#appalachian folk magic

[floodleaf]

[the-weaving-cryptid]

"There's an age-old superstition that a cat is conjuring up a rainstorm when it washes its face. So what did the mountaineer do? He got it to wash its face! Usually a glob of bacon grease, butter, or ice cream was smudged on a cat's nose or cheek for them to wash off. They'd get the cat to wash its face at least three times that day, and it's said rain would come three days after."

- Jake Richards, "Backwoods Witchcraft"

[samwisethewitch]

Please read Mountain Magic by Rebecca Beyer

I was on a break from social media when I read this one, so this isn't a full review, but I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Appalachian folk magic. This is especially relevant to Southern Appalachian lore since Beyer lives in North Carolina.

I loved Beyer's first book, Wild Witchcraft, and with this one, I think she's officially become one of my favorite authors. This is a very thorough collection of folklore and practice for how short it is, and it's organized in a way that is easier for my ADHD brain to follow than some other authors.

I also have to gush about the illustrations. Both of Beyer's books are beautifully illustrated, but I think the art in this one is especially incredible. It's worth having a physical copy for the info alone, but the gorgeous art really makes this a book I want to display in my home.

Finally, I've found Beyer really helpful as an example of combining a pagan religious worldview with a Christian folk magic tradition. Her first book is very much pagan, with info on the God and Goddess and the Wheel of the Year. In this book, she talks about how Christianity has always been at the core of Appalachian folk magic and doesn't try to "paganize" the practice, while also leaving room for readers to bring their own beliefs to the table and explore what feels comfortable for them. This book did not feel preachy in the way some books on American folk magic do.

But yeah, this is just a really fantastic book, and I absolutely think every folk witch needs a copy of it on their shelf!

[chapelofmyheart]

Bible magic and divination ♡

~Sleep with a bible under your pillow to avoid nightmares

~Keep bible open to David's psalm at the front door to keep roaming haints out

~To get an answer for a question to God, close your eyes and flip through the pages. Stop your finger at a verse that you feel God is drawing you to.

~Write down psalm 23 on a piece of paper to carry with you to protect from lightening, rheumatism, bad luck, and harm.

~Take the bible to a crossroad or outside on a windy day, let God blow the wind to a verse and read it.

~For arthritis or other ailments of the bones, take some lard or oil and rub it over the aching place while reciting Proverbs 16:24 or the Lord’s Prayer.

~For pain in the body, the place is rubbed “to the left”, while saying “Tame thou flesh and bone, like Christ in Paradise” seven times.

~Keep photos of loved ones in your bible to keep them safe and out of trouble.

[buggywiththefolkmagic]

Hello!! I was wondering if you have any book recommendations for Appalachian folk magic? Especially for a beginner, I’m familiar with our local “old wive’s tales” but I’d love to learn more!!

Hello there! I have answered this question before but I have some new resources so I'll list them here!

It really depends on which part of Appalachia you are looking at! And if you want to dig deeper the ancestral roots of the family you are looking at. For example my family has a lot of Welsh and British influence because that was our family source so a lot of those beliefs lingered and changed throughout the years!

Someone from Pennsylvania would likely have a lot more German roots for their practice. But despite the root differences for the folklore these practices stem from they do still share a lot of connecting points!

But having babbled all of that here are my favorite books on AFM specifically. (Mind you Christianity takes a super huge part in the practice so a lot of bible and doing things in threes for the Trinity is involved!)

Authors to check out:

H. Byron Ballard- A pagan who also practices AFM, from the NC side of Appalachia, a lot of people hate her writing style which is a bit ramble-y. I also dislike the term she uses for her own practice but that is a super simple and small complaint honestly. I own all of her books on the subject, which should say something.

A NOTE ON H. BYRON BALLARD: I no longer support her work after discovering she is a TERF. I will no longer be suggesting her as an author to follow.

Jake Richards - From Eastern TN like me! A lot of what he talks about are things I have seen before, and he breaks down complex concepts like burn blowing into something relatively easily understood. HOWEVER HAVING SAID THAT the author is partially Melungeon, so he does have some Hoodoo mixed in from his grandmother's side iirc? He does label these things in his works and explains that they are not for everyone which I do appreciate.

Rebecca Beyer - While vaguely Wiccan toned, which I attribute to her publishers/raising, she's a transplant to Appalachia and if you're looking for herbal information on Appalachia and to wax poetic about how even with a ton of people settling there SO MUCH of the natural herbs and plantlife still survive, read her work! Her work on foraging safely and environmentally is so SOOOOO good.

Brandon Weston - For Ozark Mountain range/German/Dutch Appalachian work! He has written quite a few books on the subject and all of them are a treat!

Roger J. Horne - For how to dig into folklore and apply it to your own practice! This author is pagan and does blend in some traditional work with the Appalachian but I do enjoy his work and how he applies folklore. This author is also FROM Appalachia which is nice to see.

INDIVIDUAL BOOKS TO READ:

Appalachian Folk Healing by Jake Richards - A republication of a very old book on remedies and 'spells', while kitschy and stupidly worded, after all it was a popular book created just for sales reasons, some of these remedies are things I remember having done to me! Good for both a giggle and actual information. TW for mentions of animal parts, hunting, illnesses, the G slur, period specific phobias and racism.

Albertus Magnus - These books all supposedly written by an ancient guy, were actually mildly common on traveling salesmen's trucks and wagons. So as a result a lot of people in Appalachia had access. Like the book above it is very stupidly worded and definitely of their time. Same TW as above.

Pow-Wows or Long Lost Friend - Another Pennsylvania Dutch book! Very good and very clear.

Southern Folk Medicine - A book that breaks down a lot of common medicinal beliefs in the South which does include Appalachia! Sadly not just Appalachia but a very good book regardless. THIS BOOK MADE ME UNDERSTAND THE THEORY BEHIND BLOOD ISSUES MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE EVER HAS.

Moon Eyed People - A collection of Welsh folktales that brewed within Appalachia from Welsh immigrants. Very good book imo!

Granny Buck's Dibs and Dabs - This book is so worth the price tag! One of the more expensive books in my collection, but I'm fine with that. Granny Buck covers a lot of topics and I can feel the accent through the wording!

