Root magic is a form of folk magic that involves the use of roots, herbs, and other natural materials to cast spells and create charms. This type of magic has its roots in African and African American traditions, but it has since become popular in other cultures as well. The main idea behind root magic is the belief in the power of the natural world to influence and shape our lives. Practitioners of root magic believe that by harnessing the energy of plants and other natural materials, they can tap into the spiritual forces that govern the universe and bring about desired outcomes. The practice of root magic typically involves gathering specific herbs, roots, and other botanicals that have specific properties. For example, a practitioner might use rosemary for protection, lavender for purification, or cinnamon for attracting love.
By debunking these myths and understanding its origin, rootwork can be viewed as a cultural practice that can be incorporated into everyday life. Educate yourself before passing judgment.
A poignant, necessary entry into the children s literary canon, Root Magic brings to life the history and culture of Gullah people while highlighting the timeless plight of Black Americans. The rest of that chapter is a funeral, root magic, a clear-cut explanation of where the story will take place, an introduction to most of the main characters, and the appearance of the villain right at the end.
For example, a practitioner might use rosemary for protection, lavender for purification, or cinnamon for attracting love. These materials are then used to create charms or spells, which are often carried or worn by the individual seeking their desired result. The effectiveness of root magic is believed to be strengthened by the use of rituals, prayers, and other spiritual practices.
Eden Royce’s Root Magic is the Book I Needed Growing Up
Root Magic is the book I wish I’d had as a little Black girl growing up in the South.
Not only did books like this not exist in the middle grade world in the ’90s, but even if they had, my school library wouldn’t have carried it. They tried to ban over 30 books and made national news for their heavy-handed censorship.
Which is why I’m so glad that Eden Royce wrote this book. Reading about a little Black girl from the South practicing the ancestral magic I grew up witnessing filled a hole in me I didn’t know existed. Finally, I got to see child-me on the page.
Root Magic is not just important for its subject matter, however. It’s also incredible for its nuanced view of racism, classism, and outright hatred against those perceived to hold power over others in a way those others don’t quite comprehend.
Royce’s protagonist, a tween girl named Jezebel, loses her grandmother at the start of this master class in middle grade horror. Her world is turned upside down by the death, and her family’s protection is lessened because the matriarch is no longer there to work the root to protect them all. Eventually, she and her twin brother, Jay, convince their mother and uncle to let them learn rootwork to help protect them from the local deputy, who has it out for all the rootworkers in his area. Jez and Jay learn about all manner of magic, from haints and boo-hags to mojo bags and astral projection. Ultimately, Jez’s knowledge of hoodoo will be tested in one final showdown between the racist cop and her family.
Order now: Apple | Bookshop | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBoundRoyce’s debut novel does a lot of heavy lifting, especially considering its classification as a middle grade book. Readers are taken on a journey through what it was like to be Black in the South before the Civil Rights Movement. We witness first-hand the Black community’s reaction to the death of John F. Kennedy. And we watch a lonely little girl come into her own power, making the unlikeliest of friends in the process.
Root Magic is also, in many ways, a handbook on practicing conjure work. The references to using graveyard dirt and brick dust for protection brought me back to my own childhood, where my father and grandmother discussed doing the same. The horrifying stories I heard as a child about boo-hags slipping out of their skin to terrorize folks at night also held the warmth of familiarity, despite its ghastly premise. In short, Root Magic made me feel like I was home again.
But it’s important to note that this book is more than just a trip down memory lane for those of us who grew up with hoodoo. While that’s incredibly important and powerful to those kids living in families just like the Turners, Root Magic is also a lens through which readers can understand what it was like to grow up during an uncertain and horrifying time to be Black. But perhaps even more essentially, it underscores the idea that “not all skinfolk are kinfolk”; that Black people experience racism from their country and fellow citizens, but that they are also sometimes looked down upon by people experiencing those same struggles. Jez is constantly teased about her family’s involvement in rootwork by the other Black girls in her school, though many of the kids that tease her have parents that frequent her family’s shop for simple remedies for healing medical maladies, as well as spells to address imbalances of the less natural variety.
Royce does an excellent job of crafting a compelling story from start to finish. From the first line, we are drawn into the world she grew up in. Every building block of story serves a purpose to push the narrative forward, while also setting up major reveals later in the book. The children in Root Magic are believable in their actions, and openly grapple with questions other middle school kids work through at this point in their lives–the quest for friends, for finding what it is you stand for, and for becoming your own person outside of your family, while still remaining connected to them in a meaningful way.
For me, Root Magic was a joy to read. In fact, I can’t wait to read it with my own son to introduce him to some of the lore that I grew up with. This book will introduce a whole new generation to rootwork and ensure that it never dies. Because rootwork has primarily been an oral tradition passed down from parents and grandparents to children, much of it is not documented in any way. To learn it requires finding a mentor familiar with the work. But in writing this novel, Royce has opened the door for children to see their previously secretive culture out in the world, but still treated with the reverence and respect it deserves.
In many ways, this novel felt like it was a love letter to 12-year-old me–the girl who couldn’t find books with people that looked like her, much less those who believed like her. And while girls like me are definitely in the minority, even among other southern Black people, it’s incredibly important that those kids–especially those kids–have a mirror they can peer into while they are trying to figure out where they belong in this world.
Librarians across the country–both public and school–should race to acquire copies of this book. Every single place where kids check out books needs a copy of Root Magic. You never know who might need this book, and what magic it might work on their soul.
Order Root Magic now:
Apple | Bookshop | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
And don’t miss our interview with Eden Royce here.
Many of us have been in church and someone said to us, “The Lord told me to tell you…” You see how it is all connected?
Because root magic is often passed down through generations, there are also specific rituals and traditions associated with this practice. For example, some practitioners may choose to perform certain rituals at specific times of day or during specific phases of the moon. Root magic is deeply rooted in the belief that the natural world is alive with spiritual power and that by harnessing this power, practitioners can bring about positive change in their lives. This form of magic is often used to address a variety of needs and desires, including love, prosperity, protection, and healing. In conclusion, root magic is a form of folk magic that uses roots, herbs, and other natural materials to cast spells and create charms. It involves the belief in the power of the natural world and harnessing its energy to bring about desired outcomes..
Reviews for "Root Magic and Herbalism: Unlocking the Healing Properties of Plants"
1. Jessica - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "What is root magic". I found the story to be slow-paced and lacking in excitement. The characters were not well-developed and I didn't feel a connection with any of them. The magical elements in the story were also quite underwhelming. Overall, I was expecting a captivating and enchanting read, but this book just didn't deliver.
2. David - 2/5 stars - I couldn't get into "What is root magic" at all. The writing style felt clunky and the plot didn't seem to have a clear direction. The main character lacked depth and I couldn't sympathize with their struggles. The magical elements introduced in the story were also confusing and not well-explained. It's unfortunate because I had high hopes for this book, but it just fell flat for me.
3. Sarah - 3/5 stars - "What is root magic" wasn't the worst book I've read, but it didn't live up to my expectations either. The pacing was a bit slow, and the plot felt predictable. I also found some of the dialogue to be forced and unnatural. However, I did appreciate the exploration of family dynamics and the integration of root magic into the story. Overall, it just wasn't a memorable read for me.