She Came to Me in a Vision:
Visiting Aunt Caroline Dye

Aunt Caroline Dye...Aunt Caroline Dye...Aunt Caroline Dye...🥃

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She came to me in a vision and told me to come pay her a visit down in Arkansas—so I did. This past March (2025) I hopped on a flight from Portland, Oregon, made my way to Newport, Arkansas and went to Gum Grove Cemetery—the burial site and final physical resting place of conjure woman Aunt Caroline Dye. Fellow researcher and cultural producer Viktor L. Ewing joined me at the site. I learned about Aunt Caroline Dye in 2024 during research on Black spiritual lineages and practitioners in America. I write this brief article not only to simply share her story for spiritual inspiration with those who may have not heard of her, but by Spirit’s request, as this is to be a reminder to check up on the dead when they call. This is not to say you should follow any ol’ being who wakes you from your slumber or seek out well-known practitioners—no. The call can be from someone in your direct lineage of family or another being no one has ever seen. It is important to remember that our ancestral ties go beyond immediate family, human form and human existence. Listen in truth and with discernment and let your spirit-soul guide you. This trip lead me to many revelations about my own earthly family, who also has roots in Arkansas, and revealed itself to be a process of divination—giving me a glimpse into the future. There were also certain rituals and offerings that took place at the cemetery that cannot be fully mentioned here, but I will share that although I came with my own items to offer, it was revealed to me upon arrival that more than what I brought was required. That “more” was actually taken from me and understanding as to why was given after. Below I will share a bit about Aunt Caroline Dye’s life in my own words based off my research (including psychic), and I will also provide some links to a few articles that have covered her life in greater detail. I will also share videos, music and material culture that reference Aunt Caroline as well as share a bit of visual documentation from my Arkansas journey. May The Most High and the honored ancestor be pleased. May this digital document/altar serve as a reminder to stay in connection with those who have left this realm in physical form and now move as spirit. May we be open to the call. May we remember.
Aunt Caroline Dye...Aunt Caroline Dye...Aunt Caroline Dye...🥃

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Aunt Caroline Dye (1843–1918), born Caroline Tracy, was a seer and hoodoo / conjure woman who assisted many people while living in Newport, Arkansas. She was born into captivity in South Carolina and was made a “house girl” at just 10 years old. However, she gained her freedom around 1863 and went on to not only become a well known healer, but a successful entrepreneur owning multiple properties. She used spiritual technologies such as cartomancy, spiritual baths, mojo hands and biblical scripture recitation to help those who came to her for guidance and healing. It has also been told that she was given the gift of prophecy, as she was reported to have made from an early age predictions that would stun the adults around her. She also had the ability to track down lost items or property with spiritual techniques and insight. Aunt Caroline was not known to charge people who came to her, but because of the power of her gifts people often left her generous offerings. Aunt Caroline’s diverse clientele came from different backgrounds and locations all around the mid-south. It is said some would travel from hundreds of miles a way by train to consult her about many different things ranging from personal to business. Visits to Aunt Caroline have been documented in various forms such as writings, video interviews and even in music from southern recording artists like The Memphis Jug Band, W.C. Handy, Johnnie Temple and more. The popular Hoodoo Tarot deck by Tayannah Lee McQuillar and illustrated by Katelan V. Foisy is a more contemporary peice of material culture that also features and pays homage to Aunt Caroline Dye. Aunt Caroline Dye’s power and influence still permeates though southern mystic folklore culture and many make pilgrimages to her grave site to this day. Learn more about the legacy and life of Aunt Caroline Dye via the links and videos below.