Signs, Cures, & Witchery - More German Appalachian stuff! This book and it's interviewees are from the Kentucky side of the mountains!

Witches, Ghost, and Signs - This book is based more in the Southern Appalachian area! Georgia, SC, NC, and TN specifically! Lots of folklore here, but does mention some not so great bits of the lore, but that is expected.

The Foxfire Books - What began as a school project exploded into a collection of true to life stories and idioms from Georgia elders within the mountains. SO SO GOOD OKAY? For everything. How to plant, hunt, make musical instruments, anything from the mountains? They cover.

[sheydmade]

Protection Work in Folk Magic: Herbs, Spells, & Charms for Protecting Yourself & Others

by Keziah

Times are hard, and hard times, unfortunately, often come along with an increased need for protection. Due to this, I felt it was only right to start sharing the protection work series I've been planning to do for quite some time now. In this first piece, I share a collection (both curations and creations) of magical workings within the realm of folk magic that can offer protection. From herbs and tools to turn to, to spells and charms to work, there's plenty of protection help to be found here.

What is Folk Magic?

First and foremost, I'll answer this question so there's no confusion as to what sort of spells will be found in this piece. Folk magic is a term that has come into more common use (thanks to social media) in recent years, but that use isn't necessarily the most accurate explanation or representation as to what folk magic is.

While you'll see many claiming that folk magic is strictly Christian, that simply isn't the case. Folk magic is bigger than any one religion, and the term applies to a broad spectrum of belief sets. In its most barebones definition, folk magic is applied to the magical systems of a common people, a magical craft that exists outside of the realm of ceremonial magic. Some folk magic exists outside of initiatory and hierarchical systems, some within such systems. Some folk magic is Christian or Christianized, some is simply not. For instance, there are forms of Jewish folk magical practices and countless other non-Christian paths of folk magic.

Folk magic is not always called witchcraft, and its practitioners don't always label themselves as witches. Each folk path has its own terminologies, but some you may have heard will be charmers, cunning men and cunning women, rootworkers, granny witches, conjurers, and much, much more.

And now onto the magic!

Herbs, Ingredients, & Tools Commonly Used in Protection Work:

Agrimony: Agrimony is excellent for protection work of various kinds.

It can be used to both protect against harmful magic sent your way and to reverse spells, break hexes, and reflect the malicious work back to its sender.

Agrimony can also be used to protect one from evil spirits.

Angelica: Also known as wild celery, angelica has long been used across a variety of historical and traditional European medicinal and healing practices, as well as being associated with protection magic and warding.

Angelica root is known to be used in protective charms and works throughout Europe and in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the US.

It can be used in spells and charms to protect from malicious and malevolent magic used against you - curses, hexes, evil eye, etc.

Angelica was used to ward off plague and, thus, is associated with protection from illness and safeguarding one's health.

Angelica can be carried (dried or fresh) for protection against evil, be it evil spirits, energies, people, or some other entity or force.

Burning angelica incense can provide protection and defense to the space it's burned in.

Basil: Due to basil's association with love, it can be used in charms to protect romantic relationships from hardship and infidelity. Basil can also be included in works or carried as a charm to protect those in transitionary periods of life - i.e. coming of age, transitioning, grieving and mourning, engaged to be married, moving into a new phase in life, being initiated or converted into a faith or creed, etc.

Garlic: Garlic is used across many cultures and countries in health, protection, banishing, and empowering work.

Dried garlic bulbs and garlic cloves have long been used as amulets against evil entities and forces, negative energy, and malicious people.

Minced and crushed garlic and/or garlic cloves are often used to infuse working oils for protection purposes.

Garlic cloves are added to jar spells and various pouch and bag charms - i.e. hex bags, charm bags, hands, sachets, etc. - to bring protection. Minced and crushed garlic can also be used in jar spells.

Braids and strands of garlic can be hung from window frames, doorframes, porch beams and rails, etc. to protect the space from evil, ill health and disease, malicious work, and negative energy.

Planting garlic on one's property is believed to keep away disease and illness, bring prosperity, and protect the land and household.

Ginger: Ginger is often used in healing work and can be used to protect against illness.

Carrying a piece of ginger root or sleeping with one under your pillow is believed to protect one from taking ill. The same is said of taking ginger (either a ginger shot, ginger tea, or ginger pastes) daily, as ginger boosts the immune system.

Carrying ginger or wearing it as an amulet is also said to offer a general protection.

Graveyard dirt: A versatile tool of the trade, graveyard dirt is used across many folk and ritual practices for a wide array of purposes. An ally that can be used to both harm and to help, graveyard dirt can both be used in hexing, cursing, and other such work, while also being used for protection, warding, binding, and the like.

Hair of a black dog: Dog hairs can be used as amulets for luck and protection. The hair of a black dog is considered especially good for protective purposes.

Holy water: In Christian religious and folk magical practices, holy water is water (usually from a sacred source, such as a holy well, holy spring, etc.) that has been blessed and sanctified by clergy (most often a priest in the Catholic, Anglican, Episcopalian, Eastern Orthodox, Asian Orthodox, and Lutheran customs).

Holy water can be used to protect against evil energies and forces via the anointing of one's body, items, or home.

Holy water has been included in many protection spells and works, and to wash and purify ritual tools, by those who practice forms of Christian witchcraft and Christian folk magic.

Iron (cast iron): Iron is believed to protect from evil of all ilk - spirits, demons, curses, evil eye, etc.

Iron nails can be hammered into doors, walls, floors to offer protection to a space. Iron nails are also worn and kept as amulets to ward off evil eye and protect one from being cursed or hexed.

Keeping a cast iron skillet hanging on the wall (and some beliefs say to keep a cast iron skillet under one's bed) is said to protect the home from evil.

Iron is also believed to keep away malicious spirits and various types of fae folk.

Rosemary: Rosemary used across many cultures and countries to sanctify and protect in so many different ways.

Rosemary is considered a powerful herb that provides protection against all forms of evil.

Rosemary incense can be burned to cleanse a space of negativity, impurity, and evil, so as to make that space sacred.

