POW Wows or the Long-Lost Friend

An invaluable relic of early 19th-century Americana, this collection of spells, incantations, and remedies is an example of that fascinating blend of Christian prayer and folk magic known as "hoodoo," which is still practiced in some areas of Pennsylvania Dutch country.

In this classic work, first published in the German language in 1820 and translated into English in 1828, Hohman shares his secret magic for:

curing hysterics
protecting oneself against slander
attaching a dog to a person
making a wand for searching for iron or water
preventing malicious persons from doing injury
curing the poll-evil in horses
mending broken glass
making cattle return home
destroying rats and mice
making a candle wick that is never consumed
charming guns and other arms
and much more.

Folk enchanter JOHN GEORGE HOHMAN emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1802. Not much is known about his life prior to then but once in the US he settled in a Pennsylvania Dutch community. He was a book printer and collected herbal remedies while studying charms and different ways to heal with magic.