appalachian folklore and superstitions

Forever left to wander alone through the mountains, the Wampus Cat acts out in anger at being cut off from her former life. We came in and went out the kitchen door. If you put shoes on the bed, it heralds death for someone close to you. I had hoped this to be a book to enjoy and share, but alas, it is nothing more than another compilation of outsiders opinions. I hope this helps! Always leave a little money in an old purse before you give it away. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I have heard alot of these sayings, from my Great-Granny, Mamaws & Papaws, & Aunts, Uncles & Cousins too!! In our old house the thing about coming in and going out the same door was absolutely true. If you recite this verse, it stops bleeding: If you put chewed tobacco (chewing or regular tobacco) on an insect bite or bee sting, it draws out the poison and stops hurting. Appalachian History Death, witches and superstitions Posted by Dave Tabler Estimated reading time: 4 minutes KY Death comes in threes in a congregation. Mason County Sheriff George Johnson believed it to be a large bird, because the stories fit the description of a Sandhill Crane, which has a red forehead and wingspans recorded up to 7 feet, 7 inches. On their way to see the light, the boys stopped to tell their mother, Kathleen May, who asked National Guardsman Eugene Lemon to join them. Jerry Crew, a logging company employee, discovered a set of extra-large footprints in Six Rivers National Forest. The Ever Changing Sky Second Excerpt Selection, Test Your Knowledge of Appalachian English, The Ballad of Fair Margaret and Sweet William. Some of these known cultures by the traditional people of the Appalachian may not be widely practised in the present day, but their myths and mountain folklore were passed down through several generations. Photo depicting the Bigfoot statue from the Shawnee National Forest in Illinois, United States. Some Common Folklore and Superstitions Held Among Mountain Folk written by Ethelene Dyer Jones Pastor and his wife came home with The figure made terrifying hissing sounds and glided towards them which made Lemon drop his flashlight making the group run for safety. If you sweep underneath a single persons feet, he or she will never marry. Don't throw your hair out! Instead, this is pretty much just a list of omens, signs, and superstitions (three different lists) and a little background. But, Baldness is a blessing. The bright light made them weak, forcing them to flee into other parts of Appalachia for good. The first recorded sighting of the Brown Mountain Lights happened in 1771, when German engineer John William Gerard de Brahm wrote about seeing the lights in his journal. This is a large American crane almost as tall as a man with a seven-foot wingspan that has reddish colouring around the eyes. Tipper and Ethelene Dona If the right, good things are being said. If someone opens a knife that person must close it. Some weather lore holds that the number of heavy fogs on August mornings determines the numbers of snows that will fall in the same area in the winter. P.s. Are you aware of any superstitions about hanging a ladder back chair on the wall outside the front door? Still a good reference. I really enjoyed this post. Dime: the visitor served alongside the veteran. They are a legendary group of short, bearded white-skinned people who are believed to have lived in the Appalachia region until they were expelled by the Cherokee Indians. As a teacher, I cant subscribe to this method of getting over difficulties in learning reading, mathematics or science. The Wampus Cat (a.k.a. A book by Benjamin Smith Barton of 1797 explained that they were called moon-eyed because they could not see properly during the day. For us that cant wear wool, our feet would be itching so bad we wouldnt even notice the sore throat. Its bad luck because it was believed pigs cant swim. Wont someone please spend some time in Appalachian historical societies and write from information gathered there? a dove around you is a visit from the spirit of one you love who has passed. Despite being a story about Cherokee people, the Wampus Cat folktale did not originate with the Cherokee people. Dont rock a rocking chair without someone in it, bad luck. Pink sky at nite sailor delight. The story of the Mothman began on November 15, 1966. A woman has more ribs than a man. The Sasquatch was a hairy creature, known for bellowing, stealing livestock, and shaking trees. But there's no charm to it unless it's dipped into moonshine poured into a tree stump in a graveyard. The history of Appalachia itself is the history of the granny witchcraft