Dried rosemary can be hung up in the home to protect the space, or it can be added to spells and charms to defend against evil, illness, and negativity.

Rosemary charms can be carried or worn when working against or facing an enemy, as it's believed to protect the wearer and to strengthen their work and purpose.

Oils and waters infused with rosemary can be used to bless and purify sacred spaces and tools, and can be used as anointing oils and waters on those in need of protection, healing, strength, and purification.

Salt: Salt is often included in charms and spells as a tool for protection. It's both a purifier and a great defender and can be used to ward one's home and shield one from evil, negativity, curses, hexes, and the like.

Salt water can be sprinkled on thresholds and walkways to keep unwanted entities and energy from the space. It can also be used to cleanse sacred spaces in preparation for work.

Salt can be used in all kinds of sachets and charm bags for protection.

Salt sweeps are often used in the Southern US to cleanse, bless, and ward the home. Salt can also be added to washes for the same purpose.

For General Protection

Hagstone Charms:

Hagstones, also called adder stones, serpent's eggs, fairy stone, and witch stones, are stones which bear a naturally occurring hole, holes caused by erosion or some other natural event. Hagstones have been used as protective amulets for long while in traditional folk magic of Britain. Hagstones can be used to protect from a number of things - general protection overall, as well as protection from spirits of various ilk, protection from harm on the sea, protection of livestock and farmlands, protection from nightmares, and more.

What you'll need:

Hagstone (one or more)

Thread, cord, or twine.

What to do:

-Pass your thread, cord, or twine through the hole of the hagstone. You can knot the thread beforehand for added protection as a form of knot magic. Knots are believed to strengthen protective work, as they can confuse or distract spirits.

-You can add as many hagstones as you like. One is plenty, but I've seen charms with as many as nine stones.

-Keep your hagstone charm on your person for protection. I wear mine around my neck. It hangs from a nail in my doorframe when I'm not wearing it.

Protection from Evil Eye

the Iron Nail:

Iron nails are used for protection in an array of folk magical traditions, including (though not limited to) in Jewish folk magic, British folk magic, Appalachian and Southern folk magic in the United States, and within a number of European folk magic systems.

What you'll need:

An iron nail

(optional) A red or black thread, string, or ribbon

What to do:

-Keep an iron nail on your person to negate evil eye or malicious energies and intentions from others. The nail can be kept in a purse, wallet, pocket, car, or anywhere it can fit.

-The nail can be tied to the end of either a red or black thread, string, or ribbon for added strength. I keep mine on a cord of red twine. I keep it in my purse, but I can take it out and wear it around my neck or wrist if necessary.

Fox Tail Hairs:

Fox tails and fox tail hairs were employed in Jewish folk magic as an amulet of protection from the evil eye. Keeping a fox tail for this purpose wasn't uncommon in medieval times, but keeping a hair from a fox tail serves the same amuletic purpose.

Coral & Jet:

In many cultures, including in both my own ethnoreligious culture and my own regional culture, coral is believed to ward off and protect against evil eye. In some traditions it's specified that a hand with closed fist made from either coral or black jet can be worn or kept to protect one from any evil eye sent their way as well as any wishes of harm or suffering sent to them.

Antique hand-carved coral pendant or charm; photo courtesy of Invaluable Auction House.

In general, coral and jet beads or charms, either together or separately, can be worn to protect against the evil eye. You'll find such customs in Jewish folk magic, Southern folk magic in the United States, and throughout much of Central Europe's folk magical paths.

Protection from Hexes, Spells, Curses, & Malicious or Malevolent Magical Work

Dime Steppin':

Where I'm from, wearing a silver dime in the heel of your shoe is believed to keep any spells put on you from reaching you.

Church Dirt:

It's believed in various Southern U.S. regions that keeping a bit of dirt taken from church grounds will protect you from any witchcraft sent your way. The dirt can be kept in a baggy, pouch, envelope, vial, or any small thing you can keep on your person or in your home.

Iron:

Again, iron comes to save the day! It's long been believed that iron protects from witches, demons, and other forms of evil, and that it repels or dispels evil spells, curses, and hexes sent the keeper's way. For this reason, a bit of iron can be kept on one's person, or forged iron jewelry can be worn. Iron charms, rings, and amulets can be worn to protect from all forms of nefarious magical workings.

Angelica Baths:

For those who feel they've had a curse or hex put on them, add angelica or angelica root oil to your bath. Doing so is said to remove any curse, hex, or harmful magic laid upon you.

Mirror Method:

This spell is perfect for when you have someone you suspect is trying to spell, curse, or otherwise harm you, even in it's just through malicious gossip. This spell aims to protect you by making sure their work doesn't reach you and instead bounces back on them.

What you'll need:

A photograph or drawing of the person(s) you wish to prevent from harming you or the written name of the person(s)

A compact mirror

Red string, thread, cord, or ribbon.

What to do:

-Tape, glue, or fix the picture(s) or name(s) inside your compact mirror, making sure the name(s) or picture(s) will face the mirror when the compact is closed.

-Bind and tie the compact mirror closed with the red string, thread, twine, or ribbon.

-Keep your mirror somewhere safe where it won't be broken or disturbed. The curses or malicious work of those contained within the compact mirror should always be reflected back to them instead of reaching you.

Protection from Violence, Assault, & Harassment:

Sator Squares:

Pennsylvania Dutch variation of a Sator Square found in 'Long Lost Friend' by German-American Pennsylvania Dutch healer and charm worker, John George Hohman; published in 1820.

The Sator Square / Rotas-Sator Square is a palindromic word square used as a magical charm or amulet. It's been around for quite some time (with the oldest known square possibly being from as early as AD 50) and has been found to have been used historically throughout Europe, Africa, Asia Minor, and the Americas. As to its origins and intended purpose, no one knows for sure, but the Sator Square has come to have a number of magical uses, including as a tool for curing ailments, aiding in childbirth, putting out fires, and, in fitting with the theme of this piece, in protection magic.

Medieval Sator Square etched into a wall; Oppède-le-Vieux, France.

