How Hoodoo Helps Black and Indigenous Peoples Navigate Life, Death & Grief

According to Wikipedia, Hoodoo is a set of spiritual practices, traditions, and beliefs created and concealed from slaveholders by enslaved Africans in North America. Hoodoo evolved from various traditional African religions, practices, and in the American South incorporated with various elements. In this installment of The Death and Grief Talk Podcast Mrs. Lisa Jones, hoodoo practitioner and owner of Memphis Conjure defines her sacred practice passed down through maternal generations for over 100 years as simply “a pathway to peace” that has been demonized and misunderstood by white observers and lazy tongues.
I was introduced to Mrs. Jones through her TikTok videos in which she uses discusses spiritual works, healing and ritual practice to promote and educate about her practice and spiritual products and services. I felt an instant attraction to and connection with Mrs. Jones. She reminded me of my Mama Julie, aunts, grandmothers and other women in my life who knowingly or unknowingly have practiced within our Gullah/ Geechee culture and community to navigate the spiritual journey of life, death and grief while supporting and sustaining our black and indigenous community.
​Through her business Memphis Conjure Mrs. Jones sells Delta Style Hoodoo Products made by hand. She also creates and distributes ritually charged oils, powders & all things hoodoo including but not limited to mojo/nation sacks & bags, oils, powders, honey jars that are properly prepared to offer remedies for various conditions and enhance spiritual practice. Her practice and products are crafted according to a hoodoo tradition & style, taught to her by her grandmom & mom. Her family has practiced conjure/spiritual work & root work for over 108 years. Her great-grandmom, grandmother and mother were root workers and her grandmother worked on Beale Street during the 40's as a root worker & spiritual advisor.
According to her website “Hoodoo in all its variants is predominately considered a southern phenomenon. Many regions in the south can attribute conjure and rootwork to elders and ancestors who were exposed to the craft. Many were slaves who brought many traditions from the continent of Africa and other regions, or possibly native Americans who were adept at planting and seasonal anomalies. Many consider the craft evil or spooky and may not quite understand the correlations between survival and coping with the trauma of enslavement. Many books introduce the curious to the mystery of hoodoo and other crafts. We suggest reading these books with an open mind and seek to understand the “Why’s of Hoodoo” before the “How’s of Hoodoo". It is a practice forged of necessity and trauma and the legacy of our African American ancestors. We are forever agonized at what they suffered and seek to move forward in honor of all the lives before us & those who managed to persevere".
Connect with Memphis Conjure online:
Website www.memphisconjure.com
Email [e-mail]
TikTok www.tiktok.com...
Instagram / cjfdw25nrca
About the Death & Grief Talk Podcast
Death and grief are sacred aspects of our human journey that we all witness, honor, and process uniquely. The Death and Grief Talk Podcast is here to host open and honest conversation about the questions, fears, anxieties, and emotions that we all experience when someone dies.
I am your host The Grave Woman. I'm a licensed funeral director, embalmer, insurance agent and scared death/grief care practitioner. I have over a decade of experience working in the death care industry. I am dedicated to helping everyone navigate individual journeys to find peace and purpose with life, death, and grief.
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[@smilinghappily6190]

*throwing my phone across the room* Ms. Lisa said Black women taking care of 10 people and not taking care of herself. Responsible for too many adults.

[@TheGraveWoman]

Girl! Did you feel it in your womb and chest when she said it like I did! I constantly have to remind myself that these mofo's are good and grown!

[@MrRed-bk9xn]

Another fine example of Foundational Black American culture. Anything them folks can’t control or latch onto they will demonize. Thanks for sharing this part of our FBA culture. ✊🏿☮️

[@memphisconjure-official]

Good Morning and thanks for the opportunity to discuss our path with you, we were honored to be on your incredible platform.

[@TheGraveWoman]

It was such a pleasure to speak with you! Thank you for all that you do!

[@EDH28]

Ms. Lisa is beloved. So glad I came across this 💯 Ase'

[@TheGraveWoman]

Thanks so much for watching. More content like this to come. Make sure you are subscribed, like and please share with anyone you think can benefit from this and other videos on the channel.

