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The Red Church or The Art of Pennsylvania German Braucherei
 
 
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The Red Church or The Art of Pennsylvania German Braucherei [Paperback]

C. R. Bilardi (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

Price: $24.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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Book Description

April 10, 2009
A comprehensive guide to the history, theory and practice of Pow Wow, this book draws upon historical documentation, traditional methods, and a life of personal experience.

Pow Wow, or Braucherei, as it is known by its practitioners, is a system of folk magic that has its roots in Christian and Pre-Christian Germany, but its character is wholy American - the quintissential American magical system. Drawing on quotes from the Bible, qabalistic principles and old gromoires, it is empowered by the Holy Trinity, and most practitioners consider themselves to be Christian, much like the Cunning Folk of England.

"The Red Church: The Art of Pennsylvania German Braucherei is the finest book on German magic to be seen in decades. Comprehensive in its historical, philosophical and cultural roots, The Red Church is a book that will be appreciated by academics and modern practitioners of not just folk and ceremonial magic alike, but also energetic and faith healing, symbolism, and cultural psychology. Extensively researched and documented, no one interested in the survival of Medieval and Renaissance magic into the modern era should be without a copy of it within easy reach."

- Mark Stavish, Director of Studies, Institute for Hermetic Studies, author of, The Path of Alchemy, Freemasonry - Rituals, Symbols and History of the Secret Society, and Between the Gates: Lucid Dreaming, Astral Projection and the Body of Light.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Every so often, amid the glut of rehashed popular culture that too often passes for originality in the occult field, something genuinely different and worthwhile comes along. Christopher Bilardi's 'The Red Church' is a fine example. At a time when the word "tradition" has become little more than a synonym for "brand name," Bilardi has pursued the study of an authentic occult tradition -- braucherei, the Pennsylvania Dutch system of magical curing -- and crafted a solidly researched, readable guide to this fascinating amalgam of archaic Germanic lore, Rosicrucian symbolism, and Christian folk magic.

Contemporary occultists, students of alternative healing methods, and readers interested in a colorful field of American folk culture will all want to make room on their shelves for 'The Red Church'.

John Michael Greer author of "The New Encyclopedia of the Occult" and "The Druidry Handbook" --John Michael Greer


Product Details

  • Paperback: 548 pages
  • Publisher: Pendraig Publishing (April 10, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0982031858
  • ISBN-13: 978-0982031858
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #824,131 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Christopher Bilardi is the author of The Red Church, or the Art of Pennsylvania German Braucherei (Pendraig Press, 2009), and Wapwallopen, Luzerne County: A forgotten Pennsylvania Dutch enclave, Lulu, 2010. He has been a student of Pennsylvania Dutch culture for over 20 years. Bilardi holds a BA in English from Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA, and he has completed graduate work in Sociology at Lehigh University, Bethlehem. He is an enthusiast of the writings of Jacob Boehme and other Christian theosophers, and is a traditionally trained practitioner of braucherei.

 

Customer Reviews

10 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good beginner book, September 15, 2009
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This review is from: The Red Church or The Art of Pennsylvania German Braucherei (Paperback)
This book provides a great history/background of pow wow in the first section. The second section focuses on the operation itself. This book is one of a kind and a must read for anyone who wants to learn about or practice the art of braucherei. The author assumes the reader has no background or experience and explains everything in layman's terms.

On a side note I found it pretty neat that the author devoted several paragraphs to informing the reader about the Rehmeyer's Hollow Hex Murder which took place in 1929 in Winterstown (in York County, PA) just a few miles from Red Lion where I live. It's a very interesting story and I would recommend anyone interested read "Hex" by Arthur Lewis. Used copies of "Hex" are relatively easy to find on Amazon and Ebay, etc.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A really fine book on Braucherei, August 11, 2009
By 
Shadowdancer "Powwow Doctor" (Bowling Green, Kentucky United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Red Church or The Art of Pennsylvania German Braucherei (Paperback)
First of all, I have practiced Powwow/Braucherei/Using for over 35 years, so I approached this book with a very critical eye. To my delight, I found an accurate portrayal of this sacred tradition by someone who clearly knows and understands the subject in considerable depth. The author is a devout Christian just like 98% of the traditional people who practiced this shamanic art over the centuries however, much can be learned by those who do not share his faith. The material is presented in a clear and organized manner and is well researched. I personally find reading it like a wonderful, nostalgic journey home. Congratulations sir, on a job well done!
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Not Bad, May 8, 2009
This review is from: The Red Church or The Art of Pennsylvania German Braucherei (Paperback)
I bought this book eagerly anticipating a new work on Pow Wow and the Folk Practices of the Pennsylvania Dutch. The author provides that and more with his writing but it comes off a little to scholarly for my taste. The book reads more like a text book than the words of an actual Pow Wow doctor.

The real reason I gave this book three stars is not the author's fault however, its the shotty editing and printing of Pendraig Publishing. With the exception of Robin Artisson's The Horn of Evenwood, every Pendraig book I have purchased has had typos in it. Also, the illustrations in this book are terribly pixilated and look unprofessional.

The author himself deserves a higher rating and his book is a valuable contribution to the Pow Wow Community.
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