The Long Hidden Friend

by John George Hohman

This 19th-century collection of traditional German folk-magic features spells, rituals, charms, prayers, recipes, remedies, and more. First appearing in 1820, The Long Hidden Friend was instrumental to the development of the Dutch Pennsylvania tradition of Pow-Wow. This beautiful edition is illustrated with Gemma Gary's line drawings, inspired by Dutch Pennsylvanian folk art, charms, and hex signs.

80 pages, Paperback

Published February 8, 2020

About the author

Also Johann Georg Hohman

Reviews

[Idżys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rereading 2024

Bardzo lubię te książeczkę. Można znaleźć w niej autentyczne ludowe czary, remedium na wiele problemów. Proste, szybkie, niewymagające wiele. Sama w sobie jest dedykowana jako „talizman” ochronny, by służyć swojemu właścicielowi.
Czary na bydło, agresywnego psa sąsiada, ugryzienie węża, złą czarownice sąsiadkę, ochronę przed każdym rodzajem broni i tak dalej.
Ładnie wydana, niektórzy rzeczy należy oczywiście traktować z przymrużeniem oka 🌙

[N · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down. The most well-known compilation of Pennsylvania Dutch folk magic, in a slightly fancier edition, edited and with illustrations by Gemma Gary.

It's what one would expect -- not the best for safe and usable remedies in all cases (for example, making a non-disintegrating wick out of asbestos, but hey, it's the mid 1800s)! Great for historical interest and reference, and to build up ideas on how to take some of these kinds of approaches for one's own folk magic approach to things.

Unfortunately, there are 3-5 charms that evince a bigoted view of Jewish people and G*psies.

[Sabaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book