Pow-Wows or Long Lost Friend (Paperback)

by John George Hohman (Author)
Key Phrases: false tongues, God the Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Ghost (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
An invaluable relic of early-19th-century Americana, this collection of spells, incantations, and remedies is an example of that fascinating blend of Christian prayer and folk magic known as "hoodoo," which is still practiced in some areas of Pennsylvania Dutch country. In this classic work, first published in the German language in 1820 and translated into English in 1828, folk enchanter JOHN GEORGE HOHMAN-about whom little is known except that he was a German immigrant to America-shares his secret magic for: . curing hysterics . protecting oneself against slander . attaching a dog to a person . making a wand for searching for iron or water . preventing malicious persons from doing injury . curing the poll-evil in horses . mending broken glass . making cattle return home . destroying rats and mice . making a candle wick that is never consumed . charming guns and other arms . and much more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Cosimo Classics (October 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602067627
• ISBN-13: 978-1602067622
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #360,136 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Folk Magic from Rural America, January 13, 2004

By	Zekeriyah (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Pow-wows (Hardcover)

Despite the title, this book has nothing to do with Native American beliefs and traditions. Its actually the folk beliefs of the Pensylvannia Dutch folk doctors, hex-crafters, magicians and healers. A unique blend of Christianity and German folklore, this book was a major influence on American folk magic (from Hoodoo to Appalachian study-witches) for many years, and was mentioned several times in the fictional works of Manly Wade Wellman. Its still practiced in some remote areas. It includes a number of charms, hexes and spells. Amongst these are numerous cures for bleeding, warts, colic, epilepsy, headaches, scurvy, tapeworms and many livestock ailments, as well as charms for a safe journey, catching lots of fish, legal success, protection against bullets, driving away vermin, bringing back lost animals and so forth. More esoteric/mystical things include spells against witchcraft, evil spirits and the like, as well as binding a theif or releasing someone from bindings. Theres also certain lore such as advice for pregnant women, unlucky days and hunting talismans.

This is quite an encyclopedic work, covering just about every element of rural folk magic in the United States. This is quite a wonderful book for anyone interested in magic, mysticism and the occult (especially in a historical, folk or Christian context), and a uniquely American book. Definately worth checking out.