Crossroads of Conjure: The Roots and Practices of Granny Magic, Hoodoo, Brujería, and Curanderismo

by Katrina Rasbold

Explore the Fascinating World of Southern Folk Magic

Featuring an introductory look at Granny Magic, Hoodoo, Brujería, and Curanderismo in the American South, Crossroads of Conjure provides a fresh perspective on folk magic. This authentic and powerful book demonstrates how these systems are interconnected, celebrates their sustainability, and dispels the myths and misunderstandings about them.

Learn about each path's beliefs, practitioners, history, and how its traditions are carried on in modern society. Discover the techniques practitioners use for healing, survival, protection, and more. This entertaining and informative exploration of folk magic also helps you determine which practice resonates with you the most.

Genres: Nonfiction, Witchcraft, Occult, Magic, Folklore, Spirituality

312 pages, Paperback

Published January 8, 2019

About the author

Katrina Rasbold has provided insightful and guidance to countless individuals over the past three decades through both her life path consultations and her informative classes and workshops. She has worked with teachers all over the world, including three years of training in England and two years of practice in the Marianas Islands. She is a professional life coach who holds a PhD in Religion. She is married and she and her husband, Eric, co-authored the Bio-Universal Energy book series.

Katrina lives in the forested Eden of the High Sierras of Northern California near Tahoe. Katrina is a hermit who lives inside her beautiful mountain home, pecking away at her computer keyboard. She frequently teaches workshops on different aspects of Bio-Universal energy usage in the El Dorado, Sacramento, and Placer counties of California. She has six children, two teens at home and four who are grown up and out there loose in the world.

Reviews

[Rebecca Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katrina Rasbold’s Crossroads of Conjure is an interesting, informative, and well-written introduction to the history and practices of Appalachian and Ozark Granny Magic, Hoodoo, Brujería, and Curanderismo. The writing is clear and easy to read while the information is well-detailed and relevant.

This book is such a fascinating read! I was expecting an academic book with formal and stiff writing but Rasbold really pleasantly surprised me. Her writing style is simple, easy to read, and very approachable. Furthermore, the book is well-detailed and informative. I never got bored or overwhelmed with information because everything is presented clearly and concisely.

Crossroads of Conjure is very well-organized. Each system has their own comprehensive section. There is a detailed history on each path, beliefs and practices as well as the types of practitioners. Rasbold also includes fascinating details about various charms and spells as well as information on how these folk traditions are surviving in modern times. I particularly like that the book explores the connections, similarities and differences between these different types of folk magic.

I also really enjoyed reading Rasbold’s personal examples. But, I wish that she included some more stories and examples from other experienced practitioners because I would have liked to read more perspectives on life in these belief systems. Additionally, while the book is excellently organized, certain sections could have used a little more editing because the same information is sometimes repeated.

Crossroads of Conjure is a fascinating and informative book for those who are interested in learning about American Southern folk magic. Rasbold’s writing style is approachable and concise which makes this book an easy read. I really enjoyed this captivating look into the various paths of folk magic and I would definitely read more of Rasbold’s work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. for this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Christian Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a powerful and transformative read. I came into this book with a moderate understanding of curanderismo and brujería, but it expanded my worldview to include granny magic and hoodoo. After finishing, I could clearly see the intersections and shared roots among all three traditions, each one shaped by survival, faith, and resilience.

One of the most fascinating discussions was about the societal constructs of “black magic” and “white magic,” and how we often define them based on our own biases or beliefs. Rasbold’s reflection on how these practices were born from the fabric of poor, condemned, and marginalized communities, people finding ways to stay healthy and spiritually grounded amid deep oppression, was both heartbreaking and inspiring.

This book reignited something in me. It reminded me that our practices, no matter their form, serve a deep purpose. We are called to keep learning, honoring our craft, and using it for the betterment of our communities.

[Ginae B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author begins this piece with a warning. It would be wise to heed the warning, should you dig deeper into one of these topics. For us, we have a desire to know about all that is out there, for the most part. This led us to this juncture.

There is a lot of history in between the covers. A lot. It's wild to be reading some of this.
Dr. Rasbold writes well and shoots straight. It's refreshing. She makes history enjoyable to read!

[The Shakti Witch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extensively researched introduction to folk magick of the Appalachians and Ozark Granny Magic, Hoodoo, Brujeria, and Curanderismo. It's is fascinating, accessible and I could not put this book down!

[Edric Unsane · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and informative history of southern folk-magic traditions. I was quite pleased with the range and depth of the book, and would definitely recommend it if you are interested in history and reference materials regarding magick.

[Michael Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is a good jumping off point of Hoodoo, Granny Magic, Brujeria, and Curanderismo. Love how the author gave history and background of each one respectfully. Reading this book made a connection to who I was as a witch and as a person with family that came from Appalachia.

