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Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook
"Voodoo Hoodoo" is the unique variety of Creole Voodoo found in New Orleans. The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook is a rich compendium of more than 300 authentic Voodoo and Hoodoo recipes, rituals, and spells for love, justice, gambling luck, prosperity, health, and success.
With a background in cultural psychology and root work, Denise Alvarado, who grew up in New Orleans, draws from a lifetime of recipes and spells learned from family, friends, and local practitioners. She traces the history of the African-based folk magic brought by slaves to New Orleans, and shows how it evolved over time to include influences from Native American spirituality, Catholicism, and Pentecostalism. She shares her research into folklore collections and 19th- and 20th- century formularies along with her own magical arts.
The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook includes more than 100 spells for Banishing, Binding, Fertility, Luck, Protection, Money, and more. Alvarado introduces readers to the Pantheon of Voodoo Spirits, the Seven African Powers, important Loas, Prayers, Novenas, and Psalms, and much, much more, including:
Oils and Potions: Attraction Love Oil, Dream Potion, Gambler's Luck Oil, Blessing Oil Hoodoo Powders and Gris Gris: Algier's Fast Luck Powder, Controlling Powder, Money Drawing Powder Talismans and Candle Magic Curses and Hexes302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2009
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896 people want to read
About the author
Denise Alvarado
45 books174 followersIndependent scholar, ritual artist and prolific author of Southern folk magic, spiritual traditions and culture. I create art and describe my life experiences as a Creole woman growing up in the Hoodoo capitol of the World, New Orleans, Louisiana. That said, my life experiences are by no means limited to New Orleans as I have been all over the world and currently call Arizona my home.
Please visit my website: Creole Moon
Please visit my website: Creole Moon
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 12, 2016
To see the Ultimate reason of me disliking this book, see the very end of my review.
(edit)
I noticed something interesting today. I recently picked up a copy of Herman Slater's 'Magickal Formulary Spellbook', and I happened to notice that quite a few of the formulas in his book matched those in Denise Alvarado's'The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook' to the letter. Many more of the oils contained most of the ingredients listed in The Magickal Formulary Spellbook, but with a few extra ingredients added. Since the Magickal Formulary Spellbook is a bit of a hard to find book, maybe she thought that no one would notice? I mean, this is a woman who has supposedly practiced hoodoo & conjure for years- so then why is she copying another author's formulas word for word?
I've held off on writing a review for this book for a very long time now, but it's time to write my views about it and why I gave it such a low rating.
When I first heard about this book, everyone was giving it such great reviews and praising it as one of the best books on hoodoo ever written. It received mounds of praise from prominent names in the magical community. When I was studying witchcraft (and not hoodoo) some years ago, I agreed. This book seemed to be a key into a fascinating world of spooky graveyards, colorful potions, and deadly curses. I was dazzled.
But after studying hoodoo for about 2-3 years, my opinion has done a complete 360.
I am going to take this review step by step.
My opinion is that this book does not contribute to the African American community as a whole. It does little to preserve and present this rich spiritual tradition. This is a book that is meant to turn hoodoo into yet another spiritual object to be consumed by primarily white Neo-Pagans who are looking for something to 'spice up' their magical practice, who could care less about African Americans, our culture or our history.
Instead of presenting hoodoo 'as is', the author has decided to dice up, water down, and sweeten both the historical aspects of hoodoo as well as it's applications. This is because many of the spiritual practices embedded within rootwork often differ drastically from the European magic practiced by members of the pagan community. In order to bridge the gap and make hoodoo more palatable and easier to digest for those new to the system, Denise Alvarado interjects a number of pagan and New Age practices and beliefs to make the transition easier for her readrs. Here are a few examples, from the older version of her book.
This is the technique she gives for empowering a mojo hand or gree gree:
"Sprinkle the amulet/talisman with salt.
"I consecrate you with the element of Earth, that you will provide an aura of protection to the person who holds you.""
It gets better:
""I charge this amulet/talisman to serve as (name its purpose) for I [your
name] am servant of the Divine. So be it!""
