Podcast 49 – Powwow and Braucherei – New World Witchery – The Search for American Traditional Witchcraft

Summary

Today we’re taking a brief look at the folk magical system of the Pennsylvania German (or “Dutch”) community, known as Powwow or Braucherei. We’ve got an interview with braucher Robert Schreiwer, several readings on the topic, and some charms, spells, and songs, too.

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Download: Episode 49 – Powwow and Braucherei
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Books mentioned within the show

Discovering American Folklife: Essays on Folk Culture & the Pennsylvania Dutch, by Don Yoder
The Long Lost Friend, or The Pow-wow Book, by John George Hohman
American Shamans: Journeys with Traditional Healers, by Jack Montgomery
The Red Church, or The Art of Pennsylvania German Braucherei, by Chris Bilardi
Hex and Spellwork, by Karl Herr
Buying the Wind, by Richard Dorson
Strange Experience: The Autobiography of a Hexenmeister, by Lee R. Gandee

Additional Sources

Signs, Cures, & Witchery, by Gerald C. Milne
Ozark Magic & Folklore, by Vance Randolph (section: “Power Doctors”)
Powwowing Among the Pennsylvania Dutch, David W. Kriebel
Hex Signs: Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Symbols, by Don Yoder
New World Witchery Podcast 29 featured an interview with author Jack Montgomery, who presented some good information on powwowing

Websites

Urglaawe – Braucher Rob Schreiwer’s site on Heathen braucherei
Three Sisters Center for the Healing Arts – A place to learn more about braucherei & associated practices
Braucher.webs – Braucher Rob Chapman’s site for powwow and braucherei
New World Witchery posts on Braucherei: Intro Part I, Part II, and Part III (also see our page Resources: Magical Systems, under the heading “Braucherei, Hexenmeisters, & Pow-wow”)
We have a great written interview with braucher Chris Bilardi here: Part I & Part II
An online essay on Powwow by David W. Kreibel is available here