Appalachian folk magic
The southern mountains, where a tradition of Scots-Irish, German, Cherokee and African American folk healing and sign-reading has been kept by families.
Practised and told of here
Best time: Late spring and autumn.
Appalachian folk magic is a mix of customs drawn from several sources. It includes healing by prayer and a Bible verse, planting by the signs of the zodiac, charms for warts and the practice of 'water witching' to find wells.
Healers and charms
Healers include 'granny women', who also acted as midwives and herbalists, and charmers who stopped bleeding with a Bible verse. Many held that the knowledge could only be passed to a person of the other sex, and it was kept private. Cherokee, German and African American traditions fed in as well.
Stories and music
The Jack Tales and the ballads of the region carry stories of witches and haints. Folklorists collected them in the twentieth century, for example in the work of Cecil Sharp and Richard Chase.
Visiting
Most of the tradition is kept in families and not on show. Museums such as the Museum of Appalachia in Tennessee hold artefacts. Visitors should not seek out healers as an attraction.
A respectful visit to Appalachian folk magic
Living communities are not a show. Ask before photographing a person or a ceremony, and follow local rules.
- Folk Art Center, Asheville See the crafts of the region.
- Museum of Appalachia, Norris, Tennessee Look at the collection of everyday life.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Walk the park.
Written by the EveryJaadu desk with AI assistance. Background: "Appalachia" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and ceremonies change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
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