{"id":25662,"date":"2022-04-01T01:10:58","date_gmt":"2022-04-01T05:10:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=25662"},"modified":"2022-05-24T18:11:53","modified_gmt":"2022-05-24T22:11:53","slug":"book-review-mountain-conjure-and-southern-rootwork","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2022\/04\/01\/book-review-mountain-conjure-and-southern-rootwork\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review \u2013 Mountain Conjure and Southern Rootwork"},"content":{"rendered":"

Book Review <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Mountain Conjure and Southern Rootwork<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Previously published as The Candle and The Crossroads: A Book of Appalachian Conjure and Southern Root Work<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

by Orion Foxwood<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Published by Red Wheel \/ Weiser Books<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

256 pages<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Publication date: January 1, 2021<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I have always been drawn to the practice of conjure \u2013 maybe it\u2019s the power in the word itself. It evokes the ability to \u201cconjure up\u201d magic, healing, spirits and who know what else. I know little about it, and indeed, have followed other pathways. I took the opportunity to read Mountain Conjure and Southern Root Work<\/strong> find out more. Orion Foxwood was raised in his family\u2019s tradition of Appalachian Mountain conjure and root magic, taught by his mother and local root workers who continue to work with him as ancestors. This is the first book I have read about conjure and my first read by Orion Foxwood. I am so glad I did!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Foxwood grounds the book in the history, culture and religious foundations of conjure. It is a confluence of the streams of \u201cmany threatening cultural encounters, not the least of which were slavery, forced relocation, cultural assimilation\/homogeneity and genocide of indigenous Native American people and their practices,\u201d along with an undertone of European paganism \u201cwith a Christian overlay\u201d (52). It is a magical practice for finding spiritual power in a repressive culture, a magical path to freedom, as he calls it, \u201ca path\u2026 of spiritual sovereignty in the face of oppression and adversity\u201d (227). Foxwood was born with \u201cthe veil\u201d and recounts his personal experiences in apprenticing to conjure, including the foundational practices he uses, the nature of the spirits he has encountered and the Three Paths to Cultivating Spirit. This section of the book makes for fascinating reading! His descriptions of energetic and spiritual streams apply to many forms of otherworldly work, as I understand it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Once he has given us an overview of conjure and how he came to the work, Foxwood gives us practical methods for working with Ancestors, the Dead and graveyard magic, spiritual and energetic cleansing or \u201cuncrossing\u201d negative influences, and \u201cworking at the crossroads\u201d or how to walk in the physical and spirit worlds with power. Foxwood emphasizes working the root, or essence of yourself as you embody the spirit of creation, and growing your spirit in a good way. In fact, this is the core of conjure practice as he details it. He writes beautifully about this root work and describes practical methods for it. This is not a \u201crecipe\u201d spell book, however. The roots of the magic are woven throughout the book and without reading the entire thing, you\u2019ll miss the essence of the essential root work and spiritual relationship development needed before the magic has true power.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There is a recommended reading list and a section on resources for further exploration and study.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mountain Conjure and Southern Root Work<\/strong> is a great read and a great reference. Because Foxwood sets the context of the cultures in which his particular family practice arose and the individual teachers who mentored him, the Christian influences that run throughout the book make perfect sense. I did not find them triggering, although there are some who might. Foxwood is generous in describing and sharing his ways of working. Since conjure is not a part of my recent familial lineage work, I do not think I will use these methods exactly as he has described them, but he has inspired for me new ways to think about the work I do. The writing is beautiful and evocative. For example:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c[an invocation] came through me during a session of turning my
\nawareness inward toward the eternal stream of ancestral
\npresence, essence and universal rhythm that knows no end and is
\nalways beginning\u2026My mother called it \u201cthe knowing.\u201d It is into
\nthis state of being that all conjurers go for inspiration,
\nincarnation\u2026It dwells where the web of fate and the river of stars
\njoin in a dance of creation and revelation. To engage in these
\nstates of being, magic workers must part the perceived veil
\nbetween the worlds and take the spirit of their seeking to that
\nplace where humanity and divinity meet-the crossroads. At the
\ncrossroads, the gate to the web of fate opens and the spirit roads
\nare available.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This is resonant, powerful writing and reflects the spirit that flows through this book. It also is a beautiful way of describing where those who practice magic of any kind can source connection. Whether you practice conjure or not, Mountain Conjure and Southern Root Work<\/strong> is worth reading for the writing alone, as well as for the wonderful, practical discussion of the work! Foxwood\u2019s other books, which include books on faery magic, are now on my reading list.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Orion Foxwood<\/a> is a conjurer in the American southern folk tradition, a traditional witch and a Faery Seer. He is the founder of Foxwood Temple of the Old Religion in Maryland and a co-founder of Conjure Crossroads and the annual Folk Magic Festival held in New Orleans and Conjure-Con. He was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and is the author of The Tree of Enchantment and other books.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Mountain Conjure and Southern Root Work<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

