The Fine Line Between Conjure and Cunning

Rootworker & Wortcunner | Hoodoo & Charmer | Conjure & Folk Witchcraft

In the rich landscape of folk magic, Hoodoo and European folk witchcraft (often called Cunningcraft, Charmers’ Magic, or Wortcunning ) sit side by side like cousins. Each is born of struggle, land, spirit, and ancestral knowledge. But the line between them, especially in the modern world, can become blurred. Let’s walk that fine line with care, clarity, and deep respect.

What Is Conjure / Hoodoo?

Conjure, also called Hoodoo, is an African American spiritual and magical system born from slavery, survival, and resilience. It blends:

African religious and magical traditions
Christian mysticism (especially the Psalms and Saints)
Indigenous American plant knowledge
European folk sorcery (influences, not origins)

Hoodoo is a cultural tradition, not just a magical system and is deeply rooted in the Black American experience. Rootwork is not just about spells, it is about healing, justice, and surviving oppression. Hoodoo is not "witchcraft" in its traditional framing. It is conjure, rootwork, Bible magic, and ancestral survival technology.

What Is Cunningcraft / Folk Witchcraft?

Cunningcraft or folk witchcraft comes from rural European traditions. These were the spells and remedies of the wise woman, cunning man, or charmer:

Healing with plants, charms, and prayers
Breaking curses or removing the evil eye
Divination, dreamwork, and spirit communication
Blessing crops, animals, or marriages
Appeasing or banishing fairies and restless dead

These traditions were often Christianized over time, but with deep pre-Christian roots. Wortcunning, the skill of working with plant spirits, was often central. Folk witches served their community. They were practical, subtle, and deeply connected to land and spirit.

Rootworker vs. Wortcunner

Rootworkers (Hoodoo) and Wortcunner (Cunningcraft) both use roots, curios, Psalms, herbs, charms, spoken blessings. Both have strong biblical integration and a mix of folk Christian and pagan traces inherited through culture, place and family lore. Both work with spirits & ancestors, as well as plant spirit allies. Both had a focus on survival, justice, love, healing, protection, and luck. Both love the earth. Both whisper to roots. But they walk different ancestral roads. Its important to remember that Rootwork is a closed practice tied to Black American identity. Wortcunning is culturally open, but should still be practiced with historical awareness.

Rootwork vs. Wortcunning: Herb & Root Equivalents

Very basic examples and descriptions as wholebooks could be, and are, written on these herbs and tradtions.

Protection

Rootwork - protection is often accomplished using Angelica root, revered for its powerful guardian energy, especially for women and children.

Wortcunning - the equivalent protective allies include Vervain, St. John’s Wort, and Rowan. Rowan crosses nailed over doors or worn as charms are classic folk witch protection.

Cleansing and Uncrossing

Rootwork - Hyssop is the go-to herb in Rootwork for spiritual cleansing, especially to remove sin or evil influences (often used with Psalm 51).

Wortcunning - this role is filled by Mugwort, Betony, and sometimes Yarrow, all known for clearing psychic muck and repelling spirits.

Love Drawing

Rootworker - Queen Elizabeth Root (orris root) for drawing lovers and sweetening relationships.

Wortcunning - this is mirrored by herbs like Rose, Marjoram, and Damiana - sweet, Venus-ruled plants used in love spells and charms.

Domination and Command

For commanding others or dominating a situation.

Rootwork - uses Licorice root and Calamus root.

Wortcunning - the equivalents are often Mandrake (which is both feared and revered), Basil, and occasionally Belladonna. Plants associated with control, power, and spirit command (though caution is always urged with baneful herbs).

Luck and Gambling

Rootwork - Lucky Hand Root and Five Finger Grass (cinquefoil) are classic rootwork ingredients for gambling luck and success.

Wortcunning - is Cinquefoil itself. called Five Leaf Grass or Five Finger Herb in old cunning lore. Alongside Wood Betony and Clover, both associated with luck and health.

Money and Prosperity

To draw money and business success

Rootwork - uses Alfalfa, Cinnamon, and Bayberry root.

Wortcunning - Mint, Hazel, and Basil serve a similar role, frequently placed in wallets, planted by the door, or burned for prosperity.

Enemy Work and Reversing

Rootwork - uses Sulfur, Red Pepper, and Black Mustard Seed to remove enemies, reverse hexes, or send someone away (Hot Foot work).

Wortcunning - equivalent would involve Nettles, Hawthorn, and Blackthorn. Prickly plants associated with protection and spiritual backlash against harm.

Psychic Vision and Dreaming

Rootwork - herbs like Star Anise and Anise Seed are used to heighten psychic sight.

Wortcunning - call on Mugwort, Eyebright, and Yarrow to open the Second Sight, assist in divination, or induce prophetic dreams.

