Paganism/Wicca

» Elizabeth Yetter - Pow Wows

I just wanted to drop a note to say that while I enjoyed the article on Pow Wows, it wasn't entirely accurate. My great-grandmother was a Pennsylvania Pow Wow in the York area. She had a gift for stopping the flow of blood and many people went to her first, to stop wounds from bleeding, before traveling on to the hospital to get stitched (if they didn't do it themselves).

While I may be a lifelong Pagan, my great-grandmother was not. She did not hold any ancient Pagan beliefs in regards to the old deities. In fact, there is a story in my family about how her husband brought home some books on the occult and she made him get rid of them at once. It was too much of a risk to have that sort of material in the home and wanted nothing to do with it.

Another thing I've read while studying folklore is that PA Pow Wows pass down their knowledge. This is not necessarily true. In fact, of all the local Pow Wows I know about, none of them actually passed down their knowledge or gift. What usually happens is once the Pow Wow dies, a new family member comes along with an interest in the tradition, studies it, and gains personal experience as a Pow Wow. The Pow Wow tradition is in the blood, but hasn't been orally passed down from practitioner to student.

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» Jill Stefko - pow wow

Hi Elizabeth,
I learned, as an adult, that my great-grandfather, Pappy, was a PowWow (from Nazareth, PA). He died when I was two. As far as his PowWow doctoring, about all I know is that he cured warts and colds and was Lutheran. My family did not talk about PowWow until I read Silver Ravenwolf's HexCraft, reprinted as American Folk Magic. Since then, I have read all that I can about PowWow and have talked to people with the knowledge about the practice.
Of the people I know who believe in or practice PowWow, all are Christian, Lutheran, almost without exception. Their reactions to the occult and Pagan beliefs range from acceptance that these forms of spirituality exist and tolerance to being appalled because these things are, to them, the work of the devil.
According to my research, PowWow is passed down from the oldest male of the generation, the PowWow, to the oldest female of the next generation who becomes a PowWow to the oldest male of the next generation and on and on. The art can be passed down to a non-family member if circumstances warrant. It is also possible that the PowWow will not pass it down. Pappy either did not pass it down or he did so with a non-family member. As with other magickal practices, there is a lot that is shrouded in mystery and kept secret.
I totally agree that the gift or talent is genetic. Had Pappy handed down the gift, I would have been the one in line. I have studied the art. I have healed and protected.
There are problems in dealing with esoteric subjects such as magick. It is all theoretical and there is scant, at best, or, for the most part, no scientific proof that proves its existence. It is also very easy to mix with folk lore.
I enjoyed reading your comments. I believe that when it comes to subjects that cannot be validated by the scientific method, we have to keep an open mind.
Regards,
Jill

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