Pennsylvania Dutch arcane and derivation of the word, cunning
While I was writing White Witches: Cunning Folk? , I thought about the word, “cunning.” It’s usually used with negative connotations such as sneakiness and calculating. The root of this word is in the Old English, "cunnan," meaning to know, which evolved into "konnyng," denoting clever, skillful or learned. According to several thesauruses, the term is still, but seldom, used with the positive meaning. Cunning folk were also referred to as the Wise Ones, a very constructive term.
I am 1/4 PA Dutch and grew up in this culture’s “country.” As an adult that I became interested in our history and began to study hex signs, Pennsy Dutch Magikcal Art, and PowWow: Pennsy Dutch Arcane Art. What I was taught about hex signs and magickal practices were that these things were mere superstition and nonsense. Research proved this otherwise.
My great-grandparents were called Mammy and Pappy by family and others, terms of respect. She was a very wise woman and he, a PowWow doctor, as well as wise. Connection! The Wise Ones, also a term of respect used by some Native American tribes, often applied to Shamans. I have discovered that this is used by other Europeans to refer to healers and those who worked with the Universe for positive purposes.
In the process of doing research, I learned about Witchcraft Wars, Trials and Hunts in Pennsylvania and the dark side of magick and persecution in Pennsylvania. There was a sensational murder trial that caused the governor to try to eradicate PowWow. The Voodoo Murder of Pennsylvania I: Background and The Voodoo Murder of Pennsylvania II, the Crime and Trialare about this.
American Pagan Folk Protection and Pennsylvania Deutsch Grimoire have information about protective and healing magick.
