The Powwow Guy

Luschtig gelebt un selig g'schtorwa.  Is 'm Deiwel sei Rechling verdorwa.

-Pennsylvania German Proverb 

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Holy Father, always be our path and guide, our protection and shield, our consolation and strength.  Set our feet, minds, and hearts onto your path of divine peace.  Make your holy and divine Word, which you allow us to hear, vibrant and active in our hearts so we might please and serve you until the end of our lives.  Amen. 

-Die Ernsthafte Christenpflicht

Imagine it's the late 1800's.  You and your family live on a tiny farm in a secluded area of southern Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.  This year has been exceptionally difficult.  First, you lost three cows to an unknown illness.  This loss of livestock meant a loss of income for your family.  The fields this year just don't seem to be yielding your normal harvest, almost as if there is something wrong with the very soil.  The baby girl born to your wife this past winter is sickly and pale, and frankly you are surprised she lived this long.  Your wife has fallen into a state of melancholy and quiet, so much so that it's now fallen to you to prepare food for the family on top of your duties in the fields.  Why is all of this happening?  Why has God done this to your family?  Or could it be...something else...at work?

This was the mindset of our cultural ancestors.  It's very easy for us to brush off these experiences with scientific explanations of all of those misfortunes.  However, that's us speaking with all the power of the modern world behind us.  In the late 1800's in rural Pennsylvania, things were very different. 

Hexerei is the practice of malevolent magic.  It was not unheard of back then, just as it is not unheard of today.  While many verhexings may very well be explained away by modern science, it still does not mean their root was not in malevolent magic. 

Don't misunderstand me.  I do not live my life in fear of verhexing, and neither should you.  However, the use of magic to cause harm is very real.

The majority of emails I receive are from individuals who believe they are the victims of black magic.  An interesting occurrence also seems to be common amongst Pennsylvania residents who believe they have been cursed.  The cursings seem to involve property in some way.  There are reports of curses on houses, farm lands, and even in one instance there was believed to be a curse on the actual paper deed.  I've heard of 'generational curses', which seem to have been placed on the family generations ago and have been passed on from person to person until modern times.  Curses are powerful things. 

A few commonalities have prompted me to put together this checklist, of sorts. Don't let this list fool you into believing you are verhexed. It is offered as a resource to refer to, just in case you think you might have something else going on in your life that can't be explained away easily...

-Do you know someone who practices black magic? Would that individual have any reason to verhex you?

-Do you have any evidence that you and/or your family are the victims of a curse? Evidence can include written or hand-made talismans that are given to you or placed on your property. They may also include old notes or letters found in family bibles. Evidence of curses is rare, but, like powwowing, there can be physical items used in the process.

-Are your symptoms unexplainable by a physician or other professional?

-Are the animals, insects, plant life, etc. behaving in an unusual manner? For example, is your garden flourishing as normal or is it failing despite your best efforts? Have your pets or livestock been behaving differently? Does there seem to be an increase in insect pests on your property that you can't explain?

-How is your general health?

-How is your diet?

These, and many other things, are important considerations when discussing curses.  Please don't immediately jump to the conclusion that you have been verhexed as this can lead to unnecessary fear and paranoia.  However, it is important to consider all things going on in your life and all possible explanations.

For more information, read on.... 

The very idea of "hexing and cursing" may seem ridiculous to most people and, indeed, it is difficult to imagine in this day and age that there are people who still believe in such things.  However, within the Pennsylvania German culture (as in many cultures), such concepts are more than just frivolous or barbaric superstition.  They are very real concerns for very real people.  I invite you to read through this page with an open mind, in the spirit of gaining some historical and cultural understanding of the subject.

The German word for witch is hex.  Hexerei is the practice of witchcraft.  This should not be confused with some of the more modern practitioners of folk magic that refer to themselves as witches, who often offer their work much in the way the historical powwow does---to heal and help, although the definition of hex can fit a modern practitioner if they cross ethical lines.  What distinguishes the historical witch from the modern witch --- or the bad witch from the good witch, if you will, is intent.  Back in the day, witchcraft was believed to be malevolent magic worked by practitioners who were in league with the devil.  Iwweldaeder (worker of evil).  I realize it's unpopular today to think of it this way and many individuals prefer to stick to a more romanticized idea of the historical witch, but history is what it is, and I no more wrote history than I did create the idea of powwowing... but I digress...

In Pennsylvania German culture, hexerei was taken seriously and very much feared....just as it was amongst our European ancestors.  This is why the source material for powwowing (Romanusbuch, Albertus Magnus, etc) is so heavy with anti-hex charms and treatments. 

To Burn a Witch so that she receives pock marks over her entire body.

Take butter from the household larder, render it down in an iron pot until it broils, then take ivy or wintergreen, and fry it; take three nails of a coffin and stick them in that sauce; carry the mass to a place where neither sun nor moon shines into, and the witch will be sick for half of a year.

This example is one of the more extreme anti-hex charms that I've collected.  However, it's an important look into how the historical witch was viewed.  She was so feared, and believed to have so much power over a community, that it was an option for the powwower or cunning man to work for her death.

Certainly I am not advocating for this type of magic, and would suspect some very harsh divine judgment against anyone who worked this type of spell, but if we are going to be honest about powwowing and it's history, then we should embrace the fact that witches were viewed unfavorably.  In fact, one of the things that sets the historical cunning man and powwow apart from modern practitioners of certain folk magic traditions is our willingness to combat witchcraft and work against the influence of the devil.  Without that element, you are not fully experiencing powwowing in its historical context.