[@sharhondariley]

I'm so grateful to be in Memphis because this woman is a real JEWEL

[@TheGraveWoman]

She is the absolute BEST!

[@sharonrwilson2727]

Mama always said,"It's a part of life".

[@lacheregriffin-denton9946]

We had an celebration of life ceremony, where we washed them and sang to them as they passed away.

[@queenpluto5755]

I needed this so much, I found Miss Lisa years ago and I have not found many products that match the strength of hers. The energy of her products definitely match her energy. She is an amazing business woman, she actually called me to ask me about my order once!

[@TheGraveWoman]

Full transparency! I copied and pasted this from another response because it's too my to type again. Thank you so much for sharing this! It warms my heart to know that the work and message is touching hearts and reaffirming spiritual gifts and practices. Its so vital. Please consider joining me on January 1st for a very intimate course in Spiritual Death Care. I am sharing a the details of the course below but you can visit the website to register and see reviews from past students. www.thegravewoman.com/store/p36/SpiritualDeathCare.html A Brief Overview: Deathcare is evolving. For those who are transitioning, their loved ones, and families accessing more holistic and spiritual expressions of commemoration, celebration, and tribute has become vitally important. Honoring religious, cultural, and regional practices and traditions is at the core of what we do. However, we can go deeper. It is time that we as death care professionals begin to cultivate space for Spiritual Death Care. Transition, death, and grief are all extremely spiritual experiences. Regardless of our race, age, religion, socio-economic status, or any other perceived divisive factor at some point in our lives we will all share in bearing witness or participating. Because of this shared human experience, we must honor this experience within; while simultaneously existing in various outside worlds/realities. My role as Sacred Death and Grief Practitioner is to teach others to navigate this part of our sacred journeys and help professionals hone their spiritual gifts to do the same. 👉🏾 Clearly define what makes your work sacred 👉🏾 Identify your unique Spiritual Gifts 👉🏾Define which Spiritual Death Care Career Path best fits your gifts 👉🏾Developing discernment, spiritual boundaries and protection rituals 👉🏾Learning to lean into obedience and intuition in order to serve 👉🏾Strategize to monetize your gift and Spiritual Death Care service/merchandise 👉🏾Understanding the importance of REST and REPLINISHMENT I am DETERMINED and MOTIVATED to help as many of you who are called to serve in this space clearly define your sacred roles in death care. Should this not be the course or workshop for you, I pray that you are blessed and have the courage to be obedient in whatever direction Spirit leads you. I can't promise you that the road ahead will be an easy one, but what I can guarantee without a doubt is that with Spirit taking the lead it is WORTH IT. Not only for you but for the lives, careers, and families that you will impact and be of service to.

[@queenpluto5755]

@@TheGraveWoman wow definitely interested. Have to see if I can attend ❤️

[@PrimordialChaos07]

Fantastic interview Black excellence nothing but wisdom and elegance ❤❤❤🌹🧘🏾‍♀️

[@TheGraveWoman]

Thank you so much. More content like this to come. Make sure you are subscribed, like and please share with anyone you think can benefit from this and other videos on the channel.

[@PrimordialChaos07]

@@TheGraveWoman 👍🏾🌹

[@WildindianTv]

Indigenous path I like that 🪶

[@TheGraveWoman]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@bitcraftworks1633]

This was great. Thank you so much for this. As a medium and intuitive reader who channels, but whose family is deep in the church, navigating my gift and not disrespecting their belief and reputation is definitely a balancing act.

[@TheGraveWoman]

