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Entry 8580
They tell me to take a piece of brown stuff - yo' see these brown paper bags - just likes yo' want somebody to come back to yo'. Take an' write yore name coming to you like this nine times. (Coming to you like this. How do you mean, coming to you? You mean, writing toward me?) Uh huh. (Do you write it toward you that way?) Uh huh. Yes. Instead of writing from you [demonstrates] like that, write to you like this.
(I see, sort of writing backwards.)
Uh huh.
(You write it nine times?)
Uh huh.
(What'll that do?)
You take and fold that to you, you don't fold it from you, and you put that in a lamp. And you keep that lamp burning with that in it until he come back, or she. And then you take and do the same thing with a bottle with gin in it. You put that gin in a corner and you puts some nutmeg in it and you say, when- ever you think about the party, you say, "Let" - call the name and say, "Please come back to me." Well, I have never tried that.
(You put this gin - in the gin bottle with some gin in it?)
And in the lamp too.
(You put gin in the lamp?)
No! No!
(Just the name in the lamp?)
Uh huh.
(But if you want to, all you need to do is put it in the gin bottle?)
YO' HAVE TO PUT IT IN THE GIN BOTTLE AN' IN DE LAMP TOO.
(Oh, both those?)
Yes, sir. An' yo' have to keep that lamp where people can't get because they'll be suspicious.
(Do you put any gin in the bottle?)
Yes, sir. Gin and that piece of paper with de name on it, just like in de lamp.
(Let it soak in the gin?)
Just let it stay in there. An' every time yo' think about those parties, yo' look at it an' say, "Ah, " just like if yo' are near them, say, "Please come back to me."
(You use both the lamp and the bottle together.)
Yeah.
folding inscribed paper toward oneself, explicitly not away. They tell me and I have never tried that limit source authority; no firsthand use or efficacy. desired single he-or-she return in a reported untried method. Preserve They tell me and the explicit statement that the informant has never tried the method. These are attributed source occurrences; outcomes remain unverified.
Read full source (printed page 3525) · Read full source (printed page 3526)
Entry 8679
[The doctor in the following rite for a job has an organized mind, though I was too recent in New Orleans at that time to realize it. In face, on this original transcription I formerly had a note use with care, which can still be seen despite my later erasure.] When yo' go to get a job - ah'll tell yo' about de job proposi- tion. It just like if yo' was out of a job an' yo' runnin' in bad luck. Yo' can't be success- ful in nuthin dat yo' start. Well, yo' get yo' some of dis seniment. Yo' get some of dis seniment with this rain water. (What is seniment? What is that?) Dat's a powder. (What does it look like?) It look just like - yo' ever seen this powder what they call that brown-skin powder? (You mean cinnamon powder?) Yeah. (Cinnamon powder. All right.) [How did I ever guess it!] Yo' take dat seniment powder. An' yo' get some of dis seniment powder an' yo' get what yo' call this lodestone; but ask for lodestone, see, with candy stripes. It's got a little stripe.
(What kind of stripes?)
Candy stripes. Just say, "Give me some of de lodestone." (Like this candy - now wait a minute! It's like this candy they got in the country stores, candy stripes?) Yes, just like that; round, see.
(And what do they call that?)
Lodestone.
(You said something about four-something. Four what?)
[Informant said it while recording machine turned off.1 Fo' corners. Yo' just get de fo' corners. Well, if it ain't got fo' corners, vell yo' just take anything, a file or somepin like dat an' put 'em there.
(You have to make it square. Four corners. All right.)
Yeah. Yo' go anywhere they got them rams - yo' see, them rams, or anywhere yo' know them ramhorns at. [Cowhorn appears several times in Hoodoo. This could be the only ramhorn.] Yo' gets a file an' yo' file some of that dust down there [with the lodestone dust]. Then yo' get some of this here oil what yo' call that green - Wintergreen Pasture Oil.
(Wintergreen?)
Wintergreen Pastures Oil.
(GREEN PASTURES OIL?)
[SURELY THE ENTERPRISING HOODOO-PRODUCTS SALESMAN SHOULD HAVE NAMED IT "PSALM 23 OIL"!] Yeah, an' yo' take some sugar an' seniment an' lodestone. An' take a silver dime an' yo' file dat silver dime on a piece of paper just where yo' got this stuff [various ingredients] at. Yo' take a piece of yellah paper - it [lode- stone?] comes with yellah paper - an' yo' wrap it up twice. Yo' fold it coming to you. Then, after yo' take this Wintergreen Pasture Oil an' yo' put over it, am' yo' put it in your pocket. Keep that in yore left pocket. Then yo' goes back an' yo' get this he Eve [Adam and Eve] root, see. He Eve root.
(He Eve root?)
Yeah, yo' go back an' get that an' yo' got hit, yo' got de she root in yore pocket, yo' understand. Yo' take that - powder up that. piece there - an' yo' get some rain water an' river water or hydrant water [3 running Waters], or anything like that, an' yo' put it in two glasses. Put it in two glasses like that an' yo' let it set, after yo've mixed it. Well, heap up just about de same amount in each glass. Yo' leave it set there fo' three days. Aftah yo' leave it set there fo' three days, yo' take it an' yo' pour it into one glass. Then yo' take this here - this seniment, lodestone an' dis Wintergreen Pasture Oil. Well, yo' Put it in de glass, in one glass, an' yo' let it set there fo' three days. Den take that water off - take dat watah off before yo' go out to see about a job. Just like, if yo' know the foreman's name, yo' take his name an' yo' write his name nine times backwards, just like if yo' write it backwards this Way nine times [demonstrates]. Then yo' fold it, fold it comin' to yo' like dat [demonstrates]. Then yo' write yore name on de top of it, but yo' must write yore name forwards.
(Write your name what?)
The right way.
(You write your name forwards. All right.)
Then yo' take dat an' yo' put it down in dat water where all yore stuff is in the morning when yo' going out - just when yo' going out to the foreman. Yo' got his name. Well, when yo' get ready to go there, yo' take this water out of Chere. Yo' pour it out in a basin or anything like that, an' yo' take it an' yo' wash yo' hands good with it, an' yo' wash yore fingers. Yo' takes this here lodestone an' yo' put it in yore pocket with this she Eve root. Yo' walk to him a'when yo' get there, before yo' ask, just like yo' take a piece of chewing tobacco, cut a little piece off dat she root an' put it in your mouth. An' get this here lodestone thing in your hand like that an' rub it, an' make yore wishes, as yo' walk up to him an' ask 'im for a job. Probably he may not have nuthin to do right then, but he'll run his hand in his pocket if he got any money an' he'll give yo' a piece of money. The first opening that he have - WHEN YO' LEAVE FROM THERE, YO'LL MAKE A WISH FOR ANY - JUST LIKE ANY JOB YO' WANT AROUND THERE, YO' MAKE A WISH FOR ANY BAD LUCK TO HAPPEN TO 'EM PEOPLE AT THAT PLACE. SAY PRAYERS, AN' IN A WEEK'S TIME [7 DAYS] YO'LL HAVE A JOB. There no favor that yo' ask 'im that he could turn yo' down. If he ain't got it at de present time, he will tell yo' a way to come an' get it.
foreman’s name written nine times backwards, contrasted with own name forwards. Keep foreman nine-times-backwards versus applicant forwards on top; not all names backwards. manually inscribed arrangement of foreman’s and applicant’s names. Retain foreman backwards nine times and own name forwards on top, followed by the use of the inscribed paper in the preparation. employment sought from a foreman, with conditional intermediate outcomes and harmful wish. No immediate job guarantee: preserve probably no work, money if he has it, the first opening, and the subsequent one-week claim as attributed. river as a stated possible source of water, alongside rain/hydrant wording. Keep literal rain water an’ river water or hydrant water and or anything like that; do not convert ambiguous conjunctions into an all-three requirement or flatten all alternatives. These are attributed source occurrences; outcomes remain unverified.
Read full source (printed page 3556) · Read full source (printed page 3557) · Read full source (printed page 3558)
Entry 3082
I came here to find out. (Will you sit a little bit closer so I can hear you?) [To bring him nearer the microphone.] [The following paragraph will introduce you to the problem I faced every day while collecting the material of this investigation - see also Introduction.] I came here to find out what your work may be, if there is any help I kin git in connection - if there is any of your help or whatnot in connection with what has happened to me in my business. [He is a bootlegger.] That's what I wan'a know. If it's anything 'at I've to tell or go through. I wan'a know that an' I'll begin my story jis' like I started off before [before I turned on machine]. There's so much of dis recently, I thought I jes' couldn't understand it you see. Lots of people come here an' say you's someone who tryin' to trap someone, an' this is tryin' to git someone in trouble. Well, I say, "Well, I don't know what in the world it's all about, but if he, that is to say, [does] things to help me, why I don't mind goin' over an' explain myself." ['Here I explain my work." These words are my penciled comment made at the time I did the original transcription in pencil. Here I also made one of my many mistakes. I failed to transcribe my explanation. My failure however Was excus- able - hand transcription being such a tedious and impossible task I had to call in an expert transcriber for the post-Wilmington cylinders. Yet one explaining sentence does remain, "I don't heal anyone, I don't sell anything." As you will now learn, this man Was in serious trouble. My lost explanation at least set him more or less at ease.] You mind if I light my cigarette?
(No, go right ahead.)
[I was smoking a cigar, why should I mind him smoking a cigarette. A woman later over in Memphis "came in...smoking a big cigar" - see MAMMY: THE CIGAR SMOKER in INTERVIEWS.] Now first, I'm a married man. I've got a wife an' three children - jes' as well say five because I've two to take care of that's my wife's sister's, dead, an' they stayed with me from the first, each one of them, so that makes me have five [children] to take care of. Now my wife, she's sick an' has been for a long period of time. Her first [sickness] was believed by medical experience was pelegra, an' after that, why I found out something else; an' I went on an' kep' - go see her an' I kep' finding out something else. I went to work at Wrightsville Beach six years ago [1931], right down here ll miles from the city, where I was workin' for Doctor W. there. An' one day, after knowin' that my wife had been sick so long - I kep' tryin' to, wonderin' what in the world's the matter - finally I found out from Doctor H., that it was pelegra. [Here informant is returning to something already said.] Thereon he subscribed that I take her to the country for her health. No doubt it would be a little beneficial to her, an' where it was quiet an' didn't hear the runnin' of the cars, the streetcars an' so on, an' jis' git out of all that stuff, an' it would make her no doubt so she recover. An' so I carried [her] on over to Atkinson, North Car'lina, an' she stayed there for a long long time - in fact the whole summer through an' partly of the fall. An' one day I got a telephone call - it come at ten o'clock jes' before I carried [her] to Atkinson. [Informant again returns to something already men- tioned. For the difficulty in following this type of thinking, see confusing story, No. 2750, Pp.758-767.] An' that was while I livin' away from home in the country right out here. In fact she was jis' like her mother, my daughter's god- mother [grandmother?] as fer as that concern [whatever this means]. Tom T., it was his wife [who. telephoned]. She say, "Come to town at once. Eliza is crazy."
[This may be why "she was jis' like her mother."]
An' I didn't believe it. When I got in town she didn't know me from [some- thing, not Adam] or nobody else. So after havin' consulted with Doctor H., as I foresaid, I carried her on up de country. She lived up there fer a while an' I'd go there. She jis' got in such a wreck, kickin' up so, an' jis' nobody could go around 'er. She didn't want to hear what they had to say. She jis' git to the place she dispised 'er father, you know. An' even to 'er sister or to herself or anybody. She didn't wan'a see nobody. Well we goes there to Clinton, North Car'lina. There's ole man up there, they call 'im Mr. Wickins[?]. He read the cards. He also give me a dose of medicine to take.
(What did he give it to you for?)
He told me when I took that dose of medicine - after readin' my palm - he said, "This dose is goin' work for you an' not her [it is not MEDICINE BY PROXY, p.365]; and besides, you goin' get it in house when you get back home. [This is preventive medicine - see PREVENTIVE MEDICINE CARRIED TO EXTREMES, p.328.] Well, I wonderin' what he meant by that. He told me, he said, "There's someone has thrown for you," he said, ''but they're not tryin' to kill your wife in connection with you, but they're durin' [doin'] somethin' to keep her puny, ailin' along." He said, "They'll give it to you, if they're havin' a whole lot of trouble with her." He said, "Now, it's a black-skin woman an' a dark-skin woman that's doin' this." [A doctor is always vague when identifying culprit - see MADAM JACKSON ACROSS DE CREEK, p.757.] An' besides, de black-skin woman is the woman that want joo, an' de dark-skin woman don't visit chore house very often but she's helpin' fo' this people." He said, "Now, the way they did this - goin' to git it goin' their way - they went there an' sprinkled somepin in de baid while you were away [in the country].
(Did he tell you what they sprinkled there?)
He said some kin'a powder. He couldn't - he don't - he set some kin'a thing in front of him. It was a little thing that looked to me like a little horses settin' up there, an' a little somepin looked like a crab, another thing looked like a little fish, another little thing looked like a little serpent. He could touch them little things, you could see them shiver all around in - looked like to me they was settin' in a little basin or a little [over shape? = over size?] bowl of water.
(Was it a bowl of water?)
Looked to me like it was water. An' he talked to me. Den directly he go startin' talk to these little things in there, an' they kin'a quiver. [See photograph, supposedly in crystal ball, "trembled like a leaf," p.173, line 5.] An' then he start to tell somepin else. ["I suggest that these figures were magnetic, shaped in forms of the zodiac, and that they quivered whenever the root doctor holding a concealed magnet passed his hand over them. There was no water in the bowl." This comment is a part of original transcription in pencil. The evidence or experience for it I no longer remember. These quivering figures may be a diagnostic device (pp.165-217) like the trembling photograph in the crystal ball just mentioned. It is certainly one of the many tricks to impress the patient - like invisible writing (p.265).] So he told me, he said, "You weren't all right, don't sleep well at night, an' neither one of you don't sleep good at night." I said, "Well, you're right." He said, "Well, don't answer me." He said, "I know what I'm talkin' about." I have given many examples of a doctor knowing or foreseeing everything - see YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME, p.316.] I says, "Well, I must tell you, she don't sleep at all at night." He said, "Well, that's why that was sprinkled in your baid for. An' the way this black-skin woman had the dark-skin woman to do, to give it to you, were to sprinkle some of the same stuff under your door, an' that's why it got choo an' it fix you. Then I told him exactly [all that had happened.] He give me some kin' of little roots - he called one [of] them John de Conker. Then he also give me some kin' of little stuff called wood mold. It grows in the little pine [something - could be thickets?] like tha' choo go to rake it up an' you use it for makin' fertilizer - like the farmers use. [In Maryland this "little stuff is called shadders (= shatters), "fallen pine leaves or needles," used for animal bedding, which turns into manure or fertiZizer - 723, p.240.] An' he told me to take that [wood mold] an' red oak bark [frequently used for medicine, p.462 and elsewhere] - take that stuff an' boil it, make a tea out of it, an' feed her off of it. Give her all salts that I could get her to take - physic salts. An' so I did it until she got to the place that she wouldn't even take that. An' I went back to him again an' he said get Vita-Food east [brand of yeast] that come in a big tall can about that tall - somepin tha' choo sprinkle over de food when she gits ready to eat. Not de Fleshman [Fleischmann] east, something in comparsion, but it was yellowish lak sulphur maybe an' had a very strong odor. An' he had somepin called Eastborn [yeast-born or Eastbourne] tablets. Well, she had then fallin' from a hunderd an' seventy-six pounds down to a hunderd an' twenty. Well, I was feedin' [her] on that stuff an' she went back to a hunderd and fifty. An' I come on back to town. An' afterwards I brought her back from de country here an' we lived together fer a good while. My house be the second doah to my brother-in-law - from her brother house, my brother-in-law. I was at 905, where he was 909. An' rather than stay home, she'd stay over there; but when she goin' eat she'd come home, an' jes' as soon as she eat she'd be right out an' gone. Well I got worried over the gait[?]. So I told my father-in-law about it an' he says, "Well, any steps you wan'a make, why go on an' make it." So then I got into another [acquainted with] boy that was workin' there with me. We called him Skeet. Skeet told me of a woman down South - Madam Rachel - Dillon, South Car'lina. [Note that a man in North Carolina calls South Carolina down South. This was frequently done - see Introduction.] An' he also made men- tion of a old man called Doctor Buzzard.
(Where was he?)
Florence, South Car'lina. First, before I got to this Madam Rachel, this Doctor Buzzard came to my house [in Wilmington].
(He came to see you?)
He came here ordinary passin' by. An' another person he goes by [visits pro- fessionally]. An' someone told him that I'd care to see somebody of that kind. So he came in. He had a little hand bag, not a big case. [Was he referring to my 3 large cases - recorder, transcriber, and cylinder carrier?] It was a hand bag [in imitation of a M.D.'s medical kit then in use]. He had a whole lot of little snakes in that bag. [See SNAKE, Pp.66-73, and elsewhere.]
(Alive or dead?)
Alive. That snakes scared her. She's frighten anything that kind. My wife was there. She was lyin' right in de baid an' he told her, he said, "Now, I'll put choo to walkin' by tomorrow for four dollers and one cent.' I ast him what was he goin' do with de one cents. He says, "Well, the four dollars is for me; the one cent is the cure." "I says, "If you put my wife to walkin' by tomorrow, I'll give you four dollers an' one cent." [For this type of payment, see DOCTOR ARMOUR, p.891, line 2.] He say, "Well git me a pint of liquor." I say, "That'll cost you a dollar." I got a pint of liquor. He took a needle an' two straight pins an' crossed them. He crossed all three of 'em an' tied 'em together with a red piece of string an' put em into a little bag. Then he took out some little seed that appearently looked like flaxseeds. An' he told me take these seeds; if it's any time you want to go, be with some Woman. He say you drop one of these seeds in the liquor or somepin that she's drinkin' an' make her do anything you want her to do. I said, "I didn't ask you to come here to cunjure me an' wife. I ask you to come here to aid." He said, "I don't mean that." Well, I went on an' give him de four dollers an' one cent, an' [he] took all this stuff an' sewed it up in that bag [thus making a hand]. Then he took the snake out of it [iar], which [snake] he had already wrapped one around my wife's leg an' throwed [throwing] some liquor over it he wrapped it around the right leg jes' above the knee. Besides, when I got that second pint of liquor for him, he poured some down the table an' poured those snakes out of a little jar he had 'em in, an' begin to talkin' to those snake, an' they stood right straight up an' go over to him. There's where I vacate out of de room fer a few minutes. [I repeat preceding reference, SNAKE, Pp.66-73, and elsewhere. Besides after one drink of raw moonshine whiskey a person could see a few things; after two pints of it, anything.] So I came back. In a few seconds later an' he told me, "All right. Now, by tomorrow, as I told you [she will be out of bed]." Well, he went home an' she seemed to be recoverin' a little. But then this Madam Rachel, about two weeks later, she came there. This was the third party [root doctor] now. [She had been called from Dillon, S. Car., to wait on a case in Wilmington, and had heard about my informant.] An' she told me to go to the drug store to Doctor Mason [druggist], the Ideal Pharmacy. I was livin' aroun' there at that time. [This is a normal drug store, not a hoodoo store.] She tole me to git a dime worth of bluestone an' red pepper. An' she put out some dirt, some kin'a lookin' - I called it sand. She poured out a little bottle, but she tole me it was graveyard dirt. So she mixed it all together. Then she ask me before she give me that stuff, she said, "Do you know any officers in this town?
(Officers?)
Officers. Policeses. I said, "Yeah, I know jist about every one of 'em." I told her the name of them. An' [she said], "Write them down on this piece of paper I'll give you. De's somepin I wan' choo to do with it." I said, "All right." So I wrote down every one that I could think of. She said, "Now, on this set of names, how many is it that you think would do you harm, an' he goes out an' make it his business an' come arres' chew jes' out of ordinary [for no purpose at all?]?" I said, "I don't know. I hate to go through that part of it; but still, since it's personal, why I guess I'll have to tell you." So I named the one or two that I thought wasn't very good friends of mine an' knew the whole family an' my wife and her [people] before I even knew her my own self. So I named 'em down fer her. She told me, she said, "Now, you take these names on this piece of paper, go to the northeast of this house an' bury it down there, then come back to me. Then she took that dirt, that mixture she had there, an' circle all the way aroun' my house entirely. [To circle the house with salt or other substances is a fairly common protective device.] An' told me then - she says, "There somepin under your front doorstep tha' joo an' your wife are walkin' over ev'ry day is what cause you not to be gittin' along any better, an' I'm gon'a stop it. An' besides, the officers been runnin' in here on you all the time an' claim that choo have a lot of liquor an' you doin' this an' that an' de other thing you' re not doin'." She said, "I'm gon'a stop that. Besides, Im gon'a fix it so when they come to the front door they can't come in." I said, "How much is that gon'a cost me?" She said, "Give me three dollers an' you pay for the goods an' a doller on my gas bill back home." Well, she had a big Buick car out in front. I did that. Well, I found out I was gittin' along very very good then an' really my wife did come out of bed, stayed up fer a long time, gittin' along gran'. So after she'd gone, I decided then I'd move an' change houses. I thought the house was bad luck to me. I didn't know if there any other stuff [sprinkled or buried] along there. So I moved. No sooner than I moved, I got in other house, [it Wasn't] three months before I in [jail] agin. That [this] time I cooked 60 days in the county jail up here in town. I cooked up there when the cook got sick.
[At least this tells us something about the informant - he was a fair cook.]
An' when I came back, to be sure whether I was right or wrong, I moved right back in that same house. [Which house?] Then [I] started to fallin back [into the same bad luck] right away. I had a ole - sister's dead an' gone now. She came to me one day an' tole me, she said, "Let me tell you somepin. She always did call me brother. [She Was not his sister.] She say, "Let me tell you somepin, brother." She say, "There's somepin aroun' this house that it interfering with chor life an' you can' be happy. You can't live with your family like you want to," she says. "I'm goin' find it," she say. She went up under my front doorstep an' got a pair of scis- sors out from under there with one of the points broke off of it, an' ole rusty nails au' needles all tied together. An' she brought them in the house with her, "Here it is, I've got it at last." [He did not see her find the articles.] I said, "Now, Mama Annie, do you reckon that's true?" She say, "Well, here it is."
(What was her name?)
Mama Annie, we called her. Her name was Annie P. We called her Mama Annie.
[She was a root doctor.]
So she tole me then to take that, break it up, burn it up, do anything I knew to do an' I would stop that stuff goin' on then. So I ask her what it was an' she tole me it was [some]thing that somebody still tryin' to git between me an' my family. I took that pair of scissors - I had a good hot fire in the stove - needles and nails, an' I thought that stove would melt. It turnt red-hot. An' I let it there fer two or three days till I was sure it was gone. I got rid of that. Well now, a little later on comes the nex' part of it. I got in some more trouble. A man 'cused me then of sellin' 'im whiskey. This happen recently, too. This party - he's dead, the one that said it; but this party lives right here in the city now. [I am unable to straighten this out - the man will appear again.]
(How long ago was all this happening - these stories?)
It happened to an' fro within the last five or six years - right along, all up an' down the sides, right up an' down. It's right now so. Jis' like I told Mr. Gavin out here [in my waiting or reception room in the Gavin home] jis' a while ago. [Mr. Gavin, my contact man in Wilmington, N. Car., Was the husband of the sister of Julia, page one. I interviewed in the Gavin home and had lunch there each day.] I said, "I've a tendency maybe today I want my wife any second an' I'll go to her. We are sweet and loving together. An' directly another feelin' jump right [up in] me an' I'm out and gone. Maybe she'll be talkin' nice an' lovin' to me. Directly she jump right up, "Oh! So-an'-So." An' I'm out an' gone. Well, I go around to her brother's house an' go to bed an' sleep or some- where, anywhere, at some friend, an' go on to sleep. So I told her one day, I said, "Let me take you down South. I had a party aroun' there in Walnut Street by the name of J. He told me a place up [down] here between Southport an' here, that I could go to a man that he was - well, that he could clear all that stuff where I lived at. [Southport - being south of Wilmington - equals informant's "down South."] Somebody agin! [Another root doctor!] An' that [meeting with the doctor down toward Southport] was suppose to have happened this last Thursday, but I was sick - had no more than come out of the hospital. I had a rectal abscess. I'd jes' been operated on. Come out last Monday an' I wasn't able to go. I didn't have any money to go with - the first part of it. I had to pay little bills you know. An' about this last party, to git back to de same trouble'as I started to say. This man claimed that I sold him some whiskey on the 21st day of November, an' I Wasn't even in the house that day or that night. An' so dis same [Walnut Street] Mammie J., he told me that, "I know a party that you ought to see right here in town. Maybe he kin help you a little." I said, "Who is it?" [No answer.] They [the rootworker between Wilmington and Southport] were supposed to be here in town this last past Thursday, but didn't come an' I didn't have any way to get to 'em. But I did see the party here in Wilmfngton. An' they told me also that it was things down aroun' my house; that's why I couldn't live happy an' peaceful at home.
(What do you think about it?)
Well, I do think there [is something] in it. An' I'll be frank with you. There had been a time way back, when I was much younger, I didn't believe any doze kin'a things; but I still now, since I found things buried - there is so much. An' that when I'd go as I foresaid, an' try to make love to my wife, seem like ev'rything is all right, right at first an' directly things occurred in an- other different way. An' then I would come an' try to humor her along, "Honey, what's de matter? What's de occasion? Sittin' in de dining room, huggin' wit 'er as sweethearts do. We'll talk things over an' directly she'll say, "Well, let's do so-an'-so, let's be sweethearts again." She'll forgit it an' I'll do anything fer you. You kin bet chor life right on the same schedule agin. So I went to this party [in Wilmington] an' he read the cards out fer me, an' told me that there was somepin down at my house to cause to bein' this way, an' I couldn't help myself, an' give me a root, an' got it with me now as fer as that's concern. He told me to keep it wit me anywhere I went. An' I got another thing, I got two other articles at de house that I keep. An' whenever I go roun' my wife, he told me to always wipe my face down with that powder. It's a little sweet perfume powder. An' then there's a little ball somepin like you got it sewed up in a little bag. You can't tell what's in it. I didn't cut it open to see. [This is a ball-shaped hand.] I leave it at home unless I'm goin' round to her house.
(What's the name of that root?)
I don't [know] what de name of the thing. I got it here in my pocket. An' she told me to chew a piece off of it an' spit around the door before I walked in, to kill my enemies before I got dere. That's what she give it to me fer. She said that would kill my enemies before I got dere; an' if it's anyone to do any harm, it'll change their mind. That I would also find a little dark-brown-skin man there. I didn't intend to tell you about that. That's de trouble over me an' my wife. An' [she said] I would certainly find that man there. An' she also told me she did it [whatever this means]. An' my wife sometime would mention this man ["rootworker is my transcription notation] to me. She said she liked me but she never [was untrue tol me an' didn't live no man in the world but me. Well, I know that of it's true [truth]. An' the thing that - so far [the marriage?] would last three or four years jis' about perfectly right up to the minute [trouble began]. This little bag I pinned that on the inside of my clothes nex' to my flesh. Then sometime it would smell like a onion an' agin it would smell like perfume - change odors all kin' of ways, like turpentine an' agin you don't know what you smellin'. Jes' the way that thing smell. Well, as I tell you, I didn't open it up to see what was in it, because it was sewed down there. Then she give me a prayer. It was written on a piece of paper down onto the 24th Psalm, called Ezekiel, I believe it is. An' I'd read that an' memorize as much of it as possible when I'm goin' aroun' my wife - like I'm away there now an' I should happen to think [trouble Was brewing]. That [is] to quite fusses down or anything in case you may start anything. Read that as I start towards my house, an' when I git to my yard I finish it an' then go in. An' they told me when I paid her a dollar and a half more, that she would go in there an' git this thing up an' show it to me. An' I told this weekend I'd let her complete her part of the job. An' [I] found that ev'rything she told me has worked out right. Even now in this case that I have now, she told me that this case was gon'a be put off three times. An' she said, "Let's put it off some more."
(That case in court now against you?)
Yes sir, that this man J. accused me of sellin' him some whiskey, bottle of liquor on the 23rd day of November of last year, which I wasn't even in my house, as I aforesaid a while ago, dat day or night. An' she told me and said, "Well, I'm gon'a show that I'm right before I clear you completely. I'm gon'a put off your case some more." An' she has put it off eight times successfully. Now this comin' Friday will make the ninth time that I'm goin' to be tried.
Entry 25
Yo' could write a person name on a piece of papah an' throw it ovahbo'd an' it would cause dem to go. It would cause dem to jump ovahbo'd - jes' like yo' throw it in a rivah, it would cause dem to go an' jump in de rivah.
Entry 378
This man was a very rich white man, jest about - oh, [my grandfather heard this] sometime when he was growing [up] - mah grandfather he did this [treasure hunted], too. That [hunting] was when he was about twenty some years old - [he] didn't go [back] to slavery too, yo' know [grandfather born after slavery]. All right, [grandfather] said dat dis man was very rich, and he was old an' he didn't need the money. He was old and he had an idea he would die soon. So he took dis chest of money out - way out in dis big - had a big plantation. An he took a Negro man out dere wit him - one of his best strongest Negroes he had on his place. Mah grandpa tole me about it. It took five or six boys to lift dis big heavy chest out de wagon - two wheeled wagon an' set it on de ground. All right, now. He say he wrote his sons three names - only three boys he had living, on a piece of paper an' put it in dis trunk; wrote de boys names on a piece of paper, all three names yo' know, an' put it in dis trunk. All right, den dey say, after he got de trunk set on de ground, he tole de other boys to go on away, "Go on back, Boys, or go on down a piece an' take de wagon" - go on back up dere an' being doing something to keep from being around. All right, it was sitting on de ground by a oak tree. All right now, he asked dis Negro boy, say, "Yo' promise yo'll take care of dis money fo' my boys, heah." De Negro said, "Yes sir, sure do - dat a good-weather job." He say, "Now, lookit heah, ah want chew to take care of de money for me." "Yes sir." So de man had, dey say, had a pistol in his pocket. So he showed John some- thing to 'tract his 'tention, jes' lak, "Say, John, whut's dat ovah yonder?" An' quite natch'ly when he looked to see, when John looked to see, why he pulled his pistol out an' shot him - see, shot him down over his money. An' dey say anybody in de world wanta go dere besides dose family boys, git near dere, someone start throwin' de trees on yo' - or somepin will happen to yo'. Git near dere an' yo'd hear some ringin' like bells or see somepin comin dere; see a snake or somepin that will frighten yo' away. Well, yo' see de other boys - co'se it is dere money an' dey kin go right dere an' git a dollar or two whatever dey want; lift de lid an' jest put it down an' go about' dere business. Nobody kin go dere 'cause dis Negro is there an' he kill dem.
(Because the names are there?)
Dat's right 'cause dose names are dere an' dis other fellah dat fell ovah dis money guards dis money - killed him at dis money - 'he tole me to take care of it." Anybody go dere that ain't one of them, fall a tree on 'em, or de wind will. start to blowing, or somepin will happen to make yo' frighten away from de money.
Entry 683
Yo'.take de dust from a ant hill an' sprinkle it on anybody, it will make dem be in bad condition an' give 'em bad luck, because a ant will rustle fo' his food. Well, dey will practi'lly git lazy an' dey won't try tuh feed demselfs. [Here is contrary or opposite magic.] Dat always keep dem from han' tuh mouth all de time. Dey nevah has anythin'.
(You take that dirt from the ant bed - out of the ground.)
Jes' de dirt from de ants - jes' lak, yo' know how dey is, weaves up dere dirt aroun' dere little hole. Well, yo' jes' rakes dat dirt into a piece of papah or on a piece of pastebo'd an' take an' put it in a cloth an' carry it on wit chew. Wherevah anybody is doin' fine, doin' well in life, throw dat dirt an' dat starts dem tuh travelin'. [Here is similar (sympathetic) magic - ants travel, your victim travels.] Dey jes' continue tuh goin' an' always will be from hand tuh mouth an' nevah has anything.
Entry 1326
Jis' lak if somebody got a spell on me or yo' an' yo' wanta git it offa there, yo' understan'. Yo' kin jis' take dat gunpowder, dat black gunpowder. Ah think it's a number seven - seven-'leven somepin such. But anyhow, de black powder. Spread it on a papah an' po' yo' 'bout a teaspoonful of turpentine on it an' light de papah, an' when de papah git up to de powder de powder will blaze up. An' whosomevah put dat spell on yo', it will jump offa yo' back on dem. (Don't you put anything else on that paper besides that?) [I was probably thinking of a name or incantation. Intention would be sufficient.] Nuthin but de gunpowder an' turpentine.
Entry 1795
Now, yo' take a person - I've heard talk of 'em taking a piece of wood, making de shape of a coffin. Well now, yo' take dat wood, see, an' make de shape of a coffin. When dey do dat, now yo' take a piece of paper an' cut it jest like de shape of a person. Well now, when dey cut dat paper de shape of a person an' put in dere, yo'll tack it down. Well, whosomevah it be, if dey's got anything in appearance [any hoodoo started against the operator], 'twon't be but three or fo' days 'fore dey are daid.
[This is a conditional death hand.]
(What do you do with that little box?)
Yo' take de box, yo' see, an' dey cut a piece of paper.
(What do you do with the box after the paper is in it?)
After yo' put de paper in it, yo' take dat box an' yo'll carry it an' bury it jes' lak yo' buryin' a person in a grave.
Entry 1989
[The shape of a human hand has been stamped from metal and used as a hand (FACI,2ed., No. 15897, p.799); in the following we have the shape of a hand cut from paper.] If I need a job - if I want to come to you to get something to give me a job, to get something, you go to the drug store and you call fer dat. They don't sell dese often. We kin go dere and git it but chew can't. You kin git it but it ain't goin work yo' business. You call fer de little hands - ten cent fer five. Wal, any firm that need anyone - anybody that you know of, you send to the drug store and git chew 50c - spend 50c and git you 50c worth of hands, little hands.
(What do they look like?)
Jis' shape of a hand - are on paper - goin' to give you hands, somepin like a - it's in the shape of a hand. And you give the fellah one of those hands when you [he] coming fer a job [when he is coming to you for something to help him get a job.] [Informant considers his handing the paper hand to the client a sufficient dressing of the hand, or he did not know how the hand should be dressed, or he was unwilling to dress the hand for me. One of the most frequent dressings for a job hand is names - see margin-title Name, later.]
Entry 2071
When you got a case or something like that and you want to get dis- charged, well you go and use a thing they call lodestone - it's two pieces, it's the he one and a she one. Take and wrap it up in a dollar.
(In a what?)
Take and wrap it up in a paper dollar.
(Paper doll?)
Paper dollar.
(Paper dollar? Oh, a dollar bill.)
Yes, a dollar bill - one dollar bill, and you wrap it up in there and you keep it in your pocket, and when you go - well, when they call you up there in front of the court, well they going to throw it out - they just going to tell you - throw it clean out of the court.
(Well, which piece of this lodestone do you use in that dollar?)
You uses two pieces - it's the he lodestone and it's the she lodestone, it's black lodestone and a white lodestone.
(Which is the black?)
It's got fringes on it just like iron rust. You see iron rust on a old piece of tin. Well, it thataway when you knock that dust off of there.
(Well, is the black the he or the she....? What color is the he lodestone?)
It's white.
(What color is the she?)
It's black. It's got kind of a nose - kind of a tip on the end of it.
(Which one?)
The black.
(Which one did you put in this dollar?)
You put both of 'em. You make two folds with that dollar and you fold it up. You put one just like that and you make another fold, you put that other piece, and you bend the four corners of it together. Then you take this and you put it in your pocket and you keep it and you go up there. Every time you go up there they discharge you or either throw it out, say you come the next day or somepin.
Entry 2155
You can take a piece of paper about that square, about that round, and write his name on it three times and yourn. Take the inner sole of your shoe up and put [it] down there and wear it in your shoe. You have heard people say, "I got you under my feet." That's what they mean - "I got you under my feet."
Entry 2283
Jes' take three locks of his hair.
(The boss's hair?)
Yeah, if yo' kin git it. Be round his house where he'd comb, where he comb his hair, an' git three locks of his hair an' yo' take those three locks of hair an' yo' keep them saturated in Hearts perfume an' git close enough to him to talk to him to blow yore breath in his face. An' then yo' git a root which is called de Seven Sisters, an' yo' take that root an' yo' wrop this hair round that root an' keep that. An' when yo' go to 'em, dey says he won't deny yo'.
(You carry this root with you. What do you put that root in?)
Yo' take it an' put it in a lil cloth, or make a large enough piece of papah an' tote it right in yore watch pocket. An' de whole time yo' talkin' to him, yo' keep yo' fingah down in there, jes' lak dere somepin between yore thumb an' yore fingah next to it. Yo' know, work it kinda lak yo' would a match, yo' know lak that, yo' know [demonstrates].
(Just roll it around between thumb and forefinger of your right hand.)
Yessuh. [See margin-title Seven Sisters, later.]
Entry 3091
If yo' got a spell of sickness an' yo' jis' don't feel right atall - if somebody have did somethin' to yo' an' yo' cain't be satisfied - yo's on a worry, yo' jis' worryin' an' yo' jis kinnot be satisfied. Well, now, if yo' don't - understan' ah have been lak dat. Some- one have had me worried and ah jis' couldn't be satisfied an' didn't know mah trouble an' ah wus drowsy an' ah didn't know anythin' tuh do. Well, ah went tuh Mistah Durbena Hone ovah heah in Patterson, Arkansas, an' he tole me whut de mattah, an' got it offa me an' ah been all right evah since.
(Was he a colored man or white?)
Yes, he's: a colored man.
(What did he tell you to do?)
He didn't tell me tuh do anythin'. He jis' had me tuh [demonstrates] put mah han's on his han's, an' den he had me lay mah han' on some papah lak dat, an' he jis' rubbed it lak that - wrote on it lak dat.
(He outlined your fingers with a pencil.)
Wit a pencil. An' so he tole me, "Go, heah on an' ever'thin' be all right." An' ah did, an' ever'thin' was all right.
(Did he do anything to that hand after that?)
He didn't do nuthin to it, jis' had me lay it dere. [For another outlining of hand, see HAND - HANDSHAPED, p.583.]
Entry 4183
Yuh kin take dat [urine of his] an' write his name nine times on a piece of papah, right in de same place jis' nine times, an' yuh fold it tuh yuh each way. Each way yuh fold it, yuh fold it tuh yuh, an' yuh put it in dat chamber lye an' yuh put it in a perfume bottle an' turn it on its haid. An' long as dat piece of papah wettin' 'im down dataway, why yuh'll nevah git shet of 'im.
(Now, you mean writing his name nine times, you keep writing right over it?)
Right in dat same place. Jis' lak yo' write it right dere [demonstrates]. Well go right back an' write it right dere ag'in, nine times in dat same one place. Den yuh fold it tuh yuh an' each way yuh fold it tuh yuh - each time yuh fold, why yuh jis' fold it tuh yuh. (You fold it like this [I demonstrate]. Then you fold the little corners here and fold it there.) Yeah, jis' lak disaway [demonstrates]. Fold it tuh yuh. Den yuh turn roun an' fold it de othah side, den yuh fold dis cornah tuh yuh, an' den yuh turn roun' an' yuh fold dat cornah tuh yuh, yuh see. Eithah way yuh fold it, jis' fold it tuh yuh. An' den yuh put it in a perfume bottle an' turn it on de haid, turn dat little bottle on its haid. An' long as dat's wettin' 'im down, why yuh'll nevah git shet of 'im. [HERE IS A UNIQUE HAND (see P.519f.). THE MAN'S CAPTURED SPIRIT (see p.24f.), HIS NAME, IS FED (see p.578) BY HIS URINE, ANOTHER PART OF HIS SPIRIT (see P.21, No.24).]
Entry 4443
Well, dey goes tuh work, if it yuh own toilet, yuh undahstan', an' somebody workin' roun' dere git in wit chew. Takes dat an' dey puts it in a piece of paper, undahstan', goes out in de woods tuh a green tree, bo' a hole, stop it up. Well, dat's tuh kill yuh.
Entry 5329
Ah heard of a person kin be walkin' along an' a person kin take yore track, an' put it in a papah bag or eithah sew it up in a rag, an' carry it tuh rmnin' watah an' put it in, an' it'll cuz dat person tuh go - jes' keep goin'.
Entry 6403
Well some of 'em say yo' take dat an' make dere husban' love 'em. Take de fingahnails an' toenails an' clip de nail off in a piece of papah or cloth. An' put it in de stove an' parch jis' lak yo' parchin' corn. An' take it an' tyin' it up, beat it up, an' put it in a powdah-lak. An' when yo' give him 'is food tuh eat, put dat intuh it. He'll nevah leave yo'.
(That will make the man love you.)
Yes.
Entry 6410
Yo' wash yore feet clean. Den sit down an' git chew a knife, see, an' jis' start. Yo' see, dat jis' a skin. Jis' take yo' a piece of papah an' scrape it off an' carry it off. See, yo' take dat an' put it on de stove an' let it dry till it gits brown, jis' lak yo' did this othah, an' put dat in dere food. Dat's tuh keep 'em.
Entry 7959
Take paper money or a new piece of paper, fold in shape of coffin, write person's name in, bury, soon die.
Entry 8586
Yo' kin write a person's name on a piece of papah, jes' write it this oay [one way] an' that way [the other way]. Cross it all up an' fold it to yo an' put it down in de lamp. An' dey say it will draw 'im back to yo'. It will draw 'im. [The name is written 9 times, each name crossing the other making one "x" or form of a cross. This Is another of the frequent double-crossing rites in hoodoo.]
Entry 8599
An' then lak yo' wanta make a man come back home, lak he's gone an' yo' wanta make him come back home, yo' write his name nine times on a piece of writin' papah, tablet papah with lines on it, an' write chure name ovah it nine times. Fold it up a little an' put it in a lamp with oil in it an' burn it all de time. That'll make him come back home. (You mean, you. write this name nine times like that and you write yours right on top of it.) Right ovah it nine times. That'll make him come back home.
Entry 8648
Yo' take a lemon an' yo' cut it open an' yo' write a person [name], jes' lak anybody enemy to yo' an' yo' wanta git rid of 'em. An' yo' write their name nine times. Git chew a square piece of papah, write it nine times cross disaway an' nine times disaway, an' nine in all fo' corners - jis' cross 'em nine times. Den fold it nine times to yo'. An' den yo' put it in dat lemon. Den yo' put de lemon back togethah. Sew it up wit black thread an' throw dat in de rivah an' yo' git rid of it.
Entry 11043
A chicken head and they write your name in it - write your name, you know, on a piece of paper.
(Yes.)
And they put a chicken head and they take and bury that chicken head.
(What will that do?)
That to keep they husband or they boy friend, or whoever it is, if they figure their boy friend is about to get away from them. They get their name and they write, just like I shoved you just now, nine times, and they put it in that chicken head and they bury it either at their front door or at their back door, where they can walk over it all the day long.
Entry 11631
If someone writes my name on paper, sprinkles gunpowder over it, folds and puts in catfish mouth, then throws overboard: "Ah'll run mah life out; ah won't live at home at all." [Mobile 881:3.]
Entry 11937
If you wrap victim's hair in a piece of paper and nail it into a tree with a new nail at sunrise, this will give the victim a headache. [Baltimore 46:10.]
Entry 12492
Listen: If yo' knowed sev'ral mens hangin' roun' dis house [presum- ably some Woman's house!]. Well, dere's one man or anythin' lak dat, he [you] ain't gotta do a thing in de worl' but jis take a plain piece of papah an' write his name on it. An' turn his name bottomside upward [upside down!l an' bury it undah de do'steps, an' he [you] ain't goin' be worried wit 'em [him] any mo' [hangin' roun' dis (her) house].
(I would bury that in my own house [under] my own steps?)
No suh! Jis' write his name an' den turn - turn his name bottom upwards [name-downwards] in de hole.
(Turn the name down to the ground?)
Yessuh. [What would happen to the buried rival? He would be stationery, perhaps going blind or crazy, if not dying soon.]
Entry 9792
Yo' kin take a needle an' put it in a piece of papah, with yore man's name wrote on it three times, an' put it up behin' yore do'. He cain't leave yo'. Put it up behin' yore do', up in de wall papah. Jes' lak yore wallpapah's dere [demonstrates], tear it loose an' put it in dere [see No.9791, p.3851.] (How many needles do you put in the paper?) Three. (And you write his name three times.) Yo' point dose needles lak dat, down. An' den yo' take an' put it up in dat [wallpaper] papah, holdin' dat papah
Entry 9950
Well, ah've heard about their using a toadyfrog to hurt chew. Or it be a matter if a person is gone away and you want them to come back. You'll get a frog and you write their name nine times on a piece of paper. And open the frog's mouth and you put this paper in the frog and you close it up. And let the frog stay for nine days and the person will return.
Entry 11551
"Get a piece of paper and measure their footprint and take that up in a dark place - in a dark closet, and spit 3 times at this in the dark and walk away. They claim that makes a person foolish, he won't stay no place at all."
[Fredericksburg by Ediphone.]
Entry 11563
"Write person's name on a piece of paper, put it with his foot track into an old sock, throw overboard, "put him to travelin'." [Norfolk 459:1 from Doctor Paul Bowes, who said it was from the 6th and 7th Books of Moses. This or these latter books do not always include the same material and sometimes they are not called Books of Moses. So I have been told. These witchcraft books loose their power if they are shown to anyone.]
Entry 186
Well, dey say yo' ketch it when dat wind - jes' de whirlwind, if yo' kin git it. Git a papah an' ketch some of it when de wind is up in a whirl, an' take that an' mix it up with graveyard dirt an' lodestone an' sulphur - dere's somepin else yo' kin mix up wit it - an' plant it. An' jes' lak dat whirlwind go up, dat person will jes' continue tuh go dat-a-way - jes' drift till yo' nevah see 'em agin, jes' run 'em plumb crazy. Yo' plant it right in back of de do'step where dey do the most of they walkin' - dat's where yo' plant dat stuff.
Entry 544
So we didn't have any more trouble. Ah seen a man [doctor] and this where I was telling you about de frogs. So ah told him [about the witch or hag bothering his mother]. And he told me - it's about a piece of beef, says, "We goin' tuh kill beef tomorrow,"' say, "when you buy a piece of beef, be sure and have a piece of silver money to pay for it - you fetch it but I give it back to you." He says, [When] "you buy this piece of beef," says, "don't carry any pan or nothing out there for tuh bring in de house then, but let the blood drop from that beef right on straight on through the house, from beginning right on in the kitchen," say, "and you won't be bothered anymore, ' and he says, "they might come but they cain't come in."
(Was he a white man or a colored man?)
No, he was a colored man.
(Colored man.)
He was a colored man. And so I went down there to the gate and got the beef and he gave me a piece of beef liver too, see, and I had a piece [of beef] in each hand and de blood was just a-dripping, and it dripped right all round there [the gate]. And I carried it in de kitchen and put it on de table and I'd taken a cloth and wiped my hands. And my mother called me - she was helpl's then, and she called me then to come in and get the [silver] money [for the man] and I threw this cloth right on de floor. And it seems - looked like de blood just got right down there. And my sister was out there and so she picked it up and hung up beside de door. Well, you see it was so bloody and all because it was - the porch, see, down there. They had one of those walkways [breezeway or dogtrot] between the house, and she hung it up there. And see, there was so much blood on it until it just ran up there, you know, against the side of de door - you know, like you have a nail for to hang a pan or somepin beside de door. So, that was a Saturday evening [afternoon] round about two o'clock. So, I hung de beef up in de kitchen. He tole me to put just a piece of paper or somepin lak that what I could throw right on away, under it fer to ketch the drops. And that Saturday night 'tween nine and ten o'clock my mother lied down. So then, brother and I, and my niece what stayed there with us - we sits round dere. There wasn't but three of us dere to home - and my sister's child stayed with us. And so we wasn't more than in the bed good before my mother called me and she says, "There's [they are] right round de house." And I got out and looked and I didn't see anything at all. She says, "Is there [they are there]." And we had some geese and they was just de same as a dog in de yard when there Was anything out there, and they was just running round and keeping a noise, just lak whenever a dog would get dere in de yard, or some person - just a-honking and keeping a lots of noise, and it seems like I had de funniest feeling to de shoes. And she says, "It was right there in that window. It was in the summertime and we had the screen in the window, wire tacked in. We didn't use drawed [sliding] screens - used de wire nailed in - and de curtain were up, and see there was a moon shining just as pretty and bright as day. And she said they were standing right dere in dat window, 'Cause ah seed 'em, ' says, "and I wouldn't tell you that there was somebody there, 'cause I was afraid you would get frightened and I know you would take the gun and shoot," she says, "and then that would tear my nerves all to pieces." "Well, '' ah says, '"mother, ah does feel funny. She says, "Well, when you went out in de other room, dey come back," she says, "you go back in the other room and see will dey come back." Ah says, "Well, if dey do, you kin'ly knock on de house or somepin." And she says, "Ah clear up mah throat." So I went on back den in de livingroom and went on through in de shedroom, and she said, "Here dey is," and I went back and looked and ah couldn't see anything. My brother and I we took de gun and shot and ah thought my mother would die. And I've been shootin' dat gun ever since I guess I was round about ten year old, and had never had it kick before. But I don't figure though where it kicked me - see, I didn't hold it fast 'nuff when I was shootin' in de excitement, but I know it was a miserable feelin'. And those geese kicked up until day. That's my last great experience that I've had with witches.
[After informant leaves I comment to microphone.]
(And that ended the witch story end of 438 repeated things of yesterday because of bad recording.) [Elizabeth City, N. Car., (438), 410:1.] [Although relations between layman and doctor were previously mentioned, here we will consider in greater detail and wider field laymen's thoughts about and experiences with doctors. This will complete our preparation for meeting doctors personally in the following interview section. Where to begin is the prqblem because doctors are many-sided persons - healer, witch doctor, ghost layer, seer, fortune-teller, shrine keeper, spiritual, buried-treasure hunter, love adviser, courtroom specialist, gambling consultant, bootlegger's friend, and just about anything wanted. I start with a rather broad subject I must call diagnosis.]
Entry 1728
Say fo' instance now, yo' an' a fellah's had a little run into 'bout a girl an' yo' is scared of him an' yo' know he's a guy dat'll hurt chew. Yo' say, "Well, ah don't wanta git in no trouble. Ah'll git him outa town quick." Yo' git chew one those black quart bottles - dose brown ones, yo' know. All right, yo' git chew de indelibin [indelible] pencil an' write his name thirteen ways that way, an' nine thisaway [demonstrates].