Okay...what the hell?
There are many ways of creating a mojo hand within the hoodoo tradition, including mouth-spraying, dressing with oils or cologne, breathing upon them, and passing them through incense. I don't understand why-out of all the known ways to empower a gree gree bag- the author chose to share this one. Wasn't this a book on hoodoo? Here's another gem:
"In addition to incenses and resins, herbs and roots, you will need to have a selection of stones and minerals on hand"
Um... no you won't. While hoodoo does include some minerals such as clear quartz, lodestones, and pyrite, the use of gemstones is not a traditional hoodoo practice. It get's worse:
"The following spells are root doctor formulae taken from Zora Neale Hurston’s Mules and Men. They are provided for their folkloric, informational, and entertainment value only. You are advised not to try any of these spells."
Wait, why shouldn't I try any of these spells?
"My final thought is to remind you of the Law of Three, or karmic law, however you understand it. People who practice white magic or the right hand path steer clear of the spells that harm others, that destroy, or kill. They know the consequences are far too great."
Oh...right. Because the Three Fold Law is apparently a hoodoo concept, and not a Wiccan one.
And finally, the ultimate reason why I despise this book:
"Voodoo and hoodoo after all, are faith based systems with healing as their central focus."
Pardon my language, but I'm going to need you to get the hell out of here with this revisionist history bull.
This is it. This is why I am so against this author and almost all of the books she has written. Because she is re-writing the history of hoodoo and whitewashing it in order to sell as many books to white folk as possible. Both books- her self-published version and her new version- seem to be more concerned with tourist like descriptions of super spoopy New Orleans zombies and voodoo dolls than presenting hoodoo as a legitimate spirituality of African Americans.
Hoodoo is not a system with 'healing as it's central focus'- it is a tradition that was wrought out of the determination of a people to survive. It was forged by slavery, untold atrocities, rape, and the sweat of my ancestors brow. From it's inception it gave supernatural means for the oppressed to fight their oppressors, offered control over what was considered the uncontrollable. It was used to gain the upper hand in a world in which Blackness afforded no opportunities, in which spiritual power was needed to pave your way in the world. If you do not choose to do enemy work in your personal practice, then do so. However, to disregard the need of these types of workings in the past and present is to disrespect the history of African Americans as a whole
I have no problem with white people deciding to practice hoodoo and learn about African American culture. My problem stems in the whitewashing and gentrification of my history by people who do not care about African Americans- our history, our culture, and our survival.
Stop turning hoodoo into a sparkly playground of recipes because you are not interested in Black history.
Stop turning hoodoo into a shiny, exotic new plaything whenever your tired of your current magical practice.
Stop turning hoodoo into an exotic object to be consumed by a community in which the majority of the members are white.
This book's entire claim to fame is the fact that it contains formulas- that is it. There are people who believe that this is the best book written on modern hoodoo, when there are many more traditional books on hoodoo written from a more modern perspective that are much better than this book- such as Starr Casas and Catherine Yronwode.
I mean, Stephanie Rose Bird has several books that, while not traditional in a sense, still enrich the reader's understanding of hoodoo as a time-honored spiritual system. I suspect that the reason why her book Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones is not as popular as The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook is because Stephanie Rose Bird emphasizes African-retentions, focusing on African American tradition rather than attempting to be edgy with chapters on fucking zombies. Books which retain cultural relevance aren't as consumable to spiritual vultures.
This book had so much potential to give back to the community, and yet this book will be added to the hundreds of spiritual fad-diet tomes that came before it.
(edit)
I noticed something interesting today. I recently picked up a copy of Herman Slater's 'Magickal Formulary Spellbook', and I happened to notice that quite a few of the formulas in his book matched those in Denise Alvarado's'The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook' to the letter. Many more of the oils contained most of the ingredients listed in The Magickal Formulary Spellbook, but with a few extra ingredients added. Since the Magickal Formulary Spellbook is a bit of a hard to find book, maybe she thought that no one would notice? I mean, this is a woman who has supposedly practiced hoodoo & conjure for years- so then why is she copying another author's formulas word for word?