I have had many friends and acquaintances throughout my life that practice various forms of folk magic.  This is what distinguishes the past from the present.  Two hundred years ago in Pennsylvania, such a phenomenon would have been unheard of.  Certainly there were powwowers, but even these are believed to have been limited to one or two in a community.  They were respected and feared members of the community.  And certainly there were the hexen.  These were even more rare, as the methods by which one was believed to become a hex involved situations that are unheard of today.  It was believed that hexerei itself was like a curse.  To be bound to the devil to practice his nefarious works was not something that was intentionally sought out.  It was passed down from mother or grandmother to daughter, through ritualistic actions that we have only gathered bits and pieces of from a few of the older folks willing to talk about it.  One story goes that a young girl (who I knew as an old woman in my church) remembers her grandmother putting her in a circle of flour in the kitchen and was about to perform the ritual necessary to pass on her witchcraft when the event was disrupted by the little girl's mother.  As such, the grandmother passed away without passing on the curse, and the girl (now an old woman) believes that her grandmother's angry and restless spirit still haunts her, to this very day.  She also believes that, had the grandmother been successful in passing on her hexerei, her spirit would be at rest and the power would now reside in her living granddaughter.  I've heard only one similar story from another person, which is a testament to how rare and feared the idea of hexerei is in the minds of the Pennsylvania Germans.

It is also well known that a witch could be hidden in plain sight, as they say, practicing powwow by day--helping the community, healing the sick, all in the name of Christ---but in secret practicing nefarious magic in the name of Satan. 

These stories give a glimpse into the historical witch, at least here in Pennsylvania, that is often not heard of outside of our cultural boundaries.  Witchcraft, for our purposes, is much like a compulsion.  Or a curse.

To that end, I've gathered many of the anti-hex charms, plus added some general protection charms, for those who feel they may encounter malevolent witchcraft.

Let me just preface this by saying that it's very easy to dismiss the idea of hexes and curses in the modern world.  And in many instances I would agree with you.  However, consider this:  There are countless individuals in the world that practice magic in some form.  Literally countless.  More than you can possibly imagine.  In addition, this is the age of the internet.  Go to GOOGLE and search "curses".  Go to your local bookstore and look through some of the New Age reading material.  Ask around on social networking sites.  The point is, access to magic, both positive and negative, good and bad, is literally as easy as typing in a few key words.  Now imagine that a small percentage of those countless magically-oriented individuals are practicing those types of spells.  Would you want to take the chance?

The image shown here is a hand-written charm, probably for protection, from the early to mid 1900's.  This was sent to me by a descendant of the individual that used this charm.  It was folded and carried either in a pocket or purse or wallet.  Charms like these are actually quite common.  It was believed that these types of written charms could protect the bearer against injury, illness, witchcraft, even gunshot wounds, depending on its intended purpose.  This particular charm is written in German, and may be intentionally written so as to be difficult (if not impossible) to read by anyone other than its intended user. (Kathryn Beck, 2014)

The early settlers knew the value of a good protective charm or talisman and, in fact, many homes had protective charms hidden within the walls or ceiling beams.  It was common to hide charms inside the barns as well in order to offer protection to the animals.  The threat of witchcraft was very real to farmers, and even today there are old talismans and charms found within old barnsteads throughout PA Dutch country, some of which are preserved at the Berks County Historical Society in Kutztown PA; along with other Powwow artifacts that give an amazing picture of life in Pennsylvania over the last three or four hundred years.

The following charms vary in purpose and function, but are traditional in the sense that they have come directly from old sources of Powwow charms; either the more common published grimoires or from personal collections.  As a Powwow, your greatest protective instrument is your Bible.  Indeed, a lot of old written charms have survived because they were written on slips of paper and hidden within family Bibles.

Keep in mind that many of these charms are hundreds of years old.  The world was a very different place in the 16, 17, and 1800's.  So of course, many of these charms will seem unusual or downright silly.  However, they were quite valid to the folks who utilized them and, in modern times, with slight variations, many of these charms are still in use.  I leave it to you to determine which to use.

The primary sources for these charms are the three most well-known and well-used sources of Powwow charms: Hohman's Long Lost Friend, Albertus Magnus Egyptian Secrets, and the Romanusbuchlein.  After each charm I have noted which book the specific charm was taken from.

Thou arch-sorcerer, thou has attacked (name of person); let that witchcraft recede from him into thy marrow and into thy bone, let it be returned unto thee. I exorcise thee for the sake of the five wounds of Jesus, thou evil spirit, and conjure thee for the five wounds of Jesus of this flesh, marrow and bone; I exorcise thee for the sake of the five wounds of Jesus, at this very hour restore to health again (name of person)., in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and of God the Holy Spirit. Three times. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Bedgoblin and all ye evil spirits, I forbid you my bedstead, my couch; I forbid you, in the name of God, my house and home; I forbid you, in the name of the Holy Trinity, my blood and flesh, my body and soul; I forbid you all the nail holes in my house and home, till you have traveled over every hillock, waded through every water, have counted all the leaflets of the trees, and counted all the starlets in the sky, until that beloved day arrives when the mother of God will bring forth her second Son. † † †

This formula, three times spoken in the house of the person whom we seek to aid, always adding, in the right place, both his baptismal and other names, has been found excellent in many hundred cases. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