(That is nine across the thirteen - make it like an' "x", a cross?)
Yassuh. It matters [not] which way yo' put 'em. Yo' kin put nine one way an' thirteen de othah, an' thirteen one way an' nine de othah - jes' so yo' make it lak a cross dat way. Yo' fold it. Yo' take dat on a piece of papah an' roll it from yo'. See, roll it from yo' an' put it in dis bottle an' git on a boat an carry it de center of a rivah that's where de watah is swift, de current, an' jes' drap it ovahbo'd. Stop it up tight wit de name in it an' drap it ovahbo'd. In twelve hours he's gone.
Entry 1740
And then you know, your decacal [index] finger, you see that's your blood right from your heart.
(You do what with your finger?) See, that's the finger - that's the blood that comes right from your heart. [Points to right index finger.]
(Which finger?) )[I doubt index finger.]
Your decacal finger.
(Oh, this one right here?)
Yes.
(Which hand?) [I am still doubtful about hand.]
On your right hand.
(Oh, your right hand, I see.)
You prick that with a silver needle - have never been sewed with, a goldeye, understand.
(I understand.)
You'll take that blood and you'll take a sheet of paper - not lined paper but your writin' paper what is unlined, and you write your name at de top with your crimson blood. You write his name just as small as you can and you - with dat needle but not wid a pen - and you make nine circles around that and then enclose that and you bury it at the ninth hour at night under your front steps. Really, that's why sometimes you see people try to break from the county road [chain gang] and the penitent'ry. If that is done, they goin' break away and come to yuh. There's nuthin 'tall kin hold 'em from you - they'll take any chances they can and come to you [see No.77, p.32].
Entry 2148
Jes' write it on a piece of papah, jes' write their name down, put it on a piece of papah an' flush de toilet. Dat'll make dere water run an' dat'll give 'em a runnin' mind.
Entry 2191
Take yo' a red onion, see, take a pencil an' mash yo' nine holes in it an' yo' fill dat up - dat hole - dem nine hole - jes' fill 'em up wit sulphur, an' physic salts an' table salt - sulphur, an' yo' got chure red peppah, yo put it in dere. Den yo' stop 'em back up, jes' seal it up wit a piece of papah or somepin lak dat till it git cake[d] in dere. If it stand, it will git hard in dere. Yo' take nine single pins an' stick in de end of it - roun' lak dat, right in de end of de onion - see, de top come out de top of de onion - stick 'em right roun' in dere. Den yo' take it an' yo' wear it in yore left-hand pocket on de back till it git dry, den yo' keep it an' yo'll be lucky from den right on. But chew keep de onion.
(What kind of luck do you do that for?)
Gambling, so forth an' so on. [See stickpin and straight pin in two preceding rites.]
Entry 2523
To have good luck with a boss for a job, yo' always use that sugar - 'vapored [evaporated = refined] sugar [don't use brown sugar on a white boss] - use your sulphur, sprinkle that in your pocket with your sugar. Yo' take your cinnamon bark - you put that in your pocket. All right, any time you go to speak to him, he's always willing [to speak to you]. [Another method.] You take his name and you write it three times - you lay it out on a piece of plain paper and you fold that to you. Don't never fold nothing from you if you want it to be close to you. If you running a place of business and you don't want the laws to bother you. You go to - like a blacksmith shop - like a - you know where they shoe horses at. You walk in there and you ask the man for a couple of [two] horseshoe nails, and he'll give 'em to you. Understand. But don't you take 'em, but you pay 'im for them. You understand. Now, in this you Wanta be lucky - you know, something like you running a place and you wanta have good luck at your place. You take them there [two nails] and you get you - buy you a pink ribbon - a little narrow pink ribbon, and you take them nails and you cross em like a cross, and you wrap that ribbon around 'em and hang it up over your front door where everyone comes in, comes in under that. And you always - when anyone comes, you going to have plenty, plenty, plenty trade. And they ain't going to bother looking. This man that give you them nails, now, when you offer to pay 'em for them, he don't want it, but you give him a nickel or dime or something for them nails any- how. He going to tell you, "Ah, they ain't worth nothing - take plenty." But you always hand him a nickel or dime, so you really having to buy 'em, you under- stand. And lay it down there for him. See. Course, if he just give 'em to you and you don't give him nuthin, they ain't any good to you. Anything that you can get - fust walk out and get it for nothing - that's no trouble for you to get, and you don't know how it come, then it s no benefit to you. Anything that you have trouble to get, why it's a benefit to you. You want to take care of it, you see.
(The law?)
You take the law's name - see, just like that law what you know is bad about raiding or something, you take his name and you write it nine times and fold it to you, you see. You fold it up and you wear it in your shoe. You take them horseshoe nails - them two nails that I told you - and cross 'em and put 'em up over your door. If he comes there, he ain't going to bother you. If any other law comes in town, he'll always know it, so he'll notify you or somebody - see, you ain't got no graft or nuthin to pay. Keep the graft and all out of your way.
Entry 2752
My husband left me and I wanted him to come back. I loved the man, I love him 'till today, and he jis' walked away from me without any cause that I know of. Course I was jealous of 'im and I wouldn't let 'im go when he felt like going all the time to those awful taverns because he was drunkard - ev'ry time he go out he'd get drunk. Well, I tried to keep him at the house all I could and make things as pleasant as I could for him, see - so he would like home, see. I had a beautiful home across the street there, and there was nothing for him to worry for. He was a working man, he was no sweetie - he was a working man, worked every day. But when he'd go out and get amongst mens and womens, he'd get drunk and carry on. And if he had his payday before he came in, he'd let 'em rob him. He'd be home all the week, ev'ry day in the week, but on Saturday night when he got his pay he'd go ev'rywhere but home. I got disgusted with him. He went away from me and then I said, "Well, I'm going to try to see if I can get him home." I had heard so much, you know. I say, "I'm going to try a mess and see if I can get him home." So I goes across the river [to Algiers], knowing a woman through somebody else.
(What was her name?)
Ah forgot her name now. I got her name of course on a paper at home. But anyhow, I went over there to see her and ask her about it. I says, "Listen, '' I says, "Miss Whatchacallum, my husband done left me. ". And I says, "Is there any way that I can get him back, you think?" She says, "Yes, sure," she says, "you can get him back." She says, "How long has he been gone?" I says, "He been gone about five weeks now." She says, "Well, I'll be over there to see you," she says, "and when I come," she says, "I'll tell you what to get." So she says - and I says, "All right." So she says, "The first thing while you's downtown, go by the Ten-Cent Store and get me a 25c box of canary bird seeds." I went there and got 'em [after I left her]. She says, "When I come over, I'll tell you what else to get." When she come over she say, "Get me a pound of sugar, one pound of sugar and she said, "get me two boxes of raisins." You see, one pound of sugar, two boxes of raisins and 25c worth of bird seed. Well, she took a pan I have over there, a blue pan, and she mixed all that together. She made me write his name. She made me write his name, you know, each nine times - made me write his name nine times and after writing his name nine times, she made me write my name right on top of his name. My full name right on top of his name - each nine times on two different lines. Then she took that paper and put it in the bottom of the pan - I noticed her - put that paper in the bottom of the pan and she mixes all this mixture right up together and put that on the canary bird seeds and all. But, of course, he hasn't come back home yet.
(What else did she do? What did she do with that then?)
She made me put the pan back under where it couldn't be seen and then she told me to get the candles. She made me get three candles - ten-cent candles, long candles.
(What color were they?)
White candles - what you call white wax candles. I got the three ten-cent candles and she told me to dig a hole in [for] each in that. That thing [mixture] was about that thick with that ingredients - was that raisins and that in the pan, and put these candles, put three candles.... ["She coughs. Unintelligible. She has a coughing spell." Penciled notation made when transcription checked with cylinder.] (Well, how did she put them? She put one there and where did she put the other one?) [Coughing again.] Three together.
(She put three in a row. All right.)
And let 'em burn nine days.
(And let them burn out?)
And let 'em burn out. She says, "Don't blow 'em, pinch them out." So I burns [coughing again].
[We must allow for brief pauses during these coughing spells.]
(Now, those three candles wouldn't last nine days, would they?)
Now, when those burns low, I just lighted three more and just pinched them out and take them out of that little hole, you see, and put three more there, see.
(I see. All right, go ahead.)
Uh-huh.
(When the nine days were up, what did you do?)
After they burned out - see, they burned as long as they can. Then after they burned there nine days, she told me not to disturb that pan, let it that pan stay there. And so it stayed there and still it haven't made any success with me. But even so, she was charging me for it, so I said, "Well?" She told me to come back over there. Well, I'd taken sick and I haven't been back over there since. I used about a dollar's worth [candles] - ten-cents apiece.
Entry 2758
[Good material about the private shrine is difficult to find. Most of my information I have included under subsection Saints or left intact in the Interviews section. Here I will include one more example - a unique offering of food to enemy spirits living and dead.] (Your aunt did this, had the altar?) Yes - she's daid now.
(And you say she burnt these candles?)
Yes, an' she'd put food there.
(What would she put the food there for?)
Fo' certain people - the people she thought, yo' know, would harm her. An' she would put their name on a piece of papah, an' write it there.
(Well, who ate that food?)
Well, she believed in de spirits.
Entry 2778
Well, you burn a blue candle for success. You burn a white candle for prosperity and purity. You burn a green candle - it's de spiritual [spirituals or spiritual people] suppose to burn these green candles. You burn 'em three days and pray and fast. Dat's to go and heal de sick. Then the red candle is fo' victory - jes' lak ef yo' wanta overcome somethin', yo' burn dat so many days, see, nine days. And yo' put chure wishes up under dat candle, yo' know.
(How do you put them under the candle?)
Yo' write chure name, whatever yo' want done - yo' write it on a piece of paper, parchment paper and set it up under dere while it burns.
(What do you do about black candles?)
De black candles yo' burn 'em fo' death. Yo' burn 'em nine minutes. If yo' burn 'em fo' evil, yo' burn 'em nine minutes, so they say. Yo' burn fo' nine minutes at nine 'clock.
(Nine o'clock in the morning?)
Nine 'clock in de morning or nine 'clock at night.
(Do you have to do anything else with these besides burning them?)
They say they generally roll 'em in some kind of cayenne pepper or something.
[See later, Rolling Candles.]
Entry 2909
Take a white candle to make a man love you and stay with you, don't get. away from you. If he go, he can't stay.
(Well, how do you do that?)
You take a white candle and roll it in sugar, sugar and salt - salt that's not never been used out of. Just roll it, roll it good, roll it good about fifteen minutes - see, you roll it on a paper. And then you take a match.
(A match?)
Take a match and you hold that candle right on there and light it, and you know, smoke it enough for it to melt for the paste [melted wax, sometimes called sponge] to come out, you know, and then you place it right in the middle of a saucer.
(Wait! You stick this candle down on the saucer?)
Yes. [The candle is set in the melted wax at the center of the saucer.] And if he is a drinker, you know, and likes to drink, well, you put you about a tea- spoonful of whiskey around that candle, and then you light that candle and you burn that candle fifteen minutes and all the whilst you burn that candle, well [demonstrates], you be doing just like this, you know - like this with the flame, you see, from the candle. (You wet your two fingers in your mouth, and then you go to the candle and pretend that you are sort of pulling this flame towards you - keep pulling it towards you.) Yes, that's it. And make your wishes what you want him to come back and do and what you don't want him to do - just like - you burn it fifteen minutes.
(At what time do you burn that?)
Any time, any time. Burn it any time, but in the three fifteen minutes you burns the candle up - in the three fifteen minutes. And when that candle is burnt up, and all that whiskey's gone, and [then] inside of five or nine days, he'll be back - he'll be back to you. [The two preceding versions of flame pulling and whiskey are from the same informant but separated by 70 cylinders. I had her brought back because some of her material was badly recorded.1
Entry 2930
Well, say for n'instance if you are in trouble - anything of that sort.
(Anything.)
If you in trouble, you take a red candle - for n'instance, you take a red candle and you get the judge's name. You get the judge's name and you write his name like I 'fore told you, but it's a diff'rent candle - you write on the red candle. You burn that candle. (You write the name down?) Yes, sir. Down. Now, say for n'instance that you goin' to go to trial - today's the day which is the 13th. All right, you goin' to go to trial, say the 20th. Well, you might get you a subpoena to go to trial - maybe today and get that sub- poena. You got the judge's name. Well, you start from today. You get you a red candle and you burn that candle daily. See, you write that judge's name down on that candle. Now, as you writing his name down on that candle and you burnin' his name, you take and you write the judge's name down nine times on one piece of paper, and you keep that in your right shoe. You wear your underwears on the wrong side until the day of trial. And on the day of trial you still got your paper in the shoe. If that paper should happen to wear out, which some people sweats in the feet aplenty - that wears out, well, then, you write that name over nine times and put it in the right shoe again and keep your underwears on the wrong side. When you leave on the morning of court to go to trial, you turn your bed upside down. You leave the whole house in fact in - you know, the whole house upset. See. And you go ahead on to trial. When you go to trial, it won't be nothing to that. That'll be over with - without lawyer, no money or nothing.
Entry 2934
When yore ole man is gone away an' yo' wanta bring him back, if he left any ole dirty socks - if yo' kin git any of his ole socks, git de left sock. It Wants tuh be dirty though, not clean. An' yo' take it an' yo' go out in front of yore do'. Well, yo' do it 'bout between three an' fo' a'clock in de mawnin'. Go out in front of yo' do' an' dig a hole an' bury dat sock an' cover it up. Yo' go in de house an' yo' git chew a piece of tablet an' yo' write his name nine times on dat tablet. Den yo' git chew a black candle, put dat piece of papah down an' set de candle on it.
(Just a moment. Do you put the names up or down?)
Put the names right across.
(No. Do you put the names up so that you can see them, or down?)
Put the names [face] down. Then set the candle on it an' burn that candle, an' in three days dey'll return. Dat's whut ah know 'bout dat.
(But you must leave that sock out there?)
Yo' leave that sock out there until dey return. Ah've heard of men takin' a woman's stockin's an' makin' her come back. Ah've heard of men takin' 'em an' do em in de same manner.
Entry 4268
[Here is a fragment omitted from Doctor England, called Doctor English in my interview with him - see pp.1386-1401.] Other methods on such as that of gettin' the urine from a person, their urine. And take their name and write it down for nine times on a clear piece of paper. You places nine pins and nine needles, but you head and tail, say this way [dem- onstrates]. (Alternate them - one here, one there.) Right here, place in this bottle. See, what the urine is in. You put honey and sugar in there and place it on the outside of the door and let a person walk over it three times. Bring it back and put it over your front door and walk under it three times. Then it is taken and put into their home, and any time this woman or man, either sex, want them return home immediately or want her to come, only shake it up and turn the bottle on their head.
(I see. Where does she put this bottle? Into what?)
Into any place they want to keep it private.
Entry 8531
Take and punch that hole - punch that hole out of that coconut see, and let that water out. And then they take some of their own urine, and your name and write it on a piece of paper - on that same side and hang it up there, see, and roll it small, and put that coconut on her bathtub or on her bed and stop it up. (What will that do?) What'll it do? Most any- thing - have you out of your head, run you almost crazy [about her] see.
(They put it in the paper?)
See, dey write your name just like this, see [demonstrates].
(That way.)
Just like this, see [demonstrates] this Way, thataway. (In the shape of a triangle [name written 3 times in shape of triangle] and they put that with this urine in the coconut and stop it up.) Yes.
Entry 8594
Yo' take a brand-neW lamp - EVERYBODY DON'T SAY DE SAME THING. Every- body don't take no lamp; dey burn de candles, yo' see. Get a brand-new lamp. Yo' take a piece of white paper whut ain't go no lines on it, pure white paper without any lines. Yo' writes it with ink. Yo' write de persons name - initials - what yo' wanta come back to yo' nine times. See, yo' cross it though. Write yore name three times, see. (Do you cross that?) Yo' cross on dere name. Don't write yore name but three time, but write dere name nine. Clean dat lamp of de oil yo' know. Be sure yo' never burned any of dat kerosene - get it, yo' know, for whatevah amount yo' wanta burn. An' yo' put dat in dere. Before yo' put de oil in dere, take de papah an' roll it tuh yo' - see.
(You roll this paper to you.)
Yes, an' den make a wish dat in so many days yo' want 'im to show up, in nine days. De tenth day he ain't comin'. He come on dat ninth day. Well, yo' kin put in dere, a woman's name, depending on de way yo' want dem to come. Yo' put dat down in dere an' turn yore bottom upwards - turn de name down bottoms.
(Turn the names down inside of this lamp.)
All right, den yo' fill it up, but don't let it get without oil in nine days.
(You must burn it right along for nine straight days.)
When he come on dat ninth day, yo' go in dere - don't blow yore lamp out, yo' pinch it out, when he done come.
(You pinch it out with saliva.)
An' dat de way yo' kin get 'im back an' say: In de Name of de Fathah, de Son an' de Holy Ghost. Dem person ain't going to stay from yo' to save dere life. Don't care who dey are.
(Are you Roman Catholic?)
Ah's Roman Catholic an' ah believe it an' ah work by faith. Mobile, Ala.,
(651) 849:1.]
Entry 8610
If a person is 'cross de watah an' yo' want 'em an' if yo' got their picture, yo' take dat picture an' lay it on its face in yore bed undah yore sheets an' yo' sleep on dat. An' yo': take a piece of tablet papah an' write his name on it one time an' write chure'n on it twice. Fold it to yo'. An' then take it aftah yo' write dat name on it, den yo' take it an' put it in a lamp. An' put some oil in it enough tuh kiver it. An' burn it nine mawnin's, make yore wishes nine mawnin's, an' sleep on dat picture [9 nights]. If he's cross de watah, he's comin'. If he ain't sick or if he got money he goin' write chew. Yo' goin' heah from 'em some way or 'nothah. Yo' goin' heah, if he don't come. (Now you write his name down on this piece of paper. Then where do you write your name?) On top of his, twice. Write it on top twice. De same thing, if he runnin' out an' yo' want him tuh stay at home. Yo' write his name on a piece of papah an' fold it to yo' this way [demon- strates] an' then back that Way, an' put it up ovah de do' up ovah yore do'. An' he ain't goin' - yo' cain't git him outa dat [house]. He's there. [I finally have a chance to describe her demonstration.] (You fold it toward you and then you double it?) Dat's right, double it.
Entry 8632
(All right. Now, you are going to tell something else, now? All right, go ahead.) Now, at that price, again, if yo' cannot break 'em, yo' get yo' three chicken eggs - three. Yo' write de names nine times on de chicken eggs, but let it be de yard eggs - fresh eggs. Yo' write dem [the man's name] nine times on that [informant demonstrates and I explain later]. Den yo' write her name nine times on de eggs, till yo' make it meet to de point of de eggs. (NoW Wait! You write - her name across his?) Yes, sir, always across. Now, when yo' git through dat - yo' see, dat's de point of de egg [demonstrates]. Yo write 'em just on de point of de egg until so far as yo' get.
(Right around the point of the egg.)
Right around de point. An' den at de othah point yo' do de same thing. Den yo' get yo' a bottle of dat french vinegar [wine, not apple, vinegar].
(French vinegar.)
Dat's de strongest vinegar they have. Den yo' get a dime of cayenne peppah. Den yo' get a - three lemons an' yo' cut dose lemons in four parts. De lemon....
(In four parts?)
In four parts. Den yo' take in de eggs [put eggs in bottle]. Den yo' take a piece of papah an' den yo' write dem nine times crossways like dat. See, an' den when yo' do dat, den yo' take a handful of de cayenne peppah an' set it right in de center - an' in de center of it. An' den yo' roll it to yuh. Den yo' makes yo' [a stopper] - yo' cuts, yo' gotta cut dis. An' when yo' get through it, den yo' put it in de mouth of de bottle, an' den yo' seal it up. Now, I guarantee yo' dat dat'll cook dat egg. It will cook. An' in de ninth day it'll give yo' de satisfaction, dey'll fight until dey bloody one anothah or murder one anothah, an' quit an' nevah go back any more, 'cause ah have did it. Ah have seed [seen] it.
(You use these three eggs.)
Yard eggs. (There's just one thing, one part of it that I don't understand about. Here're the eggs. Do you write the man's name [I demonstrate] around this way or this Way? You write this way?)
[Informant demonstrates.]
(You write it the length of the egg, from the two ends [from one end to the other]. And that woman's is written around the fat, small round part [breadth] of the egg. And you keep writing it up and down until you cover the whole egg.) The whole egg.
(I see. All right.)
Entry 8973
Go somewhere an' buy yo' a beef tongue if yo' wants tuh do sompin. An' yo' cut dat beef tongue open [slit lengthwise] an' yo' writes de person name down nine times on one straight piece of papah. (That is, you write the name one right after the other?) Yessuh, one right undah de othah on a piece of papah, jes' lak yo's writin' a lettah; but as yo' write one name, yo' leave dat, an' yo' put de entire [family name] first an' put de given name last. An' yo' writes dat down wit a indelible pencil. Yo' git chew nine needles, brand-new needles dat's nevah been used, nine brand-new pins, an' git nine [brand-new] tacks, an' yo' stick it in dat beef tongue; but as yo' stick it, yo' stick it across it. [Needles cross needles, pins pins, tacks tacks.] Yo' git chew some silk thread an' yo' sew dat beef tongue up an' yo' take dat beef tongue an' yo' bury it to de sunrise.
(What will that do?)
Well, dat's tuh keep anybody from talkin', lak if yo' got people aroun' yo' an' evahthin' yo' see, dey meddles wit chure business an' jes' go about an bring news, an' say evahthing. See, yo' do dat wit dat beef tongue. [This rite will keep people from talking about you and also help you in the court scrape that follows:] Now, yo' take it fo a co't scrape. Yo' take de beef tongue an' yo' write de name down nine times, one right aftah de othah.
(The name of the fellow that is before the judge.)
Whut's befo' de judge, see; an' de witness name, too. Yo' write de witness name, but yo' 'sposed [supposed] tuh make it - now, yo' write de witness first; den yo' write de defendant's name on top, see. Write it down nine times an' put it in dat tongue, an' yo' use dem nine needles an' nine pins an' nine tacks.
(How do you put them in there?)
Yo' crosses 'em, cross one right on top an' stick a needle, an' yo'll stick a pin dat yo' makes a cross. Yo' cross dat pin 'cross dat way [demonstrates]. Den yo' takes dat tack an' yo' crosses it 'cross dere, until yo' git de whole nine of 'em in dere. When yo' git de whole nine of 'em in dere, yo' git some thread an' yo' sew dat beef tongue up. An' yo' git chew some ice an' yo' put dat beef tongue on a piece of ice an' leave it freeze. An' de witness, or who- somevah be against yo', won't be able tuh say nuthin against 'em when dat co't scrape come up.
Entry 11525
"I knowed a man, he got mad and measured a person's track, and he wrapped it up in paper, burnt it up, then took the ashes and put it in a gun, put on a cap, fired that gun and said, I hope that you is a thousand miles from home. He never came back no more. THAT'S WHAT I USED TO HEAR THESE OLD CUN- JURES SAY - WE [AS CHILDREN IN CIVIL WAR TIMES] SIT BACK IN THE CORNER, WE WASN'T ALLOWED TO ASK NO QUESTIONS." [Fredericksburg by Ediphone.]
Entry 11572
"If you don't want anybody to come to your house...get their track, take it up in a paper, put it with some sulphur, some salt, burn it in a pan, and take the ashes and throw it northward and say: Don't come no more." [Fred- ericksburg by Ediphone.]
Entry 1655
Well, jes' lak if dey put anything down fo' yo' an' yo' finds it. Lak if dey buries anything down for you - yo' know, dat cunjuration dey calls it, make it little plainer to yo'. Well, yo' take that chew see when yo've found that - don't put chure han' on it. Jes' take a little iron or somepin other an' take it out an' put it in a paper sack an' carry it to a runnin' stream of water an' throw it ovah yore left shoulder. Turn around three time on yore heel an say, "In de Name of de Lord, drive mah enemies away from me." An' dey can't do yo' any harm.
Entry 2828
Well, you get the name of the policeman that 'rrested you. Take his name, the judge's name, and the district attorneys name. You write it nine times on a piece of writing paper with ink that never has been used. Buy you a bottle of ink and a new pen, and you write their names nine times. You write your name nine times over that. You understand? You get you some honey and put it in a saucer and you burn it with those candles. You take those white candles, three of 'em, and cut the tip off and turn 'em bottom up upon there and let those candles burn out.
(When do you do this?)
You do this like if you got arrested today and you get a subpoena to go to court next week. You do that three days before you go. And the morning you've got to go to court, you go to the hydrant, or pump or well, whatever you got, wherever it be, and you catch you a cup of water. And you start out the gate, have that cup of water - and you're facing the street - throw it over your left shoulder and make your wish and never look back, just keeping on going to the court house and you'll get discharged.
Entry 5567
Now, if someone wanted tuh harm yo' 'bout dat, wantedtuh harn yo', dey would git chure track an' put it in a bag, an' write chure name on it an' put it in runnin' watah, an' yo' be goin' de balance of yore days.
(Get my foot track and put it in a bag.)
No suh, jis' put it in a piece of cloth yo' undahstan'. Jis' write de guy's Dame who yo' want tuh be gone.
(Where do you write that name?)
Yo' jis' write it on a piece of papah an' put it in dat dirt wit dat track in dere.
(You take either track?)
Eithah one of de tracks, it doesn't make any diff'rence.
Entry 6042
Ah have heard dat chew kin take, jes' lak yo' do me dataway. Jes' take yore hair out chure haid, comb it out, an' take it an' put it in a papah an' wad it up, jes' a little bit of it yo' undahstan', an' take an' wad it up an' take an' tie it up in a rag, an' tote it in yore pocket. An' ah have heard dat chew could - ah haven't done tried dat - but ah have heard dat chew kin take it an' do dat, an' if yo' wanta love a woman, yo' kin do wit her any way yo' wanta.
(You get that hair off the woman and do that with her hair?)
Yes sir, if yo' do dat wit 'er hair, yo' kin do anything yo' want wit it [her].
Entry 6137
Yo' kin take de hair out of de haid wit a comb - where dey cozb oat de hair, see. Git it an' dey kin take dat hair an' put it in - git chew a piece of paper, de sta- tionery hich dey writes op, see. Write dat name on it an' put de hair in it an' wit three cornahs, see, an' put it in de toe of yore shoe. An' yo' nevah be outa dere employment. Now, ah know dat's true.
(You would not be out of employment.)
Long as yo' work fo' dat person.
(Whose hair do you put in that paper?)
De employer's hair.
(What did you say about those three corners?)
Yo' fold yore paper in three corners - triangle. Qou put it in the toe of what shoe?) Under de left shoe - undah de innah sole.
Entry 6220
If dey wants yuh tuh suffah or eithah wants yuh tuh git well, dey takes a' dey go tuh a oak tree an' take some of yore hair or eithah yore name. Write It on a piece of papah an' drive fo' nails in dis tree halfway. An' take an' tdve dese fo' nails in dis piece of papah wit yore name in it halfway. Uhat do they do that for?) Dey do dat if yo's sick an' anybody harmin' yo' an' yo' wanta git well. Puts dese nails an' dis name of yore in dere an' drive dese fo' nails in dere halfway in dis tree - dis oak tree or any kinda tree. [Here we have a general cure for ailments rather than a specific one for the tree spell only. The ail- ing victim sacrifices himself to the sickness-harm causing spirit by offering this spirit his name, magically his person. However, the nails driven halfway into the name reveal a mock sacri- fice, a trick played against the troublesome spirit, always a simple-minded fel- low.]
Entry 524
You take a scissors and put it under de bed on a newspaper, you under- stand; lay de scissors here and de newspaper here, an' when he git dere he got'a put his hand on ev'ry letter. See, by time he git through dat, it's day an' he got'a go. (You put the scissors and the newspaper under the head of the bed, a newspaper next to it - underneath the scissors or next to it?) Right next to it - here's one and here's the other.
Entry 1030
[Although the following rite deals with love, the doctor uses this coffeepot method for all sorts of cases:] Now, listen. Dis woman an' her husband couldn't git along. He's very noisy an' he has - naturally he is diff'rent from her an' he do things she didn't like an' always cause an argument. So he goes away fo' foah months, yo' understand. He goes away fo' foah months. Well, dis woman she got in love - dis is Anna - Anna wus so much, yo' know, so crazy about him an' loved him an' want to live with him an' all lak dat, so she goes to dis woman an' tole dis woman how, whut an' ever'thing. Dis woman said, "Kin yo' come down heah eleven-thirty? Ah want chew tuh go to de cemetery. Bring two pieces of money - two pennies, an' take up dirt from de foot an' de haid an' bring it back to me. Ah'll put it in a coffeepot." She fixed it up - she put sulphur an' peppah or salt - ah don't know jes' what, but we'll say peppah an' she give it back to Anna. She put salt an' peppah with dis dirt - she put it in de coffeepot an' she prayed ovah it. Ah don't know whut de prayer. An' she give this dirt to Anna an' she said, "An' yo' write his name on a papah three times a day an' burn dis papah six a'clock in de mawnin', twelve in de day an' six in de evening" - see - "an' do dat fo' nine days, an'in de third day write him a lettah."
(The third day during those nine days?)
Yes - yo' understand. After ah do dis nine days [she reveals the identity of the woman going to the doctor], den after dat three days, write him a lettah on de third day, yo' understand. "An' yo'll hear from him, an' yo' an' him will git back together in three days or three months." An' in two months time dey wus back together. (When she went out to the graveyard, what did she do out there? She took some dirt and what?) She took dirt from de graveyard - dat wus supposed to be at twelve a'clock at night, but Anna had tuh go to dis place an' be there at eleven-thirty an' talk to dis woman. She had to go to dis place alone - de cemetery alone. Well, Anna is very nervous ~ er - ah had a lot of nerve, yo' know. She goes to de cemetery an' she gits dis dirt from de foot an' de head. Yo' understand me? An' she bring it back to this woman. She put it in a coffeepot wit, we'll say peppah - put peppah in it an' give it to Anna an' said, "Yo' write his name on a piece of papah."
(When she put it in the coffeepot did she do anything to it in the coffeepot?)
Not anythin' - jes' put it in dere an' pray ovah it an' take it out. No - no cookin'.
Entry 1805
[There are many animal-substitution rites like the preceding one. Here is another:] If yo' git mad at somebody ah guess, an' yo' draw a person, yo' know. Yo' draw the person. Yo' draw a little box an' yo' write the person's name on his haid. That's fo' him tuh go in when he die. An' yo' ketch a frog an' yo' name that frog such a person yo' made. Chew hate de person an' [therefore] yo' 'buse dat frog nine times fo' nine mawnin's, yo' whippin' him lightly - he's very soft flesh yo' see. An'whenevah dat frog die, yo' buries him [both frog and person]. Now, dat dere now, dat's good.
(Now, what do you do with that box?)
Draw de box lak it wus a coffin. Well, he'll die, an' aftah he dies.
(Well, what do you do with that paper after you draw on it?)
Yo' don't do nuthin with it - yo' keep it long as yo' want to. Yo' ain't have to do nuthin with it 'tall. It works good 'nuff.
Entry 1845
She kin go to the drug store an' get her some drawing oil.
(Some drawing oil?)
Yes. Get her some steel dust, an' get some Jockey Club Perfume. (Jockey Club?) Yeah. An' put his name down on a piece of paper three times an' soak it in that bottle.
(And then what will she do?)
An' she jis' keep dat an' shake it up an' make her wish over it.
(That'll bring the man back?)
He'll come back.
Entry 2152
(You get the boss's name?)
An' write it down, see. Well, yo' bring it home an' yo' take salt an' sugah an' sprinkle it ovah dis piece of papah whut choo got de boss's name on it... an' wear it in yore shoe fo' nine days, an' jis' keep a-goin' back, back tuh him. An' git chew some of dis heah oil of clover an' oil of bergamine [bergamot] an mix it togethah, an' Jockey Club perfume an' mix it together. [Three perfumes.] Git chew some root dey call John de Conker. See, aftah yo' got his name in yore shoe, well, yo' put dat oil of clover an' oil of bergamine wit dat Jockey Club perfume. Dat Jockey Club perfume keeps dat oil of clover and oil of bergamine from smellin' an' yo' sprinkle it on yo'. An' den yo' have dat John de Conker vine or root in yore mouth an' yo' chew it well, an' when yo' walk up to 'im talkin' about jobs, see he'll git de influence of dat odor, an' den yo' be jis' spittin jis' lak yo' chewing tobacco, an' yo' keep a-goin' dere an' event'lly he'll give yo' a job.
Entry 2270
Take salt and burn it, then dampen it, let it become hard, put it in a paper, wrap it up tight, wear it in your left pocket, and they say you'll have good luck.
Entry 2644
Then yo' kin take shoes an' scrape 'em off at de bottom. Take that an' put it in a papah an' git some lodestone an' mix wit it, mash it up wit it, an' yo' read a verse in Psalms - yo' read de 27th verse of Psalms. An' yo' put that togethah an' yo' take dat an' put it down at chure do' or up ovah yore do' where dey has tuh pass in an' out. That's fo' gainin' fren's.
(Bringing in trade.)
Yes, an' fo' lawful business an' all lak dat. An' yo' kin burn incense 'bout three time a week. That's when yo' in busi- ness - lak a sto' or any kind of shop or anything. Yo' burn de incense three time a week. Yo' burn it Monday, Wednesday an' Friday. Dat's in yore business - dat's drawin' mo' customers.
Entry 2817
[They] say that you take a black can'le. And you write the name down on a piece of paper and you wrap it around that [candle]. You put it [a second paper with the name] in a tin plate. And take this party's pitchure and turn it upside down, and burn it [see later] to this black can'le for nine days and grad'lly this person will mold [or molt] away.
(You write the name on that paper once?)
Yeah. You put it [candle] on top of the name and around the name [name around candle]. No [correcting answer to my question], you write the name on there nine times. You write it nine times on one piece and three times on the other piece.
(You use two pieces of paper?)
One wrapped around the candle and one under the candle.
(Which has the nine times?)
The paper under the plate should have the name on it nine times. [The paper with three names, wrapped about candle, burns while candle burns; the paper with nine names lies beneath the plate on which the candle stands; the- photograph in your path of vision rests behind the candle, though not in the plate, and can be either face-down on the surface of what is being used for an altar, or leaning head-down against some object. Informant's burn it to this black can'le could be a slip of the tongue, but more likely the photograph is burning to the black candle - the spirit of the photograph and the spirit in the names under the plate symbolically or sympathetically burning with the spirit name about the candle. Naturally, if the word may be used, the triple-divided spirit (see pp.20-24) of the victim does not burn or die, it gradually deserts the body of the dying person.]
Entry 2824
Write a person's name on a piece of paper nine times for them to come to stay, and put it in a saucer and light a red candle, or a blue for true love for them to come. That's their way. If you ditch him and you ever see him with some - they happen to be with somebody else, you get you a black candle and write his name on a piece of paper and put that candle in that saucer and lay that - lay him right under it. And if [as] this candle molt down, that person'll molt - that's a[say] dry up and molt away.
Entry 2829
If yo' git de names of those persons - if yo' know de names of de ones yo' think stealed it, well yo' write their names nine times and write chure's across it. (What do you write it on?) Yo' write it on a plain piece of paper, white paper - write the name nine times. Write chure's across it an' then yo' take it an' git chew a cup of clar' water and put it down in that water. See. An' yo' put a can le on top of it. If yo' don't put de can'le on it, yo' take it an put it in yore lamp. Yo' have a oil lamp, an' put it down in that lamp an' keep that lamp continuously burning on top of it, and dat'll worry 'em so - with that name on there it'll worry 'em so, they'll have tuh come back and they'll confess to yuh.
(That they have stolen this?)
That they have stole. They'll come to yo'.
Entry 2833
Red candle on a person - I write their name down on a piece of paper and I burn that paper to ashes and I put it in a container. And I light that candle and drip that wax down until I can sit the candle in the middle of the ashes, and I light the candle and that candle burns down into the ashes. Well I do that for nine days on that person and that person is supposed to get cut and lose blood. And if you do the same thing with a black candle it should result in the person's death.
Entry 2853
Jis' lak if yo' wanta run a person crazy, see, yo' got de sole of the shoe. Yo' go in de graveyard jis' about da'k, yo' see. Jis' to anybody's grave yo' see. An' yo mash it [shoe]. Yo' see, de leather it be's jis' flat lak this [demonstrates]. An' yo' git chew a black candle. An' yo' write de name on a piece of papah or eithah on dat candle, yo' see, but yo' see yo' can't write it mo' den nine times. An' yo' burn that fo' nine days. See, dat's de way yo always send a person tuh de graveyard. Dat mean graveyard dirt [for you]. Well, at de end of dem nine days dat person goin' die.
(Now what do you do? You get that graveyard dirt and you spread it out?)
Yo' see, sometime it be's lunpy, but yo' gotta take it somewhere where it kin be smacked - where yo' mash it fine, where yo' kin set dat candle on top of it. Jis' put dat candle. Dis be de graveyard dirt an' dis be de candle an' yo' jis' wanta set it [graveyard dirt] roun' dere [candle] an' aftah yo' write de name on dere, well dat candle goin' burn down de name 'fore de end of nine days. Yo know how long it goin' take a candle tuh burn. De candle goin' burn nights till de end of dem nine days, an' den dey goin' tuh de graveyard. (You write that name on the candle longwise, just nine tlmes? Or you can write it on a piece of paper, you say?) Yo' kin write it on de piece of papah, each [either] way yo' see. Write it on a piece of papah, well, it's good; an' if yo' write it on de candle it still bettah, yo' see, cus as dat candle be burnin', yo' see dat [name] be burnin' too.
(How do you write it on the piece of paper?)
See, lak dis de piece of papah [demonstrates]. See, yo'd write it lak this - nine times an' den yo' take an' yo' come dis way an' yo' write it nine times lak dis, nine across.
(Where do you put that paper now when you are burning that candle?)
Took de piece of papah jis' lak dis, yo' see, jis' fold it lak that, an' take de candle an' put it on de papah.
(Now where is your graveyard dirt?)
It's underneat' dat, see underneat' de papah. Or yo' kin put it in a saucer, eithah one yo' see. It be de best.
[Similarly, a foot track is burned under a black candle.]
Well, now, yo' see if a person don't lak yo' an' even so - co'se dey don't have dust lak it be's out in de country cus yo' see out in de country it's all dust roads yo' see. A person goes an' dey take yore feet yo' see or either dey kin take de shovel or anything an' pick it up, but dat track must be warm yo' see. Yo' mus' jis' be pass' dere. An' yo' take dat dirt from de bottom of yore feet an' yo' write chure name on dat an' git chew some.
(What do you write your name on?)
Yo' take dat dirt from de foot track an' yo' put it in a piece of papah, yo' see. Jis' lak ah'm goin' take yore foot track, yo' git de dirt, yo' see. But it gotta be warm. De dirt gotta be warm cus if it cold, it doesn't do any good. It gotta be warm. See, when dey gits de dirt dey gits some papah, a brown piece of papah, see, but chew gotta buy dat piece of papah - it's a brown piece of papah. An' yo' git that an' yo' write their name on that. Yo' kin write it eithah way yo' kin write it crossways or yo' kin write it de longway - eithah way yo' see. Jis' write it once. An' yo' burn dat.
(What do you burn?)
Yo' burn a candle. Dat's candles. Burn a black candle - a black candle is de best.
reported black-candle burning in two distinct variants. The first account moves from running a person crazy to predicted death. Preserve this shift as source speech, not an observed outcome or clinical finding. These are attributed source occurrences; outcomes remain unverified.
Read full source (printed page 821) · Read full source (printed page 822)
Entry 2888
(Now, how would they burn a black candle?)
A black candle? You take a person's name on a piece of paper, you write it nine times thisaway [demonstrates]. Nine, like you make a cross - nine times thataway, nine times thataway. And you - every time you light that candle, you go there, you curse, you say, "You son-of-a-bitch, you ought to be dead." You see? Well, the candle'll start to popping - you see, the candle'll start to popping. When the candle start to popping, well, you go over there and you - you sell yourself to the devil, you don't say anything about the Lord at all, you saying that to the devil. Say, "You son-of-a-bitch, you ought to be dead, the way you treat me." Well, the candle'll pop - pop like that. Now, when that black candle go out, and you have your house dark, nobody pass through, nobody go you see. You have that. You don't - nobody goes there but yourself. You don't want nobody to see what you doing, because its a lot of people know what those black - know the black candle is no good. It's bad, you see. Well, so you takes it and go ahead on and lights it, and when it gets most out, he can't go nowhere. He'll have to stay there to watch it. And when it get down low, low - well you burn it three days, you see. Now in the morning you burn that. You light it at six o'clock in the morning, twelve o'clock you light one, and three o'clock you light the other one, you see. That's what you do. And then that's for - that make's he be going - starting to getting sick and droopy - and after that he'll pine jis' away. And he'll stop and say, "Ooh, my head hurt."
Entry 2931
Lak if ah wus goin' tuh co't today, ah'd go tuh de rivah an' ah'd git me - lak if ah had tuh go tuh co't tomorrow, ah'd go tuh de rivah tonight, see. Well de watah's muddy. Ah'd git me a quart bottle of watah. An' ah'd take me about a nickel of sugah, white sugah, an' ah'd put in dere. Ah'd take a lemon an' ah'd open it an' ah'd squeeze de juice of dat lemon in dere. Ah would take de judge's name, see. Lak if his name is Judge Andrews, ah'd take his name. See, dat'd be fo' mahself, an' some honey an' some sugah. Write his name an' git me a white candle.
(Would you write his name just once?)
Well, dat's all jis' in a co't case. Er, no, yo' write his name nine times on de piece of papah.
(How would you write it?)
Well, yo' kin write - fo' de judge, yo' write it [demonstrates] disaway an', write it disaway an' that way an' come back an' write it that way.
(Cross it.)
Yes. An' yo' leave that burn at night, an' leave dat lemon - dat watah from de rivah set there to that lemon. Tomorrah mawnin' when yo' git up tuh git ready tuh go tuh co't, yo' take some of dat watah an' yo' drink it, a glassful, of dose little glasses - take one lak dat full [demonstrates] an' drink dat. An' when yo' be goin' out, yo' leave from de house, yo' take de rest of de watah an' throw it behin' yo', but don't nevah look aroun' - jis' throw dat behin' yore back, see. An' when yore case come up, well, he'll keep on settin' it back. He'll nevah call yo', jis' keep on settin' it back until yore case nevah be called again. Dat makes yo' win de case - it nevah be's called. (Now when you burn that candle, do you burn it just a little bit or burn it all night long?) Yo' let it burn all night long till, yo' know until it burns down.
Entry 3460
An' people pay to go see it. Yo' know how dey do it. Yo' ketch a dog in heat, see. Yo' know a dog proudin' aroun'. An' kill it an' git 'is [her] livah outa him [her]. Carry it on home - wrap it up in a piece of papah jes' lak de othah livah. Fool 'er, yo' know. Slice it up. An' don' chew eat none of it, let 'er eat it. An' when she eat dat if she go [demonstrates] dat's what will happen to her.
[Informant's demonstration was probably interlocked fingers.]
(She will get stuck to the other fellow?)
Yes, sir, git stuck together. DEY HAVE TO KILL ONE OUT TO DE HOSPITAL TUH SAVE DE OTHAH.
Entry 3524
In case ah wanta make love to a woman - now ah go to dis woman an' make love to her an' git part of 'er "nature", de same as mah "nature", an' tie a string into three knots an' put it up ovah her do', or undah her front do'step where she have to walk ovah it. Ah make love to her. She only once walk ovah it three steps forwards an' I take it up 'fore she walk back ovah it. Ah have her trapped.
(What do you do with her nature and your nature?)
Take dat an' keep it, wear it roun' yore waist three weeks. (Well, what do you do with this string? You make three knots in the string or what?) In a string or eithah in a rag.
(What do you do with the string I mean? Is anything done to the string?)
De string - dat's it, bury it.
(How do you use that string?)
Fold it - wrap it up into a small piece of papah. Yo' take a string an' tie it - use de nature lak yo' an' a woman have "purgements" togethah, an' yo' take de string an' tie three knots in it.
(You wipe with the string.)
[Here we have a definite statement of the folklore belief about what happens in coitus; both man and woman have purgements together. To purge means to cleanse, to purify the impure or undesirable. I am certain my informant equates purgement with ejaculation or emission, not with something impure. A man's pur- gement is semen, a collection of so-called seeds. A real seed, of course, is complete in itself, needing only a soil or place in which to grow, and nurishment. These latter says folklore are what the woman's purgement supplies, a suitable liquid for the growth and development of man's so-called seed. It never occurred to folklore and earlier medicine that a man's so-called seed was incomplete; that it became a true seed only by uniting with a woman's ovum or egg. Before uniting, the single successful semen and ovum had been single separate cells; but after union they became one new cell, which immediately split into two cells and many others. What the woman purges according to folklore is part of 'er "nature", de same as mah "nature". She certainly does not ejaculate ovah to meet the ejacu- lated semen.]
Entry 3708
The follow- ing informant gives 4 separate cures:] Dey say yo' kin take in measurin' a man - well now, in yore husban', if yo' don't want 'im tuh fool wit somebody, why yo' could take an' measure him when he's sleep, if yo' git a chance. Or eithah, yo' fix 'im to pay no 'tenshun - have connection wit 'im fo' a chance tuh measure 'im wit a piece of cord string, dis little cord string dat come off a wrappin'. An' take an' measure 'im wit dat - jes' de length of it. An' den yo' kin take an' tie nine knots in it, an' yo' kin wear it in yore shoe, or if yo' kin, put it down undah de innah sole of yore shoe, an' he can't have anythin' tuh do wit anybody else. Den yo' kin take a piece of new homespun. Jes' lak yo' be playin' an' yo' have a piece of new homespun about de bed, or sompin yo' wus sewin', an' dey kin use dat aftah dey git through. Put it undah yore mattress an' double it up in a piece of papah an' put it undah yore mattress an' he ain't goin' bothah 'bout anyone. An' den if a person gits where dey kin't bothah wit anybody an' wants it taken off dem, dey kin go an' steal a dishcloth - steal someone's dishcloth. An' if dey got greasy dishwatah dere, dey jis' skim off dat grease wit dat dishcloth an' squeeze it up in dere. An' den yo' kin take dat dishcloth an' use it an' wash it off yoreself an' dat will kill it out. An' den yo' kin take an' git some cedar - these cedar leaves. Don't chew know, yo've seen dese cedars in de cemetery. An' take sulphur an' sprinkle it ovah dem, an' put a little fiah undah it, an' yo' kin kinda stand ovah dat an' let dat smoke go ovah yo', an' dat'll kill it. (That will kill it, if his nature has been taken away from him - restore his nature. But you don't have to get that cedar from the cemetery, you can get it any place?) Yes, anywhere. Yo' ain't gotta git it from de cemetery. [Yet, informant prefers graveyard.]
Entry 3751
Ah've been did lak dat. Yo' kin take a man an' he kin have intahco'se wit a woman, say at night, an' prob'ly yo's a man dat look aftah deyself [your- self] [but] don't pay attention to yoreself lak yo' should all arnun' peoples yo' undahstan'. Yo' kin have intahco'se wit a woman but dey not bad. Well, now, prob'ly she might have a wet towel layin' up dere, see. Well, yo' prob'ly done seen it. Well, she wipe yo' off. An' yo' figure she'd use dat towel. Well, she got a dishrag, undahstan'. Well, now she take dat dishrag an' wipe off yore privates an' jes' fold it - wrap it up in a piece of papah or sompin lak dat an' put it up Ovah de do'. An' jes' AS LONG AS IT STAY DERE AN' YO' DON'T WAKE UP TO DE INSIDE DOPE, well, yo' can't have no othah woman but 'er. Well now, yo' kin take dat - jes' yo' yoreself, not de woman dat did it - yo' kin take dat rag down. An' den fo' nine mawnin's wash dat rag in sweet milk, an when yo' wash de rag in sweet milk, bath [not bathe] yo'self in it, yore privates, an' throw it sunrise fo' nine mawnin's. (You wash this rag in sweet milk, and then you take this sweet milk and bathe yourself.) An' bath yore privates wit it, an' when yo' git through why jes' put de rag right back up, an' throw it sunrise.
(Throw the milk to the sunrise.)
Fo' nine mawnin's.
(What will that do?)
Takes it off. It go away den.
Entry 3802
Well, if a person go tuh work an' take de measure of yore private an place it on a piece of paper, yo' take an' go tuh work an' git to de place dat chew can't be social wit no othah man, yo' take de five dimes an' swallah dem. When de five dimes came back in passes, why yo'll be a perfect person ag'in. Yo' kin go all de way an' love wit anyone dat chew want to:
(You say a woman will take a man's measure on what?)
On de private.
(How does she measure that?)
Wit 'er fingahs.
(Then what does she do with that, then?)
Take dat an' tie nine knots wit a cord string.
(Then what does she do with that string?)
She take dat string an' place it aroun' 'er waist.
(And that takes the man's nature away?)
Yes.
(Now, how is he going to get his nature back?)
He will have to go tuh work an' [provide himself] wit de five silvah dimes, jes' lak she will. Swallah five silvah dimes.
(Swallow the whole dime?)
All whole.
Entry 3845
Take de lef' third fingah - dis fingah [demonstrates].
(Which one is that?)
[Informant demonstrates.]
(That's the ring finger, the finger next to the little finger on the left hand.) An' yo' take yo' a needle [demonstrates] an' pick dis fingah till it bleeds, an' yo' would write her name on de top line an' 'is name on de bottom line. Now, jes' say mine, an' draw a small ring aroun' it de first time, an' den one a li'le bit largah, an' de nex' a li'le largah [magic of increasing size] till yo' draw three rings aroun' de names wit yore blood. Den yo' would bury dis papah undah yore do'step. If yo' do dat in de mawnin', why dat night he would come back tuh 'er. He'd stay wit 'er an' wouldn't leave. Jes' de blood from yore lef' fingah.