Court Case and Justice

For legal success

Rootwork - turn to Tobacco, Deer’s Tongue, and Cascara Sagrada for persuasion and dominance in legal settings.

Wortcunning - equivalents include Plantain (for truth and fairness), Solomon’s Seal (for hidden wisdom), and Valerian (to calm and influence outcomes).

Healing and Peace

Rootwork - makes use of Balm of Gilead buds and Rue to bring peace and soothe pain.

Wortcunning - Lavender, Chamomile, and Meadowsweet play a similar role in spells and teas to calm, mend, and restore.

Spirit Contact and Necromancy

Rootwork - might use Graveyard Dirt, Myrrh, and Tobacco.

Wortcunning - call on Yew, Elder, Mandrake, and Wormwood. Plants deeply tied to the spirit world and the underworld.

Safe Travel

Rootwork - High John the Conqueror Root is used for strength, success, and safe passage.

Wortcunning - St. John’s Wort and Comfrey Root are traditional herbs for travel, safety, and protection on the road or in new ventures.

Herbs & Roots used by both traditions

1. Angelica Root

Rootwork: Protection, uncrossing, spiritual authority (especially for women).
Wortcunning: Angelic protection, warding off illness and evil spirits; often linked to Archangel Michael.

2. Hyssop

Rootwork: The Bible herb, used in spiritual cleansing baths and washes.
Wortcunning: Purification and exorcism, used in herbal amulets and charms. Mentioned in Psalm 51.

3. Rue (Herb of Grace)

Rootwork: Used to break hexes and repel the evil eye.
Wortcunning: Protective herb in Mediterranean and Alpine charms. Often blessed and carried in Catholic folk practice.

4. Mugwort

Rootwork: Spirit communication, psychic dreams, protection.
Wortcunning: Visionary herb, fairy sight, dream magic, road opener. Often hung at Midsummer.

5. Yarrow

Rootwork: Love drawing, peacekeeping, protection.
Wortcunning: Used in love charms, divination, and soldier’s magic for binding and healing.

6. Vervain (Verbena)

Rootwork: Love, protection, success in court and spiritual matters.
Wortcunning: Sacred herb of the Druids, fairy offerings, and healing. Known as “Enchanter’s Herb.”

7. Basil

Rootwork: Good luck, prosperity, court case success.
Wortcunning: House blessing, wealth magic, and protection. Also used in Catholic saint work.

8. Sage (Garden Only)

Rootwork: Cleansing, wisdom, money drawing.
Wortcunning: Herbal protection, wisdom, and spirit work. Traditional in charms against the Devil.

9. Bay Laurel

Rootwork: Protection, psychic power, victory, and success.
Wortcunning: Prophetic dreams, protection from evil, victory charms in Greco-Roman and Christian folk magic.

10. Wormwood

Rootwork: Spirit calling, necromancy, reversal work.
Wortcunning: Fairy and spirit vision, defense against harmful magic. Old world necromantic herb.

11. Calendula (Marigold)

Rootwork: Court cases, legal favor, love.
Wortcunning: Sun magic, psychic dreams, and attraction spells. Hung in doorways for protection.

12. Mint

Rootwork: Money drawing, luck, communication.
Wortcunning: Healing, clarity, protection, and energy-raising in folk healing and faery work.

13. Rosemary

Rootwork: Love, memory, protection.
Wortcunning: Traditional funeral herb, used for memory, home blessing, and warding.

How to Work with These Interchangeably

If you’re blending or reclaiming traditions (like developing your own Cunningcraft system), you can:

Track each herb’s “spirit personality” - what does it want to do?
Tie them to spirits or saints you work with (St. Michael for Angelica, St. John for St. John’s Wort).
Use the same herb with different prayers or spells depending on tradition (e.g., Psalm in Hoodoo, charm in Folk Witchcraft).

Notes on Use

Rootworkers often command or petition the plant through Psalms, oils, and prayers.
Wortcunners tend to form a relationship with the plant’s spirit through charm, chant, or offering.
Cross-tradition links show that the magical function (protection, love, etc.) often stays constant, even when the materia magica shifts.

Charmer vs. Conjurer

Charmers work with angels, saints, and spirits. Using herbs, holy water, and ritual speech to heal, protect, and bless. Making pacts with spirits, and working with the fae, ancestors, and the dead. This is the magic of liminality, will, and spiritual authority.

Conjurers work with spirits, ancestors and saints. Use roots, curios, and Bible verses to bind, dominate, protect, reverse, draw, create mojo bags, candle work, powders, oils, and strong intent.

Conjurer (Hoodoo / Rootworker Style)

Spirits: Ancestors, saints, biblical figures, spirits of the land.
Style: Uses roots, curios, psalms, oils, and candle magic to bind, dominate, reverse, and protect.
Key Work: Binding enemies, court case domination, love domination, money drawing, return-to-sender.
Tools: Mojo bags, honey jars, fixed candles, petition papers, ritual baths.