[Cheyenne White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview of these different types of folk magic. Very interesting to see the similarities and differences between the folklore and folk magic practices of each of these different cultures.

[Kathy]

If you’re considering becoming involved in conjure or wish to learn more about its culture, this is a great book to read. Crossroads of Conjure compares and discusses current conjure practices in the American South -- namely Hoodoo, Appalachian Granny Magic, and Brujeria and Curandismo.
Each section gives an overview of the history and development of a magical path, covering their basic beliefs, distinguishing characteristics and differences. It goes into the politics and prejudices amongst today’s practitioners. It was interesting to read how each practice is distinguished from other styles of magic and even divisions within their own practices.
What makes each magical path unique ranges anywhere from materials worked with, ethics and attitudes towards types of magical practices (i.e. what is considered white or black magic), religious affiliations with their path and their tolerance of other religious practices.
The author has clearly been deeply involved in each path and has a lot of experience which she shares with the readers.
This is not a book to read if you’re interested in a how-to. It does have a little folk magic and wisdom included, but it is minor.
A received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review of this book.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book of folk medicine and religion. Learning about the different traditions including VooDoo of the deep south and especially Louisiana, Wise women or Granny women from the Ozarks, Brujeria and the Curanderismo. They healed and helped with so many of the needs of the people.These types of practices have been brought over by different immigrants and the native americans as well. All these beliefs combine and change to different types of magic. Few clear distinctions are to be found anymore. I loved reading about all the traditions. The mojo bags, gris gris and amulets were of particular interest to me. I received this book from Net Galley and Llewellyn Publishing for a honest review. The opinions are my own.

[Emily Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I bought it mainly for the section on hoodoo but was pleasantly surprised with the other sections and learned a lot about each tradition. As a bonus there was even a small section on Santa Muerte which I wasn’t expecting and I was very excited to find, since I have an altar to her. I thought the book was well researched and the information was presented in a balanced way, even better, there is a works cited (and in text citations) which not only made me trust what the book was saying more, it also gave me a lot of ideas for future reading! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested more in the history and traditions of these practices rather than in a “how-to”

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an extremely informative, well-written book covering the history and practice of Appalachian and Ozark Granny Magic, Hoodoo, Brujería, and Curanderismo. I had very little knowledge about Hoodoo, Brujería, and Curanderismo going into this book, but having grown up in the northern Appalachians, I recognized some of the traces of Granny Magic in the traditions passed down from my grandparents. The author's personal experiences brought the traditions and current practice to life and I respected that she didn't shy away from discussing issues around cultural appropriation in her own practices. Highly recommended as an overview of these practices and a good starting point for further study of any of the branches of American Southern folk magic.

[Yolanda Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book At Pantheon Con, I’m glad the universe made sure it was in my hands to read it. Being Mexican American and growing up going back to Mexico to visit, I always heard negative things in regards to to Brujería and Curanderismo. Also heard negative things about Hoodoo and I would mix it up with Voodoo. Never really heard of Granny Magic. Many thanks to Katrina Rasbold for writing a book that I enjoyed and learned a lot from. Sometimes you need to read about your own culture magic to get the negative and fear of it out and feel better understanding of the subject. Thanks again Katrina for this book it inspires me to know more of them if the calling comes.

[Ana]

Crossroads of Conjure was a fascinating look at a variety of folk magic systems in the American South, covering Appalachian and Ozark Granny magic, Brujeria, Hoodoo, and Curanderismo. The text had a lot of information, but it was well written and clearly organised and synthesised into this introductory text.
It really explored the development and basic beliefs and practices of each system, as well as identifying unique features of each. It also discussed how practice differed within each belief system.
All in all, an enjoyable, informative read

[KatsCauldron R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crossroads of Conjure
The Roots and Practices of Granny Magic, Hoodoo, Brujería, and Curanderismo
by Katrina Rasbold
Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.
Llewellyn Publications
Nonfiction (Adult) , Religion & Spirituality

I really feel that the author would have been better off writing 2 or 3 different books instead of one, but for one she encompasses what she has been taught in a power point method to give people an idea of different practices.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's well written and full of information.
i loved the style of writing, clear and how the book is organized.
I can say I surely know a lot more about this practiced and I appreciated the way I learnt it.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Llewellyn Worldwide and Netgalley for this ARC

[V. Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Very well researched. I like the mix of anecdotal info with cultural history and applicable information. Would totally recommend for those who come from a folk magic background or who are interested in the history of such practices.

[ink_and_pages_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting book. The author shares information and insights about the various beliefs and traditions as mentioned on the cover. Recommended if you're interested in these practices, beliefs and traditions.

[Val]

I quit this which is rare for me.