tradition; although the name is relatively new, the customs go back a long time. Love reading about superstitions and folklore. My mother had a first cousin that matched this 100%. Top 10 Things to do Around the Eiffel Tower, 10 Things to Do in Paris on Christmas Day (2022), 10 Things to Do in Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. All are located off NC-105 S or NC-181 near Asheville and Boone, and offer great scenic vistas at any time of day. I've heard many of these stories and beliefs while growing up and while I would not consider myself a superstitious person, the possible outcomes of not abiding by these rituals will inevitably worm its way into my mind. (My mom used to call these lie bumps.). Never give someone a set of knives as a gift. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { Expect a message. Maybe youve even sped up on a mountain road at night, thinking you see glowing red eyes in the woods? So are the Moon-Eyed People another Appalachian Mountain scary story, or just early European settlers who never received their due credit? According to legend, Jackson and his party set up their tents outside of the Bell home. was a frog jumping on a grave being filled. Appalachian culture is full of its own myths, legends, and ghost stories, many of which were made famous by TV shows such as The X-Files and Mountain Monsters. Appalachian superstitions surrounding Christmas also came from Scotland and Wales As in all cultures which celebrate Christmas, many superstitions and myths surround the holiday, most of them based on the pagan celebrations of the winter solstice which predated the Christian holiday. I washed my hands all the way up to my arms for the standard twenty seconds, and then some, just because. If your right palm itches, youll lose money. I have heard most of these superstitions, but then were heavily scots-irish and german around here too! 4.8 out of 5 stars 9. Artists impression of the Flatwoods monster. It includes hundreds of whimiscal superstitions as well as folk cures, charms, and chants practiced by the early settlers of Appalachia. })(); There are tons of things I could tell you about myself, but all you really need to know is I'm crazy in love with my home in Appalachia-the people, the food, the music, the colorful language, the sustainable lifestyle, the history, the soaring mountains, and the deep dark hollers. If your left palm itches, youll receive money. Give the first pinch of a freshly baked loaf of bread to the Good Men to keep them happy. Unlike other Appalachian monsters, the Moon-Eyed People were considered to be a distinctively separate race of people, rather than supernatural beings. (Think Adam and Eve.). { After all that, I sought a little calmness. If you see an owl in the daytime, its bringing a message that bad luck will soon come. Around 12 books are in the series. Enjoy your posts! However, it is believed that this was a meteor that had fallen off the sky and the round object was an owl. Open the window when someone dies and cover the mirrors so that their soul can leave. Spin around in a circle three times before you walk in the front door to confuse any spirits that are following you. If squirrels gather nuts early, expect a bad winter. Its blooms are symbolic, representing the cross, thorns, and nails. A cat will take away a babys breath and kill the infant. This system was passed down orally through the years and practiced as a way of keeping the folklore alive. And Ive always heard spilling salt is bad luck-and to cancel out the bad luck you should throw salt over your shoulder : ) For more information on this infamous Appalachian monster, visit the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, where you can take a selfie with the massive Mothman statue displayed prominently outside. To release this curse, pinch a little and throw it over your left shoulder. Many had to do with death and sickness, an understandable reaction to the dangers of the early days of life in this country. If you hear a screech owl at dusk someone will soon die If wooly worms are plentiful, itll be a bad winter. get my head peeled, and daddys $7.95 $ 7. For instance, settlers would share tales of Scottish haints and Irish fairies, then adapt them into Appalachian stories over generations. Photo by Tim Bertelink on Wikimedia. Ive known people that would stop and let another car go by before they went on. Ruth! Our garden area at home, Very interesting, Id never heard a few of these. j) Dont let anyone sweep under your feet. Run a chicken over your baby to keep if from getting chicken pox. Just to get the child to eat some stolen milk or food was considered a sure cure. If a bad storm is