NOLA

FRIDAY  - November 9

 2:00-3:30 – “My Mama’s Conjure”

Living Conjure Stories from the Mountains to the Bayous with Orion Foxwood and Momma Starr

Though there are many fine books and online classes on conjure, root-work and hoodoo; there are the more soulful elements that come from culture that can only be passed on in life experiences and stories. Because conjure originates with common people overcoming inequity, racism and disparity; it holds within it wisdom and deep insights into the workings of the soul. This workshop is a rare opportunity to hear two workers from two different but complementary conjure cultures share simple, beautiful and wise tales of spirit doctoring through the eyes of Southern, Appalachian, Mountain and Swamp life. You may want to bring a tissue with you because tears may flow as the soul of conjure shows us its private underbelly.

4:00 – 5:30 -  “Housing the Haints (Haunts)” 

Creating Altars and shrines for the Spirits of Conjure with Auntie Sindy

In many of the conjure traditions of the American South, the spirits we work with are called “haints” (haunts). These formidable allies are major partners in spirit work. How do we set spaces that welcome and energize their presence in a way that strengthens our conjure work? Auntie Sindy will share with us her life with the spirits including different types; the way they work and how to create altars that ensure that the worker gets clean yet potent spirit companions in the work.

  6:00 – 7:30 – “Working in the Dream-Scape”

Using Dream Time and Conjure Time with Susan Diamond

Our dreamtime is an "in-between" state when we can slip into an intimate and direct engagement of the forces that work inside the patterns of life. The dream time can be used for prophesy, encounter or intervention. It is a place of potent spirit life that is accessible to every worker who creates a way to interact with it. Susan Diamond is truly a seasoned "dream-scape worker". Join her in this interactive discussion of dream-work and receive the fruits of her experiences working in this potent but often overlooked source of successful conjure work.

 8:00 – 11:00 – Meet & Greet with Sharon Knight

 SATURDAY – November 10

 11:30 – 1:00 – “Marie Laveau”

The Loa, The Legend and The Legacy with Bloody Mary

In the study of Hoodoo and Voodoo (especially in New Orleans), there is no more enigmatic and impactful figure than that Mamzelle Marie Laveau. She is the most famous name associated with Voodoo in American history and New Orleans culture. As a heroine, political advisor, spiritual leader and powerful woman of color during the civil war era, her immense effect on the practice of southern hoodoo, voodoo and conjure is unquestionable. However, teasing out the legend from the fact; and the powerful spirit from the living woman can be daunting. Who was she? Who is she today? How do we reach to her spirit and call to her power? Bloody Mary, Poet Priestess, Voodoo Mambo and Historian will discuss all of this and more on the spirits and magical practices of New Orleans. This is an experience not to be missed!

 1:30 – 3:00 –  “Working Conjure in the Dolls of Spirit”

Using Effigies, Poppets & Dolls: La Madama & other Powerful Spirits

with Momma Starr and Auntie Sindy

Momma Starr and Auntie Sindy love dolls! Not to play with...but to work the spirit of Conjure. They have found that many powerful spirits, like LaMadama, will work their power through these tools, which gives the conjure worker yet another effective method to bring the power of living spirit into this world. In this workshop, these two seasoned workers will share both experiences and techniques for this work. Special emphasis will be placed on LaMadama. Come ready to "bring doll-baby work to life"! 

 3:00 – 4:00 – Shopping Break

 4:00 – 5:30 – “About Those Spirits”

Exploring the Unseen (other) Side of Life for Potent and Healthy Conjure

with Susan Diamond and Orion Foxwood

Whether it is Saints or Angels, Deities or Demons, Nature Spirits or Ancestors; the "Unseen Company" are a major part of our conjure work. They are companions, co-creators, mentors and family members to the worker. What are they really? Where do they come from? And, why is it so important, and even imperative to work with them? These and other questions will be addressed as Susan and Orion as they share their experiences and wisdom on this powerful topic. They will share practical insights and techniques that only come from a direct life with the spirits.

