Customer Reviews

Rootwork: Using the Folk Magick of Black America for Love, Money and Success

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although I have to give many respects to Tayannah Lee, for writing a basics how to book on Rootwork, there was only one problem I had with the book. Roots, are even hardly mentioned, with the exception of Devil's Shoestring, and High John Root. Other roots used in Rootwork are not even covered such as Bat's Head, Adam and Eve Root, Osha root, and other roots, that are the reason why Rootwork is called Rootwork. But besides this little fault, it is a handy little book for the beginners, or those who are interested in Hoodoo, Obeah, and other African Magickal traditions.

If you are interested in traditional ingredients used in mojo bags, gris gris, or Santeria's resguardos this is a good start. As it goes behind the meaning of some of the ingredients such as human hair, nails bitts, clothing, and other ingredients that go into the making of these talismans. There is an excellent introduction for using waters, dirts, and other ingredients found in nature. Also a basic introduction on cartsomancy, since traditional rootworkers, and those who practice Voudou, Espiritismo, Umbanda and other African influenced traditions use either Spanish playing cards or a regular deck of cards. If you purchase this book, and want further study, I also must highly recommend you purchase these three books, that go well with it. Papa Jim's Herbal Workbook, by Papa Jim, Jambalaya the Natural Woman's book of Personal Charms by Luisah Teish, and Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic: A Materia Magica of African-American Conjure, by Catherine Yronwode

Although it is a basic introduction, it is ground breaking, and much needed, I highly recommend it to those who want a simple understanding of how to use this ancient form of African American Magickal system.

Rootwork, or depending on what part of the country you live in, hoodoo or voodoo has been a part of Afro American culture from the begining. Tayannah Lee McQuillar has, in this plain and spare little book put together a number of spells with simple explanations. If you believe in rootwork then this book is too simple for you. If you are just becoming interested in black folklore then this book may be a good and simple introduction to the subject. If you want something more in depth and better written check out Blue Roots or Faith Mithchell's book.

This book has very little meat to it - it is a skinny book with big print and it really qualifies more like an essay on the subject instead of a book. The information is very basic and simplistic and it completely misses the point on the more subtle complexities behind rootworking. The impression I get is the author just did a quick internet search and then gathered what she found in an essay and voila - book. It may be that she knows a lot on this subject, but her writting does not reflect it. Some of the spells here are more common knowledge and old wives tales than actual rootworking spells.

All in all - this book is a waste of money. If you are looking for information on the subject just about any book out there on Hoodoo and Herbal magick is better than this book. Hell, if you do a google search on Rootworking, you will probably get more information than you would in this book.

This book is another example of the newer root books comming on the market today. While it does contain some seemingly new age concepts I appreciate the authors writing style. I liked that this book contained a lot of history which is somewhat unavailable in some of these books. I especially liked the titles for the author's tricks contained in the last section of the book. I'd say that if some of the more new agey things were removed liek spelling magic with a k, this book would be one of the better out there for people wanting to learn a bit about root.

Having studied for decades the Magick & Occultism from a variety of cultures and epochs, I always felt my home culture of Black America was overlooked and neglected. ROOTWORK puts a bright spotlight on the exciting traditions of African American Magickal work. Author Ms. McQuillar explains clearly WHY many African Americans even today are so alienated from their own rich, vital Magickal heritage. ROOTWORK also offers new insights into ways to Honor and Invoke the long neglected Ancestors --- a key source of Guidance and Help with spiritual issues and daily life. ROOTWORK reveals how we today can use Shamanic healing and problem solving to enhance the resourceful use of herbs, stones, and organic material to create Change in ourselves, things, events, relationships, processes, or our environment. That is the essence of true Magickal Art of manipulating forces of Nature to make favorable and beneficial Manifestations in the visible world. Today, people of every culture have given away their power (for a fee) to doctors, lawyers, institutions, and politicians --- leaving themselves bewildered, stripped, and feeling helpless. ROOTWORK shows us an alternative lifestyle of self empowerment. With that new mindset we can become once again healers and co-creators of our own worlds. There is a resurgent interest in African religions, spirituality and Magick. The Web is full of free information about it. The book ROOTWORK has given me a whole fresh toolbox of time tested Spells from which I can draw Power and make creative alternatives for my own Self. I do NOT want to give away too much, but ROOTWORK gave me some real world quick RESULTS from using Earth from the grounds of a prosperous Bank in my area for a Money Spell. ROOTWORK even includes methods for using Playing cards as Divination tools --- as it was done for generations by Rootworkers before Tarot decks became so common. Luck enhancement, Spells to Control People who need controlling, Spells to improve Business & Income, Love Spells to attract a mate, Monogamy Spells to keep that mate faithful, Spells to superheat your sex life --- ROOTWORK is quite literally a gold mine. I eagerly look forward to Ms. Tayannah Lee McQuillar's NEXT book. I only hope she continues to shed light upon too-long neglected elements of African Diaspora history and culture. ROOTWORK takes a giant step to revive interest in African American Magick. I give "ROOTWORK" 5 STARS! Encore! Encore!

...I buy alot of books on wicca, voodoo etc. but I never seen a book that reflected my magical heritage as an African American positively. I didn't realize how unaware I was until I read Rootwork. I DEFINITELY reccomend this book for anyone serious about their magical studies. GREAT JOB!!!

I enjoy this book it was very interesting. The spells are very easy to perform. I would recommend this book to anyone. It has various types of magick in this book with easy directions to follow, It is wonderful for beginners such as myself.

I bought this book to introduce myself to a part of my culture, but while the history of Hoodoo was ok (could have been a little more detailed), the spells were very vague. A beginning pratitioner would not do well to use this book because of the vagueness of the spell instructions & the inability to contact the author (her contact info does not work--tried several times including doing an online search). This book is ok as a quick, but not as a sufficient, resource tool. Use it for a brief intro to Hoodoo & nothing more. I would advise spending the extra money on a really indepthed book on Hoodoo tradition & spells to get a good understanding of the history & pratice before delving into this dynamic culture.

A brief introduction to hoodoo; could be easily finished in one sitting. Like other reviewers, I was left feeling "And ....?" All the books I've read in her price range have at least twice as many pages. What information she does provide is good.

This book has many lists and some of their information is cut off on the Kindle screen.

In the beginning of the book, she promises to teach how to do divination with playing cards. But when that section arrives, she simply gives the meaning for each card. There is no clue as to how to do a reading or spread.

It needed an editor--one spell's title reads "to ATTACK a particular woman" when it means "ATTRACT."

This should have been priced at $3.99 OR regarded as a first draft and been extensively supplemented before publication.

I have a friend who works for the publisher and she gave me an advance copy of Rootwork for Christmas as a gag gift cause she know I'm not into that kinda new age stuff but I read it anyway. It was fun to read and I ended up learning alot about African Americans that I didn't know. But the best part is that the spells really work! my friend owed me money since October and I decided to try the "Pay me Now!" spell to get back my money. I got the money within a few days.