coming, put a 2-edged axe into a stump facing the storm to ensure the storm goes around you. Much appreciated yall!! Now I can really be afraid of everything. I love this topic! READ MORE: Appalachian Folklore, Monsters and Superstitions. And that aint superstition! Do it fast, though! If a grasshopper spits on you, its good luck. Links for Book One and Book Two. It meant you'd have good luck all year. I grew up in the foothills of the Appalachians, and other signs or omens from the area weren't included. Required fields are marked *. If you take a shower on the first few days of menstruation, youll cramp to death. When a person dies in a home, open a door for his/her spirit to pass. tell granny enjoying the CD. READ MORE:30 Fascinating Blue Ridge Mountains Facts, READ MORE: The 15 Best Fall Festivals in Georgia. If a woman peels an apple in one piece, then tosses the peeling behind her, the letter shape it takes is the initial of her future husband. Expect catastrophe. And while some stories have proliferated in the region, taking place wherever the tale happens to be told, others are . READ MORE: The 10 Best Haunted Houses inNorth Carolina. Another is to sprinkle salt between the sheet and the mattress on the bed he/she is sleeping. The 7th son of a 7th son or daughter can also do this. Animals with heavy fur growth in autumn indicates a bad winter. Given that, this list might call some to your mind. Thanks Tipper and Ethelene, interesting suppositions here. The lights, claim the legend, are the ghosts of grieving women still searching the mountainside for the bodies of fallen warriors. I have heard quite a few of these, but not all of them. Photo courtesy Foxfire Museum & Heritage Center Germans (a.k.a. But neither of those chickens I decided to compile a list of these notions Ive heard throughout my life and share them with you. The story of the Bell Witch is one of the most popular examples of Appalachian Mountain folklore, and it began in Robertson County, Tennessee. I've grown up hearing so many of these signs & omens. Wonder what that means? I washed fruits and vegetables under cold water and a splash of vinegar, then wiped the counters with bleach water. Never take an old broom to a new house. If a person has a goiter on the neck, he/she should go where there has been a death, take the hand of the deceased, and rub the dead hand over the goiter. Paperback. A sore on the tongue is a sign youve lied. LOL. And dont ever walk under a ladder leaned against the building. When they went to bury the body, a rattlesnake Back when children sometimes had seizures, whether from epilepsy or other malady, there was a common belief that if a child has a fit, turn his shirt inside out and burn it. This action was thought to be a sure cure for fits. Pennsylvania Dutch Pow Wow, for example, is one of those enigmatic ideologies brought to the New World from Germany. always a pleasure here . She hid under the pelt of a large cat and got turned into the half-woman, half-beast we hear about in this famous Appalachian myth. I do believe in superstitions and some of these I had not heard of before. It includes hundreds of whimiscal superstitions as well as folk cures, charms, and chants practiced by the early settlers of Appalachia. I was about 10, one Sunday our To relieve migraines, cut your hair because its too heavy for your head. What Is Appalachian Granny Witchcraft? Never been much on superstitions but have some interest in folk lore. *shudder* lawd! Ive heard some of these from family. Dont rock an empty rocking chair. When an eyelash falls out, pinch it lightly between your thumb and forefinger, then make a wish and blow. Its bad luck. She spent her weekends in high school swimming at the Sinks or camping at Cades Cove. her youngest sons skills she taught me, so I got to catch a Hang a mirror by the door to protect against evil. The Flatwoods Monster was first spotted on September 12, 1952, when a group of boys playing football in a field near the town saw a bright object streak across the sky and crash land on a nearby hill. As a general collection of folklore, it's not bad, but it lacks the specificity promised by the title. I would love to hear any of the signs, superstitions, and omens that are a part of your families or communities. Lets take a look at some of them. Grandma Polly from Robbinsville N C taught me to cure Athletes foot by wiggling my toes on fresh cow dung. Better safe than sorry, right? There are two cures for it. Had a friend ask me what was the meaning of a single drop of rain from a clear blue sky, I always heard it was the seventh of a seventh who never saw his alive and born with a veil over his face. Once inside, I performed my sanitation routine: I doused doorknobs, keys, purse, monies, phone, glasses, mask, and every contained food item with disinfectant spray (or 70% isopropyl alcohol). Appalachia Bare. 