Faith Healing Origins in the Appalachians Term Paper

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Appalachian Faith Healers

Folk magic has been part of the Appalachian culture since the first Scottish and Irish people settled in the Appalachian Mountains in the 1700's. However, the development of folk medicine and faith healing in the Appalachian Mountains is a uniquely American experience. Appalachian folk medicine evolved from elements of European and Native American culture. In fact, today there are four different types of folk medicine practitioners in Appalachia: herbalists, cancer doctors, faith healers, and shamans. However, the practitioners of each different variety of folk medicine borrow from the other fields. In fact, there is a special name for the special type of folk medicine and folk magic that is practiced in the Appalachian Mountains. It is called Appalachian Granny Magic.

The Appalachian Granny Magic tradition was passed down in families. Because of the isolated nature of the Appalachian Mountain region, folk magic preserved in the Appalachians long after it had expired in the outside world. In fact, some elements of Irish and Scottish folk magic have been better preserved in the Appalachians than in Ireland or Scotland.

Practitioners of Appalachian Granny magic were referred to as water witches or witch doctors. A witch may have been called upon to deliver a baby, douse for water, or make a potion or charm. In fact, until the early 20th century, the Appalachian Mountain people relief upon folk magic in a manner unknown to much of the outside world. Not only were witches called on to heal people, but for fertility for crops, people, and animals. In fact, in current times the people of Appalachia still worship deities long forgotten in the rest of America, such as Mother Nature, Jack Frost, Father Winter, Spider Grandmother, Chloe, Demeter, Lady Plenty, and Lady Liberty. In fact, unlike the rest of the country, it is not considered taboo to consult the services of a witch or to seek out the use of charms.

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To this day, music is a large part of Appalachian folk magic. Many charms and spells are sung or chanted. In addition, dancing continues to be a part of both folk magic and the Appalachian lifestyle.

Furthermore, the Appalachians embraced a tradition of magical people. The Leprechauns of Ireland and fairies from Scotland were transported to Appalachia. The witches of Appalachia continued to work closely with these wee people, also incorporating the little people of the Native Tsalagi people. To this day, offerings such as a bowl of cream are still given to the little people in Appalachia.

Appalachian folk magic incorporates a large belief in the other side. Haints, or the spirits of angry ancestors, are considered a part of daily life in Appalachia, with much of folk magic being aimed at keeping haints away. In addition, many witches use divination methods such as tarot card, tea leaves, and scrying in order to determine the future. Witches also use a dowsing rod, or wand, and cauldron.

Most of the magic practiced by Appalachian Granny witches is healing magic. But Granny witches are not the only advocates of faith healing in Appalachia. In fact, the Faith Assembly and Holiness Church of Appalachia both have theological tenets restricting some types of traditional medicine, instead relying on faith healing. In general, faith healing refers to the use of spiritual means to treat diseases.

Critics of faith healing maintain that any beneficial effects are due to a placebo effect. However, the proponents of faith healing cite miracles, such as sight restored to the blind or the spontaneous healing of….....

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