Quick Specs
- Size/Quantity: 1 oz whole root pieces
- Type: Ritual Herb (Rootwork / Hoodoo)
- Material: Dried Viburnum root (Devil’s Shoestring)
- Best For: Protection, job-getting, luck drawing, crossing defense
The Root That Trips the Devil
Devil’s Shoestring is one of the most recognized roots in American Rootwork tradition. The plant is most commonly identified as Viburnum alnifolium, though related Viburnum species have been used interchangeably depending on region and availability, and older accounts name a different plant, crown vetch (Coronilla varia). What makes it recognizable is the root itself: long, thin, wiry sections that look exactly like old-fashioned shoelaces. That resemblance is where the name comes from, and it informs much of how the root has been used for generations.
In Hoodoo and Rootwork, the name is literal. You use Devil’s Shoestring to trip up the devil, meaning any force, person, or circumstance working against you. Tradition lists its primary applications as job-getting, luck drawing, protection from enemies, and controlling difficult situations before they get worse. I stock this because it’s a staple that comes up in mojo bag recipes, floor washes, threshold workings, and bottle spells consistently across the Hoodoo canon. If you’re building a serious herb cabinet, it goes in early. Pair it with lodestones from my lodestones and magnetic sand collection or explore the full range of herbs sorted by magical use in my protection and evil eye herbs section.
This is a 1oz packet of whole root pieces, not a powder. That distinction matters because whole root gives you flexibility. You can select a single piece for a mojo bag, break off a section for a bottle spell, or steep the rest for a floor wash without committing the whole packet to one use. The pieces vary in length and thickness, which is normal for dried root material of this type.
How to Use Devil’s Shoestring Root
Three ways to use Devil’s Shoestring in everyday practice.
- Carry for Job-Getting
Tuck a piece of Devil’s Shoestring root into your wallet or pocket before a job interview or any meeting where you need an edge. Tradition holds that the root trips up obstacles standing between you and the position you want.
- Make a Protective Mojo
Place a piece of Devil’s Shoestring in a red or black flannel bag along with a pinch of salt and a lodestone. Feed the bag with condition oil, tie it shut, and carry it on your person to keep enemies and crossed conditions at bay.
- Use in Floor Wash or Threshold Work
Steep the root pieces in boiling water, let cool, and strain. Use the wash to mop your doorstep or sprinkle across your threshold. Use it to guard your home from anyone who means you harm.
The Tarot Fellow Standard
I carry this root through a specialty herb supplier with consistent quality standards for dried rootwork material. What I look for is good moisture content, intact root structure, and roots that haven’t been sitting in a warehouse long enough to go brittle and gray. The pieces in this batch are tan to light brown with the fibrous texture you’d expect from a properly dried Viburnum root. If you receive something that looks dusty or over-dried, reach out. One practical note: this is a root, not a botanical extract. It doesn’t have a strong scent on its own. That’s normal and doesn’t affect its use in traditional workings. Hoodoo is a living tradition, and I offer this root as an entry point, not a substitute for learning from practitioners and community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Devil’s Shoestring in Hoodoo is most often Viburnum alnifolium or related Viburnum species, though older accounts name crown vetch. The long, thin root sections resemble a shoelace, which is the source of the common name.
This is whole root pieces, not ground powder. Whole root lets you select the size you need for a mojo bag, floor wash, or charm work. You can break or cut pieces to fit your working without losing the material’s integrity.
Classic Rootwork uses include job-getting, luck drawing, protection from enemies, and tripping up anyone working against you. It appears in mojo bags, floor washes, bottle spells, and threshold work.
Keep the root in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. A sealed glass jar or the resealable bag it comes in works well. Properly stored dried root holds its potency for a year or more without significant deterioration.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet