Roots, Branches & Spirits

An Appalachian folklorist “shares with us the rich customs of her forebears, from women's kitchen magic to burial practices to the use of herbs and stones” (Patti Wigington, author of Herb Magic and Badass Ancestors).

Natural Magic and Folkways from Those Who Call the Blue Ridge Mountains Home

The southern Appalachians are rich in folk magic and witchery. This book explores the region's customs and traditions for magical healing, luck, prosperity, scrying, and more. Author H. Byron Ballard—known as the village witch of Asheville—teaches you about the old ways and why they work, from dowsing to communicating with spirits.

Learn the deeper meaning of haint blue doors, magic hands for finding, and medicinal herbs and plants. Discover tips for creating tinctures and salves, attuning to the phases of the moon, interpreting omens, and other folkways passed down through the generations. Part cultural journey and part magical guide, this book uncovers the authentic traditions of one of North America's most spiritually vibrant regions

“Leave your preconceived notions about Appalachia and its people at the door. Roots, Branches, and Spirits presents a magic born of necessity and skillfully adapted to the place where it was―and still is―practiced.” ―John Beckett, author of The Path of Paganism

“Be prepared to be transported as Byron Ballard expertly weaves stories and practice, blending tradition, and modern magical innovation all at once.” ―Laura Tempest Zakroff, author of Weave the Liminal

“H. Byron Ballard takes us on another engaging journey into the mountainous rural United States where the worlds of magic, phantoms, and old traditions continue to flourish well into the twenty-first century.” ―Christopher Orapello, coauthor of Besom, Stang & Sword, artist, and cohost of the Down at the Crossroads podcast.