What is a mojo bag?

Traditionally, a mojo bag is a 2 inch by 3 inch drawstring bag made out of red flannel, chamois, or leather into which special herbs, stones, personal effects, roots, bones, coins, metal lucky charms, crystals, good luck tokens, carved stones, and European seals and sigils that have been written on parchment paper.

The mojo can also be called Conjure Bags, Gris Gris Bags, Mojo Hands, a Toby, Nation Sacks, and Root Bags.

It’s important to know that there is no one specific method for making this bag, even though if you look hard enough online you will find everybody is an expert and will share that nobody else knows what they are doing! Traditionally, people that created these bags to bring some level of change into their life would simply be a blessing a specific charm and keeping it safe in the bag.

If you want an example of keeping a single root in a mojo, look at High John Root 

In modern magic you will find these general tips for creation:

  • Other colours can also be used according to their magickal symbolism.
  • You should only put an odd number of items into your gris-gris bag; never less than three and never more than thirteen.
  • The items are blessed as they are placed into the bag and the whole bag is dressed with anointing oil.
  • It is then smudged in incense of some kind, or breathed upon, which is said to activate the magick.

To make your own mojo bag

In traditional Hoodoo magic, a mojo bag was made from flannel fabric but now you can use any type of fabric you’d like to make your own mojo bag.

rred

In fact, it doesn’t matter if you cut out a square of fabric put your contents in the centre of the square and then tie the corners in the centre to make a little pouch. I promise you spirit doesn’t care about the quality of your construction. Utan

You can even purchase a cheap ready-made bag, but it is easy to create yourself.

Once you have the mojo bag made, you’ll want to think about what you want the contents to be.

Mojo Bag Contents

You don’t have to be a witch to make one of these bags as they are normally carried by anyone to receive the benefit of that curio in the bag eg High John Root is kept by itself in a bag, and when you need luck you just rub on the root. Us witches like to BE extra so we add extras 😉

Traditional items in the mojo bags might have included roots, dirt, herbs, and coins. You can use these types of things or add other items that you have in your house or yard like seashells, broken trinkets or jewellery, locks of hair, old keys, a dollar bill, candle wax, leaves, pennies (as an Australian I have lots of one and two cent pieces made from copper. Copper coins are no longer in production and haven’t been for many decades but I love using these coins in Mojo bags and on gravesites when I collect the graveyard dirt).

The basic bag I like to create has these three items:

  • A personal concern of mine eg hair or blood
  • A petition paper stating what I want (the petition could be written on the back of some type of seal)
  • A herb/root/mineral. Not always all of them it would just depend on what I’m trying to achieve and if I think that specific item has enough power to reach my goals

I don’t make my bags too fancy to look at because I don’t want anyone else looking at them or touching them. But if you would like to bling it out with some curio hanging off the outside that’s totally fine.

Each item that goes into your mojo bag should have a specific purpose and support your main intention. For instance, for a money mojo bag you might want to use cinnamon as the dried herb (cinnamon has properties of success), a penny or two (or a dollar bill), and green candle wax.

Here are some other commonly used elements to have on hand for root working, spells, and mojo bags:

  • Ace of diamonds – luck in gambling
  • Ammonia – purifying, cleansing, protection; may replace urine
  • Arrowhead – protection; love
  • Bat – substitute bat nuts (Devil’s Pods) as bats are endangered; gambling charm; luck, happiness, to kill
  • Black beans – protection
  • Black cat bone – good luck; gambling luck
  • Black cat hair – gambling luck; break up a couple
  • Black dog hair – break up a couple; bring trouble to a couple; drive enemies away
  • Black-eyed peas – good luck
  • Black salt – evil purposes; drive away evil; get rid of unwanted guests
  • Bluestones – gambling luck; draw good spirits; ward off evil spirits; protection; success
  • Brick dust (red) – protection scrub for home; gambling luck; business money scrub
  • Buckeye nut – enhances male virility; gambling charm; improves business sales; gaining employment
  • Coffin nails – used in spells of malice; cause illness; break up couples
  • Copper coins or medals – health – money attraction – offerings
  • Coins – money
  • Cowrie shells – used in divination and jewellery; represents female genitalia and used in love and jinxing spells, typically used as a doll or on a Voodoo doll
  • High John Root  – this is my go to item because it’s very easy to use and it can be used for several purposes – Court – luck – love attraction – money drawing – protection
  • Lodestones (small matched stones) are great for love mojos

