High john the conqueror

High John the Conqueror Root: A Staple of Hoodoo Magic

According to African-American folklore, High John the Conqueror was the son of an African king in the Congo, sold into American slavery. John was known as a clever trickster for the games he played on his master and for his enduring spirit, which was never dampened by his life in captivity.

Folklore tells us that John, also known as John de Conquer and Juan el Conquistador, fell in love with the Devil’s daughter Lilith. For John to win the daughter’s hand in marriage, the Devil challenged him to plow 60 acres in half a day, and sow the acres in the second half of the day. Lilith gave John a magical axe and plow to complete the task but also admitted - the Devil meant to kill John even if he did complete the task. Wiley and clever, John stole the Devil’s horse, and he and Lilith both escaped.

In the stories, John and Lilith returned to Africa, both agreeing to never again use their powers so the Devil would not be able to find them. But John left his powers in America in the root of a southern plant, Ipomoea jalapa or Ipomoea purga, a powerful plant species introduced to the slaves by the American Indians. John the Conqueror Root is now a staple of African-American folk magic.

High John The Conqueror Root

One only has to possess the root of the plant John the Conqueror, and John de Conquer’s powers of luck, love, and success can be yours. Now the most famous root in the world, High John the Conqueror Root symbolizes enduring courage, success, and laughter. Used externally in the practice (internally it is a powerful laxative), the root can be carried as a talisman or can be incorporated into other charms and spells.

The dried root can also be carried with you as a talisman. Carry High John root in a green bag to draw luck, money, and power. Carry the root in a red bag with the lock of hair of the one you admire to draw his or her love. The talisman is also said to stop depression, draw courage, and protect one from spells and hexes.

High John the Conquerer Root is often steeped into an anointing oil, which can be used to bless candles, crystals, and sachets. Anoint a green candle with this oil for success, luck, and money, a pink candle for love and devotion; a purple candle for removing obstacles and added protection. Perfumes from the oil can be worn behind the ears to draw luck and love, or on the chakras to gain strength and confidence. The root can also be transformed into a tincture and used as a spray, excellent for use in court cases, on legal paperwork, and on important projects.

High John the Conqueror Root is a favorite of rootworkers. Named for the wily, clever folk hero John the Conqueror, this plant's properties relate to success, luck, strength, and overcoming obstacles. This makes it a powerful addition to rituals and spellwork, and one you can easily work into yours. After all, who does not want a little extra luck?

Calling on the Powers of High John the Conqueror

Hoodoo practices note, one only needs to call out the name of High John the Conqueror to enjoy the benefits of his blessings. During your meditations and spell work, hold a root or a related prayer card to help you focus on High John the Conqueror, his unbeatable spirit, his luck, success, and escape from slavery into a life of joy. Ask him to aid your efforts and bless your life with his power.

High John Success Magic

High John the Conqueror root is affiliated with the element of fire and can be used to “burn away” curses and obstacles and start new with a refreshed, confident spirit. The root can be used in floor washes to help empower your life at the office or overcome struggles at home.

The easiest way to enjoy the benefits of this root is to carry it on you. Folklore has it that one who has High John the Conqueror root on them will never be short of luck in gambling, money, or love. This makes it an excellent focus for rituals for luck and success.

On a Thursday, set your altar with a gold candle anointed with Magnet Oil. As the candle burns, hold the root in your dominant hand and visualize it filling with a soft golden light. As you visualize this, picture yourself with the luck and fortune you desire -- endless confidence, eloquence, cleverness, and success. Then, recite the following prayer...

High John the Conqueror, I call upon you now
To help me achieve success in all I do
Bless me with your strength and wisdom
Guide me towards prosperity,
And bring me to fruitful pursuits

May my path be cleared of obstacles and strife
May I be blessed with good fortune and a successful life
I trust in your power, High John, to guide me through
And bring me the success and abundance I am due

No matter what obstacles confront you, you are able to overcome them with ease and nothing can stand in your way. When you are confident that the root has absorbed as much power as it can, anoint it with some of the Magnet Oil, snuff the candle, and be sure to carry the root with you whenever you need its power. Repeat the ritual regularly to ensure that the root stays charged and potent.

High John soaps and bath salts can be used in showers and baths before meetings, after a long day, or getting ready for a hot date. During your time in the shower or tub, meditate on the goal or challenge you wish to overcome. Release negative energy and pray to John de Conquer, thanking him for the blessings he bestows upon you.

