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Need a Job? Losing Your House? Who Says Hoodoo Can't Help?
WSJ Onliine ^ | December 28, 2010 | Cameron McWhertier

Posted on 12/28/2010 7:06:47 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin

Jennifer Forness, a 39-year-old in Groton, Conn., felt her life falling apart earlier this year. Her husband announced he wanted a divorce. She lost her job as a store clerk. She developed health problems from the stress.

Then one night she discovered a website selling products for hoodoo—an ancient belief system based on spells, potions, balms and curses that slaves developed long ago in the Deep South. Ms. Forness ordered several items and instructions for performing certain rituals. She also had a telephone session with a hoodoo "doctor" who specializes in employment matters.

Since then, things have turned around. Ms. Forness found work tending bar part-time and her health has improved. "There is a reason we believe in this stuff," she says.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
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1 posted on 12/28/2010 7:06:48 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
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For decades, hoodoo shops appeared to be dying off. But the Internet, and troubled times, have given rituals once performed only in backwoods cabins or shabby urban shops a new life. Hoodoo practitioners and retailers say sales are booming as people from across the country turn to them for help slashing debt, preventing foreclosures or finding jobs.

“Business is good,” says Richard “Doc” Miller, owner of Miller’s Rexall, a hoodoo and homeopathic remedy shop in a forlorn section of downtown Atlanta. While Mr. Miller, who is white, still gets walk-in traffic, his website makes up the bulk of his sales. His oils, soaps and bath crystals have names like “Jinx Removing” and “Dragon Blood,” and promise to drive away evil. Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney once bought a bath salt called “Run, Devil, Run” at Mr. Miller’s shop and named a 1999 album after it. Mr. Miller also sells roots and herbs like High John the Conqueror to restore power and Angels Turnip to bring good fortune. Miller’s Rexall’s Internet sales of spiritual products alone have risen to more than $1 million annually in recent years from $10,000 in 1994, he says.


2 posted on 12/28/2010 7:07:48 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Ooh eeh ooh ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang!


3 posted on 12/28/2010 7:08:13 AM PST by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
It really is the End Times.

Come Lord Jesus!

4 posted on 12/28/2010 7:08:40 AM PST by ClearCase_guy
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Very similar situation here, I found the most beautiful woman who introduced me to the Lord Jesus.
Been improving every sense.
5 posted on 12/28/2010 7:10:21 AM PST by Moleman
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To: ClearCase_guy

Nah. There’s just a sucker born every minute, LOL!

“If you are looking for work, start from where you are standing.”
~ Abraham Lincoln


6 posted on 12/28/2010 7:11:15 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

It’s all part of 0bama’s master plan!


7 posted on 12/28/2010 7:12:43 AM PST by FormerLib (Sacrificing our land and our blood cannot buy protection from jihad.-Bishop Artemije of Kosovo)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Ms. Forness ordered several items and instructions for performing certain rituals. She also had a telephone session with a hoodoo "doctor" who specializes in employment matters.

Oh, good Lord. Drop the phony mystic crap, put your faith in the Lord and double down on finding a job and improving your lot in life. God helps those who help themselves - phony-baloney mysticism just makes a fool out of you and lightens your wallet.


8 posted on 12/28/2010 7:13:06 AM PST by reagan_fanatic (Tralala boom-dee-aye!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Sounds like a placebo effect. User performs a ritual that is supposed to solve a problem. This relieves the stress she is under, and she is able to go out with more confidence and take on the world.


9 posted on 12/28/2010 7:15:12 AM PST by Colvin (Proud Owner '66 Binder PU, '66 Binder Travelall,)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Looks like someone is meeting with the Beast out of the Earth.


10 posted on 12/28/2010 7:17:58 AM PST by pnh102 (Regarding liberalism, always attribute to malice what you think can be explained by stupidity. - Me)
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To: reagan_fanatic
God helps those who help themselves - phony-baloney mysticism just makes a fool out of you and lightens your wallet.

Hear hear!! The voice of reason!

While the saying may be old, I believe it to certainly have much merit. And while I doubt the Creator has a penchant (or the time) for stepping in to assist mankind, I'm sure "He" (if I may anthropomorphise a bit here) does watch and smile proudly at his creations working to better themselves - much the same as a proud parent at an athletic event in which their child is performing!

11 posted on 12/28/2010 7:19:47 AM PST by Logic n' Reason ("It's the church I left, not the belief.")
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To: Moleman

Amazing how that happens, isn’t it?

I’m currently shedding a true heathen from my life. Finding a God-centered man to share my life with from here on out is on my Things To Do list for 2011. :)


12 posted on 12/28/2010 7:30:28 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: reagan_fanatic

But in the meantime it gives a good living to those who willingly do Satan’s work.


13 posted on 12/28/2010 7:30:51 AM PST by ruesrose (It's possible to be clueless without being blonde.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Hoodoo, Voodoo, what on earth will you do?..................


14 posted on 12/28/2010 7:32:38 AM PST by Red Badger (Whenever these vermin call you an 'idiot', you can be sure that you are doing to something right.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

A fool and his money are soon parted.


15 posted on 12/28/2010 8:05:22 AM PST by smokingfrog (Do all the talking you want, but do what I tell you.)
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To: Logic n' Reason

Logic and Reason,

I say this not to start a fight to but to encourage you to seek Him. Your ignorance of the Lord is showing in this post. Read His word and ask for His understanding. All throughout the Bible God is stepping in to assist mankind. That is what Christmas is about. The Saviour was born. Jesus wants a personal relationship with you.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May Jesus reveal Himself to you and may you accept Him into your heart.

Todd


16 posted on 12/28/2010 8:29:27 AM PST by thebreeze756 (Live Free or Die. Death is not the worse of evils. Gen. John Stark)
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To: massgopguy

I told the witch doctor I was in love with you! And then the witch doctor told me what to do!
Thank you, Alvin and The Chipmunks.


17 posted on 12/28/2010 8:35:36 AM PST by Colorado Cowgirl (God bless America!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney once bought a bath salt called “Run, Devil, Run” at Mr. Miller’s shop and named a 1999 album after it.

My take on this is that I rather doubt that McCartney 'bought into' this, rather I think he simply became a reseller of the curiosity.

18 posted on 12/28/2010 8:40:25 AM PST by IncPen (Educating Barack Obama has been the most expensive project in human history)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

“..sales of spiritual products alone have risen to more than $1 million annually in recent years from $10,000 in 1994, he says.”

Paging P T Barnum.


19 posted on 12/28/2010 8:41:20 AM PST by pappyone
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To: thebreeze756
I say this not to start a fight to but to encourage you to seek Him. Your ignorance of the Lord is showing in this post. Read His word and ask for His understanding. All throughout the Bible God is stepping in to assist mankind. That is what Christmas is about. The Saviour was born. Jesus wants a personal relationship with you.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May Jesus reveal Himself to you and may you accept Him into your heart.

You, sir, are entitled to your own opinions and beliefs....as am I.

In this particular case....we differ very very greatly.

You go your way....I'll keep to mine.

But if you want to start a conflict....just keep spouting your "words of wisdom" to me!

If you do, I'll ask the moderator to make you stop!

20 posted on 12/28/2010 9:04:13 AM PST by Logic n' Reason ("It's the church I left, not the belief.")
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