The hair stand on end, or bristles on the head, and they generally sweat by night or near dawn of day. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Take witchcraft balsam, glow worm oil, black juniper berry, oil of rue, oil of turpentine, two cents worth of each. Give this mixture to the cattle; also, some balsam of sulphur. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Take blue bottle flowers, of which make a wreath; milk every stroke back of the legs three times upon the wreath; after this let the cow eat that wreath, and speak the following words: cow, I here give you bottle flowers that thou wouldst give me milk at once, that will not sour. Furthermore, whenever the cattle is driven out for the first time, in early spring, give to every piece of cattle a piece of beef meat about a half a finger long. This push down their throat after sprinkling it with a little salt. This will free them from becoming putrid and contracting erysipelas. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Go on Good Friday, or Golden Sunday, ere the sun rise in the East, to a hazelnut bush, cut a stick therefrom with a sympathetic weapon, by making three cuts above the hand toward the rise of the sun, in the name of the † † † Carry the stick noiselessly into the house, conceal it so that no one can get hold of it. When a man or beast is plagued by evil disposed people, walk three times around such a haunted person, while pronouncing the three holiest names; after this proceeding, take off thy hat and hit it with the stick and thus you smite the wicked being. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Take the left-hand glove of a woman afflicted with rheumatism in the right arm, steep it in fresh water, and allow the animals to drink thereof. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Obtain a good plain looking glass, as large as you please, and have it framed on three sides only; upon the left side it should be left open. Such a glass must be held toward the direction where the enemy is existing and you will be able to discern all his markings, manœuverings, his doings and workings. Was effectually used during the thirty years' war. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Take nine blades of straw from under a sow while she is nursing young pigs, therefrom put nine knots into the shaft and insert them between the two barrel loops, and such a gun cannot be bewitched. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

May God direct and rule, that this hour, day and year and all the time may be as good and blessed as our dear Lord Jesus Christ; that grant God, the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.

May God, the Father, make a golden ring around this house, around this stable, around all men and beasts that belongeth thereto and goeth in and out of it; also around my fields and forests, yea, this very ring encircles our beloved Mary with her dear infant, Jesus Christ they protect, watch over, maintain, shelter, cover and defend all mankind, both male and female, small and large, young and old, as likewise, all cattle, oxen, steers, cows and calves, horses and foals, sheep, goats, beef-cattle, and swine, geese, ducks, chickens, pigeons, large and small, whatever is contained in this house and these stables and all that cometh in and goeth out; for all misfortunes, evil, colic wild fire, losses, epidemics, and other diseases; for all bad and heated blood; for all bad and malicious enemies and storms; for all evil hours, day and night; for all magic power of witchcraft, and the designs and powers of the devil and his infernal hosts, to be visible or invisible, or for all wicked people who contemplate to rob me, that they may not be able to carry or spoil aught, anything that these people and animals, young and old, large and small, nothing excepted, whatsoever belongeth to these premises and their surroundings, and goeth out and cometh in, from whence and hence that no loss may occur, nor any evil be done at home or abroad, in the field or in the woods, in the meadows and on the plains, in grass, wood or heath, whether it works or rests, sits, lays, runs, or stands, they shall all now for all time to come be included in this ring, and be secure and protected from bullet and sword, by the very holy blood-drops of the dear beloved infant, Jesus Christ, which he hath suffered and shed for us by his circumcision and upon the cross and thereby vouchsafed and sealed his love everlasting, for such, they, the magicians will find no herb which may open, break or move or pervert, because our dear Lord Jesus Christ, protects and defendeth such with his ever holy hands, and his supremely sacred five wounds, at all times, by day and by night, and at all hours, forever and ever eternally. In the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Three Fridays in succession, in the morning, this should be repeated three times over house and all the estates, and all that lives and dwells therein will be protected from all evil and harm. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Now I will Walk over the threshold I met three men, not yet very old. The first was God the Father; the other was God the Son; the third was God the Holy Spirit. They protect my body and soul, blood and flesh, that in no well I fall, that water may not swell me at all, that a rabid dog may never bite me, that shot and stone may never smite me, that spear and knife may never cut me; that never a thief may steal the least from me. Then it shall become like our dear Saviour's sweat. Whoever is stronger and mightier than these three men, he may come hither, assail me if he can, or forever keep his peace with me. † † † Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Count Philip of Flanders had a subject who had forfeited his life; and as the Count wanted to have the delinquent executed, no executioner was able to perform the act. No sword would cut his head off. This astonished the count, and he spoke thus: How shall I divine this? Tell me how this comes to pass, and I will pardon thee. Whereupon the poor sinner showed him the letter, and he copied the same, as did all his servants. If you have to go to obtain advice, or to a court of justice, take this letter upon your right side, and you will not be subdued or conquered by any one. When you do not have the favor of your husband or of your wife, take this letter to your aid, and the favor will soon be regained. When a woman is in her trouble hang this letter on her neck and she will bear with much patience. If one's nose is bleeding, and will not cease, put this letter upon such person's head — the blood will soon be stopped. Wherever this letter is put under the roof of a house, such property is secure from storm and lightning.

