-American Craft - The eclectic bubbling cauldron of diversity -pg 12
American Folk &Wild craft
Our ancestor are many and come from far off lands . Some from long ago and others more recent.
American born and bred!
If you were born, raised , educated, lived your life as well as most your ancestors lived their lives in the last 300 years in, America; not in England, or Ireland, or Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Italy and the Mediterranean, Africa, Middle East, Egypt , Mexico, Brazil, ect., then you are culturally American. Like it or not. You may have a rich ethnic heritage from which you draw upon, however you are American .
We are Americans and many of us are Wild Crafters and Cunning sorts; Pagans, Witches, Healers, and Spiritualist to name but a few. American Traditions are as deep, rich, effective, intriguing and as strong as those of an other country. Today, in your backyard, in your family tree, in your forefather's lands be they adopted are born into- right here, right now in the land of your home you have a wealth of New World Craft practices!
North America is still alive with that pioneer spirit, the same spirit that has driven people from far an near to come to American for centuries; The freedom. It is this energy that creates the innovative, the rabble rousers , and those that know how to make do, make it work, push the envelope, with no need for dogmas!
This Spirit is still alive in the fabric of America and it is ok to be proud of that! This Spirit of perseverance and fluidity expresses itself quite genuinely within the frames of the American Crafter.
Traditions of conjure in America go back hundreds of years. Why then is it that near every book on your private bookshelf, in your favorite store, and even the library are about European Witchcraft? For years it was not even about all of European Craft , it was all about Northern European Craft. Today you can find information on Southern and Eastern/Slavic European traditions and cultures, but yet very little about America's own eclectic mix of magic. The New World is the land of my birth, and perhaps your as well or maybe you have chosen this Land or struggled against great odds to make this Land your home, American Wiildcraft and New World Craft is a vibrant tapestry of threads , much like the variety of peoples from all over to this Land called America.
Do you think it does not or did not ever exists? Maybe you think that American Craft is only for Native Americans. Well think again. New World Craft has been conjuring, crafting, bubbling, and Mojo grooving her way through the centuries right under your nose!
When I first explored the magical (yes I choose not to adopt Crowley's spelling, it is not an error ) online community, over 15 years ago, in the newness of the World Wide Web and days of dial up and rich text only, it did not take long to see that there was little for me or those like me. Interesting too, was this hostility and seemingly made-up rule that no one who is influenced by Christianity can practice magic. Then the angst that states Christians Magicians are made up and some new corrupted brand of Wicca.
Well, Hoodoo has been around as long as America has, it along with a myriad of other Christian influenced magical systems have existed as long as the religion itself has. It is nothing new, just go down South to find it in the bayou root shacks or walk through an the Italian populated Burrow in the East and you will find it, you will see it in the Barrios of the Southwest and Granny shacks of the Ozarks. American Craft is not to be dismissed or diminished to a corrupted version of "authentic" craft, American Craft is to be admired for her ability to survive, adapt and change much like the very people who came and still come to this great Land. If you doubt the effectiveness of American Craft systems, may I suggest visiting the Deep South. Walk down a old dirt road to the local root shack and seek the advisement of a cunning man , mama, or old auntie. Visit a Latin-American Botanica and seek, climb the Appalachian dirt trail to the old granny, set a candle at the home of the Italian nonna and I promise, if your serious, and take good observation the results you get will change mind forever.
Although, I was, am, and most likely will continue to be, authentically Craft and innately intuitive, I value and have a passion for learning about and experiencing the cultures and religious practices of those around the World, however why was I made to feel as if my traditions were not European that they were invalid? It seemed to me that at that time, in the mid to late 1990's, during the inception of public internet use, more American Witches were busy believing they had to adapt and assume systems and religions from the across the waters, from lands that they are very removed from. I can think of a total of 2 people who were exploring and writing about American Craft at that time, one is still online and the largest database for Southern Hoodoo available.
From the time I was in the 4th grade I recall consciously working with and being aware of "The Other Side". I was suspended in the 4th grade for making a Tarot card deck out of index cards and Hello Kitty stickers and conducting séances in far end of the field under an old willow tree. I recall starting with 2 girlfriends and eventually the entire primary grades were at the séance and not the Jungle Jim, which lead to quite an uprising among the staff ( I went to a military run school). I could not make this up if I tried.
