hoodoo
Southern folk sorcery
Hoodoo is a set of African American spiritual and folk practices blending African traditions with elements of Christianity and Native American herbalism, involving rootwork, conjure, and the use of charms or spells for protection, healing, or influencing events.
Distinct from Voodoo, hoodoo lacks formal religious structure and focuses on practical magic.
The word also names a tall, thin rock formation created by erosion, common in the American Southwest.
As a verb, to hoodoo someone is to bewitch or bring bad luck upon them.
Upright architectural support
- pinnacleUtmost summit or spire
- spireTapering architectural peak
- chimneyVertical smoke passage
- columnVertical structural element
cap rock · balanced rock · monolith · tor · butte · Bryce Canyon · Cappadocia · badlands
Invoked harm through words
- hexMalevolent incantation
- jinxCurse bringing misfortune
- bad luckUnfavorable chance events
- spellArrange letters correctly
conjure · root work · mojo · charm · amulet · talisman · folk magic · crossroads
Practice of supernatural magic
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
- occultConcealed from view
- paranormalBeyond scientific explanation
- spiritSoul, mood, or liquor
haunting · omen · divination · fortune-telling · clairvoyance · psychic · medium · séance
Gradual wearing away
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- sedimentary rockLayered geological formation
- sandstoneCemented grain sediment
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
shale · mudstone · siltstone · strata · soft rock · geomorphology · formation · outcrop
Spectacular geological or biological phenomenon
- scenic overlookDesignated viewing location
- photo spotScenic location for pictures
- hiking destinationGoal of outdoor walk
- national parkProtected land for conservation
state park · viewpoint · trail · visitor center · ranger station · sunrise point · amphitheater · conservation area
pillar
Upright architectural support
column · cap rock · balanced rock · monolith · tor · butte · Bryce Canyon · Cappadocia · badlands · slot canyon
curse
Invoked harm through words
spell · conjure · root work · mojo · charm · amulet · talisman · folk magic · crossroads · graveyard dirt
witchcraft
Practice of supernatural magic
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
- occultConcealed from view
- paranormalBeyond scientific explanation
spirit · haunting · omen · divination · fortune-telling · clairvoyance · psychic · medium · séance · apparition
erosion
Gradual wearing away
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- sedimentary rockLayered geological formation
- sandstoneCemented grain sediment
limestone · shale · mudstone · siltstone · strata · soft rock · geomorphology · formation · outcrop · clastic
natural wonder
Spectacular geological or biological phenomenon
- scenic overlookDesignated viewing location
- photo spotScenic location for pictures
- hiking destinationGoal of outdoor walk
national park · state park · viewpoint · trail · visitor center · ranger station · sunrise point · amphitheater · conservation area · geotourism
- American folklorePaul Bunyan, tall tales, folk heroes, John Henry, folk narratives
- landformsmountain, cliff, valley, volcano, mountain ridge
- witchcraftwitch, spell, spellwork, witches, spells
- Reduplicativesbye-bye, mama, papa, haha, yo-yo
- Southwestmesa, Monument Valley, Arizona, New Mexico, Grand Canyon
- Southwest Desertsaguaro, saguaro cactus, Sonoran Desert, Sonoran, prickly pear
hoodooblessing
Prayer seeking divine favor
benediction · protection spell · white magic · charm · talisman
hoodoorationality
Sound judgment quality
reason · science · empiricism · logic · skepticism
hoodooblessing
Prayer seeking divine favor
good fortune · lucky break · benefit · boon · godsend