HexCraft: Dutch Country Magick

by Silver RavenWolf

Fill your daily life with the 300-year-old traditions of Early America. Simple chants, spells, charms and recipes bring about healing, prosperity, and protection in the tradition of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country Settlers. Explore the legacy of the famous Pennsylvania Dutch Pow-Wow doctors and artists. Travel back into time through the vivid examples and rare testimonials of the few living practitioners of this occult tradition.

Genres: Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Paganism, Magick, Religion, Spirituality, Research

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1997

About the author

Silver RavenWolf (Pennsylvania) is a nationally recognized leader and elder of Wicca, and through her writing has been instrumental in guiding the future of one of the fastest-growing faiths in America today. The author of seventeen books, she has been interviewed by The New York Times, Newsweek Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal, and her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Bust Magazine, the Baltimore Sun, the St. Petersburg Times, the National Review, Publishers Weekly, Body & Soul Magazine, and Teen Lit Magazine.

Her many titles include the bestselling Solitary Witch, Teen Witch, To Ride A Silver Broomstick, To Stir A Magick Cauldron, To Light A Sacred Flame, American Folk Magick, Angels: Companions in Magick, Silver’s Spells for Prosperity, Silver's Spells for Protection, Silver's Spells for Love, Halloween, and the Witches’ Night Out teen fiction series. Her new book Hedge Witch is forthcoming from Llewellyn in September 2008.

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and informative book about hexcraft. Also called Brauche in Pennsylvania German (Deitsch), this is an older folk magic that combines Native American practices, Christianity, and the use of healing charms called powwow. Dating back to the Colonial era, this folk magic is believed to help people recover from sickness, yield bountiful crops, healthy livestock, good luck and spiritual protection. This book started with the history of hexcraft and folk magic in Pennsylvania.

The rest of the book was elaborate and gave in-depth information on how to develop healing spells (heachaches, colds, fevers, muscle strain, inflammation, burns, bleeding), astrological usage and times of the year for the use of herbs (cloves, garlic, mandrake—hexenmannchen, pennyroyal, sage, rosemary, and many more), the art of warding and general magick (protection, banishing unwanted spirits, danger, stopping gossip, and more), cursing/banishing/and dealing with difficult people, divination, and much more.

One of the more interesting things I read was the use of hex signs, which act as magickal sigils, geometric or stylized design encompassed by a circle. These can be found in many places—inside the home, painted on barns, or at stores in the community. These act as charms to concentrate energy and ward of bad energy for protection, good luck, healthy crops, and the things I mentioned up top.

The second was Himmelsbrief (heaven's letter)which is a letter or testament carried with a person or hung from the home for protection against evil people and deeds.

Overall this was a very unique book on American folk magic from the Pennsylvania German people. My coworker from Lancaster County, PA, says powwow and hex signs are found in many places in the area. This is a neat addition to witchcraft/occult book collectors. Thanks!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting historical info about early German American practical magick.

[Ranae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book, and looked deeper into Pow-Wow. I found her information useful, and can traverse any realigious background actually.

[Carolina Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's own brand of Powwow, which combines elements of Wicca with the healing traditions of early German settlers.

[Dre` · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of my studies and I have found my magickal calling. Pow-Wow is a tradition rich in practical application and a wonderful blend of any religious background you may be interested in. I have throughly enjoyed practicing the techniques in this book and being part of the movement to keep this artform from dying out.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the same book as American Folk Magick. It is an entertaining look at PA folk practices and healing magick (Pow wow). There are more definitive works on the topics, but this is an easy to understand compendium of it.

[Deb Delk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting. I think Silver Ravenwolf opened the door for further reading. I disagree with her position of swapping Pow-Wow rituals/spells to Wicca ritual/spells. How often have we heard grumbling from the pagan community about the Christian practice of creating their rituals from pagan roots. I recommend The Red Church by C. R. Bilarfi to give more understanding of Pow-Wow