"The blood of Jesus Christ, who was God and man in one person, protect me, N. N., from all sorts of weapons and arms, projectiles and guns, long and short swords, knives, daggers, carbines, hellebardes, and all share, cutting and pointed weapons; from lancets and spears, short or long rifles, muskets, etc., wrought and forged since the birth of Christ, of all kinds of metal, be they of steel or iron, brass or lead, metal or wood. Jesus Christ, the true Lamb of God, save me, N. N., from all kinds of shot guns and projectiles, by maintaining the covenant, like the Holy Mary, before and after the miraculous birth, render their weapons to become as soft as the drops of blood shed by our Saviour upon Mount Olivet. Jesus Christ, protect me, N. N., from all evil reports behind my back; from apoplexy, sudden death, witchcraft, drying and stopping of well water; from all kinds of enemies, visible and invisible. Lord Jesus Christ, let me, N. N., not be lost but wander with me, and be with me, until my last moments, and leave me not, that I may not die here. That vouchsafe me, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Holy Trinity be with me and by me. It protect me, N. N., the one Godhead. Jesus Christ, be with me upon the water and upon the land; in the forest, mountains or valley; in village, town and city; wheresoever I stand or walk, sit or lay, or whither I roam. Lord Jesus Christ, save me, N. N., from all enemies, be they visible or invisible, secret or open. It protect me, N. N., the one God, through his bitter sufferings and death, and by his rose-colored blood, which the Lord Jesus Christ shed upon the Cross. Jesus Christ was conceived in Nazareth, born in Bethlehem. These are valuable and dear words, written down in this letter. Therefore all must succumb to me, N. N., that is, vanish until I recall them; and must loose all their arms and armor, defence and weapon, that they may give way and yield and vanish, until I call them again, and lose all their strength and power, like Pharaoh lost his might. Blood and strength retain your powers, like Christ retained his, when he was tortured, and with his Holy five wounds ye shall be nailed down and bound. The armament must vanish, like those men vanished who tied the hands of Lord Jesus upon the cross, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus crossed the Red Sea, looked into the Holy Land, and said: Torn shall be all ropes and bands; all arms and weapons shall be broken; all eyes must be blinded, those that are sinful; no hero or any weapon shall overpower me. That water shall not cut — be it iron or steel, brass or lead, nor whatever it may be — must not hurt me, ah! God. May it be blessed, like the cup and the bread, like the real bread of life, which the Lord gave to His twelve disciples, in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. The blessing of the Divine Being, how He blessed Lot, when he sent to make peace, may come over me; the blessing of the Lord when he blessed Joseph, it come over me, N. N.; the blessing of thy Lord over the archangel Gabriel, when he carried the joyful message to the Virgin Mary, it may come over me, N. N. In the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehendeth it not. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth, visibly and openly protect me, N. N., the eternal Godhead, by the bitter sufferings and death, and through his rose-colored blood, which he shed from the Holy Cross. Jesus was begotten at Nazareth.

These are truthful words, as very stone is written down in this letter, that I will not be captured by any murderer, nor bound in fetters; all shots, arms and weapons will vanish before me, N. N., and lose all their power. Keep all thy armor and weapons, by the Almighty, in the name of God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus walked over the Red Sea. He looked into the Holy Land. All cords and bands must break and bend; the eyes of my foes shall become blinded. Protect me, N. N., that no stone shall fall, nor iron, nor steel, metal or lead that I may be well blessed, like the very heavenly bread which the Saviour gave to the twelve disciples, in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The blessing God bestowed upon the first created being may be inherited by me, N. N. Further: love my right hand, when I come into a strange land, that neither foe nor sorcerer may bewitch nor stun me. † † † Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Speak three times: Two wicked eyes have overshadowed me, but three other eyes are overshadowing me too, the one of God, the Father, the other of God the Son, the third of God the Holy Spirit, they watch my blood and flesh, my marrow and bone, and all other large and small limbs, they shall be protected in the name of God. † † † Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Welcome, in the name of God, ye brethren true and God, we all have drank of the Saviour's blood. God the Father be with me; God the Son be with you; God the Holy Spirit be with us all. Let us meet in union and part from each other in peace. † † † Three times spoken. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Wash the outside of the milk pails which you use for milking with essence of Tonquin bean. Repeat this several times while milking the cows, and the witches' butter and cheese will have a bad odor, such as is frequently observed. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

I, N. N., will breathe on thee, three drops of blood I draw from thee. The first from thy heart, the other from thy liver, the third from thy vigorous life. By this I take all thy strength, and thou losest the strife. † † † Three times. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

God be with you, brethren. Desist you, thieves, robbers, murderers, waylayers, and warriors in meekness, because we all have partaken of the rose-colored blood of Jesus Christ. Your rifles, guns, and cannons be spiked, with the holy drops of our Redeemer's blood. All sabres and deadly weapons be closed, with the five wounds of our dear Master, Jesus Christ. Three roses are blooming on Jesus' heart. The first is kind, the other is mighty, the third represents God's strong will. Under these, ye thieves and murderers are become still, as long as I will, and ye are banished, and your foul deeds have vanished. † † † Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Mark well, and observe when the new moon shines on a Tuesday before sunrise, or, perhaps, on a Golden Sunday, which will occur whenever a Friday and Sunday come together, or, perhaps, on Good Friday, also before the rising of the sun, hie thee to a hazelnut bush, which you may have selected beforehand. Stand before the stick toward the rising of the sun,, take hold thereof, in the name of God, with both hands, and speak: Stick, I grasp thee, in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, that thou shalt be obedient to me, that I may surely hit him whom I design to whip. Whereupon take thy knife, and cut the stick in three cuts, while pronouncing the three highest names, and carry it quietly to thy home, and guard it well, that no person steals it. If you intend to whip a witch which hath assaulted a beast or human being, go into the resp. house, and pray, before proceeding thence, three times, with great devotion, the article dedicated to the Bedgoblin, (which is the second article in this book), so that she may be destroyed by fire, and no evil spirit may enter into house or stable; otherwise the cats would get madam to scratch the eyes out of your head. Then move round the man or beast so bewitched three times, backward. Now take off the hat, put it upon the floor, and batter so long upon the hat as thou may chose. It will certainly hit the witch; and even if you should hammer holes into your hat, even the witch will then receive holes in his (or her) head. If thou desirest to flog one who is living at a distance from you, who deserves a beating, then place your coat upon a witch's ladder or shears, or upon a threshold, and call the name of him (or her) you design to whip, and you will hit him (or her) just as well as if he (or she) be present. But upon the stick thou must inscribe: Abiam, Dabiam, Fabiam. Probatum est! Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

The appended formula, written upon a scrap of paper, and nailed in a secluded spot in a stable.