Entry 3849
[Here is one of those rites saying much in few words. Either the briefness of the rite deceived me or I was too tired to react immediately with questions.] (What do you do with the woman's period now?) Take it an' put it on a little piece of cloth, jes' LAK YO' WANTA EXAMINE YO'SELF AN' SEND YORE BLOOD OFF. PUT IT ON A PIECE OF PAPAH WHERE YO' KIN SEE IT, WHERE YO' DON'T SEE BUT NINE PIECES OF IT. Take it an' sew it up in a piece of cloth, an' drop it in runnin' watah. [Informant tells me a woman worried about her condition and wanta examine yo'- self (have yourself examined) can have her blood tested by putting 9 pieces or drops of it on a piece of paper where yo' kin see it and send (or mail) yore blood off. Several times in HOODOO I speak about doctors aping M.D.'s: the old medical kit, diploma on wall, calling themselves doctors, labeling medicine, the bright light, examining urine, etc. In the present instance we have a clever Operator who presumably gives blood tests by mail! Actually he avoids United States postal law by not appearing in the transaction, using a second person who may add another go-between. Or, if he becomes involved, he is a spiritual healer, who answers by letter: The specimen merely means God cures everything. I am working on your case. I cannot accept money for God's work. You feel bet- ter even now and soon will be cured. That will be time to send a thank offer- ing to help God's work along etc.
Entry 3895
Dey say yo' kin take a woman's piece to de cemetery an' put [on it] some saltpetah, some cayenne peppah an' some turpen- tine an' bury it. Put it in a piece of papah an' bury it an' it will rot. When it rots it'll turn yo'. It rots in yo', yo' won't be no mo' good fo' nuthin.
(What will it do?)
It'll rot chew down heah.
(It rots you and the doctor has to operate?)
Yeah, see, yo' won' have no mo' mens, it turn yo' outside.
(It turns them inside out.)
Entry 3951
I knowed a lady wus nevah straightened up, yo' know, an' anothah lady got holt of 'er cloth. Well, she taken dat an' she wrapped it up good in some papah, must have been, an' it wus somepin like a pine tree - had a lot of leaves but away at de top, it was skinny at de bottom. An' she took dat an' she hung dat up in de tree. Well, she lived a.good while aftah dat. But den she began to git sick an' went to othah people dat knowed more dan she did, an' a man [doctor] tole her where it wus. An' she sent anothah lady dere to de tree. Dat othah lady got it down outa de tree but it wus too late, an' she wus almost dead. Yo' see dat jes' dried up - it wus, her blood wus up dere dryin' up. An' dat jes' dried up on 'er on earth.
(It was just hanging up in the tree?)
Hanging up in the tree.
(I see.)
Entry 4423
Well, dat will stop 'em, too. Now, de way dat is done, yuh bo' a hole on de sunrise in de east an' den.
(You mean on the sunrise side of the tree?)
De tree, yes sir. An' aftah yuh bo' yuh hole in dere, den yuh take it an' put it in a piece of papah an' push it down dat hole an' drive a peg behin' it, an' call de person. Yuh call 'is name three times an' den evah time yuh call dey name yuh hit de peg. See, yuh got 'em. Dat locks 'is bowels. (Locks his bowel, after you put that passage in the hole.)
Entry 4500
Yuh take dat watah an' put it aside an' let it git sour.
(This bath water.)
An' it get sour de suds goin' come tuh de top. Skim off dat suds an' pour all dat [water] out an' dere'll be groun's [dirt] undahneat' dere. Yuh take dat, de groun's undahneat' dere, too. Yuh know, gon'a be suds on de top, an' po' de watah off de top, den dere'll be drugs [dregs] at de bottom. Yuh take dat [dregs] an' yuh put dat in a bottle an' git dere name, write on a piece of papah nine times, nine needles, nine pins an' three nails, an' put 'em in dat bottle. See, if dey is from yuh [informant demonstrates by shaking imaginary bottle]. See, git dem tuh come tuh yuh. (Oh! You shake that bottle and the person will come to you. I see. Well, how do you get this scraping off their feet then? That off your feet or off their feet?) Dat off dey're foot, yuh know. (Oh! This is the bath water, that's right.)
Entry 4621
Dey take dat bow out of a man's hat an' dress dat an' wear it aroun' dere waist, an' it keeps 'Im undah hypnotic [something] or hypnotic powah.
(What do they do with the bow, now?)
Take dat bow out, out of de back of yuh hat, but don't - don't cut it loose, jes' cut de hat loose an' let de bow work out of dere as it is. An' wrap it up in flannel, an' write his name across a piece of pa- pah an' write his name in four ways across de piece of papah. An' wrap dat bow up an' a little piece of bluestone an' brown sugah an' wear it nex' tuh dere waist, an' dey'll almos' have him undah powah dat dey kin make him do anythin' dey wants 'im.
(What do you mean write his name in four ways?)
See, write de name jes' like dis [demonstrates]. Write it dis way, den dis Way, den dis Way, an' den dis Way. Make two squares out of it, cross it like [demonstrates].
(Like, as if you were playing tick-tack-toe.)
Yeah, dat's it.
(Two lines up and two across?)
Dat's right. [Somewhere I have called his tick-tack-toe design a double double-cross. Split this design vertically down the center and you will see what I mean # = ± ‡.]
(I see.)
Entry 4966
[The following rite is a first class sending-away rite told as a bring- ing-back rite. I have marked this informant on the original transcription page ng (no good), which some- times merely means not a good informant, or an in- formant with little worth- while material. The purpose here, though not normal, becomes magically legimate by intention. Reversal is also a piece of magic.]
(About the stocking foot?)
Yes, so fur as de stockin' foot, yo' kin do her stockin' foot an' cut it off at de toe yo' see. Dat's mos' where dey sweats at - de toe of it. Yo' take dat, a small piece, an' put nine knots in it, see. Put it in a bottle an' take a piece of papah an' yo' put 'er name on dere. Yo' put dat in dere an' go tuh de rivah an' throw.it ovahbo'd. See, den dere's no mo' tuh dat.
(What will that do?)
Well, so fur as dat, it bring 'er back if yo' wants 'er back. Yo' kin bring 'er back an' she cain't leave when yo' do dat. See. She gotta stay dere until she die. She gotta stay dere.
Entry 5105
[As we have seen under ASHES, there are many more shoe-burning rites than those given here.] If yuh got a husban' an' he won' stay at home, yuh git one of 'is shoes, de right foot of 'is shoe. Take dis shoe an' burn it up. Of co'se, yuh know de [there is] leathah on de shoe. Burn it until it gits kinda intuh a powdah form. Den take it an' wrap it in a piece of papah. Dig a hole up undah de front do' an' of co'se, when he walks in, yuh won' have any trouble 'bout 'im goin' out any mo'.
Entry 5305
Whut ah know about separatin' yo' husban' from yo' if yo've jis' tied up a man, sompin lak dat. Yo' kin jis' take his right foot track. Yo' see, it's leavin' yo' an' sometime as he go out tuh de do' an' yores when yo' is comin' back away from it. Yo' scoop up 'is right foot track right in de middle, yo' see, an' den yores as yo' turn back tuh go 'way from him. Yo' scoop up yore left foot track. An' yo' take dat an' carry it tuh a red ants' bed - big red ants' bed - an' yo' tell dem red antses, say, "Separate I an' him, I an' So-an'-so, 'In de Name of de Lord, dat we'll nevah have anything tuh do wit each othah any mo'.'" An' ah do know dat tuh be true.
(That is all you do, just put these tracks in that....)
Put dem tracks tuhgethah - jis' take it in yo' a little piece of papah or sompin, yo' know, dat chew won' waste it. An' yo' take it tuh dis red ants bed an' jis' sprinkle it as yo' talkin' tuh 'em.
(That's all you have to do for that?)
Dat's all yo' have to do wit dat.
Entry 5357
Jes' in de mawnin' time aftah he done already put on his clothes, yo undahstan', an' he ready tuh go out...as soon as he walk out de door, yo' undah- stan', she goes tuh work an' sweep, jis' swept his foot, jes' lak he's going out dis di', yo' see, she jis' grab aholt of it [a broom] an' go on an' sweep dat dus' right tuhgethah right from de place dat he started off tuh walkin', an' bundle it in a pile, yo' see. Den she added a li'le sulphur on a piece of papah of any kind, yo' undahstan', an' put a li'le piece of shoe sole wit it an' throw it in de stove, anything lak dat. Why he wouldn't be able enough tuh come back de same night.
(Whose shoe sole would she use?)
Well, de shoe soles, yo' see, she would more or less burn de heels part - de heels part of de shoes, yo' undahstan'. An' she will pound it up intuh dat same dust wit de sulphur, then she add it all intuh de stove.
Entry 5418
Yes, ah have heard dat chew could take de track of a' individual an' yo' put it in a papah. Always, if yo' wan' 'em tuh come tuh yo', fold it tuh yo'; an' if yo' wan' 'em tuh go, fold it from yo'. See. An' bury it. (What will that do then?) Says dat it will bring 'em back. Yo' take de lef'-foot track.
Entry 5473
If yo' want 'em tuh go, yo' kin git de track up from yo' - take it from yo'. See, if yo' want 'em tuh go [demonstrates]. (Here's the toe here and here's the heel, then I take it up right like that. Like this?) Start at de hollah of de foot an' take it from dere tuh de toe. See, dat whut ah mean. Yo' want 'em tuh go. Take it jis' dis way, see. An' yo' take dat foot track an' put chew some red peppah an' some salt in dere. Listen, some grave- yard dirt, an' sew dat up an' go tuh de rivah befo' de sunrise. Yo' kin turn yore back an' throw it right where de watah's runnin' right along, an' throw it ovah dis way [demonstrates].
(Over your right shoulder?)
Yes. An' when yo' leave, yo' kin say anythin' - some of de baddest things, an' don't look back, an' walk away an' nevah look back. Dey'll go. An' if yo' wan' 'em tuh stay, yo' take it tuh yo' - if yo' wan' 'em tuh stay. Take it up tuh yo', see. Take dat track an' yo' kin fold it in a piece of news- papah. See, stretch it on out an' write dere name down nine times, an' pin it ovah yore do' an' make yore wish - where dey's comin' in an' out. An' dey's comin' in dere. Dey will continue comin' as long as yo' - until yo' take dat up an' destroy dat. Dat's tuh bring 'em, see, if yo' wanta.
Entry 5481
Jis' lak if yo' envious ag'inst a person, an' yo' wanta do sompin mean to 'em, yo' try tuh git dat track an' gunpowdahs an' Red Devil Lye an' put dere track an' dere name. Write de name on a piece of papah an' den yo' set dat gunpowdahs afiah.
Entry 5483
Like it's yo'd have a girl frien' an' some man would come an' take her away from yo'. Prob'ly yo'd be married tuh her, an' some man would git between yo' an' yore wife. Now yo' wanta bust dat up. Yo'd trail him un- til dey'd cross a sandy place or real soft dirt - somewhere dey'd make a track. Yo'd git each one of dem lef'-foot track. Git chew prob'ly a piece of metal or piece of newspapah dat's nevah been used - anything dat yo' kin scrape up dem tracks wit'out breakin' 'em. Git chew a piece of new [yellow = unbleached] cotton an' place de heels tuh- gethah, both toes leavin' each othah. An' git chew some powdah [gunpowder] an' put it in between 'em, bind dat real tight. Git chew some silk thread dat chew kin wrap it good, dat it will have a good compression, an' light dat powdah. Put chew fuse dat it'll light dat powdah lak one of these fiah-crackahs, so when it goes off it blows dem tracks. Dat sends dem, one one way, one de othah way. Dey'll nevah be nuthin else tuhgethah.
Entry 5485
De track business breaks up frien'ship between a girl an' her sweet- heart man. Hit's lak ah had a girl goin' wit a man an' ah didn't want 'im tuh go wit 'er. In ordah tuh break it up, ah would take three swings of dirt wit'out stoppin', an' walk right on behin' 'em - ah grab [swing] up three tracks dat are jis' made - wit'out stoppin' - an' ah save dem. An' if he Wus goin' - jis' lak he wuz goin' south, ah would ketch his comin' no'th. Ah ketch de girl's goin' no'thwards, [I mean] ketch her goin' so'thwards, gits de three grabs. (In other words if he's walking southwards, you catch his from the toe back to the heel; and the girl's going north, you catch her's back to the heel - just in opposite directions.) An' ah got three of each. Den ah takes it an' ah compound it, jis' sticks it in de ground an' compound it [mix his and her tracks]. An' den ah take, an' ah takes gunpowdah dat explodes, an' wrop it up an' put it in somepin tight, chew know. Put de powdah at de bottom, wit de dry papah comin' up through de center, yo' know, an' pack it aroun' dere. An' den ah put dirt on top jis' lak it wuz shot, an' ah take dat out an' den stick a match tuh de top of dis dry papah, an' it goes tuh de bottom an' de bottom explodes. Dat explodes dere frien'ship. Dat breaks de frien'ship up. An' dat will do so.
(All you put in there is that dirt and the gunpowder.)
Dat's right.
(In this paper?)
Yes.
Entry 5540
Now, dey kin take dat foot track of yores an' use it jis' lak dey wan'a. Well, dey takes a knife an' a rule an' measure yore foot tracks an' print it on a piece of papah. Den yo' carries de name. Jis' lak yo' say, ah wan'a do as ah wan'a wit dis person. Yo' carry de name three times. Write yore name. (They measure that foot track with the ruler and then take a piece of paper, a piece of paper the length of the foot track.) Dat's right an' den dey take yore name an' dey draws yore name in a box, in a square, in the box, diamond and heart. Dey write yore name. Yore name would be Jones Johnson. Dey put it backwards, yore name would be Johnson Jones, yo' undahstan'. An' dey cast dat in de light in de lamp, an' have yo' do jis' whut dey want yo' tuh do. Dat's right, dat's fer quick wishes.
Entry 5726
Dey say yo' go tuh work an' take a tapeline an' measure 'im, yo' know, from 'is head tuh 'is feet - so many feet. Den yo' put it on a piece of papah, yo' know, de length of 'im. An' git some of 'is tracks, yo' know, an' car- ry it way out in de woods somewheres an' bore a hole in a tree. (They measure you with this tapeline, this measure, and they put it down on a piece of paper - your length. And then they put your foot track in there?) They put chure foot track an' de length wit de papah. Den dey go way out in de woods somewheres another, off choo know, an' dey bore a hole an' put it in dere - drive dat in dere.
(What will that do?)
Well, dey tell me dat's a good thing, yo' know, drive 'em off from de land. Jis' lak yo' had a piece of land or sompin yo' know, dat will drive 'em off from de land. Ah seen a ole fellow doin' dat. He tole me whut he wuz doin'.
Entry 6002
So far as yore hair concerned, yo' could be ruled by yore hair. Yo' Lou whut ah mean, somebody could take yore hair an' make yo' love dem. Yo' undahstan'. (Do you know how they do it?) How dey do it? Well, ah kin take yore hair. Dey usely [usually] gits - dey takes three pins or needles an' put it in a bottle of Hearts Perfume, yo' undahstan', but dey must know yore name.
(What do they do with that name?)
Write on dis piece of papah an' put it in wit de hair.
(Put all these things in the bottle?)
All dese combination in de bottle.
(What do you do with that bottle then?)
Take it - but wit chew, carry it. Yo' gotta carry dat bottle all de time. Sometimes peoples buries it.
Entry 6138
Dey say dey take hair from de mole of yore head. Say women'll take dat, say, an' wear it into de left shoe, wit yore name written nine times in wit sugah. If it's not sugah, it be honey - somepin sweet. Wear it in dere left shoe nex' to dere feet, gee. But it must be written wit indelible pencil, nine times. Yo' could when- cah yo're writin' 'er name an' yo' want to draw 'er to yo', well yo' put yore on top, an' yo' put 'er name at de bottom. An' write it nine times straight. De yo' folds it, an' yo' fold it again, but yo' make a triangle of it. De small point of de triangle goes to de heel of yore shoe, de othah two points go to de gide - jes' lak dat [demonstrates]. An' dat othah stuff be right in de middle of yore shoe. (Where do you wear that stuff, in that piece of paper? Do you wrap it up or hat?) In dat papah - it's in dat papah. It's supposed to work in through dat. Dat's posed to sweeten 'er to yo'.
Entry 6143
(What else do they do with the hair?)
Well, yo' kin take it an' use it in anothah way. Dey kin take yore hair - dey git it in certain places.
(Where?)
In de mole of yore haid, or in de temple, or down below, an' dey kin wear dat hair in dey foot - de shoe. Put it in dey right shoe. Put it in a little thin piece of cloth, yo' know, flannen cloth an' wrap it, an' yo' git some of dis what chew call van-van an' wet it wit it. An' puts it in de bottom of yore shoe an' put a piece of newspapah on top of dat an' wear daily in yore shoe. Well, dat kinda runs yo' crazy 'bout 'em.
(Hakes you like the person?)
Makes yo' love 'em.
Entry 6229
Ah've heard about de hair, two diff'ren' things. De hair out de haid, take dat hair an' put it in a papah, an' nailin' it tuh Le no'th side of a tree, an' attendin' it - go tuh it, say nine times, once a Lg. Go tuh dat hair an' jis' put 'is han' on it lak dat, an' dat's de way yo git results. (You just nail it up on the tree?) Yessuh, on de no'th side. (And you go there once a day for nine days Id just put your hand on it. That is all you have to do?) Dat's so if anybody would mess wit it. Yo' put it dere purposely.
(Well, what is that supposed to do to you?)
Well, it supposed tuh carry yo' down.
Entry 6338
Wal, dey kin take yuh hair. Git 'em on a piece of papah an' wrap it up an' put some salt an' black peppah wit it. Put it in runnin' watah an' yuh got-a git outa dis town. Dat will put chew a-travelin'.
Entry 6386
(They trim them? Well, what do they say they do with those [nails]?)
De trimmin's of 'em, dey takes 'em an' scorch 'em, an' scorch 'em - scorch 'em tuhgethah. Aftah dey do's dat, dey buries 'em in a piece of papah. An' when de papah begin tuh rot away All dis dust of dey trimmings go down in de dirt, dey say yo' begin den an' molt away, come down like yo' got consumption.
Entry 6476
Yo' know jis' lak yo' scrape yore feet an' leave de scrapin' an' nails on a piece of papah. He kin take dat an' put it in a pocket hans'scuff an' take it an' weah it in de seat of 'is pants, causin' 'em tuh do things lak dat. If dey don't wanta do it, make women tuh obey yuh. Make hisself do things dat he wouldn't desire tuh do.
Entry 7049
(How do you do that?)
Yo' kin even make 'em stop drinkin' whiskey.
(How do you do that?)
Now, yo' know a man dat drinks whiskey. Yo' take a man dat's a heavy whiskey drinkah, when he comes home, if he drink anythin' lak coffee or tea, or anythin' lak dat. Yo' go tuh 'is shoes, when he come in at night, an' take any dust - some dust off of one of 'is shoes. See, yo' jis' take de dust off of any shoe yo' git off of 'is foot. An' take dat dust an' powdah it. Powdah it up good an' fold it in a piece of paper, an' let 'im sleep wit dat undah 'is pillow. Evah time he come, whethah he come in sobah or come in drunk, take it away where - wrap dat good an' put it undah 'is pillah, an' let it stay undah 'is pillah fo' nine days. An' aftah it stay undah 'is pillah fo' nine days, yo' take it an' take dat same dust an' po' it intuh any drink dat he drinks - whiskey or gin or anythin' an' dissolve it an' mix it well. Jis' drop it in, jis' a li'le particle of dust on dere, from any one of 'is shoes. An' let 'im sleep wit dat undah 'is head fo' nine days, an' po' it in 'is drink. An' ah'll bet if yo' continue doin' dat - if dat don't give him de natchal [natu- ral] effect de firs' time, use it on 'im ag'in. An' ah'll bet dat he'll - it'll stop 'im from drinkin'.
Entry 7208
Ah've hear'd sev'ral diff'ren' things about de fo'ks of de road. Ah bear'd dat when people wan' tuh separate people, dey go tuh fo'ks of de road; an' when dey wan' tuh put dem tuhgethah dey go tuh de fo'ks of de road, but it depends on whethah dey work on eithah de left or de right hand side. If yo' want people tuh separate, well dey'll write de person's name, de woman's name, nine dues on a piece of brand-new papah wit a brand-new pencil, tablet an' pencil dat nevah been used. If dey wan' tuh separate dem, dey'll write de man's name nine times an' den dey'll write de woman's crosswise nine times. Den dey take de pencil an' dey think all de evil dey kin: I jis' hope yo' son-of-bitches jis' fuss an' fight an' scratch lak cats an' dogs. [Informant scratches all over the [paper.] An' dey go dere an' dey dig down a few inches.
(They scratch that paper all up.)
Yes, jis' scratch up lak yo're mad at it an' curse dem an' think all de evil yo' kin. An' den yo' dig a hole dere an' yo' bury dat on de left-hand side of de road at de fo'k where de fo'ks meet. An' aftah buryin' it yo' po' watah on L, yo' know, tuh pack de groun' down where dat kin rot. An' by de time dat papah rots, dose people'll begin tuh disagree, an' in from three tuh nine days aftah it rots, dey're separated. An' if yo' wan' tuh put dem tuhgethah, yo' write dere names nine times an' yo' fold it tuh yuh. Of co'se de lady involved has tuh do dat huhself. She has tuh be told. An' she writes 'er lovah's name nine times an' huhs acrost it, an' she folds it tuh 'er nine times. Den she turns it aroun' an' folds it small way, dis way; an' turn it aroun' an' fold it to 'er dis way. Den she takes it an hides it on de right-hand side of de road wit all good wishes.
(Then what happens?)
Well den aftah de same period of time, aftah from three tuh nine days aftah it rots, dis person'll become vi'lently attached tuh 'er.
Entry 7234
Ah wus goin' wit a girl about six yeahs ago an' ah quit dis girl. An aftah ah quit dis girl, ah started goin' wit anothah girl. An' dis othah [first] girl got acquainted wit dis othah [second] girl. An' so she [first girl] got acquainted wit de girl ah wus goin' wit, dis othah [second] girl. Co'se [Of course] ah didn't tell 'er dat ah had evah been wit dis girl. An' so dis [first] girl had a party one Satiday night an' she got me dis girl dat ah didn't wan' 'er tuh know of. Quite natchel ah wen' tuh de party. So she had a Victrola, wusn't no radio den. In fac' [fact] she didn't [would- n't?] have one no way. An' she had a li'le whiskey fer de party dat night. An' so, all de while ah wus goin' wit 'er de ole Victrola, de spring 'ud [spring would] jump off sometimes an' ah used tuh fix it fer 'er, while ah wus goin' wit 'er. So she, aftah de music stopped, she tole dem dat ah could fix de Victrola. An' she'd [she had] taken de Victrola in de kitchen an' put it on de table. An ah went in dere an' see zactly [exactly] whut wus de mattah wit it an' fixed it. An' she put a pint of whiskey on de table up dere. Well AH DIDN'T PAY NO 'TEN- TION 'CUZ AH NEVAH DID BELIEVE IN DIS STUFF [HOODOO]. SO AH DRINK SOME OF DIS WHISKEY. MATTAH OF FACT AH'D TAKEN SEV'RAL DRINKS OF DIS WHISKEY. An' so, aftah ah got de Victrola completed an' evahbody got tuh dancin', an' den ah started takin' a couple a dances mahself. Well, when ah started takin' dese few dances mahself, ah got dizzy; got a li'le dizzy an' got a haidache an' got out mah haid some. An' de girl frien' ah wus goin' wit den, she'd taken me tuh 'er apartment. Aftah she'd taken me tuh 'er apartment, ah woke up nex' mawn- in' an' found mahself dere. So ah kinda come tuh mah haid a li'le bit. An' den she rent de cah [car] tuh take me home. So dey'd taken me home. An' when ah got home - ah don' remembah when ah got home or nuthin of de kin' lak dat. So 'bout nine o'clock Sunday mawnin', well ah started havin' fits, one right behin' de othah. So dey tell me, ah don' know anythin' about it. Ah fell unconscious den. So dey spent dat Sunday. DEY HAD ALL KINDA DOCTORS. DEY SPENT $74 ON ME DAT SUNDAY ON DIFF'REN' DOCTORS AN' NOBODY WOULD TAKE DE CASE. SOME DOCTORS WOULD COME IN AN' TREAT ME FER SOMPIN - DIABETES AN' DIFF'REN' THIN'S - AN' MAH REG'- LAH FAMILY DOCTOR, HE COULDN'T TAKE DE CASE. So he tole mah uncle an' evahbody dat he didn't know whut wus de mattah. It wus a case tuh 'im. So den ah stayed unconscious from dat Sunday mawnin' at nine o'clock until dat Monday night at half past eleven. Well a frien' of mine - didn't tell me - ah wus still unconscious, but he tole mah uncle. "WE DONE TRIED EVAHBODY ELSE CHERE [HERE], SUPPOSE WE TRY A HOODOO DOCTOR. IF HE DON' DO NO GOOD, WE JIS' WON' PAY 'IM. He [this doctor] run worms out mah mothah, but she [mother] said, "Ah know anothah good lady [but she is too far away], but anyway, by he bein' so bad off, we'll go up an' see dis one firs'." So dis fellah came in - so dey tell me, see ah wus still unconscious - said, "Yes, " S SAID AH WUS POISONED, AN' HE WOULD HAVE ME ON MAH FEET IN 45 MINUTES. Well, it wus about eleven-thirty den.
(In the morning or night?)
In de night. An' dis wus on a Monday night. Ah had been unconscious since Sunday mawnin' nine o'clock till ovah dat Monday night at eleven. SO HE COME IN AN' COMMENCES TUH WORKIN' ON ME. SAYS MY BOWELS WAS LOCKED AN' DIFF'REN' THIN'S. HE GIVE ME SOAP AN' BITTAH ALOES...
[I interrupt.]
(How did he give you the soap?)
He taken de soap an' he jis' mixed it up in a glass; yo' know, jis' watah enough tuh make de soap dissolve. Yo' know, Octagon soap, an' made somepin lak a pill outa it an' jis' held mah mouth an' rubbed mah throat - so dey tell me - until ah swallah dat. An' den dey give me bittah aloes an' dat unlocked mah bowels. AN' SOON AS IT UNLOCKED MAH BOWELS, AH COME TO. When ah cOme to, ah knows mahself. When ah wus on de party ah wusn't able tuh go tuh de bathroom. AN' [AFTER MY BOWELS MOVED] DEY SHOED ME A ANIMAL COME OUTA ME 'BOUT - AH GUESS ABOUT DAT LONG [DEMONSTRATES].
(As long as your little finger.)
YEAH AN IT LOOKED SOMEPIN LAK DE COLAH OF A ORANGE PEELIN', AN' IT RAN UP ON DE MEDICINE GLASS TRYIN' TUH GIT OUT. Ah [had] come tuh, den. Co'se ah wuS weak aplenty. Ah wus weak aplenty from havin' dose fits. Ah wusn't any good. De fact is, he tole me it would take aroun' a couple a yeahs tuh git so ah wus well ag'in. In fact it did. So ah commence tuh askin' question Who did it. HE'D TAKEN A NEWSPAPAH AN' PLACED IT IN A PAN OF WATAH AN' LET IT SET IN DIS PAN A WATAH SOMEWHEAH ROUN' ABOUT AH THINK - IT WUS NINE MINUTES AH THINK, AN' DIS WOMAN'S PICHURE COME ON DAT NECKED [NAKED] JIS' LAK SHE WORN NUTHIN ON 'ER - NECKED ABSOLUTELY.
(The woman that did this to you?)
Yeah. So he ast me did ah know dat woman. Ah say, "Yes." He say, "Well do yo' wan' tuh have her tuh come here an' confess tuh yo'?" DE PICHURE APPEAHED ON DE NEWSPAPAH RIGHT LAK DAT AN' HE TOLE ME TUH LOOK AT IT QUICK. AN' AH LOOKED AT. IT QUICK AN' AH RECOGNIZED IT AN' IT JIS' FADED AWAY AN' JIS' STAYED LAK DAT. [Before proceeding to the doctor's magic-mirror trick, let me pause in an attempt to explain his pan-of-water trick, the latter an excellent example of hydromancy. The doctor had brought in his usual medical kit a newspaper folded into folds about 3 inches wide; the top fold containing type only, the bottom fold also the picture of a scantily dressed woman. He then holds the newspaper several inches under the Water, type side up and picture side down. Patient is instructed to free his mind of all thought except the identity of the spellcaster soon to be revealed. Gaze at the water constantly without blinking. After a long period, as much as 9 minutes, the doctor begins to rotate the newspaper so that the picture suddenly appears and disappears. He tole me tuh look at it quick an' ah looked at it quick an' ah recognized it an' it faded away.] So he said, now ah'll have her tuh come here an' confess tuh yo' dat she did it, if yo' want me tuh. Ah tole him, ah said, "Yeah, ah'll be glad tuh." He'd taken a mirrah an' turn it bottom upwards; taken a mirrah an' turn de face up lak dat [demonstrates].
(The face of the mirror up.)
Lak dat. An' he said - ast me whut wus 'er name. An' ah tole 'im 'er name. Ast me whut wus mah name, an' ah tole him mah name. He wrote mah name at de top an' 'er name at de bottom.
(On this mirror?)
On a piece of papah an' placed it on topa dis mirrah. An' den he'd taken a clock an' turned it face down, almos' right on topa de mirrah, an' let dat stay dere fo' five minutes. An' he'd taken it up in fo' an' a half minutes, an' put it down fō' a few seconds, den picked it up. He tole me she would be dere in five minutes. Ah don' know where she wus. She wus away cross town, somewhere. But he tole me tuh watch out fer 'er, she would be dere in five minutes. Ah Wus wondahin' how she goin' tuh git dere. She lived on Marshall Avenue 'bout fō' or five blocks from dere. Well in fō' an' a half minutes from de clock she wus dere. She come up on - man had a automobile, a taxi. Ah don' know whethah she wus on 'er way dere or whut, but in fō' an' a half minutes she wus dere. She tole me dat she did it an' she wus sorry. She says she didn't do it 'erself, said she got somebody else tuh do it, an' tole me his name an' evahthin'. (Do you know what they put in the whiskey to hurt you that Way? What she put into the whiskey?) Yes, dis fellah had taken two grains of snake dust an' put in de whiskey. But dat wasn't did dat Satiday night. Had it been did dat Satiday night, it wouldn't a worked so fast, see. She had did it somewhere roun' about three months agO, an' DAT LIVE ANIMAL HAD BEEN PERFORMED FROM DAT SNAKE DUST. An' den ah had been away from 'er fō' fō' or five months, an' had been goin' wit anothah girl an' had passed 'er up. Well dis girl wus teachin' school. Well ah wouldn't let dis girl know dat ah had evah been wit 'er, cuz ah thought dere would be a lot a jealouSy dere. WELL, WHEN AH WENT BACK DAT NIGHT, DEY STIRRED IT UP, YO' SEE, AN' DAT MADE DIS LIVE ANIMAL LOCK MAH BOWELS. AN' IT HAD TUH PASS THROUGH OR ELSE AH'D A LIVED SO MANY HOURS HAVIN' DOSE FITS AN' DIED.
Entry 7251
If yuh evah wanta cross [the spell] anybody hurt, where somebody done witchcraft 'em - yo' undahstan', yo' don' do did but three times. [In the cure Something must be done or used 3 times.] Now de spirit brought dat tuh me an' ah see de way it works, see. Yo' do dis before sundown. Yo' go out an' any sort of green grass - yo' know whut moody grass is. Yeah dat's dat flat grass, sompin lak ole flat grass dey call moody grass. Chew know whut dat is. An' yo' whut a dog fennel is. All right. Now yo' do dis befo' sundown. Yo' turn yore face to de east right in dat grass an' yo' pull up one bunch. Pull up dat bunch of moody grass, dat flat grass. Yo' pull up dat an' call anybody, jis' anybody yo think what done it. See. Now, if dey ain't did anything tuh yuh, hit goin' give dem good luck; but if dey did sompin tuh yuh, hit goin' back tuh 'em. Ah know dat by experiment. Yo' pull up a bunch of de grass an' call dere name, yo' pull up anothah bunch an' call dey name, yo' pull it up three times an' call dere name [three times] an' say, "Ah wan' chew tuh take yore trouble offa me, In de Name of de Fathah, Name of de Son, Name of de Holy Ghost." An' yo' lay it out, see. Yo' dig a li'le trench, lay dat grass in dere an' yo' call dem people name an' talk tuh 'em lak yo' talkin' tuh 'em. Yo' take some red peppah, some cooking salt, yo' put it on it. Yo' pō' jisa li'le bit of kerosene on it an' yo' take an' stick a match tuh it. Put a piece of papah where it will smoke a li'le. See. An' while dat thing burn, yo' continue callin' dere name. So yo' call it nine times an' tell 'em yo' wan' it so. Say, "Ah wan' chew tuh take yore trouble on back, In de Name of de Fathah, Name of de Son, Name of de Holy Ghost." An' yo' kivah [cover] dat up an' step ovah it backwards, an' don't look back. An' it ain't goin' be but nine days befo' - if dey did it - dey goin' go down vury sick, an if dey ain't right sharp dey goin' die. But it goin' be offa yo'. See, it will be gone from yo'.
(I see, throws it back on them.)
But chew do dat wit dem green weeds. See dem weeds goin' die an'...
(You do this with that moody grass.)
All right yo' git dat bunch of moody grass, an' den yo' kin git a dog fennel or: any kinda othah green weed.
(What do you do with that other weed?)
Well, yo' jis' call de name, but yo' gotta have dis dog fennel an' dat moody grass. See, yo' gotta work three. Yo' know anything de spirits do is three of it all de time: Fathah, Son an' Holy Ghost.
Entry 7338
Ah've seen dis done - pardon me. Ah've seen 'em git some cayenne pep- pah an' put, yo' know, cayenne peppah an' salt, table salt - dey gits real table salt. Put a teaspoonful of cayenne peppah an' a teaspoonful of table salt an' put it into - jes' put it on some papah an' stir it up, yo: know. An' den dey take dat cayenne peppah an' put's it in dey left hand [of] de person dat done some devilment, yo' know dat shot a man - jes' like dey had killed 'im - an' he throws it ovah his left shoul- dah. Throws it ovah his left shouldah, den he walks right on. Don't look back. An' he walks right on an' nobody don't bothah 'im.
(If he had killed a man. So they won't catch him.)
Yassuh, ah've seen dat done.
Entry 7762
I've heard of them getting graveyard dust. That is to lay you so you won't bother me. If you have an enemy you get graveyard dust and you wrap it up ip a paper and bury that and you won't by me. You put that some place where they can walk over it.
Entry 8140
Take dey photograph an' git dis gunpowdah out of a shell, wit sulphuh an' salt, an' go out in de field or in de house, wherevah yo' want to. Co'se de gunpowdah makes sech a noise. Yo' kin put dis pichure face down on dis an' make a fiah undah it. (Face down on what?) On de fiah. See, yo' make a fiah an' den yo' put dis pichure face down on a piece of papah wit de gunpowdah an' sulphuh, an' salt an' graveyard dirt. Tell it dat, "Ah want chew tuh run dis person away. Ah want chew tuh kill 'em." But mos'ly tuh kill de person. When de fiah ketch on de pichure, it will kill de person.
Entry 8490
Ah heard dat, an' ah heard dat de way dey do, is tuh go ovah tuh dem an' git de folkses name who are runnin' dis business. An' dey will write dere name on a piece of papah. An' say yo' will go back an' stick it undah where dey have tuh come along [and walk over it]. Dat whut dey tell yo' would git a job dere.
Entry 8518
Now when a man and a woman are together and some other party wants them completely separated for good, wants to break them up completely, they buy them a new cocoanut. And they punch the three eyes out of that cocoanut and leave the milk in. And they write those two peoples' names the same as they do when they're going to the crossroads ["they'll write the man's name nine times and then they write the woman's crossing nine times" - from the same cylinder, 1574:3 somewhere in text]. And cross each other and they curse them for everything they can think of, and they fold that paper tight and stick it down in the hole of that cocoanut. Then they put anything that purges, like Epsom salts, or black draught. And they put pepper sauce in there, something very hot - pepper sauce and red peppers. And they put salt in there and saltpeter. And they write those two persons' names across each other, like this, on three separate pieces of paper, and fill the eyes of that cocoa- nut. And then at 12 o'clock at night they go to the river and throw it over their left shoulder. And if that black draught and that different stuff in that cocoanut begin to work, you know when it gets stale.it'll work, those two people begin fussing and fighting, and within a period of nine days they're absolutely separated. And there's a whole lot in that. [Memphis, Tenn., (973), 1574:5.] Those cocoanuts.
(Different from what you told me?)
Yes, just a little different. They use gunpowder instead of the salt and pepper and stuff like that. That makes people mean and drift and they can't have any luck at anything at all they do. [This woman is marked excellent pro- fessional. She was from Shreveport, La.] [Memphis, Tenn., (973), 1577:2. The first reference for this rite Was given in the text.]
Entry 8546
(Give me that parable again now. Tell me the whole thing.)
Just like I come to see you to your house and your fire hearth got a end of brick loosened somewhere. Well, I take a piece of paper and write your name down on it unknowst to yo', an' I slip your name up under that brick, and they say, your wife would leave you. (My wife would leave me and go with you?) Yes, go away. [We must remember here, that name is not enough; there is also the mental intention for woman to leave and come to you.]
(Well, is there any way, you can check that? Cross that up?)
Yes, yo' kin check that, cross it up.
(How would you do that?)
Well, the way yo' do that, yo' get yo' some parsley, and yo' tell her put: 'er underclothing wrongside out, after yo' get de parsley. Yo' put that parsley in de bottom part of her shoe an' put some garlic in de bottom part of her [other] shoe an' make her wear that. That'll check it up. [Wrongside out, parsley and garlic are well-known witchcraft deterrents.]
Entry 8572
Well, if it's so that yo' kin rightly do so, 'tween 'leven-thirty an' twelve a'clock at night, if it ain't no mo' den he...git dere names on a little piece of papah, git chure Luger. (Get their names on this piece of paper, the people you want to make move out of that house?) Yessuh, an' shoot ovah dat house. Don' shoot at de house, jes' shoot ovah de house at sundown. Dey'll leave dere. Dey gotta go. [The word Luger, a German revolver, shows this rite does not concern a name being shot from a gun, but a name held on a stick in front of a Luger pointed over the house. A blank shell is surely used. A similar rite, a simulated shooting, will also be found elsewhere in Hoodoo.]
Entry 8595
(Could you tell what to do if a man left home? What a woman could do to bring him back?) Take a piece of papah an' write 'is name on it nine times. Yo' write it dis way [demonstrates] comin' back to yo'. (Sort of make it in a circle. Write it towards her?) [These names are written like the leaves of a fan, semicircular on the outside, all pointing to her.] Yes, sir. An' then yo' take an' git chew a lamp. Have to buy a brand-new lamp an' fill it up with kerosene an' put this down in de glass [bowl of lamp] an' put de lamp in a close dark corner, an' turn it very, very low an' call 'im. Yo' light it dis mornin' an' burn it. Call 'im dis mornin', light it at six 'clock an' call 'im an' let it burn till twelve. Yo' go an' make yore wish an' call 'im again at twelve. An' at night chew call 'im. He'll be dere before de next day.
(What time at night would you call him?)
Call 'im at twelve 'clock at night. He be dere before day.
Entry 8639
De needles - lak if yo' have a girl an' yo' wants tuh stay wit her an' yo' want her tuh be wit yo', why yo' take nine needles an' put it in a lemon. Put 'em in a lemon an' put it right ovah de do'sill lak dat [doorsill sometimes in Hoodoo means over door above your head]. Well, she always will visit yo'. She always will come aroun' an' she nevah kin desert chew. (That is all you have to do, is just put those needles in the lemon?) Yes, but chew have tuh write her name. Yo' know whut ah mean, on a piece of papah, yo' know. Write her name on a piece of papah an' den put her name an' dose nine needles in dat lemon.
Entry 8674
Yo' take a plain piece of papah.
(A clean piece of paper.)
Yo' take a piece, yo' see. A man take a papah, a sheet of papah or anythin', yo' undahstand. Why yo' could write. his name nine times or most anything else [such as come home, etc.]. GIVE ME A PIECE OF PAPAH AN' AH SHOW YO' SOMPIN. [I tear a sheet from my Numbers Book.] Yo' see yo' fold dat an' see, she Write dat name nine times on nine lines. An' she write his name - just, yo' know, write it nine times, an' fold dat different ways [demonstrates].
(Fold it to you.)
Fold it to yo' all de time. Well, aftah yo' fold dat to yo', stick it up ovah dere. She's comin' back tuh dat man in no time. She can't stay away.
[His stick it up over there was too indefinite.]
(Where do you stick it? Where do you stick the paper up?)
Well, yo' kin put it anywhere yo' want. Yo' just - she's gotta come back.
(I see.)
Entry 8677
Yo' kin take a pencil an' write a man's name nine times an' whoevah yo' is, if yo' want 'im, yo' write 'is name on a piece of papah nine times an' write her name on de top of dat papah - on top de line dat his'n is wrote on. Write it on dere an' take an' let 'er wear it nex' tuh 'er skin on 'er princess slip, an' he will always have 'er on his mind.
Entry 8691
De quicksilver. A woman use quicksilver when she Wants tuh keep a man. [Whether quicksilver here is quick- silver or tinfoil or back of mirror scrapings, I failed to ask.] She take dat quicksilver an' she puts it in a perfume bottle, one dem li'le perfume bottle, an' when she puts it in dere, she writes dat man's name down. Write it down on one piece of papah but jes' big enough tuh fit into dat perfume bottle. She writes it down nine times, but jes' big enough tuh fit into dat perfume bottle. Write it down straight, one right behin' de othah.
(Like Sam Jones, Sam Jones?)
Yassuh. An' she put dat in a piece of papah an' she put dat quicksilver in dere. She takes dat quicksilver an' she stops it up tight so it won't come out or nuthin. An' she bo's a hole in 'er mattress, on de side where he supposed tuh lay, an' she puts dat quicksilver right down in dat bed on de side where he lays. Dat'll keep 'im. Dat whut de wimmins do. Dey uses dat concernin', dat concernin' say, lak yo' would de yellah cotton.
(Did you tell me about the yellow cotton?)
Yassuh, ah tole yo' 'bout de yellah cotton.
Entry 8695
Take some red peppah an' put it in his lef' shoe, an' write his name on a piece of paper an' lay it over that red peppah. Dat'll make yo' [a woman] get his money.
Entry 8713
Write anybody name six times on a piece of papah an' go an' put it up ovah de front do'. An' call dere name six times an' write dat down on dat papah an' dat will bring 'em to yo'. Ei- ther - if yo' want 'em tuh come to yo', yo' jes' say, In de Name of de Fathah, de Son an' de Holy Ghost, ah hope dey will come. An' if yo' want 'em tuh go, yo' kin jes' say, "Go." See, write it six times forwards an' put it ovah yore do'.
Entry 8729
Yo' see, yo' can take a terrapin an' write-like my name nine times backwards, if somebody don't like me, yo' know. An' catch 'im alive an' open his mouth an' put dat down in his mouth, an' den throw 'i back in de watah. Jes' as long as he stay in de watah, dat will make yo' drift, drift up an' down de watah, jes' make yo' go first one place to anothah.
(Just write this on a piece of paper?)
On a piece of papah.
Entry 8735
Take a piece of paper an' write their names nine times on dis an' ah have used some of dat Three S Love Powder an' nail it up, in a tree or somepin, yo' know, an' finally he'll come back if de tree doesn't die. Long as it lives they'll [he'll] come back, but if it dies they'll [he'll] never come back. (You write this person's name on this paper, then put this powder on it, and nail it up in a tree? That's all you have to do to make him come back?) Yes.
Entry 8778
Write person's name nine times on paper, throw into running water. Runs crazy. [To write a person's name 9 times occurs in many rites. This is a simple and basic form of the rite.]
Entry 8793
Ah heard dat ef yo' write, if yo' stick yore finger an' yo' had a lover dat was goin' away. An' yo' kin stick yore fingah, draw some of yore blood an' write 'is name. Den write chure name undah dat an' put it in anothah papah. Fold it in de shape of a heart an' put it in a lettah an' send it tuh 'im. [If you did this] that he would come home.
(Do you stick any finger?)
Yeah, dis weddin' fingah, weddin' ring fingah [finger next to little finger on left hand], dis here engagement fingah.
Entry 8794
A man promised tuh marry dis woman's daughtah, an' he got 'er messed up an' he went away. So she went an' got 'er a bumblebee. Took dis bumblebee, cooked dis bumblebee, put 'im in de stove an' parched 'im an' rolled de powdahs of dis bee [rolled parched bee to a pow- der]. Took de powders an' dusted it all ovah lettahs. An' he wuz in Phila- delphia. An' she dust dis lettah good wit dis powdahs an' den wrote on it, jes so he wouldn't pay any 'tenshun [to the powder]. An' he come back three days aftah he got de lettah.
(What was the idea of the using the bumblebee on it?)
Dey said de bumblebee brought 'im back, de powdahs of dis bumblebee. Jes' take de powdahs of de bumblebee an' bring 'em back. [The spirit of the bumblebee Would sting him back.] [Wilson, N. Car., (1492), 2662:17.]"
Entry 8820
Well, we could take yore han'writin' an' put it ovah a lamp an' git it black wit de lamp an' burn it in sulphah. Put a little lye wit it, yo' undah- stan'. Take it an' burn it at all fo' cornahs. See, yo' take dat salt an' sulphah an' wipe it off aftah yo' put it on papah an burn it at de fo' cornahs an' mail it back tuh yo'. An' dat'll give yore arm a tremble, a tremble all in yore han', an' dere ain't a way in de worl' tuh git ovah it.
Entry 8917
Somepin you - ah write dey name on it.
(You say in case you know who they are? This person that stole it from you?)
Yeah, dis person dat stole it, hit's goin' run in yore mind who got it, yo' see. Yo' goin' purtty near know about who de last person was in yore house, yo' see. An' take an' write dey name on a piece of papah an' put it in dat lamp an' burn dat lamp. An' de longer dat fuel - dat coal oil burn in dat lamp an' dat begin to makes him get worried. Make 'em feel bad, yo' see, an' dere conscience will condemn 'um. Dey'll say, Ah'm - ah took dis frm [from] him, ah'm qoin' carry it back to 'em. If dey don't bring it back to yo', dey'll put it where yo' kin get it, yo' see.
(I see.)
Dey'll bring it back in yore house - dey get a chance an' dey'll lay it down somewhere an' yo' find it.
Entry 8922
Yo' will write dere name on paper an' stick it in a glass of water an turn it up right - if anybody done anythin' to yo', see, yo' turn dat paper bot- tom upwards, up side de house, an'when it tries to fall down, yo' do dat nine times. It shuh [sure] will bring 'em back. Don't care who it is. (Now, this is to bring them back. You write that name on a piece of paper just once. Then what do you do with that paper?) Jes' stick it up side de house, an' when it dry wit de water - see, jes' stick it in a glass of water an' stick it up side de house, an' when it dry, it will fall down. Well, de next time - like if yo' do it today - well, don't do it but once a day. An' de next day yo' do de same thing. It will jes' fall down. Nine days dey'll come back... If dey stole anything from yo' dey'll bring 'em back. (Do you put that paper on any particular side of the house or any place in the house?) Any place in the house jes' long as yo' hang it up side of de house.
Entry 9037
Dead person dust offa dem [off their graves]. Dey use dat fo' re- leasin' people from chain gangs.
(How do they use that?)
Jes' slip it tuh de person in - it's dust - in a papah or somepin. An' evah- where dat dey kin git a chance of stirrin' aroun' in de prison or at de [chain gang] camps, dey sprinkles it. In a few days somebody'll come fo' 'im. Yo' see, tuh releas- ed 'im, pay 'im out or released him some way.
Entry 9057
Ef somebody's against [you], yo' gotta meet a co't, yo' go tuh de graveyards an' yo' turn de haidbo'd tuh foot [and footboard to head - see HEAD BOARD AND FOOTBOARD, PP 3340-3348, vol.4 and else- where] an' say, "Ah will change yore min' tuhnight." Yo' have tuh do it in de night: Ah'll change yore min' tuhnight, ah'll change yore haid tuh yore foots. Dat's changin' yore min' tuh somepin else. See, tuhwards joo'. An' yo' call de person name. Say, "Ah'm goin' change yore min'." Ef yore name is John or somepin othah, "John Henry, '' say, "ah'll change yore min' tuhnight; ah'll change yore haid tuh yore feet [despite preceding foots]. An' yo' change de footbo'd tuh de haid, an' yo' go down at de haid as fur as yore arm kin reach from heah [usually elbow] down. An' yo' git some dirt from out dere. Yo' take dat out, two han'fuls an': throw it tuh- wards de nō'th. Den yo' take a piece of papah, white papah, an' yo' write 'is name on it an' yo' set dat papah afire, say, "Dead [dead person], work! Evah- thin' yo' do or try tuh do, yo' must be mah fren'." An' yo' set dat afire an' yo' covah de hole back up, an' walk off an' don' look back.
(You burn that in the hole?)
In de hole an' walk off. Don' look back, jes' keep on. An' he can't come against yo' in co't. He'll have tuh be yore fren'.
Entry 9069
[0n pages 3637-3645 we have had a number of beef- tongue rites using ice, here are several more ice-and-court usages to establish a separate margin title ICE. Whut ah heah yo' could do, wherevah yore prosecutor wuz, dey tell me yo' git a piece of papah an' write his name nine times. An' git chew 25 pounds of ice an' break it half in two, an' put de papah in between dere, an' put de piece of ice on top of it, about a day befo' de trial. An' when yo' go tuh co't, dey say he really won't prosecute yo'. Dey say dat's purtty good fo' dat.
Entry 9100
If yo' have somebody in prison - it's mo' easy fo' yo' tuh take a cord becuz dey'll notice too much if yo' take a string, if yo' go tuh see yore people dere. Yo'll go dere tuh see 'em an' yo'll have tuh do dat slightly [carefully] yo' see. Lak if he's standin' up, den yo' stand up an yo' jis' put dat cord lak back of his haid lak dat... [demonstrates]. Jis' stan' up lak dat, an' yo' take dat cord an' put it behin' his haid. An' den yo' unwrap de othah part an' let it fall on de flo'... [demonstrates]. Well, now whilst he standin' dere, yo' tell 'im don' move, say, "Don' move." (Take that whole measure from the top of his head to the foot). Yo' take dat up an' den yo' fix dat in a ball. Yo' see, yo' fix dat an' den yo' burn dat wit a brand-new han'ke'ch'ef. Yo' burn dat. Let 'im wipe his face an' burn dat an' wit 'is name - de judge's name. Yo' burn all dat tuhgethah, dat papah an' all tuhgethah, yo' see, an' de lawyah's name. An' yo' burn all dat tuhgethah. An' when he'll come, if he won' discharge 'im, he won't let 'im go no fu'thah. Yo' jis' drap [drop] it from de do' an' yo' jis' drap it [ashes]. (When you go back to see him again, you sprinkle that [string and paper] dust around, and they will turn him loose?) Yes.