I've held off on writing a review for this book for a very long time now, but it's time to write my views about it and why I gave it such a low rating.
When I first heard about this book, everyone was giving it such great reviews and praising it as one of the best books on hoodoo ever written. It received mounds of praise from prominent names in the magical community. When I was studying witchcraft (and not hoodoo) some years ago, I agreed. This book seemed to be a key into a fascinating world of spooky graveyards, colorful potions, and deadly curses. I was dazzled.
But after studying hoodoo for about 2-3 years, my opinion has done a complete 360.
I am going to take this review step by step.
My opinion is that this book does not contribute to the African American community as a whole. It does little to preserve and present this rich spiritual tradition. This is a book that is meant to turn hoodoo into yet another spiritual object to be consumed by primarily white Neo-Pagans who are looking for something to 'spice up' their magical practice, who could care less about African Americans, our culture or our history.
Instead of presenting hoodoo 'as is', the author has decided to dice up, water down, and sweeten both the historical aspects of hoodoo as well as it's applications. This is because many of the spiritual practices embedded within rootwork often differ drastically from the European magic practiced by members of the pagan community. In order to bridge the gap and make hoodoo more palatable and easier to digest for those new to the system, Denise Alvarado interjects a number of pagan and New Age practices and beliefs to make the transition easier for her readrs. Here are a few examples, from the older version of her book.
This is the technique she gives for empowering a mojo hand or gree gree:
"Sprinkle the amulet/talisman with salt.
"I consecrate you with the element of Earth, that you will provide an aura of protection to the person who holds you.""
It gets better:
""I charge this amulet/talisman to serve as (name its purpose) for I [your
name] am servant of the Divine. So be it!""
Okay...what the hell?
There are many ways of creating a mojo hand within the hoodoo tradition, including mouth-spraying, dressing with oils or cologne, breathing upon them, and passing them through incense. I don't understand why-out of all the known ways to empower a gree gree bag- the author chose to share this one. Wasn't this a book on hoodoo? Here's another gem:
"In addition to incenses and resins, herbs and roots, you will need to have a selection of stones and minerals on hand"
Um... no you won't. While hoodoo does include some minerals such as clear quartz, lodestones, and pyrite, the use of gemstones is not a traditional hoodoo practice. It get's worse:
"The following spells are root doctor formulae taken from Zora Neale Hurston’s Mules and Men. They are provided for their folkloric, informational, and entertainment value only. You are advised not to try any of these spells."
Wait, why shouldn't I try any of these spells?
"My final thought is to remind you of the Law of Three, or karmic law, however you understand it. People who practice white magic or the right hand path steer clear of the spells that harm others, that destroy, or kill. They know the consequences are far too great."
Oh...right. Because the Three Fold Law is apparently a hoodoo concept, and not a Wiccan one.
And finally, the ultimate reason why I despise this book:
"Voodoo and hoodoo after all, are faith based systems with healing as their central focus."
Pardon my language, but I'm going to need you to get the hell out of here with this revisionist history bull.
This is it. This is why I am so against this author and almost all of the books she has written. Because she is re-writing the history of hoodoo and whitewashing it in order to sell as many books to white folk as possible. Both books- her self-published version and her new version- seem to be more concerned with tourist like descriptions of super spoopy New Orleans zombies and voodoo dolls than presenting hoodoo as a legitimate spirituality of African Americans.
Hoodoo is not a system with 'healing as it's central focus'- it is a tradition that was wrought out of the determination of a people to survive. It was forged by slavery, untold atrocities, rape, and the sweat of my ancestors brow. From it's inception it gave supernatural means for the oppressed to fight their oppressors, offered control over what was considered the uncontrollable. It was used to gain the upper hand in a world in which Blackness afforded no opportunities, in which spiritual power was needed to pave your way in the world. If you do not choose to do enemy work in your personal practice, then do so. However, to disregard the need of these types of workings in the past and present is to disrespect the history of African Americans as a whole
I have no problem with white people deciding to practice hoodoo and learn about African American culture. My problem stems in the whitewashing and gentrification of my history by people who do not care about African Americans- our history, our culture, and our survival.