† Janna † Sarult † Dutter † Jer † or
† Janna † Sarult † Dutter † Jer † or
† Janna † Sarult † Dutter † Jer † or

Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Take parsnip roots and carrots, and make an ointment thereof, and grease the limbs crosswise against the grain of the skin with this mixture. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

On the day of the patron Demetrius, enter a grocery store, buy a steel, purchase and pay for the same without bartering, and have it forged on this very day. The steel must be square, about a span in length, as thick as a foot measure, and, whatever the blacksmith may ask, you must pay. Early in the morning take milk from the cow in the name of God before the witch milks. After this make a fire upon the hearth, put the steel into the fire till it grows red, then take a pair of wooden tongs and draw the steel from the fire, and put the steel into the dish wherein the milk is and keep it there so long till the milk is all evaporated. If the milk is entirely dried out, the witch who caused the mischief must die; but in case the milk is not entirely dried out, the witch will contract blisters upon hands and face, so that she will not be able, for a long period to expose herself before the people. Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus

Take an earthen pot, not glazed, yarn spun by a girl not yet seven years old. Put the water of the bewitched animal into the pot, then take the egg of a black hen and some of the yarn and move the latter three times round the egg, and ejaculate in the three devils' name; after this put the egg into, the water of the pot, seal the lid of the vessel tightly that no fumes may ooze therefrom, but observe that the head of the lid is below. While setting the pot upon the fire, pronounce the following: Lucifer, devil summon the sorcerer before the witch or me, in the three devils' name. Egyptian Secrets Volume Two

NOTE:  The above charm is one of those very very rare charms that calls upon the devil, rather than God.  This is a very old example of a hexerei charm.  I personally would not work such a charm, but leave it here for its historical value.

Purchase a pair of new shoes, grease them on Saturday with grease on the outer sole, then put them on and walk to the church, and no witch can find the way out of the church without you proceed before her. Egyptian Secrets Volume Two

Fasten a squill (sea onion) over the principal door of the house, and no person will come to trouble you in the dwelling. Egyptian Secrets Volume Two

Let the sweepings, which are swept together in a house for three days remain in a heap, and on the third day cover it with a black cloth made of drilling, then take a stick of an elm tree and flog the dirt heap bravely, and the sorceress must assist, or you will batter her to death. Probatum. Egyptian Secrets Volume Two

Take elm wood on a Good-Friday, cut the same while calling the holiest names. Cut chips of this wood from one to two inches in length. Cut upon them, in the three holiest names, three crosses, † † † Wherever such a slip is placed, all sorcery will be banished. Egyptian Secrets Volume Two

First, try to obtain a piece of the heart of the cattle which had been attacked, then take a little butter and fry the piece therein, as if prepared for eating, then take three nails from the coffin of a corpse, and pierce with them the heart through and through. Piercing the heart and killing the witch, are facts of the same moment. All will be correct at once. Good and approved. Egyptian Secrets Volume Two

Take butter from the household larder, render it down in an iron pan until it broils, then take ivy or wintergreen, and fry it; take three nails of a coffin and stick them in that sauce; carry the mass to a place where neither sun nor moon shines into, and the witch will be sick for half of a year. Egyptian Secrets Volume Two

Three trees are standing on Jesus' heart — the first is called humility, the other forbearing, the third is called, if it pleases, God. Rider, horse, or walker on foot, ye shalt not stand still, and not move from hence until I grant permission.

While pronouncing this, the hat must be placed on the back of the head, and the right hand put three times thereto. When designing to release them, grasp the hat with the left hand, and put the hat as it was before, keep the hat in the left hand and beat with the hat in the direction where they are wanted to move to or remove from hence.

The sufferings of Christ I hear upon me. Oh! trouble leave me, I hold thee fast for Christ's sake and blood, that removes all ill from me, by his sweat and death, by his holy five wounds so red, through his resurrection and ascension to heaven may give that God will protect me as long as I live. Egyptian Secrets Volume Two

Ye persons look upon me for a moment till I draw three blood drops from you, which ye have forfeited. The first I draw from your teeth, the other from your lung, the third I draw from your heart's own main; with this I take your hosts away and ye shall stand till I remove from ye the iron band. † † † Three times spoken. Egyptian Secrets Volume Two

Take a needle wherewith the gown from a corpse had been sewed and put this needle into the foot prints of the person you seek to fasten. And never will that person, so treated, be able to get away. Egyptian Secrets Volume Two

First. Try to obtain St. John's roots and one ounce of herb of the same plant called moto. Write the following letters upon a scrap of paper and put to the root and herbs:

Protection while out and about

Mark yourself with the sign of the cross while repeating three times:

"Jesus walketh with (name).  He is my head; I am his limb.  Therefore walketh Jesus with (name)."