'Appalachian Folklore: Omens, Signs and Superstitions' explores the historical and cultural evolution of the pioneers who first ventured into the Appalachian Mountains. If you spill salt, throw a pinch over your left shoulder so you wont have bad luck. I have heard-if you drop a dish towel in the kitchen it means someone is coming to see you : ) If a broom falls over for no reason when someone walks past, it is an omen of bad fortune. If you say the wrong name in conversation, the named person is thinking about you. Number of stars in the ring means the number of days it will rain or the number of days before it starts cant remember. Or dogs get hair balls from eating cats!!!! . Otherwise, spirits might get angry. PS Daddy wasnt stupid. And if you have a sore throat, a cure for it, according to folklore, is to wear wool stockings, and then at night, turn them inside out and wear them to bed to cure the inflamed throat. Itll take the babys breath. My family is all from West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. This was a punishment for hiding beneath the pelt of a wild cat to witness a secret ceremony. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. Very gruesome I've joked that it seems like pretty much everything portends death in Appalachia. If your arthritis acts up, itll soon rain. I wish I still had his list. I wonder, has anyone seen this happen? Tickling a babys feet will make him stutter. The practices of river baptisms, snake handling, and folk healing were common in rural Appalachia. Recorded accounts of Brown Mountain Light sightings happened throughout the 20th century, especially as the Linville area gained access to electricity. I hope you'll join me as I do my best to celebrate and preserve Appalachia. Powered by WordPress. When they arrived at the site of the lights crash, they saw a pulsing red light and a 10-foot-tall creature with twisted hands and a glowing green face that seemed to levitate off the ground. Often it is in the form of parody. If you give them to newlyweds, it will cut their love. Coal miners are doomed if a woman works in or steps into a coal mine. http://www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com. Hold your breath when you pass a cemetery, or youll be the next to die. Ken. If a black cat crosses your path, turn and go a different way. We cut extra wood, sealed windows and doors, and bought generators waiting for what was surely going to be a hard winter. 15 reviews. The hauntings began sometime between 1817 and 1821, when the Bell Witch would show up disguised as an animal, such as a dog or bird. Two brothers, Edward and Fred May and their friend Tommy Hyer reported having spotted a bright object cross the sky and land on the property of a local farmer on 12th September 1952 at 7:15 p.m. Maybe the dog senses something humans do not. When it was time for me to leave, I rose to exit out the front door. If a picture in a frame suddenly falls and breaks, it is a sign of death. The seventh daughter of the seventh daughter or the seventh son of the seventh son will be a healer, fortune teller, preacher, or prophet. If a picture falls off the wall for no reason, someone will die (or the house is haunted). If you have a candle that is hard to light, it is a sign that rain is on the way. Colonial Survivals in Appalachian Speech. More of these rare sayings and superstitions of Appalachia. Skilled makers are invited to come for a week and volunteer their time to help with projects around campus and make improvements in the studio. READ MORE: The 10 Most Haunted Places in Georgia to Visit. Apr 10, 2023 4:06 PM EDT. for me to turn my shoe sole side- APPALACHIAN FOLKLORE GUIDE The Bell Witch Bigfoot The Brown Mountain Lights The Flatwoods Monster The Moon-Eyed People The Moth-man The Wampus Cat Appalachian Superstitions READ MORE: The 15 Best Fall Festivals in Georgia Bell Witch Signs, photo by BRad06 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 1. Dream of losing a tooth (pulled or fallen out) portends death. These lights are purported to be ghost lights near Brown Mountain in North Carolina around the Appalachian Mountain area. If a child keeps sucking his/her thumb, he or she will have an overbite. In one of her books, "Appalachian Folklore Omens, Signs and Superstitions," Richmond defines superstition as a seemingly "irrational belief, arising from ignorance or fear, that is held by a number of people but is without foundation." Superstitions are thought to influence coming events, despite any demonstrable correlation. 