The persecution of Old World German Protestants and Anabaptists in the seventeenth century--following debilitating wars, the Reformation, and the Inquisition-- brought about significant immigration to America. Many of the immigrants, and their progeny, settled in the Appalachian frontier. Here they established a particularly old set of religious beliefs and traditions based on a strong sense of folk spirituality. They practiced astrology, numerology, and other aspects of esoteric thinking and left a legacy that may still be found in Appalachian folklore today. Based in part on the author's extensive collection of oral histories from the remote highlands of West Virginia, Signs, Cures, and Witchery; German Appalachian Folklore describes these various occult practices, symbols, and beliefs; how they evolved within New World religious contexts; how they arrived on the Appalachian frontier; and the prospects of those beliefs continuing in the contemporary world. By concentrating on these inheritances, Gerald C. Milnes draws a larger picture of the German influence on Appalachia. Much has been written about the Anglo-Celtic, Scots-Irish, and English folkways of the Appalachian people, but few studies have addressed their German cultural attributes and sensibilities. Signs, Cures, and Witchery sheds startling light on folk influences from Germany, making it a volume of tremendous value to Appalachian scholars, folklorists, and readers with an interest in Appalachian folklife and German American studies.

Signs, Cures, and Witchery provides a fascinating glimpse of some little-known Appalachian beliefs and practices among descendants of early German pioneers. This hour-long documentary traces Germanic belief systems from Europe to West Virginia, from the fifteenth century to present-day practitioners. Signs, Cures, and Witchery opens a window into our ancient past, revealing the courage and resourcefulness of people whose survival depended on their ability to read signs, cure their own ills, and find explanations for life's mysteries. Local community practices in West Virginia such as witch doctoring, belsnick-ling, shanghai, and folk healing are connected to their medieval counterparts in woodcuts and other works of art. In tracing immigration to remote mountain communities, we learn how expressions of folk art and folk belief survive. This work specifically examines aspects of Appalachian oral tradition and folklore that draw from German culture. Informative and entertaining, Signs, Cures, and Witchery is an invaluable aid to all who have an interest in religion, psychology, folklore, metaphysical, regional, gender, and ethnic studies.

Filled with more than 100 spells and rituals, this accessible guide helps witches heal themselves, their community, and the planet. Welcome to the magickal world of healing through witchcraft! This timely guide helps you harness your power to heal with easy-to-follow spells and rituals designed for beginner witches. The Healing Power of Witchcraft features: • Introductory chapters that help you identify and tap into your magickal powers of healing and prepare you for healing work • More than 100 spells and rituals with clear instructions, suggested timing, and materials--both everyday and magickal--needed to complete them • Three sections of healing: one for yourself, one for your community, and one for the planet • Positive, joyful ways to perform physical, emotional, and spiritual healing Perfect for the modern witch who needs to fit spells and rituals into a busy day, The Healing Power of Witchcraft helps you use your witchy energy to heal whatever ails you and your world.

Explore Nearly 500 Samples of Folk Magic, Stories, Artifacts, Rituals, and Beliefs One of the most comprehensive collections of witchcraft and folk magic ever written, New World Witchery shows you how to integrate folk traditions into your life and deepen your understanding of magic. Folklore expert Cory Thomas Hutcheson guides you to the crossroads of folk magic, where you'll learn about different practices and try them for yourself. This treasure trove of witchery features an enormous collection of stories, artifacts, rituals, and traditions. Explore chapters on magical heritage, divination, familiars, magical protection, and spirit communication. Discover the secrets of flying, gathering and creating magical supplies, living by the moon, working contemporary folk magic, and more. This book also provides brief profiles of significant folk magicians, healers, and seers, so you can both meet the practitioners and experience their craft. With New World Witchery, you'll create a unique roadmap to the folk magic all around you.

Discover the Power of Line and Symbol Sigils are magical symbols that are designed to influence ourselves and the world around us. Tracing through history, art, and culture, this illustrated book offers an innovative and fresh approach to sigil magick that is accessible and intuitive. You don't need a degree in art or magick to make effective sigils! Learn how to manifest your will through your very own designs. Explore traditional and modern meanings of shapes, symbols, numbers, letters, and colors, while receiving guidance on how to add personal meaning to your marks. Sigil Witchery includes methods of application, tips for choosing materials, and important considerations for both temporary and permanent sigils. This book helps you improve your drawing techniques, use sample exercises to challenge yourself, and gain deeper metaphysical insight and inspiration—all to guide you to develop your own powerful sigil magick. Praise: "To the best of my own knowledge, Tempest has invented an entirely new approach to making and using sigils here, and I think it is an extremely powerful one...I recommend this book in the highest possible terms."—Robert Mathiesen, Professor Emeritus, Brown University, and co-author of The Rede of the Wiccae "This wonderful book takes the concept of sigil well beyond the simplistic, basic notions of the [Austin Osman] Spare method, and opens the door on the deeper art and potential of sigils as it applies across the spectrum of spellcraft. Any student of the occult with an interest in sigils and sigil crafting: this is a book you need."—Arjil, teacher of Just Effing Magick and creator of the Ellis Sigil

Learn the ways of magic and healing from the living, oral tradition of Appalachian Conjure in The Candle and the Crossroads. Orion Foxwood offers a primer on the real magic and techniques of Southern root magic, knowledge he learned first-hand growing up in rural Appalachia. Foxwood explains magical techniques including: Spirit SightWorking by the Signs (the ability to synchronize work such as farming, fertility of humans and animals, orcharding)ConjuringFaith HealingSettling the Light (candle magic)Doctoring the Root (the ability to use herbs, roots, stones, or animal parts—bones, claws, fur, etc. for magic or the clearing, cleansing, and blessing of the spirit of a person, also known as his or her root)Praying or Dreaming True (Blessings of spirit/God to a person, place, or thing as well as prophetic or predictive dreaming)Blessing or Cursing The Candle and the Crossroads shows how to create magic in today’s world with the old ways and traditions of Appalachia.

A continuation of Healing the Dove's Way, this book focuses on national spiritual inheritances. It covers Egypt (spirits used in modern witchcraft), Italy and Native American inheritances.