House of Roots and Bones - Bones Department
II. BONES — HOODOO WORLDVIEW & SPIRITUAL FOUNDATIONS
HORB FOL 111 — The Hoodoo Worldview
Develops the spiritual worldview underlying traditional Black American conjure practice. Students examine ideas of condition, power, luck, blessing, crossing, cleansing, protection, reciprocity, and consequence. The course establishes the conceptual vocabulary required throughout the Seminary.
HORB FOL 112 — The Seen and Unseen in Southern Black Folk Belief
Examines the coexistence of spiritual and material explanations within Black Southern folk reasoning. Students learn to recognize how different causes can operate at the same time and how to approach situations with discernment. This course prepares students for responsible diagnosis, signs, divination, and treating.
HORB FOL 113 — Spiritual Conditions & Their Causes
Teaches students to identify and distinguish different forms of spiritual and practical trouble. Students examine crossed conditions, enemy work, bad luck, grief, environmental disturbance, and ordinary misfortune. This course becomes a major prerequisite for all later diagnostic and treatment instruction.
HORB FOL 114 — Spiritual Jurisdiction
Examines authority, responsibility, cause, relationship, and boundaries in spiritual matters. Students learn to determine whether they have legitimate cause to put their hands into a situation. This course is essential for ethical practice and all advanced spiritual work.
HORB FOL 115 — Signs, Omens & Confirmations
Studies traditional signs, omens, dreams, bodily signals, animal behavior, and environmental observations. Students learn to distinguish meaningful signs from coincidence and personal association. This course prepares students for advanced divination and spiritual confirmation.
HORB FOL 116 — Spiritual Hygiene for Working Practitioners
Teaches the cleansing and protection of self, tools, and working spaces before and after spiritual labor. Students study washing, prayer, protective preparation, disposal, and maintaining an orderly environment. This course ensures long-term stability, safety, and effectiveness in the work.
HORB FOL 117 — Secrecy, Silence & Keeping the Work
Explores traditional understandings of secrecy, discretion, and the protection of spiritual work. Students examine when knowledge is shared, when it is kept, and why silence can be a form of power. This course establishes habits of confidentiality and respect for the work.
HORB FOL 118 — Ethics, Responsibility & Reputation of the Worker
Examines the responsibilities that come with working for others. Students study honesty, fees, confidentiality, boundaries, informed expectations, and the importance of reputation. This course forms a professional foundation for all future client-facing practice.
HORB FOL 119 — Apprenticeship & Becoming a Worker
Examines the path from study to competent practice through observation, supervised learning, and demonstrated skill. Students learn the value of repetition, record keeping, correction, and discernment. This course prepares students to move from introductory study toward practical worker formation.
HORB FOL 120 — From Worker to Root Doctor
Examines the difference between knowing tricks and assuming the responsibilities of doctoring. Students study diagnosis, prescription, treatment sequence, follow-up, and professional judgment. Completion prepares students for the advanced Treating and Doctoring tracks.