Mojo Newsletter Archive: subscribe and receive discount coupons and free magick spells
LMC Radio Network: magical news, information, education, and entertainment for all!
Follow Us on Facebook: get company news and product updates as a Lucky Mojo Facebook Fan

ONLINE SHOPPING
The Lucky Mojo Curio Co.: spiritual supplies for hoodoo, magick, witchcraft, and conjure
Herb Magic: complete line of Lucky Mojo Herbs, Minerals, and Zoological Curios, with sample spells
Mystic Tea Room Gift Shop: antique, vintage, and contemporary fortune telling tea cups

PERSONAL SITES
catherine yronwode: the eclectic and eccentric author of many of the above web pages
nagasiva yronwode: nigris (333), nocTifer, lorax666, boboroshi, Troll Towelhead, !
Garden of Joy Blues: former 80 acre hippie commune near Birch Tree in the Missouri Ozarks
Liselotte Erlanger Glozer: illustrated articles on collectible vintage postcards
Jackie Payne: Shades of Blues: a San Francisco Bay Area blues singer

ADMINISTRATIVE
Lucky Mojo Site Map: the home page for the whole Lucky Mojo electron-pile
All the Pages: descriptive named links to about 1,000 top-level Lucky Mojo web pages
How to Contact Us: we welcome feedback and suggestions regarding maintenance of this site
Make a Donation: please send us a small Paypal donation to keep us in bandwidth and macs!

OTHER SITES OF INTEREST
Arcane Archive: thousands of archived Usenet posts on religion, magic, spell-casting, mysticism, and spirituality
Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers: psychic reading, conjure, and hoodoo root doctor services
Candles and Curios: essays and articles on traditional African American conjure and folk magic, plus shopping
Crystal Silence League: a non-denominational site; post your prayers; pray for others; let others pray for you
Gospel of Satan: the story of Jesus and the angels, from the perspective of the God of this World
Hoodoo Psychics: connect online or call 1-888-4-HOODOO for instant readings now from a member of AIRR
Missionary Independent Spiritual Church: spirit-led, inter-faith; prayer-light services; Smallest Church in the World
Mystic Tea Room: tea leaf reading, teacup divination, and a museum of antique fortune telling cups
Satan Service: an archive presenting the theory, practice, and history of Satanism and Satanists
Southern Spirits: 19th and 20th century accounts of hoodoo, including ex-slave narratives & interviews
Spiritual Spells: lessons in folk magic and spell casting from an eclectic Wiccan perspective, plus shopping
Yronwode Home: personal pages of catherine yronwode and nagasiva yronwode, magical archivists
Yronwode Institution: the Yronwode Institution for the Preservation and Popularization of Indigenous Ethnomagicology


Southern-Spirits-Pookline