 Protection from Evil

"As I walked before the house of judges

Three dead men looked out the window;

one had no tongue, one had no lung.

The third blind, sick and dumb.

In the name of the Father, the Son,  and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

Protect us (or me) (use full name)."

To Protect from the Devil

The Pennsylvania Germans were devout in their Christian faith, and a majority of the charms found in Powwow are a testament to this.  In Hexerei: A Practice of Witchcraft Among the Pennsylvania Dutch (Shaner, 1963), the author speaks of two methods for keeping the devil at bay....

-A sack of mercury or asafetida (devil's dung) is hidden in the barn to ward off evil and witchcraft.

-An impossible task is set for the devil (much like with other common charms) stating that the devil (or the witch harassing you) cannot get to you until they complete a series of tasks that are literally impossible to do, such as counting every grain of sand in the world or passing three times through a sieve...

Protection Against Headless Powers

Don't let the strangeness of the title of this one fool you, this is actually a charm dating back to the 6th century, taken from a piece of leaf papyrus in Egypt.  It is designed to protect against evil spirits (headless powers).  Although technically not a "powwow charm", this one illustrates that Christian charms were in use amongst the Egyptians as early as the 6th century.  For more on this topic, I recommend THIS BOOK

This charm is written on papyrus and presumably carried by the petitioner.

+ (this is a crucifix in the original text, drawn before the written words, then drawn again at the end)

O angels, archangels, who hold back the floodgates of heaven, who bring forth the light from the four corners of the world: Because I am having a clash with some headless beings, seize them and release me through the power of the father and the son and the holy spirit.  O blood of my Christ, which was poured out in the place of a skull, spare me and have mercy.

                                                 Amen

                                                 Amen

                                                 Amen

                                                      +

To protect your home from all manner of evil

With a sharp knife used exclusively for this purpose (or a bread knife from the kitchen), draw a protective cross or other symbol in the air at each entrance to your home while repeating three times:

"Three angels with three swords stand before the house of God.  The first is courage, the second is strength, and the third strikes down all enemies.  In the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."

Another to protect the home

On a red plate write the following:

"Beneath thy guardianship, I am safe from all tempests and all enemies." 

Display in a prominent location in your home.

To Charm Enemies, Robbers and Murderers

 Speak the following in the direction of the intended:

God be with you, brethren; stop, ye thieves, robbers, murderers, horsemen, and soldiers, in all humility, for we have tasted the rose blood of Jesus.  Your rifles and guns will be stopped up with the holy blood of Jesus; all swords and arms are made harmless by the five holy wounds of Jesus.  There are three roses upon the heart of God; the first is beneficent, the other is omnipotent, the third is his holy will.  You thieves must therefore stand under it, standing still as long as I will.  In the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, you are conjured and made to stand.

To Bind a Hex

A Hex is a witch who casts curses for her own malevolent intentions.  For the purposes of this charm, and all other references to hex, hexerei, or witchery on this site, the word 'witch' means someone will ill intent, someone who seeks to cause harm to persons, animals, or communities. (see above)

To bind her, on a slip of parchment write the name of the witch.  Around this name draw an outline of a cross.  At each of the four points of the cross draw three crucifixes.  Fold the parchment three times and place within your bible next to Psalm 91.  The hex will be unable to take action against you.

Witches and witchcraft can be bound a number of ways (as demonstrated below).  Indeed, one factor which links the practice of powwowing to that of the English Cunning folk is our common ability to fight witchcraft.

A Curious Method of Removing a Curse

This odd tale comes to us from the book German-American Folklore, by Mac E. Barrick, 1987.  You can purchase this book HERE

"...he did tell of a story that a family was so-called 'hexed'.  Their who life was bad, they had bad fortune in their farm, their family was torn apart, and just everything was going bad.... and this hex doctor lived not too far away.... the man that had bad fortunes went to the hex doctor ..... he was told to go back to his barn, and drill a hole through the barn door from the outside... and get a peg that fits.... and every day before he started his farm chores he was to push the peg in with one push of the mallet or hammer.  And this he did for many days, until one day....the man was angry at this instant and he gave it one hard push, and the peg went right through the barn door...and the very next day, the neighbor who he was not too friendly with dropped dead.  And from that time on his family had good fortune.  This is a sign of the power of the hex..."

To Bind a Thief that He Cannot Move

Repeat for a total of three times:

O Peter, O Peter! Take from God the power;

May I find what I would bind

with the band of Jesus' hand

that robber all, great and small

That nonse can go no step more

neither backwards nor before

till I then with my eyes perceive,

till I then with my tongue relieve

till first they count me every stone,

twixt heaven and earth and drop of rain

Each leaf of tree and blade of greass

this pray I to my foe for Mass.

Say the Creed and the Paternoster.

   +   +   +

To Release from the Binding

Bid him in the name of St. John to go forth.

An interesting charm to cause a witch to receive pock marks over her entire body and be sick for half a year.

Before I get into the HOWS of this charm, let's discuss the WHY of it.  Hexerei and witchery are serious business.  If you know you've been verhexed (I mean really know, beyond a doubt) then you can take steps to have the hex removed.  However, it is another matter entirely to strike back at the witch.  I present this charm here as a matter of educational and historical interest.  I have personally never tried this particular charm, although I have known individuals who have done similar things.  I leave it as a matter between you and God when it comes to practicing magic like this.

Take butter from the household larder, render it down in an iron pan until it boils, then take ivy or wintergreen, and fry it; take three nails of a coffin and stick them in that sauce; carry the mass to a place where neither sun nor moon shines into, and the witch will be sick for half of a year.

