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Appalachian Granny Magic is an old tradition that dates back to the first settlers of the Appalachian Mountains, who arrived in the late 1700's from Ireland and Scotland. The two old Irish and Scottish traditions were mixed with the traditions of the Tsalagi, who are more commonly known as the Cherokee Indians. These three traditions merged together and would later be known as Appalachian Granny Magic.
History The Appalachian Mountain Witches were also known as “Water Witches”[1] and or “Witch Doctors.” If the witch was more skilled in healing and midwifery she might be referred to as a Witch Doctor. However, if she dowsed for water or energy vortexes she would be referred to as a Water Witch. Often Appalachian Witches held both titles if they were skilled in both fields of magic. These witches did not often practice their traditions with outsiders. The Appalachian Granny Magic traditions were often passed down from one generation to another. Parents would teach their children these traditions. Due to living in a secluded area these customs and practices were less likely to be lost or altered, like most other traditions that were brought over to the new world. The location of the Appalachian Mountains was able to preserve the ancient Irish and Scottish songs, dances, and recipes better than that of Ireland and Scotland. The ancient Appalachian Witchcraft was able to survive in the secluded mountains of Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, the Virginias and Kentucky during a time when witchcraft was being abandoned by the new modern world. These people who remained in the mountains had to continue to rely on the earth in order to survive, even though people who lived in the city no longer needed to. The crops and the livestock were of great importance to those who lived in the Appalachians of the 1900 just as much as it was to the early colonist of the 1600’s. Therefore the deities they worshiped remained part of their faith and did not fade into a mythic memory.
Beliefs and Traditions The Scotland and Irish settlers did not forget about their fairy folk. These little people followed them to the new country and the witches of the Appalachians continued to work with these little beings. In addition, the Cherokee had little neighbors of their own who were called “Yunwi Tsunsdi”, meaning “The Little People”. The Appalachian Mountain Witches give offerings to the wee people daily. A granny woman will make offerings by leaving a bowl of cream at the back door. She will throw a bit of cornbread cake out of her window before serving it to her family. The Appalachian Witches also believe in spirits of the dead and practice ancestral spirit guide. One type of ancestral spirit that is feared are “ Haints”. Haints are angry spirits that are kept at bay by the use of spells, charms and rituals. One spell that protects against haints requires that the doors of the home be painted Haint Blue, which is of a baby blue color with a slight tint of periwinkle. They believe that this color keeps the spirits away. Many of the older Granny Magic spells are sung and danced . An Irish step dancing that is used in the Appalachian spells came to be known as Clogging. Appalachian spells are also known to have chants, gigs, and lullabies. During Samhain and funerals the song “Auld Lang Syne” is sung. It is also sung during the secular new year.
Tools Divination is popular with Granny Witches. Appalachian Granny Witches read tea leaves, Tarot cards and regular playing cards, and clouds. They will also use bowls of dirt, sand, or water for scrying. The Appalachian Witches tools consist of a rod, which is usually made from dogwood or another type of flowering tree such as an apple or peach tree. This rod would be used for water dowsing. A metal rod would be used for energy dowsing. A cauldron is usually preferred over a chalice by an Appalachian Witch. When a cauldron is placed in a Granny Witches front yard this would inform individuals that the Granny Witch was available. Other tools that are classic tools of this tradition are brooms, pottery, candles, mirrors, and baskets, which were all made by hand in the home of the Appalachian Mountains. Ritual clothing is not usually used by Appalachian Witches, due mainly in part that several witches would be needed to conduct some spells and the amount of spells done in a day would not be practical. However, some modern Appalachian Witches have begun to use ritual clothing in order to preserve their way of life and religion for future Appalachian Granny Witches.