Entry 9130
Well, yo' kin git some - git chew twelve sage leaves an' cut chew twelve pieces of papah jes' about de size of dose sage leaves, an' write de pro- phet's name on each one of dem. An' take an' weah six of 'em in one shoe an six in de othah shoe, when yo' go befo' de judge.
(What do you do with those papers?)
Jes' paste de papahs onto de leaves. [The names of these prophets are evi- dently those formerly called the 6 major and 6 minor prophets.]
Entry 9137
Yo' take twelve leaves of sage. Yo' name de sage. Yo' know, dere's twelve disciples. Well, yo' take an' name dose leaves of de twelve disciples. Put 'em in yore left shoe. Well, yo' take a piece of dis blacksnake root an' put it in yore mouth. Well, yo' go in an' yo' take infant's dirt. Yo' go an' tell de daid, "Daid, ah'm not" - yo' carry three pennies tuh de grave. Lak, now, yo' already in dere [jail]. Well, now, yo' want yore case dismissed. Well, now, some of de peoples or some of yore relatives, dey'll take an' go tuh de cemetery an' take three pennies, an' dey dig a hole an' on a infant's grave. Dey tell it, "Daid, ah didn't come tuh do any harm. Ah jes' come tuh ask yo' tuh fix it so his case will be dismissed." An' take his [infant's] dirt up in yore fingahs lak dat [demonstrates]. Yo' goes home an' put dat dirt down in a papah. Den yo' take de table salt nine times [9 pinches of salt] an' put in dat dirt an' shake it up. Yo' put dat dirt in yore left shoe wit dose leaves an' yo'll walk out.
Entry 9302
Jes' lak anybody went away, yore husban' or anything, an' yo' wanta bring 'em back home. Yo' know, dey gone away a long time. Yo' gits a yolk of a aig, let it be jes' laid if yo' could, an' some white wine, an' Some quicksilvah, an' yo' mix it good tuhgethah. An' den yo' git chew a pencil an' a papah an' yo' start writin'. An' yo' write a lettah an' say anything in dat lettah dat chew Want him tuh know - or she. AN' YO' WON' SEE WHAT YO' WRITIN' WHILST YO' WRITING IT, YO' CAN'T SEE IT. An' de time yo' fold it up tuh put it in de lettahs [in the envelope] [the writing] will appeah an' den yo' kin put it in dis envelope an' send it anywhere yo' wanta, an' dey'll have tuh come to yo'...
[I stopped recording too soon but my comment explains.]
(You say you won't see it because you are using this other stuff [I did not care to say invisible ink], but it comes out [appears] after awhile and you can see it?) Yeah, yo' kin see. Dat'll bring anyone back. [My preceding comment in the original parenthesis, made during the recording, shows my understanding at the time. Invisible ink had been used. For several of my experiences with invisible ink, see Doctor Cunningham, Little Rock, Ark., introduction to his interview, p.1315, v.2; and Nos.791-792, Pp.264-266, v.1. Surely the 3 ingredients and invisible ink were not mixed; pretending to use the 3 merely being a part of the trick.]
Entry 9697
Now in case yo' want a job, yo' coming on de job [you are at the place where you want the job], put de footprint of yuh boss between dis sulphuh an'black peppah. Yo' will make a bag out'a it an' keeps it aroun' yuh neck, yo see, an' de spirit of yuh boss will always be along wit chew; yo' see. An' fer dat reason, he will nevah have yuh runned aay, as long as he have any incidental business [usually called odd jobs] at aWl. An' now, in ordah tuh fin' dout [find out] from any man de truth about dese chings. It's nuthin but such a simple thing as sulphuh an' salt, dat chew'll put In yuh pocket. An' if he [boss] wants yuh aroun', he will tell yuh; an' if not, dy he'll run yuh out'a dere.
(That's if you are hunting a job?)
Yes. No suh! Dat in case dat chew huntin' one: jes' de same uh [as] many as [men], yo' know, goin' aftah a job an' dey [boss] always puttin' yo'off puttin' yo' off. Well, if yo' directly wanted tuh find out if he gona give yo' dis job or not, den yo' goes tuh work an' yo' put a li'l' sulphuh an' a li'l' salt in dis papah, an' yo' wrap it up verah carefully an' keep it in yuh Ppcket. An' when yo' go tuh 'im, why he'll have tuh tell yo' what he's goin' tuh do; vhethah he goin' tuh give somepin.
(I see. He has to tell you whether he is going to give you a job or not.)
Entry 9892
Yo' take dat frog an' yo' write dis name on a piece of papah. (What name?) Anybody's name. An' yo' tie it roun' dis live frog an' carry it an' throw it in de runnin' stream of watah. Tie it tight where de papah won't git off in a runnin' stream of watah. Dat's a party dat yo' wanta do harm tuh. Well, dat'll carry him right on off in dat rivah.
Entry 9989
Dey say yo' ketch a toady- frog an' make him swallow a dime, an' put 'im in a paper bag an' tie it up tight where he couldn't ketch no air, an' go ahead on tuh de game. Bet chew be lucky in gamblin'.
(You carry that though in your pocket?)
Yeah, jes' take it in yore pocket. Make him swallow a dime an' tie de end of de bag up an' carry dat on in yore pocket.
Entry 10959
Ah know 'zactly how tuh do dat. Co'se ah gits ten dollahs fo' dat. [This woman is a root doctor.] "Co'se ah don't tell nobody. De way dey do dat, dey take a black chicken an' kill dat black chicken, an' take a piece of paper, don't chew know, an' write dere name wit dat blood. An' den when yo' write dere name, yo' nail it down by de do'. Nail it down by de do' an' call dere name three times. An' ah don't care where dey is dey gotta come. A black chicken.
Entry 11061
Keep some sugar and cin- namon in a piece of paper, wrap- ped up in your pockets all the time. Awful lucky in gambling. Yes sir.
Entry 11608
Throw foot track into running water to send away; sometimes wrapped in paper, sometimes put in bottle, sometimes thrown over left shoulder. [4 separate beliefs from Fredericksburg by Ediphone.]
Entry 11617
To bring a man back, a woman puts his left foot track in a paper bag and wears it on her bosom. [Wilmington 197:3.]
Entry 12512
Take a red onion an' bo' a hole in it. An' take an' write de name of somebody dat chew like dat way, on a piece of papah, an' stick it in dat onion an' put it up ovah de do'. Dat's tuh make dat person do lak yo' want 'em tuh do; make 'em come home, stay home an' yo- kin git dere money.
Entry 12522
At six 'clock in de evening and six 'clock in de morning, you git up and yo' take a onion an' sprinkle red pepper on it. An' put it behind yore front door and you put it on a paper and sit it down and burn it. Don't let nobody come bother you or no one know you doing that.
(Well now, what will that do then?)
It bumn aad supposed to bring luck to you [in business].
Entry 12598
Jes' lak ah come to yore house an' ah misplace sompin of yores. When ah leave, yo' won't be mad wit me in one way, an' den in anothah way yo' will. But still yo' goin' be laughin' an' talkin' tuh me. Well, dere ain't but one thing yo' gotta do. Dat is tuh carry yo' a little bit of peppah in yore pocket an' throw it in dat fire, an' ah'll forget an' speak about sompin nothah - ah'll go git it dere an' show it tuh yo' an'( den yo'll know it's yores. But it gotta be red cayenne peppah, dat ground-up peppah. See, yo' jes' put some of dat in a piece of papah see. An' yo' go tuh dat person's house, yo' know jes' visitin' yo' see, an' it jes' might be in de wintahtime or somepin othah - dey got a fish in de stove. Yo' make out [pretend] lak yo' vanta light out de stove. Yo' drop some of dat papah [holding pepper] in dere. See, ah'll fo'git, so busy talkin' tuh yo'. Say, "Oh, yo' know ah got sech-an'-sech a thing, ah wanta show it to yo'.: Shore is purty."
Entry 12758
How, [of] course I Was bootlegging myself and I had a powder that I used to use. Of course, this pow- der come from Germany [which may nor have been true]. (What was it called?) Well, I don't know the name of the powder, but it was mixed up with a simple thing, some Gretna. (Oh, you called it Gretna?) [This could be something sold by someone in Gretna back in 1938.] Gre tna.
[I turn off machine but restart it at word sugar.]
(Yes, and you mixed it with sugar, you say?)
Mix it with sugar.
(And it turned what?)
It would turn red, and after [that] you would burn it, you'd have to burn it With solid white paper. And after you would burn this, about ten minutes after that, you wouldn't have to worry. You could be sitting down and people would come from all, every direction, to your place to buy stuff there.
(How much did you pay for that?)
One dollar.
(One dollar, I see.)
Yes, sir.
(They made it in Germany. What color powder was it?)
It was a red powder. [This is an interesting illustration of hundreds of special or isolated mixtures floating about, compounds that never came into general use. I am guessing that this Was a cheap incense, though a dollar dur- ing the Great Depression Was money!]
Entry 8640
Well, a lemon, if yo' wanta break somebody up ag'in, lak a man an' 'is wife or sompin lak dat, yo' could take such a-thing as a lemon an' yo' could take that same cayenne peppah. An' yo' write their [man's] name down nine times an' de woman who yo' wanta break 'em up from Yo' could write their name, but whosomevah doin' it, well, dey could do it, dey could fold it, fold it but always fold it from dem. An' if yo' wants tuh put some- body togethah, yo' take that man's name, if it's a woman, an' yo' write his name down first an' that woman, write her name down. An' den she takes de papah an' she fold it comin' tuh her, see. Lak yo' take a papah an' fold it comin' tuh yo' an' make yore wish when yo' fold de papah. An' den yo' take nine dressin' [ordinary] pins, eithah yo' could use needles, but de goldhead needles would be bettah - nine goldhead needles. An' de top whut chew cut off de lemon - see, yo' cut de top off de lemon an' yo' fold dat papah tight an' yo' push it down in dat lemon. An' yo' take de top whut chew put an' stick dem nine needles, yo' know, shut it back up but stick it all de Way roun'. An' if yo' got anyway a [old-fashioned] icebox an' yo' [have a drain to the outside for] dis icebox an' [or] yo' have de foam [gutter or drainage ditch] go through [by] yore house. Well, yo' dig a hole an' yo' put it [lemon] in a moist place where it goin' be wet all de time, so it could rotten. See, an' as dat lemon rot away, yo' see, it'll break 'em up.
Entry 8788
[Here we are concerned with the great magic rite of wrapping, folding, rolling, turning, and twisting something to you or from you. I have added infor- mant's foot-track rite to show the "from you" aspect of the action.] Concernin' de moon, yo' wants tuh pick de new moon, growin' early, when de moon is in its infancy. Den yo', when yo' cravin' fo' luck, write chure name on a piece of papah, see, an' yo' begin tuh fold it. Roll it tuhwards yo', yo' undahstan'. An' yo' roll it tuhwards yo' an' den yo' wrap anothah piece of papah askin' or expressin' yore desire. Ask dem tuh be good enough tuh accomplish whut chews aftah. An' yo' wrap dat in a sepa- rate paper towards yo' den. Den yo' make a wish on de third papah. Roll it tuhwards yo', fold it up all de time. Yo' understan'.
(You make this wish on the third piece of paper. You write that down.)
Den yo' take dis piece of papah wit yore wish on it an' yo' bury it at chure front do', see. Bury it exactly at de centah of de steps so dat yo' could always walk ovah it, even if yo' not thinkin' of it at dat time. Yo' do dat especially fo' three mawnin's in succession, one right behin' de othah. Try to arrange tuh have tuh do all dis in de time of de new moon. Dat's de end of dat person.
(What do you do with those other two pieces of paper then?)
Dese two pieces of papah dat yo' have first written, yo' wrap dem up tuhgethah den in anothah piece of papah. Fold dat outer papah towards yo' ag'in at de same time. Den yo' repeat de 37th Psalm three times, an' each mawnin' yo' undahstan', but in de meantime yo' weah dat in yore right pocket. Keep dose two writin's in yore pocket, whilst de othah one is layin' at chure front door. (Then, how long are you supposed to wear those papers and keep that other paper under the steps?) Let dose papahs stay dere until dey have exhausted. Only yo' kin every mawnin' make yore urinate an' pour it right where yo' have dat buried.
(And what do you do all this for?)
Fo' good luck, tuh accomplish, tuh be successful in anythin' dat chew Want.
[Foot-track or "from you" rite begins:]
Dey will take dat, dis foot track an' dey will try to git every bit of it; yo' undahstan', don't leave any of it. Git dat an' put dat in a piece of papah - yes, papah. Wrap it up in three wrappin's, an' if dey wants to run yo' away, dey will take dat an' put it in de nearest runnin' stream of watah an' throw it ovah- bo'd an' den dey go ahead.
(What do you mean, wrap it in three wrappings - just one, two, three?)
Yo' wrap dat from yuh. An' den dey'll wrap it in three different papahs, see. Dat same wrappings. An' den take dat an' throw it ovahbo'd. An' dey do dat, too, in de new moon.
(And they get this dirt out of how many tracks or any particular track?)
Out of yore right track. (And do they take these three pieces of paper altogether, one, or just throw them separately into the water?)
[I knew what was done. This is merely a search for further details.]
No sir, put dem togethah, wrap 'em up. Dat is, ah mean dey wrap all dese three tuhgethah. An' every one of dem dey wrap, dey will wrap 'em goin' from dem. An' when dey wrap de last one, dey wrap it goin' from dem. An' den dey throw dat in a stream dat is goin' from de do' [throw downstream]. Dey don't throw it de way dat [stream is coming]. Dey always throw it behin' de stream. Yo' see, dey throw it so dat wrappah - so it goin' from yo', not comin' to yuh. Yo' undahstan' whut ah mean?
(I understand.) [St. Petersburg, Fla., (1051), 1705:6.]
[Closely connected with the preceding section NAME is the present section LETTERS AND HANDWRITING, the letter part of the latter title being concerned with the names of the writer and the person to whom the letter was written. Here in the written word we have magic action second only to the spoken word. As usual in hoodoo or witchcraft or magic, nothing belongs exclusively in one action, condition or location. Both letters and handwriting, therefore, are scattered throughout the complete text.]
burial of the written wish at the center of the front steps in the first rite. Preserve new-moon timing and three mornings; do not merge burial with the later from-you track rite. repeating the specifically named37th Psalm three times each morning in the first rite. No psalm text, translation, verse interpretation or outside scripture is supplied or consulted. These are attributed source occurrences; outcomes remain unverified.
Read full source (printed page 3588) · Read full source (printed page 3589)
Entry 12494
They say that they could take a person's name and write it on a piece of papah, but write it indifferent [differently] from I or you would write it - our names, see. And they'd take that paper - I think they said - and fold it up so many different ways and bury it and give you some kind of sickness. [This is called writing names backwards, many examples of which appear in HOODOO. Write vlctim's name normally, then turning paper upside down, write your name across. Instead of this method the over-name is sometimes written at an angle across lower name, this making an "X" or crossmark to cross under-named person.] (Those background voices of the chickens, dogs, etc. are interesting!) [This is a comment by my transcriber.]
Entry 2904
If a person leave an' yo' want 'em back, yo' burn dat candle and yo' burn sulphur. Yo' take a bran'-new box, jes' a five-cent box of sulphur, and yo' take a little piece of newspaper and yo' light dat piece of newspaper. And yo' call de person name and jes' dip yore hand in dere [the box] three times; and call dere name and while de paper be burning, yo' put dat sulphur in dere [burning paper]. Yo' know sulphur flames up like yellah, makes a different color. Drop it down dere three times and call dere name. Make a wish and burn dat sulphur three time a day. An' when dat sulphur be burning on and dose candles continously burning, dat 11 bring 'em back toward yo'.
Entry 2912
(What have you heard about that?)
Well, if you have a fellow and he will leave home and you wanted him back, why you get you a candle - and you go out to the Crackerjack Drug Store some place. (To what drug store?) It's a drug store in New Orleans called the Crackerjack Drug Store on Rampart Street. And you kin get you some candles for a quarter - just pink-looking candles, not white. You'd get you some lump sugar. And you write his name down nine times and you take that - you know, put that candle on top of that name.
(What do you write the name on?)
A piece of writing paper.
(All right.)
You take that writing paper and you write the name nine times, and then you see, you have that candle up there and you set the nome to it. And you put those nine lumps of sugar around them then, makes your wish, and light that candle, and then he'll know the woman is - and he'll have to come back.
(Do you light those candles at any certain time?)
Yes, sir.
(What time?)
Well, about nine - about nine till eleven.
(In the night or morning?)
Well, you kin do it in the morning or you kin do it at night.
(And you burn it until he comes back? Or do you burn it for a certain time?)
No, you just burn - see, burn it from nine till eleven just for a couple of days and nat'rally, why he'll come back. (You take a piece of paper and you put it on something [not flammable], and then you melt some wax, and then you stick this candle on top of that paper.) Yes, sir - piece of writing paper. (And you put this paper down under the candle and you put these nine lumps of sugar in front of the candle in a circle.) But you have to write his name on that paper.
(I understand - nine times.)
Yes.
(Do you write the name, one right under each other? Or any way?)
No, just write it under each other.
(One right under each other in a line?)
In a line.
Entry 2951
Well, whenever they're trying to harm you, if it's with a candle, you take the Bible and you get up every morning fust before sunrise, look to the east and you make a prayer. Then you read a verse in the Psalms, the 9lst Psalm, which is supposed to be one of the strongest Psalms of David. You read it - a verse out of that back- Wards. Stead of reading it down, you reads it backwards every morning for nine mornings straight.
(Would that make the candle go out?)
Yeah, reading this Bible backwards for nine mornings, that'll put that candle out and set the house on fire.
(I see. And set the house on fire?)
It'll set the house on fire.
(I see, I see.)
Cause they generally have the candle in a closed space and wherever that is, the heat'll be so that it will ignite. The way the candle'll do it, it will bend over and eventually burn the paper - whatever they got under there. Sometimes they writes your name for nine times on this paper, backwards and forwards, prob- ably crossways. But you must use an indelible pencil, see. And sometimes the candle drops over - it's always a matter that it looks like it's a accidental way to do. It'll drop over and probably burn the scarf or ketch the paper wherever the wax have run, you see, and it will set fire. I've seen it happen many times.
Entry 4179
Ah could take yuh name an' write it on a piece of papah an' soak it in chamber lye until dat papah come dissolved, an' come heah sometime in de dead hours of de night an' throw it on yore po'ch. An' dat will make yuh move. (You just write that name on the paper once?) Yessuh. (You soak it in your own chamber lye?) Yessuh.
Entry 4386
Ah heard dat if - now jis' lak if yuh love a person an' dey mistreat yuh or sompin othah. Jis' lak ah may love yuh an' yuh don't love me. Dere man yuh know of dat kind, don't love 'em. Why - an' yuh love 'em an' do all yuh kin tuh git 'long wit 'em an' can't. Why yuh jes' takes most - well, any 'mount chew want of - well, food yo' know dat pass through dem. Yuh kin take dat. Yuh take dat an' yuh put it intuh a little rag, any kinda rag, or maybe a papah, anythin'. An' yuh take it down an' jis' lak yuh take up a brick outa yore chimley, an' yuh bury it undah dat brick an' let it stay undah dere fo' 'bout three days. Yuh take it out. Yuh take dat up den an' yuh burn it.
(What will that do then?)
Dat will bring 'im back.
(You burn his passage to bring him back?)
Yassuh.
Entries from source headings
These entries are listed under the following headings in the source volume:
- Name on Candle and Paper — Volume 1, entries 2816. Source context: THE DOCTORS AT WORK: REPORTS FROM LAYMEN → SHRINES: ALTARS - CANDLES - SAINTS; NEW ORLEANS AREA → (2) CANDLES.
- HIS AND HER NAME CROSSING 5 TIMES ON PAPER; BURN 4 CORNERS - ROLL TO HER - TALKING TO IT; SPRINKLE WITH JOHN DE CONKER POWDER; TIE INTO NEW HANDKERCHIEF WITH 5 KNOTS MAKING BALL — Volume 3, entries 3541. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SEXUAL IMPOTENCE → CAUSES OF SEXUAL IMPOTENCE → KNOTS AND TYING → KNOTS SEVEN.
- 3 CIRCLES - ROUND HIS AND HER NAMES - ALL WITH BLOOD FROM; HER RING FINGER - FOLD PAPER - BURY AT NORTH END OF HOUSE — Volume 3, entries 3844. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → BLOOD → EVERYDAY BLOOD.
- CROSS MARK OF PAPER - WRAP ABOUT BOW - WEAR ROUND WAIST — Volume 3, entries 4575. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → HAT - SWEATBAND - BOW → BOW FROM SWEATBAND OF HAT.
- BLOWING AWAY WITH BREATH - DIRTY UNDERCLOTHES ASHES; OR ASHES FROM NAME ON PAPER WITH YOURS CIRCLING IT — Volume 3, entries 4719. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → CLOTHES EXCLUDING HAT, SOCKS AND STOCKINGS, AND SHOES.
- GRAVEYARD DUST - NAME ON PAPER - IN NEW PAIR STOCKINGS; BURIED 3 DAYS IN GRAVE - THEN IRON AND MAIL TO HER — Volume 3, entries 4934. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → SOCKS AND STOCKINGS.
- ROLL TO YOU 9 TIMES - MOLASSES - BROWN PAPER - TIE WITH; NEW STRING WOUND TO YOU 9 TIMES - CENTER OF BED — Volume 3, entries 5017. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → SOCKS AND STOCKINGS.
- SOLE-SHAPED PIECE OF BROWN WRAPPING PAPER HAS; HER NAME OVER HIS 9 TIMES - INDELIBLE PENCIL; SEWED WITH BLACK THREAD - BETWEEN HIS DIRTY SOCKS; ROLLED UP WITH DRAWING POWDER AND STEEL DUST — Volume 3, entries 5025. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → SOCKS AND STOCKINGS.
- DOORSTEP - SHOES UNDER - TOE TO HOUSE; AFTER 9 DAYS WRITE LETTER - ON HIS RETURN; WRITE NAME 9 TIMES - WEAVE 9 NEEDLES IN PAPER; DRAGON'S BLOOD - RED PEPPER - SALTPETER; IN LEFT SHOE - BURN 10 MINUTES DAILY — Volume 3, entries 5133. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → SHOES.
- NAME 9 TIMES OF MAN ON PAPER; NAME 9 TIMES OF WOMAN ACROSS; PAPER AND INSOLE ROLLED TO YOU; WHITE ROSE PERFUME - CINNAMON; STUCK TOGETHER WITH NEW NEEDLE; KEEP IN BAG - PILLOW - MATTRESS — Volume 3, entries 5176. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → SHOES.
- TERRAPIN DRAWN ON BROWN PAPER; PUT IN LEFT SHOE - 9 DAYS - FOOT SWELLS — Volume 4, entries 5236. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → SHOES.
- DIRECTION HE IS TO GO - THROW HIS LEFT TRACK; TAKEN UP TOE TO HEEL - ON BROWN PAPER; STAND OVER - FACE DIRECTION - READ 3 TIMES; PSALM 23 - AT 7 P. M., 7 A. M., 12 NOON — Volume 4, entries 5384. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → FOOT TRACK.
- GUNPOWDER - TRACK - SULPHUR - BROWN PAPER - LIGHT 4 CORNERS — Volume 4, entries 5480. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → FOOT TRACK.
- NAME: SPOONFUL OF HIS TRACK LEAVING - RAKE BACKWARDS; TO HOUSE - WRITE ON PAPER HIS AND HER NAMES 3 TIMES EACH; FOLD - BURN - WRITE NAMES AGAIN 3 TIMES EACH ON PAPER; ADD TEASPOON SALT - TIE WITH STRING - KEEP UNDER HIM IN BED — Volume 4, entries 5571. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → FOOT TRACK.
- NAME - HIS AND HERS ON PAPER - WITH HER RIGHT-HEEL TRACK; MEETING HER - ROLL TO YOU - WITH 9 NEEDLES NEVER TOUCHED; FLOOR - PUT IN VASOLINE BOTTLE - BURY UNDER HER DOORSTEP; NEVER TOUCHED FLOOR = NEVER TOUCHED GROUND — Volume 4, entries 5576. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → FOOT TRACK.
- 9 DAYS - 1 TRACK EACH DAY - IN PAPER BAG - BURY — Volume 4, entries 5592. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → FOOT TRACK.
- 9 RIGHT FOOT TRACKS - LAST ONE - BOTH HIS AND HERS; IN BROWN PAPER - WITH SALT AND HIS URINE - ROLL UP IN RAG; TIE WITH STRING - DARK PLACE - 9 WISHES - PUTTING TOGETHER — Volume 4, entries 5597. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → FOOT TRACK.
- 3 PINCHES OF RIGHT TRACK - 3 WHOLE BLACK PEPPERS; WRAP IN BROWN PAPER - INTO CREEK AT EBB TIDE — Volume 4, entries 5690. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → FOOT TRACK.
- FREIGHT TRAIN CARBOX - TIE TO IN PAPER SACK; FOOT TRACK FROM FORKS OF ROAD — Volume 4, entries 5707. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → FOOT TRACK.
- WASP NEST MADE FROM TRACK ROLLED UP IN CIGARETTE PAPER — Volume 4, entries 5762. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → FOOT TRACK.
- (3) NEWSPAPER - NO WHITE PAPER - IN BOTTOM OF SHOES — Volume 4, entries 6119. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → HAIR.
- TOE TO HEEL SCRAPINGS IN PAPER - AT FORK OF ROAD; THROW OVER LEFT SHOULDER - WISH - DON'T LOOK BACK — Volume 4, entries 6493. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → FINGERNAILS - TOENAILS - FOOTSKIN.
- PSALM 23 - READ 3 TIMES DAILY - 9 DAYS; WRITE ON PAPER - CARRY IN SMALL BAG — Volume 4, entries 6890. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → FOLK MEDICINE → CURES FOR AND PROTECTION AGAINST AILMENT AND DISEASE.
- NAMES 3 ON PAPER — Volume 4, entries 7174. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → FOLK MEDICINE → TO KEEP PERSON ASLEEP.
- NAME 3 TIMES ON PAPER; IN RIGHT HAND; 1 EGG FROM WHITE CHICKEN; IN LEFT HAND — Volume 4, entries 7445. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → MURDER → HOW MURDERER CAN BE CAUGHT.
- 3 BLACK HEN EGGS HALF BOILED; TWO IN ARMPITS - ONE NEXT TO PRIVATES; OR MURDERER'S NAME ON PAPER WITH LAST EGG — Volume 4, entries 7467. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → MURDER → HOW MURDERER CAN BE CAUGHT.
- BAG OF PAPER - GRAVEYARD DIRT CARRIED IN — Volume 4, entries 7628. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → GRAVEYARD DIRT MUST BE BOUGHT FROM SPIRIT → CONTAINERS FOR GRAVEYARD DIRT.
- BAG OF RED PAPER - GRAVEYARD DIRT IN - 3 HANDSFUL; FROM FOOT OF GRAVE - JES' BEFO' DAY - BURY NEAR YOU — Volume 4, entries 7629. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → GRAVEYARD DIRT MUST BE BOUGHT FROM SPIRIT → CONTAINERS FOR GRAVEYARD DIRT.
- TO TALK WITH DEAD PERSON - DRAW HEADBOARD NAME ON PAPER; PUT ON YOUR HEAD WHILE READING BIBLE - SPIRIT WILL TALK — Volume 4, entries 7703. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → GRAVEYARD DIRT MUST BE BOUGHT FROM SPIRIT → HEADBOARD AND FOOTBOARD.
- 3 TIMES - WRITE ON PAPER - NAME OF WOMAN WHO LEFT YOU; GO TO GRAVE - PULL UP HEADBOARD - PUT NAME IN HOLE - POUR; WHISKEY ON NAME FOR GRAVE SPIRIT - STICK FOOTBOARD IN; EMPTY HEADBOARD HOLE HEADBOARD IN EMPTY FOOTBOARD HOLE — Volume 4, entries 7719. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → GRAVEYARD DIRT MUST BE BOUGHT FROM SPIRIT → HEADBOARD AND FOOTBOARD.
- (2) PAPER - DOLL BABY CUT FROM — Volume 4, entries 7996. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → COFFIN - DOLL BABY - BURIAL - BONES → DOLL BABY.
- BEEF TONGUE - BUY ON FIRST FRIDAY OF MONTH - SPLIT; LENGTHWISE TO HOLD PIECE OF PAPER - WITH VICTIM'S NAME; WRITTEN LENGTHWISE 9 TIMES - BURY IN GRAVEYARD; DAT PERSON BEGINS TUH FEEL DROWSY... SLEEP HISSELF AWAY — Volume 4, entries 8018. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → COFFIN - DOLL BABY - BURIAL - BONES → BONES FROM THE DEAD → WHAT BONES FROM THE DEAD DO.
- APPLE - BANANA - ORANGE - HOLE IN ONE OF THEM; INSERT PAPER ON WHICH NAME WRITTEN 9 TIMES; WRAP TO YOU IN SOMETHING - LAY IT OVERHEAD — Volume 4, entries 8479. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- BLACK BOTTLE - PUT IN OR ROUND - PAPER WITH NAME; WRITTEN 9 TIMES FORWARDS AND 9 TIMES BACKWARDS; SET BOTTLE BEHIND BED — Volume 4, entries 8483. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- BLOOD - MENSTRUAL - WOMAN WRITES MAN'S NAME ON PAPER; TIES IT - SEWS PACKAGE INTO ANYTHING THAT WILL HIDE IT — Volume 4, entries 8486. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- NEW PEN - PRICK RING FINGER - WRITE NAME IN BLOOD; NEW PAPER - BURY EAST CORNER [SIDE] OF HOUSE - WISH — Volume 4, entries 8487. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- PARCHMENT PAPER - NAME OF BOSS ON; WITH CONTROLLING POWDER - IN LEFT SHOE — Volume 4, entries 8493. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- WRITE NAME - ON UNRULED WHITE STATIONERY PAPER; SLOWLY BURN EACH MORNING AS SUN RISES - SMOTHER OUT; LEAVING ENOUGH TO BURN FOR 9 DAYS — Volume 4, entries 8504. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- PENCIL - COCONUT MILK - QUICKSILVER PAPER; 9 NEEDLES - 9 NAILS - 9 PINS - EGGSHELL; TAKE COCONUT TO MIDSTREAM - THROW UPSTREAM; (5) CROSSED NAMES - 9 TIMES BACKWARDS - INDELIBLE — Volume 4, entries 8512. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (15) PARCHMENT PAPER - NAME - PLUCK OUT EYES; DO NOT DRAIN - INSERT NAME - SEAL EYES; WITH CANDLE WAX - ROLL COCONUT FROM DOOR; BACK INTO HOUSE - TALK TO IT BY NAME; THAT'LL DRAW 'EM TO YOU — Volume 4, entries 8522. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- CORNERS 4 OF PIECE OF PAPER; NAME IN EACH - FOLD - BURY — Volume 4, entries 8535. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- CORNERS 4 OF PIECE OF PAPER - WRITES NAME; WISHES - SAYS PSALM - TIGHTLY IN BOTTLE OF HONEY — Volume 4, entries 8534. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (2) FIREPLACE - BURN IN - ON PAPER; NAME - BLUESTONE - GUNPOWDER - SULPHUR — Volume 4, entries 8547. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- FOLD TO YOU - NAME ON PAPER - CROSSED UP — Volume 4, entries 8554. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- KEYHOLE - HANG OVER - HIS NAME ON PAPER; FOLDED TO YOU - AND CALL HIM; AFTER BURNING SUGAR ON STOVE 9 MORNINGS — Volume 4, entries 8575. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- KNOTS 9 - IN NEW SILK STOCKING OR HANDKERCHIEF; SWEAT IN EITHER - NAME IN 9 TIMES - BURY 12 M; AT FORK OF ROAD - NEW HANDKERCHIEF WITH OR WITHOUT; SWEAT - TIE 9 TIMES - NAME ON SEPARATE PIECE OF; PAPER IN EACH KNOT - GOOD TIE TO YOU - FOR HARM; AWAY FROM YOU - BURY AT FORK OF ROAD AT 12 M — Volume 4, entries 8577. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- LAMP RITES WITH NAMES; (1) BACKWARDS - FIRST NAME LAST AND LAST NAME FIRST; WRITE HIS NAME 9 TIMES - HER NAME OVER HIS; BACKWARDS 9 TIMES - PUT PAPER IN COAL OIL OF; LAMP BOWL - LIGHT WICK - BURNING TIME VARIES — Volume 4, entries 8578. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (4) BROWN PAPER - NAME ON 9 TIMES - FOLD; TO YOU WISH ON EACH FOLD PUT IN; LAMP AND BURN - IF THIS TOO SLOW - BITE; OFF BOTTOM OF PINK CANDLE - LIGHT NEW; WICK - PUT NAMES UNDER CANDLE REVERSED — Volume 4, entries 8581. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (5) BROWN PAPER - HE WRITES WOMAN'S NAME; ON 9 TIMES - HIS NAME ONCE ACROSS HERS; WRAPS WITH BROWN SUGAR - PUTS IN LAMP; BURNS 24 HOURS - SHE RETURNS IN 48 HOURS — Volume 4, entries 8582. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (6) CARBON PAPER - CALLED BLACK PAPER BY INFORMANT; SHE WRITES HIS NAME ON INDELICON [INDELIBLE]; SIDE OF PAPER - 9 TIMES - BURNS IN HER LAMP; 9 DAYS - REPLENISH OIL IF NECESSARY - BURN; LAMP CONTINUOUSLY - HE WILL RETURN IN 9 DAYS — Volume 4, entries 8583. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (11) FOLD INTO TRIANGLE:; 9 TIMES HE WRITES NAMES - ON SQUARE PAPER; HERS FIRST - HIS SECOND BELOW - HERS - HIS; FOLD PAPER TO HIM ALONG DIAGONAL - TRIANGLE; PUT IN LAMP BOWL - BURN TO DRAW YOUR MIND; LIGHT 7 AM - BURN SLOWLY UNTIL 6 PM - DO NOT; BLOW OUT - PINCH OUT WICK WITH BOTH HANDS — Volume 4, entries 8588. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (24) 9 NAMES ONE WAY - 9 OVER OPPOSITE WAY; ON 9 LINES FROM RULED TABLET - FOLD TO; YOU 9 TIMES - PIN TO END OF LAMPWICK; WRITE ON PAPER NUMBER OF DAYS HE HAS; TO RETURN HOME - PUT IN OIL - LIGHT — Volume 4, entries 8601. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (25) PARCHMENT PAPER; NAME ON; BURN IN LAMP — Volume 4, entries 8602. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (31) 3 TIMES FOLDS TO HIM - PAPER ON WHICH; HE WRITES HER NAME 9 TIMES - HIS OVER; 9 TIMES - WRITTEN BACKWARDS - LAST; NAME FIRST - TIES PACKAGE WITH NO.8; BLACK THREAD - PUTS IN BOWL OF LAMP; WITH CINNAMON HONEY - SUGAR LIGHTS — Volume 4, entries 8609. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (2) CROSSES 3 - OR CROSSES 9 LANDLORD'S; NAME 9 TIMES ON WHITE PAPER - ONE UNDER; OTHER - TURN PAPER 90° - 3 NAMES ACROSS 9; MAKING 3 VERTICAL AND 9 HORIZONTAL CROSSES; KEEP NAMES UPSIDE DOWN UNDER A RUG — Volume 4, entries 8614. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (4) FOLD TO YOU 3 TIMES NAME OF RENTMAN; PUT LEAD SUGAR [SUGAR OF LEAD] ON; SET AN EMPTY BOTTLE ON THIS PAPER — Volume 4, entries 8616. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (11) HEART: FOLD IT LIKE A GREAT HEART COMING; TO YOU - HIS NAME BACKWARDS 9 TIMES ON; PAPER FOLDED TO YOU LIKE THIS - FOLDED; INTO A TRIANGLE STANDING ON 1 POINT; A SYMBOLIC HEART - WHICH WITH 9 NEW; NEEDLES - 9 NEW PINS - CAYENNE PEPPER; PEPPER SAUCE - ALL IN LEMON - BURIED — Volume 4, entries 8633. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (20) 9 TIMES - 5 ONE WAY - 4 THE OTHER; NAME WRITTEN ON PARCHMENT PAPER; FOLDED WITH BLACK PEPPER - RED PEPPER; PUT IN LEMON - UNDER HOUSE OR BURY — Volume 4, entries 8642. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- NEEDLES 2 CROSSED THROUGH NAME ON PAPER - WEAR — Volume 4, entries 8668. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- NEEDLES 9 - HIS NAME WRITE 9 TIMES - HER NAME; 3 TIMES OVER HIS FORMING "X" OR CROSS - NEEDLES; IN PAPER FOLD TO YOU - WRAP IN SOCK - KEEP UNDER; LINOLEUM OR SOMETHING HE MUST ALWAYS WALK OVER — Volume 4, entries 8670. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- NEEDLES 9 - NEW - PIN TO YOU INTO OR ON BEEF; TONGUE - PAPER WITH NAME 9 TIMES - BURY EAST; SIDE OF TREE OR UNDER TREE IN NORTH CORNER; OF GARDEN OR YARD - BURY UPSIDE DOWN - WHEN; THIS TONGUE ROTS - PERSON NAMED WILL BE DEAD — Volume 4, entries 8669. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- PERSIMMON TREE: CUT A STICK FROM - SPLIT ONE; END - URINATE ON - MAKE WISH - WRITE VICTIM'S; NAME ON PAPER - MAKE CROSS MARK AT CROSSROAD; AND INTO IT DRIVE NAME IN SPLIT STICK - COVER — Volume 4, entries 8684. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- PINS 9: HE HER STOCKINGS OR SHE HIS SOCKS; PUT THEM UNDER HER DOORSTEP - GET BEEF TONGUE; INTO WHICH STICK 1 PIN EACH MORNING 9 DAYS; SIGN HIS NAME ON PAPER - WRAP ABOUT TONGUE; BURY WITH SOCKS AT HER DOOR HE WILL RETURN — Volume 4, entries 8689. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- THREE: MORE RITES CONCERNING THIS NUMBER; (1) 3 DAYS - SHE WEARS TWO PIECES OF PAPER; EACH WITH HER NAME ABOVE HUSBAND'S NAME; ONE WORN IN HER BLOOMERS - OTHER IN SHOE; TO KEEP HIM HOME AWAY FROM OTHER WOMAN — Volume 4, entries 8731. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (9) 3 TIMES NAME ON PAPER IN LAMP; BURN IN DARK PLACE — Volume 4, entries 8739. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- TREE - BORE HOLE IN GROWING - OR SPLIT A; HOLE BIG ENOUGH TO INSERT PAPER BEARING; NAME - HE WILL NEVER BE SEEN OR HEARD FROM — Volume 4, entries 8741. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- TRIANGLE: FOLDED INTO - 9 NAMES CROSSED BY 9 NAMES; BURN PAPER IN BOWL OF LAMP OR UNDER CANDLE — Volume 4, entries 8766. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- TRIANGLE: WRITE ABSENT PERSON'S NAME 9 TIMES; 3 WAYS - FOLD PAPER 3 WAYS INTO A TRIANGLE; THEN ABSENT PERSON WILL RETURN ON 9TH DAY — Volume 4, entries 8767. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- BLOOD - FROM MIDDLE FINGER OF LEFT HAND - WITH; THIS AND NEW PEN SHE WRITES HIS AND HER NAMES; BURIES PAPER - WRITING FACE DOWN - AT MIDNIGHT; HE WILL RETURN - IF DEAD HIS SPIRIT WILL APPEAR — Volume 4, entries 8792. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → LETTERS AND HANDWRITING.
- (5) TALCUM POWDER - PUT ON PAPER WITH MARK; BURY WHERE BOSS WALKS - TO GET JOB — Volume 4, entries 8861. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → LETTERS AND HANDWRITING.
- WATER RUNNING - WHITE SAND - IN CLEAN BASIN; NAME ON PAPER 9 TIMES - PUT IN THAT WATER; WHEN NAME SINKS SAY LORD'S PRAYER 7 TIMES; MAKE WISH - NAME WILL FLOAT TO THE SURFACE; TORMENTING THIEF TO BRING BACK STOLEN GOODS — Volume 4, entries 8950. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → COURT CASES.
- FROG OR TOADFROG - ROLLED-UP CIGARETTE PAPER; INTO ANIMAL'S MOUTH - PUT HIM IN PAPER SACK; OR CAN UNDER STEPS WHERE CARRIE IS STAYING; DON'T LOOK BACK EITHER YOU COME CLEAR IN; COURT OR CARRIE WILL DROP SUIT AND COME HOME — Volume 4, entries 9034. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → COURT CASES.
- ICE NAME OF PROSECUTOR WRITTEN ON BROWN PAPER; 9 TIMES - WISH - OFFICIAL CONFUSED AT TRIAL — Volume 4, entries 9070. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → COURT CASES.
- 9 TIMES: THE MEANING OF - WHY THIS NUMBER USED; WRITE JUDGE NAME 9 TIMES ON PARCHMENT PAPER; CUT LIKE SOLE AND WEAR IN SHOE - WRITE YOUR; NAME 9 TIMES OVER HIS - SAYING, "JUDGE, I WANT; YOU IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND; THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HAVE MERCY ON ME TODAY AND; LET ME GO" - PUT 9 DROPS OF VAN VAN ON NAMES — Volume 4, entries 9107. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → COURT CASES.
- NAMES OF 12 APOSTLES ON 12 LARGE LEAVES OF SAGE; 6 NAMES AND 6 LEAVES IN EACH SHOE - IF NO; LARGE SAGE - NAMES ON SEPARATE SLIPS OF PAPER; 6 IN EACH SHOE AND A LITTLE SAGE IN EACH SHOE — Volume 4, entries 9124. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → COURT CASES.
- FIG LEAVES 12 - WRITE ON 12 DISCIPLES NAMES; USING NEW BOTTLE OF INK AND NEW PEN - READ; OVER THEM PSALM 35 - FOLD LEAVES TIGHT; INTO WHITE PAPER - PUT IN RIGHT POCKET; IF UNABLE TO OBTAIN FIG LEAVES USE SAGE — Volume 4, entries 9135. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → COURT CASES.
- UPSIDE DOWN - TURN EVERYTHING IN HOUSE - PSALM 7; JUDGE'S NAME ON PARCHMENT PAPER IN HEEL OF SHOE; CARRY 9 PODS OF GARLIC - CHEW JOHN DE CONKAH; SPIT 3 TIMES TOWARDS JUDGE AT COURTROOM ENTRANCE — Volume 4, entries 9164. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → COURT CASES.
- BIRTH DATE - ZODIAC SIGN - NAME - ON PAPER; ADD: I WANT SO-AND-SO TO COME BACK HOME; BOTTLE WITH WHITE OF EGG - BURY UNDER HOUSE — Volume 4, entries 9186. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → THE AMAZING CHICKEN EGG.
- 3 BLACK HEN EGGS - EGGNOG MADE FROM - ADD; SALT AND PEPPER - AFTER HE DRINKS SOME - SHE; PUTS SOME IN A PAPER - STOPS IT UP IN JAR 5 DAYS; THEN BURNS THAT PAPER - STOPPING UP ASHES IN JAR; BURIES IT WHERE HE WALKS - HE WILL LEAVE HOME — Volume 4, entries 9399. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → THE AMAZING CHICKEN EGG.
- SALT 9 PINCHES - SEVERAL PODS OF RED PEPPER; PARCH INTO POWDER - WRITE VICTIM'S NAME 9 TIMES; FORWARDS - 9 TIMES BACKWARDS - PARCH THIS PAPER; MIX BOTH POWDERS - DO EVERYTHING ON A STORMY NIGHT; ON RAINY NIGHT SPRINKLE MIXTURE AT ENEMY'S HOUSE; NEVER LOOKING BACK GOING OR RETURNING; ENEMY WILL LEAVE FROM 3 TO 9 DAYS — Volume 5, entries 9612. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → SALT AND ITS COMBINATIONS.
- NAME OF HUSBAND OR WIFE FACE UP ON PAPER; PUT IN WALL AND DRIVE 10 NAILS THROUGH — Volume 5, entries 9766. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → NAILS - NEEDLES AND PINS - TACKS.
- TUH FASTEN A MAN - KEEP 'IM DOWN - WRITE HIS NAME; STICK INTO THIS PAPER 9 NEW NEEDLES - ONE POINT; GOING AWAY - ONE COMING TO YOU - BUT PLACE ALL; PINS COMING TO YOU - CROSSING MAN'S NAME; WISH - BURY WHERE HE WILL WALK OVER IT DAILY — Volume 5, entries 9844. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → NAILS - NEEDLES AND PINS - TACKS.
- WRITE VICTIM'S NAME ON PAPER - THRUST THIS DOWN; FROG'S THROAT - HOLD THERE UNTIL ANIMAL DIES; THROW DEAD FROG WITH NAME NEAR VICTIM'S HOUSE; AFTER YOU DO THIS VICTIM WILL HOP LIKE A FROG — Volume 5, entries 9874. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → FROG AND TOADFROG.
- CUT OFF TOENAILS OF LIVE FROG - WRAP IN PAPER; PARCHMENT - BURY IN STUMP - VICTIM LOSES MIND — Volume 5, entries 9885. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → FROG AND TOADFROG.
- LIVE FROG IN A PAPER BAG IS LUCKY FOR SKIN GAME; AFTER HE DIES IN BAG - POWDER HIM FOR LOVE — Volume 5, entries 9967. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → FROG AND TOADFROG.
- ABSENT MAN'S NAME SHE WRITES 9 TIMES - HERS ON TOP; USE WHITE PAPER - LAY IN CLEAN WHITE SAUCER - COVER; WITH WHITE SUGAR - ADD FEW DROPS OF GERANIUM OIL; BUY 9 SMALL CANDLES - BURN ONE EACH DAY - HOLDING; IT IN SAUCER BY PUNCHING ROUND HOLE THROUGH TOP; OF ROUND CARDBOARD CONTAINER - BURN 1 CANDLE A DAY; IF HE DOES NOT RETURN WITHIN 9 DAYS - BURN THESE; THINGS MAKING BIG BLAZE AND START ALL OVER AGAIN — Volume 5, entries 10158. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → MORE CANDLE RITES.
- SHE BRINGS MAN BACK BY WRITING HIS NAME 9 TIMES; HERS ON TOP 9 TIMES - LAYING PAPER UNDER PLATE; ON PLATE SHE STANDS BLUE CANDLE CIRCLED BY BLACK; MOLASSES - SHE BURNS CANDLE WHENEVER SHE WANTS TO — Volume 5, entries 10159. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → MORE CANDLE RITES.
- MAN'S NAME WOMAN WRITES 3 TIMES ON PAPER - ON; THEM HER NAME 3 TIMES - IN FRONT OF THEM SHE; STANDS PINK CANDLE ROLLED IN SUGAR - BURNS IT; WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS 7 TO 9 - MORNING AND; NIGHT - BRINGING HIM BACK MAY TAKE HER 2 WEEKS — Volume 5, entries 10164. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → MORE CANDLE RITES.
- NAME - CALLED 3 TIMES AT 9 P. M. BY BLACK ART; BY INFORMANT WHO SOLD SELF TO BECOME A WITCH; CLIENT WANTS SLEEPING VICTIM TO ARRIVE ABOUT; 1 A. M. - WITCH WRITES 3 VERSES FROM II KINGS; ON SAME PAPER - ALSO NAME - RING DRAWN ABOUT; 9 FIGURES BELOW - WOMAN PUTS IN HER MATTRESS — Volume 5, entries 10451. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → HAG AND WITCH RETURN.
- IF YOU PLAY BOLITO - KILL BAT - CATCH BLOOD; WITH IT WRITE WANT A LUCKY NUMBER - LAY PAPER; UNDERHEAD - YOU WILL DREAM NUMBER THAT NIGHT — Volume 5, entries 10556. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → BAT - THE LEATHER-WING.