Stop turning hoodoo into a sparkly playground of recipes because you are not interested in Black history.
Stop turning hoodoo into a shiny, exotic new plaything whenever your tired of your current magical practice.
Stop turning hoodoo into an exotic object to be consumed by a community in which the majority of the members are white.
This book's entire claim to fame is the fact that it contains formulas- that is it. There are people who believe that this is the best book written on modern hoodoo, when there are many more traditional books on hoodoo written from a more modern perspective that are much better than this book- such as Starr Casas and Catherine Yronwode.
I mean, Stephanie Rose Bird has several books that, while not traditional in a sense, still enrich the reader's understanding of hoodoo as a time-honored spiritual system. I suspect that the reason why her book Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones is not as popular as The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook is because Stephanie Rose Bird emphasizes African-retentions, focusing on African American tradition rather than attempting to be edgy with chapters on fucking zombies. Books which retain cultural relevance aren't as consumable to spiritual vultures.
This book had so much potential to give back to the community, and yet this book will be added to the hundreds of spiritual fad-diet tomes that came before it.
November 18, 2014
This book has wonderfully informative charts and is a good reference book to have on hand for distinguishing which herbs and oils have different purposes with hoodoo.
However, there's too much of a blend with Europagan things in with traditional hoodoo -- and I know this is because this is blending voodoo and hoodoo, but I felt like this could have maybe been distinguished a little more firmly and there could have been instances where the author depicted the difference.
The major downside to this book is that I don't think there was a copyeditor involved at all. There are so many typos, so many small grammar mistakes. I don't pay attention to things like that, and to have realize it means there's gotta be something missing.
However, there's too much of a blend with Europagan things in with traditional hoodoo -- and I know this is because this is blending voodoo and hoodoo, but I felt like this could have maybe been distinguished a little more firmly and there could have been instances where the author depicted the difference.
The major downside to this book is that I don't think there was a copyeditor involved at all. There are so many typos, so many small grammar mistakes. I don't pay attention to things like that, and to have realize it means there's gotta be something missing.
June 20, 2012
Well, as the author of the book I am most biased. But I have to say I am very proud of this work as it is the among the very few that have been written about Creole Voodoo as it is experienced in New Orleans.
July 18, 2015
Interesting, but I'm confused by and disappointed in the content. Alvarado's only comment on integration is that her white friend was teased viciously by black girls. (Hey, I was teased in school, and some of the girls were black. This was because I was weird.) She then uses the slur "tranny" quite casually in reference to drag queens. This is a "scholar?"
She left out Maya Derin. Voodoo, hoodoo, and Santeria terms are used interchangeably. Some of the material is clearly Wiccan, a tradition Alverez calls "spiritualism."
Sometimes animal sacrifices are listed, and sometimes they aren't. Animal sacrifice--and the reasons it is practiced--are downplayed. Vévés appear for some loas, but not others. Holidays are mentioned, but not explained.
There is interesting research in the book. Unfortunately, this is overshadowed by the gumbo. The fact that Raymond Buckland gave it a glowing review says something: It's a blend of Wicca and Afro-Caribbean folk traditions.
She left out Maya Derin. Voodoo, hoodoo, and Santeria terms are used interchangeably. Some of the material is clearly Wiccan, a tradition Alverez calls "spiritualism."
Sometimes animal sacrifices are listed, and sometimes they aren't. Animal sacrifice--and the reasons it is practiced--are downplayed. Vévés appear for some loas, but not others. Holidays are mentioned, but not explained.
There is interesting research in the book. Unfortunately, this is overshadowed by the gumbo. The fact that Raymond Buckland gave it a glowing review says something: It's a blend of Wicca and Afro-Caribbean folk traditions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2025
One of the best books on subjects I've ever encountered, a must read for anyone interested in history of Louisiana and similar cultures and diaspora from west africa across haiti, dominican republic, jamaica, well organized and articulated coherently in accessible language which can be readily appreciated by those not versed in minutia of traditions, fantastic balance between theory and descriptions of concrete practices, sheds valuable light on many terms, concepts, practices, language of popular vernacular which are very familiar and commonplace but have rich and complex meanings and roots easily traceable to history ancient and contemporary. A highly interesting and valuable volume very worth spending some thoughtful quality time perusing.
