House of Roots and Bones: Advanced Root Materia Department

XV. ADVANCED ROOT MATERIA
HORB MAT 501 — High John the Conqueror: History, Folklore & Practice
Examines High John as a major Black American folk figure and powerful root curio. Students study John tales, resistance, luck, mastery, botanical identity, and historical working methods. Develops deeper understanding beyond modern commercial simplifications.
HORB MAT 502 — Little John/Chew John & Court Case Traditions
Studies Little John or Chew John in association with legal favor and court cases. Covers botanical identification, preparation, chewing traditions, and courtroom folklore. Distinguishes historical practice from modern product descriptions.
HORB MAT 503 — Queen Elizabeth Root & Women’s Work
Explores Queen Elizabeth Root (orris root) through traditions of attraction, feminine influence, personal authority, and women’s work. Examines historical usage, preparation, and formulas. Situates the root within Black American history and women’s spiritual agency.
HORB MAT 504 — Angelica Root: Protection, Women & Spiritual Strength
Focuses on Angelica Root in protection, strengthening, household care, and women’s work. Covers folk names, botanical identity, historical applications, and safety. Compares Angelica with other protective roots to choose the right materia for specific conditions.
HORB MAT 505 — Master Root & Mastery Work
Studies Master Root and the spiritual logic of mastery, command, competence, and control. Distinguishes self-mastery from improper domination of others. Examines preparation, combinations, and how Master Root differs from High John and Angelica.
HORB MAT 506 — Devil’s Shoestring: Tripping Trouble & Controlling Conditions
Provides specialized study of Devil’s Shoestring for tripping opposition, tying trouble, controlling circumstances, and protection. Examines its physical form, folk logic, and botanical confusion. Teaches disciplined and ethical application under spiritual jurisdiction.
HORB MAT 507 — Five-Finger Grass: Favor, Skill & the Work of the Hands
Studies Five-Finger Grass through the importance of the human hand: favor, skill, assistance, gambling, work, and receiving. Examines botanical identification and historical sources. Connects plant symbolism, human action, and petition with greater sophistication.
HORB MAT 508 — Calamus, Licorice & Traditional Controlling Materia
Examines controlling materia for influence, command, restraint, and gaining the upper hand. Focuses on calamus and licorice, historical formulas, and appropriate use. Distinguishes influence, persuasion, authority, restraint, and domination while emphasizing jurisdiction.
HORB MAT 509 — Agrimony, Rue & Uncrossing Materia
Specializes in agrimony and rue for cleansing, reversal, uncrossing, protection, and removal. Covers historical usage, preparations, safety, and regional practice. Compares these roots with hyssop, salt, sulfur, and other cleansing materials to determine the right materia for each condition.
HORB MAT 510 — Southern Root Identification Laboratory
A hands-on laboratory for accurate identification of major roots and botanical materials. Students work with whole roots, cut roots, dried material, commercial samples, and look-alikes. Covers adulteration, toxicity, sustainability, storage, and when to say, “I do not know.” Demonstrates readiness to handle root materia with the seriousness of a working root doctor.