- APPLE CORED: INSERT CINNAMON - HONEY - NAME ON; PARCHMENT PAPER - LID ON CAN - PERSON FOLLOWS YOU — Volume 5, entries 10666. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- APPLE CORED: INSERT OIL OF CLOVER - OIL OF VERBENA; FLORIDA WATER - HONEY - MAN'S NAME ON PARCHMENT PAPER; PLANT IN FLOWER POT WITH GROWING FLOWER - AS THAT; FLOWER GROWS THE ABSENT HUSBAND OR MAN RETURNS — Volume 5, entries 10665. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- IF WOMAN AND MAN NOT GETTING ALONG WELL - WRITE; HER NAME ON PARCHMENT PAPER AND HIS NAME UNDER; CORE APPLE - PUT IN HOLE SUGAR OR SYRUP OR HONEY; STICK IN NAMES - PLANT APPLE AND FERN IN FLOWER; POT - POUR ON HOLY WATER - PLANT AND LOVE GROWS — Volume 5, entries 10667. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- SHE WRITES HIS AND HER NAMES WITH MENSTRUAL BLOOD; BURIES PAPER UNDER BRICK ON SOUTH SIDE OF HOUSE — Volume 5, entries 10750. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- PICK UP VICTIM'S FOOT TRACK - TOE TO HEEL AND; HEEL TO TOE - THESE CONTRARY DIRECTIONS CONFUSE; MIX WITH GUNPOWDER - WRAP BOTH IN PAPER - GO TO; RIVER - CATCH CATFISH - SHOVE THIS PAPER DOWN HIS; THROAT SEW UP HIS MOUTH - THROW HIM OVERBOARD; AS LONG AS THAT CATFISH WANDERS - VICTIM WANDERS — Volume 5, entries 10938. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- CHICKEN BLOOD FO' EVILNESS - WRITE PERSON'S NAME; WITH IT - USING FEATHER FROM SAME CHICKEN'S TAIL; WRITE PERFECT [FULL] NAME ON 4 CORNERS OF ANYTHING; PIECE OF PAPER - FOLD - BURY UNDER DOORSTEP - GIVES; 'EM A AWFUL MIND... IF IT DON'T KILL 'EM... DEM; PASSIN' AWAY ALL DE TIME... IT GIVES YO' SUCCESS — Volume 5, entries 10960. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- CIRCLE - HALVES OF A - DRAW 9 OF THEM ON PIECE OF; NEWSPAPER - HORIZONTALLY LIKE THIS: CCCCCCCCC; OR THEY COULD BE DRAWN IN A COLUMN ONE ABOVE THE; OTHER - BURY THIS PIECE OF PAPER UNDER DOORSTEP; COVER PAPER WITH SALT - RIMS OF HALF CIRCLES OUT; YOU STAY OUT - RIMS OF HALF CIRCLES IN - COME IN — Volume 5, entries 11064. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- DIRT DAUBER - RED PEPPER - NAME ON BROWN PAPER - BURN — Volume 5, entries 11193. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- 3 PAPER DOLLARS - DRESS WITH SALT AND BREAD - WEAR; 3 DAYS ON LEFT SIDE - 3 DAYS SPEND DOLLAR IN EACH; OF 3 STORES - TO HOLD MONEY EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE — Volume 5, entries 11329. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- DOLLAR - PAPER MONEY - MAN GETS FROM WOMAN - BURNS; BLOWS ASHES FROM HAND - SHE WILL NEVER KEEP MONEY — Volume 5, entries 11328. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- HEART-SHAPED CUT PIECE OF PAPER - INTO CENTER OF IT; STICK 9 PINS ALTERNATED HEADS AND TAILS - AROUND; EDGE OF HEART ALTERNATE 8 NEEDLES HEADS AND TAILS; KEEP THIS IN YOUR PILLOW - CAN HAVE ANYONE YOU WANT — Volume 5, entries 12135. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- LAMP: PRICK FINGER WITH NEEDLE - WRITE HIS NAME OR; INITIAL WITH BLOOD - FOLD PAPER TO YOU 3 TIMES LONG-; WAYS - TURN AND FOLD IT TO YOU 3 TIMES SHORTWAYS - IN; BOWL OF LAMP BURN 9 DAYS AND NIGHTS - PERSON RETURNS — Volume 5, entries 12294. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- PEEL LEMON - DO NOT BREAK INNER WHITE SKIN - THAT; MAKES LEMON USELESS - RUB SUGAR OVER PEELED LEMON; THIS IS FEEDING IT - WRAP IT IN WHITE PAPER OR RED; FLANNEL - IT IS A HAND - CARRY ON WAY TO: TRANSACT; BUSINESS - WEAR ON RIGHT SIDE OF BODY -'GIVES YOU; A POWER OVER THE MAN - DEPENDS UPON CARE OF HAND — Volume 5, entries 12299. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- LUCKY SEAL: 9 PARSLEY ROOTS IN ONE SHOE - PLUG OF; YELLOW GARLIC IN OTHER - CROSS 9 NEW PINS IN CLOTH; PUT INITIAL OF YOUR GIVEN NAME IN INK ON CLOTH AT; EACH PIN - BUY LUCKY SEAL AT CRACKERJACK DRUG STORE; PUT ALL THIS AT GATE WHERE HIRING DONE - YOU FIRST; ONE HIRED - A SEAL PRINTED ON SMALL PIECE OF PAPER — Volume 5, entries 12377. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- MATCHES 9 - CUT 9 STRIPS OF PAPER FINGER-SIZE - HIS; NAME 9 TIMES - ONCE ON EACH STRIP - WISH EVERY; EVENING BEFORE SUNSET - 9 EVENINGS - STANDING IN; CENTER OF ROOM [THE 4 CORNERS OF ROOM AND THIS; CENTER MAKES THIS A QUINCUNX RITE] STRIKE ONE; MATCH - BURN 1 STRIP - MAKE 1 WISH - DO THIS 9; EVENINGS IN SUCCESSION - WITHIN 2 DAYS MAN COMES; 9 MATCHES - 9 PAPERS - 9 NAMES; 9 DAYS - 9 BURNINGS - 9 WISHES — Volume 5, entries 12417. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- MIND OIL - IN IT PUT NAME OF BOSS ON PARCHMENT PAPER; BOIL TOGETHER: PARADISE SEED - PARSLEY - SUGAR - IN; IT TAKE BATH THROW BATHWATER INTO STREET - STAY; IN BUILDING ALL NIGHT - YOUR SUCCESS INCLUDES JOB — Volume 5, entries 12429. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- MONEY - PAPER KIND - FOLD TO YOU 2 TIMES AND; CUT OFF 4 CORNERS - TIE IN HANDKERCHIEF - WEAR; FOLDING RITE FROM EXCELLENT PROFESSIONAL WORKER — Volume 5, entries 12457. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- MURDERER - TO FIND NAME OF - ON SEPARATE SLIPS OF; PAPER WRITE NAMES OF ALL SUSPECTED PERSONS - ON; EACH SLIP SMEAR SOME OF BLOOD-SOAKED EARTH FROM; UNDER BODY - DROP SLIPS INTO WIDE-NECK BOTTLE OR; PITCHER - ADD WATER - SHAKE - SLIP TO TOP RIGHT NAME — Volume 5, entries 12475. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- NAME - 9 TIMES WRITE HIS - TURN PAPER UPSIDE DOWN; WOMAN WRITES HER NAME OVER HIS - WEARS UNDER INSOLE — Volume 5, entries 12497. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- STEAL RED ONION - PUNCH HOLE THROUGH WITH NAIL - ON; PAPER SLIP WRITE MAN'S NAME - ROLL PAPER LONG AND; THIN LIKE MATCH - PUSH INTO NAIL HOLE - HOLDS MAN; TO GET RID OF HIM REMOVE NAME - IN THESE ROLLING AND; FOLDING RITES: TO YOU BRINGS AND AWAY FROM YOU SENDS — Volume 5, entries 12508. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- RAZOR WRAPPED IN PAPER CONTAINING OWNER'S NAME; WOMAN LAYS IT UNDER MATTRESS AND CROSSWAYS OF BED; HORIZONTAL RAZOR CROSSING VERTICAL MATTRESS MAKES; SIGN OF CROSS - SHE IS CROSSING HIM - PUTTING SPELL; ON HIM - SHE MUST SLEEP ON RAZOR - SOMEONE CUTS HIM; RAZOR IN CENTER OF BED 4 CORNERS IS A QUINCUNX RITE — Volume 5, entries 12755. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- SAGE: ON 12 LEAVES OF - WRITE NAME OF 12 APOSTLES; WRITE LIST OF 12 ON SHEET OF PAPER - LAY 12 LEAVES; ON PAPER - FOLD PAPER TOWARD YOU - LUCK SEEKING JOB — Volume 5, entries 12775. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- SEALS: TYPE OF HAND PRINTED ON SLIP OF PAPER — Volume 5, entries 12888. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- SPIRITS GOOD AND EVIL: AT NIGHT PUT IN DARK ROOM; EMPTY EXCEPT FOR TABLE AND CHAIR - PAPER TABLET; PEN AND INK - EMPTY BOTTLE - UNLIGHTED LAMP - GOOD; SPIRIT WILL WRITE ALL THAT HAS BEEN AND WILL BE; DONE TO YOU - YOU READ IT NEXT MORNING - OR EVIL; SPIRIT WILL UPSET ROOM AND RUN YOU OUT OF HOUSE — Volume 5, entries 13219. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- SUGAR - IN BROWN WRAPPING PAPER FOR BLACK MAN; FOLD TO YOU 9 TIMES - WEAR IN BOTTOM OF RIGHT SHOE; GO TO LANDLORD - ASK A FAVOR - HE CANNOT REFUSE — Volume 5, entries 13238. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- UNDERWEAR: MAN LEAVING HOME - TAKES WOMAN'S STEPINS; PUTS IN THEM HER NAME 9 TIMES - PAPER FOLDED TO HIM; 9 TIMES - THEN LAYS GARMENT BETWEEN MATTRESS AND; BOXSPRING - NO MAN WILL WORRY HER IN HIS ABSENCE — Volume 5, entries 13338. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- UNDERWEAR: MAN MAKES AN 'X' WRITING WOMAN'S NAME; ACROSS IT - WRAP PAPER WITH CROSSED NAME IN ANY PIECE; OF HER UNDERWEAR - HIDE ANYWHERE ABOUT BED - DURING HIS; ABSENCE SHE WILL BE IN NO MOOD TO FOOL WITH NO MAN — Volume 5, entries 13339. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- Money: Paper — Volume 1, entries 2107. Source context: THE DOCTORS AT WORK: REPORTS FROM LAYMEN → HANDS: MAGIC HELPERS.
- DRAGON'S BLOOD - IN SHOES 9 DAYS - THEN CROSS ONE NAME; OVER OTHER 9 TIMES - SPRINKLE SHOE DRAGON'S BLOOD ON NAMES; LAY PAPER IN WOODSTOVE ASHPAN - SALT HOT ASHES DROP ON — Volume 3, entries 3756. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SEXUAL IMPOTENCE → CURES FOR SEXUAL IMPOTENCE.
- THREE INGREDIENTS: SULPHUR - BRIMSTONE - SUGAR; NAME ON PAPER - IN SOCKS - UNDER DOORSTEPS — Volume 3, entries 5037. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → SOCKS AND STOCKINGS.
- WATAH... DAT RUN OVAH ROCKS - PIECE OF GARMENT - NOT LARGAH; DEN A POCKET HAN'KE'CH'EF - WASH 3 TIMES - FOLD - POUR; VINEGAH OVAH - GRAVEYARD CLAY - WRAP IN 3 LAYERS OF BROWN; PAPER - TWIST - WRAP IN NEWSPAPER - BURN OFF - WRAP IN; TURKISH TOWEL - BURY IN RED CLAY 7 DAYS - THEN BURY BY; ROCK IN RUNNING WATER 21 HOURS - THROW AWAY - 21 DAYS — Volume 3, entries 5080. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → SOCKS AND STOCKINGS.
- GRAVEYARD DIRT - RIGHT TRACK - HEEL TO TOE - IN PAPER; WITH SALT - BLACK PEPPER - RIVER -'GO, YO' DEVIL, YO — Volume 4, entries 5472. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → FOOT TRACK.
- HAIR - TRACK - BLACK PEPPER - SALT - BROWN PAPER - DOORSTEP — Volume 4, entries 5499. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → FOOT TRACK.
- MEASURE - TRACK - PARCH TOADFROG - WRAP THESE 3 IN PAPER; WRAP TO YOU WITH LEFT HAND - HANG IN CHIMNEY; LINE LUCIFER WORKED - WILL POWER - ASTRAL FORCE — Volume 4, entries 5549. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → FOOT TRACK.
- 3 TRACKS - AFTER A RAIN - IN PAPER BAG - INTO RIVER - WITH; 3 INGREDIENTS: EGG - HOT STUFF [PEPPER SAUCE] - YEAST — Volume 4, entries 5695. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → FOOT TRACK.
- WHISKEY - LYE - CAMPHOR - NAME ON PAPER - TRACK - BOTTLED; BURY RIGHT SIDE OF DOORSTEP FOR PROTECTION — Volume 4, entries 5788. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → SWEAT → FOOT TRACK.
- FOOD AND DRINK - HAIR IN; (1) 3 STRANDS OF HAIR - BROWN PAPER - WHITE THREAD; COCONUT CANDY - PIANO - WISH OVER 9 MORNINGS — Volume 4, entries 5880. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → HAIR.
- (5) GRAVEYARD DIRT - HAIR TIED; WRAPPED IN PAPER - NAME ON; BURY - URINE ON 9 MORNINGS — Volume 4, entries 5906. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → HAIR.
- NAME ON PAPER - WRAP HAIR IN - BURN UNDER LAMP — Volume 4, entries 5989. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → HAIR.
- NAME OF WOMAN HE WRITES 9 TIMES - HIS 9 TIMES OVER; HER HAIR - FINGERNAILS OR TOENAILS - IN RED FLANNEL BAG; FOLDED PAPER AND BAG HE WEARS OVER HEART — Volume 4, entries 5991. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → HAIR.
- NEEDLES 9 - HAIR - TIED IN PAPER; DOCTOR'S WHITE WOMAN FINDS UNDER HOUSE BELOW BED — Volume 4, entries 6018. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → HAIR.
- (7) FIG TREE - DIG HOLE IN - BURN HAIR - BROWN PAPER - 9 DAYS — Volume 4, entries 6198. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → HAIR.
- (38) SAP BEFORE IT RISES - LEFT TEMPLE HAIR; NAIL AS HIGH AS CAN REACH UP TREE TRUNK; SALT - PEPPER - FOLDED WITH NAME ON NEW PAPER — Volume 4, entries 6239. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → HAIR.
- (32) PAPER - 3 STRANDS OF HAIR - WRAPPED IN — Volume 4, entries 6339. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → HAIR.
- (33) PAPER YELLOW - HAIR WRAPPED 9 TIMES IN — Volume 4, entries 6340. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → HAIR.
- (11) PAPER - WRAP IN - MOLD-OF-HIS-HEAD HAIR; SHE WEARS SEWED IN SACK — Volume 4, entries 6363. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → HAIR.
- WRAP AWAY FROM YOU 9 TIMES; CORD ABOUT PAPER PACKAGE CONTAINING; 9 STRANDS OF HAIR - 9 DROPS OF TURPENTINE; PUT UNDER PERSON'S STEPS - BEFORE SUNRISE 9 DAYS; REMOVING PACKAGE EACH NIGHT AFTER SUNSET — Volume 4, entries 6374. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → HAIR.
- CORPSE TURNED IN DIRECTION MURDERER WENT; WITH MURDERER'S NAME ON PAPER IN COFFIN; IN THE LORD'S NAME - WITH CURSE - 9 DAYS — Volume 4, entries 7411. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → MURDER → HOW MURDERER CAN BE CAUGHT.
- NAME ON 2 SLIPS OF PAPER; ONE AT FOOT AND OTHER AT HEAD; 1 EGG IN RIGHT HAND — Volume 4, entries 7444. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → MURDER → HOW MURDERER CAN BE CAUGHT.
- FOOT TRACK OF MURDERER CUT OUT OF PAPER; NAILED UNDER HORSESHOE OVER GATE — Volume 4, entries 7485. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → MURDER → HOW MURDERER CAN BE CAUGHT.
- NAIL: SHORT PERSON SHORT NAIL - TALL PERSON LARGE NAIL; NAME ON PAPER - WRAP ABOUT NAIL - PACK IN BOTTLE; OF GRAVEYARD DIRT - THROW INTO RUNNING WATER — Volume 4, entries 7837. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → WHAT TO DO WITH GRAVEYARD DIRT.
- (7) WOOD SHINGLE OR PAPER - CUT PERSON'S IMAGE FROM; WRITE NAME - WISH - INTO RUNNING WATER OR BURY; OR HANG INTO TREE FOR WIND TO BLOW AWAY — Volume 4, entries 8001. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → COFFIN - DOLL BABY - BURIAL - BONES → DOLL BABY.
- (3) 9 DAYS - DEAD IN - IF TEAR PHOTO TO PIECES; SALT - PEPPER - IN PAPER - BURY GRAVEYARD — Volume 4, entries 8155. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → PHOTOGRAPH.
- NAME - HIS AND HERS HE WRITES 3 TIMES - CALLS HER; NAME - GETS HER PHOTO AND GLASS OF WATER - LAYS PHOTO; ACROSS - DROPS PAPER WITH NAMES INTO WATER - IF PAPER; AFTER SINKING SURFACES - SHE WILL RETURN IN 3 DAYS — Volume 4, entries 8210. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → PHOTOGRAPH.
- NAME - 9 TIMES ON PAPER - PHOTO OF WHOLE BODY; STEEL DUST - RED PEPPER - SAUCER OVER; DIG HOLE AT NIGHT - 6 FEET DEEP - LET NO ONE SEE YOU — Volume 4, entries 8216. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → PHOTOGRAPH.
- TALK TO IT - PHOTO; (1) WRAP PHOTO IN PAPER - PIN TO BED - SAY:; YO' STAYED 'WAY LONG 'NUFF; AH THINK YO' BETTAH COME BACK HOME — Volume 4, entries 8303. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → PHOTOGRAPH.
- DOOR - POINT HIS NAME TO - IF YOU WANT HIM TO STAY; IF YOU WANT HIM TO GO - POINT HIS NAME AWAY FROM; WRITE FIRST CAPITAL OF HIS NAME - YOUR NAME UNDER; BURY PAPER AT YOUR DOORSTEP AS ALREADY INDICATED — Volume 4, entries 8541. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- WRITE NAME ALONG DIAGONAL OF PAPER SQUARE; FOLD SQUARE ALONG NAME MAKING A TRIANGLE; FOLD TRIANGLE INTO ANOTHER ONE - PUT IN NEW; SNUFFBOX WITH WHITE LODESTONE - INTO RIVER — Volume 4, entries 8562. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- FOOTPRINT OR FOOT TRACK PICK UP - WRITE; FAMILY NAME FIRST - GIVEN NAME LAST; 9 TIMES - WITH INDELIBLE PENCIL - EACH; TIME CROSSING NAME WITH FOOTPRINT DIRT; BOTTLE PAPER AND DIRT - INTO RIVER — Volume 4, entries 8563. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (2) GUNPOWDER - ON NAME WRITTEN ON PAPER; BURN - REPEAT LORD'S PRAYER 9 MORNINGS — Volume 4, entries 8573. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (14) LORD'S PRAYER - SAY 9 TIMES AT DOOR; AFTER SHE WRITES HIS NAME 9 TIMES; ON CLEAN SHEET OF PAPER - PUT BOTH; IN LAMP BOWL - LIGHT - HE RETURNS — Volume 4, entries 8591. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- CIRCLE - DRAWN ON PARCHMENT PAPER WITH; STRING - DIAMETER 12 INCHES - WRITE; ROUND CENTER - 12 NAMES OF CHIEF OFFICERS; [SYMBOLS FOR ZODIAC - PROTECTS ALL YEAR]; ON EACH NAME PLACE SPECIAL HOODOO BEAN; DRESS THIS WITH 7 DROPS OF LUREEN OIL; [SURELY THIS HOODOO OIL IS "LURING OIL!"]; [BEANS AND DEAD ASSOCIATED FOR CENTURIES]; [OFFICERS "DEAD" IN PRESENCE OF "HAND"] — Volume 4, entries 8622. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- (21) PARCHMENT PAPER - VICTIM'S NAME ON; PUT IN LEMON WITH BLACK PEPPER - RED; PEPPER - SALT - SEW LEMON LID UP - BURY; OR THROW INTO RIVER - BREAKS UP PEOPLE — Volume 4, entries 8643. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- ONION - SEW UP IN - NAME ON PAPER - HARMS — Volume 4, entries 8681. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- PAPER: BROWN - WITH VICTIM'S NAME - WRAPPED; ABOUT VICTIM'S HAIR FROM TOP OF HIS HEAD; WISH ANYTHING YOU WANT TO HAPPEN TO HIM — Volume 4, entries 8683. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- RED PENCIL - USED BY "DOCTOR" TO WRITE NAMES OF; BOY AND GIRL - TROUBLE-MAKERS FOR HIS CLIENT - AND; CLIENT'S NAME ACROSS THEIRS - HE FOLDED PAPER TO; HIM - SEWED IN BAG - CLIENT [MY INFORMANT] WORE — Volume 4, entries 8694. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- ROLLING AND KICKING: BOTTLE WITH VINEGAR; CAYENNE PEPPER - NAME ON PARCHMENT PAPER; ROLL AND KICK - BACK DOOR TO FRONT - SAYING; AS THIS BOTTLE RO' AH WAN' CHOO TO DO DE SAME; BURY - SIGN OF BALANCE - WHEN EARTH HAS POWER; NEXT MORNING BEFORE SUNRISE POUR HOT WATER ON; THAT BURSTS BOTTLE AND THEY WILL LEAVE HOUSE — Volume 4, entries 8698. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- 7 TIMES WRITE PERSON'S NAME ON PAPER; PUT OVER DOOR AFTER PERSON COMES IN; THAT PERSON WILL CONTINUE USING DOOR — Volume 4, entries 8704. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- SULPHUR AND BLUESTONE BURNED ON PAPER CONTAINING; ABSENT MAN'S NAME - DO 9 MORNINGS TO BRING BACK — Volume 4, entries 8723. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → NAME.
- CROSS-WRITE YOUR HANDWRITING BY TURNING IT; UPSIDE DOWN AND WRITING OVER IT - REFOLD PAPER; DIFFERENTLY - DRAW IT WITH HEAT OR WATER - ADD; SALT - PEPPER - ALUM - UNDER STEP - HAND SWELLS — Volume 4, entries 8831. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → LETTERS AND HANDWRITING.
- DRAWING PERSPIRATION FROM HANDWRITING OF LETTER; BY LAYING PAPER OVER IT AND IRONING IT - TWIST; THIS PAPER INTO 8 TWISTS - PUT IN BOTTLE - ADD; 8 PINCHES OF SALT AND COPPERAS BOILED IN WATER — Volume 4, entries 8836. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → LETTERS AND HANDWRITING.
- NEEDLES 9 - STICK HEAD AND TAIL INTO NAME OF; ABSENT PERSON ON PARCHMENT PAPER - INCANTATION; MAIL THIS AS LETTER AND HE OR SHE WILL RETURN — Volume 4, entries 8855. Source context: THE PHYSICAL HUMAN BODY ITSELF → DEATH AND BURIAL AND GRAVEYARD → THREE SUBSTITUTES FOR HUMAN BODY → LETTERS AND HANDWRITING.
- (2) WRITE NAME OF SUSPECTED THIEF - GO TO; RUNNING WATER - SMEAR SLIME ON NAME; CALL "THREE GREAT NAMES" i.e. IN THE NAME; OF THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY GHOST; MAY HE; BRING THIS BACK TO ME - PAPER OVERBOARD — Volume 4, entries 8921. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → THEFT.
- ONION, RED - HALVE SIDEWISE NOT LENGTHWISE; WRITE NAME OF THE THIEF ON CIGARETTE PAPER; 5 DROPS SPIRITS TURPENTINE - 2 PINCHES CAYENNE; PEPPER - SPIT IN 5 TIMES WISH - BURY AT STEPS — Volume 4, entries 8930. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → THEFT.
- EGG IN BROWN PAPER BAG; AGAINST DOOR AT SUNRISE — Volume 4, entries 9221. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → THE AMAZING CHICKEN EGG.
- FOOT TRACK RIGHT - DIRT FROM HOLLOW OF - NAME; ON BLACK HEN EGG - WRAP BOTH IN PAPER HAVING; HIS NAME - THROW WITH WISHES INTO RUNNING WATER; RETURN HOME - LOOK OUT DOOR - WISH HIM FROM THERE — Volume 4, entries 9242. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → THE AMAZING CHICKEN EGG.
- NAMES HERS AND HIS: WRITE ON EGG - BREAK IT; DISCARD WHITE - MASH UP YELLOW AND SHELL WITH; BLACK PEPPER - IN PAPER AND RAG - BURY AT STEPS; SHE AND HE NOT GETTING ALONG WILL SOON SEPARATE — Volume 4, entries 9311. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → THE AMAZING CHICKEN EGG.
- 9 TIMES - NAME ON SMALL PAPER - DRAIN EGG; NAMES IN EGGSHELL SEAL - THROW INTO RIVER — Volume 4, entries 9321. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → THE AMAZING CHICKEN EGG.
- 9 WAYS WRITE HER NAME ON SMALL SLIP OF PAPER; ADD SMALL PIECE OF HER UNDERCLOTHES - PUT IN; DRAINED EGG - THROW INTO RIVER - TO KILL SELF — Volume 4, entries 9322. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → THE AMAZING CHICKEN EGG.
- MAN WRITES HIS NAME FIRST - DEPARTED WOMAN'S NAME; ON TOP OF HIS - HOLDS PAPER OVER DOOR AND BEHIND; WALLPAPER WITH 2 NEEDLES POINTING INTO HOUSE; BRINGS HER HOME TO STAY WHILE NEEDLES THERE — Volume 5, entries 9791. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → NAILS - NEEDLES AND PINS - TACKS.
- FROG IN PIECE OF PAPER - BACK POCKET — Volume 5, entries 9974. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → FROG AND TOADFROG.
- PUT SMALL GREEN FROG IN PAPER BAG IN POCKET; RUB HAND OVER FROG 3 TIMES BEFORE GAMBLING — Volume 5, entries 9980. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → FROG AND TOADFROG.
- 9 TIMES WOMAN WRITES ABSENT MAN'S NAME ON NEW; PARCHMENT PAPER - HER NAME OVER HIS 9 TIMES - THIS; PAPER SHE LAYS UNDER NEW GLASS FILLED WITH WATER; SHE THEN LEANS HIS PHOTO UPSIDE DOWN AGAINST GLASS; HEAD DOWN FEET UP - FACING OUTWARD - IN FRONT OF; GLASS WITH NAMES AND PHOTO - SHE SETS NEW WHITE; SAUCER - IN WHICH SHE BURNS NEW RED CANDLE DAILY; 3 TIMES: 6 A. M. - 12 NOON - 6 P. M. - HE RETURNS — Volume 5, entries 10157. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → MORE CANDLE RITES.
- CUT OFF WINGS - PUT BAT IN PAPER SACK - OR CLOTH; SEWED UP - CARRY IN POCKET - ANY LUCK POSSIBLE — Volume 5, entries 10602. Source context: ADDITIONAL RITES AND BELIEFS → BAT - THE LEATHER-WING.
- BED - BEHIND THE - TURN UP BRUSH PART OF BROOM; BRUSH UP - WHERE SUN CROSSES FOR HYPNOTIC POWERS; IN BRUSH PART HIDE VICTIM'S NAME ON WHITE PAPER; VICTIM WON'T BE CONTENTED... CAN'T KEEP NO CLOTHES — Volume 5, entries 10775. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- BLACK CAT HAIR - SULPHUR - SALT - RED PEPPER; GRAVEYARD DIRT - WRITE ON PAPER WHAT YOU WANT DONE; ALL IN CONTAINER THAT WILL FLOAT ON RUNNING WATER — Volume 5, entries 10870. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- VICTIM'S NAME 9 TIMES - WRITE ON PARCHMENT PAPER; CUT OFF PIECE OF LIVE CATFISH TAIL FIN - PUSH PAPER; AND FIN INTO MOUTH OF FISH - TURN FISH LOOSE IN; RUNNING WATER - RUDDERLESS FISH - WANDERING VICTIM — Volume 5, entries 10936. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- DRAW COFFIN - VICTIM IN - WRITE NAME - CALL NAME; AS YOU BURN THIS PAPER UNDER INCENSE SMOKE — Volume 5, entries 11122. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- PHOTOGRAPH - FOLD 9 TIMES INTO 9 CREASES CALLED; ACCORDION FOLDS - PUT LIVE MAGGOT IN EACH CREASE; TIE THIS FOLDED PACKAGE WITH BLACK CORD 9 TIMES; 6 TIMES TIE WITH RED - KNOTS REPRESENT COFFIN FOR; VICTIM - NOW INTO 9 OF SPADES WITH 3 ACCORDION FOLDS; WRAP 3 THINGS: SALT - BLACK PEPPER - CAYENNE PEPPER; WRITE VICTIM'S NAME 9 TIMES ON SILK TISSUE PAPER; FOLD EACH TIME 9 TIMES - BURN MATCH - ASHES ON TOP; THESE 3 PACKAGES FOLD INTO A CLOTH - ADD RIVER SAND; DIG SMALL PIT ON RIVER BANK - 6 INCHES LIKE A GRAVE; BE MASTER OF CEREMONIES AT FUNERAL - BLESS BODY; GOING DOWN INTO GRAVE - BETWEEN EVERY WORD CURSE; THROW SHERRY INTO GRAVE - AFTER CEREMONY SAY 9 WORDS; 18 DAYS - VICTIM BECOMES DEATHLY SICK - M. D. NO GOOD; THE 9 NAMES YOU SAY: YO' SON OF BITCH - YO' BASTARD; YORE MOTHER'S NO GOOD - YORE FATHAH'S NO GOOD; AN' AFTAH YO' HIT ME WHAT AH WON'T DO TUH YO' - END; WITH: NAME DE FATHAH, DE SON AN' DE HOLY GHOST, AMEN — Volume 5, entries 11236. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- FISH - CATCH - CUT OPEN - PUT INSIDE PERSON'S NAME; IN FULL WRITTEN ON PARCHMENT PAPER - ADD 3 DROPS; OF MOVING OIL - CAYENNE PEPPER - SEW FISH BACK UP; THROW FISH INTO RUNNING WATER - SAY: AS THIS FISH; GO, I WANT YOU TO DO THE SAME - VICTIM DRIFTS AWAY — Volume 5, entries 11626. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- FISH - MUST HAVE SCALES - CATCH IN RUNNING WATER; TO DRIFT AWAY VICTIM - WRITE HIS NAME 3 TIMES ON; SAME LINE OR IN COLUMN - AFTER EACH NAME MAKE DOT; WITH ONE DROP OF FISH BLOOD - PUT PAPER WITH NAMES; IN FISH - TURN YOUR BACK TO RUNNING WATER - THROW; IN FISH OVER SHOULDER - WALK AWAY NOT LOOKING BACK — Volume 5, entries 11628. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- FORK WOMAN BUYS NEW - NAMES IT MAN SHE WANTS TO; SEND AWAY - BACK HOME SHE WRITES HIS AND HER NAMES; [SURELY HER ABOVE HIS - EACH IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS]; WISHES - WRAPS AND TIES PAPER ON FORK - TURNS BACK; TO RUNNING WATER - THROWS FORK OVER LEFT SHOULDER; AND WALKS AWAY NOT LOOKING BACK - MAN SOON LEAVES — Volume 5, entries 11657. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- HAIR OF LOVED PERSON - SUGAR - BLUESTONE - LODESTONE; PUT THESE ON PIECE OF BROWN PAPER - OVER THIS PILE; TIE JOHN DE CONKAH ROOT - THIS LOOK LIKE 2 PIECES; JOHN DE CONKAH ROOT HERE IS SURELY ADAM-AND-EVE; THIS SMALL PACKAGE IS WORN IN SHOE TO HOLD PERSON — Volume 5, entries 11852. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
- RED PEPPER FROM GARDEN DRY AND MASH - ADD CAYENNE; PEPPER - PUT IN PIECE OF PAPER OR CLOTH - TIE - BURY; IT IN SOMEONE'S HEARTH BY TAKING UP A BRICK - WHEN; FIRE LIGHTED - THIS PEPPER BREAKS UP MAN AND WOMAN — Volume 5, entries 12600. Source context: "CHANNEL DE WORLD".
Entry 2107
Well, fo' instance, if yo' would give a woman a dollah, papah money an' if she didn't want chew tuh have any money at all, she would take dat dollah an' she would burn it to ashes. An' aftah she burn it to ashes she would open de palm of her han' an' she would blow it; an' yo' see, she would blow dat money in de othah han'. Dat's de same Way de money would go an' yo' would nevah be able tuh keep any - yo' will nevah be able to keep any.
Entry 2816
(What other illustration could you give me now, if they were burning a black candle on you?) If they burning a black candle on you? Well, you take - go and get you. (What do they do now?) Take a black candle and a piece of yellow paper, wrapping paper, and they writes the name down on it nine times, and then they writes the name of you on that candle, around that candle, and they wraps that paper around that candle and light it. And as this candle burns down, well, it's burning your name. They calls it to drag you - you'll suffer with headaches and all that stuff.
Entry 3541
Whut a woman kin do tuh make de man behave himself an' make him be happy at home wit 'er alone an' nobody else. Jes' lak she go on an' have con- nection wit 'im, take a clean piece of cloth, even now it might be a pocket han'- ke'chuf, but jes' since it's new, ain't nevah been used, an' jes' use dat at dat pahtic'lah time an' tie it up right tight. Tie five knots in it. But firs befo' she tie it, write his name on a piece of papah five times an' hers on dere five times.
(How do you write that on that paper?)
Write his'n lak dis an' turn it aroun', yo' see, jes' lak dis [demonstrates]. (You write his five times in parallel lines and then turn the paper around and write hers across that five times in parallel lines.) An' den aftah she write it on dere, she take it an' burn de fo' cornahs - jes' burn de little tips of de fo' cornahs of dat papah. An' roll it - fold de papah up, bring it tuh 'er an' be talkin' tuh 'im, "Ah mean fo' yo' tuh come heah. Ah mean fo' yo' tuh behave yo'- self an' come home. Ah'm tired of yo' runnin' roun' wit wimmins, an' ah mean ah don't want chew go out no mo' wit no othah wimmins, cuz ah'm enuff womens fo' yo'." An' jes' talk tuh 'em an' take dat an' put it In dat han'ke'chuf an' roll it up good - continue rollin' it up. Dis might be de han'ke'chuf but it's gotta be biggah'n dat. An' roll it up jes' lak dis here an' keep on rollin' an' keep on rollin' wit dat - wit dat name in dere, keep arollin' it. An' den take it an' sprinkle it good wit John de Conkah Powdah - dat's conkahin' 'im, John de Conkah Powdah. An' den tie five knots in it all de way, five knots clean on in dat han'ke'chuf [demonstrates] - dat's two, an' [put] three 'long heah, an' tie it jes' as tight [as you can].
(Then you keep tying it into a ball?)
Tie it into a ball an' put it - open a hole in de mattress, sew it up in de mattress an' let it stay dere. He'll be tuh de place he won't look at no- body.
(Now in fixing this handkerchief did she use it on herself or?)
Dey both use it.
Entry 3756
(How would you take that away?)
Well, de first thing yo' would do, would git dis thing - it's in a powdahed form an' den it's in a lump form, but dey call it dragon blood. Yo' take dat an' yo' wear dat intuh yore shoes, jis' de same as ah wuz tellin' yo' 'bout dat othah thing. Yo' wear dat nine days. Den yo' suppose tuh take dat out, an' den yo' supposed tuh take it an' put it on a piece of papah wit dose names written jis' lak ah done tole yo' befo'. Now yo' write mah name in one direction [demonstrates]. Dat's one person's name nine times.
(What one do you write first?)
Write eithah one, don't make any diff'rence, jis' since dey crossed. Yo' undahstan', yo' cross de othah name wit de othah nine. An' aftah yo' do dat yo' supposed tuh take dis piece of papah an' sprinkle it wit dragon blood dat yo' wo' in yo' shoe on it. Den yo' supposed tuh put a half box of salt on dat. Now yo' know how cookstoves are made, dose dat burn wood. Yo' supposed to put it in de ashpan of dat. An' it ain't supposed tuh burn all at once, but as de hot coals drop down, yo' undahstan', den yo' supposed to be rid of dat. (That will get rid of this thing, that woman did to tie him up - [this re- stores] his nature.)
Entry 3844
Prick yo' fingah an' git chure blood.
(Which finger?)
Dis fingah [demonstrates].
(The finger with the ring on, the ring finger of the left hand.)
Dat's it. Yo' prick it an' yo' git chure blood an' yo' write his name full an' yore [woman'sl name full. Den yo' make three rings aroun' dat wit de blood. An' yo' fold dat papah, yo' know, dis way, de two ends in, an' yo' bury it undah de no'th end of de house. Dat'll bring a person back tuh yo' regardless tuh who it is. It'll make him come back tuh dat pahtic'lah place. Dat'll bring anybody back. (If your husband has left, if you put the two names together.)
Entry 4575
Dey take de hat an' take dat ban' out of it.
(The band or the little bow?)
Yeah de little bow, jes' right heah [demonstrates]. Dat's a ole hat ah been hangin' up dere. Dey take dat little bow an' dey will take it an' cut fo' prongs intuh - dey cut fo' prongs intuh dis heah newspapah, jes' like dat little bow is [this makes an X or a cross]. Dey'll cut it jes like dat an den dey'll wrop dat in dere tight. Well, when dey wrop dat in dere, well, dey'll git some diff'ren' stuff an' put in dere an' dat'll make me go back. See, jes' like if I quit 'er, dat'll make me come back. She'll take it an' put it - take it an' sling it aroun' 'er wais' an' she's got me right off. See.
(By cutting out the four prongs, do you mean cutting all of that - like an X?)
Yeah, jes' an X - jes' like a X like dat.
Entry 4719
Yuh has some dirty undahweahs. Dey will go take yore undahweahs an dey will burn 'em. Dey have tuh burn 'em tuh ashes. Dey take it an' take 'em [ashes] wit 'em, see, an' blow it away dataway an' dat'll keep yuh on de drag, so when yuh got shoes, yuh need a hat; when yuh got a hat, chew need a coat; when yuh got coats, yuh need a pants. Dat keep yuh on de drag. Now, if yuh kin - if anybody yuh suspect, yuh undahstan', or whosomevah dat did so, yuh see, yuh take yuh dat parchment papah an' yo'd write dere name on dat. Den yuh write chure name roun' dat. See [demonstrates].
(You write the [your] name right around the [in a] circle?)
Yeah, yuh got dem in a circle. Take dat same papah an' burn it tuh a powdah. Put it in a plate an' blow. Yuh blow dat same luck back on 'em [this is return- ing the spell].
Entry 4934
Well, now, yuh kin take a woman's sock an' go tuh de graveyard, an' dig in de grave an git some dat wet soft dirt down in de grave, an' come back. Go an' buy yuh a new pair of stockin's in de sto' an' put dat dere graveyard dirt in dere, an' shake it up where it git all ovah de stockin's. Yuh bury dat stockin' fo' three days.
(The old ones, you bury them?)
No, yuh bury de new stockin's wit de dirt in it fer a few days. Den yuh take it out an' yuh have it crushed down yuh understand, an' den shake it where it won't be hidden but leave a few stran's of dirt up in de stockin'. Shake it out wherevah yuh put it. An' den yuh press it out good. An' don' chew carry it tuh 'er. Yuh kin mail it tuh 'er. It a new pair of stockin' lookin' nice wit'out bein' use [used] - 'spensive [expensive] pair of stockin's. Dey be lookin' nice an' all. All right, yuh take de stockin's den an' yuh put 'em in a box an' send 'em tuh 'er an' she put dem stockin' on 'er feet. In three days time from de time she have 'em on, she's in yore house. She's back in yore house three days aftah she got 'em - she's back in dere. (Now what do you do when she leaves you. You buy a new pair of stockings and you carry them out to the graveyard?) Dat's right.
(And you bury them out there or just put the dirt on them?)
Yuh bury dem out dere an' yuh git de dirt 'way down in de grave, in de middle of de grave [the frequent quincunx design]. See. An' den scattah a li'le bit [in the stockings]. Fole dem up in a papah where de dampness won' git tuh 'em. Ah don' mean jis' put 'em right down in de dirt where de dampness git tuh 'em. An' natch'ly [naturally] jis' de li'le dirt dat cheh put in de stockin' don' harm 'em. Den yuh put 'em [stockings in paper] down dere [in grave] an' let 'em stay dere fo' three days. See. Den yuh take 'em out an' kinda scattah dat dirt [on inside of stockings]. Shake 'em an' den press 'em out good an' smooth, an' send 'em tuh 'er. In three day's time she'll be back.
Entry 5017
In case of tyin' a man, keepin' a man, makin' love, yuh take dis sock. Yuh kin take a dirty sock an' yuh kin dampen it in some ole black molasses syrup, an' yuh roll it up lak dis nine times. Yuh roll it tuh yuh nine times. Yuh take yuh some brown papah an' yuh git chew a bran'-new cord string an' yuh wind dat nine times. Yuh tie dat.
(How do you wind that string?)
Yuh wind it tuh yuh. Yuh still bringin' it tuh yuh. An' yuh take dat an' yuh win' dat nine times an' yuh tie it. An' yuh put it right undah de middle, undah de centah of yore bed where yuh sleep. [This is a quincunx.] Yuh sleep ovah it all de time. Dat keeps a man down.
(You fix one of his dirty socks. Either one?)
Yes, eithah one of 'is dirty socks.
Entry 5025
Yuh kin take his name an' yore name tuhgethah. Dat's to keep 'im wit yuh right on. Yuh write his name on some brown papah lak dat brown wrappin' papah. Yuh write his name on [with] indelicate [indelible] pencil - new indelicate pencil. An' yuh put it [name] between 'is socks an' yuh sew it up wit No.8 black thread - de man's dirty socks. Yuh take dat brown papah an' yuh cut it jis' lak seat [bottom or sole] of dat sock. Yuh write his name on dat paper [cut in the shape of a sole]. Yuh write jore name on dat nine times, but joo write yore name on top of 'is fer nine times. Yuh put it between dem socks. Yuh sew dat up wit No.8 black thread. Yuh take drawin' powdah, yuh take steel dust, an' roll it up through dem socks; an' put it [socks] in yer mattress, an' he sleeps on dat. Dat'll keep 'im from goin' away from yeh.
Entry 5037
Yo' kin take de socks or de stockin's an' bury it at de foot of yore steps. Write his name on a piece of papah an' put it in dem socks wit sulphur an' brimstone, wit a little bit of sugah tuh make it sweet. An' bury dat at de foot of yore steps. An' as he goin' an' as he comin' in an' out, see he gotta pass ovah dat. An' 'is min' den will be, yo' know, tuh come home.
Entry 5080
(Get a piece of the garment?)
De sock.
(Of the person who is gone?)
Yes, an' he takes it NOT LARGAH DEN A POCKET HAN'KE'CH'EF. Taken dat piece not largah den a pocket han'ke'ch'ef an' take it tuh a runnin' stream of watah, tuh where rock run ovah - a stream from nature, earth, dat run ovah rocks. Wash it three times an' fold it up when it's wet, an' po'l vinegah ovah it, an' go tuh de graveyard an' git some li'le clay. Wrap it tight, real tight, an' put it in brown papah, three layahs of brown papah, an' turn it, twist it, an' den put news- papah round it, an' burn de newspapah off it an' let de brown papah covah it. An' den take it aftah dat an' wrap it up in a flesh [soft] towel lak dat. A towellak dat, one dose turkish towels. Take an' bury it in red clay an' let it stay dere seven days, an' den move it. Aftah seven days yuh'll move it. An' when yuh move it, den go an' bury it right by de rock, by dat stream, an' let it stay dere 21 hours, an' den move it - throw it away. She'll be back in 21 days.
(Where would you throw that away?)
Anywhere.
Entry 5133
De shoes, if yuh wan' tuh. yuh kin take 'em an' bury de shoes. But if she wan's yuh tuh come back, see she take 'em an' bury 'em at de front of de house comin' in, wit de toes comin' in. See. Den she let dose stay dere nine days. (Then what do you do?) Den aftah de shoes are dere nine days, she'll wrote a lettah. Den when he comes back yuh git dis heah [here] - write it [the name] nine times. An' git chew nine bran'-new needles an' pin it in dere. Stick 'em - see, yuh pin 'em like dis heah [demonstrates]. Yuh put 'em where he comes in. Put it [needle] undah dere, right ovah it [weaving the needles] in an' out [of paper with name]. An' he'll continue goin' [in] an' out. An' wit dose shoes buried, he comin' back.
Entry 5176
Dat's not handy fo' yo' tuh do. Yo' git de inside piece of 'is shoe, yo' undahstan', yo' kin git dat inside piece of 'is shoes an' yo'll take dat inside piece of 'is shoe wit 'is name an' yo'll write his name in dere on a piece of paper. But yo' got de measure of dat whole feet, yo' got de whole measure [when you have the insole]. Now, yo'll git chew a piece of papah an' yo'll put 'is name nine times. Yo'll put - lak if it wuz me - my name at de top, an' den yo'll write it crossways heah ag'in, nine times. Den yo'll take dat measure an' yo'll put cinnamon in it an' yo'll put White Rose Perfume, an' yo'll dampen it good, an' yo'll put dat an' yo'll roll it towards yo'. See, yo' fold it towards yo' jis' as many times as yo' kin. See. Den yo'll go tuh work an' yo'll put a bran'-new needle. Yo'll pin a bran'-new needle in dat yo' see, an' yo' kin eithah put it in a bag or eithah put it in yore pil- lah or yore mattress. Dat'll keep 'im home. (You take the inner sole and you write his name nine times and yours across it. You put that paper and the sole together, and put those ingredients in, and then you roll it to you. And you can put it anywhere around you or put it in the mattress.) Anywheres.
Entry 5236
Take yore left - take dis sole out chure left shoe, dat inside [insole] out chure shoe, an' yo' take dat sole an' yo' take solid brown papah. YO' EVAH SEEN A TERRAPIN? Cut it [brown paper] in shape of a terrapin. De shoe, dat's in shape of a terrapin. De shoe, dat's in ordah - now, if yo' wanted tuh Zingah a person, yo' know, fix 'em so dey be lingahin' all de time. An' yo' cut dis piece of brown papah an' cut dat shoe sole [insole] an' yo' ball it up in a new piece of homespun. Take dis piece an' de same shoe dat yo' taken it out of, an' slip it back in dey house. Yo' know, lak peoples shoe is settin' roun' dere an' yo' take de sole out. Well, maybe yo' be smart enough tuh git it back in de house, an' yo' put dis piece of papah in it. Well, de nine days aftah dey git tuh weah dis shoe, dey foot begin tuh swell up an' dere ankle an' yo' cain't tell [the cause of the swelling]. Well, if dey take dat piece of - DAT. SOLE DEY GOT OUT OF YORE SHOE, IF DEY MAKE 'WAY WIT IT COMPLETE AN' FO'GIT ABOUT WHERE DEY PUT IT, WHY YO'LL NEVAH BE CURED. DERE'S NOBODY IN DE WORLD WILL EVAH CURE YO'. (If you want to make this person linger, you take this sole out of his shoe. Now, what do you do with this brown paper?) Yo' take dat papah an' put it back in dere shoe, in de toe of dere shoe. Yo' know it's kind of a tissue papah, li'le thin papah. Dey put it in de toe of dere shoe jes' as fur as yo' kin git it. An' whenevah yo' do dat, dey weah de shoe. Maybe dey weah de shoe out an' don' evah know dat papah is in de shoe. An' when- evah dey do 'way fo' yo', jes' lak anybody come in wit anythin' an' throw it down an' fo'git about where dey put it.
(Do they put the inner sole back in the shoe?)
No suh, keep it. If dey git holt of dat dey kin git cured.
(You take that sole [insole] out.and you put this paper in the shoe?)
Put it in de shoe. Cut it in de shape of a terrapin.
Entry 5384
Ah've heard dat chew kin take de track, de lef'-foot track, an' read de 23rd chaptah of Psalms wit dat lef'-foot track. An' yo' take dat track an' yo' put it in front of yo'. See, put it on a piece of papah, a piece of brown papah. An' yo' stan' ovah dat track an' yo' read de 23rd chaptah of Psalms, see. An' in de direction, de way dat person go, at seven a'clock, yo' throw dat dirt lak dat. Dey gone. Den yo' read dat chap- tah ag'in de nex' mawnin' at seven a'clock, yo' see, an' yo' read it at noon. Yo' read it at seven at night de nex' evenin', afternoon [12 noon], yo' see. Dat's tuh drive yore enemies away from yo', if anybody's a enemy tuh yo' or any- thin' of de kind lak dat.
(Do you take that foot track up in any special way?)
Start at de toe an' git chew a shovel or some kinda sompin an' scoop it up lak dat, but take it all up [demonstrates].
(From the toe back to the heel.)
Yes. (After they have come to your house. Then after they have left, take up one of those tracks?) Yeah, take up one of those tracks. Or if dey'd apt tuh passin' or somepin othah - jes' anywhere dey have tuh walk in de dirt.
Entry 5472
Jis' lak ef ah wan' chew tuh move, yo' leave heah - jis' move from de place or somepin lak dat, leave out dis town. Well, ah would go behin' joo an' git chure track offa de groun'. See, jis' lak yo' goin' dis way an' ah'm comin' behin' yo'. Well, ah grab up yore right track dat way, yo' know, de dirt, behin' yuh, yo' see [demonstrates].
(From the heel to the toe.)
Yes sir, dat's right. Well, ah puts it intuh a papah or somepin othah so ah kin keep all dat dirt, see. When ah git it ah git it goin' [track going away] jis' lak daE. So - well den, ah goes tuh de cemetery an' gits some graveyard dirt, jis' anywhere, yo' know, about de grave, an' puts it in dere wit dat dirt. Well, ah put me some black peppah intuh it an' salt, see. An' den ah takes an' carry it onto de rivah somewhere, anywhere de watah's runnin'. Well, ah throws it intuh dat stream of water an' say, "Go, yo' devil, yo'." An' so dat night, ah reckon yo'll - yo' know, git goin' some way. Hit'll run yo' off, make yo leave.
Entry 5480
Take yuh foot track, git chah right foot, an' git choo some sulphah an' some gunpowdah, an' put it in a piece of brown papah. An' strike yuh a match tuh it an' blow it - an' light each cor- nahs of it, de fo' cornahs. It'll blow up. An' yo'll leave town. Anywhere yo're at, choo'll go, keep movin'.
Entry 5499
Jes' lak if he run aroun' wit a woman, yo' kin take his track - dat's yore husban'. Take his right track an' git de dirt out de hollah of 'is foot, 'is track. Take dat dirt an' put some black peppah intuh it, an' a li'le salt, an' wrap it up in a piece of brown papah, an' bury it undahneat' of yore do'step. Put a li'le of 'is hair in dere. An' he'll stay bne.
Entry 5549
I did [this]. Take it an' measure it, yore foot tracks. Take it an' take a rule an' yo' measure dat foot track.
(Both of them?)
Well, not necess'ry. Try tuh git de right feet. Git de right feet where de heart's on, de side de heart's on - git de right[!] feet. Yo' take dat. Take it an' measure it, den yo' bring it back home. Aftah yo' bring it back home [I interrupt]. (Do you bring it [foot track] back or the measure?)[Informant does not understand my noun use of word measure. Measurement would have been better.] No, yo' take a rule an' measure de foot track. Or prob'ly, yo' may not have a rule, might take a stick an' break it off, measure it. Yo' taken an' yo' bring it [rule or stick] back home. An' yo' git yo' a toadfrog, not a bull frog. Take it an' put 'im in a stove an' parch 'im. An' take some - well, yo' kin take or'nary [ordinary] papah, take a papah bag, if it's nes'ry [necessary] an' cut dat foot step out an' wrap dat up, an' tie it up in de chimley.
(Wrap this frog stuff [powder] in this paper that you cut out?)
Yes, wrap it all up in dat, an' wrap it - don't wrap it from yo', WRAP IT TUH YO', ALL DE WAY WIT YORE LEF' HAN' 'CUZ YO' SUPPOSED TUH BE DOIN' A PIECE OF EVIL WORK. DAT'S ALONG DE LINE LUCIFAH WORRED, DAT'S NOT ALONG DE LINE WHAT CONCEN- TRATED IN WIT WILL POWAH, WHAT SUPPOSED TUH BE DEALIN' WIT' DE ASTRAL FORCE. (Well, now what will that do, when you fix my foot track that way? What will that do to me?) Well, if yo' runnin' off, it make yo' come back.
(Oh, that brings you back.)
Entry 5571
Ah kin tell yo' how tuh hol' yore husban' or yore sweetheart. Yo' go an' take his track if he's goin' out de do'. Take a teaspoon an' git a teaspoon- ful of de lef' foot, of dirt. Rake it backwards tuhwards yore house. An' yo take dat an' carry it in de house an' a teaspoonful of table salt, a tea- spoonful of red peppah, an' write de name of 'im an' a woman, a woman dat he used tuh go wit, or eithah he goin' wit den [at the present time], three times, an' fol' it up an' burn it up in de stove. An' yo' take a teaspoonful of red peppah an' tie it up in a papah, an' write de name three times, an' put it undahneat' de bed. An' dat'll break den up, an' he'll come right on back home. (Now what you do: when he leaves home you take a teaspoon and you take a Spoonful of dirt out of his left track and you bring it in and put these things with it. Then you take a piece of paper and you write his name on it three times, and then the woman he used to go with or the woman he is going with now, you write her name down three times, each one three times, then you put something in that paper?) Put the salt and de peppah in de paper, a teaspoonful of each one. (Then you burn it up. Then you write the names down again? Three times each on another piece of paper?) Yes - yes.
(And you put a teaspoonful of pepper in that?)
Salt, don't put de peppah.
(The salt. Then what do you do with that?)
Fol' it up an' tie it wit a string an' put it right undahneat' de bed where he sleep at.
(That will break him and the other woman up?)
Yes.
Entry 5576
Ah went tuh a person [doctor] fo' dat, too. Now he tole me, he got mah name fust [first] an' hern [hers] second, an' he tole me tuh go back an' in meetin' 'er, take some ofde dirt outa de right foot - chew know, meetin' 'er. Well, behin' 'er dat's de lef' [not right] foot. See. Grab some of de dirt outa back heel, jis' a little small amount of it, an' put it in dis piece of paper an' roll it. Roll it tuh yo' all de time, see till yo' git it down tuh a small little papah. Den git nine needles, dat nevah has been on de flo', an' stick 'em in it. Take a little vasoline bottle an' drop dat little thing in it an' stop it up, an' bury it undah 'er do'step where she'll have tuh step ovah it. [The preceding nevah has been on de flo' goes back to the American pioneer cabin - probably to primitive man - which originally had no floor, the bareearth, sometimes packed level with the first log, being warmer and easier to keep clean. The word floor at least in pioneer English can mean the bare ground, always a place of magic. This also is one of the meanings of articles dropped: accident- ally, purposely, or mysteriously by spirits.] Ah had a boy crost [across] town done de same thing. His wife went back tuh 'im an' been [with him] evah since.
(Now in getting this dirt from her foot track you are walking behind her?)
No, comin' in front of 'er. (Oh, you are coming in front of her, meeting her. And you are taking the dirt out of which track?) Dis track ovah here, dat would be yore lef' foot.
(Out of her left-foot track.)
Comin' tuh yo' it would be her right foot - comin' tuhwards yo'. But still it's de left foot if yo' git behin' 'er. (Oh, actually, you get it out of the heel of her left foot.)
Entry 5592
Take his track fo' nine days an' put it in a little bag an' bury it, an' he goes away.
(Take his track for nine days. What do you mean by that?)
About nine days. Jis' lak yo' want 'em tuh go 'way, jis' take his track - jis' take nine of 'em an' put in a little papah bag an' bury it. He'll move. Dat'll run 'im off.
Entry 5597
Now, I heard that you can take and find a man's foot tracks, count nine of them, the right track, and you get a little dirt out of that right track [the ninth right track]. And you take the dirt and take a little piece of brown paper, and put the dirt in it and save it. And when you get a chance you get the woman's tracks and you get the same out of hern, the right one [after counting nine of her right tracks]. And you put both of them together and you put [to this combined dirt] one third table salt, and you make just enough of your water into it to make it mucky. And you roll it up and get a piece of rag and lay this piece of brown paper into the rag and fold it up into a ball. And get a strong string, cottonor something similar, wrap it up as tight as you can wrap it; and as you wrap it make nine wishes, whatever you wish them to do. And you take it and hide it in a dark place and let it stay. And that's putting you two together.
Entry 5690
Ah wuz tellin' [asking] a ole man about it one day, how tuh git 'er away from de county [Charles City Co.] an' she would nevah come back ag'in. An ah ast 'im whut wuz it. He tole me de firs' time ah see huh walkin' by huhself, tuh git 3 pinches of dirt outa huh right foot, an' git 3 grains of black peppah, whole black peppahs, an' wrap it up in a piece of brown papah, an' throw it in de creek at ebb tide, an' she would go away from de county an' nevah git back no mo'. Ah saw 'er comin' down de road one day. Ah know it wuz 'uh track an' ah started tuh git some of de dirt. When ah started tuh stoop down somepin spoke tuh me an' said, "Let 'uh go on, ah'll fix 'uh some day." So ah didn't git de dirt an' let 'uh go on. In a few days she wuz taken very sick an' died.
Entry 5695
Yo' take de foot tracks aftah it rains. Wait till it rains. An' when it rains yo' watch fo' dat person whosomevah yo' wanted tuh harm. Yo' watch fo' dem, an' when he done pass an' gone by on 'is business, why yo' come out an' git three tracks up. (How do you pick them up now?) Well, yo' pick 'em up wit chure han', jis' de whole track, yo' see. Yo' pick one up [demonstrates] lak dis an' yo' go an' yo' pick de othah one up. Yo' have a papah bag an' put dat in dere.
(You pick up three tracks?)
Yeah, an' yo' take a papah bag an' put dat in. All right yo' take dat an' put dat in, an' yo' go home an' yo' git chew a aig, yo' git chew some hot stuff an' some yeast box - de ten-cent box yeast box, do' [though] dey got a big box, an' yo' be ballin' dat up. An' yo' take dat an' throw dat in de rivah.
(What do you throw in the river?)
De tracks.
(What do you do with the stuff you whip up?)
Yo' whip all that up tuhgethah, yo' undahstan', den yo' put it back in a heaviah papah bag, an' yo' throw it ovah yore lef' shouldah out tuh de Miss'ippi Rivah, yo' undahstan'. Or if it's a guttah where it's runnin' watah it's all right. [RUNNING WATER IN A GUTTER IS MENTIONED HERE THE FIRST TIME IN HOODOO.] Well, dat'll be all of it, see.
(What will that do?)
Dat'll jis' send 'im down, dat he won' talk. Yeah, dat cripples 'im.
(It won't send him away or anything?)
No, it jis' sends 'im down, he cain't do nuthin.
Entry 5707
Go out de fo'ks of de road an' pick up some kinda dirt yo' know an' git chure track out dere, an' carry it tuh a railroad. An' put it in a papah sack an' tie it on a carbox, an' when de train goin' - don't make no diff'rence how fur de train goes, dat car- box runnin', yo' follah right behin' dat carbox. (They have to get your track out of the forks of the road in order to do that?) Yes.
(They put it in the carbox?)
Right behin' de carbox on de bumpah [bumper].
(Are you a railroad man?)
Yes sir, ah used tuh be a railroad man. Ah heard dat in a railroad town once. Dat's de reason ah know.
Entry 5762
Yo' can't take de foot track up but yo' could take a magical sign. An' yo' would take a person's foot track dat runs like dat. Yo' gotta have what is called a fine piece of papah.
(A fine piece of paper.)
[As we shall see later, this is probably a cigarette paper.]
An' lay it right on dat track, an' take de material stuff from de end, where his big toe an' 'is heel, an' yo' more dan apt tuh easily draw de attraction of dat person on dat. But it's bad fo' dat person. Dat person - whut dat person have tuh run jes' wherevah yo' make 'em. An' den yo' git a hornet's nest, anyway a Wasp's nest, while he combing, makin' 'is comb. But yo' mus' set dat papah kinda in watah, an' put it dere, an' dat wasp take dat an' use tuh make a comb in dere. As long as dem bees exist, dey take dat papah an' watah in dere, dat man will be upsetted until he die.
[I summarize what has gone before.]
(You pick up just a little bit of the dirt from heel and toe and put it in this paper and you roll this paper up.) Yeah, roll it up togethah. (Then you put this paper where these wasps can get it and make their combs out of that?) Yeah, they make their combs of it, yeah.
(I understand.)
[We have here a fine paper, surely a cigarette paper, rolled about dirt from victim's big toe and heel track. As the wasps chew up the damp cigarette paper, they also chew up a portion of foot track to become part of the comb. Once again, as in preceding rite, the victim receives hot feet.]
Entry 5788
Now, de way yo' could stop yore foot track, yo' could take some - git chew a little concentrated lye, an' half-a pint of whiskey, an' 'bout a teaspoon fulla camphor, an' put it in dat bottle yo'understan'. An' also write dere name on it an' jis' shake it up an' down until dat.all come tuhgethah - dat papah an' lye an' stuff come tuhgethah. All right. Wheresomevah yo're at, if yo's in a location wheresomevah yo' be at, jis' bury it down right - jis' at de right side of de do'step, right at de right side of yore do'step. Well, den dey couldn't do a thing wit yo'.
(That would keep that person from harming you?)
Dey won't do yo' any harm.
Entry 5880
Dey say dey take three strand of yore hair an' dey would put dat in a piece of brown papah [for the black victim]. Dey would wrap some white bread Wit a piece of candy dat wus made up of coconut [sweets to entice victim's spir- it.] Dis thing is all wrapped togethah, [with] dis thread, an' den it would be cast behin' somepin dat wouldn't move, lak a piano, or some of dose thin's. Den fer nine mawnin's yo' go to dis place an' make a wish ovah dis thin', an' it would prob'ly make yo' suffah wit headaches, or prob'ly make yo' lose yore nid. Worry yo' so - evahthin' would worry, yo' jes' git vor- ried all de tlme. Dat is a thin' what dey clain Would do dat to yo' - wit chure hair.
Entry 5906
Yo' take yore hair - ah know whut dey says - take yore hair if yo' mnta kill someone. Well, dey say yo' take yore hair, it's a certain place dey git it right from de front - right from de front. Yo' have to git [demonstrates] jes' a little bit right from heah, or ketch it right back dere, see. (Either right from the forehead or either in the back of the head.) Or eithah git a lock right from de neck. Den yo' git a little of dat, whut [hair] dey use, an' yo' tie it up an' have some graveyard dirt. An' yo' put dis togethah, dis thing, an' den yo' go ahead an Wrg it. An' den yo' goes aroun' an' [something - see later] fo' nine mawnin's.
(You what?)
See, yo' go aroun' dere an' yo' say - yo' mus' [must] go to it. Yo' see, yo' urite dis here [see later]. Aftah yo' git all dis mess of stuff mixed up, yore bir an' de graveyard dirt. Well, yo' see, yo' wrap it in a piece of papah an' yo' write de person name on it, an' den yo' bury it. Den yo' go to it an' take Yore chamber lye an' wet it fo' nine mawnin's.
(You go to this hair - where you buried this hair. What do you do with it?)
Take yore chamber lye, git chure chamber lye, an' yo' wet it fo' nine mawnin's, an' dey say in thirty day's time dose people will be daid or dey'll be gone. If de're [they are] enemies dey'll have tuh move - dey'll have tuh go.
Entry 5989
If dey hurt chew wit yore hair.
(How do they do that?)
How dey do dat wit yore hair? Dey take yore hair an' dey wrap it up in a piece of papah an' git yore name an' put yore name in dere an' burn it, an' burn it undah de lamp. (Under the lamp?) Undah de lamp. See, lak yo' got a lamp settin', put it right undah de lamp wit yore name an' yore hair. An' dat'll - it jes' worry yo' an' run yo' away.
(I see. You mean just write the name on the paper once?)
Put yore name once.
Entry 5991
Say, fo' instan', if a man's got a woman an' he's got a little compe- tition an' den he git her fingernail or her toenail, an' den he gits some hair from de mole of her haid an' he take this toenails an' hair an' he'll put it in a bag, say, of a piece of red flannel an' sew it an' he'll write this person name nine times. (Whose name does he write?) He writes the individual that he's interested in. Be write dere name nine times one way. Write his name nine times across that name uhich make 18 names altogether. An' then he fold this piece an' he put this bag on top of this piece an' wear it right next to his heart, say, fo' instan', he pin it on de inside of 'is undahshirt.
(What is that supposed to do then?)
Dat's supposed to keep dis woman's mind to him all de while.
(The paper on which the name is written is not put in the bag itself?)
No suh, it's put on de outside.
(Next to his skin?)
Yessuh.
Entry 6018
[It happened] here in Wilmington, an' dey say dat she wuz hurt [witch- crafted, rootworked, etc.], an' it wuz put undah 'er baid, undah de range[?] of de house [see later]. An' said dey give huh doctor's medicine [medicine from a M.D.] an' it wouldn't do huh any good. So dey went an' dey see about some de othah doctors, an' he [this Othah doctor] sent a white lady dere. [To send a white lady was most unusual unless the doctor himself was white.] An' she went undah [crawled under] de house an' got dis package. [As I have noted several times in HOODOO, houses in the lowlands along the coast rest on pillars - large stones, bricks, wood posts - a foot or two above ground.] An' it [package white woman found (?)] had three grains of brimstone [for devil's work] an' nine needles, an' a little piece of huh hair in it, an' wrapped up in a papah an' tied down tight. An' dat wuz buried undah huh baid. [To plant cunjure beneath the house under the bed - cen- ter of, a quincunx - is a frequent device.]
Entry 6119
Git some of de hair out of yore haid an' put it in yore shoe, in de bottom of yore shoe. Well now, if it's a woman yo' put it down in de bottom of yore shoe an' yo' tote it, an' each foot Wrapped up in some news- Papah. Don't put it in no white papah, put it in a newspapah wit de lettahs on it. Put it in each foot an' yo' wear it. See dat's love. She got to love yo'. Dere's more diff'ren' ways yo' got to learn besides dat, but dat's about de bes' Wy dat it is.
Entry 6198
Yo' bury dat in a fig tree.
(This hair. Just how would you bury it in a fig tree?)
Yo' take de hair an' yo' burn it first. Yo' burn dat hair an' yo' put it [ashes] in some brown papah an' yo' take it an' yo' carry it to a fig tree. But don' bury it undahneat' de root, yo' dig a hole into dat tree, a small hole where evahthing small kin go in dat bark. Yo' see, dere bark on de tree, an' yo' jis' shove it way up in dere an' in de nine days dey gone. (WHAT WILL THAT DO TO THEM? DOES IT RUN THEM CRAZY, KILL THEM, DRIVE THEM OUT OF TOWN, MAKE THEM COME BACK? WHAT DOES IT DO?) DEY DIE! CAIN'T LIVE!
(I JUST WANTED TO KNOW.)
Entry 6239
They say you can meet people that go deep into that [work you inquiring about] and involve their whole mind in it. They supposed to can get contact with Satan at the crossroads, but the words that they say in certain ceremonies they go through with, well I don't know that part of it.
[At this point I probably ask how I could protect myself against evil work.]
There are several things you could do to protect yourself, but in protecting yourself you sometimes have to hurt the other party. Now, if a person is going to get, say HOODOOING me, well he's got to make me lose my mind if he possibly can. Well, I can go to another per- son [fortuneteller, rootworker, hoodoo] and I can find out that he's trying to make me lose my mind. Well, I can make him lose his mind before he can make me lose mine, as my only means of protection in that case. Now natchly [naturally] I'm an enemy to this person and I can't get up close to them myself, but if it's a man I can put some woman up to stay with him all night and get just a teeny bit of his hair on the left-hand side of the temple, on the left temple. And we take that hair and write his name on a new piece of paper, and we put that hair with salt and pepper in that paper, and we fold it very tight. Then we go to the woods at the beginning of spring and we bore a hole in a tree, and we take a hammer and nail, and we nail that piece of paper just as far up in the tree as we can - upto Che end Of the naiI. AND THE IDEA IS, WHEN THE SAP RISES THIS PERSON WILL BEGIN TO LOSE THEIR MIND WHEN IT REACHES THAT PAPER, AND WHEN IT GOES COMPLETELY UP TO THE TOP OF THE TREE, THEIR LIVES WILL HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY LOST; AND WHEN DE FALL COMES AND THE SAP GOES DOWN, THEY DIE.
Entry 6339
Ah heard dat chew kin take three stran's of a person's hair an' go tuh a runnin' stream of watah an' put it in dere, if yuh want tuh git 'em outa town - sompin lak dat - an' let it run down. Yuh know, dey put it in de watah in some kinda papah an' jis' let it go down de stream. Dat dey would leave de town.
(You said they wrap it up in some kind of paper.)
Wrap it up in some kind of paper an' let it swim, see. Let it swim downstream an' dat - dat person would leave town.
Entry 6340
Now ah tell yuh anothah thin' tuh send 'em away. If yuh kin git dis now. Now dis is purtty hard tuh git. Yuh don't git dis all de time. If yuh kin git a few strands of 'is hair, yo' undahstan', an' wrap it up in yellah papah an' put nine wrops in it, see [demonstrates by wrapping and counting] 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9.
(Wait a minute! Do you wrap it that way, the way you are wrapping it now?)
Comin' to yuh.
(It comes to you and goes out.)
Yes sir. An' yuh take dat an' put it in runnin' watah. Dat'll carry'i away.
Entry 6363
[Paper is a magic substance in hoodoo: type of (including imitation parchment), color, new, ruled or unruled, shape, etc. Folding and wrapping and tying are magic rites.l If he's got othah woman roun' an' dey ain't got de habit of hittin' it off, she could jes' jes' git a stran' of hair out de mol' [mold] of 'is haid, an' wrop it up in a piece of papah, an' jes' make a sack fo' her tuh weah yo' know, jes' sew it up in some of 'er clothes she's gon'a weah. Why he couldn't leave dere no time, unless he goes tuh 'is business - couldn't stay no longah.
Entry 6374
Well, ah heard it said if yuh git nine strands of der hair an' yuh wrap dat aroun' a cord nine times jis' lak yuh tyin' up a [package] - jis' aroun' de hair, wrap it from yuh all de time. Den yuh git chew nine drops spirits of tur- pentine an' yuh put on dat, an' yuh wrops dat up in a piece of papah. [You put 9 strands of victim's hair in a piece of paper, add 9 drops of turpen- tine, and wrap a cord from you 9 times about this paper pack- age.] An' yuh go an' put it undah de [house owner's or renter's] doorstep. Yuh put it undah dere evah mawnin' befo' de sunrise fo' nine mawnin's. Yuh put dat undah dere an' yuh go back after sundown. Yuh put dat undah dere an' yuh go back aftah sundown. Yuh put it undah dere befo' sunrise an' go back aftah sundown an' git it, den put it back dere ag'in befo' sunrise. Yuh go it fo' nine mawnin'san' on de ninth mawnin' dey [owner or renter] goin' be movin'. [Wrapping and winding, two important magic actions have not always been indexed in the past. There are in Hoodoo many examples of the former, especially wrapping to you or away from you. True winding rites probably will also be found in Hoodoo, they appearing in love rites of general folklore (see BALL OF YARN examples, FACI, 2nd ed., p.439). [Wilmington, N. Car., (294), 217:4 - 85+.1
Entry 6493
Now, if yo' got some of dis scrapin', lak ah said from undah de feet, throw it out. Have it in a papah an throw it out an' don' look back. Whichevah way yo' turn, yo' throw it ovah yore lef' shouldah an' keep agoin', but don' look back. Ah've done did dat too.
(What do you do that for?)
Dat goin' put bad luck on 'em.
(What do you mean by scraping under his feet?)
Yo' know dat dead skin.
(And where do you throw it, any place? Throw it out any place?)
In de fo'ks of de roads an' make a wish. When yo' scrape dat, yo' see some people scrape dat disaway. Scrape it back disaway. Put a piece on a papah an scrape from de toe back tuh de heel. Yo' kin put dat in whiskey an' he drink it an' he'll nevah leave yo'.
Entry 6890
If someone's tryin' tuh hahm [harm] yo', take 23rd Psalm an' read it three times evah day fo: nine days, an' write it an' put it down in a li'le bag an' weah it on de right side. Dat'll keep 'em from hahmin' yo'.
Entry 7174
Well, yo' kin place three names, yo' undahstand. Take it an' put it in 'is pajamas ovah 'is heart, an' he'll sleep sound until de nex' mawnin', slap [right to the moment] until yo' come back an' wake 'im up tuh git dat [piece of paper with the names] outa his pajamas. (What three names do you use?) Any three names dat choo know personal. Dose three names jis' lak yo' said John, Henry, Mary or Jane, anythin' lak dat. Yo' write it down on a piece of papah. Excuse me, ah'll show yo' how's it [how it's] done [demonstrates]. [Here I probably push my Numbers Book (numbers of inform- ants) over to speaker.] Oh! Ah kin show yo' here. Yo' see, write de three names; one dere, one dere, an' one dere. Den yo' fold it an' put it jis' ovah in 'is pocket dere, or if he is sleepin' in pajamas or undahsuit, or anythin' lak dat. Jis' lak yo' be playin' wit 'im an' slip in 'is, intuh where it would git ovah 'is heart. He'll go off tuh sleep. An' den he won't wake until yo' come back. [I suggest that these 3 names could originally have been the 3 Holy Names.]
Entry 7411
All right, dey kin take dat - dat man kill a man out dere an' he git away. An' dey wan' 'im to come back an' de law cain't bring 'im back. Dey take dat coffin, dat corpse, an' dey turns it a diff'ren' way in de house an' dey turn it in de direction dat he [murderer] went. An' de direction he went, dat de direction he comin' back. Dat body is turned dat direction. An' dey take some - write his name on some papah an' put it in dere, an' dey write it in de Name of de Lawd [Lord], but dey write it in vain [see later], an' say on dere, 'Lord, sen' dis man back. Turn 'im back, him what have killed mah brothah or mah husban', an' let de law git 'im." Well, he'll come back. Write his name on a piece of papah an' put it in dat casket, an' do it in de Name of de Lawd an' yo' do it in Vain.
(What do you mean in vain?)
Yo' gotta use a curse word, yo' see, an' den he'll be back in nine days. He'll return.
(I see.)
Entry 7444
[Well, when dey bury de man dat's dead, well, dey gen'ly [generally]
write de man's name dat is gone an' put it undah 'is feet an' up undah 'is haid, an' put a aig in 'is right han', an' when dat aig bust, an' as long as dat paper wit dat name is dere, when dat name goin' to rot, de man will re- turn. He got to come back. (You mean when the name is going to rot?) Rotten in dat papah, dat will cause him to [come back].
(You put one paper at his foot and one at his head.)
De man's name dat did de killin'.
Entry 7445
[My recording machine was 3 or 4 words late starting.] An' runs away, yo' take a dead person, yo' bury 'em on dere face, lak dat. Yo' take de man dat killed 'im an' yo' write his name three times. If it's possible dat chew kin git dis [dead] person's han' open, yo' put one name in dis han' [demonstrates].
(The right hand.)
See, an' yo' take a egg from a hen, white hen, if yo' kin git it. (A white hen.) If yo' kin git it, an' put dat egg in dat hand [demon- strates]. (In the left hand.) [Explained later.] If yo' can't git it in de han', put it as neah de body as yo' kin. Be sure dat dis name is in dis han' an' dat party'll come back an' give up.
(There's one thing about that. What do you do with the other two names?)
Jes' write de three names in dere an' put it in dis right hand. An' yo' put de egg in de lef' han'.
(You put the name three times on a piece of paper?)
Yes.
(I see.)
An' put it in dis han' [demonstrates].
(In the right hand.)
An' den yo' put de egg in dis han'.
(Put the egg in the left hand. All right.)
Entry 7467
Yo' take three black hen eggs an' yo' shore [sure] dey black hen eggs, an' yo' take an' yo' put - yo' half boil it [them] an' yo' put [demonstrates] one undah dis heah an' one dere an' one 'tween 'is legs. [One...heah an' one dere are quite all right while I watch informant's actions of pointing under each arm, but next week or next year I may not understand the words. That is the reason why I must always describe actions when possible, as follows:] (Wait a minute! You put one in his left armpit, and one in his right armpit, and one there, next to his privates.) In dere, yes. An' den yo' put on 'is clothes an' bur' 'im, an' whoevah killed 'im, dey got to come to dat spot an' dey be picked up.
(I see, they'll be picked up.)
Dat's for sure.
(I see.)
Well, yo' have to half boil dose black hen eggs - jes' halfways - to control dat dey won't be so easily rotted. Dey -yo wants 'em good enough to stan awhile. Use half-boiled eggs.
(I see.)
Cuz if dey are raw in handlin' de dead dey bu'st. A half day dey are bu'sted. (I see. Don't use raw ones because they might bu'st in handling the dead. That's the reason they boil them, so that they will be harder?) Yes, a little bit. An' de party will natchly [naturally] come back where he killed dat man an' want to be [taken].
[Informant now adds a variant of what can be done with the third egg.]
Put de party's name on a piece of papah - de one who killed 'im, write 'is name on de papah an' put it 'tween 'is legs wit a egg 'tween 'is legs. He has got to come to dat spot.
(I see.)
Entry 7485
Jes' lak if a person's goin' - jes' say yo'd walk ovah dis flo' heah. Now, yo' could take yore square yo' know an' yo' could take de measure of dat. Take de measure of dat shoe [foot track]. Take de measure of dat shoe an' yo' cut dat, cut dat jes' lak dis heah, yo' undahstan', jes' de shape of dat shoe. See [demonstrates], heah yo' go. See, yo' take dat shoe [track]. Yo' take dat shoe an' yo' measure dat. Yo' take dat up an' yo' watch it, yo' watch de shape of dat shoe. An' yo'll take, say a horseshoe an' yo'll nail dat right up ovah as yo' come - forty inches about dat gate dere - nail dat up dere. An if dey done did anythin' dishones', dey'll come back jes' lak a dead man, de per- son who made dat track, dey'll come back to dat place.
(If they killed anybody?)
If dey killed anybody dey'll come right back to dat place. (Do you put up this shoe track you make [from measurement] under the horse- shoe?) Yes, put dat undah de horseshoe. Nail dat horseshoe.
Entry 7628
Ah learnt dat yo' could git dirt out of a graveyard an' put it roun' a person's house an' run dem away. An' yo' could put it undah de house an' someone would burn de house down. (This graveyard dirt under the house?) Undah de house would burn de house down. An' if yo' sprinkle it roun' de house, why it would make de person move, dey couldn't stay dere. Ah heard dat when yo' git it, yo'd have tuh git it in a bag, put it in a paper bag, an' yo'd have tuh keep it separate from any othah dirt.
Entry 7629
Graveyard dirt in de mawnin' - 'long in de mawnin' jes' befo' day, yo' kin go out to de graveyard an' dig into a grave an' jes' at de end of dey foot wheresomevah a person is buried into dis grave, an' git three handsful of dat sand. An' put it into a red papah bag an' bury it. Keep it three or fo' weeks [first], [because] dis person dat chew love, it's [the length of burial time of dirt in red bag is] 'cordin' [according] to how colored dey are. Yo' kin make dem come back home in a certain length of time.
(What would they do with that dirt after they got it, could you tell me?)
[I wanted a detailed account of how time of keeping dirt depended upon the darkness or lightness of a person's shade of black or brown or lighter shades of a person's skin. My preceding question was a bad one because I ask for a repeti- tion of general information rather than the specific details about intensity of color. THERE ARE RITES IN HOODOO DEALING WITH COMPLEXION, especially those about candle colors.] Ah really don't know. Ah hear lots of 'em say how it's done. Dere so many Ways, ah would really not know exactly how it's done. Ah heered lots of 'em say it.
(Well, what do you get this dirt for?)
Yo' git dis dirt to make a person [come back home].
(You put this dirt in the red paper bag. Then what do you do with it?)
Yo' wrap it an' bury it jes' lak yo' would a package. Yo' know, Wrap up a package an' bury it undah de ground somewhere near about where yo' stay at.
Entry 7703
(This grave board?)
Dat's right. Wal, yo' take dat an' yo' draw de name ovah [offa] it, jes' lak dat person's been daid. Now, if a person's been daid an' yo' wants tuh see 'em, Wan' 'em tuh come tuh yuh or sompin lak dat, yo' take dat an' draw is name ovah [offa] dat bo'rd, steam it, jes' lak dat, an' yo' read de 37th Psalm, an' he'll come befo' yo' end [the Psalm] an' talk tuh yuh.
(What do you mean by drawing that name off?)
[Had the name been on a tombstone a rubbing could have been taken.]
Jes' draw it off on a tablet - papah.
(You just put the paper on there and draw it?)
No, jes' draw it off wit a pencil on de paper, jes' lak it dah [there] an' den yo' see, yo' put dat [paper with name] on yore haid wit de [while you read de] Bible. An' yo' read dat [Psalm] an' he'll come an' talk tuh yo', an' tell yo' whut chew want.
Entry 7719
Now, yo' take an' yo' go tuh de graveyard, an' yo' write her name down three times on a piece of papah, an' change on de stob on de grave, yo' know. Pull it up heah [de- monstrates], see, an' put it down heah [at the foot] - yo' take de haid [headboard] tuh de foot, yo' see. Well, she done left yo' an' yo' want 'ah [her] back, see. Take de haid [board] tuh de foot an' change it [with the footboard]. Dat's to come [to bring her] back. See, she have tuh come back dere.
(What do you do with that paper?)
Dat papah, yo' got 'ah [her] name on it an' yo' [demonstrates] put it down dere an' yo' put it [pour] in some whiskey an' drive it [footboard in hole]. (You put it [paper] in that hole where you pull up that headboard and put it [headboard] to the foot. Then you take the footboard and put it back in the hole in the headboard's place?) Dat's right.
(Then she'll come back?)
She'll come back. [Paying the grave spirit with whiskey is fairly common.]
Entry 7837
Wit graveyard dirt. Jis' lak, yo' see, yore ole man is left wit anoth- ah woman, yo' kin go tuh de graveyard an' yo' kin git some dirt. An' yo' git a nail jis' about 'er size an' den yo' write her name on a piece of pa- pah, an' yo' wrap it aroun' dat nail. An' den dat graveyard, yo' git a bottle, an' yo' pack it [graveyard dirt] in a bottle an' yo' put dat nail wit 'er name wrapped in it. Dat's called buryin' 'em. Yo' kin take dat [bottle, now a symbolical coffin] an' throw it ovah in runnin' watah, an' dat supposed tuh break 'em up.
(WHAT DO YOU MEAN A NAIL HER SIZE?)
Jis' lak if it's a small person, a low [short] person, den yo' kin git a small nail; an' if it's a tall person, yo' git de tallest nail dat yo' kin find. An' put de graveyard dirt in a bottle an' pack it jis' as tight as yo' kin pack it - dat graveyard dirt in de bottle - an' den yo' write 'er name on a piece of papah an' yo' wrap it around dat nail. Dat nail supposed tuh be her. An' yo' stick it in dat graveyard dirt whut's in de bottle an' stop it up real tight, an' yo' throw it in de rivah. Dat supposed tuh break 'im an' dat woman up.
Entry 7996
Well, dat little coffin, dat is de one like if a woman is in love wit a man. Well, she will cut out maybe a little doll or image of 'im an' dey take dat an' bury dat maybe perhaps by some canal or some place - some guttah or some of dat kind of stuff, like dat. An' dey keeps dat dere an' dis man can't leave out of de town dat he is in. Whatevah town he is in he can't leave out of it, as long as dat coffin is buried in dat town where him an' her is at.
Entry 8001
You can cut out of paper or you can cut them off from shingles and make the image of a person, and write the name and whatever you wish. Well, you can take this shingle and carry it and throw it in running water, or you bury it, or you can take it and hang it upon the side of a tree and let it blow away. That's if you want to run 'em away.
Entry 8018
On de first Friday of de month yo' see, yo' goes an' yo' git chew a beef tongue an' yo' split dat beef tongue jis' long enough where yo' kin stick a piece of papah in dere. Stick dat person's name in dere, write dat person's name lengthways. Jis' don' cross. Kin jis Write it longways, yo' know, jis' write it nine times de long ways. Ah don' mean no cross it, yo' see. An' yo' take aftah dat, aftah yo' write his name, den yo' take it yo see an' yo' stick it down in dat beef tongue. An' yo' go in de graveyard an' yo' bury dat, see. An' when dat beef tongue begin tuh rot, dat person begins tuh feel drowsy an' droopy, sleepy, jis' continue sleep until he kinda sleep hisself away. [Algiers, La., (1590), 2987:4.] [Material about bones from the dead has already been given in many places, among them: MOANING BONES, P.36; HEAD BONE, P.38; POWER FROM HEADBONE, P.282; POWER FROM BROTHER'S SKULL, p.283; DEAD PREACHER'S BONE, p.285; and DEAD GAM- BLER'S HAND BUILT EUREKA HOTEL WHERE I INTERVIEWED IN MEMPHIS BUILT BY THE DEAD, first quotation on p.1871, from p.1876, line 17 from bottom of page, continued on p.1877. I am dividing this subsubsection on bones into: (ea) WHAT BONES FROM THE DEAD DO, and (eb) TYPES OF BONES FROM THE DEAD. These two divisions of course overlap.]
Entry 8155
Well, yo' kin take a person's pichure, jis' lak a person mad wit chew. Jis' lak takin' li'le pieces, yo' take de li'le pieces [of torn-up photo] an' go tuh any graveyard where dey [few indistinct words] an' turn [unclear words] an' bury dat pichure, dey'll die. Yo' bury de pichure in de graveyard an' in nine days dey'll be daid.
(You bury it with this salt?)
De salt an' dis peppah. [The photo is torn into pieces, sprinkled with salt and pepper, wrapped or tied in a piece of paper, and buried in a graveyard.]
Entry 8210
Now if a man's wife leave him, or 'is sweetheart leave him an' he can't git her back, he takes an' he git a piece of papah an' he write her name. Write his name first an' hers second an' he writes each name three times, an' den call 'er by name. An' he goes an' he git 'er photo an' he goes an' git a glass of cleah watah. An' take dat pichure an' turn it head foremos', turn it head down tuhwards dat watah, jis' don' let it tech de watah. An' in three days why she'll be back.
(What do you do with that paper?)
[A rite of diagnosis (see pp.165-217) follows:]
Take dat papah an' yo' drop it in de watah first, an' if she's comin' back, why dat papah will, when yo' drop it in dere, yo' know, it go tuh de bottom when yo' drop it. When - if she comin' back, it'll rise up tuh de top an' it rise up tuh tech dat pichure. In three days den she'll come back.
Entry 8216
Git dey pichure an' it have tuh be a whole body; jis' lak dose pi- chures dere [on the wall of interviewing room] dat girl an' one de li'le chil'- ren, jis' de whole body of a person. Well, yo take it an' it have tuh be - not no papah, see. Jis' lak dem ole common [old-time] pichure. Yo' take a tintype an' yo' take it an' put it in a saucah wit de fellah, woman, or whosomevah it is, an' yo' write it nine times, see.
(What do you write nine times?)
Well, yo' put it on a piece of papah wit ink. See, yo' put it wit ink. (You write that name nine times on a piece of paper. Now where do you put that paper?) Yes, yo' put dat papah undah de saucah, see an' den yo' put de pichure on top of de papah, an' de saucah on top of all of it, mo' tuh de groun'. Den yo' take - yo' have tuh dig de hole six feet, an' den aftah yo' do all dat yo' see, well yo put de steel dust on top of it an' de red peppah, an' all dat diff'ren kind [of things]. Jis' lak dat, yo' know, fo' tuh keep dat tuhgethah, keep de whole thing tuhgethah. Yo' put de dirt on top of it an' when de nine days out, well debody's gone. He's goin' take sick befo' den, but in de meantimes he'll disappeah.
(Why do you put that saucer on top of those things?)
Well, dat saucah, dat's fo' tuh keep it down, yo' see. Tuh keep it mo' tuh de groun'. Mos' of 'em uses Saucahs. EVAHBODY MOS'LY USES SAUCAH WHEN YO' WANTA KILL SOMEBODY IN DAT LINE. (How do you put that picture in there? Do you [I probably demonstrate] put the face up like that?) No, yo' have tuh put de face down on de name.
(And how is the name? Is that name up or is the name down?)
De name is down. De whole thing is down, de pichure, de name an' evah'thing. An' yo' turn de saucah down. All dat down tuh de ground, tuh de earth.
(And you just go out and dig a hole any place?)
Well, YO' HAVE TUH DIG IT SIX FEET. YO' CAIN'T LET NO ONE SEE YO'. ANY PLACE IN DE GROUN', BUT IT HAVE TUH BE YO' KNOW AT NIGHT. Yo' wOuldn't Want nObody [to see you].
Entry 8303
Dey always tell me tuh take dis man pichure, if yo' got 'is pichure in yore house. Take dis man pichure an' wrop it up in a piece of papah an' stick a pin in it, a clothes pin [not clothespin], jis' a stickin'- pin, stick anywheres dere. Take it an' pin it tuh de haid of yore bed or 'er bed, an' all she den gotta do, tell 'im now, co'se she know 'er husban' name. "Yo' stayed 'way long 'nuff. Ah think yo bettah come back home." Dey say dat will bring 'im back home. Jes' a straight pin, one of dem straight pins, an' stick in dat an' pin it tuh de haid of yore bed.
Entry 8479
Well, you open that banana - you see, not far enough for it to be shown - and write that name and put it in, and put it up overhead and the apple too. That will keep them right there with you, just like that urine. That is supposed to make them care for you. [While recording Was stopped I asked informant about the 9 times previously mentioned.] You write the name nine times on the paper, yes sir, and put it in the hole, stick in the hole in the apple or orange or banana; just fix it up, you know, so it won't be laid open. Then you wrap it up into somepin. And then you put it up overhead, anywhere high. When you wrap it, you wrap to you like this [demon- strates] and put it up overhead where they pass by. [Wrapping, as here, is often a magic rite - see later margin title WRAPPING.]
Entry 8483
Take de black bottle an' set it 'hin' de baid, dat's whut ah heard, an' dey said tuh write chure name on dat bottle nine times. An' let de bottle stay 'hun' [behind] de baid fo' nine mawnin's, an' den yo'll come back home. Dat's if yore gone, see. (How do you write the name on that bottle?) Yo' write de name goin' dis Way [demonstrates] fo' nine times, den yo' turn dat roun' an' yo' write it comin' back 'cross dat way [demonstrates]. See, dat's de way yo' should write it.
(You mean you write it on the glass?)
[I knew the name was not written on the glass, but I needed an explanation without suggesting it.] Take a piece of papah an' write it on dat, put it around dat.
(Put this paper around the bottle.)
Yessuh, around de bottle, an' write de name dis way nine times an' den write it back dis way nine times. [After first name is written forwards, turn the paper upside down and write second name beneath first. This is called writing backwards, or forwards and backwards, or back and forth.]
Entry 8486
Well, it's - a woman kin take some of 'er blood an' take dis man's name; yo' know, write his name [with her blood] on a piece of papah. An' tie dis up in dis piece of papah an' tie a strand of thread around it. An' yo' kin sew it up in a mattress, or jis' sew it up in anything an' let it [stay] dere. Well, he will pine away dat way. He will die.
(Yes? He will die?)
Yes, sir, he will die.
(Just take her ordinary blood or her period blood?)
Dat's right, her period blood.
Entry 8487
Dey will take a brand-new ink pen an' pick dis fingah [demonstrates]. (That's the ring finger, next to the little finger on the left hand. All right.) Uh-huh, on de left hand, nex' tuh yore heart. An' prick dat fingah an' git de blood outa dat fingah, an' write de name on a piece of clean [new] papah, an' bury it tuh [in] de east cornah of de house, jis' facin' lak dat [demon- strates] east cornah ovah dere. An' make yore wish. If yo' had a gurl fren' or somebody wus in New York or some place an' make dat an' bury dat stuff, an' she'll come regardless.
(That brings her back to you.)
Entry 8493
Takin' dat parchment papah an' puttin' de boss name an' wearin' it in de left shoe wit his name on top - wearin' it in de left shoe. Aftah takin' it, take a powder - can't commit de name but it's a high-class powder.... Takin' dat powder an' po'it in dat parchment papah an' foldin' dat parchment papah Wit de boss' name at de bottom an' yores at de top an' wearin' it in de shoes, an' yo' kin be standin' there in de audience wit 50 mens, an' by some reason, he will come an' pick yo' out an' give yo' de first preference.
(Is it some sort of a love powder or smelling powder?)
It's a controllin' powder.
Entry 8504
Git me some white stationery paper without a line on it. Dat why ah say white. An' ah kin write chore name on it. See ah could write chore name on it an' slowly burn it each mawnin' as de sun rises. Zhoo know, jis' a li'le fo' de sun rises, start it tuh burnin' an' jis' smoth- ah it out. Jis' burn a li'le fo' each mawnin' fo' 9 days, dat choo would heah [hear] from dem. Dey comin' if dey have tuh walk an' hoboin', anything else. Yo' kin bring 'em right back here if dey gone.
Entry 8512
Take nine needles an' nine nails, an' also nine pins, an' a coconut wit a eggshell.
(An eggshell?)
A eggshell, an' dis quicksilvah papah.
(Quicksilver paper?)
Quicksilvah.
(You mean the paper they put around tobacco?)
[I am referring to tin foil.]
Yes, sir. Yo' take a indelible pencil an' write someone name on it nine times across.
(Over that silver paper?)
Yes. An' yo' write it nine times across dis way [demonstrates].
(You mean cross them like that, like an "x"?)
Yeah, an' den yo' cross dat again. See, jis' keep it all covahed up. Yo' are writing dere name backwards doh [though]. Yo' don't write it, yo' know, lak it should be, but yo' write it backwards. See, lak if yure name is WELLS, well yo' start wit dat SLLEW an' go right on lak dat. Write it fo' nine times, jis' lak dat, each way, backwards an' forwards, same way. Den, yo' take an' jis' put it inside of de coconut - take dis inside of de coconut an' take it tuh a midstream, an' throw it upstream, but it must be flowin' down, lak a drift [cur- rent], see. Yo' take dis coconut an' throw it out [into the stream] an' when dis coconut go down, dis person whatevah yo' wish tuh drift, dey'll come tuh dey can't be satisfied nowhere neah. If dey have no place, dey'll set out. Dey know dat yo' live in dere, an' dey'll come in an' dey won't see no peace at home. Dey are always on de go. Dat's if dey stay dere. Finally, dey'll git so dat dey can't stay in de house. Dey'll pack up whut dey got an' if de things dat dey have is too much trouble fo' 'em, dey'll take an' pro'bly sell it an' jis' go on adriftin'. Yo' pro'bly may nevah see 'em no mo'.
(What do you do with that eggshell and that stuff?)
De eggshell, dat goes intuh de coconut.
(Oh, that goes into the coconut.)
Egg, [coconut] milk, de quicksilvah, evahthing inside of dis coconut. An' yo' put it in dere an' yo' throw it ovahbo'd.
(I see.)
Entry 8522
(How do you do that?)
Well, yo' use a coconut to make a person come to yo'. Yo' take an' pluck out de eyes, but yo' don't let that water come out of there. And you take the name and put it upon this Venrick [brand name?] parch- ment [paper imitation] and put it in there, inside, and you seals it up with the wax that drops from the candle. And just roll it. Start from the front door and be rollin' back inside an' speak to it just like yo' speakin' to 'em an' call 'em by their name. That'll draw 'em to you.
(That will make them come back.)
Entry 8534
Woman writes man's name on four corners of piece of paper, makes wish, says Psalm, puts in bottle of honey, screws lid down tight, puts in secret place, man will come back, will be sweeter than ever to her.
Entry 8535
Take dat name an' write it fo' ways on a piece of papah. Write it disaway an' den write it dat way. Take it an' write it on each cornah of a piece of papah, an' yo' kin take it an' fold it up an' bury it. Dat'll worry 'em, jis' worry 'em...
[I stopped machine before death and had to include it.]
(Worry them to death?)
Yessuh.
Entry 8541
Git de person an' write his name. Take de first letter capital, write dat on. Write chure name under it. Bury it at de doorstep. If dey be in dere an' if yo' want 'em out, yo' bury it this way if yo' want him out; if yo' want 'im to stay, yo' kin put it this way. When yo' bury it that way, in seven days he'll be moved if he livin' in dere; if yo' don't want him in there, he'll go. (If you want him to go, you point his name away from the door; if you want him in there, you point his name in at the door?) Yes sir.
Entry 8547
If a person - jes' lak if yo' don't like them or anything like dat, well yo' write dere name on a piece of paper an' yo' take gunpowder an' sulphur an' bluestone an' burn it in de fireplace an' dat will cause dem tuh be in hard luck.
Entry 8554
Put de name on a papah, write it this way [demonstrates]. Cross it all the way up. Take that papah an' fold it to yo'. Always fold it to yo' an' that will draw 'em back.
Entry 8562
Now, jis'lak yo' goin' ast me mah name. Yo' know, ah gotta give yo' mah right name, yo' see. Well, yo' take mah name, lak ah says ah'm named Mary. Now yo' take dat name - gimne dat piece papah an' lemme show yo'.
[I PASS MY NUMBERS BOOK TO INFORMANT, WHO BEGINS TO DEMONSTRATE.]
(Cut it square?)
Yes. Look, see heah. Yo' write Mary right 'cross heah, see. (Diagonally across that square [oblong] piece of paper [in my Numbers Book]. Then you fold it in a triangle. Then you fold it in a triangle again.) Yo' see dat. Yo' know whut them ten-cent snuffboxes is. Well, yo' don' want a little nickel box, yo' wants a ten-cents box, an' yo' have me. NOW, YO' woRKIN FO'ME, DON'T CHEW SEE. WELL, YO' HAVE ME TUH BRING YO' DAT OLE SNUFFBOX, YO' SEE. Bog, yo' take this name an' put it in that snuffbox, see. Aftah yo' put this name in the snuffbox, yo' says three words, Father, Son an' Holy Ghost. See! Den yo put it in de box, put it in dat snuffbox, see. An' when yo' put it in that snuff- box - now, yo' know whut white lodestone is, don't yo'? Sprinkle on it. [During the Great Depression these little boxes, frequently used as snuff- boxes, could be bought in the Five and Ten Cent Store.]
(Sprinkle some of that white lodestone on it?)
Yeah, yeah, sprinkle it on there and shet [shut] it up an' yo' give it to me yo' see. Shet de box. YO' GIVE IT TO ME, yo' see, 'CUZ AH'M DE ONE GIVIN' YO TUH DO DE WORK, don't chew see? An' yo' carry it on to de rivah or where it's a runnin' stream. AH GOTTA CARRY IT MAHSELF, See, 'CUZ YO' DOIN' DE WORK FO' ME.
(You are my client?)
[OR SHOULD I HAVE SAID PATIENT?]
Yeah. Throw it in an' go on back home. An' in five or six or seven, eight, days, dey'll [I'll] go.
(Drive them away. You will come to me and say, "I want to drive Mary away?")
Dat's right. (And I would do this, and you would throw that into running water. Any special way?) Yeah, now listen. When yo' throw it in, see, jis' lak ah'd walk to de rivah, ah jis' throw it in an' come on back home.
(That sends Mary away?)
She gotta go.
Entry 8563
Dey take yore [bare] footprint, ketch de track wheresomevah yo' make it, an' picks it up an' puts it in a can or bottle, eithah one, an' writes your name down in it an' put it in a bottle, an' throw it anywhere where dey got runnin' watah. (How do you write the name?) Yo' write de name - lak whatsomevah yore name is, well yo' write yore fami- ly name first an' yo' write chure given name last. See, suppose tuh write chure family name first an' den write chure given name last. Yo' write it down nine times, wit a indelible pencil. An' yo' cross it. Every time yo' write it an' yo' put dat dust an' yo' cross it, an' den yo' put it in a bottle, or in a can, sompin dat chew kin seal up. An' yo' throws it splash into dat runnin' watah.
(Either foot track, it doesn't make any difference?)
Either foot track, jes' so long as dey git de track wheresomevah yo' put chure print, shoes or barefooted, eithah one.
Entry 8573
If yo' wants them to come there, sign their name on plain paper. Then they'll put this gunpowder in there and light and burn it. That brings 'em back. And repeat de Lord's prayer 9 mornings.
(Do you burn that just for one morning or for nine mornings?)
Naw, yuh burn it fer just one time but juh have to say de prayers for nine mornings.
Entry 8575
Ah heard that you could put sugar on the stove nine mawnin's an' after nine mawnin's, yo' write his name on a piece of paper an' stick it in de keyhole.
(In the keyhole?)
Yes, an' call 'im.
(Well, what do you do with this sugar on the stove?)
Burn dat nine mawnin's, dat's all.
(Just one of his shoes?)
No, sugar, SUGAR. (Oh, sugar. You burn sugar for nine mornings. And after that you write this name on this paper and put it in the keyhole.) Jes' write his name over it an' fold it to yo', an' hang it right over de key- hole. [Don't tell me the man is coming back through the keyhole! His spirit rather. The keyhole is the entrance for witches.]
(And you call his name?)
An' yo' call 'is name.
(Just once?)
Just as many times as yo' wanta.
(And he will come back.)
Yeah.
Entry 8577
Yo' could take a silk stockin' dat anybody's used an' had dey sweat on it, an' go tuh de fo'k of de road at twelve a'clock at night an' bury it. Yo'll take a brand-new pocket han'ke'ch'ef, any kin' dat a person is got dat sweat on, an' yo' kin put dere name down wit it an' tie it up nine times, an' bury it right at de fo'k of dat road at de hours of twelve a'clock at night. (What will that do?) Whut dat do? Well, dat's if yo' wants tuh do a person harm. Yo': see, dat's whut dere sweat take, any- thing dat have been used. But chew kin git de new pocket han'ke'ch'ef, an' dey don' have tuh use it, an' git dere name an' yo' kin do 'em harm.
(You tie that handkerchief nine times.)
Yo' tie it nine times lak dis. Say fo' instance if dis is de han'ke'ch'ef. Well, if yo' wanta do anythin' an' yo' wanta do anybody harm, yo' don' bring it to yo', yo' bring it from yo'. See, an' evah time yo' tie it, lak yo' take de end of de pocket han'ke'ch'ef an' yo' tie it once. Yo' have dat one piece of papah dere wit de names on dere. Yo' take an' put anothah piece 'cross dat an yo' tie it ag'in, until yo' make dem nine. Git de han'ke'ch'ef big enough dat chew kin make dem nine knots. An' yo' buries hit. Nine pieces of papah wit de name on it.
