Mojo
As defined by Wikipedia, Mojo refers to a magical charm bag used in hoodoo. A typical red flannel bag is shown opposite, with a drawstring. It is worn under the clothing (often round the neck), and the bag contains certain items thought to give the wearer magic properties.
In modern usage it may also metaphorically refer to possessing a "magic touch" of creativity or charm - and sex drive. Austin Powers loses his "Mojo" in the second film, and in this context it refers to his sexual libedo.
The source of mojo bags is Afro-American folk magic, hoodoo (not Voodoo, which is a religion). The contents will vary and would be matched to the wearer and the magical intent. Typical contents could be John the Conquorer root, lodestones (magnetic mineral), other roots such as angelica, bats wings, mercury or silver, African mojo beans, personal item from the person who is the object of the charm (eg some hair), incense and oils. The object of the magic could be to make the person fall in love with the wearer (ie an aphrodisiac charm), or the intent could be more sinister such as to cause the victim to fall ill or die.
Muddy Waters made the mojo famous with his "Got my mojo working":
Got my mojo working but it just won't work on you
Got my mojo working but it just won't work on you
I want to love you so bad I don't know what to do
Going down to Louisiana to get me a mojo hand
Going down to Louisiana to get me a mojo hand
I'm going to have all you women, getcha under my command
Got my mojo working, ...
Mr Mojo Risin' is an anagram of Jim Morrison, and was included in the lyrics of The Doors song "LA Woman". In this context the usage has sexual innuendos.
The sexual connotations of mojo are a recent invention, the origin was simply a magical charm pouch.
© In the Light, 17 September, 2009 , Disclaimer, Son of Suckerfish drop-downs from HTML dog