Book Review of Living Conjure by Starr Casas

“Don't try to keep up with the Joneses. Let the Joneses tend to their own stoop, and you tend to yours.” Starr Casas’ Mama 

This book is truly a treasure for anyone interested in Conjure! Written in a style where you can imagine yourself sitting with Starr on a porch with a glass of lemonade, while she shares tales about her youth and her family. This book is wonderfully useful to help complete beginners get their feet firmly planted on the path of Conjure, while the pages include much wisdom for seasoned practitioners as well. 

Starr stresses the importance of the Ancestors, and of the culture Conjure evolved in, as well as that of the Bible. And she explains about the difference between honour and worship, the Ancestors are not worshipped, but honoured. She explains how even putting flowers on a grave is an example of honour.  Starr grew up in this tradition, from the time she was a baby she was exposed to these practices and so reading this book is very much like being immersed in what growing up in her family was like.  The book contains foundational information about altars, spirit, divination, prayer, offerings, arms of the cross, numbers, animals, herbs & roots, curios, oils, baths & washes, dirts & powders and candles.

There is also a wonderful forward about growing up in Southern culture by Jake Richards who is an Appalachian Conjure man and faith healer.  Thank you Weiser for sending me this book! Recently published and can be purchased here: https://redwheelweiser.com/book/living-conjure-9781578638246/ as well as the usual places you can buy books.