Originally published in 1820 near Reading, Pennsylvania, under the German title Der Lange Verborgene Freund, this text is the work of immigrant Johann George Hohman. A collection of herbal formulas and magical prayers, The Long-Lost Friend draws from the traditional folk magic of Pennsylvania Dutch customs and pow-wow healers.
This is authentic American folk magic at its best―household remedies combined with charms and incantations to cure common ailments and settle rural troubles. The most well-known grimoire of the New World, this work has influenced the practices of hoodoo, Santeria, Paganism, and other faiths. In this, the definitive edition, you'll find:
- Both the original German text and the 1856 English translation
- More than one hundred additional charms and recipes, taken from the pirated 1837 Skippacksville edition and others
- Extensive notes on the recipes, magic, Pennsylvania Dutch customs, and the origin of many of the charms
- Indices for general purposes and ingredients
- Explanations of the specialized terminology of illnesses
Whether your interest lies in folklore, ethnobotany, magic, witchcraft, or American history, this classic volume is an essential addition to your library.