The modern mojo bags recipes are all structured like this and modified as desired:

Green mojo bags are typically for money magick
Green mojo bags are typically for money magick
  • If important, a colour of the bag that is relevant to your situation.
  • A stone or crystal that is holds magic properties that pertain to what the bag is for. eg an Obsidian Stone, to ward off any negative energy that could come into contact with your Mojo bag.
  • If available, an object that symbolizes what the bag will be used for.
  • A Taglock (fingernail clippings, hair strands and even spit) to make it yours
  • A pen and paper to write down what you want from your Mojo bag.
  • An herb mixture with all ingredients being relevant

But there are thousands of ways to make a mojo bag.

Fixing the Mojo/Hand

While you’re making your mojo bag, you should be visualizing the desired outcome of your spell. With each piece that you put into your mojo bag, picture that item aiding in your magickal energy.

During the creation of your bag, talk to your mojo as you make it. After all, this is a Spirit bag. If that makes you uncomfortable think of it like this, every item in that bag has its own energy that needs to be activated. So you need to bring this bag alive and to life.

And if it doesn’t have it’s energy activated how do you expect it to achieve a result for you. So it could be a good idea to give it a name. Compliment it, tell it what lovely things you’re adding and why. If you’ve got a piece of High John in there, make that the first thing you add, and then speak to John as you do it – he’s becoming the whole mojo, rather than just an ingredient in it.

Once you’re done adding the ingredients, tie or sew up the end of it, making sure to seal it up tight; you can also add a cord to it if you intend it to be worn. Although, if there is one specific item in the bag that you’re taking out to hold onto, you’re not going to seal the bag.

Some people will Spit in the bag and over the mojo bag’s contents, then tie the bag together with a ribbon or string. It might sound disgusting but that still one of your personal concerns that you’re adding into the bag. Another tip for creating a love bag, especially a controlling one, is similar to what a dog does by pissing on the garden post around the dog’s own premises. This is marking its territory. So if you’re putting in other personal concerns such as semen, other love juices, or even some urine, think about the purpose of that ingredient and what effect it has on the outside world or on the targets.

Then, when that’s done, pass it through incense smoke and sprinkle it with a bit of saltwater to clean it, then pass it over (but not through!) a candle flame, to “start the mojo cookin’.”

TIP – If you’re not creating a witchcraft style bag, don’t go to the trouble of putting it through the smoke or giving it a baptism with the saltwater. Quite simply what you’re going to do is breathe on the bag giving it “Life” and connecting it with you.

Breathing the Hand
Once your mojo is fixed, it’s time to give it a breath of life.  Hold it in your left hand, and call out to it to wake up three times. If you named it, call it by that name. If you placed High John in it, call out to John to wake up. If it has no other name, then just call it “mojo.” Tell it it’s time to wake up, that he’s got work to do.

Then, pat it three times, really quickly, like you’re nudging someone to wake up.

Finally, fill your lungs with air and make a quick exhalation on it with pursed lips. It should sound almost like you’re saying the word “Too.” Do this quick breath on it three times, to breathe some life into it.

Once you’ve done this, greet your mojo, and welcome him to life.

Once you’ve properly breathed life into your toby, it’s time to dress him. Take some proper condition oil appropriate to the purpose that your mojo bag will fulfill, and dress it, dropping an odd number of drops over its surface. Some mojo bags are fed with other substances: a few drops of good alcohol (like whiskey or rum), a perfume (like Hoyt’s Cologne or Florida Water) or sexual fluids (in the case of attraction and/or love hands). Do this by 5-spotting the bag with the condition oil it came with. Put a dab on the four corners of the mojo bag and one in the middle (like the pattern of the ‘5’ side of a die). This keeps its energy strong and motivates it to keep working on your behalf.

Wear the mojo bag around your neck (and under your shirt) for as long as you feel fit, until the desired outcome has manifested.

How to Care for Your Mojo Bag

In Hoodoo and folk magic, when a mojo bag is used it is also “fed” something on a daily or weekly basis. Usually, these feedings include an oil of some kind, an herb, or some other essential magickal item.

