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Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic: A Landscape of Magic, Mystery, and Tradition
20+ Diverse Traditions from New England to the West Coast
Drawing on the expertise of twenty-four renowned practitioners, this book features contemporary folk traditions from all over North America. Diverse as the landscapes they thrive on, these authentic practices will expand your worldview and inspire you to enrich your own spirituality. Explore the history, tools, and spiritual beliefs of many different paths of folk magic from Mexico, the United States, and Canada. You'll tour the continent's rich and varied cultures region by region, taking an insider's look at more than twenty traditions,
Appalachian Mountain Magic • Brujeria
Curanderismo • Detroit Hoodoo
Florida Swamp Magic • Irish American Folk Magic
Italian American Magic • Melungeon Folk Magic
New England Cunning Craft • New Orleans Voodoo
Ozark Folk Magic • Pennsylvania Powwow & Braucherei
Slavic American Folk Magic • Southern Conjure
Stephanie Rose Bird • H. Byron Ballard • Starr Casas • Ixtoii Paloma Cervantes • Kenya T. Coviak • J. Allen Cross • Alexander Cummins • Morgan Daimler • Mario Esteban Del Ángel Guevara • Lilith Dorsey • Morrigane Feu • Via Hedera • Cory Thomas Hutcheson • Melissa A. Ivanco-Murray • E. F. E. Lacharity • Dee Norman • Aaron Oberon • Robert Phoenix • Jake Richards • Sandra Santiago • Robert L. Schreiwer • Eliseo “Cheo” Torres • Benebell Wen • Brandon Weston
Drawing on the expertise of twenty-four renowned practitioners, this book features contemporary folk traditions from all over North America. Diverse as the landscapes they thrive on, these authentic practices will expand your worldview and inspire you to enrich your own spirituality. Explore the history, tools, and spiritual beliefs of many different paths of folk magic from Mexico, the United States, and Canada. You'll tour the continent's rich and varied cultures region by region, taking an insider's look at more than twenty traditions,
Appalachian Mountain Magic • Brujeria
Curanderismo • Detroit Hoodoo
Florida Swamp Magic • Irish American Folk Magic
Italian American Magic • Melungeon Folk Magic
New England Cunning Craft • New Orleans Voodoo
Ozark Folk Magic • Pennsylvania Powwow & Braucherei
Slavic American Folk Magic • Southern Conjure
Stephanie Rose Bird • H. Byron Ballard • Starr Casas • Ixtoii Paloma Cervantes • Kenya T. Coviak • J. Allen Cross • Alexander Cummins • Morgan Daimler • Mario Esteban Del Ángel Guevara • Lilith Dorsey • Morrigane Feu • Via Hedera • Cory Thomas Hutcheson • Melissa A. Ivanco-Murray • E. F. E. Lacharity • Dee Norman • Aaron Oberon • Robert Phoenix • Jake Richards • Sandra Santiago • Robert L. Schreiwer • Eliseo “Cheo” Torres • Benebell Wen • Brandon Weston
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 21, 2025
I loved this. A really fascinating look at North American folk traditions from practitioners across the continent. It's more anthropology than practical guide, but there are some spells/rituals/etc. for those who are interested in that (and the writers make clear when they're sharing something from a closed tradition). Also, lots of great recommendations for further reading - I added a bunch of books to my TBR.
May 15, 2023
This is a great collection of essays on the origination and modern day interpretations of North American regional magic, folklore, and how those traditions have trickled down through the ages and shaped our continent’s collective imagination. I loved learning about the sources of different stories and how they broke down each region’s particular history.
August 28, 2026
The longer I study folk magic, the less useful the phrase “American folk magic” seems when it's used as though it describes a single coherent tradition. North America is enormous, its populations arrived through radically different histories, and the magical practices that developed here were shaped by Indigenous cultures, immigration, enslavement, religion, poverty, geography, cultural exchange, and generations of people adapting inherited practices to completely new environments.
Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic embraces that complexity rather than trying to flatten it. Edited by Cory Thomas Hutcheson and featuring contributions from a large group of practitioners, the book moves across the continent geographically and allows different voices to discuss the traditions with which they actually have relationships.
That choice of multiple authors is probably the book's greatest strength. I would much rather read about Appalachian folk magic from H. Byron Ballard, Brujería from J. Allen Cross, Ozark traditions from Brandon Weston, or New Orleans Voodoo from Lilith Dorsey than have one author attempt to position themselves as an expert on every magical culture from Mexico to Canada. No anthology can eliminate the limitations of an outsider perspective entirely, but bringing together practitioners with different cultural and regional relationships to the material creates a much richer picture.
The geographic organization also reveals something important about how folk magic develops. Practices don't exist independently of landscape, migration, economics, religion, and community, so moving from New England through Appalachia, the South, Midwest, Southwest, West Coast, Canada, and Mexico begins to show why different traditions developed the characteristics they did. Folk magic becomes less like a collection of quaint old spells and more like a record of how communities adapted spiritually to the places and circumstances in which they found themselves.
I particularly enjoyed seeing traditions placed beside one another without pretending they are interchangeable. Hoodoo, Curanderismo, Pennsylvania Dutch Braucherei, Appalachian folk magic, Italian American practices, Slavic American traditions, and New England cunning craft may contain fascinating parallels, but similarities don't erase their different histories. The book is at its best when those connections encourage comparison while the contributors maintain the cultural specificity of what they're discussing.
There is practical material throughout, including charms, cleansings, recipes, rituals, and other workings, but I wouldn't primarily recommend this as a spellbook. The history and cultural context are much more valuable because they help explain why particular practices exist in the first place. Knowing what people did is interesting, but understanding who was doing it, where they were doing it, what resources were available, what religious worldview surrounded them, and what problems they were trying to solve tells you considerably more about the magic.
I also appreciated that the book doesn't treat access to information as automatic permission to practice everything described. Some contributors are careful about distinguishing what they can share from what belongs within particular cultural or initiatory contexts, and I think that's essential in a book covering this much territory. Learning about a tradition and claiming a tradition are two very different things, and curiosity doesn't require possession.
The bibliographies and recommendations for further research may actually be one of the most useful parts of the entire collection. No chapter could possibly provide a complete education in a living folk tradition within the space available, and occasionally I finished an essay wishing it had been three times longer. Fortunately, the book seems to understand itself as an introduction to a much larger landscape, and it continually provides paths for readers who want to keep exploring.
I came away from the collection with a much stronger sense that North American folk magic should probably always be discussed in the plural. What exists here is a constellation of traditions created by different peoples carrying old practices into new places, encountering other cultures, responding to new environments, preserving what they could, changing what they needed to, and creating things that could only have emerged under those particular circumstances.
That makes Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic much more interesting than an attempt to define some universal American magical tradition would have been. It presents the continent as a magical landscape filled with overlapping histories and distinct voices, and it left me with both a much longer reading list and a greater appreciation for just how culturally specific folk magic really is.
Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic embraces that complexity rather than trying to flatten it. Edited by Cory Thomas Hutcheson and featuring contributions from a large group of practitioners, the book moves across the continent geographically and allows different voices to discuss the traditions with which they actually have relationships.
That choice of multiple authors is probably the book's greatest strength. I would much rather read about Appalachian folk magic from H. Byron Ballard, Brujería from J. Allen Cross, Ozark traditions from Brandon Weston, or New Orleans Voodoo from Lilith Dorsey than have one author attempt to position themselves as an expert on every magical culture from Mexico to Canada. No anthology can eliminate the limitations of an outsider perspective entirely, but bringing together practitioners with different cultural and regional relationships to the material creates a much richer picture.
The geographic organization also reveals something important about how folk magic develops. Practices don't exist independently of landscape, migration, economics, religion, and community, so moving from New England through Appalachia, the South, Midwest, Southwest, West Coast, Canada, and Mexico begins to show why different traditions developed the characteristics they did. Folk magic becomes less like a collection of quaint old spells and more like a record of how communities adapted spiritually to the places and circumstances in which they found themselves.
