Robert Phoenix
Robert Phoenix is a practitioner of Pennsylvania German Powwow and the Phoenix Line of powwowing, based in South-Central Pennsylvania.
Guder Daag! Wie bisch?
My name is Robert Matthew Phoenix (formerly Rob Chapman) and I am the creator of this site. I do all of this research myself because I truly love the culture of the Pennsylvania Dutch and the tradition of Powwow. I was born and raised in Pennsylvania and currently live in South-Central Pennsylvania and work for the state of PA. I’ve always been interested in folk magic and have studied many different systems over the years. I was raised Catholic, as this was the religion of my mother’s side of the family, and as an adult I have embraced the religion of my father’s side of the family, the Reformed church; known nowadays as the United Church of Christ. My personal beliefs are a blend of both traditions. I love Powwowing because it’s a Christian-based system that really does work and it connects me to the traditions, beliefs, religion, and folklore of my ancestors.
I first began learning about Powwow in the 1990’s. It took me a while, but I eventually realized that THIS was the tradition for me. I threw myself into the study of the tradition, reached out to anyone and everyone that would help me to learn, and ultimately got to where I am today.
I am 50 years old, I’m married, we have a son, we run a dog rescue, I’m an Accountant, and that’s me in a nutshell!
Powwow is my lifestyle, and every day I learn something new to help me live my life more true to what I want to be. It is my goal to learn the proper information about our tradition, share it with the world, and live it to my very best.
While I belong to the modern-day German Reformed Church (United Church of Christ), I honestly feel that I would be better classified as a Pietist, as I believe that there is a mystical bond between man and God, and that through this mystical bond we are able to bring the powers of God into the world.
To this end, I do my best to adhere to the historical, cultural, and religious truths of Powwowing. I don’t care much for modern interpretations that attempt to rewrite history, while basically cosplaying as Plain Folk. I think that does a disservice to our culture and our tradition. I believe the culture is best preserved by remaining true to our history.
There IS Braucherei in my family history, although it’s quite far removed. My grandfather’s Aunt and her daughter (his cousin) were Brauchers in the Lancaster area. These would be my third and fourth cousins, or Great Aunt (?). However, I cannot claim any connection to them other than blood because they were black-balled from the family for their marriage into a Catholic family (times were crazy back then!)…
I’ve written a LOT about Powwow over the past twenty years. I’ve self-published, I’ve been published through The History Press, Red Wheel/Weiser, and Llewellyn Worldwide. My work is everywhere, and I’m proud of the fact that my information about the tradition of Powwow has been praised by Patrick Donmoyer as “the truth about the Powwow tradition”.
This website has been my public voice since 2008. I put my heart and soul into this work and I hope you find this website to be both educational and interesting. I think Powwow is an extremely interesting tradition and I think the Pennsylvania Dutch culture is one of the most interesting cultures in our country!
Thank you for finding your way to this website!
May God bless you in all that you do!
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Robert Matthew Phoenix
To reach Robert, visit the Contact page.
Publications
Charms and Cures in the Tradition of Pennsylvania Dutch Powwow — 2010
The Powwow Grimoire — 2014
The Powwow Book of Divination — 2020
The Powwow Guy — 2021
Supernatural Lore of Pennsylvania by Thomas White (as Robert Chapman) — the Powwow Chapter, 2012
The Witch of the Monongohela by Thomas White (photographs only) — 2017
The Remembering Tree by HR Mason (Foreword and consultation)
Earth below, Heaven Above, God Everywhere by Gretchen Swank (Foreword and consultation)
Llewellyn’s Book of North American Folk Magic — 2023
Robert has also been interviewed on countless podcasts as well as the documentary Hex Hollow: Witchcraft and Murder in Pennsylvania (2015), and has given classes and lectures at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Baltimore College, and Swarthmore College.
A selection of Robert’s healing, protection, and blessing charms can be found on the Charms & Cures page.