Burn High John the Conqueror incense when you are stuck on a project or solving problems. Let the aroma waft over your body to strengthen your spirit and highlight solutions. Incense can also add John's strength to spells affiliated with luck, love, overcoming, and achieving. When mixed with other herbs and ingredients, High John the Conqueror Root can aid in finding employment, or provide protection and peace.

High John For Powerful Protection

If you're interested in using High John the Conqueror root for protection, there are several ways to incorporate it into your practice. One way is to carry a small piece of the root with you to provide personal protection from negative energy. You can also add the root to protection charms or amulets, like mojo bags, to make them more powerful. If you anoint these objects with High John the Conqueror oil, they can gain extra strength.

Besides these methods, some people recite a prayer while using the root in their practice. This prayer is an invocation of the root's protective and conquering properties. It goes like this...

High John the Conqueror,
Have pity on me as I acknowledge my sins
And conquer the sins of my enemies.
Protect me now and always
And do not let my enemies sit in a chair nor lie in a bed,
Nor have a moment of tranquility
Until they come defeated to my feet.

You can also use the root to create a protective talisman by wrapping it in cloth or leather and decorating it with symbols or inscriptions. This talisman can be hung in your home or worn on your body for added protection. Another way to use the root is by adding it to a bath, which is believed to cleanse your aura and create a protective shield around you.

High John for Legal Matters

It is hard not to feel powerless in the face of legal trouble. Still, just because you are at the mercy of lawyers and judges does not mean you are unable to help yourself. John the Conqueror was known for his quick wit and clever mind, and you can use his strengths to help you win your case by adding High John to a ritual bath.

Before your day at court, draw a ritual bath and add High John the Conqueror bath salt or High John the Conqueror Bath & Floor Wash. As you wash with High John the Conqueror soap, envision yourself absorbing the luck, strength, confidence, and intelligence of John the Conqueror from your head to your feet as you recite the following prayer...

Great Conqueror,
Please release me from any and all legal complications.
Let me obtain mercy and grace to win this court case.
May you strengthen the spirit, soul, and body of my lawyer
So he has the power to fight for me.
I claim victory over every adversary in this court case.
Please keep injustice and false accusations far
By tipping the scales of justice in my favor.
Amen.

Step out of the bath knowing you are going to be successful and allow yourself to naturally air dry. Dress a whole High John root with High John the Conqueror sachet powder, and be sure to carry it with you when your case is heard.

A High John Strength Ritual

Everyone dreads the future sometimes. You might have a day coming up that you are not looking forward to -- some time when your strength and confidence might be at a low ebb. High John root can help bolster your personal power and give you the ability to tackle whatever life is trying to throw at you.

Set an altar with a High John the Conqueror 7 color 7 day prayer candle, a bottle of High John the Conqueror Oil, and a bottle of High John the Conqueror perfume. Recite the following prayer...

High John the Conqueror, mighty and powerful,
I come before you seeking success in my endeavors.
Grant me the strength and courage to overcome obstacles,
And the wisdom to make wise decisions on my path.

May your conquering spirit guide me toward victory,
And bring me prosperity and abundance in all areas of my life.
With your help, I know that I can achieve greatness,
And rise above any challenges that come my way.

I offer you my thanks and devotion, High John the Conqueror,
And ask for your continued blessings on my journey toward success.
May your spirit be with me always, and may I always walk in your power.

Every day for seven days, add a few drops of the oil to the top of the candle and allow the candle to burn through one of its seven colors. As it burns, quiet your mind and picture yourself strong, confident, and successful.

The day you require that extra boost, dab on some of the perfume before leaving your home. Know that you will succeed, backed by the full power of High John the Conqueror.

High John The Conqueror: A Powerful Spiritual Ally

Few figures compare to John the Conqueror, and the magic he left in the roots of the High John the Conqueror plant can aid you in virtually any undertaking. Whether you need help bolstering your strength, improving your confidence, attracting a lover, overcoming an enemy, or winning a legal battle, incorporating this root into your rituals can improve your chances of success.

John de Conquer was an African prince unbroken by slavery. He outwitted the Devil to escape to his homeland with his love, but he left his powers accessible to us. His root is a powerful ingredient in Hoodoo, Voodoo, and Wiccan work to encourage happiness and enduring strength. His legacy is one of luck, love, success, and achievement and through his root, his blessings are available to us all.