Questions and further Inquiry

[Luciusferre]

Hello conjure community,

I am always deeply intrigued by the stories and heritage passed down through family and elders, often preserved through oral tradition. These narratives carry more than memory. They hold wisdom that guide spiritual practice and keep us connected to our ancestral past in ways that written sources alone cannot fully capture. With that spirit of respect, I have a few questions I would be grateful to discuss, should anyone be willing to share their experiences:

-How were you first introduced to Hoodoo, and who taught you?
-What role did family, community, or region play in shaping your practice?
-Were there particular sayings or practices passed down in your family that shaped your understanding of Hoodoo?
-What lessons were emphasized about working with ancestors or the spirits?

I ask these questions from a place of genuine interest and reverence for lived experience. Thank you in advance to anyone who feels comfortable sharing.

Blessings,
Lucius

[catherineyronwode]

-How were you first introduced to Hoodoo, and who taught you?

I walked into a hoodoo candle shop and came back to learn more over the course of weeks, months, and years. The owner and good customers, older women mostly, gave me tips.

-What role did family, community, or region play in shaping your practice?

My own family members were hobby folklorists as well as botanists, librarians, and the like. The supported my interests.

My community was mixed in race and national origin.

My region was a place where many African American shipyard workers had migrated for jobs during World War Two from the South.

-Were there particular sayings or practices passed down in your family that shaped your understanding of Hoodoo?

My family's practices were those of scholarly research. My mother was a research librarian who co-owned an antiquarian book store, so when i expressed interest in hoodoo, she told me to "look it up in the card catalogue." I did so and was immediately supplied with a copy of "Mules and Men" by Zora Neale Hurston.

-What lessons were emphasized about working with ancestors or the spirits?

"Working with ancestors" and "working with spirits" as i experienced them were well within the Spiritual Church Movement, specifically Mount Zion Spiritual Church in Oakland, California. People freely shared stories of parents, grandparents, and ancestors, including dreams of the dead.

Here is what i have written about my experiences:

Hoodoo and Religion:
Is Hoodoo a Religion?
Who are the "Spirits" in Hoodoo?
But ... What About the Hoodoo Saints?
Can Catholics Practice Hoodoo?
Can Wiccans Practice Hoodoo?
Can Members of ATRs Practice Hoodoo?
https://www.luckymojo.com/hoodooandreligion.html

I hope this helps.