Traditional Witch (Wortcunner / Charmer)

Spirits: Angels, saints, demons, familiar spirits, fae, ancestors, chthonic forces.
Style: Spoken charms, herbs, and talismans to bring protection, health, fertility, peace, command spirits, curse, reverse, dominate, or enchant. Makes pacts, calls spirits, and walks between worlds.
Key Work: Stopping blood, healing illness, warding the home. Crossing and uncrossing, necromancy, justice, spirit pacts, hedge-crossing, weather and land magic
Tools: Red thread, salt, blessed herbs, folk prayers, charm bags. Spirit seals, cords and knots, poppets, witch bottles, bones, plant poisons, mirrors.

Examples by Spell Type

Protection:

Conjurer: Psalm 91 with a fixed candle and fiery wall oil.
Charmer: Rowan crosses over doors. Iron nails in thresholds, witch bottle buried under hearth, calling a familiar to guard the perimeter.

Justice:

Conjurer: Court case candle with tobacco and court oil.
Charmer: Candle to St. Michael, prayer for justice. Commanding spell on a poppet using graveyard dirt and sulfur, naming the enemy to a spirit ally.

Love:

Conjurer: Honey jar, domination oil, come-to-me incense.
Charmer: Love charm blessed with rose petals and holy water. Red cord binding knot spell with hair, candle wax, and a spoken command to the lover’s spirit.

Money:

Conjurer: Green candle loaded with bayberry and alkanet, money-drawing powder.
Charmer: Blessing charm spoken over coins placed on the altar. Petition buried at a crossroads on the waxing moon with a pact made to a spirit for wealth.

Legal:

Conjurer: Brown court case candle with Deer's Tongue and legal petition.
Charmer: Prayer to St. Expedite or St. Michael for resolution. Binding charm to silence the opposing party

Many of these spells may cross between traditions but it just gives you a general idea of some of the differences, as practices among folk traditions tend to overlap.

Cultural Respect vs Syncretic Practice

It’s tempting to mix Hoodoo and Cunningcraft, and there are shared elements, especially in North American folk magic. However:

Hoodoo is a closed cultural tradition. It belongs to the Black American community, shaped by their specific historical trauma and ancestral lineages. You can admire it. Learn about it. But if you are not of that lineage, you should not claim it as your practice.

Instead: Learn from your own lineage; Irish, Scottish, English, Germanic, French, Slavic, etc. Work with the land spirits and plant spirits where you are. Let your ancestors, not aesthetics, guide your magic.

Shared Threads Without Appropriation

There are shared folk elements between Hoodoo and Cunningcraft, such as:

Psalms and folk Christianity
Graveyard work
Use of red brick dust, eggs, vinegar, broomsticks
Spirit-led practice
Ancestral reverence
Working with natural objects like iron nails, salt, candles, and roots

The difference is why and how they are used. The cultural container around the practice. So when you’re feeling drawn to Hoodoo practices, ask:

“Is there a similar practice in my own lineage that carries this same energy?”

There almost always is.

The Future of Folk Magic

To build a living folk tradition today, especially white American practitioner, we must:

Stop borrowing and start reviving
Go back to your own dead
Let spirit and land teach you
Rebuild magic that is culturally honest and spiritually alive

Two Roads, One Respect

Rootworkers and wortcunners may walk different paths, but both serve their people. Both honor the unseen. Both work with the wisdom of plants and spirits. But one is not the other. If you're called to folk magic, let that calling rise from your bones, your land, your dreams, and your dead. Not just from what’s trending. This is how we honor the fine line and walk it with integrity.

Cunningcraft & Traditional Folk Witchcraft Suggested Reading

Cunning Folk and Familiar Spirits by Emma Wilby

Popular Magic: Cunning Folk in English History by Owen Davies

Folk Witchcraft by Roger J. Horne

The Witch’s Devil by Roger J. Horne

The Charmer’s Root by Roger J. Horne

The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft by Kelden

Veneficium by Daniel A. Schulke (Xoanon / Three Hands Press)

The Green Arte by Josh Williams (Three Hands Press)

Under the Witching Tree by Corinne Boyer

The Poison Path Herbal by Coby Michael

Besom, Stang, and Sword by Christopher Orapello & Tara-Love Maguire

Call of the Horned Piper by Nigel Aldcroft Jackson

A Deed Without a Name by Lee Morgan

The Devil’s Dozen by Gemma Gary

The Charmer’s Psaltery by Gemma Gary

Treading the Mill by Nigel G. Pearson

Witches, Druids and Sin Eaters by Jon G. Hughes