1978 (GN1.T454 no. Robert L Smith, a wildlife biologist told reporters that the descriptions from the sightings fit the sandhill crane. The redbud tree is the tree from which Judas hanged himself. This is about 42 minutes long and keeps in theme with the tradition of storytelling, capturing stories from a Cherokee, Scot-Irish, and African-American women. That person will blow breath in the childs face three times for three days and the thrush will disappear. And I hope I never have a goiter lawd! Get help and learn more about the design. If you hold in a sneeze, itll cause your brains to bleed. Another popular myth in Appalachian folklore, the Flatwoods Monster originated in Braxton County, West Virginia. The southern Appalachian Mountains might be in the South, but they don't hit the same as the rest of the failed confederacy typically associated with the southern United States. A few weeks ago, I came home after a hasty, masked, social-distancing trip to the grocery store. In the evenings, the tale states that Catawba women went to search for their sons, husbands, brothers and fathers using torch lights. The Flatwoods Monster Of West Virginia. Im guessing because of how religious some in the family background were and luck was perceived to be a bit sacrilegious? Today most of the time the superstitions are said in a joking manner. Some of these legends existed way long before the contemporary stories of Bigfoot. A UFO writer, Gray Barker described the Flatwoods Monster as 10 feet tall, with a round blood-red face, a large pointed hood-like shape around the face, eye-like shapes which emitted greenish-orange light and a dark black or green body. If you drop a utensil (fork, spoon, knife), youll have a visitor. I met him a few times when I was younger. Dont walk under a ladder. Cherokee Death Cat) is a large cat similar to a mountain lion or cougar, with tan-yellow fur, six legs, and large yellow eyes. The Mothman is a humanoid creature that was reportedly seen in the Point Pleasant area from November 15th 1966 to December 15th 1967 as per the West Virginia folklore. them boogers were just floppin In folklore, it was a spiritual green-eyed cat which had occult powers or sometimes was taken as an undefined imaginary animal. We need a remedy for hairy. I have compiled some information here for you. Throwing rice at a wedding gives the couple good luck. A red bird outside your window three days in a row, death. Should I bring her to a morgue A local Meteorologist had us all counting the number of fogs last August. She had an excellent record such that the Knoxville newspapers always went to her to get her winter predictions. Today, tourists come from all over the country to visit the home of the Flatwoods Monster. Shows how much I know! RB Mama was proud of Some of the ones I remember from my mother are, dont open an umbrella indoors, bad luck. A chin dimple is a sign of bad character. To experience these Appalachian legends for yourself, visit the Historic Bell Witch Cave, which located in Adams TN. I love love love Appalachia & am proud to be from this Neck of tha Woods! Blind Pig The Acorn If you like what you see or read (I hope you do) and would like to use it, please email me and ask at [emailprotected] 2008 - 2023. If you dream the same dream three times, it will come true. I heard many of the documented omens and superstitions as I grew up and many I hadn't. He had it nailed shut. Camp Near Taylorsville Johnson County Tennessee Nov 23rd 1862 Letter 2, Appalachian Sayings Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea, From the Archives: Spring of the Year When Granny was a Girl. Legend tells of a brutal battle betweenCherokee and Catawba warriorson Brown Mountain,which left many dead on the battlefield. Some believe the moon-eyed people built the fortifications on this mountain., Artists impression of the Mothman. During one of these phases, the Creek people annihilated the race. The Bell Witch Haunting started when John Bell witnessed the apparition of a strange creature resembling a dog. If cows are laying down, or leaves are upside down, its going to rain. event : evt, Avoid walking atop graves as a sign of respect. A combination of folk magic, faith healing, and superstitions, granny magic was often the only source of aid for people in remote, isolated regions. This legend centers around the Bell family. Also ring around the moon means rain. If the dough for baking bread cracks while being shaped, a funeral will occur soon. But a few were very familiar to me! Other than the folklore of the Appalachian Mountain, there are more shocking superstitions that have been passed down by several generations. Fort Mountain, a Georgia State Park near Ellijay GA, contains the ruins of an 850-foot-long stone wall that is said to have been constructed by the mysterious tribe. Celebrating and Preserving the However, the killing of livestock attributed to the wampus cat might have been due to early intrusions of coyotes or jaguarundi. On 15th December 1967, the collapse of the Silver Bridge and the death of 46 people were connected to the Mothman sightings of the bridge collapse. 