rootworker
Southern magic practitioner
A rootworker is a practitioner of rootwork—a form of folk magic rooted in African American spiritual traditions, blending African, Native American, and European influences.
Rootworkers use herbs, roots, minerals, and rituals for healing, protection, love spells, or cursing enemies.
The practice is closely associated with hoodoo and conjure traditions of the American South: She consulted a rootworker to remove a hex.
Performer of magic tricks
- mojoMystical personal power
- hexMalevolent incantation
- jujuMagical West African charm
- crossroadsMeeting of routes
trick · hands · fixing · uncrossing · cleansing · botanica · rootwork
Plants for seasoning
- curioOdd collectible item
- angelicaAromatic plant, often candied
- bloodrootSap-staining native wildflower
- lodestoneNaturally magnetic mineral
mullein · sassafras · mandrake · galangal · bluestone · sulfur
Practice of casting enchantments
- poppetSmall magical figure
- bindingLegally or morally required
- sweeteningAdding substance for taste
- petitionFormal written appeal
psalms · scripture · novena · altar · offerings · incense · ritual
Interpreting written text
- bonesRigid internal support structure
- cardsStiff paper rectangles
- pendulumSuspended swinging weight
- scryingVisionary surface-gazing
consultation · signs · omens · dreams · spirits · ancestors · bibliomancy · tea-leaves
Prayer seeking divine favor
- uncrossingSeparating what overlapped
- cleansingRemoving dirt or toxins
- removalAct of taking away
- protectionGuarding against harm
warding · prayer · anointing · purification · sweeping · smoking · cutting · unbinding
conjurer
Performer of magic tricks
crossroads · trick · hands · fixing · uncrossing · cleansing · botanica · rootwork
herbs
Plants for seasoning
- curioOdd collectible item
- angelicaAromatic plant, often candied
- bloodrootSap-staining native wildflower
lodestone · mullein · sassafras · mandrake · galangal · bluestone · sulfur
spellwork
Practice of casting enchantments
- poppetSmall magical figure
- bindingLegally or morally required
- sweeteningAdding substance for taste
petition · psalms · scripture · novena · altar · offerings · incense · ritual
reading
Interpreting written text
scrying · consultation · signs · omens · dreams · spirits · ancestors · bibliomancy · tea-leaves · intuition
blessing
Prayer seeking divine favor
- uncrossingSeparating what overlapped
- cleansingRemoving dirt or toxins
- removalAct of taking away
protection · warding · prayer · anointing · purification · sweeping · smoking · cutting · unbinding · restoration
rootworkerWiccan
Modern witchcraft adherent
druid · neo-pagan · theosophist · bruja · curandero
rootworkerskeptic
One who doubts claims
rationalist · materialist · debunker · atheist · disbeliever
root, roots, rooted, rooting, rootless, rootlet, uproot, uprooted, uprooting