Long, long ago, the time-honored profession of being a Granny Witch was an honored position in every community in the mountains of North Carolina.

In the Appalachian Mountains, folk magic goes by many names: root work, granny magic, kitchen witchery, Braucherei, witchcraft.

Our Father who art in Heaven Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done On earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this Day our daily bread And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil. For…

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The Musings of a Hillybilly Goomer Doctor

A combination of folk magic, faith healing, and mountain traditions, granny magic is experiencing a resurgence. Learn about Appalachian folk magic.

Granny witches were the “shamans” of Appalachia. Doctor, priest, botanist, these women were the spiritual guides and healers for their mountain communities.

American Folk Magic: Types of folk magic and their common magical items.

Known as Asheville’s village witch, Byron Ballard practices what she calls “hillfolk hoodoo,” a form of Appalachian folk magic. Ballard came by hoodoo naturally, growing up in a poor community in the mountains of Western North Carolina where hoodoo was practiced. She laments that the practice is disappearing: “Local hillfolk are no longer practicing hoodoo,…