Today I thought I’d share some of the nuts and bolts (or roots and herbs, rather) I used in my recent Crown of (Academic) Success mojo bag. The hand I made was specifically designed for help with schoolwork, and focused on memory, hard work, a strong will, and a little bit of luck. After I go over this basic bag, I’ll try to offer some alternatives for various situations not related to school, but which could use a shot of success.
The ingredients:
- High John root (a whole one, but you could use chips if that’s all you’ve got)
- Gravel Root
- Rosemary (dried)
- Sage (dried)
- Frankincense tears
- Small psalm scroll*
- Red flannel square
- Twine
- Crown of Success oil
(*In most general Crown of Success workings, I use a passage from Psalm 65: “You crown the year with success; your paths drip fatness,” which would be fine. But after discussing it with commenter Odom the other day, I’m reasonably sure I used Psalm 119, specifically the verses “I have declared myself and you heard me; teach me your statutes/make me to understand your ways so I may tell of your wondrous works”)
The herb and root ingredients all relate to success (gravel root, High John, Crown of Success oil), focus and concentration (sage, frankincense, rosemary), wisdom (sage, frankincense), luck (gravel root, Crown of Success oil), memory and calm (rosemary), and study (sage). I know that some folks out there would chide me for using rosemary as a memory herb when Cat Yronwode’s book doesn’t provide that association, but its longstanding folk association with that quality made me comfortable with using it in that capacity. And since I spent a good deal of time studying Shakespeare over the summer, I’ll back up my claim by quoting Ophelia in Hamlet, Act IV, scene v: “There’s rosemary; that’s for remembrance.” So, yeah. That’s that.
When I did this spell, I dressed a small candle with Crown of Success and burned it while I combined the ingredients in the center of the red flannel square. Once I had the herbs and roots together, I wrote out the psalm scroll and added it to the ingredients. I bundled it all up and wrapped the bag’s “neck” up with the twine. I prayed Psalm 119 over it three times (that’s an acrostic psalm, so I only read the pertinent section of it), then singed the ends of the twine in the candle flame. I dressed the bag with the Crown of Success oil and blew out the candle, and voila! One back-to-school mojo!
I fed the bag every day I had class, just before leaving my room. I alternated using Crown of Success oil and whiskey to splash the bag, and I recited Psalm 65 every time I did it (mostly because that’s the one I remember better—you may have more luck with Psalm 119).
Now that I’m done with it for this year, I’ve got it sitting by my bedside (though I should probably put it in my altar desk instead). I’ll bring it back out next year, or if I do some intensive studying (as I’m prone to do every few months), I may use it again, then. When my time at school is done, I’ll probably bury it somewhere on campus.
So that’s the Scholar’s Success bag. I hope that was of some use to someone out there—well, other than me, of course. If you do this spell or something similar, post a comment and let us all know about it! I know I’d like to hear any tips for succeeding in education, especially before next summer when I go back to school!
Thanks for reading!
-Cory
New World Witchery - The Search for American Traditional Witchcraft 
I just wanted to say this was certainly of use to someone out there, namely me. I was just researching Crown of Success work yesterday and this morning to help me land a job I’m shooting for. Very timely for me indeed! I sincerely enjoy your blog and podcasts, I always come away with something valuable from them.
My Best,
–Rick
Awwww, thanks Rick! That’s just a wonderful thing to say! It’s great to know that other folks are getting some useful information out of these posts. Sometimes it’s hard to gauge what’s pertinent and practical and what’s just me rambling aimlessly for a couple of paragraphs, lol.
Please let us know how the Crown of Success working goes! I’d love to hear any results you get from it!
Be well,
-Cory
Ahhh so this is the secret of the Crown of Success mojo! I have a question concerning sage. I know all the smudge sticks I have ever seen have been a white sage, but what about a common garden sage? Can that be used in workings calling for sage, or is this form of sage only good for cooking?
I have both types on hand, though I grow the common sage, and would rather use something I’ve grown.
My intuition tells me that it will work the same as the white sage, but I would like a second, or third opinion on the matter just the same. 😀
Hi Odom!
I know we’ve sort of discussed this a bit already, but the sage that your referring to as garden sage (Salvia officianalis) is the culinary version which is found throughout the Mediterranean and in gardens everywhere. It’s a wonderful culinary herb, and its magical uses have to do with things like wisdom, patience, etc. The other sage is white (or sometimes silver) sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) and isn’t used in cooking, but is very common in smudging ceremonies. Magically, it’s more of a cleansing herb. However, both have properties which would help with concentration to various degrees and mental clarity as well, so there is sort of a connection.
I hope that helps clear up the sage question for the moment! Thanks for a great comment!
All the best,
-Cory
Cool! Thanks.
A very neat working! Have you ever thought of adding dirt from the grounds of your school to your mojo bag? 😉
Sarah, you always come up with such clever things! I’ll have to do that when I go back next year! Or at the very least, collect some dirt from the campus to use in other workings relating to Academia.
Thanks for the great idea!
-Cory
Cory,
I recall you noting for the academic mojo bag, you were dressing it in, I think, whiskey. I was wondering how this worked without making a mess in your pocket (where I usually carry a mojo bag) or without the bag putting off an oder and someone thinking I am toking the bottle!
Perfect timing on these posts. I am starting my second phase of certification courses the end of this month (facilities management) and will be starting up on pursuing my Bachelors of Science in January.
Thanks!
Chet
Hey Chet!
Good to hear from you! With the whiskey, I just put the bag over the mouth of the bottle and did a quick turn to get it just barely wet with the whiskey (which is the same technique I use with the oil feeding, too). If you have a small mojo bag you may want to get a flask, which has a smaller mouth. Or you could always keep a little jar of whiskey and an eye dropper on hand, too.
The bag does get a little moist, and there’s a faint whiskey smell for a few minutes, but generally the herbs wind up heating in your pocket enough to overpower the whiskey scent pretty quickly. You may have a small wet spot, of course, but I find that if i turn the wet spot towards my leg when I put the bag in my pocket, it doesn’t show through my pants at all. Alternatively, many people pin or sew their bags inside their clothing, so you could try that, too, and see if that prevents any staining.
Good luck with your certification and your Bachelors! Let us know how that goes, especially if you wind up using some magic to help yourself along!
All the best!
-Cory
I love whiskey =]