Thank you so much for sharing this! It warms my heart to know that the work and message is touching hearts and reaffirming spiritual gifts and practices. Its so vital. Please consider joining me on January 1st for a very intimate course in Spiritual Death Care. I am sharing a the details of the course below but you can visit the website to register and see reviews from past students. www.thegravewoman.com/store/p36/SpiritualDeathCare.html A Brief Overview: Deathcare is evolving. For those who are transitioning, their loved ones, and families accessing more holistic and spiritual expressions of commemoration, celebration, and tribute has become vitally important. Honoring religious, cultural, and regional practices and traditions is at the core of what we do. However, we can go deeper. It is time that we as death care professionals begin to cultivate space for Spiritual Death Care. Transition, death, and grief are all extremely spiritual experiences. Regardless of our race, age, religion, socio-economic status, or any other perceived divisive factor at some point in our lives we will all share in bearing witness or participating. Because of this shared human experience, we must honor this experience within; while simultaneously existing in various outside worlds/realities. My role as Sacred Death and Grief Practitioner is to teach others to navigate this part of our sacred journeys and help professionals hone their spiritual gifts to do the same. 👉🏾 Clearly define what makes your work sacred 👉🏾 Identify your unique Spiritual Gifts 👉🏾Define which Spiritual Death Care Career Path best fits your gifts 👉🏾Developing discernment, spiritual boundaries and protection rituals 👉🏾Learning to lean into obedience and intuition in order to serve 👉🏾Strategize to monetize your gift and Spiritual Death Care service/merchandise 👉🏾Understanding the importance of REST and REPLINISHMENT I am DETERMINED and MOTIVATED to help as many of you who are called to serve in this space clearly define your sacred roles in death care. Should this not be the course or workshop for you, I pray that you are blessed and have the courage to be obedient in whatever direction Spirit leads you. I can't promise you that the road ahead will be an easy one, but what I can guarantee without a doubt is that with Spirit taking the lead it is WORTH IT. Not only for you but for the lives, careers, and families that you will impact and be of service to.

[@anijaetwa]

I'm a medium too, and I'm just realizing it and it is scary. You read my mind, I can't turn it off and I don't really have many people to talk about it with so, it's hard to navigate.

[@TheGraveWoman]

It is very isolating but good spiritual hygiene can and will help. I created a course to deal exactly with this. You can learn more here... www.thegravewoman.com/store/p36/SpiritualDeathCare.html

[@Theserenitypark]

Teach Ms. Lisa!!!!

[@TheGraveWoman]

She is such a natural teacher and so full of wisdom! Thank you so much for watching. More content like this to come. Make sure you are subscribed, like and please share with anyone you think can benefit from this and other videos on the channel.

[@msccna218]

Absolutely love her! On her website throwing stuff into the cart while listening to this!

[@TheGraveWoman]

RIGHT! Her products are AMAZING and top quality. Thank you so much. More content like this to come. Make sure you are subscribed, like and please share with anyone you think can benefit from this and other videos on the channel.

[@theloversoracle1983]

❤❤❤. I love Mrs Lisa and her condition oils.

[@TheGraveWoman]

She is the absolute BEST!! Thanks so much for watching. More content like this to come. Make sure you are subscribed, like and please share with anyone you think can benefit from this and other videos on the channel.

[@anugoddess9222]

Wow! I never knew the parlor was the funeral room. Yikes! That's why the energy is so thick there. Thanks for this video. The covering of the mirrors, her perspective on demons was interesting.

[@sharonrwilson2727]

Who do that hoodoo!? I do. And, I love you.

[@TheGraveWoman]

Love you right back 🫶🏾

[@kimstewart11]

I really enjoyed this video

[@TheGraveWoman]

I'm so glad! Thank you so much. More content like this to come. Make sure you are subscribed, like and please share with anyone you think can benefit from this and other videos on the channel.

[@9Aether]

This was powerful and informative! 28:00 !!

[@TiffanyOkafor]

I enjoyed this. Thank you ladies.

[@TheGraveWoman]

Our pleasure!

[@Celeste_Frey]

lovely

[@TheGraveWoman]

Thank you so much. More content like this to come. Make sure you are subscribed, like and please share with anyone you think can benefit from this and other videos on the channel.

[@cydcamp6157]

This was excellent information. You asked great questions, so important, Thanks ladies

[@TheGraveWoman]

Our pleasure!

[@lisajames4755]

Greetings family!

[@TheGraveWoman]

Hello there! Make sure you are subscribed, like and please share with anyone you think can benefit from this and other videos on the channel.

[@GuidedSoul88]

This video was amazing

[@TheGraveWoman]

Thank you so very much

[@letmeseemm]

I'm so glad this video can across my feed! Both of you ladies are doing amazing work! 👏🏾

[@TheGraveWoman]

Thank you so much!!

[@tierranicole3283]

❤❤❤

[@Kabeyavictoria]

I subscribed ❤

[@TheGraveWoman]

Thank you so much. I hope that you enjoy it here!

[@Kabeyavictoria]

@@TheGraveWoman Yes a loooot

[@TheGraveWoman]

@@Kabeyavictoria Be sure to check out our website for courses, e-books and other offerings www.thegravewoman.com/courses

[@Kabeyavictoria]

@@TheGraveWoman thank you very much dear

[@goldilocks_locsdreadlocks739]

Im confused about a part she said. Is she saying that the person that is alive keeps having dejavu about a person that passed? Or just dejavu in general? Or the person that hasn’t crossed over keeps having dejavu?

[@nathanwilson6183]

I always wanted to know if Memphis Hoodoo and Mississippi Hoodoo the same or very similar to each other or not.

[@TheGraveWoman]

That I do not know but I will ask Ms. Lisa.

[@nathanwilson6183]

@@TheGraveWoman, thank you.

[@tyrindukes3987]

❤💙🖤🌀

[@jaxthewolf4572]

Nice video but I'm a little frustrated that you keep calling Hoodoo peaceful and loving. Yes it has a loving and peaceful side but also a neutral side and a side that is vengeful, deadly and harsh. It represents nature in that regard. In fact Wikipedia explains that Hoodoo is NOT fluffy hippy stuff like Wicca.

[@TheGraveWoman]

Thank you for sharing your perspective. I love diverse conversation and seeing things from your vantage point. More content like this to come. Make sure you are subscribed, like and please share with anyone you think can benefit from this and other videos on the channel.

[@anugoddess9222]

I'm still a little confused about how Hoodoo and Christianity go together. I do understand that you should look at the Bible esotericaly.

[@lizzysbeautyshowetc.6895]

Because It really doesn't this Hulu voodoo is nothing but santeria it's a manipulation of saints these this religion whatever you want to call it they're okay with causing harm to others and placing curses they think it's okay so this has nothing to do with God Christianity and the love of God

[@YOUR-WORD-IS-YOUR-BOND]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@TheGraveWoman]

We as enslaved people had to find a way to "camouflage" or indigenous spiritual practice. We did this through mimicking the practices of Christianity (the religion and spiritual beliefs forced upon us) while operating with our authentic beliefs, intentions and rituals. I hope this makes sense.

[@YOUR-WORD-IS-YOUR-BOND]

@@TheGraveWoman 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 💯

[@MrsAK.Simmons]

Hoodoo is basically herbal/medicinal and ancestral, and not a religion. While Christianity is a religion. Hence, why you can do both. You can love God AND the ancestors that came before you. I’m an anthropologist by trade with Geechee heritage from Wadmalaw island. My great grandmother was in NatGeo for hoodoo.

[@tytaylor8525]

25:00

[@TheGraveWoman]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Make sure you are subscribed, like and please share with anyone you think can benefit from this and other videos on the channel.

[@georgepatterson4543]

for God so loved the world that he gave his only son Jesus that whosoever believe in him will not perish but have everlasting life, have a wonderful day everyone

[@jaxthewolf4572]

Stop it

[@TheGraveWoman]

Thank you so much. More content like this to come. Make sure you are subscribed, like and please share with anyone you think can benefit from this and other videos on the channel.

[@PrimordialChaos07]

It’s funny how Christians always find their way to occult worship ❌

[@ms.bitchcrap]

this was wonderful, thank you so much for sharing ❤

[@TheGraveWoman]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much. More content like this to come. Make sure you are subscribed, like and please share with anyone you think can benefit from this and other videos on the channel.

[@carbontwelve5256]

This was amazing thank you ladies thank you🙏🏾💜🙏🏾

[@TheGraveWoman]

You are so welcome! More content like this to come. Make sure you are subscribed, like and please share with anyone you think can benefit from this and other videos on the channel.

[@deadpoo4707]

The name Hoodoo come from the word UNDU which means medicine. UNDU is an Akan Word.

[@TheGraveWoman]

Thank you s much for this and thank you for watching