There are many variations of Sator Squares / Rotas-Sator Squares, but the most common forms consist of five rows of five words, each with five letters, arranged in a 5x5 grid. The Rotas-Sator Square (in which rotas is the word listed first, pictured below on the left) was the more common in pre-medieval use, but the Sator Square (in which sator is listed first, pictured below on the right) became far more prevalently used than the Rotas-Sator variation at some point in medieval Europe.

Rotas-Sator Square (left) and Sator Square (right).

In Southern Appalachian and some Southeastern folk practices within the United States, one can use a Sator Square for protection from violence or assault against your person.

What to do:

-Write out a Sator Sqaure or Rotas-Sator Square and carry the charm with you. It can be kept in the pocket, especially a shirt pocket, in the shoe, or even be sewn into one's clothes.

It's also said to be used in/on charm bags for general protection from evil in Cornish folkloric based witchcraft.

Protection from Illness & Pain

Shielding from Illness:

There is an oral version of the abracadabra charm I use to safeguard one's health and keep from falling ill.

What to do:

-When you lay down to go to sleep at night, press your teeth together. Not enough to cause you pain or discomfort, just enough to keep your mouth fixed so that your jaw doesn't move.

-With your jaw fixed in such a way, recite this charm in a hushed tone of more breath than voice -

Abracadabra, Abracadabr, Abracadab, Abracada, Abaracad, Abraca, Abrac, Abra, Abr, Ab, A.

-This should be recited three times in the same manner in order to shield one from illness.

Banishing Illness & Pain:

I've used a few variations of this work for years to rid one of illness or pain. Here are two variations -

The "Hands On" Approach:

If you or someone you know is coming down with something, is ill, or has been suffering pains, either place the palm of your hand on the area of their body where the pain or illness is rooted to or hover the hands just over the body. Recite either aloud or in your mind these words either 3 or 9 times (I typically use 3, but I've used 9 in more serious situations) -

All the ails shall leave (me/you/him/her/them/the person's name), All that pains shall go away. Good health shall surround (me/you/him/her/them/the name), Good health shall come to stay.

The Long Distance Approach:

What you'll need:

A candle (preferably white or any other color associated with healing)

Powdered or ground ginger

Salt

What to do:

-When one is unable to be touched due to distance from the worker, severity of illness or pain, desire to not be touched, or any other reason, take a candle (preferably white or any other color you associated with healing) and hold it whilst you think of them and their ailments and how you wish for them to get better.

-Select where you're going to burn your candle and, before lighting the candle, make a circle of powdered ginger and salt around the candleholder.

-Light the candle and look into the flame, keeping your intention of healing and helping close to your heart and mind.

-As you look into the flame, recite these words either 3 or 9 times -

All the ails shall leave (me/you/him/her/them/the person's name), All that pains shall go away. Good health shall surround (me/you/him/her/them/the name), Good health shall come to stay.

Alternatively, a variation of this spell calls for the recitation of these words -

Sickness burns, good health returns.

Protection from Enemies

Binding A Dangerous Enemy:

To bind someone dangerous who could do you harm.

With Sympathetic Magic

Sympathetic magic is one of the most common means of working against someone else where I'm from. It entails using an image, belonging, likeness, or symbol of who you're working against. In this case, we'll be using one of those things above to try to bind that someone from working against you or from bringing trouble, maliciousness, or suffering your way.

What you'll need:

A photo or drawing of the person; or a doll of the person (which can be made of clay, cloth, wood, grass, corn husk, etc.); and/or a scrap of clothing, hair, or item belonging to that person

Red thread, string, or ribbon

A candle (preferably black or red)

What to do:

-Light the candle, which can be carved with the target's name if you'd like.

-If you have an item or scrap of clothing or hair belonging to this person, press it against the likeness when you pick it up. If you don't have any such item, skip that step. Item or no, hold the likeness in your hands, focusing on the object and your intent. Once you're fully focused, recite these words -

I name thee (name of the target of this work). Thou art (she/he/they/name) in the flesh. I name thee (name of the target of this work). Thou art (she/he/they/name) in the flesh. I name thee (name of the target of this work). Thou art (she/he/they/name) in the flesh.

-Take the likeness (and if you have an item, scrap of clothing, or hair belonging to them, make sure you keep it against the likeness or symbol while you work, so that it's trapped beneath the bindings as well) and begin wrapping it up, tying it tight with your ribbon, thread, or string. If you're using a drawing or photograph of the person, you can roll or fold the image first before tying it up. While you wrap and tie up your symbol, recite these words -

Your hands are bound, your hands are tied. They cannot be raised against me. Your feet are bound, your feet are tied. They cannot move against me. Your lips are bound, your tongue is tied. They cannot speak against me. You're bound, you're tied, you're bound, you're tied. You cannot work against me.

-Recite this as many times as you need while finishing the tying work, or you can tie them up as much as you need whilst reciting these words 9 times. It's up to you. -Let the wrapped and tied symbol sit in the light of the candle as it burns down. -Do with the likeness, doll, or symbol what you will. Some bury it (far from your home, preferably under the light of a waning moon so as to diminish the power of that person to move or work against you), some (especially if it's a clay or paper doll) burn the likeness, and some keep the item in their home and occasionally recite the binding words and add to the wrapping and tying when they feel they need to again.

SOURCES & FURTHER READING:

Most of the spells listed above are variations found within the realms of folk magic which I've learned through my family, ancestors, and from simply being born and raised where I am. Spells similar to these can be found in the reading list below, as can any spells included that were not from my own family or regional homebrew of craft.

'Conjure/Doctors: An Exploration of a Black Discourse in America, Antebellum to 1940' by Brown, David H.

'Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs' -Cunningham, Scott

'Doctoring the Devil: Notebooks of an Appalachian Conjure Man' - Richards, Jake

'Jewish Magic and Superstition: A Study in Folk Religion' - Trachtenberg, Joshua

'the Master Book of Herbalism'- Beyerl, Paul

'On the Origin of the Rotas Sator Square' - Fishwick, Duncan

'Silent as the Trees: Devonshire Witchcraft, Folklore, & Magic' - Gary, Gemma

'Traditional Witchcraft: A Cornish Book of Ways' - Gary, Gemma

'the Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook' -Alvarado, Denise

[wytchwyse]

So now that I've calmed down a little bit, I want to talk about what prompted my previous Post. I had recently joined the most ridiculous group on Facebook called "all things occult". And there was just the strangest environment in there, but I was just curious and wanted to see if I can engage with people on there in a healthy way, I learned very quickly You cannot lol. Now I probably talk a lot about folk magic on here, folk magic is very important to me. I grew up with bits of folk magic from both Appalachia and Italian-American culture. Pretty sure I said this before but I'll say it again. My father is Appalachian, my mother Italian American. My father would often have all sorts of stories and little bits of mountain wisdom for me when he was having a good day. He taught me a lot about respecting nature and animals, he taught me that you don't just take from nature essentially saying that nature could get back at you. He talked a lot about dreams and having the sight. On my mother's side there was always talk of the Dead visiting my family After funerals.there could be found Catholic talismans hidden around the house for Protection, my grandmother kept a St. Michael pendant by the hot water heater because she was always afraid of fire. And you want to know something,We never had a fire. This growing hate boner for folk magic is incredibly problematic. It is incredibly culturally insensitive, And without even meaning to it's classist. Religious trauma, particularly at the hands of Christianity, is a massive problem. But here's the thing about christian folk magic traditions. Folk magic cannot be separated from Christianity, but folk magic is sorcery and animism and is not sanctioned by any church or any Christian authority. It is still heretical and blasphemous to them. You can hate Christianity, and you do not have to practice folk magic , but folk magic belongs in Pagan And occult spaces no matter your feelings on the issue. There are plenty of trad witches and folk practitioners who are dual faith, and there are many who Care very little about religion and more about the relationships we build with spirits and the religions that they come from.

[hagoftheholler]

It's really infuriating to see so many new books on appalachian folk magic, only for those books to promote new age spirituality as if it has anything in relation to appalachian folk magic. And many people believing what these people write are people who wanna practice appalachian folk magic, then later promote classist stereotypes about appalachian locals.

[im-adrienne]

"Don't eat the food of angry people"

There's a saying in my family that goes back generations. It's this - "Don't eat the food of angry people or cook while you're mad."

What that means is that when a person cooks angry or cooks while emotional the food becomes imbued with that energy. When you eat the food you take on that emotion until it is out of your body.

And, yes, my family is Appalachian as fuck.

All I can say about this is that whenever I eat my momma's cooking I go through a 48 hr angry emotional mess. It was like this when I was a child too. Never felt that way with my dad's cooking or my grandma's cooking.

Today, my momma cooked while angry and depressed and I ate two bowls...and wouldn't you know it! I'm going through a small depression blip that has made me a crying mess. I couldn't stream tonight. I uninstalled a bunch of stuff from my computer. I asked for a refund for one game. I considered deleting my Twitch and all of my socials. I canceled my WoW subscription. My mind and body are really going through it right now.

Currently, I'm eating peaches and peanut crackers with green tea to try and get some digestive movement on the horizon. Just trying to separate the Depression Valley mess from my actual self.

AND A FULL MOON TOMORROW!?!?!?!

[midwestbramble]

Doctoring the Devil Book Review

I really enjoyed reading "Backwoods Witchcraft" by the same author, so when I saw he was coming out with this book I just knew I had to read it. I can't believe it's already been 4 years since I first read it. I'll be going back through it and writing my thoughts on the book now.

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Contents:

Synopsis

What I Liked

What I Didn't Like

Overall Thoughts

Conclusion

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Published 2021

“Who were the old conjurors and witches of Appalachia? What were their practices and beliefs? In Doctoring the Devil, Jake Richards speak to those questions and more, offering the various ways of ‘doctoring the devil’—rooting out any unfriendly spirit bringing bad luck, poor health, and calamities of all sorts.

Like the blue smokey mists that glide up the Appalachians, Jake leads his readers up the hillsides too, introducing us to folks along the way. We’ll also meet the local spirits and learn root ways. Further up the hill, we delve into Jake’s notebooks—a personal collection of tried-and-true Appalachian recipes and roots for conjuring love, money, justice, and success.”

-from the back of the book

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What I Liked

One of the first discussions in the book is the difference between your average folk practitioner, a conjuror, and a witch in Appalachian folk belief. I feel that these distinctions are important to understand as not all magic is considered witchcraft, and the why should be considered when making the decision to call yourself a witch. The reasons often given (persecution of women, women's knowledge, blah blah) tend to be not wholly accurate at the most benign. This leads into a section titled "Stories as Templates and Guides" which talks about, what Richards calls, "root culture." He describes this as "a set of similar scenes, problems, solutions, and practices in the witch and conjure stories of the South." From these a person can discern a parent belief from which they can learn about the practice. I really enjoyed reading about how he interprets stories and learns charms, workings, and other techniques from them.

The third chapter discusses specific practitioners from Appalachia and their stories. Having names to the people who practiced in your region, I imagine can make someone feel more connected to that place as well. Plus these people could then be reached out to as tutelary spirits or non-blood related ancestors.

The rest of the book discusses different forms of workings, both popular and unique. Such workings as those for abortion, impotency, mild curses, removing spirits and curses, influencing courts of law and law enforcement, as well as your general good luck and protection. The corn divination method sticks out to me as well.

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What I Didn't Like

There were a couple chapters that I thought felt weird to be placed where they were. The first chapter talked about different types of practitioners and gaining inspiration from stories, the second chapter was about capturing spirits (that are still attached to living beings), the third chapter was about practitioners from the region, then the other chapters moved on to different forms of practice (divination, types of workings, etc.). If the third chapter was the second chapter I think it would have flowed a bit better. That's the only criticism I could come up with.

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Overall Thoughts

This book is more of a collection of workings, whereas the authors first book was more of a cultural look at Appalachian mountains of Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The book is definitely from the authors own perspective as a practitioner who lived among practitioners and should be read from a point of learning someone else's works. If you're from Appalachia, this ma be a fun read for you. If you're not from Appalachia, like me, I think you can gain insight into the world around you as well. What's different? What's similar? Whenever I read a book on folk magic from a region that isn't my own I end up looking at my own culture a bit differently.

