Hoodoo Mysteries: Folk Magic, Mysticism & Rituals

by Ray T. Malbrough and Rev Ray T. Malbrough

Conjuring money and attracting love, reversing hexes and stopping slander-it's all in a day's work for the Hoodoo practitioner. This is true American folk magic, colorful and powerful, yet... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738703508
• ISBN13: 9780738703503
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Anything Scandalous SELLS - A Must Read

The Hoodoo Mysteries by Ray T. Malbrough is really great. Combined with his other two books it is easy to see a pattern that he unfolds in his own personal teaching. I own all three books he has written and apply many of the principles he teaches with my own clients. I do get results. I have also written to him care of Llwewllyn asking for advice and got it. The information he gives in The Hoodoo Mysteries really helps when you go into the Botanicas to buy supplies because you know what the products are used for and do not have to ask a clerk who may not really know anything. I can't see how someone can call this book scandalous unless they are jealous of his fame and popularity. On page 98 Ray Malbrough says, "People sometimes consult more than one card reader, which can lead to a rivalry between readers who are competing with each other for the loyalty of their clients." This I know is true statement. His history in the beginning of the book is correct. The material on spiritual baths is really great. I like the way he makes comparisons in the similarities with other religions in The Hoodoo mysteries and honestly tells you what the differences are. The Hoodoo Musteries is a MUST Read.

Kool and insightful

Being a student of religous studies I am always interested in the beliefs and practices of other cultures. Those who are interesed in attending a college to learn comparative religion can easily find a college anywhere in the U.S. in the appendix listing them. Hoodoo and Voodoo has facinated me since my visit to New Orleans. Crosses and offerings at Marie Laveaux's grave, yes I have seen that done at her tomb. Spirits of the dead are a part of hoodoo belief and Mr. Malbrough give us some detail in The Hoodoo Mysteries as to how he personally invokes them for help. I have used La Santissima Muerte many times but I like his example of how to invoke the help of the gede of Voodoo. It is something about Baron Samedi and Maman Brigitte that attract me. I see nothing new age about the samples of hoodoo magic given. It is good to know that some people do write from their own experience and this shows in the way that Mr. Malbrough writes. After reading The Hoodoo Mysteries I can see a richness in cultrual diversity presented in hoodoo as it can be practiced in Louisiana. I thought it interesting in the chapter on the spiritual baths about putting a picture of the saint upside down when petitioning them for help. My parents did this with a statue of Saint Joseph buried in the yard when they wanted to sell their house and it worked. I know looking through the shops in New Orleans all types of ingredients used to make these baths for sale. Mr. Malbrough tells you what they are used for in baths that are made. Though I was raised Catholic I think that I will use some of this information in my own religious practice. I like the idea that I can practice either hoodoo or voodoo and still not give up my Catholic heritage.

Interesting and informative

I have this book and truly liked Mr. Malbrough's honesty in the way he uses footnotes in The Hoodoo Mysteries to indicate where certain beliefs come from and tries to clarify misconceptions. As a trained Spiritist in Puerto Rico I was surprised to hear that he knew of the Spiritual Coronation trained mediums receive. This is indicated when he talked about the head pot or pot de tete. As he says that the use of this object is not standard practice in genuine hoodoo. Although in Spiritism this is not called a head pot or pot de tete but is given as a piece of magic to protect mediums from evil and harm. I suspect that Mr. Malbrough knows more than what he writes about. I was enchanted on the topic of spiritual baths in The Hoodoo Mysteries and many make use of these baths in Puerto Rican folk magic also with fumigating the body after a bath. The history interested me. After reading the chapter on divination I wanted to pick up a deck of cards to do a reading with. My spirit guide tells me that Ray Malbrough knows what he is talking about.

Contains a lot of information

Thank you Ray Malbrough for another good book. This one with his other two definately form a complete pattern in learning about hoodoo in Louisiana. I especially liked the chapter on the spiritual baths and the way he points out similarities in this practice with other religons. As a spiritualist myself I really liked the idea he gives about making a head pot to protect his own students from anyone trying to harm them through the spirits of the dead. I found it thought provoking about having trained mediums in spiritism wear necklaces. I myself have seen people fake channeling the spirits at our own Spiritulist meetings. It is refreshing to know that there are some people who are really trained in this practice. After reading The Hoodoo Mysteries I am interested in learning more about Voodoo and appreciate the website listed where this could be possible. BTW negative reciews by annoymous people, I don't take resiously as I suspect they are done by jealous people.

Interesting and informative

What I thought to be very interesting is the historical background and how hoodoo has developed in the state of Louisiana. I appreciated Ray Malbrough's honesty about what he added in his own spiritist practice. The chapter on the spiritual baths is excellent. The commentary on the similarities with Louisiana hoodoo practice and other religions was also interesting. I think he should write a book on Voodoo since he also quoted the differences between Haitian Voodoo and New Orleans Voodoo which is percieved if anyone really takes the time to read the book which is an easy read.