July 22, 2013
Great read
April 1, 2019
When I picked this book up, I was kind of excited to be reading it, having found it on a whim at the library. I love the anthropological aspects of learning new spirituality systems, and this author seems to have that style of writing, so I'm stoked here! By the time I finished reading it, I actually found a lot more information I can use in this book than I honestly expected. I'll be adding this to my collection as soon as I can afford a copy.
June 9, 2021
3.5 stars. I knew that much of voodoo meaning is hidden in Christianity because slaves had to hide their religious beliefs here but I was amazed at how much it mirrors. It makes sense though if your life is on the line, you hide it well. Although I won't be practicing any spells, it was a worthwhile read.
April 8, 2019
I really loved this book. It's very informative and there is a lot of history that I didn't know. This is worth a read if you're intending on working with the Loa at all
May 5, 2020
Brilliant in every way. Informative and fascinating.
October 8, 2020
This is a thorough and useful guide to voodoo history and practice.
May 2, 2021
Very informative I liked it.
Want to read
July 16, 2022I'm just not able to open the book. How do I do it?
August 5, 2018
Even though I consider myself an Atheist, I found this book to be very fascinating and informative.
August 25, 2020
I've never seen anything as comprehensive on New Orleans-specific voodoo as this book. I'm not a voodoo practitioner of any kind, but aeclectic -- a curious learner seeking well-rounded knowledge of various practices from cultures worldwide by people WITHIN those cultures. Denise Alvarado claims she was born and raised in NoLA, and despite some negative reviews here and there, I haven't seen any real evidence to contradict this.
This book goes into the history and differences between NoLA voodoo and other forms, as well as how-to's on spells, oils, gris gris, etc. There are also visual aids like charts and graphics on magical alphabets, spirits, etc.
The only thing keeping this from having a permanent spot in my Witchcraft book collection is the high amount of ingredients necessary to perform the rituals and spells within. Plus, I think one might have a hard time finding all the ingredients to begin with. But if I've learned anything, it's that intent is what truly matters, and that seems to be what NoLA voodoo is really about since it's such a mixture of various practices in the bayou.
This book goes into the history and differences between NoLA voodoo and other forms, as well as how-to's on spells, oils, gris gris, etc. There are also visual aids like charts and graphics on magical alphabets, spirits, etc.
The only thing keeping this from having a permanent spot in my Witchcraft book collection is the high amount of ingredients necessary to perform the rituals and spells within. Plus, I think one might have a hard time finding all the ingredients to begin with. But if I've learned anything, it's that intent is what truly matters, and that seems to be what NoLA voodoo is really about since it's such a mixture of various practices in the bayou.
September 1, 2015
Overall, a book that offers information about the saints, spirits, and traditional work that is common to New Orleans Voodoo, and Hoodoo work. A quick listing of the major pantheons from the African religion with correspondences for the Seven African Powers, and the various American spirits that are worked in the system. Then the commonly called-upon saints, Catholic and Folk, along with their prayers, and novenas.
The remainder of the book, a good three-quarters left, covers the various materials such as oils, sachets, baths, washes, gris-gris, and more that is often utilized. The recipes are helpful, however, few give proportions so it will require experimentation to find what works.
It offers a glimpse into many of the products used by practitioners that few get to see. I enjoyed that aspect of it. The author didn't candy-coat anything, there are both blessings, and hexings the book that certainly reflects local attitudes to getting the job done.
The remainder of the book, a good three-quarters left, covers the various materials such as oils, sachets, baths, washes, gris-gris, and more that is often utilized. The recipes are helpful, however, few give proportions so it will require experimentation to find what works.
