Herb guide
Devil's Shoestring
Want Devil's Shoestring read live?Talk to Bram →First reading freeIts long, stringy roots gave hoodoo tradition exactly the tool it needed — something to literally tie luck down and keep enemies tangled.
Overview
Devil's shoestring gets its name and its magic from the same source: long, tough, stringy roots that practitioners in hoodoo tradition have used, quite literally, for tying — tying good luck down so it doesn't leave, and tying up an enemy's ability to interfere.
It's a staple of Southern U.S. hoodoo and rootwork specifically, one of the most reached-for roots for job security, court case success, and gambling luck — practical, results-oriented magic rather than purely symbolic use.
Spiritual properties
Devil's shoestring's magic is entirely practical and results-focused: securing luck and binding interference.
Luck and Job Security
Carried or worn, devil's shoestring is traditionally believed to help you 'keep your job tied down' and hold onto good fortune once it arrives rather than letting it slip away.
Binding and Court Case Success
Its stringy roots are used symbolically to bind an opponent's power in legal or competitive situations — tying up their ability to interfere with your success.
How to use it
Carry a piece of devil's shoestring root in your wallet or pocket for job security and to keep money from 'walking away.' Tie a piece of the root with red thread as part of a binding working aimed at securing a specific desired outcome. Add to a mojo bag for court case or competitive success.
In spellwork
Devil's shoestring is a hoodoo staple, used specifically for job-keeping, court case success, and gambling luck. It's traditionally carried on the person (in a pocket, shoe, or mojo bag) rather than used as incense or in baths — a root meant to travel with you.
Substitutions
If devil's shoestring is unavailable: High John the Conqueror root substitutes for general luck and success. Vervain substitutes for legal/court-focused protective work.
Safety notes
Used externally/symbolically (carried, not ingested) in traditional hoodoo practice; no significant internal-use tradition exists for this root in the same way as culinary or medicinal herbs.
Correspondences
Element
earth
Planet
Jupiter
Zodiac
Capricorn, Sagittarius
Intentions
success, protection, abundance
Pairs well with (crystals)
Pairs well with (herbs)
Connected tarot cards
Frequently asked questions
What is devil's shoestring used for in magic?
Devil's shoestring is a hoodoo root used for job security, court case success, and gambling luck — its stringy roots are traditionally used to symbolically 'tie down' good fortune or bind an opponent's interference.
How do you carry devil's shoestring?
Traditionally carried on the person — in a pocket, shoe, or mojo bag — rather than burned or used in baths, since the root's purpose is to travel with you and keep luck close.
This content is for educational and spiritual reference only. It is not medical, pharmaceutical, or health advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any herb for health purposes. Some herbs may interact with medications or be unsafe during pregnancy.