About the Author:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Susan Rossi<\/b><\/span> is a Practitioner and Teacher of Shamanic Arts. She is a long-time explorer of The Mysteries – the connections between mind, body, spirit and how to live in right relationship to all of the energies streaming through the cosmos. She works with clients as an astrologer, coach, ceremonialist and guide to the wisdom that each of us has the capacity to access. Her focus is on <\/span>guiding clients to unblock and rediscover their inner wisdom. Art, exploration of the birth chart, ceremony, legacy writing, hypnotherapy, energetic healing practice and creation of sacred tools are integral pieces of her practice. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Susan trained in Soul Level Astrology with master astrologer Mark Borax. She delights in exploring with individuals the planetary pattern under which their soul choose to incarnate. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Susan Rossi<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Open Channel Astrology <\/span><\/span><\/span>www.openchannelastrology.com<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Flying to the Heart <\/span><\/span><\/span>www.flyingtotheheart.com<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Book Review Mountain Conjure and Southern Rootwork Previously published as The Candle and The Crossroads: A Book of Appalachian Conjure and Southern Root Work by Orion Foxwood Published by Red Wheel \/ Weiser Books 256 pages Publication date: January 1, 2021     I have always been drawn to the practice of conjure \u2013 maybe it\u2019s the power in the word itself. It evokes the ability to \u201cconjure up\u201d magic, healing, spirits and who know what else. I know little about it, and indeed, have followed other pathways. I took the opportunity to read Mountain Conjure and Southern Root Work find out more. Orion Foxwood was raised in his family\u2019s tradition of Appalachian Mountain conjure and root magic, taught by his mother and local root workers who continue to work with him as ancestors. This is the first book I have read about conjure and my first read by Orion Foxwood. I am so glad I did! Foxwood grounds the book in the history, culture and religious foundations of conjure. It is a confluence of the streams of \u201cmany threatening cultural encounters, not the least of which were slavery, forced relocation, cultural assimilation\/homogeneity and genocide of indigenous Native American people and their practices,\u201d along with an undertone of European paganism \u201cwith a Christian overlay\u201d (52). It is a magical practice for finding spiritual power in a repressive culture, a magical path to freedom, as he calls it, \u201ca path\u2026 of spiritual sovereignty in the face of oppression and adversity\u201d (227). Foxwood was born with \u201cthe veil\u201d and recounts his personal experiences in apprenticing to conjure, including the foundational practices he uses, the nature of the spirits he has encountered and the Three Paths to Cultivating Spirit. This section of the book makes for fascinating reading! His descriptions of energetic and spiritual streams apply to many forms of otherworldly work, as I understand it. Once he has given us an overview of conjure and how he came to the work, Foxwood gives us practical methods for working with Ancestors, the Dead and graveyard magic, spiritual and energetic cleansing or \u201cuncrossing\u201d negative influences, and \u201cworking at the crossroads\u201d or how to walk in the physical and spirit worlds with power. Foxwood emphasizes working the root, or essence of yourself as you embody the spirit of creation, and growing your spirit in a good way. In fact, this is the core of conjure practice as he details it. He writes beautifully about this root work and describes practical methods for it. This is not a \u201crecipe\u201d spell book, however. The roots of the magic are woven throughout the book and without reading the entire thing, you\u2019ll miss the essence of the essential root work and spiritual relationship development needed before the magic has true power. There is a recommended reading list and a section on resources for further exploration and study. Mountain Conjure and Southern Root Work is a great read and a great reference. Because Foxwood sets the context of the cultures in which his particular family practice arose and the individual teachers who mentored him, the Christian influences that run throughout the book make perfect sense. I did not find them triggering, although there are some who might. Foxwood is generous in describing and sharing his ways of working. Since conjure is not a part of my recent familial lineage work, I do not think I will use these methods exactly as he has described them, but he has inspired for me new ways to think about the work I do. The writing is beautiful and evocative. For example: \u201c[an invocation] came through me during a session of turning my awareness inward toward the eternal stream of ancestral presence, essence and universal rhythm that knows no end and is always beginning\u2026My mother called it \u201cthe knowing.\u201d It is into this state of being that all conjurers go for inspiration, incarnation\u2026It dwells where the web of fate and the river of stars join in a dance of creation and revelation. To engage in these states of being, magic workers must part the perceived veil between the worlds and take the spirit of their seeking to that place where humanity and divinity meet-the crossroads. At the crossroads, the gate to the web of fate opens and the spirit roads are available.\u201d This is resonant, powerful writing and reflects the spirit that flows through this book. It also is a beautiful way of describing where those who practice magic of any kind can source connection. Whether you practice conjure or not, Mountain Conjure and Southern Root Work is worth reading for the writing alone, as well as for the wonderful, practical discussion of the work! Foxwood\u2019s other books, which include books on faery magic, are now on my reading list. Orion Foxwood is a conjurer in the American southern folk tradition, a traditional witch and a Faery Seer. He is the founder of Foxwood Temple of the Old Religion in Maryland and a co-founder of Conjure Crossroads and the annual Folk Magic Festival held in New Orleans and Conjure-Con. He was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and is the author of The Tree of Enchantment and other books.\u00a0   Mountain Conjure and Southern Root Work   *** About the Author: Susan Rossi is a Practitioner and Teacher of Shamanic Arts. She is a long-time explorer of The Mysteries – the connections between mind, body, spirit and how to live in right relationship to all of the energies streaming through the cosmos. She works with clients as an astrologer, coach, ceremonialist and guide to the wisdom that each of us has the capacity to access. Her focus is on guiding clients to unblock and rediscover their inner wisdom. Art, exploration of the birth chart, ceremony, legacy writing, hypnotherapy, energetic healing practice and creation of sacred tools are integral pieces of her practice. Susan trained in Soul Level Astrology with master astrologer Mark Borax. She delights in exploring with individuals the planetary pattern under which their soul choose to incarnate. Susan Rossi Open Channel Astrology www.openchannelastrology.com Flying to the Heart www.flyingtotheheart.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":235,"featured_media":25609,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10005],"tags":[13656,10095,10015,10861,13655,13652,13653,10075,13654],"class_list":["post-25662","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviews","tag-appalachian","tag-book","tag-book-review","tag-conjure","tag-folk-magic","tag-mountain-conjure-and-southern-root-work","tag-orion-foxwood","tag-review","tag-root-work"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25662","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/235"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25662"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25662\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26136,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25662\/revisions\/26136"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25609"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25662"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25662"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25662"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}