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Observation and
preservation of southern culture - that is what Crossroads
University is all about. We offer a perspective of
folk magic and healing traditions from differing points of
view in an effort to share the ancient wisdom and knowledge
that has supported indigenous people for thousands of years.
Specifically, we are dedicated to the observation and preservation of indigenous
healing systems, herbal pharmacopoeia, and the folk magic
traditions found in the Southern United States with African and
Native American roots. Collectively, these traditions are
referred to as Hoodoo, Rootwork, and Conjure.
With the current
Hoodoo trend on the internet, we are acutely aware of the
fact that there is a need for alternate points of view. We
do not claim to teach the only way, for there is no one conjure
tradition. Southern conjure traditions are an
amalgamation of cultures whose foundations lie in African and
Native American roots. Indigenous healing systems and folk
magic traditions are not websites selling hoodoo
and rootwork products. While there is a definite place for
such venues for the modern day practitioner, our students are literally taught how to get
back to the root in rootwork - they must dig up their own
roots, wild harvest their own herbs, and prepare their own
medicine, magic and cures.
True swampers are a
little acknowledged population today, and many times spoken
of in past tense. As in, "they used to go dig up roots in
the swamps." Old style conjure is still practiced by many
people - many of whom are not on the internet and many of whom
are elders - and so their voices have been left out of the
current narrative that is defining Southern conjure traditions
today. We seek to give voice to these people, our elders and
our ancestors by teaching what what we were taught, "passing
down the root," as it were, just as it has always been done.
Now however, we have the benefit of technology to help us
reach people all over the globe. Our goal is to contribute
to the narrative, giving a more balanced and accurate view
of the traditions in which we were raised.
Whether you are just
interested in taking one course or enrolling in the entire
program is up to you. You can find a list of our current
courses here. |