The idea behind feeding the mojo bag is that the content inside is to keep the bag “alive” – feeding the spirit of the bag. Hoodoo and folk magic is based on a very deep-rooted belief that everything in this world is alive and is a part of the divine…the universe…God (whatever you want to call it).

Dressing the Hand

Once a week or so, re-dress your hand. At this point, you are literally feeding your toby, which is alive (at the very least in a magical and spiritual sense). Like anyone else, if you want him to keep working, you’re going to have to keep feeding him.

Keep It Hidden!
Keep your toby safe and hidden. He’s shy, and prefers to work in quiet, without anyone knowing he’s there, so make sure to keep him safely hidden on your person (a pocket will do, but other places may be appropriate, such as undergarments for sex or love work).

If someone notices him, change the subject, or distract them. Whatever you have to do – tell them he’s just a “perfume sachet” or something like that. Don’t show him to people, either – if you don’t respect your toby’s privacy, he’s not going to want to work for you. Whatever you do, don’t let someone else touch your toby. That’s called “killing a hand,” and for a good reason: it’ll kill it outright.

When All Is Done

The toby’s magic doesn’t often run out, as it were – it’ll keep working as long as you need him, and as long as you keep feeding him properly. But, once he’s looking a little rough for wear, or when he’s no longer needed, it’s time to dispose of him properly and respectfully.

Burying is pretty much ideal. Hoodoo disposes of a lot of its used up spell materials by burying at a crossroads. It allows the final lingering mojo in the materials to disperse along the crossroads, scattering it. (As an aside, the only crossroads used in hoodoo are the four-way crossroads.) There are other burials that are appropriate, such as burying materials that you used to work a beneficial trick on you or your home on your property somewhere, preferrably dividing it up into four parts, and burying them at the four corners, with your home in the center of the four (like the pips for the 5 on a standard die). Casting the materials into running water is also a good approach, for the same reason as the crossroads – it scatters the mojo, dispersing it.

A mojo sometimes gets a more specialized burial, though, one that is accompanied with proper thanks and libations, as though it were a little person who’d died, and was now being sent off properly. I read somewhere once that the family of a particularly well-known rootworker had a chunk of their property set aside for use as a toby graveyard, including a little fence around it and some cheap statuary in it! 😀

rmevie

As far as reusing certain ingredients, yes you can. Stones other than lodestones, animal parts and roots (but not other herbs) can be reused. You’ll have to cleanse them, though, by sprinkling a little salt on them and letting the salt fall into running water or at a crossroads, and then cense them afterwards. But here’s the important bit: do not ever use them for another purpose other than the one they were originally put to. PARTICULARLY if it’s a High John root – once John sets his mind to a particular task, he can do it over and over for you, but that’s all he’s going to do.

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36 thoughts on “Making Your Own Mojo Bags”

  1. Vago.dragonwolf says:

    I’m preparing to make a mojo bag to get rid of the person my soulmate has been deceived and seduced by, whom I also just discovered is now cheating on her with 2 or 3 others. I cannot give the bag to this individual or let my beloved who is pagan even know it exists. The only place I can put it that will keep it in close proximity to the person it is intended for is under the house near his side of the bed he is now sharing with my mate. This should theoretically also keep it safe from discovery, but will make feeding it difficult or impossible. Do you have any helpful insights?

    • BWS says:

      Mojo bags are for your own personal use, and should be keep on or near you. To achieve your goal, you could create a voodoo doll style jar to curse that person, and place that somewhere hidden on their property. This will bring the curse onto the target, and does not require feeding, as a mojo bag would.

  2. Brent says:

    Hello I recently had surgery in which they let me have the kidney stones they removed I just wondered if these would be good for putting in a bag as a tag lock? I also wondered if there is any other use for kidney stones in spell and ritual work if so can you send me information to my email so I can study and read up to had to my book of shafows? Thanks for answering and have a blessed day/night

  4. Qrell says:

    Hey I recently made a mojo bag which had 3 stones and some pennys and some money drawing powder and some oil, but i forgot to put my hair is that why nothing is happening yet???? What do i need to do help please!!!!!!