I particularly enjoyed seeing traditions placed beside one another without pretending they are interchangeable. Hoodoo, Curanderismo, Pennsylvania Dutch Braucherei, Appalachian folk magic, Italian American practices, Slavic American traditions, and New England cunning craft may contain fascinating parallels, but similarities don't erase their different histories. The book is at its best when those connections encourage comparison while the contributors maintain the cultural specificity of what they're discussing.
There is practical material throughout, including charms, cleansings, recipes, rituals, and other workings, but I wouldn't primarily recommend this as a spellbook. The history and cultural context are much more valuable because they help explain why particular practices exist in the first place. Knowing what people did is interesting, but understanding who was doing it, where they were doing it, what resources were available, what religious worldview surrounded them, and what problems they were trying to solve tells you considerably more about the magic.
I also appreciated that the book doesn't treat access to information as automatic permission to practice everything described. Some contributors are careful about distinguishing what they can share from what belongs within particular cultural or initiatory contexts, and I think that's essential in a book covering this much territory. Learning about a tradition and claiming a tradition are two very different things, and curiosity doesn't require possession.
The bibliographies and recommendations for further research may actually be one of the most useful parts of the entire collection. No chapter could possibly provide a complete education in a living folk tradition within the space available, and occasionally I finished an essay wishing it had been three times longer. Fortunately, the book seems to understand itself as an introduction to a much larger landscape, and it continually provides paths for readers who want to keep exploring.
I came away from the collection with a much stronger sense that North American folk magic should probably always be discussed in the plural. What exists here is a constellation of traditions created by different peoples carrying old practices into new places, encountering other cultures, responding to new environments, preserving what they could, changing what they needed to, and creating things that could only have emerged under those particular circumstances.
That makes Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic much more interesting than an attempt to define some universal American magical tradition would have been. It presents the continent as a magical landscape filled with overlapping histories and distinct voices, and it left me with both a much longer reading list and a greater appreciation for just how culturally specific folk magic really is.
August 17, 2026
“Complete” misrepresentation is more accurate
I found so many inaccuracies and stereotypes in this book it’s not even worth recommending for a beginner or a seasoned practitioner. I’m still trying to figure out where all the 4 & 5 star reviews are coming from.
Basically, several “practitioners” gathered information from other “practitioners” written works, slapped them together into an essay for “regions” across North America and considered this accurate and relevant for a whole area WITHOUT looking at the whole area. Then another practitioner slapped them into one book and considered this “complete”.
Even though many of the “authors” like to say these practices are based on/or raised from “catholic” or other religious beliefs which is wholly inaccurate, the editors did not do anything to correct this misinformation. It’s also severely limited as in most “regions” the “authors” focus on large/infamous areas and cities (Salem, NYC, etc) instead of true rural and folk areas where those practices were built out of necessity and a desire for more (protection, abundance, etc).
For example: “The Big Apple” is used as a representation of New York, meaning the author focuses on NYC & Long Island. Those areas are a tiny portion of the state and while you’ll find a large mixture of spirituality practices and beliefs, it’s not a full depiction of NYS. Most people North of downstate practice a variety of different spiritual beliefs, however, there is a LARGE group of folk practices that are similar to Appalachian practices, but with regional differences. Another example is the west coast, or as the author termed it “The Left Coast” (What!?!), the author focuses on San Francisco/“Chinatown” and Portland as its basis, though the author does touch on the “Majestic Redwoods” and there is a nice section that does cover some rural areas and I was hopeful for better information, but even sections are tied back to Christianity as apposed to actual boots on the ground practices from pagans, non-pagan. I did see a small section tied back to indigenous traditions and practices somewhat, but is limited in scope. It’s the same across Massachusetts, the “Folk Magic” practiced in Salem & Boston is VERY different in many ways and it too is more like hands in the dirt, on the plants, and raised to the sky style of many Appalachian traditions, but with their own flair.