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Conclusion

If you wish to read this book it can be found on Amazon, microcosm publishing, the red caboose, Half Price Books, Spiritus Arcanum, Red Wheel/Weiser, Google Books, and more!

[banishedchildofeve]

[floodleaf]

[the-weaving-cryptid]

Dirts & Dusts

Dirt and dusts are some of the easiest tools you can acquire for your workings. Here's a list of dirts and dusts that are common in southern folk practices.

If you intend to make your own powders, please wear a mask and proper eye protection. You don't want this stuff in your lungs and eyes.

Consider your local and federal laws before attempting to acquire dirt from private property.

Graveyard Dirt

Gathered from a specific grave or a corner of a graveyard, this dirt is typically gathered for two things: to work with the grave's spirit or to buy the dirt from the spirit for magic purposes.

Graveyard dirt is one of the most versatile tools you can have. You can use it for spirit work, protection, cursing, finances, love... Pretty much anything you can think of. Always offer something of equal value before taking it. You don't want an angry spirit following you.

Churchyard Dirt

Churchyard dirt is gathered from the yard of a church. This is best done on a Sunday since that is considered the "holy day" in Christian terms. Some old folk remedies call for churchyard dirt to ease some ailments such as colds or toothaches. For magic, churchyard dirt is best used for healing and protection purposes.

Bank Dirt

Gathered from the yard of a bank, the purpose of bank dirt it pretty self-explanatory. Bank dirt has been used to increase luck regarding finances and gambling. Common methods include sprinkling the dirt in your shoes or adding them to a sachet.

Police Station Dirt

Gathered from the yard of a police station, this dirt is also self-explanatory. You can use this keep the law away or to help bring the law down on a person.

Courthouse Dirt

Gathered from the yard of a courthouse, this dirt is typically used for the purpose for gaining a positive outcome from a court case.

Railroad Dirt

This dirt is gathered from a railroad, but if you want it to work it has to be a railroad that is still active. That being said, railroad dirt is best used for workings related to having people come or go, and to make charms for safe travels.

Crossroad Dirt

The crossroads are known to be a place of immense power. It's why so many workings call for visiting them. Crossroad dirt can be used for increasing luck, acquiring something you want, or removing an obstacle. Always pay the crossroads three of the most shiny dimes you can find before taking its dirt.

Home Dirt

This dirt can be gathered from within your own property or another person's property. Home dirt is used more as a taglock. You could use it to lay down protection for the home, or you could use it for more malicious workings.

Red Clay & Red Brick Dust

Old folk remedies call for red clay to heal bug bites, rashes, and shingles. For magic purposes, red clay and red brick dust are used for pretty much the same things. They are best used for workings related to protection against witchcraft and bad luck.

[samwisethewitch]

Two Banishing Powders from a Southern Folk Witch

In Southern folk magic, the formula used for a banishing spell varies a little bit based on whether you want to banish an actual person (basically getting them to leave you alone) or a spirit/energy/abstract concept.

Banishing formulas for getting rid of living people tend to focus on causing irritation and discomfort to get someone to leave, which may be less effective if they don't have a physical body. Banishing formulas for spirits/energy are more about deep cleansing and making the space inhospitable for undesirable spirits. The herbs and minerals a practitioner might reach for are different in these two situations.

Below are two all-purpose banishing formulas from my practice: one for living people, and one for spirits.

GTFO Powder

For getting rid of unwanted (living) people.

You will need:

The spiciest red pepper flakes/powder you can find (If you like spicy food, use something so hot you can't eat it in large amounts. I like spice and I use Szechuan pepper flakes, but cayenne will work, especially if you know the person you want to banish doesn't like any spice at all in their food. Discomfort is the goal here.)

Black pepper (Used here to cause mild inconvenience/discomfort/bad luck)

Salt (Good, old fashioned banishing)

(Optional) dried, crumbled wasps nest*

(Optional) dirt from the side of a busy road or highway**

*This is actually much easier to find than you'd think, but be careful not to get stung! This is a traditional ingredient in Southern folk magic because wasps are known for how viciously they protect their homes. Fair warning: this is a mean ingredient (since its purpose is to cause pain/discomfort), so I'll leave it up to you whether to include it or not. If you're dealing with a stalking or abuse situation, wasps nest can give you the extra oomph you need to help keep the abuser from returning.

**Only include this if you're trying to make someone physically leave your space or relocate to a different geographical area. And PLEASE be careful collecting this dirt! My advice is to try to collect it during a less busy time of day and to stay several feet away from the actual road.

How to Use It:

When you mix up this powder, speak over it and state your intention. You can enchant this powder for all-purpose banishing, or you could mix up a batch to banish a specific person. Either way, it is important that you tell the powder what it is meant to do. I like to speak directly to the spirits in the powder and ask them for their help.

Traditionally, you would use this powder by sprinkling some in your target's shoes, but that isn't always possible. You can use it in poppet spells by adding it to the feet of the poppet for the same effect. You can also use it to dress candles, add it to jar spells, or incorporate it into other types of banishing spells. Warning: do not burn this powder, as it can cause irritation or injuries to the lungs.

If you need to get rid of a specific person, you'll want to customize the powder to only work on them. The easiest way to do this is with a taglock (an item that has a physical connection to the target). Some of their hair would be ideal, but you can also use a photo of them or even a piece of paper with their name and address written on it, like you were addressing a letter. You'll want to burn the taglock to ash, then mix this ash into the powder. Make sure you burn it outside, because the smoke will be unpleasant.

You can use this powder to keep someone away from your home or another building by sprinkling a line of it across all entrances to the building. If you do this, make sure you've customized the powder for that person with the method above -- otherwise you may accidentally banish ALL visitors.

Ghost-Be-Gone Powder

For getting rid of unwanted spirits or psychic energy. Can also be used to banish non-physical things, like an illness or a bad habit.

You will need:

Asafoetida*

Salt (Again, used here for good, old fashioned banishing)

Garlic (You know how garlic is supposed to repel vampires? That's basically what it's doing here.)

