Complete Book of Voodoo [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Original Publications Spiritual Books & Supplies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2002 | ISBN-10: 094227251X | ISBN-13: 978-0942272512 | Edition: illustrated edition

Here is the definitive work on the history, ritual and powers of the ancient art of Voodoo from the earliest times to the present, offering complete details on the closely kept secrets of man's most exotic and powerful form of magic. The author has stripped the shroud of secrecy that has always surrounded Voodoo, detailed instructions on everything from making voodoo dolls to casting hexes. 254 pages

Product Details

• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: Robert Pelton; illustrated edition edition (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 094227251X
• ISBN-13: 978-0942272512
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #919,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful Information for Conjure Workers, June 3, 2008

By 

Brother MOLOCH 969 "MolochSorcery.com" (Cleveland, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Book of Voodoo (Paperback)

This is not a book about the Religion of Vodu but rather about the Conjure Workers who practiced their art in the South.

Pelton's material comes from a wide variety of sources primarily old journals and magazines relating to the South and from the late 1800's. In his companion volume, "Voodoo Charms & Talismans", has an extensive Bibliography giving details of where he obtained this information from.

The Vevers (aka Veves) are different and unique. This is not so unusual as one may think since Voodoo Magic as a practice and more specifically Conjure work is more inclusive rather than exclusive. One does not need to read Nora Zeal Hurston to learn that Mr. Pelton gained a lot of this information from a wide variety of soures.

The herbal information is also culled from a wide variety of sources. Some practitioners have reported that it didn't quite jive with other "reliable" sources the trouble with that is there aren't any true 'reliable sources' because Conjure work is about as independently performed as it comes. Most Conjure workers learned their skills from a teacher and not all of them had access to libraries because many could not read.

Chapters I've found useful are:

2,3 - How to Make A Voodoo Doll & Doll Sorcery
4 - Candle Sorcery
13 - Court Room Sorcery
18 - Cabalistic Diagrams and How to Use Them
19 - Voodoo Candle Magic
22 - Herb & Plant Sorcery

This is a fine collection of material and is worth studying if for nothing as another source of material on the art of Conjure & RootWork. I rate this 4 out of 5 stars for completeness and worthwhile subject matter.

Important: Remember this material is dated and written in a time when civil rights were just becoming popular. This is NOT a politically correct book! Be forewarned. The material is usable, practical and offers you more of an inside look into the practice of RootWork-Conjure Sorcery.

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad at all, May 19, 2010

By 

A.M.B. (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Book of Voodoo (Paperback)

I agree with the other reviewer who wrote in and also want to express that this is a book of conjure / hoodoo, not Voodoo. I would imagine that the word Voodoo was used when this book was first published as a sales tactic, nothing more. The author seems to have a firm grasp of southern style conjure. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great collection of recipes and workings of this type.

3.0 out of 5 stars Sensationalism at its BEST, January 6, 2010

By 

Derric "Rau Khu" Moore author of MAA ... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Book of Voodoo (Paperback)

The only reason why I am rating this book is because I got a copy of it from a friend who was from Chicago when I was going to school. He basically kept the book because his mother was throwing away everything that she had that dealt with Rootwork and Hoodoo. Within the pages was a torn out advertisement of a pack of cigarettes, which according to my friend, was being used to help a gentleman quit smoking. When I asked him why she was throwing out the book, he told me that she said in her later years, that she was giving her life to God. He explained to me, as she told him, that all of the work she had done basically made her see a lot of things (spirits) and it was the Church that helped give her some sense of solace and peace.

Since that time, I have met a lot of other older practitioners that have shared similar sentiments. I have even met Paleros that have felt the same way. After my induction into this tradition I came to understand that Rootwork/Hoodoo is a strongly Kongo influenced tradition and like other Kongo influenced practices there has to be a balance, which is why in the Cuban tradition initiates of Palo later make Ocha into Santeria. It is the same reason why Marie LaVeau the great famed Voodoo/Hoodoo Queen was a practicing Catholic by day.

This is the reason why I hate books like this one because they only tell one side of the picture regarding our spiritual tradition, which can be horrifying for the unprepared. I can't fault the author too much because he was simply writing and responding to the craze at the time. Do the formulas and recipes work that have been written inside no doubt, proof of the cigarette advertisement, but some of things written about are just pure fantasy that only real practitioners would be able to determine. I say that because there is no actual work within the pages of the book that talk about helping a person to quit smoking, which means my friends mother was truly a chef that that had the wisdom to make adaptations. A novice would know any of this and think it is all about doing spells.

So be warned. Hope this was helpful.