Please don’t buy and read as complete or accurate depiction of North American “Folk” practices. If you are looking for information on nature based practices, seek out books of that elk for a historical perspective on “Folk” or “Traditional” practices, because this book is too limited and is an OVERVIEW of “folk” backgrounds. Find actual folk practitioners and read books that focus on their practices for their belief systems. This book is only a brief overview of “regions” with heavy focus on metropolitan and urban areas.
I found so many inaccuracies and stereotypes in this book it’s not even worth recommending for a beginner or a seasoned practitioner. I’m still trying to figure out where all the 4 & 5 star reviews are coming from.
Basically, several “practitioners” gathered information from other “practitioners” written works, slapped them together into an essay for “regions” across North America and considered this accurate and relevant for a whole area WITHOUT looking at the whole area. Then another practitioner slapped them into one book and considered this “complete”.
Even though many of the “authors” like to say these practices are based on/or raised from “catholic” or other religious beliefs which is wholly inaccurate, the editors did not do anything to correct this misinformation. It’s also severely limited as in most “regions” the “authors” focus on large/infamous areas and cities (Salem, NYC, etc) instead of true rural and folk areas where those practices were built out of necessity and a desire for more (protection, abundance, etc).
For example: “The Big Apple” is used as a representation of New York, meaning the author focuses on NYC & Long Island. Those areas are a tiny portion of the state and while you’ll find a large mixture of spirituality practices and beliefs, it’s not a full depiction of NYS. Most people North of downstate practice a variety of different spiritual beliefs, however, there is a LARGE group of folk practices that are similar to Appalachian practices, but with regional differences. Another example is the west coast, or as the author termed it “The Left Coast” (What!?!), the author focuses on San Francisco/“Chinatown” and Portland as its basis, though the author does touch on the “Majestic Redwoods” and there is a nice section that does cover some rural areas and I was hopeful for better information, but even sections are tied back to Christianity as apposed to actual boots on the ground practices from pagans, non-pagan. I did see a small section tied back to indigenous traditions and practices somewhat, but is limited in scope. It’s the same across Massachusetts, the “Folk Magic” practiced in Salem & Boston is VERY different in many ways and it too is more like hands in the dirt, on the plants, and raised to the sky style of many Appalachian traditions, but with their own flair.
Please don’t buy and read as complete or accurate depiction of North American “Folk” practices. If you are looking for information on nature based practices, seek out books of that elk for a historical perspective on “Folk” or “Traditional” practices, because this book is too limited and is an OVERVIEW of “folk” backgrounds. Find actual folk practitioners and read books that focus on their practices for their belief systems. This book is only a brief overview of “regions” with heavy focus on metropolitan and urban areas.
January 3, 2024
This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet website on 01/03/2024.
You might remember my enthusiasm for the book “New World Witchery” by Cory Thomas Hutcheson. It was a fascinating look at folk magic as it is practiced in America. It’s an academic exploration written by a practitioner. Loved it!
I was thrilled to learn that Llewellyn put Hutcheson in charge of “Llewellyn’s Complete Book of North American Folk Magic: A Landscape of Magic, Mystery, and Tradition.” Honestly, I assumed he would be the author of the whole book, so imagine my surprise when I learned that although Hutcheson contributes ample content for this book, it also features a who’s who of magic makers. A few examples:
J. Allen Cross, who you may remember from my review of his book “American Brujeria”, contributes an essay titled “Saints with Scissors: American Brujeria.” Starr Casas, well known author of multiple books on the topic of southern conjure authored a piece called “The Making of a Starr: Working Old-Style Conjure.” The author of “Backwoods Witchcraft” (another book that has been featured on this website), Jake Richards, wrote the article “The Poor Man’s Play: Appalachian-Melungeon Folk Magic.” When everything is said and done, over 20 magical practitioners with diverse backgrounds contribute essays ranging from academic, biographical, and hands on how to. The book covers the geography of North America in the following sections: New England and the Maritimes, New Holland and Deitscherei, The Upland South, The Deep South, The Midlands, Plains West, El Norte, and The Left Coast.