Rosemary (Used for cleansing and banishing)

(Optional) dirt from a church, temple, or other place of worship**

*Honestly, I've used asafoetida by itself for banishing and gotten really good results. This is definitely the Big Daddy of cleansing herbs in Southern folk magic. You can usually find this in international grocery stores or get it online for fairly cheap, and it's one of the few herbs I think are worth going out of your way to get. Warning: a lot of people complain about the smell of asafoetida, but it honestly just smells like a stronger, more pungent garlic to me so your mileage may vary.

**While dirt from a church is traditional, use something tied to a religion YOU believe in. If you aren't Christian, don't use church dirt. For myself, I might use dirt from the Wiccan temple near my home or from another pagan holy site. The point here is to call on your personal spiritual allies for help. If you are an atheist or agnostic, just leave the dirt out entirely.

How to Use It:

When you mix up this powder, speak over it and state your intention. You can enchant this powder for all-purpose banishing, or you could mix up a batch to banish a specific spirit. Either way, it is important that you tell the powder what it is meant to do. I like to speak directly to the spirits in the powder and ask them for their help.

To use this powder to remove a spirit from your home, use it to clean your floors. You can sprinkle it on the floor, let it sit for a few minutes, and then sweep or vacuum it up.

I don't recommend burning this powder as incense, but you can use it in spells. You can place a ring of it around the base of a black candle or add some to a jar spell, for example. You can also use this to cast a circle around your spellwork if you want to protect it from interference in the spiritual realm.

A Note on Cultural Appropriation

Every time I post some of the more folksy parts of my practice online, I get asked whether it's okay for others to use these spells. Specifically, people want to know if these spells come from a closed tradition or if they have to live in the South to use them.

The folk magic tradition I practice is not tied to any closed cultural practice. I will never post anything from a closed practice online. So yes, you can use these powders no matter who you are or where you are from. You don't have to live in the South or be from the South to practice Southern folk magic, but you will get more out of your practice if you have a connection to the region.

On a related note: some of y'all may have noticed that these powders are similar to formulas used in Hoodoo. The GTFO Powder specifically is very similar to Hotfoot Powder, which is used for a similar purpose in Hoodoo. Hoodoo is a semi-closed African-American tradition that is typically passed down in families or communities. When I post about my practice, I do occasionally get comments accusing me of appropriating from Hoodoo.

Here's the thing: my practice does have some overlap with Hoodoo, because I am in the same geographical region and part of the same regional culture that Hoodoo comes from. Over hundreds of years, ideas get exchanged across racial and cultural lines. Just like some elements of Hoodoo come from European traditions, some elements of white folk magic in the South come from African roots. It's not appropriation -- it's a natural result of living in multicultural communities.

All of this is just to say, what I do is not Hoodoo, but I think of my tradition and Hoodoo as cousins. There's some shared DNA, but also a lot of differences. How I do things might look similar to how a Hoodoo practitioner does them, but the theory or exact ritual process may be different.

[chapelofmyheart]

Sweetgumballs in Folk Magic

Sweetgumballs, also known as witches burrs, are spikey seed pods that grow on liquidambar trees, which have pentagram shaped leaves. They are said to ward off evil spirits, protect agaisnt curses and hexes, attract good luck, and provide healing with headaches, toothaches, etc.

Different magical uses

~ Tailesments and Amulets:

Sweetgumballs can be carried on a person to provide protection, attract prosperity and abundance, and attract love.

~ Spells

They can be used in spells to ward off negative enegry, add extra power to a spell, break hexes and curses, can be added to witches bottles. They can be dressed in oils and herbs and place them on the path of a love interest. They can be powdered to be used in a hot foot spell.

~ Charm Bags

Place them in a charm bag with crystals and herbs to make a strong protection tailesment.

~ Altar Decorations

Place sweetgumballs on altars to keep evil spirits and unwanted guests away and draw in good luck. They can also add extra power to any altar workings.

~ Bath Products

Add to bath salts, oils, or any other body product to promote healing.

~ Home Decorations

Place sweetgumballs above doorways to ward of evil energy in the home and attract good energy. They can also be added to wreaths and wind chimes.

~ Cleansing Rituals

Burn them as part of a ritual to cleanse a person or space.

~ Fertility and Childbirth

Use them to promote fertility and healthy childbirth.

~ Stuffed Burrs

Fill them with herbs, ash, crystals, blood, knots, or affirmations into a burr and use wax to seal it up for long-term protection.

~ Communing

Use them to help with mediumship and contacting spirits.

~ Charging

Place near tools, amulets, or other magical items to charge them.

~ Offerings

Use them as offerings on a altar or within nature.

[sheydmade]

the Dumb Supper Divination Rite

by Keziah

While the Dumb Supper has come to be better known today as a ritual used to honor or call upon the dead, its origins are said to lie in a divination rite (brought to the US through immigrants from the British Isles) used to foretell one’s future spouse, and in some rural regions of the United States (particularly within the Appalachian, Southern, and Ozark regions), the use of the term Dumb Supper is still commonly used referring to the divinatory practice.

Of the ritual, Paul B. Frazier wrote this (CONTENT WARNING: depictions of domestic violence, murder within the following quote), relaying what he had heard of it -

"An interesting and, I believe, somewhat uncommon folk- way is the dumb supper. Perhaps for many centuries young women have tried to use magic in this manner in the effort to see their future husbands. Two instances of its practice have come to my attention: one was in Chaffee, Missouri, and one in Harrison County, Kentucky; the latter is more recent, of about forty years ago. The incident of Chaffee, Missouri, appears to be somewhat older, perhaps of sixty or seventy years ago. The magic practices are identical. The Harrison County, Kentucky incident, [...], is comic. In it, two teen-age girls, desirous of seeing their future husbands, went to a furnished, uninhabited house, and prepared a supper backward in every respect. The tables were set as wrongly as possible; the chairs were turned backward; the meal was to be served dessert first, and all things were according to the reverse pattern. Promptly upon the stroke of midnight two rather old, [...] married men, who were neighbors of the girls, knocked on the door and jocularly inquired as to when they were to eat. The girls, laughing, stopped their magic." The Chaffee, Missouri incident, [...], is tragic and a good folktale. Two teen-age girls who wanted to see their husbands-to-be went to a deserted house at night and began preparing the meal in reverse order. As they did so they observed that the wind blew with ever-increasing violence. Just before midnight the supper had been completed, the table set, and the chairs set backward, as in the preceding story. [...] At exactly twelve o'clock the door burst open, as of its own accord, and a young man entered. He was followed by a coffin, empty. The door at once slammed shut. The man, who had carried a pocketknife in his hand, dropped it, and without speaking or picking up the knife, sat down by one of the girls who picked up the knife and put it in her apron pocket. The empty coffin moved of its own volition beside the remaining empty chair. This meant that the girl next whom it rested would never marry. A few years later she died single. The man silently ate and soon left, never speaking; the coffin slid along behind him and followed him out the door. Again, the door slammed shut. Then the wind died. A few years later the girl who had retained the knife met and married the young man who had lost it. Several months after the wedding she was arranging some articles in her trunk and, finding the knife, showed it to her husband. He at once remembered its loss and, saying he had never experienced so miserable a night as those on which he had lost it, he snatched the knife from her hands and plunged it into her throat and then deep into her bosom. She died almost instantly.

