This book was absolutely amazing. Thank you, Juju for all that you do for the community. I look forward to getting able to listen to the audiobook and I will definitely be returning to this text again and again.

Juju has written a wonderful book that offers a narrative perspective in addition to being very obviously well-researched. It offers great information for individuals who desire to start practicing ancestor veneration as well as those simply curious about the history of African Americans and religion. I appreciated the sections that include more detailed information.

This book by Jujubae was like hitting on your aunt's porch on a summer afternoon when you're finally old enough for a “real drink”. Comforting and wise strong and astringent without trying to lead you one way or the other. It is a book that belongs in the house of the mystic, the academic, and those who dance in between the two. With clearly written prose and well-researched information, I am excited to buy copies for family members and recommend it to all of my hoodoo besties!

Exploring African-Oriented Spirituality

Juju Bae states that eery single person is called to their ancestors or ancestral practices in one form or another. She states that she believes that ancestors are for everybody, because everybody has ancestor; and honoring, knowing, and accepting this fact has been solidified through thousands of years of indigenous knowledge that has worked in tandem with many spiritual faiths.

Juju Bae discusses several forms of spiritual practices common among African descendants, and states that although she writes this book as a practitioner of multiple African and diasporic practices focused on people descended from Africans, IFA, the Orisha, and Hoodoo are her religions and such has given her grounding and healing and has renewed her ministry within the spiritual arts. Juju states that many collective ancestors like High John, John Henry, Caroline Dye, Zora Neale Hurston, and Cathay Williams can all be considered important icons within the Hoodoo pantheon who are also collective ancestors to us, and that healing, protection, fighting, liberation, cleansing, dancing, eating, singing, prophesying, baby birthing, and the like are all aspects of Hoodoo.

The author discusses the importance of praying, some general tools and steps that one should keep in mind as we pray.

She discusses the various ways to set up an ancestral altar, items to place on them, and what you should do at your altar; such as:
1. Because it is a sacred space to honor your ancestors, you can pray, meditate , dance, sing, draw, divine, and whatever other respectful activities that you would like your ancestors to take part in.
2. Upon first approaching my altar, you may want to do libations, which is the process of pouring water or liquor for your ancestors.
3. You may chose to take a fresh glass of altar water and name all the ancestors that you can, and while sprinkling water in front of the altar as a sign of respect after each name.
4. Invite your ancestors to join you at your altar.
5. Offer prayers.

I love the fact that the author provides a model ancestral prayer, a model morning prayer to Ori, and provides a spiritual checklist.

This book covers basically every conceivable aspect of dealing with your ancestors and setting up, cleansing, and maintaining your altar. I feel that it will be a great reference book for both, beginners and experienced practitioners.

Highly recommend.

Love, love, love this book! I’ve been listening to Juju Bae’s podcast for years so I was really excited for this book and it did not disappoint. Its really well written, has a lot of great information and also includes practical advice whether you’re new to hoodoo or have been practicing for a while.

The Book of Juju, by Juju Bae is a very insightful book about Hoodoo +++. I learned a lot from this book and gained a newer understanding of Hoodoo practice. I also really liked the author's personal story.

I was curious when I saw this book on Netgalley. That alone, was not enough for me to request to read it, what drew me in was that somehow a voice in my head kept telling me that I should read it, and I am glad I did.
The author offers an elaborate history on Africana Spirituality in the US, and also looks into African Traditional Religion which I had an insight on sometime in 2019 when I was reading about the history of my tribe, the Luo, in Kenya and got to learn that they had Seers who could help read the signs and seasons and tides on the Lake Victoria.
The reason I am glad I read this book, is because there is so much that is not told about African Traditional Religion, about aspects on health, on communing with the ancestors, giving honor to ancestors, altars for ancestors and also spiritual guides and what got me riled up and had me having the hairs at the back of my neck stand up was just how much it's easier to call upon saints, but not legends who are closer to me like my great grandmother....yet around sixty years ago, this was quite normal and revered.
I love the approach the author used in exploring how much of our perception and history is influenced by other factors that would hinder anyone from truly grasping what's shared herein.
Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC.

I was called to this book and was so excited to get the ARC from NetGalley and Union Square & Co. I have been following JujuBae for awhile on social media and was so happy to see this book available. In this book she explains her background and how her spiritual journey is mixed into a few different practices. As an ADOS I was most interested in the Hoodoo aspects of the book but I think that anyone in the Diaspora should take a look at it. Like she says in the book if you are drawn to this book you are already one step closer to listening to your ancestor’s calling. It is also filled with definitions, history and instructional guides. The guides also include questions to ask yourself that are very helpful for anyone starting out on this journey. She includes her resources list and references if you are looking for a better understanding. I also enjoyed how detailed her section on ancestor veneration was. My favorite part of this book was her depiction of meeting her ancestors for the first time.

Memoirs of African American woman brought up as a Catholic in Baltimore and how she adopted Juju, African spiritual practices. Discusses Ifa, orishas, communication of and veneration of ancestors. Impact of Christianity and Islam. Veneration of nature, plant medicine, offerings.duality, community, taboos, rituals and psychic gifts as clairvoyance. Review questions. Illustrations. References. Resources. Index.