For Protection against being wounded (can function as general protection)

On St. Peter's day (June 29) whoever digs up St. Peter's root, before the sun rises, and carries around the neck, is sure to be protected.  But the warning is that while carrying this root you must not drink alcohol!  Also, whoever digs up knot grass on St. John's Day (June 24), in the morning before sunrise, will be protected.

Note:  Thank you to Alice from Illinois for writing to me about St. Peter's Wort.  It is actually cowslip, a very common plant.  Thank you Alice!!!! xoxo

To Drive away frights and fantasies

If you have in your hand the plant called arsesmant, and also caraway, you are safe from frights and fantasies, with which people are often befooled.

Another to Bind Thieves

Three lillies grow upon Jesus' grave.  The first is courage divine, the other, God's blood so fine, the third is God's will, under which ye thieves must hold still.  Stand still you thief.  No more our Lord Jesus descendeth from the cross.  Thou shalt not be able to leave this spot.  This I command thee, in the name of the four Evangelists and the heavenly elements in the waters or in the shot, in the court of justice or before an apparition.  This I bow unto thee by the day of doom, that thou standest still, and not further proceed, till all the stars in the heaven I shall see and the sun will shine bright.  I herewith stop all thy leaping and escaping.  This, I comman thee, in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

+   +   +   

To Release the thieves from your binding (above)...

Change place and sense ensnare; be free, be here and there!  God perceiveth his joy and glory.  In the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

+  +  +

Morning prayer for protection

"I (name) will go on a journey today; I will walk upon God's way, and walk where the Holy Spirit guides me.  God, protect me so that no dog may bite me, no harm may befall me, and no ill-intentions may reach me.  I am in the hands of Spirit and so am protected from all weapons, safe from all tempests, and free from all harms and ills."

Protective/Lucky Horseshoe

Horseshoes are often hung in barns or above the entrance to the home to provide protection and bring good luck.  The origins of the horseshoe for this purpose most likely originate with the Passover story.  The blood was smeared over the doorways in such a manner as to form a small arch.  Germanic superstition later blended with the Passover story and the association of luck and protection with the horseshoe was born.  This idea traveled to America and is, quite possibly, one of the most widely-used symbols of luck and protection, in all areas and walks of life.  A horseshoe should be hung points-down to mimic the idea of the Passover blood protecting your home.

A variation on the horseshoe charm comes from the English Cunning Folk (our folk magic ancestors, if you will).  This charm is designed to 'frustrate the power of the witch' (Baker: Cunning Man's Handbook)

Take a cast horse shoe, nail it over the front door, points upwards.  While nailing it up chant in monotone the following:

"So as the fire do melt the wax

And wind blows smoke away,

So in the presence of the Lord

The wicked shall decay,

The wicked shall decay.

Amen." 

A Charm Which Protects From Thieves and Enemies

Say daily at sunrise:

"In the power of God, I walk on my way

In the meekness of Christ, what thieves soever I meet

The Holy Ghost today shall me keep.

Whether I sit, or stand, walk or sleep,

The shining of the sun

Also the brightness of his beams, shall me help.

The faith of Isaac today shall me lead;

The sufferings of Jacob today be my speed.

The devotion of the holy Lamb thieves shall let,

The strength of Jesus's passion them beset,

The dread of death hold thieves low,

The wisdom of Solomon cause their overthrow.

The sufferings of Job set them in hold,

The chastity of Daniel let what they would.

The speech of Isaac their speech shall spill,

The languishing faith of Jerom let them of their will.

The flaming fires of hell to hit them, I bequeath,

The deepness of the deep sea, their hearts to grieve

The help of Heaven cause thieves to stand.

He that made the sun and moon bind them with his

hand.  So sure as St. Bartholomew bound the fiend,

With the hair of his beard.  With these three sacred names of God known and unknown.

Miser.  Sue. Tetragrammaton.  Christ Jesus! Amen."

The Lesser Banishing Ritual

The Lesser Banishing Ritual (LBR) was created for use within the Golden Dawn, a 19th century ceremonial magic tradition.  It is not a common part of the Powwow tradition with the exception of those Brauchers who also delved into the more ceremonial magics, most especially the type found within books like The 6th and 7th Books of Moses.  Many PowWows are superstitiously fearful of the Books of Moses and, by default, practices like the LBR.  However, I love the LBR and have found it quite useful in my private practice; for both religious and magical purposes.  The LBR is not really designed to be a quickie form of protection per se, but rather it is a powerful invocation of the power of God; one that is most often used to call upon a type of cleansing to purify an area of evil influence.  By default, the presence of God is protective, and so I feel it's appropriate to place the LBR here for your own experimentation and usage.

There are a few forms of the LBR out there, so if this practice interests you then you can browse around the web until you find the exact form that is most comfortable for you. 

Stand facing East.  Reach up above your head with your right hand and pull the light and power of God down to your forehead while intoning: "Ah-tah." (Thou art)

Touch your right hand to your chest and intone: "Mal-koot." (the kingdom)

Touch your right hand to your right shoulder while intoning: "Ve-geh-boorah." (and the power)

Touch your right hand to your left shoulder while intoning: "Ve-geh-doolah." (and the glory)

Clasp both of your hands together at your heart while intoning: "Lay-olam." (forever)

Now intone: "Amen"

This will no doubt be recognizable as the sign of the cross that many Christians do as a self blessing.  Now, to add a more protective shield-like element to the LBR, we invoke the sacred image of the pentagram.  The pentagram is an ancient symbol of power pre-dating Christian usage but adopted by Christianity as a symbol representing the five wounds of Christ, the five points of man, the five virtues, the star of Bethlehem, and so forth.  In Christian magic it is protective and is one of the oldest forms of talismanic magic.

