ANOTHER REASON I TEACH HOODOO THE WAY I DO
The occult world as we know it is chock full of numerous traditions. Among them are a fair number of initiation-based ones. Some initiatory ones, like any ATR/ADR, require hefty commitments and an even heftier price tag. And I am talking about honest spiritual houses, not the ones trying to exploit people. Those are a whole other post for a whole other day.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with any tradition as long as it does not add to the numerous forms of oppression anyone with eyes can see. But as I keep reiterating, initiations are not for everyone. They are not. If a santero, palero, babalawo, blah blah blah, is hustling you to believe initiations ARE meant for everyone, do an about-face and walk away.
I actually went to a misa (read: ATR séance) not long ago where both myself and the person the misa was for were told we needed to receive a million different initiations across three traditions. The person did pass their spirit, but I could feel right away that the spirit was not very evolved. This was confirmed for me when the other person, who is in recovery, was offered an alcoholic drink by the spirit. The spirit tried to push it on them, so I stood up, blocked them, and said NO. If a spirit is elevated, it will know a detail like that and not do something destructive to a person’s life. But I digress a bit.
I am teaching my brand of Hoodoo because there should be spiritual practices that do not require initiation so people can fulfill their potential and walk their path with the right tools. Foremost among the tools I teach is for people to name their social location as the starting point for their personal power. It is also where some people discover or rediscover that they come from a community that brought them to this moment, good or bad. Reflection on this in the class context can help people discern how they will serve the communities around them. I haven’t taken many other classes that take the time to do this.
Most of the time, these things I highlight are things I don’t hear about as much while the class takes place but in the days, weeks, and months after. Usually, when a person fully incorporates what they have learned to practice rootwork in ways that work for their context. It is always fantastic to get this feedback because, honestly, it helps me to know whether my teachings are on track and having the positive impact on students’ lives that I hope for. So, to that, I say thank you.
If you still need to take Working the Roots, know that my next cohort through the Blackthorne School is starting on 10/21. I would love to have you with us! The link to join is here: https://www.theblackthorneschool.com/courses/working-the-roots/.
