I've started writing chapter one of the Essence 2. The story is one I've had inside my head for a long time, even before part one. I didn't write it though, because a large portion of the story takes place in the black community, not all of it, but the main characters and plot do. I'm a white guy, and I wasn't too comfortable writing it, plus I wanted to get it right, so I went with part one first. I'm worried that some might judge, and sure some might, but I think Mark Twain probably fought the same demons, and had a lot of haters. Not that I'm Mark Twain or anything, but I absolutely love his work, and can't imagine not having his work to read when I was in my teen years. I'm a huge fan of his, and I love knowing that he spent much of his life living in Virginia City, not too far from where I am now.
Weird thing is, a week ago I didn't even know what Hoodoo Folk Magic was. I'd never even heard of it. Sure I've heard of Voodoo, and other things like it, but not Hoodoo Folk Magic. I was watching a show with my wife and a scene was going down, we were getting into it, and she says, "I bet it's Hoodoo Folk Magic like in 'Skeleton Key'." I told her I had never heard of either of those, so we got to talking. I thought it was so interesting, and that I wanted to study it, and write about it.
I've been reading a lot about Hoodoo Folk Magic, the last couple of days, and glad I have because I love the principles of it. Seems the popularity of a show called "The Skeleton Key" has caused a rise in interest in it. I've never seen "The Skeleton Key" but I plan to watch it. I can't say for myself yet, but from a lot of videos I've been watching, and these are personal videos of people that practice it, they don't feel "The Skeleton Key" is a proper representation.
Hoodoo Folk Magic, is a practice that came to be in the 1800's, and was practiced by African American slaves. Often it was practiced in secret as it was a thing that most white Christian slave owners would not approve of, and was thought to be a dark practice. From my studies though there really isn't anything dark about it.
From what I have learned, Hoodoo Folk Magic, is about contacting the dead that are in the spirit world, and praying to them for things like protections, and good fortune. I don't see anything evil about that at all, and it's really no different than what prayer is, or meditation is for people that practice other faiths. I also found that it had a lot in common with "The Secret", which is a book I'm half way through with and will be writing about once I'm finished with it.
After slavery was outlawed, many people in the black community continued to practice it, and it had spread to the northern states and around the country. Many used it in combination with the bible and christianity, and also along with mysticism and the occult. With the belief that Moses was a major practicer of Hoodoo Folk Magic. Many in the black community still practice it today, along with their beliefs in christianity. People are quick to judge things they don't understand, but I understand this... that if a person is doing something with righteous intentions, there's really no place to judge it as evil out of fear because it's different. I think the idea of wanting to connect to your ancestors for wisdom, protections, and fruitfulness are good things, how can they not be?
My second book is going to be a lot about magic, as one of the main characters is a twelve year old boy that wants to he a magician when he grows up, and maybe he already is, and maybe he becomes one of the best magicians ever. But he's growing up in a rough part of town, where a lot of boys his age are going missing. Some evil things are afoot, and don't be surprised to read about some Hoodoo Folk Magic in part 2.
