To Pray Or Not To Pray?

That is the question.

While God makes all spells work, sometimes they work differently because we may ask for the wrong thing without realizing it. A good parent will not lend the car keys to a teenager who does not yet know how to drive. All the pleadings or even sacrifices in the world will not get a good parent to change his mind.

But Hoodoo or conjure is our opportunity to move beyond these limitations. Conjure comes from the Latin word "conjurare," which means to plot, form an alliance, act together, or join an oath. When we perform conjure works, we are actually plotting, forming an alliance, or joining an oath with whom? To the spirits and also to God. This process means that we have a relationship with the spirit world.

Hoodoo or conjure work always involves a sincere prayer. And I was taught that it should always start by praising God, ancestors, and spirit guides. One purpose of this praise is to sensitize us to the spirit world's capacity to help. We take the time to recognize and appreciate all they do for us.

And they do so much! We know that our parents love us because of all they've given us, yet if one just knows how to have a working relationship with the spirits, they can give him infinitely more valuable gifts.

That's why when I pray when doing work on behalf of others, I begin with blessings that acknowledge what I possess, which my clients lack. These awaken my appreciation for all the gifts the spirit world has bestowed upon me and remind me how much the spirit world is so 'alive.' When we appreciate what we have, the spirits will want to give us more, even on behalf of others.

Suppose a spell (performed on behalf of a client) works. In that case, I ask him to make a thanksgiving offering that is brought to his perspective of Church and community, which he then eats as a festive meal in commemoration of having been saved from a dire situation.

Usually, I ask them to offer an enormous quantity of food, and all must be consumed within a concise amount of time - less than 24 hours. The reason for this, as my mentor explained to me, is that God wants to create a situation whereby someone will not only appreciate his good fortune but will share that appreciation with others. With all this food to eat, he will be compelled to invite family and friends to share the story of how God grants his prayers and how the spirits work for him.

Publicizing the spirits' works is how we strengthen our connection and belief. This is the reason why most rootworkers nowadays post their spellwork online or make public sanctification of the Catholic or folk saints' name and God's name.

To build a relationship with your spiritual community, you'll need a framework for the connection. Saturday or Sunday are good times to reduce the outside static and connect with your inner self and spirit world. You could invite some friends over, prepare a nice meal, light some candles, pray or devote yourself together, go to nature, study the culture of your ancestors, practice conjure and just enjoy the solitude.

As for the prayer aspect: Any relationship is built on communication, and communication has to come from the heart. The spirit world yearns to give us the pleasure of connection. You can pray in any language - aloud. To all those aspiring Hoodoo practitioners, always remember that prayers, speech, or songs are essential components of Hoodoo spell-casting. I learned how to pray from Black Baptist preachers and deacons, but most of the time, I vary when it comes to praying. I more or less work in speech style rather than in song.

But to help you start, here's a sample prayer demonstrated by Hasan Green. This is how most conjure doctors from the South pray and start their Hoodoo work:

Psalms And Jewish Scriptural Magic

Psalms are very powerful words. These praises and supplications can make a difference as they seep into one's soul when recited repeatedly. The term 'Psalms' comes from the Greek "Psalmoi," meaning 'songs sung to a harp.' In early Jewish tradition, psalms were sung, but infamous Protestant Christian, Spiritualist, and Catholic Christian traditions, reciting them as a form of prayer are more common.

Although Psalms are poetic, they are not poetry, not to be subjected to literary analysis. A purely intellectual approach is ineffective when trying to understand and get an insight into their deep meanings. Psalms are meant to be felt and internalized, and it helps your spiritual and magical works like spells, spiritual cleansing, house blessing, devotions, etc., to have the necessary emotions. It's not a one-shot deal, but the day-in, day-out repetition leads to their absorption and enormous power.

Psalms are a great resource of various energies that can accompany your fervent prayers for so many benefits (and even harm) for yourself or for other people. Just as water slowly erodes a rock, the recital of Psalms impacts one's Self.