So, is “Llewellyn’s Complete Book of North American Folk Magic” that complete? The beauty of most magical traditions is their ability to migrate and evolve, and none more so than folk magic. What I’m trying to say is, it’s as complete as it can be and an amazing resource for anyone interested in developing a better understanding of North America’s folk magic traditions.
You might remember my enthusiasm for the book “New World Witchery” by Cory Thomas Hutcheson. It was a fascinating look at folk magic as it is practiced in America. It’s an academic exploration written by a practitioner. Loved it!
I was thrilled to learn that Llewellyn put Hutcheson in charge of “Llewellyn’s Complete Book of North American Folk Magic: A Landscape of Magic, Mystery, and Tradition.” Honestly, I assumed he would be the author of the whole book, so imagine my surprise when I learned that although Hutcheson contributes ample content for this book, it also features a who’s who of magic makers. A few examples:
J. Allen Cross, who you may remember from my review of his book “American Brujeria”, contributes an essay titled “Saints with Scissors: American Brujeria.” Starr Casas, well known author of multiple books on the topic of southern conjure authored a piece called “The Making of a Starr: Working Old-Style Conjure.” The author of “Backwoods Witchcraft” (another book that has been featured on this website), Jake Richards, wrote the article “The Poor Man’s Play: Appalachian-Melungeon Folk Magic.” When everything is said and done, over 20 magical practitioners with diverse backgrounds contribute essays ranging from academic, biographical, and hands on how to. The book covers the geography of North America in the following sections: New England and the Maritimes, New Holland and Deitscherei, The Upland South, The Deep South, The Midlands, Plains West, El Norte, and The Left Coast.
So, is “Llewellyn’s Complete Book of North American Folk Magic” that complete? The beauty of most magical traditions is their ability to migrate and evolve, and none more so than folk magic. What I’m trying to say is, it’s as complete as it can be and an amazing resource for anyone interested in developing a better understanding of North America’s folk magic traditions.
June 7, 2023
Title: Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic
Editor: Cory Thomas Hutcheson
Rating: 5/5
Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic is less of a book and more of an encyclopedia. NAFM is a beefy book loaded with information on 364 pages. It includes a forward, author introductions, and a chunky boi of a bibliography. If you're familiar with the podcast New World Witchery or the book of the same title, the name Cory Thomas Hutcheson on the cover will ring a bell.
While Hutcheson is credited with compiling and editing this book, it has a total of 24 authors: Stephanie Rose Bird, H. Byron Ballard, Starr Casas, Ixtoii Paloma Cervantes, Kenya T. Coviak, J. Allen Cross, Alexander Cummins, Morgan Daimler, Mario Esteban Del ngel Guevara, Lilith Dorsey, Morrigane Feu, Via Hedera, Cory Thomas Hutcheson, Melissa A. Ivanco-Murray, E. F. E. Lacharity, Dee Norman, Aaron Oberon, Robert Phoenix, Jake Richards, Sandra Santiago, Robert L. Schreiwer, Eliseo "Cheo" Torres, Benebell Wen, and Brandon Weston.
This book would be an excellent resource for any witch just starting on their path; even seasoned witches could benefit from learning about unfamiliar traditions than their own. Llewellyn hit it out of the park with this title. NAFM is a reference book every witch or pagan should have on their bookshelf. For full review, please check out my blog: www.foxdencurio.com
Editor: Cory Thomas Hutcheson
Rating: 5/5
Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic is less of a book and more of an encyclopedia. NAFM is a beefy book loaded with information on 364 pages. It includes a forward, author introductions, and a chunky boi of a bibliography. If you're familiar with the podcast New World Witchery or the book of the same title, the name Cory Thomas Hutcheson on the cover will ring a bell.
While Hutcheson is credited with compiling and editing this book, it has a total of 24 authors: Stephanie Rose Bird, H. Byron Ballard, Starr Casas, Ixtoii Paloma Cervantes, Kenya T. Coviak, J. Allen Cross, Alexander Cummins, Morgan Daimler, Mario Esteban Del ngel Guevara, Lilith Dorsey, Morrigane Feu, Via Hedera, Cory Thomas Hutcheson, Melissa A. Ivanco-Murray, E. F. E. Lacharity, Dee Norman, Aaron Oberon, Robert Phoenix, Jake Richards, Sandra Santiago, Robert L. Schreiwer, Eliseo "Cheo" Torres, Benebell Wen, and Brandon Weston.
This book would be an excellent resource for any witch just starting on their path; even seasoned witches could benefit from learning about unfamiliar traditions than their own. Llewellyn hit it out of the park with this title. NAFM is a reference book every witch or pagan should have on their bookshelf. For full review, please check out my blog: www.foxdencurio.com
February 22, 2024
I initially found great enjoyment in reading the book out of sheer curiosity, making it through roughly 40% of its content. However, it soon devolved into a burdensome task. What proved most disappointing, perhaps more so than anything else, was the injection of snippets of political bias and contemporary "woke" rhetoric into what should have been a non-political exploration, such as folk magic.
Coming from Eastern Europe, I am steadfastly certain that my ancestors never participated in slavery trading and scarcely ventured more than 50 kilometers from their birthplaces. How can progress be achieved when writings are saturated with resentment and animosity? Doesn't this contradict everything spiritual? Our greatest endeavor should be to glean lessons from the past to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future...
Coming from Eastern Europe, I am steadfastly certain that my ancestors never participated in slavery trading and scarcely ventured more than 50 kilometers from their birthplaces. How can progress be achieved when writings are saturated with resentment and animosity? Doesn't this contradict everything spiritual? Our greatest endeavor should be to glean lessons from the past to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future...
May 16, 2023
I love this book and loved contributing to it.
I found so many wonderful voices represented, and cherished traditions shared.
I would also like to clear up something, though.
I have not in the past, currently or in the future been affiliated with the Detroit Hoodoo Festival.
This event has as far as I know, have always solely been under the direction of its owner.
In a recent publication by Llewellyn "Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic", it was indicated in error.
Thanks to the people at Llewellyn for making this happen!
Kenya T. Coviak
I found so many wonderful voices represented, and cherished traditions shared.
I would also like to clear up something, though.
I have not in the past, currently or in the future been affiliated with the Detroit Hoodoo Festival.
This event has as far as I know, have always solely been under the direction of its owner.
In a recent publication by Llewellyn "Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic", it was indicated in error.
Thanks to the people at Llewellyn for making this happen!
Kenya T. Coviak
January 31, 2025
somewhat of a 'good' read, definitely not complete
feels like each component doesn't have enough space to really go in depth of the true philosophies of each practice
DEFINITELY taken aback by the Pennsylvania Dutch "Pow-wows".... NOT ONCE referencing the impact of the Indigenous population in PA. If it's called "Brauche or Braucherei", not a pow-wow... just say that ... if it's Christian-adjacent Germanic pride you're after.... then use those linguistics. Not the language of the oppressed.
this guy Cory compiled this in...2023? sounds about white
feels like each component doesn't have enough space to really go in depth of the true philosophies of each practice
DEFINITELY taken aback by the Pennsylvania Dutch "Pow-wows".... NOT ONCE referencing the impact of the Indigenous population in PA. If it's called "Brauche or Braucherei", not a pow-wow... just say that ... if it's Christian-adjacent Germanic pride you're after.... then use those linguistics. Not the language of the oppressed.
this guy Cory compiled this in...2023? sounds about white
February 24, 2025
A very good overview with some very good writers who are respected and known in this field so there are some names you will recognize. I like the format of how it picks certain spots in the US and ends each chapter with places to visit and a very good bibliography. This is a book that would guide a complete beginner but still show things an established practitioner could still learn from. I think that the size, scope and length hits just right. I honestly don't think you can wrong with any of the offerings in Llewellyn 's complete guide to series.
October 5, 2023
"Complete" is a stretch, but this book does have many interesting perspectives on folk magic in North America.
January 24, 2024
This is a great broad overview of many different practices but it did leave me wanting more!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews