Goofer Dust is a powder- and confetti-like substance used in hoodoo rituals. Its only known use is as a ward against Hellhounds, similar to the way a line of salt works against demons.
Overview[]
A drawback of Goofer Dust is its nature as a powder. If not protected or maintained, a line of it can be broken or eroded by moving air—even that exhaled by the hounds themselves. Demons (for whom Hellhounds work) can also break the line, if the case may be. This makes Devil's Shoestring and rock salt better alternatives, given their weight—rock salt more so for its antagonistic effects against demons, Since that is a type of dust, if someone pours that in front of a Fairy, probably they have to stop to count each grain one by one.
Trivia[]
Goofer dust often contains, or is held synonymous with graveyard dirt in real-life Voodoo, and is often used in harmful spells, or with intent to harm. The word goofer is a corruption of "kufwa", a Kikongo word meaning "to die".
Goofer dust as barrier or repellent may seem incongruous, however by adding salt and pepper or other ingredients, the normally harmful properties of goofer dust have been known to act as a ward, or charm, explaining why Hellhounds are particularly wary of it.
Appearances[]
- Season 2
- Season 8
- The Supernatural Book of Monsters, Spirits, Demons, and Ghouls (non-canon, mentioned only)