Title
Spiritual Merchants: Religion Magic & Commerce,Used
Delivery time: 8-12 business days (International)
They can be found along the side streets of many American cities: herb or candle shops catering to practitioners of Voodoo, hoodoo, Santera, and similar beliefs. Here one can purchase ritual items and raw materials for the fabrication of traditional charms, plus a variety of soaps, powders, and aromatic goods known in the trade as spiritual products. For those seeking health or success, love or protection, these potions offer the power of the saints and the authority of the African gods.In Spiritual Merchants, Carolyn Morrow Long provides an inside look at the followers of Africanbased belief systems and the retailers and manufacturers who supply them. Traveling from New Orleans to New York, from Charleston to Los Angeles, she takes readers on a tour of these shops, examines the origins of the products, and profiles the merchants who sell them.Long describes the principles by which charms are thought to operate, how ingredients are chosen, and the uses to which they are put. She then explores the commodification of traditional charms and the evolution of the spiritual products industryfrom smallscale mail order "doctors" and hoodoo drugstores to major manufacturers who market their products worldwide. She also offers an eyeopening look at how merchants who are not members of the culture entered the business through the manufacture of other goods such as toiletries, incense, and pharmaceuticals. Her narrative includes previously unpublished information on legendary Voodoo queens and hoodoo workers, as well as a case study of John the Conqueror root and its metamorphosis from spiritembodying charm to commercial spiritual product.No other book deals in such detail with both the history and current practices of Africanbased belief systems in the United States and the evolution of the spiritual products industry. For students of folklore or anyone intrigued by the world of charms and candle shops, Spiritual Merchants examines the confluence of African and European religion in the Americas and provides a colorful introduction to a vibrant aspect of contemporary culture.The Author: Carolyn Morrow Long is a preservation specialist and conservator at the the Smithsonian Institutions National Museum of American History.
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Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
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Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the main focus of 'Spiritual Merchants: Religion, Magic and Commerce'? A: The book explores the intersection of African-based belief systems and commerce in the United States, detailing the shops that sell spiritual products, the rituals associated with them, and the evolution of the spiritual products industry.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Spiritual Merchants' and what is her background? A: The author is Carolyn Morrow Long, a preservation specialist and conservator at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, who provides expert insights into the subject matter.
- Q: What topics are covered in the book regarding the spiritual products industry? A: The book covers the origins of spiritual products, profiles of merchants, the commodification of traditional charms, and the evolution of the industry from small-scale practitioners to large manufacturers.
- Q: How many pages does 'Spiritual Merchants' have? A: The book contains 344 pages, providing an in-depth exploration of its subject.
- Q: What is the publication date and edition of the book? A: The book was published on May 31, 2001, and is available in its first edition.
- Q: Is 'Spiritual Merchants' a used or new book? A: The book is listed as a 'Used Book in Good Condition', indicating that it may have some wear but is still in an acceptable state for reading.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: The book is available in a paperback binding, making it flexible and easy to handle.
- Q: Are there any case studies included in 'Spiritual Merchants'? A: Yes, the book includes case studies, such as the transformation of John the Conqueror root from a spiritual charm to a commercial product.
- Q: What can readers expect to learn from this book? A: Readers will gain insights into the practices of African-based religions in America, the cultural significance of charms, and the commercial aspects of spiritual products.
- Q: Is this book suitable for students of folklore or those interested in magic studies? A: Yes, 'Spiritual Merchants' is a valuable resource for students of folklore and anyone interested in the cultural aspects of magic and spirituality.