For time immemorial, whenever Judeo-Christians all over the world found themselves in difficult situations, individually or communally, they would open up the Book of Psalms and use King David's ageless poetic prayers to beseech divine help and mercy.

According to Jewish biblical exegesis, King David compiled the Psalms while praying for himself and every Jew of every generation and circumstance they were experiencing. No matter who you are and the situation, the Psalms' words speak the words of a God-fearing heart and are heard on high.

A Torah student and spiritual worker even told me that if people only knew the power of Psalms and the magical effects of its recital, we would recite them constantly. Every chapter of the Psalms shatters all barriers, obstacles, or blockages; they ascend higher and still higher with no hindrances and interference; the words make one prostrates in supplication before the King of the universe, maker of Heaven and Earth, and they affect and accomplish with kindness and compassion.

A mindful recital of Psalms makes one more aware of God's presence. Through these ancient prayers, one will allow his mind to be filled with thoughts of appreciation for God's kindness to him. He will be more present-oriented. He will focus less on anything he is dissatisfied with about the past. He will be free from stressful thoughts about the future. He will be focused on the present kindnesses.

The most significant Medieval text on scriptural magic is a Jewish book called "Shimmush Tehillim" (On the Use of Psalms). It presents us with the key to Psalm's hidden treasures. The book offers analyses of Psalms with magical suggestions for how to implement their message to transform people's lives.

Psalmic magic entered Hoodoo when pseudo-Jewish magical books derived from Shimmush Tehillim, such as The Secrets of the Psalms, written by a German mystic and author named Johannes Gottfried Seelig (1688-1745), were translated into English language and became available in 'mail order houses' and occult shops which supplied magical goods and Hoodoo paraphernalia to Southern rootworkers through catalogs and sales agents.

In the 20th century, although some rootworkers still gathered many of their materials from nature, a lot of them preferred to obtain their items from shops and order houses as they were way more convenient to them. Due to this, Hoodoo practitioners began employing various magical techniques resembling Jewish practices. This is mainly because the order houses that manufactured and sold spiritual supplies to the South during the 1920s and 1930s were owned and operated by Jewish merchants, pharmacists, and chemists.

Why Jews? In the 19th century, soap-making, cosmetics-making, and other small chemistry enterprises were traditional Jewish occupations in Germany and Austria. Large-scale Jewish immigration commenced by the mid-century. Many German Jews had arrived, migrating to the United States in large numbers due to antisemitic laws and restrictions, persecutions, and economic difficulties in some European countries. In America, they primarily became shop-owners and small-time pharmacists and chemists. Jews at that time were not wealthy enough to introduce themselves as pharmacists or chemists to the White people, so they set up in the black community instead. There they worked out formulas for specifically black beauty care and household products until some African-Americans asked them to prepare spiritual supplies for their rootworking needs. And so, they started making condition oils, sachet powders, colognes, spray mists, spiritual soaps, liniments, salves, lotions, floor washes, etc. The Jewish people began incorporating Psalms when making spiritual supplies to potentiate them and then shared them with Christian African-Americans.

It is very common to conjure practice to recite specific Psalms over oils, water, and other spiritual supplies to empower them.

Psalms are also widely used in practical Kabbalah since, given the life force attributed to the Tanakh, which is composed of Torah (five books of Moses), Nevi'im (the Prophets), and Ketuvim (the Writings); and the Hebrew alphabet, it is no surprise that they have magical correspondence.

Psalm 23 is usually recited over spells promoting success.

All chapters of Psalms have found their way into conjure practice, although their method of employment in Hoodoo may differ from the traditional Jewish methods:

Psalms 1: For removal of the lawless and ungodly person(s) from the neighborhood, home, workplace, and Church or congregation.
Psalms 2: For disbanding and breaking up enemy conspiracies, unhealthy rivalries, unwanted romantic or sexual affairs, adulteries, or infidelities.
Psalms 3: For relief from a severe headache or from back pain.
Psalms 4: For restful and peaceful sleep; for changing one's luck from bad to good.
Psalms 5: For finding favor with authorities or superiors for success in business endeavors.
Psalms 6: For healing eye diseases; for protection in the dark.
Psalms 7: For halting conspiracies and enemy pursuits.
Psalms 8: For business success through the goodwill of associates; for the blessing of condition oils.
Psalms 9: For bringing punishment and retribution to one's enemies.
Psalms 10: For warding off an unclean, restless, or intranquil spirit.
Psalms 11: For righteous retribution against one's foes; for deliverance from persecution; for casting off evil and fear.
Psalms 12: For protection against severe persecution or oppression.
Psalms 13: For safety from an unnatural death.
Psalms 14: For preventing libels and slanders from damaging the confidence and trust others have in you.
Psalms 15: For exorcism; for mental peace.
Psalms 16: For identification of a thief; for blessing a sorrowful situation and changing into a joyful one; for reconciliation of tense relationships.
Psalms 17: For security and safe travel abroad of a loved one.
Psalms 18: For protection from robbery; for anointing the sick to cure them.
Psalms 19: For help in childbirth; for release from jail.
Psalms 20: For protection from danger for a day.
Psalms 21: For calming a storm and protection for seafarers and sailors.
Psalms 22: For travel protection from dangerous storms, pirates, beasts, and men.
Psalms 23: For prosperity, love, protection, wisdom, and guidance.
Psalms 24: For protection from floods and escape from rising waters.
Psalms 25: For forgiveness of the sins of youth; for protection from capture.
Psalms 26: For the release of someone from confinement or from jail.
Psalms 27: For protection and hospitality while one is traveling abroad.
Psalms 28: For reconciliation or bringing back estranged friends who have become hostile.
Psalms 29: For the restoration of peace and tranquility of the home.
Psalms 30: For protection from enemies; for recovery from severe illnesses.
Psalms 31: For protection from conspiracies, back-biting, and gossip.
Psalms 32: For respect, love, grace, and blessings from God.
Psalms 33: For protection, unity, and blessing of all of the members of a family.
Psalms 34: For destruction and reversal of evil; for protection, while traveling.
Psalms 35: For justice to prevail in court cases and legal matters.
Psalms 36: For protection from slander and gossip; for exposure of liars.
Psalms 37: For protection against slander, gossip, lies, and evil influences.
Psalms 38: For court cases when proceedings and hearings have taken a turn for the worse.
Psalms 39: For gaining the favor of jurors and judges when false testimony has been given against you at the court.
Psalms 40: For protection against evil spirits and for casting them out.
Psalms 41: For redeeming reputation and good name if slander and gossip have ruined one's character.
Psalms 42: For spiritual guidance; for answers in dreams; for love reconciliation.
Psalms 43: For turning back evil against slanderous and wicked people.
Psalms 44: For protection against enemy works, conflicts, fights, and occult wars.
Psalms 45: For peace between husband and wife
Psalms 46: For soothing marital tensions.
Psalms 47: For gaining favor from those in power; for authority, control, and mastery over people.
Psalms 48: For the destruction of hateful and envious enemies.
Psalms 49: For healing severe diseases.
Psalms 50: For healing of other forms of sickness.
Psalms 51: For spiritual cleansing; for removing sin, primarily after acts of enemy works and revenge.
Psalms 52: For ending all manner of gossip by evil-tongued people.
Psalms 53: For protection from enemies whose names are known or unknown.
Psalms 54: For protection by reversing works of evil and malice.
Psalms 55: For bringing retribution against attackers.
Psalms 56: For intercession by God to remove temptations and bad habits.
Psalms 57: For removal of jinxes; for changing bad luck into good luck.
Psalms 58: For warding off snakes and wild beasts
Psalms 59: For bringing down the vengeance of God against your enemies.
Psalms 60: For God to march into battle and defeat one's enemies.
Psalms 61: For a new home to be fixed with good fortune, happiness, and peace.
Psalms 62: For forgiveness of sins and gaining God's blessing.
Psalms 63: For protection from being taken advantage of by business partners and investors; for resolution of matters between business partners who have differences.
Psalms 64: For protection, especially at sea, and for a safe return.
Psalms 65: For road opening that breaks through barriers and ensures successful outcomes in all endeavors.
Psalms 66: For warding off evil spirits.
Psalms 67: For protection against illness and fever.
Psalms 68: For exorcism (recited while preparing baths)
Psalms 69: For deliverance from the bondage of sins, addictions, and unhealthy habits.
Psalms 70: For reversal of wickedness wrought by enemies.
Psalms 71: For acquittals in court cases.
Psalms 72: For talismans that bring favor and success.
Psalms 73: For the protection of travelers against religious persecution in foreign lands.
Psalms 74: For the destruction of oppressors and persecutors.
Psalms 75: Used along with specially prepared baths for cleansing sins.
Psalms 76: For God's intercession to provide protection from all attacks.
Psalms 77: For protection against plagues, pestilence, death, poverty, chronic illness, drought, and famine.
Psalms 78: For gaining favors from bosses, supervisors, and government officials.
Psalms 79: For casting fatal curses against wicked people.
Psalms 80: For the prevention of spiritual doubts, disbeliefs, worries, and anxieties.
Psalms 81: For safety from accidents.
Psalms 82: For business deals and investments.
Psalms 83: For keeping yourself and clients safe during times of war, persecution, and captivity.
Psalms 84: For healing, especially when the body has contracted unusual odors.
Psalms 85: For a reconciliation of friends
Psalms 86: For peace, goodness, and happiness of the community.
Psalms 87: For cleansing the place or community before starting healing and blessing work.
Psalms 88: For removal of curses through intervention and blessing of God (used with baths and talismans).
Psalms 89: For anointing the sick; for psychic vision.
Psalms 90: For protection (used with Psalm 91).
Psalms 91: For protection from distress and harm; for exorcism.
Psalms 92: For bringing good fortune and high honors.
Psalms 93: For the avoidance of prosecution by unjust and oppressive men.
Psalms 94: For the protection and turning all evil back onto your enemies.
Psalms 95: For cleansing sins; for guidance and forgiveness for enemies.
Psalms 96: For the blessing of a family and bringing them happiness, peace, and joy.
Psalms 97: For healing, blessing, and cleansing a family (used with Psalm 96).
Psalms 98: For the restoration of peace between two hostile families.
Psalms 99: For praise and devotion to God.
Psalms 100: For bringing victory against enemies.
Psalms 101: For protection against enemies and evil spirits.
Psalms 102: For assistance in fertility matters and to be granted grace.
Psalms 103: For help in conceiving a child and for forgiving sins.
Psalms 104: For cleansing away evil; for blessing natural curios and spiritual supplies.
Psalms 105: For healing illnesses, especially recurrent or periodic fevers.
Psalms 106: For healing and good health.
Psalms 107: For remission or healing from periodic or recurrent fevers.
Psalms 108: For financial success in your place of business.
Psalms 109: For casting curse against oppressive, slanderous enemies.
Psalms 110: For the victory, making your enemies bow before you and beg for mercy.
Psalms 111: For acquiring many friends, respect, and admiration.
Psalms 112: For might, power, success, abundance, and blessings.
Psalms 113: For stopping infidelity and heresy.
Psalms 114: For success in matters of finance, business, and money.
Psalms 115: For eloquence and success and debates.
Psalms 116: For protection from violent or sudden death or injury.
Psalms 117: For forgiveness of a failure to keep a vow or promise that you made.
Psalms 118: For protection against those who try to misguide or lead you astray.
Psalms 119: The longest Psalm, its 22 alphabetic divisions cover all human problems.
Psalms 120: For success in court and protection against snakes and scorpions.
Psalms 121: For safety at night, both during sleep and while traveling in darkness.
Psalms 122: For peace within a city, company, or organization; for gaining the favor of those in the high position.
Psalms 123: For drawing back runaway servant, trainee, or employee.
Psalms 124: For cleansing the soul, protection at sea and from being wronged.
Psalms 125: For protection in foreign lands and against those who work iniquity.
Psalms 126: For helping a woman conceive and carry the baby until term.
Psalms 127: For the protection and blessing of a newborn baby.
Psalms 128: For a fortunate, accident-free pregnancy; for uncomplicated childbirth.
Psalms 129: For a long life of virtue and good works.
Psalms 130: For protection, especially when facing a siege or during dangerous times.
Psalms 131: For gaining mastery over the sin of pride and scornfulness.
Psalms 132: For matters of punctuality.
Psalms 133: For love and respect of friends.
Psalms 134: For altar work in matters of higher education and for success in school.
Psalms 135: For repentance, spirituality, and rededicating one's life to God.
Psalms 136: For those who wish to confess and be cleansed of sins.
Psalms 137: For cleansing the heart and soul from hate, envy, evil, and vice.
Psalms 138: For establishing a relationship with God.
Psalms 139: For maintaining and nurturing love, especially within the context of marriage.
Psalms 140: For tranquility and for the preservation of relationships.
Psalms 141: For warding off terror and fear and against oppression.
Psalms 142: For healing the body, restoring health, and alleviating pain and suffering.
Psalms 143: For healing bodily limbs, especially the arms, and alleviating pain.
Psalms 144: For quick recovery from sickness and fractures.
Psalms 145: For cleansing and purification of clients who have spirit attachments.
Psalms 146: For healing and recovery after being wounded.
Psalms 147: For healing wounds and bites from snakes, insects, and other animals.
Psalms 148: For fire prevention.
Psalms 149: For protection against fire-related accidents.
Psalms 150: For the glory of God and for thanksgiving.

