The Conjure Workbook Volume 1: Working the Root

The Conjure Workbook Volume 1: Working the Root is an excellent tome on Southern Conjure work. When I picked up this tome I knew that it was going to be full of Christian mysticism and biblical references. That is what Hoodoo and conjure is. The Southern Hoodoo and conjure traditions are a mixture of folk beliefs from pre-slave days in Africa and the various Christian faiths in the south. This was how the slaves were able to hold on to a bit of their previous culture and identity.If those who are looking to learn about Hoodoo and conjure work are expecting information to come from a pagan perspective and are looking at this work they will be disappointed. Mama Starr is very clear about her roots and the roots of Southern Conjure which are in Christian belief systems of the south. While she does say that you can be of any belief system and still work the spells and rituals she provides, unless you respect the Bible and understand that it is filled with lore, spells, and practices you will not get anything out of this book.The author begins the book by discussing the work of ancestors. Here the author begins explaining one of the core concepts and beliefs across Conjure/Hoodoo/Rootwork traditions. There is an overall belief in an existence of an afterlife and that our ancestors will be there to answer us. The author starts by describing how they help us and work with us and finally ends with setting up an altar to venerate and pray to your ancestors.I mentioned the importance of respect for the Bible as a sacred text and as a book of power as that is the second topic discussed in the book. As I said early on the author is clear in that this book is a southern conjure book which is going to have referenced to the Bible in there. Most of the references are in the Old Testament but they are still Bible references.After working with the ancestors is covered, crafting altars and work spaces is discussed, and the Bible is mentioned as an important source the Author gets into the spirits and beings that are often worked with in her practice of Hoodoo. Prior to reading this book I was aware of the work with the archangels and the saints. Here I learned of new spirits and beings also associated with Conjure as well as how we can even work with the prophets in the bible.Each being mentioned came with several different prayers and ways that you can work with them. These early workings are here to give you an idea about the powers each spirit has. These workings also introduce you to the concepts of repeating works, and how actual effort is put into the work. The author makes it clear that these things are repeated several times for effectiveness.As the book continues the author mentions and focuses on another core belief in rootworking traditions. That belief and practice is one of divination. Starr provides many different ways of working divination including a very traditional practice of reading the bones. While the actual practice of bone reading is not discussed, the author does include its history of use. The author included a photo of her own bone set.As the book continues the author continues an easy to follow step by step instruction on workings. The author also continues her straight talk. The author is very serious about their work and their tradition. Throughout the book the author mentions how some of these works are dangerous and are not to be simply played with. She does this not to discourage people from doing these works, but to encourage people to take the work seriously.The author does speak only of their own tradition and practices. While the author does give you all the information you need to create your own Hoodoo/Conjure practice she does encourage you to find an actual teacher to learn more complex works. As an example the author explains why some packet spells written by other authors aren't as effective as they could be because of folding the paper of the packet in a different manner than she was taught with an explanation of why the other method may actually backfire.This book is filled with practical information. With the authors attitude, explanations, and the step by step processes in the book the tome The Conjure Workbook volume 1: Working the Root provides everything you need to know in order to effective start working your own spells and rituals. By working the spells in the book you develop understanding of associations and correspondences which can be useful in creating your own effective spells.

The book is good despite many grammatical errors.This is a book on "Southern conjure" or hoodoo which according to the author is primarily Bible based.All of the work within uses the Bible or Christianity as a base.The author claims this is authentic southern hoodoo as opposed to the new Orleans hoodoo which still used African dieties and workings.Some of the correspondences for the saint are different then i learned like saint Elias is mostly known as Baron Samedi but she works with him as the prophet Elijah.Saint Michaels colors are red and white as opposed to red and green or red and blue of the voodoo/sanse/espiritismo tradition.Over all the book has good information and worth a read if you dont mind working biblical conjure.The paper back is bit "weak" but thats the publisher not the author.

Its really refreshing to read a book based on actually old school southern conjure, written by an actual conjurer. this book will take you into southern conjure and folk magik. I felt like I was stepping back in time reading this book, its like a skeleton key course work. the author was very detailed in her conjure rituals, the one with the white candle going over your body to pick up negative energy works like a charm, and I for one have never seen that taught anywhere else. I also shared some of the authors frustrations on the rampant flooding of the market on watered down conjure with folks who have no clue as to what conjure really is. but the author has to understand in this age of Aquarius knowledge must be made know to the masses as these paths were cloaked in secrecy. I am very grateful this info is written about from an actual practitioner who grew up in the tradition. Mrs Casas has written an outstanding book that will no doubt stand the test of time. if you want to learn ole school southern conjure then this is the book for you. although personally I don't work with the saints or the religious factor choosing instead to incorporate Orisha and other deities to call on to assist me with my conjure work, non the less using the techniques in this book is very effective in obtaining that which you so desire, this is root working at its best.

I'm on my second time through of this book so clearly it was an enjoyable read. I can also say that it left me with almost as many questions as it did answers. There's a bit of a recurring theme in the book, that one cannot learn this subject from books or the Internet and yet, here we are with another reference book on the subject. (There is also a Facebook page and an Internet site.)Also, there was information stated here that greatly differed from what I have garnered from other highly known writers of this subject and for that the writer states simply and unapologetically, "this is my book". She's right, it is.Still, this leaves yet more questions. If we do not learn things from books or Internet groups why do people write them or host Internet sites? Also, when there is a great difference between those acclaimed in the field, who are we to believe? This was answered in the book. We are apparently to find an old-timer and hang out until they agree to teach us.It is that sort of writing that leads me to say that this is a very good book, but definitely four rather than five stars as far as instruction goes. I do recommend this book for anyone interested in the subject. In spite of the fact that it has left me personally wondering exactly whose voice in this field of study I can trust and follow for my own growth. I still enjoy hearing counter-points on topics rather than blindly following anyone. This is clearly a good voice to add into the mix of study.

I spend several years working with Southern Rootworkers and I must say that Starr Casas makes me nostalgic for those folks. They were hard working down to earth types, who weren't using fancy names or robes but who were naturally in tune with the herbs and roots, the earth and God. Reading Casas' unpretentious way of writing is a breath of fresh air and I am sure in time to come her work will gain further recognition.When working with books like this you need a healthy dose of common sense, and if the reader doesn't already have it then Casas surely gives it to them with practical advice and no-nonsense straight talk. As always with books in this genre, some of the "recipes" are left for you to fully quantify, but this is normal. No professional rootworker is gonna give all their secrets away, and after all there are more than enough freely given here to begin with.I look forward to your next book Momma Starr! This one certainly has been a pleasure!

I really enjoyed this book, Starr Casas is an amazing woman, she intrigues me. The book is full of workings for every issue under the sun and Starr explains how to do the rituals in a straightforward manner. It truly is a fascinating book and I will definitely buy her other book as this one was brilliant. If you are starting out as a rootwork.practitioner then this is the book for you!

I would like to thank the Author for this book i had my eye on it for some time but unfortunately i wish it could of been more informative about just a few topics, here's the 64 million dollar question do you keep it to yourself or let others know about it..food for thought..

Very interesting although certain areas are incomplete as if she was in a rush to talk about the next subject before accomplishing the previous

Great book. Highly recommended!