  5. liza says:

    Hi, to begin with. I am so thankful i came accross this webpage for it gave me big hope that whatever difficulties i am facing right now because of a heavy curse and spell from a neighbor, i may be able to stop it. I believe that it is God’s will that i stumble upon this page and forum. I have been praying so hard to be able to find a remedy for this unfortunate situation. Thank you so much.
    But first, there are some things i need to ask regarding making the mojo bag for this will be my very first to try to make it.
    I want to try to make this mojo bag. But i want to ask if it is possible to make one mojo bag with different intentions in it? What i mean is, right now, i need: PROTECTION from curse/jinx/hexes; HEALING and GOOD HEALTH (mostly physically, mentally and emotionally); GOOD LUCK CHARM for my life is falling apart especially financially because of the evil curse put on me;
    Is it okay or possible to make this mojo bag that will contain all these intentions? And if so, what color of bag/cloth do i need to use?

    Lastly, willit be no problem for me to make this mojo bag for myself even if i still have the hex on me, or do i need to find a way to get it out on me first. And HOW do i do it?

    Thank you so much for time and for reading this and i am really hoping to get some answers back.
    Again, many thanks and God Bless.

  6. SIndra says:

    I’m treating some friends and family to a witch’s lunch in October… to help them experience the full effect of what I know will be a fabulous day….While making their hats & wands, I’ve thought of all the things that made them special in my life and how much I love and cherished each of them. I am now working on their bags; I’m stumped..and need a little guidance. What could I use in these bags to create an awesome experience for these ladies; that have accepted, without question, and given so much of themselves, without asking for anything in return. There will be 10 in all including me. Please advise if I can do anything for you for your wisdom and guidance. Thank you Sindra

    • BWS says:

      What a wonderful idea! I am so excited that we can begin to share our love for witchcraft with our family, friends and community in a more open and loving manner.

      To answer your question, I would really need to know more about your budget and luncheon “theme”. But off the top of my head, here are some ideas for a general audience that could have children in attendance. 

      Crystals & Stones – Many people underestimate the power of crystals. There are specific crystals I do not travel without, and others that consistently protect and deflect unwanted energy. In a group of people, it is always fun to have the guests hold a crystal in their hand and describe what they are feeling. Perhaps each guest can take a crystal home which resonates with them the most. You could have some larger crystals for them to touch, but smaller more affordable ones to take home.
      (If you are making the wands on the day, I would wrap copper around the wand, and add a crystal to the tip. That’s just my preference) 

      Mojo Bags – Creating a personal mojo bag is always fun. You could even cut out and sew the bag yourselves at the lunch, or just buy cheap ready made bags and fill with a herb, curio, personal concern (a strand of their hair etc), and each person writes their own petition, before the group seals bags together with a positive affirmation and dress with a conditioning oil. 

      Since everyone is open to witchcraft, why not put a pendulum in the bag. They are also super affordable and easy to use. 

      I asked Lady Hannah (from BWC) what she would like to receive in a gift bag, and she said a Spell Kit for something positive. Pre-made spell kits can cost around $20, but you can always pre-dress a candle for a purpose (with herbs and/or oil), wrap in plastic wrap, and give instructions (written or on the day.)

      All these ideas are group friendly, affordable, and positive.

      Blessed Beast!

      Savannah 
      #BWS

      BWC READERS – If you have ideas, please share your thoughts as well 🙂

      • Sindra says:

        No. No one knows that I’ve been practicing for over 40 years. Lol. And as a quilter i’ve Quilted a different bag for each of them. I love the Cooper around the wands and adding the crystal to the tip. Thank you for ur genius ideas.

    • BWS says:

      Hi Megan

      That is a great question. I would say no, that oils are not included for the reason that the oil will evaporate/dry and disappear over time. The other components will always remain.

      Blessings
      Savannah

  8. Lunae says:

    Can I tie the cat’s hair with a string? Or is it needed to be scattered inside the mojo bag?

    Can I cut or atleast fold the ace of diamond card? It seems the card’s size would be a problem for a mojo bag intended to wear

    Do I need to sew up the top(end of it) If I intend to tie it put a cord and wear it? Also, I don’t quite get the passing the moo bag over but not through the candle flames.

  10. angela says:

    I made my own Mojo bag and I just realized I forgot to add my own hair to it.I have no idea what was i thinking.I activated it,let`s see how powerful is gonna be without my personal concerns..