 6:00 – 7:30 – “The Art of Coventry Candle Conjure”

Guest speaker: Jackie Smith invites us into her Discoveries and her Conjure

Join Conjure Crossroads in welcoming our guest speaker, Author and Candle creator Jackie Smith, and founder of Coventry Candles as she shares her renown knowledge on the use of candles as a powerful and time honored tool in conjure and hoodoo practices. But, how and why do candles work? How do we tune into their magic? Bottom line, how do we get results? Jackie brings priceless information that only comes from years of practice and repeated sound results. She shares no-nonsense, practical and powerful applications of candle magic along with oils; herbs, stones and other companions to the power of candle conjure. If you have ever used a Coventry candle, than you know that Jackie knows her stuff! Come and hear her story; witness her skill and be invited to deepen your knowledge and sharpen your work in the potent powers of candle work as magical and divinatory tool.

 (**8:00 – 11:00 pm – Séance Dinner Package for 12)

 SUNDAY – November 11

11:00 – 12:30 – “Them Bones & Them Cards”

Powerful Tools for Spirit Guidance with Momma Starr

For a worker to help themselves or their clients with conjure; they must be able to look behind appearances into the unseen powers working on "seen patterns". This includes what workers call "a reading". Two of the most traditional ways of doing this is through bone-reading and card- reading (playing, tarot etc.). However, there are so many books on these subjects, often written by researchers and not workers, that it can be confusing on how to use these tools. Luckily we have Momma Starr, an Old-Style worker with over 30 years of experience to give us sound and seasoned advice. She will share with us a potent form of bone-reading technique along with a new conjure-card reading deck she has developed to help refine our skills.

 12:30 – 2:30 – “Outside Seafood Extravaganza a la Chef Jezz!” (Sold separate)

 Shopping at the Bizarre

 3:00 – 4:30 – “The Candle and the Crossroads”

A Journey through Orion Foxwoods New Conjure Book with Orion Foxwood

Orion is so thankful to announce the release of his new book on Appalachian Conjure and Southern Rootwork. It is a compilation of stories, insights and techniques from his family and community life in the Shenandoah Valley through his journeys into the conjure of New Orleans and many other places and people in Appalachia and the American South. This book is about "soulful magic" and how life carves God's face onto your own and hollows your "in-ards" to make room for the anointing of spirit for the work of conjure. He will share excerpts from the book and tales from his life and a soul-walk into the heart and spirit of his conjure. For those who have worked with Orion, this workshop and the book will give information and insights he has never shared before on his discoveries on this path of service to the Living Spirit.

5:00 – 6:30 – “Powerful Potions & Conjure Cocktails”

Elixirs of Alcohol to work the “Conja” with Auntie Sindy & Susan Diamond

Most all workers love an alcohol drink in the right situations. But, did you know that many of the ingredients have powerful spiritual and magical qualities that can be used in those intimate moments or at parties or playtime when that "extra-little-something" is needed for harmonious results. Well, its true! Many beverages such as rum, absinthe, whiskey and more, when mixed with specific fruits, vegetables and other delights are a way of doing fun, social and delicious conjures. Susan and Auntie Sindy have just the medicine for our maladies. Come share in a delightful and delicious "potion potpourri".

 7:00 – 8:30 – “Ask the Conjurers!”

An Interactive Discussion with over a Century of Accumulated Conjure Experience with Orion, Susan, Auntie Sindy & Momma Starr

Let's face it! When we are off on our own doing work for others, or ourselves we face challenges and hurdles and just plain get stuck sometimes. All of us wish we could just get some good advice on the practical applications of conjure specific to our own work. Well, we at Conjure Crossroads understand that challenge and have created this panel with all of us to interact with you and respond to as many of those challenges as we can. Bring examples of areas where you are "just-plain-stuck". Lets look at them together and use the vast experience of Conjure Crossroads and the interactive discussion to enrich us all!