(The name of the person on each piece of paper written once.)
See, until yo' put nine pieces of papah, an' each piece of papah wit de knot. An' yo' bury it.
Entry 8578
[The lamp rites of this margin title once belonged to the New Orleans area of influence; itself and across the Mississippi River in Algiers, Mobile, Vicksburg, and Memphis. Whether these beliefs collected more than a generation ago are still popular, I do not know at the moment - June 12, 1974. Fashions in magic and witchcraft are constant- ly changing.] (What about that?) Well, that's like - the same as that is, but yo' is separated because yo' got another wife and she [the first wife or woman] loves yo' an' she wants yo' back. An' she write your name [nine times] - her name nine times backwards, an' yours nine times forwards on top of yours [see later expla- nation]. Well, yo' see, then she takes that and she folds it to her an' puts it in a lamp an' burns it. That cause zhoo to come back.
(What will she write first nine times, her name or his name?)
She writes your name first.
(The man's name first?)
First.
(Then - the woman writes her name then?)
On top of yours.
(Which one does she write forwards and backwards?)
WRITE BOTH OF 'EM BACKWARDS.
(Both of them backwards.)
Entry 8581
(How do you do that?)
Well, yo' write that down nine times on a piece of brown paper an' yo' fold it. Always fold it to yo'. Bring it to yo'. Make a wish every time yo' fold it. Wish that. An' put that in a lamp an' burn it. (Just burn the light in there?) Burn it, a low light all day. Never let it go out. And if yo' see it ain't workin' quick enough, then yo' take an' get yo' a candle. An' get yo' a pink candle an' bite de [bottom] end off it an' light it. An' put that - lay that [paper with names] down under it an' set that [candle] right on top like that.
(What do you mean bite the end off it?)
Just take it in your teeth and bite the [bottom] end off, that end what lights. Light it from de other end. Then take a knife an' cut down - make it, light it from de bottom.
(I see, turn the candle upside down.)
Entry 8582
Sho', ah kin show yo' somepin dat make 'em come back. Yo' take nuthin but a brown papah an' write her name nine times. Wrap it up wit brown sugah, not dis regular sugah we git. Yo' git de brown undryed [old- fashioned crude] sugah an' yo' wrap it up in dat name, aftah yo' write it nine times an' den cross it once. Dat'll make ten. If yo' got 'lectric [lamp] yo'll have tuh git a [coal oil] lamp an put dat name down in dat coal oil. Put it down in dere an' let de lamp burn. Let it burn fo' 24 hours an' in 48 hours she'll be back or tryin' tuh git in tech wit chew. If she don' be back, she'll try tuh git in tech wit chew. Yo jes' take her name on dat brown sugah, bag papah, not no papah yo' buy: Jes' lak yo' got sompin wit brown papah. Write her name on it nine time an' den write yores once 'cross dere. Fold it up an' put it down in de lamp, an' let dat lamp burn 24 hours; an' if she don't be back in de 24 hours, she'll be tryin' tuh git in tech wit chew.
Entry 8583
[Before turning on my recording machine I had evidently asked how a murderer could be brought back to the scent of the crime. Informant, unable to answer my question di- rectly, gave me a new version of the lamp rite, which must have started: There are ways to bring a man back:] but de law don't prefer that kind of way of getting a man. They put out a man-hunt at him. But like if his wife want him back, well all she would have to do is write his name on a black piece of paper, and put it under her lamp and burn that lamp for nine days. And each day that lamp is burning, if she burns that lamp twenty-four hours, when the oil goes out in that lamp, she puts more in it. And inside of nine days time he is going to come creeping around that house where she is, because that lamp and that nine Writings on that paper, that brings him back to her. And then the law gets him, if he has killed somebody. Write his name nine times on a black piece of paper, like yo' take some of those form sheets of paper, yo' know, like de indelican Part of it [carbon paper].
Entry 8588
Then if ah want this woman an' ah can't get to her, ah kin take mah e 'er name first at de top, my name second at de bottom, her name third an' my name fourth. See, ah ain't got to write it but four times. An' ah fold dat papah. Every time ah fold dat papah, ah fold it to me, an' ah leave it wit three corners, an' have all three of those corners turned to me. An' ah put dat in de lamp, an' ah lights dat lamp, an' ah'll burn dat lamp slowly. Ah turn dat lamp on at seven o'clock. (Seven o'clock in the morning or the evening?) Seven o'clock in de mawn- in'. Ah burn dat lamp slowly till six in de evening. Den ah turn dat lamp down low. See, ah won't blow dis lamp out. Instead of me blowing de lamp out, ah ketch it an' pinch de wick of it. An' see every time ah pinch de wick of it, dat makes it burn on your mind. Dat burn yore name into mine an' my name into yours. Well, dat draws de mind of yo' to me, see. Dat drawin' yore mind.
(You pinch the wick out?)
Ah pinch de wick out.
(Out of where?)
Pinch it plumb out, pinch it till it goes out. See.
(I see.)
As long as it burn - pinching on dat wick [demonstrates] ah'll pinch dat lamp, pinch dat wick plumb out.
(You pinch it with both hands?)
Yassuh, wit both hands till ah pinch it out.
Entry 8591
~ Den if he's in Chicago, Detroit, or any place, sits down an' gits chew a clean sheet of papah, an' write his name nine times on dat piece of papah. An' aftah writin' it nine times, yo' walks tuh de do' an' yo' says de Lord's Prayer nine times. Takes an' lights yore lamp an' put it in dat lamp, an' 'bout one grain of sugah in dere. Yo' know whut ah mean, not a grain but nearly 'bout a half a teaspoonful, into dat lamp wit dat coal oil in it. Light dat lamp an' turn it down real low, an' burn dat fo' nine days, nine days an' nights, an' wherevah he may be, he come dere. He cain't stay away.
Entry 8601
Well, mah experience. A stepdaughter of mah husband's, her an' her husband had got on a fuss an' he was workin' on de river-front. She used tuh often come to mah house for me to go off down there to look for him. He wouldn't come with- out her. So we goes over on Menassas Street by one of de river-front foremans an' we ast 'im where - a river-front fore- men, dat one of de men was overseeing of de work. So we goes by one of the foreman's house an' we ast 'im where was Billikin - dey called him fo' a nick- name. So he tole us where he was. He ast us, says, "Whut's de mattah wit chew an' him now?" She said, "He jest walked off an' he left me." He says, "Now ah wanta tell yo' what ah want chew to do." He suggested a plan to her. "Yo' go back an' git chew a writin' tablet an' yo' write his name nine times."
(Was this a colored foreman?)
Dis was de colored foreman. He says, "Now if yo' wanta bring 'im back, " he say, "yo' take an' write his name nine times on a piece of papah." He says, "Tear it [the ruled sheet] with nine lines." Say, "Yo' write his name nine times on that paper. Then yo' turn de papah an' write chure name nine times across his." Says, "Yo' take dat papah an' fold it nine times 'wards yo'. Yo' take yore pin an' pin this note dat chew have wrote onto de end of a lampwick, de lamp dat chew burn in yore room." An' says, "Number', says, "if yo' want 'im to come back in three days." four days." Says, "Yo' put dat number on de outside of dat papah, after it's been refolded an' pinned to de lamp. Den yo' put dat wick back in de lamp an' fill it wit kerosene oil, an' light it an' set it on yore dresser." He say, "he'll come back home." So we tried it an' he did an' he's back there yet an' hasn't gone back.
Entry 8602
Ah tole yo' yo' could wirte de person's name or yo' could eithah use a picture of this person, and you plaster this on this parchment paper. You write de name down under that. (You write the name on the parchment paper and then you put the picture down on top of that?) Dat's right, yo' can sew it down or plaster it down so it will be combined together. (Face down or up.) Face it inside next to de lamp, yo' see. Don't have it outside. Then yo' light that lamp if this person is away an' YO' SET THAT IN THE CLOSET SOME PLACE AN' SET IT BURNING. See, where nO one will suspicion. An' they will continue to be worried, their mind will be towards yo'. Well, they will eventually come. They are supposed tuh come in de course of nine days.
Entry 8609
If a man got a wife an' she's away from him an' he wants tuh bring her to him, he gits cinnamon an' he gits sugah an' he git honey an' he puts it in dat lamp an' he'll write his indivi- dual name down nine times on a piece of papah straight one aftah de othah... [demonstrates]. (The first name first and the last name last.) Yassuh. An' then he'll write his name down across that with a indelible pencil, an' he takes dat papah...
[I interrupt.]
(How many times does he write his own name?)
His name nine times right cross hers. Den he takes dat papah an' he folds it three times towards him. An' he'll git him some No.8 black thread an' he wraps it roun' dat papah an' ties it up, an' put it in dat rag an' burn it [in the lamp]. An' that'll draw de individual to him.
Entry 8614
De landlord - just like as if de landlord say he didn't want yo' to move, just say he was dunnin' yo' about money, yo' didn't have it. Yo' take a piece of white paper. [Long pause.] (Yes.) An' yo' put dat landlord's name down dis way nine times [demonstrates]. (One name right under the other?) Yes, sir. De same name, just put it down nine times. Den yo' take dat papah dataway [demonstrates].
(Turn the paper around, yes.)
An' go through dere three times.
(With what, his name?)
His name. (His name again, just his name again, three times. Altogether it's nine times.)
[Not 9 times but 3 times, informant corrects.]
Nine times thisaway an' three times thisaway [demonstrates].
(Making a cross, all right.)
Makin' a cross. An' just take dat an' put it undah a rug, or anythin' dat's in de house, where's [where it is] concealed. Just let it stay right dere.
(With the names down that way?)
De name's upside down like dat [demonstrates].
(I see.)
It's a chance dat he'll come dere an' collect next door an' pass yo' up.
Entry 8616
If yore landlord comin' as ah tole yo', write his name - write chure name an' write his name first. Write chure name twice on top of his'n an' take yo' a bottle about dat tall [demon- strates] or eithah a Coca-Cola bot- tle. Now, dis is fo' de rent. An' take yo' teaspoonful of dat lead sugah. [For lead sugar, see end of rite.] An' aftah yo' write dat name, yo' fold it dat way [demonstrates] an' den fold it dat way. Den take an' set dat bottle on top of dat name. Yo' put dat sugah [lead sugar] on dere first. Den yo' set dat bottle on top of dat. Den in less - in nine days dat'll take effect. In nine days yore rentman come, yo' kin tell 'im, "Ah ain't got all yore money, today." "Well, all right, dat's all right." Well, de next time he come yo' tell 'im yo' ain't got none. Well, yo see how it works.
(How do you fold that paper, now? Show me again?)
Jes' fold it lak dis [demonstrates].
(You fold it to you once.)
Yes, fold it to yo' dat way an' den yo' turn to de othah side an' den yo' fold it ag'in [demonstrates].
(Fold it to you again.)
Den yo' fold it back dis way [demonstrates] jes' enough fo' de bottle tuh sit on dat. [Here I turn off recording machine but turn it on again pick up the additional information.]
(You put the bottle and everything under the steps?)
Everythin' undah de steps. Yo' gotta put dat undah dere at night or sometime when dere ain't nobody around. [Since I did not ask for the identity of lead sugar, I must have assumed that it was sugar of lead or lead acetate, formerly used in dyeing and calico printing, a poison with a sweet, astringent, and me- tallic taSte. PUTTING A BITTER-SWEET POISON ON THE RENT COLLECTOR'S OR LANDLORD'S NAME I CAN UNDERSTAND, BUT WHY STAND AN EMPTY BOTTLE ON BOTH? COULD THE EMPTY BOTTLE BE A THREAT TO BOTTLE HIM UP NEXT TIME AND KILL HIM?]
Entry 8622
(Suppose I want to keep the law away from that bootlegging joint, what would I do? How would I keep the law away? Any particular way?) Well, they have several dif- (4) ferent kind of way to keep de law away, if yo' want de law dat is on dis beat. Now, well, let's fix up - we want de law away. Of course, if we go to work an' work direct on de police on de force, dat Wouldn't stop 'em from raidin'. Now, listen! Let's see what we going to do about stoppin 'em raidin' in general. All right. Yo' going to get de chief of detectives, yo' goin' to get de chief of police, yo' goin' to get de captain's name, yo goin' to get everybody dat's in authority over dat group, which, if they goin' to raid, dey'd have to go up to dese particular men before dey can make a raid. Do yo' get de idea?
(I see.)
It got to come from dem. Well, we'll start wit dem. We are not concerned wit de ordinary man, dat is, de common ordinary police officer. We get de head of 'em. Well, we take dat head in dere an' we are goin' to draw a round ring six inches from de centah - a round ring. We goin' to place all dose names in dat ring on parchment papah.
[No ordinary paper for the important police!]
(Six inches from the center - that is, the diameter will be twelve inches then?) Yeah, just de same [demonstrates] if yo' say six inches from here [center of circle] an' yo' just hold it [a string] dere an' yo' go aroun' [draw the circle].
(The circle is twelve inches in diameter?)
Yeah, twelve inches in diameter.
(All right.)
Now, yo' going to take each one of dose officers - see, de twelve of 'em dat's in authority. [Informant is surely thinking of the 12 signs of the Zodiac rather than the 12 Apostles; the signs to protect place of business from police all year.] Yo' goin' to place 'em direct in dat center an' yo' goin' to sweeten 'em up. An' aftah yo' sweeten dem up.
(How do you sweeten them up?)
Well, yo' can takd dis Lureen Oil [surely Zuring oil, an oil to lure the police], dat Oil of Lureen, when it come for anything beneficial, all good things, this is to use for dat most particular purpose [beneficial to oneself]. Like yo' can use seven drops of dat Oil of Lureen, an' aftah yo' use it round in dere, why yo' goin' to take what yo' call a tappan[?] beans come from Central America.
(What kind of a bean?)
Dat's a bean come from.... Central America, from Las.... G....de capital of Las....
(What do you call those beans, what is the name of them?)
Santoine[?] beans.
(Santoine[?] beans and where do they come from?)
Central America.
(From where? You said some place in Central America?)
Well, sir, G....is the capital of Las....but dey bring 'em from G....to Las.... an' dat's de seaport.
(I see. All right.)
Now, why each one of dose names I done going to take pure white thread. It made kind of like wit four corners an' it grows in a bean [pod] an' dere may be twelve in one bean [pod], eight or ten, like dat. Yo' take it an' yo' sew it right in de center of dat name. Like my name would be Paul B. Dickson. Where the "D" at, yo' could write it twixt de "D" right in de center. An' whosomevah [whatever policeman] go back there [in your place of business, you complain to him] an' say, "Well, this is a quiet zone an' they raisin' Sam an' singing over there. Ah can't sleep at night. How yo' want me to work an' I'se lonesome an' all of that stuff." "Well, all right, " [says the officer] "we'll take care of dat." An' before he [officer] gets out of there [your place of business], dat stuff [you prepared] got him. (How do you do that? You sew one of these beans on each one of those names? Then what do you do with that parchment, then?) On [a bean on] each one of dose name. Den yo' take dat parchment an' yo' just fold it in like that an' just take it ovah dere an' put it in [your] show- case. Just keep it anywhere. Then it has a tendency to - wheresomevah your funds at, yo' can keep it right in yore funds an' it has a tendency to draw funds.
(You mean, the money?)
Yeah.
(In your money box where you keep your money?)
Yeah.
(I see.)
Entry 8633
If he be done left her, you mean?
(Yes.)
An' he living with another woman? Well, yo' take an' write his name down again, an' yo' get yo' some red peppah - yo' see, this cayenne red peppah. Well, yo' get yo' some red peppah an' yo' get yo' nine needles, brand-new needles what have never been used. An' yo' get yo' nine new pins. An' yo' stick all of dem needles an' dem pins in de wall cater- corner. An' yo' put it in dere, wit yo' know, hot peppah what yo' put on yore food [pepper sauce]. Yo' take de cayenne red peppah an' de hot peppah [sauce] an' de nine needles an' de nine pins [and the name see later] an' yo' put dat in a lemon. An' yo' bury it anywhere in de back yard, see. An' dat will break dem two people up, an' make yo' an' him come back to- gethah again. I done seen dat did.
(Well, how did she write his name in the beginning?)
Write his name? Well, just like a person's first name, like somebody is named Andrew Edmund or any name like dat. Well, yo' see, yo' put [instead of putting] Andred Edmund, put Edmund Andrew. See, yo' put it backwards, till yo' write it nine times. An' den yo' FOLD IT LIKE A HEART, COMIN' TO YO', & an' dat foldin' 'im to yo' all de time. An' yo' bury it in de backyard. An' yo' just leave it stay dere until it molds away. An' in about nine or ten day's time, his mind gets off of this othah woman an' gets back on yo', an' dat makes him leave 'er an' comes back to yo'.
(I see.) You put this name and that other mixture?)
Yes, de pins an' de needles all togethah.
Entry 8642
How long yo' goin' to be here?
(I'm going to be here all this week, I think.)
WELL, YO' KNOW THIS FELLOW CALLED MACK [SEE LATER] THAT BROUGHT ME HERE. WELL, JUST BEFORE YOU GET TO LEAVE THIS TOWN, YOU COME SIT DOWN TO ME AND I'LL GIVE YOU A WHOLE LECTURE. NOW, I KIND OF KNOW WHAT YOU WANT [ARE] BUT I DON'T LIKE TO TALK TOO FAST. An' I [was brought up with this] an' my grandfather could de practically any- thing that he wanted to in that line. Yo' see, an' before he dies he instruct me a great deal and since he died I have improved more in that line. Well, you can learn more. Now, for instance, if yo' stayin' in this room here, an' someone would want to make yo' move out of this room, they would get a lemon, they would get parchment paper, an' they would sign your name nine times, five one way and four the other [an unusual arrangement], with black pepper, red pepper, an' fold it up an' put it down in that lemon, an' thrown the lemon under the house, or either bury it. An' yo' won't be there very long. [The preceding fellow called Mack we have met before: We reached New Orleans at night... "I told Edward" (my contact man from Mobile) "I would not work for several days (I wanting to be with my wife), but he was to meet me for instruc- tions next morning. I wanted him to find an old-time taximan, thoroughly reli- able, who knew the underworld of fortunetellers, doctors, healers, and the like. He came up with Mack Berryhill (see ILLUSTRATIONS). No other person would have been better and without him we could have failed" (vol.1, INTRODUCTION, p. XXXI).]
Entry 8643
Hullin' dat lemon out, an' puttin' de partchment papah in dere wit de party's name on dat, an' puttin' some red pep- pah, salt, black peppah, sewin' it up an' buryin' it anywhere in de soil, or else tro' it in de rivah." Dat break up any party dat livin' togethah in comfort.
(That is to break up a man and woman?)
Yes.
Entry 8668
Well, yo' use needles in a.way dat a - say fer ninstance [an instance] yo' courtin' a young girl, an' yo' want tuh gain influence in a decent Way wit de girl, yo' understan', an' want 'er mind direct attached tuh yo'. Yo' take two needles an' cross 'em. Take her name - yo' first get 'er name an' 'er name's on a papah. Den yo' take two needles an' cross those two needles [through that paper] an' yo' wear dem inside of yore vest pocket, coat pocket, or shirt pocket. Den she will come an' influence with yo'.
Entry 8669
Yo' take an' git chew a pack of bran'-new needles an' yo' buy yo' a beef tongue. An' yo' put nine needles in it an' yo' take dat beef tongue an' yo' bury it toward de east coast of de tree, or right undah de tree in de no'th corner of yore garden or yore fence. Dat's tuh kill dem. Rill me or anybody else. It'll rot. Yo' put de name on de tongue. (All right. You didn't tell me that.) Well, ah'm tellin' yo' now. (Now, how do I know?) We-ll, ah'm tell yo'. (How do you put the name on the tongue, now? Tell me.) Nine time, an' on a piece of papah, an' pin it wit dem needles nine times. Nine needles, see. An' yo' pin dat an' yo' bury dat tongue upside down. An' when dat tongue rot, dey rot.
Entry 8670
Yo' take nine needles.
(Nine needles.)
An' yo' take de name of de person, yo' write his name down. Yo' see, dat's a man an' a woman's affair, too. Yo' see, yo' write yore husband's name down nine times an' yo' write yores three time ovah dat. Den yo' put de nine needles an' yo' fold it tuh yo', an' yo' wrap it up in de sock, an' yo' keep it undah linoleum or somethin' where he has to cross ovah it - pass ovah it - an' dat's to keep 'im kind [and easy to handle] yo' see.
(How do you write those names? You write his name nine times.)
No, yo' write his name nine times like dat [demonstrates]. Well, all right. Den yo' come three times across [demonstrates].
(Make it like - your name and his name forms an "x".)
Yeah - see - look. Look [demonstrates] dat's nine times, nine times, an' write three times [across]. Mine [a woman].
(You form an "x" - like a cross.)
Yes, like dat [demonstrates].
(And then you fold it to you.)
Yes, to yo'.
Entry 8681
Well, yo' can do a heap with onions.
(What for example?)
Yo' can take a onion an' write names an' open dat onion an' sew it up, put that in there an' sew that onion up. An' take that onion and put it somewhere where nobody walks. That does a lot of harm - mean things. (Do you just write the name once on a piece of paper?) Once only on the paper for that.
Entry 8683
Dey kin take a person's hair an' bury it an' cause 'em tuh die. Cut de hair outa de top de haid. Yo' can't git any othah part of de hair. Yo' gotta git it from de top of de haid, understan', an' wrap it in brown papah. An' write dere name on dat papah, an' cause 'em tuh - yo' know, jes' anything dat chew wish would go wrong with de body. Dat whut chew do wit a person's hair.
(You just write that name once on the paper?)
Yeah - yeah, jes' once. On some different things yo' have tuh write it three times, but jes' with de hair yo' kin write it once, on brown papah. It's gotta be brown papah, jes' ordinary wrappin' papah, lak dat. {Memphis, Tenn., (1518), 2695:2.]
Entry 8684
Well, yo' go out there [to a crossroad] for whatsomevah yo' want [to] be done. Yo' make a cross in dat road. Yo' go to a 'simmon [persimmon] tree an git a 'simmon tree an' cut [a piece off] about 3 inches, yo' know what 3 inches is. Yo' make a split in that, in that piece yo' cut off, if yo' wan'a stop 'em from goin' de way they're goin', if dey goin' roun' some woman, somepin like dat. Yo' always urinate on it an' make yore wish an' write de name. Stick it [name] right down in dat cut chew made an' drive it in de ground.
[This is one of a number of split stick rites.]
(Where?)
Right in that cross, where you make dat cross.
(At the crossroad.)
Yes sir, under dat cross an' cover it.
Entry 8689
Now, ah tell yo' 'bout de stockin's. He could take her stockin's - [she could] take his socks an' put 'em undah 'er do'step. Git a beef tongue, yo' understan', an' stick pins in it; but she gotta stick a pin dere every mawnin' fo' nine mawnin's till she git nine pins in dere. An' den take a pencil an' a piece of papah an' sign his name all ovah dat beef tongue [see correction later] an' take an' wrap it up an' den put it - jes' bury it in de groun' right at 'er do'. He'll come back.
(She also puts his socks under the door?)
Undah dere.
(Do they point them any particular way or just....?)
Jis' put 'em dere - jes' so he walk ovah dere to go back an' forwards. (Well, now. She doesn't write on that beef tongue, she writes on the paper doesn't she?) She writes on de papah.
(What does she do with the paper then?)
She takes de papah an' den she folds de beef tongue up in de papah. An' den she bury it.
Entry 8694
[There was] a man [a doctor] and he write - wrote in red ink.
(He had red ink?)
Yes, sir. Not ink, yo' know a red pencil, but red center. An' he write mine name, hers name an' - wrote de boy's name, an' de girl's name, an' then my name across it. And he [this doctor] said that would make them humble unto me. Yo' see, give me no more trouble. Well, it look like it did, see. Ah don't know. Ah know ah never did [have any more trouble with them].
(Then after he wrote those names, then what did he do with that paper?)
Fold it, fold it to him. Every time he turn it, fold it to him. Don't fold it away from him, to him. And [he] sewed it up in a little sack an' ah wore that, wore it out. That's what I experienced individually.
(You had to wear that?)
Yes, sir. (He wrote this girl's name and this boy's name like that [I demonstrate] on parallel lines.) Yes, sir. (Then he crossed - then diagonally he crossed your name on it with this red pencil? I see.) YeS, Sir. [THE READER MUST REALIZE THAT THE PRECEDING "PARALLEL LINES" AND "DIAGONALLY" ARE NOT FOR INFORMANT BUT FOR MY FUTURE UNDERSTANDING. MANY OF MY COMMENTS ARE ANNOTATIONS.]
Entry 8698
Then you can git a bottle of vinegar an' write de name upon a piece of Venrick parchment.
(What kind of parchment?)
Venrick [a trade name?] parchment. An' they put this in this bottle of vine- gar with cayenne peppah, see. An' they roll this bottle aroun'. Go to de back door an' roll it all de Way tuh de front. (Just a moment. Do they roll it with their hands or feet?) De feet. Dey kick it wit de feet an' as dey kickin' it, dey use de words, "As dis bottle rō' [rolls] ah wan' choo to do de same." (I see.) An' they take it an' dey bury it on de science [signs of the Zodiac]. Dey will do this work by science, by de twelve science [signs].
(Well, what sign would they use on that?)
On de Balance.
(Oh, the sign of the Balance.)
Yes, on de Balance; yes, sir. See, dat's when de earth has power. An' dey buries dis bottle bottom upwards. An' de next mawnin' they get up before de sun rise an' dey pour dat hot water on dat an' de bottle busts [bursts]. Den dey move.
(I see, it will make them move.
Entry 8704
They say dat yo' kin write a per- son's name on a piece of papah seven times an' place it ovah a doah, aftah dey comes in. Wait till dey get inside an' den place it ovah de doah. An' dey say, when dey go out, dey can't stop comin' back, where dey go undah.
(They keep coming back and forth?)
Keep comin' back where dey go [under] dere name.
(Write it like this right in a row [column?] seven times, that name?)
Seven times.
(One right after the other, I see.)
Entry 8723
If de man leave an' yo' Want 'im tuh come back, yo' git chew some sulphur an bluestone an' a piece of papah - writin' papah. Yo' write his name on it three times an' yo' put dis sulphur an' dis bluestone on dis papah an' yo' burn it fo' nine mawnin's.
(This same paper or do you take a new piece each morning?)
New each mawnin'. Yo' burn dat fo' nine mawnin' an' de nine mawnin' he'll come back.
Entry 8731
[Three is a numeral we have already met in this section about nomes. Here I have gathered together a few examples temporarily overlooked or not easily placed elsewhere. The rite preceding this one, THIMBLEFULS 3, could have been included here, but I preferred to index it under thimble:] If she want 'er husban' tuh stay home, she goes tuh work an' get her a strip of papah, a little strip of papah. She puts her name at de top an' she puts her husband name right underneat' of hers." She gits her a thin piece of cloth, yo' know, lak in de linin', lak in de linin' of a coat. Stick it right in dere. An' she'll sew it down into de seat of her bloomers. Den she'll git de same thing, her name at de top an' his'n to de bottom, an' she'll wear it in her shoe fo' three days. An' if he don't leave off runnin', ah don't know what [she could do].
(She makes both those and puts one in her bloomers and one in her shoe?)
Yes.
Entry 8739
Either yo' kin write de name down three times on a piece of papah, any kind of papah, an' put it in a lamp an' burn it in a dark place, an' dey'll return. Anything containin' oil, yo' kin burn it, yo' know, an' dey'll return.
Entry 8741
Ah've heard of a person kin write chure name on a piece of papah, an' go to a tree dat's growin' an' bo' a hole or eithah split a place big enough, an' drive dat name in dere on dat papah, an' let it grow up in dere, an' aftah so long a time dat person'll go clean away an' yo'll nevah see 'em or heah from 'em no mo'. Ah've heard of dat being done.
Entry 8766
Yo've got to get a plain piece of papah wit no lines drawn on it. Now, ah'm goin' tuh give yo' an idea. Ah'm goin' tuh write yore name. If yo' want tuh get even wit [someone], ah'll write yore name dis way nine times, an' ah'll turn dis papah aroun' an' ah'll write my name nine times until ah get it across yores. Den ah'll fold dat papah two turns, an' den ah'll put dat in a lamp...
(Fold that paper kitty-corner.)
[I try a folk term rather than catercornered.]
Now, dis what yo' call kitty-corner, see [demonstrates] ah'll take it jes' lak dis an' den ah'll take it again jes' lak dis. An' now when it's off, dat gives me a cornah here an' a cornah here. When dis is off, dat'll give me a cornah here.
(It's in the shape of a triangle.)
[Here as often, I am annotating for my future understanding.]
Ah'll put dat in a lamp or undah a candle an' ah'll burn it an' ah can make whatevah ah burn it fo'. Ah can wish fo' what ah want an' ah'll get it in dat papah what yore name wrote on. [For names in oil bowl of burning lamp, see, many rites under margin title LAMP RITES AND NAMES in present section NAMES; for ob- jects beneath burning candles, see section CANDLES, Pp.797-862.]
Entry 8767
(Yes, what do they do about that?) Ah've heard of dat. De way I undahstood it was dis way. Jes' like if yore name or mine, if ah wanted to see yo' an' yo' were away. Well, ah'd set down an' write yore name nine times three ways, an' fold de papah three ways, an' burn each end fo' three days, an' de ninth day ah'd see yo' - don't care if yo' was in New York. (I see.[ Well, now, here's the sheet of paper. [I demonstrate with my Numbers Book.] And you write the name how many times?) Nine times that way.
(This way?)
The same name, that's right.
(Nine times this way, one right under the other?)
Dat's right, nine times dis way.
(And then nine times this way, right over it?)
Over again.
[Informant demonstrates.]
(You are writing it backwards then nine times?)
Dat's right.
(Then, what do you do? Then what?)
Den write it nine times again, back de same way crosswise. See.
(Back this way again?)
[I demonstrate.]
See, write it dis way [informant demonstrates]. See? Den yo' write it dis way, den yo' bring it back cross dis way.
(I see.)
Den yo' fold in what yo' might call a angle.
(You fold it this way?)
In a angle, sure.
(And then this way?)
Dat's right. An' burn each end. Burn this end today, an' keep it fold, an'...
(You burn each one of those ends off [one] each day.)
Each day fo' three days.
(I see.)
An' de ninth day - inside of de ninth day, yo'll see de one, dat name yo' wrote. (I see. Now, I write it lengthwise of the sheet of paper and then crosswise, and then I bring one corner down to the opposite corner, three ways..) Den fold it.
(Then I fold it three ways: that way, and that way, and another way?)
It [folded paper] have three points. Burn each cornah off.
[I summarize.]
(And this will be shaped like a triangle and have three points, and you burr one point each day for three days, and the ninth day the person will come back, whose name you wrote down?) Which name yo' wrote on dere.
(You only write the name of the person that is absent?)
Dat's right.
Entry 8792
(Suppose you want to bring them back if they are gone?)
Oh, yo' kin do dat.
(How do they do that?)
Well, yo' kin, don't care where dey are, even if dey are dead; yo' see dey [dead], yo' know, dere spirit. Yo' kin take dis way: on yore left hand, tuh yore heart [demonstrates]. (Take the middle finger?) Yes, dat's supposed tuh be yore heart, lead [immediately] tuh yore heart. Well, yo' git a ink pin [pen often called pin and pin called pen] bran'-new ink pin wit a point dat's nevah been used fo' nuthin, writin' pin. Well, yo' take dat pin [pen] an' yo' pierce dat right in until yo' git enough of blood tuh write wit, yo' see. Yo' git a plain piece of papah an' yo' take an' write wit chure blood - write dere name an' yore name an' yo' buries dis papah at midnight wit de writin' down. No mattah where dey'll be dey'll come. Dey'll come. If dey dead, de spirit, yo'll see it.
(You'll see the spirit.)
Entry 8831
And they knows yore handwritin' - get holt of it, dey can.
(What will they do?)
Well, dey will take dat han'writin' an' dey kin cross-write yore han'writin', yo' see, so ah'm told. Cross-write yore han'writin', jes' like yo' write a lettah straight; well, now, dey'll go 'cross it.
(I'll write it straight?)
Straight, an' dey'll turn it [the paper upside down] an' go across it. (I see, just cross it - just turn the paper around and cross it.) Cross it, see. Dey turn de Papah aroun' an' cross it. Well, when dey cross it, den dey'll fold dat papah differently, yo' see. An' dey'll puts it in a draw, draw it with heat or watah, see. An' aftah drawin' it with heat or watah; de sweat from dat papah is what dey uses, yo' see. Well, if dey use dat sweat, dey got yore han' jes' de same, yo' see. An' dey put it in a bottle an' use it, cause yore han' tuh swell up. Dey put salt, peppah an' alum in it an' dey'll lay it in a place undah de step, an' it will cause yore hand to swell.
Entry 8836
They take yore han' - lak ah git chure han'writin' an' ah'll take yore han'writin', even if ah don't know whut tuh do, yo' git somebody else. Yo' take yore han'writin' an' put a smoothin' iron down on it an' take a smooth piece of white Papah an' put chure han'writin' down on it. Well, take a hot iron an' put it on de top [of the handwriting] an' dat'll draw jes' lak yore han' is kinda wet on de papah, dat will draw de dirt from yore han' on de clean papah. [For another example of drawing, see No.8831.] Yo' take dis clean piece of papah dat chew had de han'- Writin' in it. Den yo' take dis papah an' twist it lak dat once [demonstrates]. Git it jes' long as yo' kin till yo' git eight rolls [or twists] in dat papah. Yo' take dat papah an' yo' junk it down in a bottle. An' yo' take dat bottle dat chew put dat down in, in dere. Den yo' take salt in de pinch of yore fingah lak dis [demonstrates] eight times an' put in dere. Well, yo' take some watah lak yo' take a cowpas [see later for this word]. Boil de watah an' po' in dere off a cowpas. Yo' buys it, a cowpas, yo' buys it from de drug sto'. Dat's if somebody gittin' poisoned, yo' see, cowpassin'. Yo' buy it from de drug' sto'. (Is that what they give dogs? Something like that, what they give to the dogs?) Well, ah guess, but ah nevah see dem give it to de dogs. [I think informant is speaking about copperas, a word pronounced in many ways and occurring frequently in the text.]
(What color is it?)
It's jes' lak silvahwhite, funny-lookin' stuff. Well, yo' boil it an' puts it on dis papah. Well, see, dat stuff is tuh - eat, chew know, de papah by de- grees. Well, as it eat dis papah by degrees, dat's eatin' yo', puttin' de spell on yo' jes' as de papah eat. But yo' gotta put dis back in runnin' watah. Yo' can't keep it out until finely [finally] de papah's et [eaten] up an' de bottle is all busted an' yo' see it all gone tuh watah. Well, it's no cure fo' yo'.
(That eats you up, you say?)
It jes' eats yo' up. Yo' see people look lak dey has some kinda vener'al disease. Yo' know, look lak a sore break on yo' dere an' a sore break on yo' heah, an' when yo' git dat healed somepin else broke out on yo'. Firs' thing yo' know yo' pass away. (You put this clean piece of paper on the letter in order to draw out the perspiration - around this perspiration.) Wit a hot iron, not too hot iron, but jes' a...
Entry 8855
[Yo' do this] wit nine needles. An' if ah'm gone an' yo' wanta heah from me an' yo' wanta break me up from where ah'm at, yo' take nine needles an' yo' take a piece of papah. Yo' evah hear'd of dis parchment papah? (I understand.) All right. Yo' take dat parch- ment papah an' write my name on it. Write Emmaline Williams on it, yo undah- stand, an' stick a needle all.de'long [along] in dere. An' yo' stick one dis way an' one dat way, one upside down an' one straight down.
(One with the head up and one with the head down Alternate them?)
[Often with needles or pins called heads and tails.]
Yes, zigzag. Yo' put dem in a lettah an' say, "Ah wish, ah wish, ah wish, tuh God, if dis lettah reach 'er, an' will tear 'er from wheresomevah she be's." Dat will bring 'em.
(You don't send the letter?)
Yassuh, yo' send it to 'em. Yo' see, yo' don't leave 'em out in public. Yo' take anothah piece of papah an' put ovah dat parchment papah, yo' undahstan'.
Entry 8861
If yo' wanted a job from a fellah, dere a man - jis' lak yo' wanted a job uptown an' yo' done been dere two or three times an' yo' can't git dat job. Well, yo' goes back an' yo' gits a piece of papah an' yo' write on it, write on dat papah an' carry it dere.
(Where do you write on it?)
Jis' write any place, jis' mark on it. Yo' take some talcum powdah an' put it in dere. Put it in de papah an' yo' jis' put it right where de man have tuh walk ovah it fo' 'bout five or six mawnin's. (And then he'll have to give you the job?) [In this and the two following beliefs, TALCUM POWDER sounds very much like TALKIN' POWDER!]
Entry 8921
Now, if anyone has stole anythin' from yo', yo' go tuh some runnin' watah an' yo' write his name on dat piece of papah an' put slime or mud, whatso- evah it 'tis, an' call de Three Great Names - dat's de Father, Son an' de Holy Ghost, "may he bring dis back to me, ' an' throw it ovahbo'd. An' dat runnin' watah hit'll run back to yore house, bring it back to yore house. He pick some chance tuh bring it back, 'thout [without] chew seein' 'im. [The preceding expression Three Great Names is rare compared to the more usual ones of Three Highest Names and Three Holy Names. (If you think that's the person that stole the article, you write his name on a piece of paper, and you put this mud on the piece of paper.) Right on top of his name.
Entry 8930
Well now, if you - like you was to take a dollah, say fo' 'ninstan' [an instant = an instance], if you'd take a dollah, or if yo' took mah glasses, or if yo' took anything out mah house, or anything yo' take from me, if yo' steal it from me in the street, I gits a red onion. Listen at me good. I splits dis red onion, but not let it come apart. See, yo' jis'gash it like that [demonstrates].
(You turn it like that, gash it through the side, not from top to bottom.)
Well now, you take an' git five drops spirits turpentine. Yo'll write your name on a cigarette papah. Like your name John James, I'll put in on a ciga- rette papah, put five drops of spirits turpentine, put that name [in the split onion], then put about two little pinches of cayenne pepper, an' spit in it five times, an' make yo' a woosh [wish]. An' then I take yeh [the onion holding your name] an' bur' [bury] mah things back. If yo' don't it'll run yo' crazy, if yo' didn't. See, that will drindle right on your mind 'bout choo takin' mah glasses.
Entry 8950
You will go to a creek where ther's water running at. You get you some of that sand out of the bottom of that creek. See, some of that white sand, and you get you some of that run- ning water, see. You brings it back home, you puts it in a clean basin. See, put that sand in the bottom of that basin. You puts that water in there. You take and you write your name on a piece of paper nine times. See. And you puts it in that water. Well, it's natural when that paper gets wet, it's going to sink under that water, you understand. That paper sinks under there and you stand up in it and you repeat the Lord's Prayer for seven times and make your wish. And whosomever got anything from you, they ain't going to rest until they bring it back.
(I see, if anybody has stolen anything?)
If anybody stole anything, it keep 'em tormented until he bring it back. (What do you mean by repeating the prayers seven times? You mean all on this one day?) Yes, sir.
(Or seven different days?)
Oh, no sir, just one time, yo' see. An' while yo' repeating that, that paper going to come back to the top of the water, you see. And when it come, it going to begin to float around, see. It float around, you see on that water. An' then you don't take it out; see, yo' leave that paper float in that water. See. And it's goin' keep him tormented until he brings that back. It going to create a fear on him, he can't rest nowhere.
(I see.) [New Orleans, La., (873), 1426:4.]
[Despite the following do-it-yourself rites about court cases, it was always advisable in serious crimes to employ the service of an expert, especially of a legendary person like Doctor Buzzard, who never appeared in court but sent an animal to do his work (pp.891-905). At an earlier date some witchcraft people could break up a trial by thunder and lightning, so it is said. Much of this court material is scattered throughout Hoodoo - see interview COURTROOM SPECIAL- IST, Pp.1423-1449, v.2; SIFTER AND SCISSORS, No.604, p.204, v.1; and especially a rite, No.9024 in this present section, one of the finest statements in Hoodoo; My amazing experience with Doctor Washington of Charleston, S. Car. He, using me as a guinea pig, explains how he could free me from the clutches of the law, if I were a bootlegger and had been arrested! This freedom he describes by asking me questions and then answering them himself - Shakespearian! Indirectly he will bribe the court through a go-between with the money I pay him in advance, keeping a part of it as his commission, and work his real magic with 2 black hens. Washington, after talking to me, had a fight with another doctor out in the court- yard of the house where I was interviewing. I refer to this fracas later while in Brunswick, Ga., after two doctors likewise had a quarrel outside the house where I interviewed (lines 5-6, 15-16, p.337, v.1). Washington, as also most other doctors, paid me the great compliment of my life, without any suggestion or pretense of mine. He and they considered me a hoodoo man from New York City! Big-city life would make me ignorant of animals that crawled or hopped or flew. Consequently he offered to help me by taking over any live-things-in-you cases coming my Way in Charleston - See DOCTOR WASHINGTON ASKS FOR DOCTOR HYATT'S "LIVE-THINGS-IN-YOU" CASES, pp.2253-2258, v.3.]
Entry 9034
Ah know a whole lot mo' about de frog. Yo' take a frog an' yo' take a cigarette papah an' yo' pinch out de papah, an' yo' put on dere whut chew want dis frog [called toadfrog later] tuh do: tuh bring Carrie back home or declare Carrie in co't or somepin lak dat. An' yo' take dis toadfrog be round dere [the nearby toadfrog], ole toadfrog. An' yo' take dis cig- arette papah an' make a ball, an' yo' put dis in dis frog mouth. An' if yo' goin' tuh co't, or yo' goin' an' want Carrie back home, yo' take dis frog an' put it undah where Carrie is stayin'. An' if yo' goin' tuh co't, yo' put de frog tuh de step [of the house where Carrie is staying] befo' co't, or have someone tuh do it. An' take 'im in a papah bag an' drop 'im down, on de can [if you carry the frog in a can], an' walk on an' don't look back, an' go out: 'bout chure business, an' Carrie will come home, or yo'll come cleah in co't.
(You make her go to court, you mean?)
No, ah mean, fo' instance Carrie has got a case in co't, fightin' [arrested for fighting] or somepin lak dat, an' dey got a whole lotta knives on Carrie [instead of a sword, knives are hanging over her head]. An' yo' git a frog an' yo' make dis [cigarette-paper] pill, an' yo' put it in his mouth an' put de frog tuh de step. Dat's fo' de co't. Den, if yo' wanta bring Carrie back home. Carrie is staying somewhere else an' she left yo'. Yo' take dat same frog an' yo' put it on dis papah an' yo' put it in 'is mouth, an' yo' walk by dis stoop late hours in de night an' between de hours of nine an' eleven-thirty. Jes' lak she stayin' heah, yo' put chure package undah de stoop whut chure frog would be in - in dis bag or in dis can or how yo' have 'im. Don't kill de frog. An' den yo' go on an' don't look back an' dat frog will bring er home tuh yo'. She'll come back home to yo'. Dat's anothah one - see, de co't an' de woman.
Entry 9070
[We have here the rare, perhaps only example of writing a white man's name on brown paper instead of the usual white. Is this a protest? Remember, the rite was collected before Martin Luther King Jr. marched on Selma! Though atmosphere and situation were changing, almost no one expected so much progress in such a short time. Is informant reducing prosecutor to the prisoner's level, asking what would you do if you were in his shoes? For the use of color symbolism, see COLOR SYMBOLISM, Pp.797f., and es- pecially the interview, NAHNEE, BOSS OF ALGIERS, Pp.1351-1386.] Yo' trial comin' up fo' de co't an' dey got a prosecutor, see. Well, yo' know fo' instance lak dey kill somebody or bootleggin'. Now fo' instance if de police find yo' an' he's de prosecutor... Yo' understan' me? Well, yo' gits a piece of brown papah. Yo' see dis heah brown papah. Yo' write dat guy's name on dat nine times an' yo' git chew a great big piece of ice an' put dat on de ice, an' he git dere he cain't open his mouth.
(You put the ice on the name or the paper on the ice?)
Put de papah on de ice, but yo' got his name nine times wrote dere an' yo' make yore wish, an' lay it on dat ice an' keep it all night. (Just on top of this cake of ice? How do you lay that piece of paper on the ice?) Jis' lay it flat or lay de ice on it. Lay de name nex' tuh de ice.
Entry 9107
Now, here's another way. If yo' goin' to de judge - sup- posin' yo' goin' down dere to Judge Landix, why yo' just take Judge Landix' name. Take parch- ment papah an' cut out just de sole of yore shoes, stick in your - sew it to de heel of yore shoe. An' yo' take his name an' write 'is name down nine times. He's a nine-months child, see.
(He is a nine-month child?)
Yeah, his mother carried him nine months. Yo' take yore name an' yo' write hit down dere nine times, over his. Yo'll say, "Judge, ah want yo', In de Name of de Father an' de Son an' de Holy Spirit, to have mercy on me today an' let me go. An' dat same thing, whensomevah dey call yo' up befo' de judge - yo'll have a lawyer dere to do yore talkin'. De judge goin' to ask yo' a few question an' de lawyer goin' to take part. Yo' just keep a-sayin' dat inwardly. De policeman get up an' make 'is testimony.'Don' yo' come back here no mo'." Ah say, "Thanks." Dat's fo' dat. Now, yo' use nine drops of Van-van fo' dat.
(How do you put that on?)
Yo' put dat right on - right in dat parchment papah an' den put it in yore shoe an' walk on dat, dat right shoe.
(Is Van-van an old oil?)
An ole oil, but yo' must know when yo' gettin' Van-van. Ah was kiddin' a boy here month befo' last, ah say, "Now, look, ah'm not in de business but, " ah said, "dis is fo' a personal friend of mine, an' she done gone down here [to where Van- Van is sold] an' got some [Van-van] perfume down [there]. Ah don' want dis othah stuff [she got]. Give me de othah stuff." Van-van [of good quality] is kind of
[hard to get]. [For Van-van, see p.662 and elsewhere.]
Entry 9124
Yo' kin take den, if yo' goin' be tried, yo' kin take sage, if yo' kin find it, de largest leaf sage dat chew kin find, an' write de twelve apostle name on dat sage an' put six each - write up de twelve apostle, put six in yore right an' six in yore left shoe, an' de jedge wouldn't have any case against chew. Dey'll acquit chew, even if yo' went tuh trial, but chew more den likely not tuh go tuh trial. An' if yo' couldn't git de sage yo' kin use jes' any or'nary white papah, but put some sage in each shoe. But write de names of de six apostle on each piece of papah strip separately, an' put six in one shoe an' six in de othah, an' make de numbah of twelve. Now, dat is true.
Entry 9135
Dat fo' co'thouse scrapes. (All right, tell me that.) Well, now, yo' kin take twelve fig leaves - yo' knog dere wus twelve disciples - an' yo' take twelve fig leaves. An' yo' git chew a bottle of ink, a bran'-new bottle of ink dat nevah been used, an' a pen dat's nevah been used, an' yo' write a disciple name on each one of dose leaves. See, yo' got twelve leaves, yo' got twelve disciples. An' yo' write dose names on dose leaves. An' den, when yo' write dose names on dose leaves, yo' take yore Bible. IT'S DE 35th PSALMS AH THINK. AH GOT MAH BIBLE HEAH, AH LAK TUH BE SHORE YO' LET ME SEE. [HE CONSULTS HIS BIBLE!] It's de 35th Psalm. Yo' take de 35th Psalm an' read it ovah dose twelve leaves. [Psalm 35 begins: Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me...] Den aftah yo read it ovah dose twelve leaves, yo' fold dose leaves tight, yo' know, small tubl gethah intuh a white piece of papah. It kin be a piece of writin' papah or a cleah piece of papah lak dis [something he may have had in the Bible] ah guess, but let it be white papah. An' yo' kin put dat in yore right pocket.
(All twelve of those leaves?)
Yes, jes' put it in dere, but chew mus' write de names on dere firs'. An' den yo' read dat 35th Psalms ovah dose leaves an' wrap dose leaves up. An' evah who gonna be tried in co't, let dem put it in dere right pocket an' dey'll cer- tainly Walk out. An' if yo' can't git dose fig leaves - sometime yo' can't git dose things, yo' can't git de fig leaves - yo' git chew twelve - use 'em fo' a tea, too - not catnip, sage leaves.
Entry 9164
[Preceding rites in this section have given us examples of turning household objects upside down before court. Here is one to establish the margin title:] If it's a bad case when yo' goin' tuh co't, choo turn yuh chairs bottom upward. Yo' turn evahthing bottom up. Upset things in yuh house. Yo' read de seven Psalm [Psalm 7] in de Bible. Aftah yo' read dat, den yo'll take de judge name an' yuh name an' put it in de bottom of yuh shoe. Yo' write it on parchment papah. Write his name, yuh name on topa it, an' put it in de heel of yuh shoe, de right shoe. An' yo' tote dese nine pods of garlic. Yo' have yo' piece of John de Conkah root, an' when yo' git tuh dat [courtroom] do', yo' spit three times. Den yo' walk on intuh de co'troom an' yo' spit tuhwards de judge. Den, if yo' goin' in front of de judge he'll be lenient on yuh. Yo git discharge.
Entry 9186
Well, firs' yo' find out dat man's name, de birthday, when he wuz bo'n. Den yo' look ovah yore solah [solar] system among de sun, moon an' stars [examine the Zodiac] an' see whut sign he Wuz bo'n undah. Den yo' take soml thin' [informant writes on paper] an' put it in a bottle, maybe a quart bottle, an' put a aig down in it an' let dat yellah off [omit yolk] an' bury it right up undah de house wit de signs of him [his Zodiac sign]. An' dat man come back home. Dat's de fact [truth].
(You write his name on something, and what else do you put in that?)
Yeah, yo' write his name an' de sign an' evahthin' dat he wuz bo'n up undah. Yo' know some people's [bo'n undah Neptune - not Neptune, but Leo de Lion an' so on lak dat. Well, yo' find out all dat an' yo' write dat down. Den aftah yo git all dat wrote down, den yo' write, "Ah want's, " whoevah it's name, "tuh come back home, '' an' put it right ovah in de papah, an' wrap it up in dat aig an' bury it up undah de house, an' he comes back. [Since this is a rite to bring back a man, the egg white probably symbolizes semen.] [Memphis, Tenn., (1521) 2712:14.]