I seen, heard, and interacted with the subtle spirits of nature and the lands I lived in (which were many different regions). Praxis such as Psalms used to burn candles and heal and curse , rosemary and cinnamon sticks to to clean the air, sweetening a situation with honey and prayers, as well as vinegars and curses to rid or send the "evil eye" were as natural as altars with Mary, skulls, ancestor beans, iconic images , and strangely pagan / catholic plaques and art work that adorn the vinegars, glass candles, and bags curing on the altar for some needy neighbor or kin.
Pop NeoPagan mindset has seemingly pushed European as the most genuine and nothing American can have value. As if that was not offensive enough, it was for quite sometime exclusive to Northern European Praxis. I have a rich ancestry which includes the first Americans (including some African- lets face it if your family was here during the early years and your Caucasian, you have Slave influenced beliefs and possibly DNA at some point, even more so if you have ancestors that were in the Deep South) and the three tribes of Europe; Celts, Germanic and Slavic. I am not willingly to allow any of the my cultures which made it too America be left out of my praxis, and because I live in America, well I don't have too!
I have recently made my way back online after a hiatus, and I am quite pleased to see that in the last several years American Witches are starting to make themselves heard. A decade ago the only resource available was Lucky Mojo, now I find social networks, websites, podcasts, and groups devoted to American Witchery!
The New World Craft is American Witchcraft. It is all those delicious traditions and customs that came to the New World with the visionaries that boarded ships, boats and centuries later airplanes, by foot, and even rafts!
I would like to state that I do not feel Native American Spirituality and or Shamanism or First Nation Spirituality in Canada is a New World Craft.
Native American spirituality is a religion with ancient roots and although it was intricate in influencing those in the New World, it is not by itself a folk practice, it is a rich and deep spiritual and shamanic practice that has been kept quite protected from the New World setters for various reasons. I can speak on this with a grain of authority, as I myself have a connection to a North American Tribe. Generally , there are no cameras, videos, and audio equipment allowed at ceremonies , be wary of non-tribal "whites" who changed their names to "Feather -EagleSpirit " an claim they have been taught by the Medicine women of the oldest Native American tribe and want to provide any type of services to you, I would be willing to bet it is New Age or NeoPagan BULL SHIT!.
Not to say it has never happened, that a random non-tribal person is taken under wing, but in reality very rarely. It is considered offensive for non-tribal members to steal names an religions of the Native Americans. The Native American communities I have experienced are very hospitable and want to share public aspects of their culture, however there is a great deal of responsibility and expected behavior attached. For this reason, I cringe at the New Age Caucasian version of "Native American" Spiritual movement. They are in effect causing cultural harm. It would be far better for these non-tribal people to explore the influences of Native American Tribes (which include Central and South America) on the first New World settlers and the Slaves who were brought here with them. The more authentic and accurate expression of Native American spiritually for the non-tribal person exists within almost every American Craft system in the influences of the tribe of the local regions. Google Black Hawk and you can learn of the Native influences in Louisiana and Florida Hoodoo as an example.
On another "dispelling the Bull Shit" note; most non-tribal especially "white" persons who claims they have in their possession some rare an sacred ritual piece of any particular tribe is again most likely dealing out..."Bull Shit"! They most likely have a collector piece, not a sacred piece. This is not to say that some cunning tribe member has not taken full advantage of the egotistical, arrogant, and uneducated on tribal ways, non-native person of this ilk and sold them a collector piece under the cunning guise of a "sacred" piece.
Seems to me that if you have not done enough research or gotten to know the people of the tribe enough to know better than to actually believe as a non-tribal or non-connected member you could buy an authentic ceremonial object, well then I suppose you get what your "pseudo self" deserves.
Have you been bullied and bamboozled into what has driven a few less note worthy publishers of pagan books and what some elitist pagans would have you believe, which is that the only form of genuine witchcraft available was and is Northern European?
Have you been led to believe in Traditions (which are not your own and are reconstruction ) that require rules and initiates to be worthy of the "secrets of the wise"?
