Healing Rituals

The Hex Man, by R Phoenix

The burning. The pain. No one to take it away.

See the light in the tunnel Calling me home.

But it’s not my time…

Call on the hex man He will make it right. Call on the hex man With his righteous light.

The bleeding. And believing. He can make it okay.

Place your hands on the Book and take part of the host He will bring you deliverance By the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Call on the hex man

Rufe mich an in der Noth, so will ich dich erretten, und du sollst mich preisen.

49sten Psalm

Call upon me in need, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt praise me.

The powwow is a healer. He or she functions as an intermediary between you and God and helps facilitate the healing process. In this sense, a powwow functions almost as a clergyman; aiding those in need with religious/spiritual healing methods.

Powwow is successful depending on two crucial factors:

The powwow’s belief in God.
The individual who needs healing should not allow skepticism to prevent the body from healing.

Belief in God is crucial to the success of the powwow. After all, the foundation of powwow is that the powwow is petitioning God on your behalf. So the powwower’s belief in God (and His ability to heal you) is imperative if you want to actually get better.

Belief in God is a tricky subject. During the early days of Pennsylvania, life was a lot harder. The people were challenged more because they had only themselves to depend upon for food, clothing, shelter, etc. These were God-dependent people and so belief in God was more necessary to their very survival. It is understandable then why a practice such as powwow would have been so successful. Access to medical care was practically unheard of and so if a local powwow was available, that was as good as it got. They had to believe in God and believe in the faith of the powwower. There simply were no other viable options.

The role of the powwower in modern times is supplemental to modern medical procedures and practices. We may be called upon to help soothe a minor burn or ease the pain of a headache, but the really big stuff is (and should be) saved for those who have schooling in the treatment of such things. I believe it is irresponsible for us to take on the role of healer if the individual in need of healing hasn’t explored all possible avenues of treatment. We can help supplement the healing process by catering to the faith of our clients, but in no circumstances should we take on the role of sole caregiver. Always tell your clients to be sure to seek proper medical attention.

I like David Kriebel’s model of powwow healing power.

God is source of all healing.
Healing power is channeled from God.
God controls the use of this power.
Belief in God is necessary in order to powwow.

The PA Dutch model of belief is as follows:

God exists.
Jesus Christ is the son of God.
The Holy Spirit exists.
God exerts power in the world.
The three aspects of God are defined in the Bible as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Prayer has power to heal.
God is source of all healing.

Therefore, a powwower has no power of his own, he only channels what God works through him. Those who are professional physicians are using skills given to them by God, therefore they control those skills and can charge for services. A powwower has no control over the healing power of God, therefore he cannot charge.

With all this in mind, I share with you some of the powwow healing rituals and techniques that might work for you (I make no guarantees). Most of these have come from the already published sources for powwowing information as well as other publications that mention powwowing (but not necessarily have an exclusive focus on the subject). Some of the rituals featured on this site are those that I learned from members of my church. And there are a few that I’ve learned from other non-published sources. Because there is something of a taboo in sharing what was officially taught to us in a teacher-to-student capacity, I have not shared the few rituals I learned when I received my private instruction in the tradition. If the charm or ritual I present comes from an unusual source, it is so noted.

Remember that with all rituals, you are instructed to make 3 crosses over the place with your thumb. All cures with forms of words are repeated 3 times, and always wait a few hours, then the third repetition is on the next day (Long Hidden Friend, 1863). The single N. signifies the first name, and two N.N. the first or Christian name and the surname of the patient.

My personal powwowing bible and two of my healing stones (sometimes referred to as “mad stones”). These particular stones came from the Nelson Rehmeyer property.

Headache Charm #1

To repeat Psalm 3, nine times while running your hands over the affected person, will relieve them of the headache. It is also said that if you should apply pressure to the base of the skull or the base of the thumbs while invoking Psalm 3 nine times, the headache shall go away.

Psalm 3 — A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.

1 Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!

2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”

3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

4 I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.

5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.

6 I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.

7 Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

8 From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.

Headache Charm #2

This is my favorite charm, and the one I am most successful with.

Slide your hand from the top of the head, down the forehead, then pull the headache out through the sinus area and toss behind you. Repeat this gesture for a total of three times each time you say the spoken part of the charm. The charm is spoken three times, wait 3 minutes, repeat, wait three more minutes, repeat. When you are finished, you will have spoken the charm nine times and made the gesture 27 times.

Tame thou flesh and bone, like Christ in Paradise

and who will assist thee

This I tell thee (NN)

For your repentance sake.

