Staubs And Ditchwater: A Friendly And Useful Introduction To Hillfolk's Hoodoo

by H. Byron Ballard

After years of pondering, Byron Ballard has finally written a primer for the kind of magic she practices. Driven to it by colleagues, friends and students, writing this little book is an act of stubborn devotion to a fading culture. This deceptively simple system of folk magic has come down to modern Southern culture through the immigrants and natives who called these blue hills home. Written in an easily accessible style and filled with insights and stories, Staubs and Ditchwater: a Friendly and Useful Introduction to Hillfolks Hoodoo is part memoir, part workbook.

Genres: Occult, Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Folklore, Spirituality, Paganism, Magic

122 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Latasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great start and introduction to Appalachian magic. There is a lot of info in here but left me wanting more. I'm from Northeast Tennesse so I'm familiar with most of this. I will definitely read her other books. I love the way she writes, like we are sitting on the porch, just talking about all this stuff.

[Fernanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a interesting and reflective reading for me.
Like I said to a witchy friend, it kind of reminds me to curanderismo (I know it is obviously not the same) and I love the being in touch with nature mentioned. I hope I'll be able to adapt some of the receipts the author mention in my practice.

[R.J. House · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the past forty years of study, I have read hundreds of books on the subject of folklore and how folks connect to and weave energy, it is rare to find an author who lives her craft with the ethical commitment to keeping it real that Ms. Ballard exhibits.
Satubs and Ditchwater is a “stick your toe in” introduction to Hillfolk Hoodoo, just as the title indicates, it is not, nor does it claim to be a complete compendium of the subject matter. It is a solid foundation, in a sea of literature that is mostly fluff and stuff. Competent teachers begin with foundational instruction and move forward as the student moves in equal measure. Ms. Ballard is nothing if not competent.
Serious students are not put off by a bit of gentle remediation and those who are not serious should not bother.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.
I wanted to be furious because I paid 20 bucks for it and it's only like a 100 pages max.
But I just can't get angry about it because I enjoyed it too much -- I'm a child of Appalachia myself and Ballard reminds me too much of being home. She is an excellent story-teller and reminds me of my own Mama while she blesses us with her earthy knowledge and expertise. I highly recommend. A great read -- it's just a little too short but that doesn't negate an ounce from the charm.

[Chelsea White · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is the first generation to live my entire life in these mountains, and who was raised by a mountain village of neighbors and church members for most of my childhood, this book gave me a sense of deeper connection with the roots of this land. I am grateful for the blend of practical knowledge, anecdotes that remind me of my own upbringing, and historical context that give this book a well rounded take on the subject of mountain folk magic.

[Nikki Garland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book but found I wanted more information on how to use the tools and how to practice. The stories of her life were very interesting, not what I was expecting of the book but did keep my attention.

[Angela Pippinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to learn some Appalachian flavored Hoodoo? This is a perfect book to do such a thing. It may be short but it's chock full of information!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a practicing Pagan, I often find it difficult to purchase books that are not stuffed full of information I already know and practice.

Refreshingly, this was not the case with Staubs and Ditchwater Hillfolk's Hoodoo book.

Granted there was some information I knew but there was a lot more that I didn't such as the different kinds of water to use for spellwork -from ditch water to freshly melted snow to storm water.

Also a great description of the magical uses of everyday common "weeds" that grow in most everyone's backyard. I am in Kentucky so my land shares a lot of the same weeds and grasses that Ballard's does.

All in all, well worth the read and information I will be referring back to time and time again.

[Mary Overton]

Ballard calls her practice "down-home witchcraft that is simple and effective. Something that comes naturally and uses materials at hand. It is based on generations of living close to the land and being poor and making do. We know from anthropological studies that witchcraft is cross-cultural and is the practice of peasant medicine and psychology.... What is hillfolks' hoodoo - the kind that's practiced in the southern Highlands of Appalachia? It's medicine and midwifery; it's omen-reading and weather working. Sometimes it requires the witch to have a listening ear and an open heart." (xiii-xv)
Ballard's webpage: https://www.myvillagewitch.com/

[Sheena Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regardless of your local background this lovely book will offer something to a practitioner, emphasizing a connection to place via the authors own experience this book reads like a series of visits over tea with an old friend. I loved it.

[Mrs Fiona E Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grounded Wisdom

I loved the accessible tone of this book, the clear guidance and the humour made it a fun read as well as being packed with practical tips and receipts for everyday life. Highly recommended.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book about the old ways in North Carolina. Good stuff and worth reading!

[Elaanie Stormbender · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic introductory look at Appalachian magicks of my own people! I look forward to learning more!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful introduction to our Southern Appalachian customs and working
with the land.

[Pat]

h byron ballard

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet! It was like a conversation with a good friend you don’t want to end. It was interesting to read about these customs and workings and I may try some out.

[K.K. Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Research.

[Diana Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting

Enjoyed it very much!! Will highly recommend it to all who I think will enjoy it .Cant wait to read more by this author.

[Denese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminders of advice from my grandmother.

[Lisarose Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful homage to the folk magic of the Southern Appalachians. This friendly memoir/how-to/history lesson is a fascinating insight to a culture that thrives despite the challenges of postmodernity and religious fanaticism. Sit a spell for a cuppa with Ms. Ballard and see the world in a new way, through an ancient lens.

[Granny · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may have to wait a while for my review. I want to have a long, quite space in my life before I read this. Even a short quiet space would be nice :-)

I will update and review once I'm doing better.

[Deanne Quarrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! It was fun to read and very informing as well Byron's added humor made it a great little read!

[Sarah Schantz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to help with the research needed for my second novel. I found it accessible and useful.