Initiation Traditions in Ozark Folk Magic and Healing

Magical and healing power is traditionally seen as a tangible energy or force in the Ozarks. This "gift" as it's often called, can be inborn within a person, or it can be found, passed down using certain ritualistic practices, and even stolen. Healers, witches, and other magical practitioners in the Ozarks have shared countless stories about how they came to have their unique gifts. In this lecture we'll be looking at a few common trends amongst magical folk including being born with the power, finding magic in the wilderness, and receiving the gift from otherworldly entities.

About the Presenters:

Brandon Weston is a healer, writer, and folklorist living in the Arkansas Ozarks. He is author of "Ozark Folk Magic: Plants, Prayers, and Healing" and owner of Ozark Healing Traditions, a collective of articles, lectures, and workshops focusing on traditions of medicine, magic, and folklore from the Ozark Mountain region. As…