The Powwow Guy

When I was originally introduced to PowWow, my teacher taught that one must ALWAYS whisper the spoken parts of the charms; they must NEVER be spoken out loud.  And because this is what I was told, this is how I did it.  However, over time I realized that I was not entirely comfortable with this method of working with verbal charms.  To me, whispering something implies that it's a secret.  It implies that I don't really want the individual that I'm trying for to actually hear what I'm saying.  Why would this be?  If someone comes to me for PowWow, it is with the understanding that I am going to speaking biblical verses and/or other words of healing over them.  So, with this in mind, I did some research...

Historically speaking, I can find no real instruction for whispering the charms.  Here in PA, the book considered 'authoritative' on the tradition of PowWow is Hohman's Long Lost Friend.  Let's see what he has to say about it...

A Good Remedy for Hysterics....."speak the following at the same time...."

A Certain Remedy to Stop Bleeding......"if only his first name is rightly pronounced...."

A Good Remedy for Worms......."this must be repeated three times...."

A Good Remedy for the Fever......"the prayer of faith has also to be said each time..."

To Make a Wand for Searching for Iron......"the words to be spoken when the wand is thus applied..."

A Very Good Remedy for Mortification....."everything which is applied in words, must be applied three times..."

A Very Good Remedy to Destroy Bots or Worms in Horses......"mention the name of the horse, and say..."

To Cure Fits or Convulsions......"repeat the following words..."

Cure for the Headache......"this you must say three times..."

A Very Good means of Destroying the Wheal in the Eye...."hold the plate before the eye, you must say..."

Words to be Spoken while making divinatory wands...."the following words must be spoken..."

In Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus, we see only one comment on the recitation of charms... "called aloud with devotion..."

These examples serve to illustrate that, originally, the system of PowWow was a system of spoken charms, not whispered.  Perhaps the idea of whispering came about as a means of protecting family charms, or possibly the whispering of a charm keeps the client at ease...  Who can really say?  In almost all written accounts of powwowing experiences, the individuals who received the powwowing recall that they could not clearly hear the words being spoken, or the charms were mumbled or whispered.  At least a small part of this may be due to poor memory of the experience, or perhaps the powwower intentionally kept their voice low so as to keep the charm a secret.  Whatever the reason, the practice of whispering seems to be rather popular.

Now, let's get into the subject of physical contact.

I believe it is a monster of modern creation that we cannot physically make contact with one another.  This is extremely sad as human touch is so incredibly powerful.  In this day and age of disgusting accusations, people are fearful of touching other individuals, and rightly so.  However, in at least some of the charms, skin to skin contact is essential.

Let's see what Hohman says:

"Note: -- The hand must be put upon the bare skin in all cases of using sympathetic words."

There are some charms that do not require skin contact.  However, the "laying on of hands" is pretty much what it implies... hands are laid on you.  Depending on the specifics of the client's situation, it may be necessary to have the powwower's hands placed on you.  Certainly this would not be weird or creepy, but rather an essential part of the powwowing experience.

The final word on whispering and skin contact is that there is no final word.  Each individual's experience of powwowing is slightly different.  As for me, I tend to be a little more 'by the book' and have been known to speak my charms aloud so the client knows what I am saying.  However, I have also whispered certain charms because I was either uncomfortable speaking them in front of the client or because I wanted the words to remain a secret.  Ultimately it is up to you to set the rules of your powwowing.