Entry 9221
If ah wanted tuh run a pusson [person] outa de house, ah'd take me a aig an' put it in a brown papah bag an' ah'd thrash it up against de do', see. Break it, see. an' let dem sweep it out. See, an when dey sweep dat out why quite natchel [natural] it takes effect. (That makes them move out of the house. You throw this egg against their house before sunrise?) Jes' at sunrise. [My knowledge of sunrise came from before recording began. Since informant did not repeat word, I had to include it on the cylinder by a question. For another egg rite, but before sunrise, see No.9377.]
Entry 9242
And then you turn around then and want to run him away from her, yo' get a coal-black hen's egg an' yo' write his name on de egg. An' den yo' turn around and get a pinch of dirt out of the hollow of his right-foot track, and write his name on a piece of paper, and put that egg and that dirt in that paper, carry it and throw it in strong running water, all run one way [meaning not a tidal river], an' make yore wishes. An' go back to yore house an' get in yore door an' turn yore face out of the door an' wish 'im from yore house, an' he'll go away. [Out in the county from Suffolk, Nansemond Co., Va., (Doctor Frank Hall, called by my tired mind Frank Harris! in v.l, INTRO., p. XXIX. I hadn't thought of Frank Harris in years! Material from Hall was taken down by hand.]
Entry 9311
Yo' git a fresh aig an' yo' bust dat fresh aig. Yo' first write her name an' his name on dis aig an' yo' take dat fresh aig an' bust dis aig, yo' understan'. An' yo' take de yellah of de aig an' yo' throw de white away. An' take de aig shell, aftah yo' done bust it, an' Jis' crumble it up jis' as fine as yo' kin git it. An' den take de yellah of dat aig an' mash it all up in it, an' put chew a little black peppah in it. An' put it in a piece of papah an' rag an' bury it right up undahneat' de do'steps whah she passes in an' out, an' dere won't be no gittin 'long [along]. Dat'll separate dat man an' woman.
Entry 9321
Yo' put a li'le hole in it [egg] an' draw dat [raw] egg out. Take a person's name an' write it nine times...put it in that egg [shell] an' stop de egg up...throw it in de rivah. An' as long as dat egg'll float, drift down [the river], dose peoples will drag, will drift.
Entry 9322
(What are you going to do this for? What is the purpose of this thing?) Dat's tuh make 'em commit suicide. Yo' take 'er undahclothes an' her name, an' put it down nine ways. Yo' jes' write de writin' out till yo' cain't undahstan' it. [The writing becomes illeg- ible.] Yo' don't know whatsomevah it is. Den yo' kin take an' put it in a aig, see, an' throw dat ovahbo'd. Dat make dere mind, dey jes' go an' commit suicide. (You put this underclothing and this name - written on a piece of paper nine times - and put that all into an egg and throw that overboard. Then she will commit suicide in nine days.) [This rite is similar to preceding one, the piece of underclothing being very small.]
Entry 9399
If a lady wanted yo' tuh leave from yuh home, an' yo' had some chicken dat wus black, coal-black, an' yo' take three of dose aigs. De lady dat wan' shoo tuh leave home - lak if yo' wus married an' yore wlfe wanted yuh tuh leave, she would take dose aigs. An' jis' lak if yo' wus a man dat liked tuh drink an' she Would make yuh a aignog, an' take one or two teaspoons of salt an' stir it in dere, an' a li'le black peppah. Jes' enough where yo' maybe taste it an' maybe not, jis' enough tuh make yuh drink it. An' she would take some of dat same peppah outa de same hand [holding the pepper] dat she put in dose aigs. An' put 'em in a papah an' put 'em in a jah [jar] or somepin, an' stop it up fo' five days. She'll let it stay stopped up. An' den she go back an' open dis an' burn dat peppah an' stuff, jes' tuh where it git hot, an' stop it up an' bury it where dat yo' cross ovah. An' if she wants yuh tuh leave, some way or 'nothah somepin goin' happen dat chew'll have tuh leave. (She puts it in this bottle, some of the eggnog that has this stuff in it, after he has drunk some of it.) Yes.
Entry 9612
If you want a person to move, you have to take a stormy night when it is raining real hard. But you gotta take a couple of pods of red pepper and nine pinches of salt and you gotta burn it. Parch it in the oven to look like dirt you know and just cook it right together. Brown it till it looks like dirt. And take a plain paper, if you know de person's name- - you don't, you find it out. Write his name nine times forwards and nine times backwards. [To write for- eards and backwards means to write the name normally turn the paper upside down, repeating the name on top of the first one. This is called crossing names.] Then parch the paper, salt and pepper all together and make a powder. Den a stormy night like we done having storms and all, don't care if it raining hard, you go up to their hall. Don't look back [going or returning] and throw this stuff and come on out. And they'll move in less time from three to nine days. They won't stay there. They kin own the property, they'll rent it out, but they gon't stay.
Entry 9766
(Twenty penny nails. You mean onepenny nails or twenty of them?)
No. Twentypenny nails but ten of them. Twentypenny. Like you go to the hard- ware store and say, "Give me a dime's worth of twentypenny nails. (Then what?) You take - see, like that wall over there. You take your husband's name or your wife's name [on a piece of paper] and open a hole [in the wall] and put it in there. And drive ten of them nails with her name up in there and she'll do anything you want her to do. Yeah. Just nail 'em in there and name her as yo' drive 'em. Ten of 'em. [New Orleans, La., (851), 1319:4.] (h). INDEFINITE NUMBER OF NAILS
Entry 9791
Git chew two needles an' write chure name - write chure name first an' put 'er name on top of yore name. Git chew two needles an' stick it right up ovah dat do' dere [points to door of interviewing room] right up undah de [wall] papah. Put dat up undah de papah. Well, yo' stick de haid of de needles in de vall, but stick [the points of] de needles comin' in de house. Dat will bring 'er right back. She won't be a day comin' back eithah. (You stick that paper [with the names] up by putting these needles through it?) Yessuh, yo' put dem needles through dis papah yo' see ovah de do'. An' stick de point of de needles comin' in de house; not goin' out, comin' in de house.
(The needles will point into the house?)
[A portion of the wallpaper is peeled back, the paper with names dampened and pressed against the wall, and the wallpaper returned and held in place by push- ing the heads of two needles through it. There are variations of this rite else- where in HOODOO.1 Yes. Dat'll point 'er right on in heah. She ain't goin' out dere jes' as long as dat needle an' dat name up dere. She ain't goin' out.
Entry 9844
Dat's tuh fasten a man. Jis' lak yo' had a husban' an' yo' wanted 'im down, an' he couldn't bothah yuh about [what] yo' wuz doin' or goin'. Yo' cud take nine needles out a bran'-new package an' yo' kin take nine straight [new] pins. De needles have steel in 'em an' de pins don't. Yo' kin take a strip of papah jis' off a tablet an' write dis individual's name. An' yo' stick a needle comin' tuh tuh, an' de p'int, stick a needle goin' from yuh - comin' tuh yuh an' goin' from yuh till yo' stick nine needles. Den yo' stick de pins all one way, de nine straight pins, stick each of dose p'ints tuh yuh [demonstrates]. Den yo' would take dose needles an' jis' slightly, jis' [stick] lak dat [demonstrates], chew might say, abou' two or three inches in de ground. Aftah yo' put 'em in dat concernin', ah wanta jis' cross dis party's name. Den yo' kin turn dose needles down. an' yo' make yore wish how yo' want 'im tuh be. An' den jis' covah slightly wit dirt or somepin ovah it dat he may walk in an' out ovah it daily. An' dat'll keep 'im quiet. Dat'll keep 'im down.
Entry 9874
Jis' take his name on a papah an' open de frog's mouth, an' put dat man's name down dat frog's throat, an' jis' hold 'im right dere until he dies. An' den pass outa de house an' throw it somewhere neah de house, an' den he hops lak a frog.
(That man will hop like a frog.)
Yessuh.
Entry 9885
Take a toadfrog an' make anybody be out dere mind. Cut off 'is feet - yo' know, cut 'is toenail - ah call it toenail, an' put 'im in parchment [paper]. Tie 'im up an' bury 'im in a stump. [Informant may have omitted something here, such as writing victim's name on the parchment paper; but intention alone would be sufficient to power the rite.]
Entry 9967
Yo' kin take a frog an' put 'im in yuh pocket alive an' yo' kin go tuh a skin game an' yo' kin win all night long. Yo' kin keep dat frog, put 'im in a papah sack an' keep 'im till he dies, continue tuh keep 'im, an' yo' kin make any woman in de world do jes' lak yo' wan' 'em. (How do you do that?) Wal, yo' jes' keep dat frog - yo' see, yo' ketch 'im when he's live an' yo' gamble by 'im. An' den, if yo' keep 'im until he dies an' jes' put yuh hand on dat - he'll dry up tuh a powdah. He ain't nuthin but a powdah. Ah know yo've seen 'em layin' out in de road some- vberes daid. An' yo' kin jes' put yuh hand on 'em an' jes' lay it [hand] up on a woman, on 'er haid or face, anywhere, an' yo' can't run away from 'er. She'll do anythin' in de world dat yo' say.
Entry 9974
Dey take dat frog an' put it in a piece of paper an' put it in a back pocket, an' if yo' should go out gamblin', every time dat frog jump in your pocket, you bet or throw dice, why yo'll win.
Entry 9980
Jis' lak a fellah's gamblin' an' wan'a han' tuh gamble an' lak dat, he kin take - he wants tuh win in gamblin' - take a frog, one dem small green frogs, an' put 'im in 'is pocket. Put 'im in a papah sack an' put 'im in 'is pocket. Rub 'is han' ovah 'im about three time an' den put 'im in dat papah bag. An' put 'im in 'is pocket an' go on tuh de game an' break de gaime.
Entry 10157
You take the photograph and you take a new glass of water [new glass fllled with water] and a new saucer, white saucer, and you take the photograph yoa turn it upside down on top of [against] the glass of water. You take a F] red candle and you light it and write [on new paper] his name nine times demeath and write yours nine times on top, and you burn that [candle] three das a day. (What'll that do?) That is to bring him back, bring him to you. (Now I place the glass of water and this photograph I turn it upside down?) You hand [lean] it up with the feet up [head down] and the glass of water in the center of the photograph [photo centered against glass] and the name underneath it and the candle right in front of it. The name is under the glass. You write the name nine times on a piece of parchment paper, and nine times write yours on top. See, you always got yours on top and you got him underneath you. And put the paper under the saucer, and the water in the glass, and the picture upside down. And you burn that candle three times a day - a red candle. You burn it at six in the morn- ing, at twelve o'clock [noon], six in the evening; only three times a day.
Entry 10158
(You can wet it either with drink [alcoholic] or with perfume.)
Perfume.
(I see, all right.)
They have this oil they call gerangement [geranium] oil. You use that to make him stay at home.
(How do you use it now?)
Now you have to take this and write his name on a plain white piece of paper - just let it be a plain white piece of paper - with about a tablespoonful of sugar, and now, you take his name and you write it nine times, and yours nine times, but always on the top - always on the top of his'n, and you get a white clean sau- cer - but let it be a white saucer, and you put - you make a hole in a piece of pasteboard top, just a round [hole] that the candle can hold in it because it liable to fall. Then you take that sugar and you put that name and cover that name with the sugar. Then you put that gerangement oil on top of it - it's very expensive. You put that gerangement - it smells wonderful. You buy nine wax candles - that pure white candle - and you uses that. Then you take that white candle in them nine days and you use it. Now in the ninth day, if you don't see the changement in the ninth day, you burns this whole thing out and it makes a blaze. But it always - put it in a pan that it won't set nothing afire. That's in the ninth day. Now, in the ninth day, it'll make the difference in the ninth day - guarantee you. Don't care if you in New York or wheresomever you [are], you going to come back here. That thing will make you come back. It smells wonderful but it make you come back. Now, in that ninth day - don't cease to worry you - you kin tell when somepin [is] on the way because you feel all frightened and all worried and scarey, but that someone is on the way coming. And then, in the future, when you hear somebody knocking to your door and calling you quick, to see whsomever it is that's coming - cause I have did it. And dere's a man - it was in Kentucky - and I have did it. And I was so scared that I didn't know what was the matter. I hadn't seen him atall and was waiting for him for money and couldn't get nuthin. And when that man come, the woman come acrost and say, "Julia, there's somebody, quick, wanta see yuh." And all that evenin' I was ironin'. I just wasn't able to do anything because I knew dere somepin wrong, and when I made it to the door, dere was the man. I was so glad and happy to see him that I didn't know what to do. Well, when he came, he says, "Well, you lookin' all right." I says, "Yes, I'm lookin' fine." I says, "Well, how are you?" He says, "All right." He says, "Well, ah think ah come back to stay." Ah says, "Yeah, well, that's wonderful." I had a roomin' house and I was going with him then. He said, "All right." I says, "Well, how did you enjoy your trip?" He says, "Fine." When that man left and went on [left me again], I repeated it over again. It's expensive. They gives you that much [demonstrates] for a dime.
(This oil. Well, now, this oil, it's oil of geranium is it?)
Gerangement oil. (Gerangement oil. You mean it's the same name as that flower that grows in pots, that has red flowers on it and pink flowers. The same name as that?) It's a gerangement, yes. It makes a little red flowers and things, certainly does.
(All right.)
Entry 10159
An' a woman wants her ole man back for love, she'll burn a blue candle. Well, she put that [candle] in molasses an' his name - if a colored person [black strap] molasses an' his name - on it nine times, an' hers on top, under that sau- cer see with the blue candle [standing and burning on top of the saucer]. That brings him back. (How long does she burn that and when?) Well, she kin keep that candle burning [as long as and whenever she wants to]. That's for her husband or man.
Entry 10164
Take a pink candle. (One pink candle?) One pink candle and roll it in sugar and light it, and burn from seven to nine just on Wednesdays. In the morning and at night do the same thing. And on Fridays, on the same hour with that pink candle, that candle is placed on that, in front of those names.
(How do you write these names, just one name?)
No, write the man's name three times and yours three times on top of his'n.
(I see.)
And that will bring him back.
(Place this candle on top of that paper?)
Burn it in front of that paper and burn it on those names [not actually or top of names].
(And that will bring him back?)
Yes. (You only burn that candle twice, on Wednesday and Friday? You don't burn it any longer than that?) No.
(How long do you burn that candle?)
You use it - some kind of special candles [for bringing back person] and in doing that you burn one candle or two. Or I hear that you...it'll burn [a cer- tain length of time?].
(You burn it until he comes back?)
Until he comes back.. "Co'se yo' know, it don't always - see, sometimes it'll be, sometime it's two weeks.
(But you only can burn it on Wednesday and Friday?)
On Wednesday and Friday.
(I understand. All right.)
Entry 10451
If ah knows yore name, well at nine 'clock at night ah call yore name through a black art, which is cause an' [which is the cause of and contains] a witch, calling yore name. Only three time dat ah calls yore name, but ah wills mah voice will ring in de back [of your mind?] dat will go to yo' in yore sleep an' cause a worriation upon yo' de next morning. Yo'll be worried over de one who dat chew long to meet or who it is dat wants chew - womans, wife or gurl, or whatevah it is. Dey want chew at one 'clock in de night, when you [are] worst. When dey are sleeping dat seem to me as a better time to get holt tuh [hole to] 'em.
(What do you mean you call them through the black art? What's the black art?)
Well, dat's at night. Ah have - was sold mahself to contain of a witch, work- ings of witchcraft onto de body of de person.
(Well, do you mean you become a witch when you do that?)
Nah, ah wouldn't come [become] a witch [and fly away]. Ah stay home.
(You stay home, but...)
To my own house. Ah wouldn't have 'em dere. But using dere name, which you might call [like using] dis here 'lectric telephone. (That will make them do what you want or something of that sort?) Yes, dat will carry 'em to de house, but ah wouldn't tell you dat will make you stay when you git dere. (What would make them stay there?) Ah'm usin' dere name on it. Ah'd strip three verses out of de Bible, which ah would take de 2nd Kings, writin' dere name an' drawin' a ring round it with nine figures below - must be nine be- low dere name: dere wife's name or de woman's name down below dat. Put it into de mattress of de bed. (Then after this person has been called to go to this woman's house, that will keep him there?) Yes, got somepin to keep him off [away from home]. Whether he might wanta stay, ah don't know. But he [person I worked on] stay over dere yet. Dat's right heah in de city.
Entry 10556
Now yo' kin take a bullbat an' if yo' wanta tuh, jes' lak if some people, yo' know, dey play de bolito or somepin an' dey wanta dream a good num- ber. Well dey take dat bullbat an' dey goes out an' dey kill him an' git some of de blood, yo' know when it's running from him an' take it an' jes', anything yo' know, an' [with this blood] jes' write jes' whatever yo' wanta know, yo' see, onto dat paper, an' place it under yore head dat night, an't [and it] will come tuh yo' in yore dreams, jes' whatever yo' wanta know. Yeah, if yo' wanta git de right number.
Entry 10602
Now a fellah tell me fo' a fact dat chew kin ketch a bat an' yo' kin carry dat round wit chew jes' like: yo' would take dem wings off him an' don't have nuthin but de bat, jes' de little ole skin. Ain't nuthin but skin nohow. Take de little ole bat, de little haid, an' put him in a papah sack or a cloth. Tie it up - sew it up jes' lak yo Would sew up a little bow, an' carry it out in yore pocket. An' yo' kin go an' do most anything yo' want. Ah don't know whether dat's true or not.
(You take just the wings off the bat though?)
Take de wings off.
(And just tie up the body?)
Tie up de body.
Entry 10665
Git chew a apple, one dese big delicious apple. Hull it out. Aftah hullin' dis apple out, git some oil of clover, oil of verbena, Florida watah [trade name], puttin' it down on dat dere apple wit some honey an' his name on de parchment papah, an' put dat in a flower pot - one dose flover pot whut chew see on de po'ch. An' plantin' de flower in dat, an' set- tin' de flower in dat apple, an' as hit grows, yo'll [husband or man] fin'lly come back home.
Entry 10666
Yo' done used de coffee whut's in it [can], chew know, er [or] dump dat coffee out an' git chew a large apple. Hull it out, hull de core out of it, yo' understand an' den yo' git chew some honey, some cinnamon, an' parchment paper an' write chure name on dat. Brite whosomevah name on it yo' wants tuh send de apple tuh. Take dat box [can] an' close dat, er [or] pore dat honey right down in dat hole where dat parchment paper is, yo' understand, an' cover dat box [can] up an' put it down in a trunk or somewhere safe yo' know, so's [so as] ah can't find it. An' yo' kin carry me all ovah de country with dat thing. Ah'll follow yo' anywhere in de world yo' go. Ah don't ca' where yo' goes, ah'll follow yo', yo' understand. (You cut this hole in this apple, and then you write my name on this parchment, and you put that parchment in the hole in the apple?) Yessuh.
(Then you pour the honey down in there?)
Yes, den yo' pore de cinnamon down in dere, an' den yo' pore de honey down.
(Do you stop it up in any Way?)
No, sir. Den yo' take de top of de can an' yo' know... [demonstrates]. (You put the apple in the tin can and then you put the top on the tin can. That is all you do to it?) Den you put it in a trunk or drawer, somewhere yo' know in yore room, yo' understand, an' man, ah'll follah yo' anywheres yo' go. Ah can't git away from yo' no way in de world.
Entry 10667
Well, for instance, there is two parties together, like you would have a daughter and her husband and the husband and her didn't look like they were getting along well, and you want them to be together. You get a delicious apple and you will sign his name at the bottom and her name on top on parchment paper.[Core the apple.] You fill that apple full of granulated sugar. You fill that apple full of syrup or honey. The sweeter it is the better it is. You get you some holy water, you put that fern down in that apple after you hull it out. You see, hull the delicious apple out. You put that fern down in there. And then after that you pour the holy water on top that water in that flower pot. Now, as that fern grow, their love grow. Well, that fern, that put them together after signing their name to it, you see. Take a delicious apple, hull it out well, take the fern and put down in there, in the hollow apple. After putting it in the hollow apple, then you git you granulated sugar, pour it down in there, then you put your syrup, here come de holy water, then the dirt back on the fern, you see. You see no apple at all, it is at the bottom. Well, if the fern grow, their love grow; they get along like two birds in one nest. (They put the hollowed-out apple in the flower pot, and the names on, they put that there too. That brings this man and woman together.)
Entry 10750
Yo' kin write his name in your monthlies an' bury it up undah de south part of your house an' put a brick ovah that an' he nevah will leave yo'. (You write this with the blood of your monthlies. What do you write it on?) Write it on papah. Write his name an' yore name both. [The original typed word preceding the word part was side, the two words transcribed side part. On checking the cylinder, side was actually something like sud or sut, actually south, which I corrected in pencil. Years later, just now (1976), I inked in south. The sun now keeps warm the two names buried on the south side of the house. An excellent ritel]
Entry 10775
(Ever hear of using a broom?)
You can take a broom, like if you got - there's a person you dislike. You take a broom and after you sweep with the broom, take the corner and the wall where that person sleep. See, where that person sleep, you take that broom, see, like that's your bed [points to bed in hotel room where I was interviewing]. And take that broom, just make it a habitual habit being unnoticed to me. Just set it up behind my bed, but in that broom you fasten my name. Write my name on a piece of paper, white paper, and put it down in that broom well, and fasten it so it won't come out easily.
(You put it down in the broom.)
In the broom.
(In the brush part.)
In the brush part of the broom, where it stay in there a long time, where it won't come out. And I'll betcha I won't be contented and I can't keep no clothes to save my life.
[I turn off machine but he says something about being upset.]
(Keeps you upset?)
Certainly, and I can't keep no clothes to save my life. And unless you get somebody [hoodoo doctor] to work on it, find out from somebody, go to somebody that I know, and [ask her] if she know what that [is] the person have; and they tell you something, well it'll keep you upsetted and without clothes as long as you live, unless that's taken out of there.
(You say, you put that broom behind the bed?)
Behind the bed.
(You put it up there with the brush part down?)
With the brush part up.
(Oh, the brush part up.)
The handle down but the brush part up.
(Oh, I see. Well, why did you do that?)
Well, because if you put it down, you're not against the person, see. If you put it up, you against 'eni - you against a person, see. See, if the brush part of the broom is up, that's against a person if it's behind the bed. If it's down, you don't have no hypnotic powers nowheres, nothing seems to work against him by having the broom down. You wants it against a person with the broom up where the sun goes acrost it each day. Every time the sun go across it, the sun crosses over that broom. If you has it down, well, it don't happen like that, you see.
Entry 10870
Git a black cat an' git de hair. Git a strand of hair out of a black at an' - don't git as many as yo' kin, but yo' kin git 'bout one or tso scraods of hair out of a black cat. An' take somepin that kin float on de vatzh. Take at hair, sulphur, salt an' red peppah an' graveyard dirt, an'srite oo a piece of papah whut chew want done, an' put it with cat hair; all dat in a container dat will float on de watah. An' throw it in de watah, runnin' watah, whichevah watah yo' want it. An' whichevah yo' want done, it will be done. Ah've tried that.
Entry 10936
Write de name nine times on a piece of parchment [paper] and you take it to de water and throw it in de water. And den you take a live catfish and take his tail and cut de tail [cut piece of fin off]. And write de nane of dis Person and put it on - cut de tail of de fish and put de paper in de catfish sooth, but it must be done when de fish live. And de tail of de fish and de name dat is wrote on dis piece of parchment nine times and take it to de swift running water and throw it away and dey will leave. (I didn't understand how you do that. You put this in a live catfish?) Yes, get de fish live and you cut de tail off. To cut off piece of tail fin keeps fish from steering itself; in like manner victim wanders about aimlessly.] Den you write de name nine times of de person which you wanta leave - on parch- ment [paper] nine times. Put it in de mouth and take it to de deep water and throw it away, and don't look at it [turn your back]. Let de fish go. And you'll visualize it. Den you'll jest see 'em going.
(What about the tail of the fish?)
Put dat down in de mouth, too.
Entry 10938
Yo' take it an' pick it up from de ground dis way first [demonstrates]. (From the toe back to the heel.) Yes, back to de heel, and den from de heel to de toe. Yo' carry it and get some black gunpowder, and you take it and go to a river and ketch a catfish. And when yo' ketch him, don't kill him, put dis in his mouth in a piece of paper. And sew his mouth up and throw him overboard and dey'll go until de fish stops. Wheresomevah he stop, dey'll stop; whether it be beyond de state, where dey come from.
(Do you put just a piece of plain paper?)
Yes sir, jest plain paper.
(How many tracks do you take?)
Jest one.
(Which one, any one?)
Right.
Entry 10960
Dey use de chicken's blood fo' evilness, but now, it's somepin else dat dey have tuh use wit it. Dey takes chicken blood an' writes people's name wit it. Dey have tuh use a feathah. Dey take de feathah out of de chickens tail. Take an' write a person's name wit chicken's blood an' kill 'em. Why yo' uses dat feathah fo' yore pencil an' yo' kin write dere name in de fo' cornahs on anything an' fold de fo' cornahs, jes' lak dat. Why dat gives 'em a awful mind. If it don't kill 'em it will jes' [have] dem passin' away all de time. (What do you do with that paper then, after it has those names on it?) Take dat papah aftah yo' put dat name on it an' bury it in undah dey do'steps or any place wit dat chicken blood on it. Yo' write dey name wit de chicken's blood, dey perfect [full] name fo' times on de fo' cornahs of dat papah, an' fold it an' bury it undah dere do'steps or undah yores, any- body's elses. It don't make any diff'rence jes' since it's in de earth. An' as dat chicken blood passes away, why it gives yo' success. Dey cain't stay any place.
Entry 11064
Dey tell me yo' gits a piece of newspapah, an' jes' lak dis yo' makes a 'V' lak dis. Keep a-makin' it lak dis, keep a-makin' it lak dis. Keep a-makin' it lak dis. Yo' make dat nine times dis way. Yo' take dat papah an' yo' stick it in front of yore steps an' put salt - covah it wit salt an' jes' pull it. Jes' pull it- dis part heah yo' turn it back dis way. Dat's fo' 'em not tuh come in, an' pull it dis way an' yo' turn dat back dis way. Bury dat undah yore step in front of yore do'way an' den come cross an' covah dat wit salt an' dat will make 'em stay out, dey say. (I want you to draw that for me to show me just how it is done. You make your mark right on that piece of paper - this is a newspaper now [let this be the piece of newspaper you mention; probably handed informant a sheet from my note- book]. What kind of mark do you make? [Informant makes a mark.l You make a mark sort of like a crescent, it goes to the right and comes back like that.) Now, dis means "stay out, don' come in." Now, if yo' want a person tuh come in dere. If a person out an' yo' want 'em tuh come in dere, yo' jes' turn it dis way [demonstrates]. Dat means 'come in.' Dis means [demonstrates] 'stay out." (Well, those half circles, crescents, when the arc of the half circle is out from the door, that means "come in.") Yo' understand dat. [I certainly did!]
Entry 11122
Draw a coffin, draw the person image in the cof- fin they want to die, then call [victim], then write their name, burn under incense smoke.
Entry 11193
Dirt dauber nest, red pepper, person's name on brown paper [and usu- ally if a white person, on white paper] parch on stove, sprinkle this dust, per- son leaves. [Burning person's name is usual, but sprinkling the dust is unusual.]
[Mobile, Ala., 944:9.]
Entry 11236
[Since we are now in the letter "D" of CHANNEL DE WORLD material - a division arranged alphabetically instead of sectionally to avoid typing compli- cations - the following 30 pages or more will be concerned with doctors, something by them or about them. Doctors of course will appear among later letters of the alphabet, but here was a convenient place to concentrate some of them. I begin with a folding rite that contains a close relative, a wrapping rite. The verb to fold does not appear in the index of Folklore from Adams County Illinois, 1st ed., 1935, and I doubt its appearance in the indexless 2nd ed. There is an index only in the files of the Center for the Study of Comparative Folklore and Mythology, University of California, Los Angeles, California. De- spite rarity, HOODOO has a number of folding rites, some of them quite compli- cated: Nos.3126, 3182-3190, etc., v.3 and elsewhere. To fold to you or away from you is a usual theme, but our present rite is an accordian fold. Especially interesting to me is the doctor, place of hearing, and time. My record concern- ing him reads: "Thurs. Feb. 15, 1940, informant No.1565, man 45, Crackerjack Store, paid, ng." (From note books E Series, 2nd New Orleans trip, numbers of informants 1558 to 1605). More about that ng in a moment. Informant was brought to me by the black man preceding him, a man who worked at the Crackerjack Store - sometimes called drug store - a famous hoodoo emporiun of that date. During the following interview I was utterly unaware that this would be my last dat at Pat- terson Hotel, 759 S. Rampart St., corner of Julia, New Orleans, La. Years later I would pay my respects to the old building by printing her picture at the end of HOODOO volume 2! The folding rite follows:] Say fo' instance yo' wanta git rid of a man. All right yo'd git his photo- graph, not a tintype. Git a cardboard [photograph] an' de medium size. Git it an' fold it in half an' find, say lak a dead chicken or a dead dog or somepin aroun' [or lying about] wit maggots. Ah mean large-size maggots as dey walkin'.... Well, yo' crease de photograph in nine folds an' as yo fold it in de nine folds, yo' drop a maggot in each one of 'em; in every fold until yo' git de nine mag- gots. Den yo' git chew a piece of separate black cord an' tie it [folded photo] nine times; den yo' git chew a piece of red [cord] an' yo' make six knots [about folded photo]. An' put in dem nine knots an' six knots.... Dat [package] is representin' dey cof- fin. Aftah yo' git through wit dat, den yo' wrap it up in a piece of cloth, which would be about fully de same size, an' git chew de nine of spades, an' wrap dat up nine times, an' jes' take an' fold it wit [3 ingredients]: one flake [flick = pinch] of salt, an' one flake of black peppah, an' one flake of red pep- pah - cayenne peppah. An' wrap 'em all up. An' yo' close it up an' regardless of whut de individual's name may be, yo' put it down nine times in a piece of silk tissue papah, fold it every time nine times. Take a match an' burn it, an' as yo' burn it, leave dem ashes go right on top.... Den yo' take all dat cloth [the several packages together] tuhgethah an' reenfold it [in one cloth] an' git chew some rivah sand, an' jes' put it in dere an' dry [tie] it up [into one pack- age]. Den yo' goes on tuh de neahest runnin' watah dat yo' kin git tuh an' dig yo' a small pit, jes' a small hole.... Dig it out six inches, jes' as dere grave. Aftah yo' do it, den yo' says - be mastah of de ceremony which is his funeral. As yo' be blessin' de body as it goin' down, every word yo' say yo' curse in between it, which is his name in between. An' as yo' doin' dat, den yo' throws a little bit of sherry wine, or if he drinks, regardless of whatevah it is, jes' throw it right on in dere....an' covah it up - an' drop it as it [coffin] goin' doup: [After this mock funeral ceremony] nine words yo' says, every day nine words, an' in de 18th day whoevah de individual will be, dey comin' unnormal deathly sick. De doctor [M.D.] or no othah one will undahstan' his case no kinda way. He'll die an' swell up [he'll swell up and die] in de next, say six or seven months, or maybe in de comin' future yeahs, from dat date.... (And you say you say nine words to that thing each day. Have you any special words you say?) Lak if de individual wuz a gamblah or a thief or a murderah, he may come home an' he'll be worried or somepin. Well yo' jes' curse him in dat name, "Yo' son of bitch. Yo' bastard. Yore mothah's no good. Yore fathah's no good. An aftah yo' hit me, whut ah won't do tuh yo'." An' aftah whut chew do to him, yo' say a prayah, "Name de Fathah, de Son an' de Holy Ghost, Amen. "... Every day [the unrecorded things done I pick up in my following comment].
(You say just nine prayers like that. Nine things you say.)
Cussin' him all de time.... [Informant had seen his best days as a doctor, that is why I preserved the remainder of his interview under the last alphabetical division XYZ. Those 4....indicate repetition of what had been said.]
Entry 11328
A woman, that she didn't appreciate what choo do for her, and you want her to be in bad luck an' didn't want her to keep any money. An' yo' get you one dollar from her, you burn the dollar to ashes. Blow it out of your hand that way [demonstrates]. And she will never be able to keep anything in the world.
Entry 11329
Git chew three dollars.
(What kind of dollars, silver dollars or paper dollars?)
Paper dollars. An' dress dem wit some salt and some bread, an' wear it fo' three days on yo' left side, an' fo' three days yo' take an' go to three stores an' spend each one of them dollars - a dollar to each store yo' go to. An' dat'll bring yo' luck. (What kind of luck?) Well it bring yo' luck in making - gittin' holda money every day yore life.
Entry 11626
Like if I want a person to go on a drift and don't stay anywheres they go. Well, I ketch me a fresh fish and I cut him open. And after I cut him open, I take the full name and I write it upon this Venrick parchment and I puts it in that fish [a parchment-like paper made by or called Venrick (this may not be the exact name) and sold by a hoodoo shop]. And after I put it in this fish, I get some moving oil and I drap three drops on there. [And I goes to the river afterward.] And I sew the fish back up - put cayenne pepper in it and I sews it back up. And I goes to any - where it's a running stream, you see, and I throws it out in there and I speaks, I say, "As this fish go, I want you to do the same."
Entry 11628
Like someone you want to drift away, you write the name three times; ooman or man, three times. You go to running water, fresh water, and you ketch you a scale fish. (What kind?) A scale fish, any kind of fish that's got scales on it - a small fish. All right, you write her name down three times and you take that blood from that fish and you dot each one; you understand, dot them periods. You go to running water and turn your back on it and throw it away. Turn your back, don't look back at it - but turn your back until you get so many paces off from it and go. All right, they commence to drifting - you understand - they don't know. Just like you want 'em out of your way, you understand. They commence to drifting. (Now, look. You only put three drops - you put a drop on each one of these names - from the fish.) Yes, you know, just drop like that period; just like you writing a line, you know, you put a period on each one of them. Well, you dot a period.
(You dot each name with one drop of fish blood.)
Yes.
(Well, what do you do with the fish then?)
The fish? All right I fixin' to tell you. When you get through with that, you take that fish and stick that paper, that name in there and go to running water and throw it, and turn.your back. When you throw it, don't throw it with your face toward the water. Always when you walk there - if you [came] in your car or whatever you in, on the bridge, over the running water - you throw it backwards.
Entry 11657
Yo' kin go tuh a sto' where dey sell dat fo'ks an' yo' kin buy it, an' name it when yo' buy it, this individual. Then yo' come back home an' yo' take a piece of papah an' write their names on it, an' make a wish, an' wrap that name right on that fo'k, an' yo' might tie it [name] on there. Then yo' kin carry it to some runnin' watah an drou it in there, an' don' look back at it, an' yo'll [person named will] go crazy. As that watah run, yore mind an' that sharp fo'k - yo' know, yore mind is on things an' off lak that.
(How do you throw that in the water?)
Throw it ovah yore left shoulder an' jes' keep awalkin' [away never looking back].
Entry 11852
To make love? All right. You kin take dere hair, some sugar an' some bluestone. You understand now? An' some lodestone. Put all of this together with a piece of John de Conkah root. [This root] look like two pieces [see ex- planation later]. Look now [demonstrates], cross that John de Conkah cross there
[these ingredients being mixed or laid in a container] and put it [John de Conkah]
crost de hair, you see, an' tie it at de ends with a little string. You under- stand, at each end you know, with a little string. An' put it [mixture] in a piece of paper, in a piece of brown paper, an' wear that in de bottom of your shoe. [This is a small package.] They kin nevah git away from you. [What does informant mean by saying John de Conkah root look like two pieces? On p.593 (Z.2, v.1) I say, "John de Conkah can be many things; and on p.595 (l.12, v.1) we learn you can git de he one and git de she one. I suggest my informant, a hoodoo woman, is identifying John de Conkah with an actual root called Adam-and-Eve, which has he and she parts, he the smaller, both looking like peanuts (see No.10609, page 4028f., v.5). Our present rite therefore ties our man and woman together with a thread or a string to make doubly certain, magically certain, they are tied to- gether. The sugar sweetens the situation or pays the spirit, the bluestone keeps away evil, lodestone is another drawing power, and brown paper is often used for black clients. My preceding statement about he and she parts among the roots of Adam-and-Eve is a hoodoo, not a scientific one.]
Entry 12135
Jis' like you'd cut out a heart [from a piece of paper]...jis' like you say you gon'a...you draw a mark heah [demonstrates] - all right - comparin' to a heart [draw shape of heart on a piece of paper]. You kin take them [9] pins an' stick it [them] in that [paper] heart. You kin do jis' what choo wan' 'em to do after you stick dem pins in there. You use so many needles. You got to use needles - real sharp needles.
(How many pins do you stick in that heart?)
You kin take 9 pins an' put in there [demonstrates].
(In the center of the heart.)
You put 8 needles.
(Around the edge of the heart.)
You don't put it even, you understand. It's got to be odd [demonstrates].
(The heads and points of the pins and needles are alternated.)
An' you take that an' put it in your pillah. You kin use any kind of body [person] you want; you kin use 'em to your understandin'. [For alternate needles and pins, see Nos.9836-9837, 9844, 9849 & 9850, v.5.]
Entry 12294
To bring someone to you, prick finger with needle, write his name or initial with the blood on piece of paper, fold to you 3 times longways, turn it and fold it to you 3 times shortways, put in bowl of lamp, burn for 9 days and nights. [Here is one of those interest- ing folding rites so well illustrated in HOODOO: to fold to you or away from you, fold into triangles or squares, etc. [This is my pencil resume of rite, attached here to original MS, before original material lost. Informant "excellent, " I note.]
Entry 12299
You can take lemons. Well, that makes you - if you going up the street right now and you got a big transaction on with a person. You take a lemon, just take a lemon and take all the peeling off the lemon. Don't break the white part of that lem- on. See, just take all that yellow peel off the lemon and take that lemon and sew it up. Rub it over good. Just rub it over good in your pockets in your hands. And ball that lemon up and put it in your inside coat pocket. Wrap it up in pure white paper with no marks or nothing on it - pure white paper. Wrap that lemon up. And on your Way down [to business transaction] just take the lemon and pass it through your hands, rub it over your hands good and put it in your inside [pocket]. Wear it on your right side, in your inside coat pocket, or your right side of your right pants pocket. But if you peel that lemon and break that white - that white skin on the inside of that yellow skin - well that lemon is no good to you. Get you a lemon and don't break that skin. Peel it off careful, but don't break through it so the juice will run off. But take that yellow peel off the outside and wrap that lemon up. Wipe that lemon off good with sugar. Rub it over good with sugar and wrap it up good in a piece of red flannel and rub it through your hands. And when you go there [place of business transaction] go in the lavatory or any private place and take that lemon out of that flannel again and rub it. Or take plain white paper. If you don't use red flannel, use plain white paper. Don't use no paper with no marks or nothing on it. No yellow or no colored paper at all. If you don't use white paper, get you a piece of red flannel and wrap it in there and go down the street with it. And as you go to the lavatory take that flannel or that paper off and just rub it over your hand again - before you go on with any business transaction - with the lemon. (What do you go and do that in the lavatory for?) [Informant has me going around in circles!] Well, you just freshen your hands up. Freshen your hands up with this. Con- tinually rub your hands, keep awashing that lemon against your hands.
(Well, what do you do that for?)
Well, that gives you a power over the man that you got a business deal with.
(Oh! I see. You do that until you get his....)
Keep awashing that lemon on your hands - like you get - like you know, you going to the next corner here, and you coming to the place, or you are in a bar, or any private place.
(You do it in secret so he can't see you.)
Yeah, you just do it in secret - just any place for secrecy. That's all.
Entry 12377
Lak if yo' go roun' de cornah fo' a job an' yo' go de first day an' de man don' hiah yo'. yo' go de second day an he don't hiah yo'. Well, de third day yo' git dis- gusted, yo' see, an' yo' study some kinda remedy tuh git dis job. Yo' see. Well, yo' go dere an' de first thing yo' do, git chew nine roots of parsley, yo' see, an' put 'em in yore shoe. An' git chew a garlic a yellah garlic, a plug of garlic an' put dat in yore shoe. An' git chew a piece of cloth about that long, yo' see. An' put nine pins in that crossways, yes, straight pins, new pins. Put 'em in dere crossways. An' let each one of dem pins, lak yore name is George, well yo' put de 'nitials yo' see at dem pins. An' yo' go to dat jar...
(Where do you put those needles and those pins?)
Undah dere yo' see, undah de pins.... See where ah got dem nine pins cross. Yo' got de 'nitials dere yo' see.
(You put the initials down with what?)
Ink.
(On the cloth or on a piece of paper?)
On de cloth. See, de pins in de cloth, see, lak dat piece of cloth about dat long. Yo' see yo' jis' put de pins lak dat crossways nine times. Yo' see each on de bottom, yo' put lak his nine dere "George" yo' see wit ink, only each one dem 'nitials. An' yo' go dere dat mawnin' an' yo' git a seal de' [they] call de 'Lucky Seal.' Yo' go to de Crackerjack Drug Sto' an' git dat. Yo' see yo carry dat an' put it right down by de gate where de man hiahs up dere. Yo' press it down dere. He'll call yo' 'fore he calls anybodys else. Lak yore name Mistah Eddy, he'll say, "Well, Mistah Eddy, come on in an' go tuh work. Ah needs yo' dis mawnin'. (That is to get the job.) [See also SEALS in CHANNEL DE WORLD, v.5.1
Entry 12417
Perhaps yo' wanted a man. Yo' jes' met him an' yo' fell in love wit him, yo' like him; he had a good job or somepin othah. He appealed to yo'. Yo'd go home. An' perhaps yo'd pass somewheres roun' an' yo'd git in talk wit him, an' yo'd git his name. Yo' kin take 9 matches an' name 'em him. An' then yo'd cut chew 9 little strips of papah about lak [size of] yore finger, an' yo'd write his name on either one of dose strips - nine of 'em. An' then every evenin' jes' befo' de sun go down yo' make yore wishes. Stan' in de middle of yore flo' [you stand in the center of the room which makes this one of the many quincunx rites] an' take these nine matches an' strike 'em. Jes' be shore yo' make one stroke with each [match] an' light his name an' burn hit, aftah yo' make yore wishes. All right. Well, yo' save that little end perhaps, whut burn down. Yo' save that. Well, yo' conceal it. Den de next evenin' befo' de sun go down yo' git anothah strip with his name an' one of dese nine matches, an' yo' burn until those nine matches an' those nine names yo' know, his name is burn up. An' it won't be but two days befo' he will come to yore home.
Entry 12429
Well the fact is, if yo' wan'a job, they have Mind Oil. You hear of it? Mind Oil. Well, suppose the boss's name John Henry. You sign his name to that parchment paper, put it in that Mind Oil. You will get you some paradise seed, get you some parsley. You take a bath with that. After taking bath, you must stay in that building all night, and throw the water out into the Middle of the street, see. And anything that instead of going contrary, you ill have a success with. [For "paradise seed" see margin title GUINEA SEEDS etc., P.570, v.1. Throwing bath water into street is a transference rite and remaining instead in building all night recalls ancient incubation rites.]
Entry 12457
If he gives you [woman] bill [paper money for sexual services], fold [paper money] to you, then fold it again. Clip off ends of the 4 corners, tie in handkerchief, wear so that you can use it without his knowing it, and he'll always give you something [for love services]. [Here is another one of the unusual folding rites in HOODOO, this one by an excellent professional hoodoo worker in Memphis.]
Entry 12475
De way dat dey find out who kilt de man, dey will write some sus- picious names on a piece of paper and go.to de woods an' git some herbs, and put dem herbs on all dese names [badly recorded]. Put de names [of suspected persons] in a bottle. (You put some blood [of murdered person] on each piece with a name.) On each piece with a name. Have de names suspicious. Take dat earth and smear on each one of de names on de paper and put it in a wide bottle or pitcher if you kin get any. And de person with dat name come to de top [dat is the name of the murderer].
Entry 12497
Take his name an' write it 9 times, an' yores ovah it [the latter usually means turning paper upside down first before writing over the name.] Write it up real good an' wear it in yore shoe. He cain't leave yo'. Yo' write chure name ovah it 9 times jes' lak yo' did the othah one. Wear it in yore shoe, either shoe, umdah de inner sole of de shoe.
Entry 12508
I say onions are lucky. You take a onion and you kin make a man stay home, he won't go nowhere. (How do you do that?) Well, you take that onion, a red onion, and you carry it in your pocket all the time. You go to the store and you don't ask for it, and you don't steal it either or pick up a one - take it, you see.
(You mean, pick up an onion!)
Onion, yeah, just one onion. And you take that onion. You take a nail and you bore it through that onion, and you take his name and you just roll it long like a match and take [push] in there [the nail hole] and put it in your pocket. He can't go and he won't go, lessen [unless] now, if you don't want him to go, you kin do that. If you want him to go, well, you take the onion and you take it [the rolled-up name] out and he'll go. A red onion - not all onions, a red onion. You do that with a red onion.
Entry 12600
An' den anothah thing dat chew kin do, to cause 'sturbance in de home dat will break up a man an' a woman. Yo' kin take dis cayenne peppeh an' some red peppah out de garden. Let dis [garden] peppah dry an' get dis [cayenne] peppah an' mash it all up togethah, an' put it in a piece of papah or eithah a piece of cloth. It will do it bettah if it a piece of cloth. An' roll it up an' tie it up good. An' den yo', if yo' kin git in de house, git somebody tuh bury it in de hearth. Jes' take up a brick yo' know an' place it undah dat brick, so when dey'll build a fiah, it will keep dat stuff warm. An' yo' be su'prised at de racket yo' heah in dat house yo'self. It will be a few days befo' yo' see [them] go apart.
Entry 12755
Yo' could take a razor an' put it in de center of yore bed crossways. An' if yo' was angry with a person an' yo' couldn't git to them yourself, yo' could write their name [on a large sheet of paper] an' wrap this razor in it, an' put it in de center of yore bed crossways an' yo' go tuh bed on it that night. It be between two mattresses or either under one mattress on de springs. An' it would cause them tuh git cut. But yo' would- n't be doin' anything, yo' jes' be there only; but by his name being wrapped in dis razor, yo' could harm dem that way.
(How do you mean crossways in the bed?)
If it's a long razor...
[I interrupt and demonstrate.]
(Here's the bed. Do you put it this way or that way?)
Put it that way - crossways. (You put it across the width of the bed. That would cause them [him] to get cut?) Yes, yes. [There are other rites in HOODOO causing a man to be cut, shot, arrested, etc.]
Entry 12775
[Letter "s" in this long CHANNEL DE WORLD division begins perhaps with the largest sentence in HOODOO:] They say, if yo' take the Twelve Apos- tle's names like I told joo, an' write 'em on a piece of paper, or each Apostle's name on a sage leaf, an' have the Apos- tle's names on another piece of paper, fold them toward joo all the time, an' keeps 'em in your pocket an' have 'em whensomever yo' go for a job, they say he'll [you will] more than apt to be lucky. [For sage leaves and court see also No.9117-9137, some of which also contain 12 Apostles, v.4.]
Entry 12888
The word seal in HOODOO means a small slip of paper on which a design or message is printed or written. Some hoodoo shops during the Great Depression sold a printed seal for a feu pennies to entice custoaers into the shop, where they also sold salt, pepper, sugar, vinegar, etc., all of them considered purer and nore power- ful than in an ordinary food shop. Some doctors made their own seal for clients or patients. And finally the seal degenerated [if that is the word] to a point where anyone could design or write his own seal! This latter word, seal, had become somewhat holy because of its use in The Revelation of John, last book of of the Bible. As I said elsewhere, seals are hands, see No.2279, p.643, v.1.] A seal - get you some. I've had one myself.
(A what?)
A seal.
(A seal?)
Yes, sir.
(You buy these?)
You buy de seal. Use'ly kin buy one out here at New Orleans [what a strange expression for a person in Vicksburg to use!]. And after getting this seal, it's not suppose to be - it supposed to be wore on you. You just wear that yourself - [protection against] the law...
[I turn off machine too quickly and must repeat informant's words.]
(It's a white piece of paper?)
Yes, sir. It's got a seal [a design] on it, but it's sompin that you gets out chere at New Orleans.
Entry 13219
To ketch a spirit - I know a fellow who done it. You take and you gets you books [a writing tablet], gets you a pen and ink. (You get what? Pen and ink?) Yes, sir, pen and ink, writ- ing tablet and get you a bottle. Get you one of these small center tables, get you a chair, and put them in an empty room, but let that room be dark. And put these things in there. Put you a light on the table but don't light the light. Put you a lamp - you know what I mean, put your lamp on the table but don't light it. If it's a good spirit, he'll come in there and he'll write everything that's been done to you. He'll write everything that'll be done to you, he'll write that down in that book [tablet]. Next morn- ing you get up and you'll find that in that book [tablet]. You can read it for yourself. That's what a good spirit will do. But that evil spirit, he'll turn everything over in that room, and liable to come in your room and run you out of there, if there is a evil spirit there. [Rites similar to present one I have collected under DIAGNOSIS, pp.165-217, v.l. Similar ones are scattered through- out HOODOO. In the present rite I do not ask purpose of empty bottle. Could it be a lingering vestige from an earlier day, holder for a candle? I doubt it. That stopperless bottle is to entice my spirit passing by. For catching these spirits with curiosities, see TO CATCH A SPIRIT, Nos.38-47, v.1, and frequently in HOODOO.]
Entry 13238
In the morning when you get up to go to your landlord, the fellah that owns the property [you rent], you take and put sugar and [in] a brown piece of paper, wrapping paper. And fold it to you 9 times and put it in the bottom of your right shoe. And any favor that you'd ask him to do for you, he would do it. He can't turn you down whether he's out [of] money or not.
Entry 13338
You take her - you take a pair of her stepins or her hose, whatever that she wears, you know, that you wanta take. You take them and you put 'em - say if you got two mat- tress [mattress on box springs] on the bed. You write her name down there nine times and you lay it in between there and you fold her - whatever you got to you - nine times. You take you a piece of paper and you lay it on the spring, and you lay this to you and then you put the mat- tress back down over that and you go anywhere you want. And I'll guarantee you ain't no man in the world going go in there and worry her whilst you gone - and she ain't going to think about any other man. See.
Entry 13339
There's but one thing he can do - he can take his wife, take any piece of her underwear, any piece of her underwear and wrap that up. Just take it and fold it and wrap it up late at night. Before he wraps it, take her name and wrap her name - write her name - make an "x" [a cross] and write her name across that "x" [her name is crossed] and wrap it in her underwear, and wrap it good, and put it anywhere about her bed, with her name written in it. And put it anywhere about her bed Where she don't find it, until he gets back. And she ain't going to be in no sood to fool with no man. She ain't going to be in no mood to fool with no man.