On Van Van Formula - the Ultimate, Classic Conjure Potion

 

Van Van is among the oldest of hoodoo's conjure formulas. It is mentioned by name as far back as the 1910s, and some oral traditions place it being even older. It seems to have originated in New Orleans or the vicinity.

The original Van Van was always a liquid perfume. In the 1930s the famous occult goods supplier Mort Neumann began offering it in other formulations and even took out a trademark on the name (which apparently didn't stick.)

Older hoodoo mixtures are more likely to have names which are intentionally meant to obfuscate the intent, in order to avoid prosecution for "false claims," as opposed to modern mixtures like Uncrossing or Protection where the intent is made plain in the name. Van Van was typically considered a beneficial ingredient, though occasionally workers would warn it needed to be sweetened with sugar in order to ensure that it would produce only positive outcomes. It was something of a "power" formula, and perhaps it is named from the Spanish van van meaning an intensified version of action, literally "go go." However, another plausible theory is that it gets its name from the common pronunciation of the French word verveine, which usually is the perfumer's name for a lemongrass scent (due to conflation with lemon verbena.) Lemon or lemongrass is the usual odor for the formula, though some old accounts of the formula also mention it having a mint or cinnamon scent.

It was a common ingredient in return lover spells; one such old time use was for a woman to make a paper packet wrapping around four balm of gilead buds, then it was dressed with Van Van perfume, and this object hidden in the clothing of the ex-lover to compel him to return. Candles could also be washed in the perfume before burning them to draw back lost loves. 

It was used to command and control people, by putting the target's name into a cup with Van Van perfume and burning candles upon it. 

In gambling (the usual money drawing method of old hoodoo) one could rub their hands with Van Van, Fast Luck and Olive oils before playing, to bring luck. 

It was additionally reputed to keep away evil spirits, negative blockages, and bad influences. Rootworkers were advised to ignite a small dish of Van Van perfume and use that to light their candles, instead of lighting them from a match. Added to the bath water, it was said to remove jinxes. Spiritual workers and believers in magic also added it to scrub water for cleaning homes. People could dress their hands and faces with it before going to, to ensure success in their endeavors.

You can find more recipes for making your own Van Van goods and spells here on the blog, or in The Conjure Cookbook and Homemade Hoodoo.