Here is a variation of this charm translated from the German in Hohman’s Long Hidden Friend (1819):

Form bone and flesh, as Christ in Paradise, who alone can help; and this I say to thee (N) for penitence. + + +

Say this thrice, at intervals of about 3 minutes, and the headache will soon leave. But if it is caused by strong drink, it is not so likely to go away. You must then say it every minute.

“It makes so heavy in my heart cause you ain’t good-you’d better make yourself over to the doctor-now hurry yourself and get better!” — example of PA Dutch speak

For Wounds

“Jesus walked upon the earth, he pricked his foot with a thorn, his blood sprung up to heaven, his flesh never rankled nor perished, no more shall not thine. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.” + + +

Another wound charm:

He did not bleed,

Nor suffer at all;

It was a blessed wound.

Wound, be healed!

In the name of Christ, may this be your cure! Say three Our Fathers and add three times, “I conjure you by the five wounds. Heal, wound! May it be so! May it be so! In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

Burn Remedy

This charm against burns must be performed/spoken exactly as written. It is said that any deviation from the actions or wording of this charm will invalidate its power and your efforts will be unsuccessful (Foxfire Book, 1972, page 367).

To draw fire pass your hand over the exposed burn, open and palm down, in a direction away from you and away from the patient — as if pushing the fire away from both you and the patient’s body. Do this slowly three times, at the same time blowing gently on the burn. The head remains fixed over the burn, but turns so that your breath follows your hand thus blowing the fire away from the victim’s body. Simultaneously, and each of the three times you do the above, repeat the secret healing verse silently.

The verse must be memorized word for word, for one mistake will invalidate the cure.

There came an angel from the east

bringing frost and fire.

In frost out fire.

In the name of the Father,

the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost.

Another burn charm:

Away burns, undo the band; if cold or warm, cease the hand. God save thee, N.N., thy flesh, thy blood, thy marrow, thy bone, and all thy veins. They all shall be saved, for warm and cold brands reign. + + + Three times spoken.

Another burn charm:

A fire brand.

Eat not in thee. Eat not further around. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

So saying these words, stroke slowly three times with your right hand over it, bending the same downward one, two, and three times; and blow three times, each time three times.

For Swelling

Swelling, swelling, swelling, in the name of Jesus, I command thee, that thou shalt cause N.N. as little pain as the three nails caused our Saviour Jesus Christ. Those nails were driven through his hands and feet by the wicked Jews. + + + Three times. (Albertus Magnus)

For Inflammation

Lay a knife across the swollen area. Repeat three times:

“Across the red landscape I saw a red forest

And in the red forest I saw a red church

And in the red church I saw a red altar

And on the red altar I saw a red book

And on the red book I saw a red knife

And with the red knife I cut out the inflammation”

For the Removal of Germs and/or Bacterial Infection

Note: the use of the term “worm” was common before the idea of germs and bacteria were common knowledge.

Our Lord God went to a field, on a Gods-Acre, He plowed three furrows, he found three worms. The one is white, the other is red, the third is death for all ye worms. In the Three Highest Names.

To Staunch Blood

As Christ was born in Bethlehem and baptized in the river Jordan, He said to the water, “Be still. So shall thy blood cease to flow. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” Amen.

For Sprains

Tie nine knots in black wool thread. Tie the thread around the sprained area (ankle, wrist, whatever). In a soft muttering voice, so as not to be overhead, say:

Now from eight double to seven double, and from seven double to six double, and from six double to five double, and from five double to four double, and from four double to three double, and from three double to two double, and from two double to one double, and from one double to no double.

No double hath he.

LiverGrown

This is an old-fashioned term for an enlarged liver. It may have had other meanings, but I can’t find any other references to illnesses referred to as “livergrown”. I do not have a remedy to share here.

For Thorns (or Splinters)

“Christ was of a virgin born

and crowned was he with a crown of thorn

he did neither swell nor rebel

and I hope this never will.”

At the same time, the middle finger of the right hand must be kept in motion round the thorn, and at the end of the words, three times repeated, the thorn should be touched each time with the tip of the finger. Then, with God’s blessing, it will give no further trouble.

For Splinters or Thorns

To Remove Skin Infections

Many of the old charms refer to a skin infection known as “wildfire”. This referred to a very specific skin condition called erysipelas. I use the term to refer to any skin condition. Feel free to change it to something else that might work better for you if you choose not to use the term “wildfire”.

With a red string, pull it tight between your two hands. First touch the top of the individual’s head then sweep the string down the front of the body and away from the person three times while you repeat the following three times:

Wildfire

fly, fly, fly

The red string chase you

away, away, away

A Protective Talisman

To be hung in the home, hidden in a secret place, or carried with you.

A Charm to Make a Thief Return Stolen Goods

Write upon two pieces of paper the following words, and attach one to the top of the door, and the other under the threshold, and the thief will return on the third day and bring back the stolen articles:

Abraham bound it

Isaac redeemed and found it

Jacob carried it home

it is bound as tightly as steel and iron, chains and fetters.

Protection from Sorcery

Take elm wood on Good Friday, cut the same while calling the holiest names. Cut chips of this wood from one to two inches in length. Carve on them, in the three holiest names, three crosses. Wherever such a slip is placed, all sorcery will be banished.

To Stop Blood

There stood three roses upon our Saviour’s grave. The first is mild, the other is good, the third shall stop the blood.

The PowWow Chair

It is a common practice to seat the client in a chair used specifically for PowWow work. The client would traditionally be facing East, with plenty of space left around the chair for the PowWow Doctor to do his work. The three posts on the back of a traditional PowWow chair represent the Holy Trinity. It was common to place prayers on or under the seat to add power to the healing work. The client would be seated in the chair and typically asked to hold a Bible on their lap. This is still the common practice today.

The PowWow Session

There are several different types of Pow-wowing that you may find yourself participating in; depending on the specific needs of your client. In most cases, you will be asked for some very general brauch work; most often for quickie healings for minor burns or scrapes and the like.

For general healings; simply work the charm as it is directed to be used. Generally speaking, the charm is spoken three times, more if the situation requires it, but generally not less than three.

Welcome the individual to your home. Your home is where you will be doing most of your Pow-wow work, so it is important for your client to feel safe and welcome. Seat your client in a chair facing east and have them hold your bible on their lap.
Assess their situation and determine which charm or charms you will be using to heal them, remove a curse, etc. You may already have enough information before they arrive to have this prepared ahead of time.
Depending on how religious you are, you may take a moment to pray silently for the ability to successfully work your powwowing. If not, it’s ok. There is no historical precedence for praying before your work, but certainly it won’t hurt.
Do the techniques necessary in order to effect their healing. Whether you are doing a charm for pain relief or a chant for a specific illness or whatever, work through it carefully. Take breaks so you do not overwhelm your client. Don’t be spooky or weird or silly about it. Just stick to your technique. Keep in mind that some may be uncomfortable with elaborate displays or discussions of magical techniques. Your methods should be kept simple and/or quiet so as not to alarm your client.
Finish up by sealing the powwow work with the sign of the cross in the names of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. +++ If you have handmade charms to give the client to take with them, now is the time to do so. Then end your session.

Using Astrological Correspondences in Healing

The phases of the moon and the astrological sign the moon is in are important to the PA Dutch for both agricultural work and healing.

The head and face — Aries

Neck — Taurus

Arms — Gemini

Breast — Cancer

Bowels — Virgo

Reins — Libra

Thighs — Sagittarius

Legs — Aquarius

Feet — Pisces

When using the moon’s phases and planetary correspondences, you will probably need a good almanac. The Farmer’s Almanac has monthly astrological information that is perfect for powwowing (as well as planting and harvesting).

Generally speaking, the moon’s energies ebb and flow with its phases. The New Moon is when the moon is not visible in the sky. From this point to approximately 7 days later, the moon is in its First Quarter. This is a time of building and beginnings and powwowing for the increase of something is empowered at this time.

From 7 to 14 days after the New Moon the moon is in its Second Quarter. It culminates in a Full Moon. This phase of the moon is for empowering your healing, increasing something, building something, making paper talismans, etc.

From the Full Moon to 7 days after is the Third Quarter. This is a time of decrease; a time of things fading and going away. Hex removal and protection charms are empowered at this time.

From 7 to 14 days after the Full Moon is the Last Quarter. This is a time of banishing, binding, curse removal, combating witchcraft and elimination.

The moon travels through each of the Zodiac signs (mentioned above). It stays in a sign for approximately 2.5 days (give or take). During those times, conditions for the parts of the body ruled by that sign are more favorable. Remember: when in need, do the powwowing. Don’t wait for proper moon phase or sign. Do what you need to do, when you need to do it. However, the moon’s energies can add something extra to your work, so if it’s possible to wait, then do so.

To get the most benefit from working with astrological correspondences when healing, a good rule of thumb is to pick up a good Farmer’s Almanac. For the past three hundred years, the PA Dutch have been using almanacs to keep track of the Moon’s phases and signs.

For timing purposes, some PowWows will calculate Planetary Hours. This gives you the specific hour of each day that a planet is in influence.

The Astrology Rhyme

The Pennsylvania Germans were story tellers and song singers and famous for their rhymes. This particular rhyme was for those who utilized astrological associations in the healing arts. The rhyme was designed to remember the order of the zodiac associations.

Der wider der staised,

Die kinner sin base

Der labe, der brilled,

Die woke die gilt.

Der shits der sheesed,