  12. Buttercup says:

    Hi there! I made my mojo bag last night, and slept with it under the pillow, so we could ” wake up” together this morning. I took my bag outside, with my candle, salt water to cleanse, and incense. As I started to wake him, and breathe life into him, a gentle sprinkling of rain started falling. After i said my prayers, and snuffed the candle, the rain stopped entirely. Is this a good sign? It was just a sprinkle, and I felt as of I was being washed clean, but the timing of specifically only for my ceremony wasn’t lost on me.

  13. Briar says:

    Is there a bag that I can make that will enable me to make others suffer? Not physically, just mentally. There’s a girl at my school who deserves what’s coming.

  14. gia says:

    I put a whole Hi John root in my mojo bag but thanks to a couple heavy boxes I had to carry it became damaged after only a few days. The root is still whole and intact but it has 4 good sized dents. Maybe it’s the power of persuasion but the bag doesn’t seem as alive to me since I noticed the damage. I added more oil and even rubbed in some whiskey just in case. Could the root still be effective or should I start over with a new one? Thanks!

    • BWS says:

      Hello

      High John roots are quite tough, so you did the right thing in rubbing it with a little oil, and giving it back some love. Roots do require a little more love as time gets on, so you may wish to reactivate your mojo bag with its magical purpose again. You can re-use your root. Blessed Beast!

      BWS

  15. christina says:

    i just made my first bag monday night and i must have done something really wrong because the weirdest thing keeps happening. i wear the bag as a necklace under my shirt so no one sees…but any time i take it on or off i get so incredibly dizzy. take today for instance, the cord broke and the bag fell on the floor (luckily no one saw) but i became so dizzy i nearly fainted. any ideas what i should do?

    • BWS says:

      Woah! That is quite a message you are receiving! Firstly, you have to find out what spiritual message you need to receive. I don’t know what divination method you currently practice, but you could try either tarot, pendulum, or trace work. Blonde Gypsy could look into this for you by asking specific questions you have for spirit, if you can’t yet do divination yourself. Secondly, I would start a candle for spiritual response (in a candle color related to the mojo you created). Consecrate your mojo bag again, and leave it next to the Glass 5 to 7 day candle. See what messages are provided with the candle burn e.g. If the candle glass is black on completion, I would not wear the mojo, as it will not work for you anyways. Plus as you are quite sensitive to the work, it will make you ill. Don’t give up though. No matter what the message is, that fact is that you ARE receiving spiritual messages, and therefore a step closer to becoming stronger in your magickal work. – Blessed Beast
      BW Savannah

      • kimr says:

        WOW. i m ade my first mojo bag. protetion from an evil co worker. she is now on leave for a month. my question is do i continue to wear it, or do i bury it and if and when she returns make a new one.

        • BWS says:

          Greetings

          Fabulous work! What to do with this magical talisman next? Here is my personal advice. I say that you should keep it. The reason why is that this person may come back, and if so you wanna be able to reactivate your talisman, and use it again. I tend to keep my talismans on my altar, or in a special place for all my magical items. After a while, you can become spiritually connected to these items, and these items are spiritually attuned to you as well. I would only bury it if the magic goal was completely finished eg. You wanted to finish or university degree with success, and your talisman has helped to succeed in this journey and accomplishment, then the talisman has completed its goal, and you can release the spiritual intention.

          BWS

  16. Gigi says:

    I have read in several places that the herbs need to be replaced and the mojo bag “revamped” about once a year. If that’s true, would John be replaced too? He’s a herb but… I would feel bad to replace him

  18. Brandon Jacksob says:

    I have mojo bag and I have been wondering if someone else made it for me to get back with my ex after he cast a spell on it, do I still have to feed it myself daily ?

  20. Jeannie Norris says:

    Thank You so much for all the much needed information. I really enjoy this post and I am looking forward to reading many more. I will be making my mojo bag soon. I did have a question for you though. Is there any general rules of making a mojo bag for someone else? Is there any words or rituals that must be done to give a mojo bag to someone who did not make it them self? Again thank you.

    • BWS says:

      The magic of the spell will be released and/or the contents maybe compromised. Once the mojo is open, or some say get wet, you will need to have the bad re-done. Or do it yourself 🙂

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