Mountain Conjure and Southern Root Work

by Orion Foxwood, Mat Auryn (Foreword)

Traditional Southern root magic and conjure from someone who learned the old ways growing up in rural Appalachia.Folk magic conjurer and root worker Orion Foxwood invites you to take a walk through his native Appalachia, through moonlit orchards and rural farms, to the dark of the crossroads. From the oral tradition of his ancestors to the voices of the spirits themselves, Foxwood brings readers the secrets of Southern magic: •

Working by the signs (the ability to synchronize work such as farming, fertility, and orcharding)
•Faith healing
•Settling the light (candle magic)
•Doctoring the root (the ability to use herbs, roots, stones, or animal parts for magic or for clearing, cleansing, and blessing a person)
•Praying or dreaming true (blessings of spirit/God to a person, place, or thing as well as prophetic or predictive dreaming)
•Blessing or cursing

Mountain Conjure and Southern Root Work shows how to create magic in today’s world with the old ways and traditions of Appalachia.

This book was previously published as The Candle and the Crosswords. This new edition includes a foreword by Mat Auryn, author of Psychic Witch.

Genres: Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Folklore, Occult, Audiobook, Magick, Religion

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Teo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an update edition of " The Candle and the Crossroads" I enjoyed the original version for its information regarding the Shenandoah Valley traditions. The new name is deceiving and was not happy about the fact that I basically bought the same book twice. The older version is no longer in print as of this review. Smart marketing ploy for the money grab though. I wish it would have eluded to this on the cover, that would have been a much appreciated approach for those who have the previous edition. For those who have not read the previous one. It is worth a read.

Also, to keep it 100, there are splashes of Wicca within this writing. If you are a practitioner you will be able to suss it out. Remember, our tradition is a mix of cultures. Native American, African, Spanish or Portuguese and Scotts-Irish. It is heavily influenced by Christianity and the addition of Wicca to his personal practice is his prerogative. Personally, My maternal side of the family is Gitano and settled in the area by way of the Caribbean as chattel, bringing along with them their traditions that melded with the others physically and spiritually speaking. My paternal side is Spanish and came to the US in the 50's via Mexico and the Caribbean. My personal practice is influenced by generations of my melungeon and gitano ancestry. Our culture is rich and this book will reflect that. However, it is not a representation of pure mountain conjure because that does not exist and if someone says it does, now you know better.

[jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great spell making tips. Love the breakdown of how to use different kreyol powders and candle magick too.

[Silas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this in order to learn about a way of magic that I don't really follow, but would like to be generally familiar with. There was some very interesting and useful information on methods for contacting the dead, and was a decent overview of some of the specific terms used in conjure, like rootwork. Since I didn't share some of the author's ideas, a good half of the book in the middle was quite tedious, though somewhat representative of the ideas of conjure workers (though only somewhat, as the author is an outlier in general). I would say that I did learn what I set out to learn, which was a general overview, but I also wouldn't say I really enjoyed it or that I really learned anything of any great depth, either.

[Whitney Stanfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Folk magic conjurer and rootworker Orion Foxwood invites you to take a walk through his native Appalachia, through moonlit orchards and rural farms, to the dark of the crossroads. From the oral tradition of his ancestors to the voices of the spirits themselves, Foxwood brings readers the secrets of Southern magic. This was a great read and I will be reading more from this author.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foxwood has quite a bit of knowledge, but his writing style may not be for everyone. He writes like how I'd imagine he speaks, twisting and turning. The challenge is in having you dig and mine out his raw ore, to be transmuted into your own personal ingots of refined information.

[Wadeshaw · Rating 1 out of 5]

Orion Foxwood is, by his own account, a skilled practitioner of root work and conjure. I know this because he spends the majority of this book telling us. Unfortunately, in the midst of all his self aggrandizement he forgot to offer any substantial or useful.

[Lillie Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only rate books 5 stars if they fundamentally change me, the way I think, or at least leave a lasting impact on me. This is a book on the spiritual traditions of root work, conjure, and witchery that is native to southern Appalachia. It's practical, easy to understand, traces any non-white traditions to their true roots to honor them, and is rich with wisdom passed down for many generations. I highly recommend this book if you are a native of or diaspora from southern Appalachia and you want to connect to the spirituality from your home region. I am a descendent of deeply spiritual people from West Virginia, and have been searching for years for a place in the spiritual world that I truly belong. Reading this book was a spiritual experience, a moment of long-awaited revelation, and the spark of something new for me. I can't thank Orion enough for recording our history and helping to keep our folkways alive. The best part of this book for me is the incorporation of the southern protestant scriptures, practices, and beliefs that weaved themselves into the practice. It's helped me realize that the spiritual tradition passed down to me that has been a powerful source for my spiritual practice in the past is still fully available to me now even though I do not identify as an evangelical christian.

[Monica Mabalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it very interesting as somebody who was raised in the Bible Belt. I am not particularly drawn to hoodoo but definitely enjoyed learning about it as well as learning how to incorporate the Bible into your practice. I gave this book 4 stars only because he has a very poetical way of speaking/writing so I found myself having to reread some passages to really understand the point, it might be difficult to follow for others. Otherwise, I’m very happy I read this book and will definitely reference it in the future. I have been looking up different interviews with Orion Foxwood and I enjoy listening to him speak.

[Elhoim Leafar · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Mountain Conjure and Southern Root Work is a masterpiece. From the very first page, Orion invites us to walk through the culture, history, and magic of root working. Orion’s eloquence is majestic; to read this book is to understand the true meaning of the word ‘soulful.’ Read this book and you will understand the workings and social role of rootworkers in all their ancestral depth, and the cultural significance and beauty of Appalachia.”

-- Elhoim Leafar, author of The Magical Art of Crafting Charm Bags.

[CEGatling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good study on the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of Conjure. It's one of those books that give you a good foundation and explains the why of things for those who want to study Conjure. I read the audio book but I think I will also get the hard copy for later reference.

Narration: Leon Nixon has a fabulous voice and infuses this read with the gravity is deserves without trying too hard to be "folksy".

[LadyofDreams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by this author. It is well-written and informative, even for someone with no knowledge on the subject. This is a good introductory book, and I highly recommend it.

[Felicity Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

This book was deep. I am not an American or a mountain conjure woman but this book goes way beyond that. It contains pathways to spirit, it blends the sacred force of life into whatever type of work you do. It is a wonderful, intelligent and insight-full book.

[Sven Davisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid follow up to Foxwood's earlier book on conjure Candle at the Crossroads. He has a way with language.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting view of southern folklore and culture.