Maybe your tired of the popular bull shit of the " Family Tradition" as it exists in some pseudo forms, mainly in reference, to selling books , services , and products. If so, then take heart! There is a world of magic, genuine family traditions (that we all have by way of customs) and ways just waiting for you to begin to explore. Right here. Right now. Right in your own North American backyard!
Do you want something more true to your place of birth, your uniquely American culture ,that is a melting pot of phenomenal practices and lore without demanding a particular religion. If so, then perhaps you have found something that can awaken the Conjurer in you by way of the whispers of the Appalachian winds , moon lit seas of the North American shores, the deserts of the Southwest, the fertile earth of the Midwest prairies, and the bayous of the South, and let us not forget the urban areas of America where Craft is alive and thriving for the people!
This is yours! This is the praxis of your Lands and the people who against all odds kept them alive within the communities , customs, and subcultures of the New World. From African roots brought by Slaves to Viking, Celtic ,and Welsh roots that came with the early German , Irish, and British, the roots of indigenous peoples of the Americas, the Spanish, and Mexicans of the southwest , the Italian , and Slavic communities that set-up along the east coast, and so many many more who were intricate in building the New World, this is every American Witch's inheritance,. It is a testament to the strength and non-conformists who kept these practices alive in their region over generations until they seeped into the very lore of this Land. It is time we start educating ourselves and stop thinking the grass is greener across the waters.
If you are deeply connected with a religion that is of Ancient European times, the pantheons and spirits of that religious system, let me encourage you to apply those forces to the Land you are in. The person who follows a path that is based in the Lands across the waters will have a difficult time wildcrafting the herbs, and nature items from that system, simply because they are not of the Land.
It seems to me that although one can prescribe to the religion of another Land, it is hard to work The Craft of another Land, to spin the Wheel of another's seasons ,another's rivers and Hedges. The Craft, the magic, the spirits of nature of the Lands that you are in is what one needs to be able to commune with for optimum effective work.
In effective it seems that the best Crafting is native to the Land, while the religious beliefs can very well be that from across the seas. To my American friends who are Celtic, Druid, Norse, Picctish, Welsh and myriad of other European sased Pagan religions- find the Old Gods in the New World . Find your New World heritage roots by way of genealogy and ancestral reverence. When you do secrets in plain sight will be revealed. Look at your roots, find the Gods of your ancestors the Viking, Celtic, and Slavic tribes in the hills of the Appalachians, the farming towns of the prairies and the Urban areas of heathen ancestors in this country. Unless you can routinely go to their native lands and hang out for awhile.........seems easier to ask them to come to you and reveal what this Land has offer rather than to keep that English "shoppe" owner fat and happy buy purchasing his herbs native to UK. Support your local community-- go local!
American Craft embodies the very spirit of America. From the people of the Lands. All sorts of people, from all sorts of cultures and systems coming together over the last almost 400 years, even longer in the Southwest and Gulf to create a wholly unique, completely eclectic and powerful system of magic. From the adventurous Spirit of the New World voyagers to the Soulful Spiritual presence that comes from the collective strength of oppression of Slaves and indigenous people , like it our not, pretty or not, it is American History and it all contributed to our American Mojo!
In the new world there are not , dragons , or unicorns, and fluffy bunnies beware .
American Wild Craft is practical, useful and above all it works! There are no religious rules. New World American Traditional Craft are practices based on time tested system within the landscape of North America. These are a set of praxis which once you connect can be applied to any religion and can be practiced in any local region of the Americans.
American Craft is not a religious practice, although it does assume a general working with spirits and nature and then applies these spiritual dimensions to the cultural community within its local region.
America is historically a very religious nation, because of the diversity of American Spirituality, the American Crafter can work with people of all spiritual walks. This is the system that is unique to America and this system can be used to aid an assist anyone whom would ask.
It is serious , it is authentic, it is a melting pot of those who came before us ancestrally and part of the very lands of the North American Landscape.
New World Witches are the first Eclectic path walkers! We are American Hedge Witches, Rootworkers, and Mojo makers! It is versatile,. it is based on the land and the customs of the people, it is......
Hoodoo.....
"Put some Honey on them words, baby....."
Watch it till the end for a message from Spirit
This is a Ritual Performance piece.
I found this online and absolutely loved it.
