62 Foundaons in Southern Rootwork

Denise Alvarado In ancient times, people tended to use the concept of resemblance in the ap-plication and practice of medicine and the law of similarity to the practice of magic. These ideas were central to the understanding and prediction of which plants, roots and herbs would be curative of specific diseases, and which would have a supernatural effect on a given condition. Using the concept of resemblance, for example, ailments of the spleen were treated with the the common fern Asplenium scolopendrium as it bears a striking resemblance to a spleen. The leaf of Hepatica acutiloba was shaped like the liver, so it was used to treat liver disorders, and the leaf of the Cyclamen persicum resembles an ear, and so it was used to treat earaches. This ideolo-gy was prevalent through the 16th century. In the 1500s, Paracelsus von Hohenheim (14931541) referred to the concept of resemblance as The Doctrine of Signatures. He believed that by observing the physical properties and characteristics of plants one could tell which ones were used in healing the conditions of humankind. Characteris-tics such as smell, shape, color, the time of growth, and when a flower blos-somed were all indicators of a specific plants given medicinal use. Paracel-

The Doctrine of Signatures

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sus noticed that the Christmas rose (Helleborus ni-ger) flowered in winter, for example, and thus concluded that it had rejuvenating powers. He then introduced it to the pharmacopoeia and recommended it for elderly people (Pearce, 2008). The central idea to the Doctrine of Signatures is the belief that everything was created with God the Creators divine signature. The Heavenly artist signed each living thing with a special mark indicating the purpose for the creation of the organism. We know the purpose by observing the visual cues and signature associations. This idea is not limited to just plants, however. It has also informed us as to the use of how animal parts have been used medicinally (see the article on the website about the use of threatened animal species in Traditional Chinese Medicine). In the early 1600s Jakob Bhme (1575-1624) from Gr-litz, Germany wrote "Signatura Rerum; The Signature of all Things". His book espoused a spiritual philosophy; however it soon was adopted for its medical application. The Doctrine states that, by observation, one can determine from the color of the flowers or roots, the shape of the leaves, the place of growing, or other signatures, what the plant's purpose was in God's plan. Although the Doctrine of Signatures traditionally refers to plants and their characteristics, in Hoodoo we apply the same train of thought to animals and minerals as well. If we want a couple to fight like cats and dogs for example, we employ dog and cat hair in our formulas. Applying the concept to dirt, for example, we can get these correspondences (courtesy of Madrina Angelique): Dirt from a bank - Mixed with magnetic sand, this dirt can be used to gain money. Add to Commanding and Compelling powder and dust loan papers to secure a loan or wrap in small squares of brown paper and place in the shoes when looking for a job.

64 Foundaons in Southern Rootwork

Crossroads dirt - When you want to open your roads, mix this dirt with camphor and dust your shoes with it. To draw people to your business brush it over the pavement or use it to work with the spirits of Crossroads. Dust a yellow candle and burn when you have a decision to make. Dirt from four corners - Mixed with cinnamon to bring in customers from the four corners of the earth when sprinkled over the doorstep. To over-come obstacles, mix with cayenne pepper and sprinkled over an enemys personal effects to totally confuse them. Dirt from a police station - Used to literally bring the law down on some-one. Mix with Fiery Wall of Protection powder and scatter around the pe-rimeter of the home to guard against theft. Dirt from a court - This dirt is employed to influence or win legal cases and to achieve justice in a situation. To work such a trick, mix it with powdered low john root and wear it in a red flannel bag around your neck. Church Dirt - Used in clearings and purifying rituals. Scatter a little of this dirt in the four corners of the house to purify it of negativity. Graveyard Dirt - Graveyard dirt is employed for literally hundred of tricks and spells. Employed in aggressive love magic, curses, protection work. G r a v e y a r d d i r t i s a s t a p l e o f H o o d o o p r a c t i c e . Dirt from a family plot - This dirt is used to keep a peaceful home, place it in white handkerchief, tie the corners and hang it above the door. Similarly, we can apply the concept to water from different sources: Water from a Stream - Consecration, luck, peace, take things away, healing. Water from a Mine- Prosperity, abundance, earth secrets, power, force of will, physical prowess.

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Lightning Water- Fast effects, change, power, passion, strength, warrior force. May Water - considered the most powerful and sacred of all the rain wa-ters, use for joy, healing, cleansing, head washings. Rain Water- Joy, healing, cleansing, head washings, spirit communication. Ocean Water- Fertility, cleansing, peace, riches, comfort, joy, parenthood, pregnancy. Spring Water- New beginnings, strength, growth, happiness, riches, pros-perity. Hot Springs- Purification, excite energy, healing, power, protection from harm, business success. Holy Water- Protection, blessing, empowerment, consecration, baptism. Water from a Waterfall- Purification, power, cleansing, love, wisdom Lake Water- Spirit capture, hunting. Mud Puddle- crossing, stagnation, creating blockages, illness, obstructing, negative energy, left-handed works River Water Wealth, Love, Drawing things, art, disposing ritual remains. Sewer Water- Crossing, cursing, left-handed works. Stagnant Water - Stopping a situation or condition, stagnation, capturing spirits. Stump Water - power and protection