𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙰𝙵𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙼𝙰𝚃𝙷 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝙾𝚄𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙽 𝙰𝙿𝙿𝙰𝙻𝙰𝙲𝙷𝙸𝙰𝙽 𝙼𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙰𝙸𝙽𝚂 𝚁𝙴𝙶𝙸𝙾𝙽
Miss Ruby’s home burial was done the old Appalachian way. When she passed, the clock was stopped, marking the time of death. All the mirrors in the house were turned to face the wall or covered with blankets. It was believed that doing this would keep the soul of the dead from being trapped in the reflective glass.
Miss Ruby’s body was bathed, her face and extremities washed with soap and water. A cloth dipped in soda water, camphor and vinegar to prevent discoloration was draped over her face until company arrived. She was dressed in a clean cotton gown and placed on her own kitchen table. All this was done quickly before stiffening set in.
A scarf was tied around Miss Ruby’s head and under the chin to keep her mouth from falling open. Coins were placed on her eyelids to give the appearance of sleep. Almost immediately neighbors showed up with food for the family. Extra chairs were placed around the corpse and mourners took turns fanning the body to keep it cool. Family members remained with Miss Ruby overnight to keep her company and protect her from flies and vermin.
The next morning more people arrived with fresh flowers and herbs to help mask the odor of death. Windows were opened in the house to circulate the air while mourners were vigilant to protect Miss Ruby’s body from animals attracted to the smell. When the minister arrived he said a prayer and everyone sang hymns.
Miss Ruby was wrapped in white sheets, placed on a door that had been taken off its hinges, and carried out of the house feet first. Her family believed that if the body was carried out headfirst her spirit could linger and catch someone’s eye which caused bad luck or even death.
Miss Ruby’s sons and grandsons carried her up the hill to the family cemetery where she was lowered into the ground. After another song and final prayer, each mourner tossed a handful of soil onto the body. She had wanted to die before winter because having her body stored in the barn until the spring thaw made her nervous. Folks were sad, but relieved that she had gotten her wish.
View from Fred Clifton Park, between Meadows of Dan, and Stuart VA.
Elevation 2930 feet.
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“Granny Magic” but it was never really named anything at all. No one ever mentioned the word “witch”, but we were always practicing witchcraft. Being raised in Southeastern Kentucky in a very small town, things are just accepted as they are passed down.
GrannyBeck I remember being asked to blow in a baby’s mouth to cure thrush when I was 10 years old. I was told I had the “ability” to cure him and I didn’t question how or ask for proof. I just did it and the next day he was completely cured. Later I was told that it was because I had never laid eyes on my father. Other people with this “gift” were children that were born the 7th daughter of the 7th son, or vice versa.
As small children we played outside most of the time on the mountain. Fun for us was finding a water witching branch, a Y-shaped branch, and go dowsing for water. We always got excited when the branch pulled hard to the ground when we approached water. We never thought it was odd or unusual. Maybe playtime for us Appalachian children was….unique!
Sharing knowledge and cures has always been exciting and rewarding. Helping people with an obstacle is fascinating when you can go outside of the typical box. Appalachian Magic does not go against any religious belief system. Most everything we have been taught has come from old-fashioned Christian women. People called these old wives tales. Some of our knowledge comes from Native American heritage, German Pow-Wow, and Irish and Celtic beliefs.
Granny Witches of Appalachia
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#AppalachianWitches