Hoodoo Workshop - Creating a Hoodoo Doll aka "Voodoo Doll"

For those who prefer visuals over reading, I included a video from Youtube on how to construct a hoodoo aka "voodoo" doll from cloth material. 

Following from tradition, the first step is to acknowledge the spirit known as Papa Legba. Papa Legba is the keeper of the crossroads in the spiritual world. 

• [Prior to creating a Hoodoo Doll, remember: Guests or people who you do not trust must not see the method of Hoodoo Doll making or the ritual act. It is best to create the dolls in private. Don’t forget about the lunar phases of the moon when creating your Hoodoo Doll. Please avoid cynical thoughts or using abusive language during the building of a Hoodoo Doll. You run the risk of packing your doll with evil energies].

Next, gather all materials necessary to create the Hoodoo Doll. This includes 2 (preferably wooden) sticks or short branches, string and Spanish moss cut into 2 inch strips, 2-3 feet of yarn, hemp or wired thread, 2 beads or buttons, needle and pins. glue, and make a cross shape with your two sticks.

Tie them together with string.

Make sure to carefully cleanse the Spanish moss or other liners of soil and bugs before utilizing.

Coil the Spanish moss around the cross, starting at the middle, to the head, hands and then again to the middle and down towards the doll's legs, like making a homemade kite.

If possible, use big strings of moss when wrapping the doll to avoid open gaps.

Next cut a piece of cloth into long and narrow pieces and then cover the doll’s entire body with it. However, the top of the doll's head and the tip of its hands shouldn't be covered.

Glue the cloth to the doll's body to make it stick or tie it on tightly.

Make a face using beads, buttons, or black-eyed peas. Sew the buttons or beads onto the head of the Hoodoo Doll. Faces can also be made out of clay or stone and painted or you can stitch a mouth onto the doll.

Lastly, dress up your Hoodoo Doll in whatever you choose to dress them in and you are done!

If you are interested in the tradition of how Hoodoo works, after the doll is completed, you can distinguish the doll to resemble and be related to a person you have intentions towards (preferably good). You can use a piece of someone's hair, clothing, or their photograph to pin to the doll in order to represent them.

If naming the doll, a Hoodoo purifying ceremony will be necessary to officiate the doll in accordance with traditional hoodoo.