Walking the Crooked Path: Why I Believe in Justified Work in Hoodoo

In my practice, I live by a simple but powerful creed that guides my hands and my heart.

"I have the power to bless and to bind. I pray for my friends, but I cross my enemies. I do not seek trouble, but I do not run from it. My magic is a reflection of life itself—a balance of mercy and consequence."

This isn't just a saying; it's the core of how I move through the world and how I approach every working.

If you’ve been in spiritual spaces for a while, you’ve heard the terms: "love and light," "for the highest good," "send them blessings and move on." And while there is a place for that perspective, in my practice of Hoodoo—a tradition forged in the fires of survival, oppression, and resilience—the world is not so black and white. We work in the full spectrum of human experience, and sometimes, that requires walking what some call the "crooked path" or engaging in left-handed work.

Let me be clear: Hoodoo is not about causing harm for sport or out of malice. It is about justice, balance, and protection. It is about using the full power granted to us by God and the Ancestors to manage the realities of our lives.

Why I Believe in "Left-Handed" Work: To me, "left-handed" work is simply justified work. It is the spiritual right to self-defense, to establishing boundaries, and to correcting a balance of power that has been tilted against you.

Think of it this way:

· If someone is actively trying to destroy your reputation, sending them love and light is like bringing a feather to a knife fight. It is spiritually disarming yourself.

· If a toxic person is determined to drain your energy and sabotage your peace, binding them from harming you is not "dark"; it is an act of radical self-love.

· If you have been wronged, seeking justice through your workings is not a sin; it is a demand for the spiritual scales to be balanced.

My ancestors survived the Middle Passage, slavery, and Jim Crow. They did not do so by only turning the other cheek. They survived by being strategic, by protecting their families by any means necessary—both physically and spiritually. My belief in this work is an inheritance from them. It is a sacred trust to use every tool in the shed to protect my peace, my family, and my prosperity.

My Unshakeable Protocol: Communion Before Action: Before I ever gather an herb, write a petition, or light a candle for any working—but especially one that involves crossing, binding, or justice—I follow a strict protocol. This is non-negotiable. It is what separates a reckless act of emotion from a righteous act of spiritual power.

Step 1: The Ancestral Reading - Seeking Council: I never move forward alone. I go to my ancestor altar, the central hub of my spiritual practice. I light a white candle and pour fresh water. I then use my preferred method of divination (often tarot cards) to pose direct questions to my Spirit Court:

· "Is this work justified?"

· "Do I have the right to intervene in this situation?"

· "What will be the consequences or the outcome if I proceed?"

· "Are you, my Ancestors, standing with me in this?"

I do not proceed unless I get a clear, unambiguous YES. If the reading is muddy, if the signs are unclear, or if I get a "no," I stop. Immediately. My ancestors see a bigger picture than I do, and I trust their guidance above my own anger or desire.

Step 2: Petitioning and Stating My Case: If I have the green light, I then formally petition my ancestors. I speak to them aloud, clearly and with conviction. I state:

· The situation: What has happened.

· The injustice: How my peace or well-being has been violated.

· My desired outcome: Exactly what I want the work to accomplish (e.g., "I command [Name] to be bound from speaking my name in gossip," or "I justly cause the harm they sent to me to return to their own doorstep.").

This is me, as a living descendant, presenting my case before the spiritual court of my lineage. I am asking for their blessing, their power, and their enforcement of my will.

Step 3: Gathering Materials with Intent: Only after this communion do I gather my materials. Every herb, every oil, every root is chosen with the specific condition in mind. As I work, I am not working from a place of rage; I am working from a place of focused, righteous intention, backed by the authority of my ancestors.

Step 4: The Work Itself: The working is the final step in a long process. It is the physical manifestation of a spiritual decision that has already been made and sanctioned.

Walking this path requires immense personal responsibility, honesty, and a deep, trusting relationship with your ancestors. It is not for the faint of heart. But for those of us who carry the legacy of survivors, it is a necessary and sacred part of our power.

We have the right to defend our castles. We have the right to peace. We have the right to use the full force of our spiritual inheritance to ensure it.

This is my truth. This is my path.

Ase.