Believed to have been brought Stateside by immigrants from the British Isles, the Dumb Supper was practiced in the United States at liminal points in the year, which varied from region-to-region. Some dates alleged to have hosted the ritual include:

New Year's Eve

May Eve / the 01st of May

All Hallow's Eve / Halloween

Samhain

during solstices

during transitionary periods between seasons.

In the area of the South I call home, I grew up hearing Halloween and New Year's Eve were traditional, but I've also heard of it being done on May Eve.

illustration of a successful Dumb Supper rite; circa late 1800s-early 1900s

Victorian newspapers, especially in the American South, outlined the process of conducting a dumb supper, while Edwardian novels made them into thrilling plot points. After all, for many young women (and occasionally men), dumb suppers were party games with a supernatural thrill. But in spookier accounts, dumb suppers could herald spinsterhood and death. If a coffin appeared at midnight, that meant that one of the young women wouldn’t marry at all, and would likely die soon. -Anne Ewbank

Performing the Dumb Supper Divination Ritual

What you'll need:

food

dining ware & cutleries

candles

a quiet location

at least one friend to join you

Who to invite:

The Dumb Supper was typically performed by at least two young women, though men could also attend or host one; and it was common that small groups of four or more would come together to carry out this love test.

Location:

It was once the custom that abandoned buildings or empty barns were the preferred places to carry out this rite, but these days it just isn’t safe to run around hosting ritual dinners in abandoned buildings. The reason such places were preferred was, one might assume, because one needed somewhere quiet and peaceful where there wouldn’t be any disturbances.

That being said, any such place will suffice. You can host this dinner in your home, at an event space, or wherever tickles your fancy, so long as you can ensure a quiet night where no one will come barging in and interrupting your rite.

Timing:

Preparing the Dumb Supper can take anywhere from half an hour to an entire night, depending on the amount of work you’re willing to put into your meal.

The actual moment of foresight is believed to come at the stroke of midnight, so you’ll have to have everything readied beforehand, and you should be seated at the table waiting to receive your vision by midnight.

What to do:

From the moment you start preparing your meal for the Dumb Supper, you must maintain total silence. You cannot speak, as it’s said that speaking will break the spell and ruin your chances of successfully divining the identity of your future spouse or beloved. The silence is where the name Dumb Supper comes from, ‘dumb’ being an antiquated (and not very nice) term for silent.

Aside from keeping silent, you must also walk backwards from the moment preparation beings – this includes while cooking and preparing the meal, while setting the table, while placing the foods upon the table, and while walking into the room and finding one’s seat.

In some customs, the seats are all placed facing away from the table.

The cutleries are to be placed in the opposite positions than they normally would. The usual rules are that utensils are laid out in the order in which they’re used, and the diner works their way from the outside in toward the plate; and forks are placed to the left of the plate, with spoons and knives placed to the right. How many utensils used would be determined by how formally you’ve set your table. For a Dumb Supper, regardless of formality, everything is reversed – forks to the right, knives to the left. If you’re including napkins in your place setting, the napkins would normally go at the end of the forks on the left, but for the Dumb Supper, you’ll place them at the end of the forks on the right. The same goes for drinkware – glasses are normally placed above the knives to the right, but they’ll now be placed to the left as well.

Not only will the table be set in reverse, the meal will also be served in reverse – dessert first, appetizers last!

*Note: the backwards dinner concept is more heavily emphasized stateside, while in Scotland and the North of England, the inclusion of a special cake called ‘Dumb Cakes’ were a main focus of the Dumb Supper.

The meal must be prepared and the table set before midnight. You must be seated at the table before the stroke of midnight.

Some customs call for leaving an open seat next to each participant, in case an apparition of their future beloved comes to sit at the table beside them. Other traditions state that the face of the beloved will appear in the plate of the participant, or in the flames of the candles that burn on the table. Whichever way they choose appear, this peek into the future is said to come at midnight, but only if everything was prepared correctly, in total silence, and in reverse. There are some claims that instead of an apparition, the future beloved appeared in the flesh, simply walking through the door at midnight and joining in on the meal.

It is also believed that should the participant be presented with the vision of a coffin instead of a person, then that means they wouldn’t be married. The coffin was also seen, in many beliefs, as a portend of death.

To close out the ritual

One must blow out their candles and leave the room as they came – in silence, walking backwards.

From then on, you may speak, for the spell is broken and the rite is over.

As with any rite, your Dumb Supper can be as simple or as fancy as you would like. For those of you planning to revive this divination custom as part of your New Year's Eve, May's Eve, Halloween, or Samhain observances, may you receive the happiest of results and enjoy the best of fortunes. Happy Divining/Dining!

SOURCES & FURTHER READING:

'Anglo-American Folk Belief and Custom: The Old World's Legacy to the New' - Hand, Wayland D.

'American Regional Folklore: A Sourcebook and Research Guide' - Mood, Terry-Ann

'When Dumb Suppers Were a Halloween Love Ritual' -Ewbank, Anne

Graham’s American Monthly Magazine of Literature, Art, and Fashion; Vol. 35

Midwest Folklore; Summer 1959, Vol. 9 - Issue 2: 'The Dumb Supper' by Frazier, Paul B.