Jake Richards - Backwoods Witchcraft: Conjure & Folk Magic from Appalachia

Wander the ways of witchcraft in the mountains of Appalachia! In Backwoods Witchcraft, Jake Richards presents a fresh perspective on the practices, lore, and magick of the hillfolk of Tennessee. Jake offers a plethora of charming tales from his family and upbringing as the reader is delighted to partake in a time-honored, homegrown, century's-old culture of ritual, spells, and beliefs from the American South.

CHRISTOPHER ORAPELLO, podcaster, artist,
and coauthor of Besom, Stang & Sword

Jake has dug deep into the mountains and the land to share the wisdoms of his people, and he has done a wonderful job. He has shook the memory of this ole conjure woman and made me remember some things that I haven't thought of in years. I feel that this book is a blessing from the ancestors to draw forth knowledge that has been citified, changed, and lost. The land holds the memory, bones, and blood of the ancestors; and knowledge holds the key to unlocking what has been lost. I feel this book will help some to turn the key and open that door. Many blessings, Jake, and congratulations on a job well done!

from the foreword by STARR CASAS, author
of Old Style Conjure

In Backwoods Witchcraft, Jake Richards shares his memories of growing up with Appalachian folk magic practices as they were passed on to him through generations within his family. In so doing, he offers a snapshot in time, recording and preserving a tradition of American folk practices, many of which are being forgotten in the post-industrial age. Richards presents family stories and experiences that came with learning the charms and formulas themselves. In doing so, he teaches the techniques in the context of the ideas behind the recipes, something that is often lacking in a lot of books on American folk magic. His writing comes across as humble, sincere, simple, and clear to follow. Backwoods Witchcraft is a great contribution to the writings on traditional folk magic.

MAT AURYN, author of Psychic Witch: A
Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick, and
Manifestation

This edition first published in 2019 by Weiser Books, an imprint of

Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC
With offices at:
65 Parker Street, Suite 7
Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com

Copyright 2019 by Jake Richards
Foreword copyright 2019 by Starr Casas

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. Reviewers may quote brief passages.

Bible verses in the text are from the King James edition.

ISBN: 978-1-57863-653-2

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available upon request.

Cover design by Kathryn Sky-Peck

Cover photograph by BigStock / Moth art Jake Richards

Interior by Maureen Forys, Happenstance Type-O-Rama

Typeset in Adobe Jenson Pro with Pinto and York Handwriting

Printed in Canada

MAR

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

www.redwheelweiser.com/newsletter

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
from whence cometh my help.

PSALM 121:1

INTRODUCTION
Through the Quilting Hoop

1
THESE ROOTS RUN DEEP
Terrain and Culture in Appalachia

2
DOWN DEVIL'S RUN
Stories and Superstitions

3
BAREFOOT WANDERING
Connecting with the Land

4
SOUP BEANS AND CORNBREAD
Ancestor Veneration

5
FROM THE EAST, FROM THE WES
Living by Signs and Omens

6
FOLK RITES OF THE MOUNTAINEER
Techniques and Methods of the Power Doctor

7
SAINTS ON THE RIVER
Spirits of Southern Appalachia

8
CASTING APPLE SEEDS
Spelling and Fortune-Telling

9
STOLEN FLOWERS
Tools and Supplies

10
WHEN THE ROOSTER CROWS
Appalachian Candle Magic, Doll Babies, and Other Trickery

11
PRAY THE DEVIL DOWN
Folk Recipes and Remedies

W hen I was first asked to read Jake's book, I'll be honest, I didn't really know what to expect. I thought to myself, I'm gonna read it with an open mind and go from there. I have to say I wasn't expecting some of the things he has shared in this book. These are things you don't see written about or talked aboutthe only way you know about them is if you were raised in a family who told the stories and lived the life. There are tons of hidden wisdoms within the pages of this book. You simply have to know what you are looking at to find them.

There was a time before the internet when charms and works were thought of as nothing more than ole wives tales and backward folks' superstition. Things have changed, and now folks are beginning to see and to understand just how powerful those superstitions and wives tales really are; because at the end of the day, they aren't just tales after all, but a strong foundation that some of us are lucky enough to build upon. I feel like the ancestors are pushing forward, they want the wisdom of past ages shared. Folks need the powerful foundation of these ole tales in today's world, and Jake has done a wonderful job of sharing his knowledge through this book.

Some knowledge about this work has been worn thin by writers and folks who found it online; Jake shares information that I have never seen anyone reach or write about anywhere. For instance, I have never seen anyone talk about a corncob over the door for protection! I know that work because of how I was raised, but I'm sure this is new to some folks. The reason it is good for protection is because of all the holes in the cobthe work would have to find its way through all of them to get to the house. It's a very powerful work. Then there is the potato work he givesonce again, only someone raised on the stories would know this is not information that is widely known.

This book is filled with useful knowledge, and I feel even the oldest worker will benefit from it. Jake has dug deep into the mountains and the land to share the wisdoms of his people, and he has done a wonderful job. He has shook the memory of this ole conjure woman and made me remember some things that I haven't thought of in years. I feel that this book is a blessing from the ancestors to draw forth knowledge that has been citified, changed, and lost. The land holds the memory, bones, and blood of the ancestors; and knowledge holds the key to unlocking what has been lost. I feel this book will help some to turn the key and open that door. Many blessings, Jake, and congratulations on a job well done!

STARR CASAS, author of Old Style Conjure

I would like to dedicate this work firstly to my mother, Brandi, for always being the one who held everything together and for taking on the world for us growing up. I owe all my strength to you. You were also the one who encouraged me to go down this path and complete this book. You made me believe in myself when you didn't think you could go on another day. Thank you for giving me a way to see.

To my grandmother Margaret for always being my best friend, my second mother, and my partner in crime. Your wisdom and love has deepened my life and spirit more than you will ever know.

To my late grandfather Eugene for always being the highest point, in my mind, of mountain faith. You had your battles, but you won out in the end. Must run in the family. Although today we would have differing views on things, I hope I've made you proud in some way.