2023 Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide |, 30 Fascinating Blue Ridge Mountains Facts, The 7 Best Caves & Caverns in North Carolina, Visiting Expedition Bigfoot Museum (AKA Sasquatch Museum) in Cherry Log, GA, The 10 Best Haunted Houses inNorth Carolina, The 15 Best Things to Do in SWVA (Southwest Virginia), The Best Restaurants in Burnsville NC For Foodies, The 20 Best Things to Do in Dahlonega GA & Lumpkin County, Strawberry Picking in GA: The 10 Best Strawberry Farms to Visit, Visiting Deerwoode Reserve Cabin Rentals in Brevard NC, The 10 Best Historic & Covered Bridges in Virginia, The 15 Best Hotels in Asheville NC to Visit. This is a sure cure for the malady. Like always, I entered with the groceries through the back door. Hard to remember. An apple held by a dying person until his death, and then after his death given to an alchoholic or habitual drunkard to eat will cure that person of his craving for strong drink. In a matter of seconds, I recalled the time I was a teenager visiting my grandparents. (German), Spitting on a new baby will bring the child good luck. One is to look up the chimney in the house where the homesick person is visiting or residing. couple of Dominecker Pullets and 4.3 out of 5 stars 18. . Another record state that the spirit was clairvoyant and capable of crossing long distances with superhuman speed and capable of being in more than one place at a time. 'Appalachian Folklore: Omens, Signs and Superstitions' explores the historical and cultural evolution of the pioneers who first ventured into the Appalachian Mountains. Cold hands, warm heart; hot hands, cold heart. To punish him, the witch set her sights on the man, giving him a beating that had Jacksons men begging to leave. I hope you enjoyed Ethelenes post as much as I did! In and out by the same door is the only one I follow. A full moon makes people act wild and mean. Ossman & Steel's Classic Household Guide to Appalachian Folk Healing: A Collection of Old-Time Remedies, Charms, and Spells. He assured me he was serious about the presentation. The Bell Witch (who is thought to be a woman named Kate Batts) was supposedly cheated in a land purchase by John Bell, the patriarch of the Bell family. Killing a cricket (especially in the house) is bad luck. If you walk underneath a ladder, its bad luck. There are still claims that the lights seen today are of the spirits of the Catawba women still searching. If theres a man up that ladder, I DEFINITELY wouldnt walk under it. A spiders web in the doorway is good luck. I never heard of a frog in a grave, here where i live in north central Pennsylvania, Dont make faces, your expression will get stuck and stay that way. There was also a co-worker who did the black cat thing turn around and go a different route. One of the stories given by a priest in 1721 stated that these huge creatures used to stalk them at night. John Bell grew so concerned by these violent escalations that he shared his story with a family friend, James Johnston. d) Eat black-eyed peas or collard greens with hog jaw on New Years Day. Tipper, Never take a pig on a boat. A man who wipes his hands on a girl's apron is sure to fall in love with her. Tipper Another ghost story about the lights includes one about a Revolutionary War soldier linked to the Civil War ghosts. Make a wish on a shooting star. Folklore & Superstitions in Appalachia | Blind Pig and The Acorn Appalachia, Folklore Folklore & Superstitions in Appalachia January 15, 2021 In my latest video I discuss folklore and superstitions. For the same reason, never say pig on a boat. And why would I value folklore and disbelieve superstition? A dogs mouth is cleaner than a humans mouth. Break a mirror seven years bad luck. It was thrush in a babys mouth. I dont know if these will help, but they may provide a catalyst for you. And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live., **Featured Image: by DimaDim_art at Pixabay. I love this post! Locals and tourists alike have reported glowing, orb-like lights in blue, white, orange, and red, hovering approximately 15 feet off the ground in the Brown Mountain area near Morganton NC.

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