October is Hoodoo Heritage Month, and to honor it, we’ve got an interview with the incredible author, Tracy Cross, whose Conjure series has two installments so far, with two more on the way, and dives deep into the practice of Hoodoo by three sisters and their aunt in 1889.
Hoodoo Heritage Month is a celebration of the Hoodoo tradition. It involves the veneration of ancestors and honoring spiritual traditions. Hoodoo is a spiritual system/religion with roots in Africa, practiced by enslaved Africans and their descendants. The practice includes working with roots, herbs, and spirits as well as a set of beliefs and rituals. (Credit: soulfulvibes.co)
(Photo Credit: Mig Dooley)
Tracy Cross is a celebrated horror fiction author known for her powerful storytelling and complex characters. Her debut novel, ‘Rootwork,’ has garnered critical acclaim for its deep exploration of societal issues through the horror genre. Tracy’s upcoming novel, ‘A Gathering of Weapons,’ promises to push the boundaries of horror fiction even further. Her works have been featured in numerous anthologies and she has received prestigious awards from the Ladies of Horror Fiction and the Horror Writers Association. Based in Washington, DC, Tracy is an active member of the HWA and a passionate fan of Prince and disco. Beyond writing, she channels her creativity into various artistic projects on her Etsy page. Stay connected with Tracy’s latest endeavors through her social media channels.
Instagram: tracycrosswrites
Bluesky: @tracycrosswriter.bsky.social
Threads: @tracycrosswrites
Website: tracycrossonline.com/
For those of us who don’t know, can you explain to us a little bit about what Hoodoo is, as well as its meaning and place in African-American history?
Hoodoo is a spiritual practice, traditions and beliefs that were inspired by Africans. It was created and practiced by enslaved African Americans in the Southern US. It’s like voodoo but without the Catholicism aspect. I consider hoodoo more of what one could refer to as “earth magic” because everything one uses in hoodoo comes from around them-salt, dirt, coins, and such. It also has many names like conjure or rootwork.
Hoodoo has a strong place in African American history as it is still practiced and referenced today. You don’t have to look far to see it in literature-my books, tarot cards or in movies like “Sinners”. It’s timeless and will always be around.
Why do you think there has been a resurgence in learning Hoodoo in more recent times? Can we see examples of it in African-American culture today?
A lot of Gen Z kids are grabbing on to hoodoo because it’s something that’s ours. With the success of the movie, “Sinners”-there has been a massive resurgence in reclaiming things that are specific to us, as African Americans. Hoodoo is one of those things. Many people see hoodoo as many things-a way to connect with the past or a way to help with healing in the present. I think that it’s great that so many younger people are embracing it and love the recent uptick in hoodoo stories I’ve seen on the independent publishing market.
As you have a familial history in the American South, what does Hoodoo personally mean to your family?
In some aspects, there are some hoodoo beliefs that are still practiced by my family and other families alike. Have you ever thrown salt over your shoulder? That’s hoodoo. I have a great grandmother that would stick an iron rod in front of her house during a thunderstorm to divert the lightning. Could that be hoodoo? Nothing but. In the end, it’s all about legacy and keeping that legacy alive within the family.
Please tell us a bit about the Conjure Series: Rootwork and A Gathering of Weapons. What inspired you to write them? What would you say is the most important message contained within each book?
“Rootwork” is the story of three sisters that lived in 1889. They spend three days with their hoodoo practicing aunt Teddy and things seem to take off from there. Pee Wee, one of the protagonists, seems to take to it faster than her sisters, leading her passage to becoming one of the best conjure women that ever lived. In a “Gathering of Weapons”, we see Pee Wee continue on her path by learning more about hoodoo from different sources. Hence the ‘gathering of her weapons’ to prepare for something big in the third book, “The Legend of Pee Wee Conway”.
Will there be other books in the series?
I’m hoping to add 2 more books to the series. The next one will be out next year and it’s called “The Legend of Pee Wee Conway”. There is a fourth standalone book, but our favorite character returns in it. That book is called “Haunted”. It takes place in one of the towns the family visits in the third book.
October is Hoodoo Heritage Month. What important dates are coming during this month? And what are some ways we can learn about or support the celebrations?
Hoodoo is something that is celebrated by African Americans. Yet our stories are being told by others and not by us, so one thing people can do is to support black horror writers. There are a few out there that do tell hoodoo stories, like myself. But welcome us into the horror fold, our stories are just as relevant and important as anyone else’s but let us tell our stories.
KANDISHA PRESS 
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