Face East, trace the Earth banishing (see below) pentagram in the air before you while intoning: "Yod-hay-voo-hay" 

Face South, trace the Earth banishing pentagram in the air while intoning: "Ad-do-nai"

Face West, trace the Earth banishing pentagram in the air while intoning: "Ey-ay-eh"

Face North, trace the Earth banishing pentagram in the air while intoning: "Ah-gee-lah"

These are four sacred names of God.  

Now we invoke the powers of the Archangels.

Face East, extend arms to both sides so your body forms a cross.  Say the following while visualizing all that you say:

"Before me, Raphael

Behind me, Gabriel

On my right is Michael

On my left is Auriel

Around me flames the pentagram

Above me shines the six-rayed star.

Presence of God

descend upon me now!"

General protection

Tie a red string around your wrist* to protect while away from home.

The SATOR charm written on paper and carried in the wallet will protect your money.

A holy book carried on your person will protect from all harm and evils.

Scissors hung over the doorway to your home will prevent evil from entering.

Letters of Protection

A letter of protection can be carried on the person or placed in the home.  They are written petitions to God for protection from negative and harmful influences.  There are several historical letters of protection and many modern versions of them circulating these days.  You can write your own to suit your purposes.  Here is an example of a modern letter of protection that I have framed to display in my home.

 "Stop thieves and murderers and fires and evil spirits!  Do not extend further than thou already has.  This I count unto thee as a grievous act, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  I command unto thee, by the power of God, which createth everything, that thou now do cease, and do not extend any further as certainly as the sun does rise and set and the moon does wax and wane.  This I count unto thee as a grievous act in the name of God.  I command unto thee, thieves and murderers and fires and evil spirit, by the power of the Holy Father, now to abate thy actions.  This I count unto thee as a grievous act in the name of God.  I command unto thee, thieves and murderers and fires and evil spirits, to abate thy actions, by the precious waters of the earth, and by the mighty forests of the earth, which are the homes to the great beasts of the world.  This I count unto thee as a grievous act in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen."

The Conception Billet

Here is an example of a medieval sacramental that would be buried at the corner of a property to protect against foul weather, witchcraft, illness, misfortune, and the like.  Back in the day, letters of this type were created by Carmelite monks.  Magic such as this was in the hands of the clergy.

"I conjure thee, paper, thou which servest the needs of humanity, servest as the depository of God's wonderful deeds and holy laws, as also according to divine command the marriage contract between Tobias and Sarah was written upon thee, the Scripture saying: They took paper and signed their marriage covenant.  Through thee, paper, hath also the devil been conquered by the angel.  I adjure thee by God, the Lord of the universe +, the Son +, and the Holy Ghost +, who spreads out the heavens as a parchment on which he describes; as with devine characters his magnificence.  Bless +, o God, sanctify +, this paper that so it may frustrate the work of the Devil! "Ye who upon his person carries this paper written with holy words, or affixes it to a house, shall be freed from the visitations of Satan through him who cometh to judge the quick and dead.

Let us pray.

Mighty and resistless God, the God of vengeance, God of our fathers, who hast revealed through Moses and the prophets the books of thy ancient covenant and many secrets of thy kindness, and didst cause the Gospel of thy Son to be written by the evangelists and apostles, bless + and sanctify + this paper that thy mercy may be made known unto whatsoever soul shall bear with him this sacred thing and these holy letters; and that all persecutions against him from the devil and by the storms of satanic witchcraft may be frustrated through Christ our Lord.  Amen."  (The paper is to be sprinkled with holy water)

Talismans and Amulets 

Generally speaking, talismans are made to draw something toward you, while amulets are designed to protect you from specific influences. Talismans and amulets can be created from metals that correspond to certain astrological data. This is alchemy at it's most base form. In the 16 and 1700's in Pennsylvania, there are records of paper talismans being mass-produced and given as protection to the early settlers. Most households held these charms to be both Holy and Protective. Some were even made up of biblical passages written on small slips of paper that would be given to those who would speak offensive words, to dissolve on the tongue to absorb blessings from God. Magical squares using numbers (sort of like SATOR, only with numbers) exist that each correspond to astrological influences and these are used to help create the talisman you wish to make. This is another complex system that I have no room for here, but I offer you this link to help you get started. The more simplified Powwow may create a talisman or amulet for you using nothing more than material and herbal ingredients. For this, I recommend you check here for some starter information.

*The idea of the red string is an interesting one.  In Jewish folklore the red string was protective.  It is believed by some that the red string tied around the wrist of a newborn will protect that child from a form of night demon called lilitu until that child is circumcized (thanks Nancy for this info!).  In Biblical terms, the red string also represents the blood of the sacrificial lamb that was marked on doorways during Passover when God struck down the firstborn of every Egyptian family, and spared only those households that were marked with the lamb's blood.  This is paralleled in Jesus' time when those who accept the blood of Christ are spared God's wrath and receive eternal salvation.  The red string around the wrist, in this sense, might be used to signify that one is a Christian.   Red is a reoccurring color in Pow-wow work and I believe it is due to it's association with the blood of sacrificial lambs; which in Judaic-Christian thought can represent an actual lamb or Christ himself.