Christian blessing for healing with Archangel Raphael, St. Dymphna, the Bible, eucalyptus, angelica root, and other herbal curios.  

There were also many, many magical and spiritual uses for biblical passages. Verses were believed to have power either by containing God's sacred names or because they applied to the situation at hand. It was even said, not just in Hoodoo tradition but also in Kabbalah, that a devoted and righteously faithful person could not just bless but could even kill with combinations of verses and specific divine names.

There are far too many verses for me to list here, so below is a short list of interesting and advantageous examples.

To counteract sorcery, witchcraft, and magic, recite the following verses, which all begin and end in the Hebrew letter nun, in the following order: Lev. 13:9, Nu. 32:32, Deut. 18:15, Song of Songs 4:11, Prov. 7:17, Prov. 20:27, I Chron. 12:2, Jer. 50:8, Ps. 78:12, and Ps. 77:21. You may also recite Ex. 22:17 and Is. 41:24; Lev. 1:1; or Nu. 23: 21-23.
For invisibility: Genesis 19:11
For success: Genesis 39:2; Exodus 15:11
For general protection at night: Genesis 49:19
For deliverance from impending danger: Exodus 6:6-7
To protect against an enemy: Ex. 15:5-6, 15:9, 15:19; Duet. 22:6; Is. 10:14, Prov. 1:17
For victory in war: Exodus 15:3; Deut. 21:10
For safety on a journey: Ex. 15:13; Numbers 10:35-36
To dissipate illusions, mirages, and hallucinations: Exodus 15:16
For protection against magic, danger, evil spirits, and death: Exodus 30:34-38
To have a prayer answered: Exodus 34:6-7, Exodus 15:2
To protect infants from evil spirits: Numbers 6:24-27, Deuteronomy 32:10-12
To dispel a fever: Numbers 12:13; Deuteronomy 7:15
For the death of an enemy: Numbers 14
For protection from sorcery: Numbers 23:22-33
To protect against wild beasts: Deuteronomy 18:13
For divination in dreams: Deuteronomy 29:28; Song of Songs 1:7
For love: Song of Songs 1:3
To protect against jealousy and the evil eye: Proverbs 23:6
To reverse back envy and the evil eye: Proverbs 28:22
For the financial ruin of an enemy: Isaiah 10:14
To bring down the reign of an oppressive ruler: Isaiah 14:5
To blow apart blockages and obstacles that have been thrown in your path: Isaiah 43:19