It offers a glimpse into many of the products used by practitioners that few get to see. I enjoyed that aspect of it. The author didn't candy-coat anything, there are both blessings, and hexings the book that certainly reflects local attitudes to getting the job done.
October 12, 2016
Meticulously researched by a strong active practitioner who is part of an authentic, organic community.
I shouldn't have to preface my review with that... but the reading I've completed recently suggests I do.
I've read her revised edition which I recommend over the first as the publication quality seems stronger - better and more intuitively organised for quick reference and practical use.
However, Alvarado intertwines her work with the history of New Orleans and a discussion of the impact the African diaspora has had on that region and its magic. It is completely a respectful and real text with consistent academic links made real by practice. I will never be a part of this community but I think other - predominantly Anglo - pagans and witches have a lot to learn from the combination of flexibility and yet consistency of authors such as Alvarado.
I shouldn't have to preface my review with that... but the reading I've completed recently suggests I do.
I've read her revised edition which I recommend over the first as the publication quality seems stronger - better and more intuitively organised for quick reference and practical use.
However, Alvarado intertwines her work with the history of New Orleans and a discussion of the impact the African diaspora has had on that region and its magic. It is completely a respectful and real text with consistent academic links made real by practice. I will never be a part of this community but I think other - predominantly Anglo - pagans and witches have a lot to learn from the combination of flexibility and yet consistency of authors such as Alvarado.
July 5, 2021
Interesting, though I only really read the first half and browsed through the 2nd half with all the spells and stuff. I have no idea where Voodoo practitioners got all the obscure ingredients for some of these magic potions and cures, etc. The book begins with a disclaimer and the plea: "The reader is encouraged to cast spells responsibly."
October 25, 2015
Great Jumpstart
Love this book learned a lot from it. I believe it's a good jumpstart book for those interested in vodou. I recommend reading this book to get a bit of foundation. Take what you learn and do more research yourself. This path is a journey and it's up to you to choose how you take it. Blessed be.
Love this book learned a lot from it. I believe it's a good jumpstart book for those interested in vodou. I recommend reading this book to get a bit of foundation. Take what you learn and do more research yourself. This path is a journey and it's up to you to choose how you take it. Blessed be.
Want to read
February 6, 2017ı wanna be the very best
January 10, 2013
One of two really good books recommended to me by The Village Witch (www.thevillagewitch.co.uk); a lot of information to get through and process, maybe not the most intuitive layout, but full of essential and worthwhile information. As with all books of this nature, you get from them what you need!
January 28, 2016
Read this book for informational purposes but it contains a lot of how to information if you are looking to practice Voodoo/Hoodoo. Also, it gives great information about what the two are and are not. I look forward to reading more by this Author.
November 11, 2019
This is a great introduction to voodoo and association magic in general. I DO wish it had more cultural context, but a lot of context can be inferred from reading the spells and rituals. It was a great overview and introduction to concepts.
March 29, 2012
Really interesting collection of spells involving Sara Lee pound cake and pubic hair. Well...not all of them. Anyway, I'm packin' now. Be nice to me!
September 22, 2014
I read this book to get some information for my novel - I wanted the spells in the book to be authentic - and it was so helpful. Very interesting read about the history of Voodoo in New Orleans!
March 11, 2015
read and learn
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2014
A very informative book written in an easygoing, clear, and engaging manner.
July 23, 2017
I both love and am a little irritated by this book, lol. I'm Houma Native American, if my ethnicity has any relevancy to my review. My family has been from New Orleans and deep bayou parts for generations, so I grew up with, and maintain, a unique blend of spiritual ideologies- voodoo/hoodoo naturally being among them, as blended as the cultures are in those parts. I felt such nostalgia reading some of the legends and superstitions that my grandmother taught and told me as a child- things that she did and/or kept around her home (some that I still do, both from habit and tradition). What I did not like was all the pagan/wiccan stuff that seemed to be sprinkled over everything, tainting a genuine faith with touristy mysticism. I feel that it hinders the validity of voodoo as a legitimate religion in the minds of the majority who would roll their eyes at so much of this.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews