Folkloric American witchcraft and the multicultural experience A crucible at the crossroads

Occultist and folklore blogger Hedera debuts with an illuminating history of folklore and witchcraft in the United States. Hedera identifies three major cultural influences--European, Indigenous, and African--as well as beliefs that came together through "adversity, theft, enslavement, expansion, love, war and liberty" to form the American concept of witchcraft. The book is organized into sections that cover beliefs relating to witches, including their relationship to the devil (a conceit informed by Christianity), and the use of spells, tricks, and charms. For example, the use of "pillow charms" (objects placed under the pillow to inspire clairvoyant dreams or bring good luck) comes from German immigrants, while "conjuring" has roots in African American folk magic. Hedera also includes information on how to honor witchy holidays, such as by creating a "dumb supper" (food left for the dead) for Halloween or performing "holly leaf divinations" around the winter solstice. Any reader interested in the origins of the occult will enjoy this guide to American witchcraft. (Mar.)