I’d like to first acknowledge the Osage, Caddo, Quapaw, and earlier indigenous peoples who called the Ozarks home before their forced removal and who are still struggling to reclaim their land, traditions, and identities today.
My name is Brandon Weston and I’m a folklorist and writer living in the beautiful Arkansas Ozarks.
My work represents a living tradition. I study and document the traditions that Ozark healers have been evolving and passing down for hundreds of years. You can see many different cultures represented in our folkways. These beliefs, much like the Ozark people who created them, are a mixture of many places, beliefs, and ways of life.
My name is Brandon Weston and I’m a folklorist and writer living in the beautiful Arkansas Ozarks.
My work represents a living tradition. I study and document the traditions that Ozark healers have been evolving and passing down for hundreds of years. You can see many different cultures represented in our folkways. These beliefs, much like the Ozark people who created them, are a mixture of many places, beliefs, and ways of life.
Specific folk traditions that have had a great influence on Ozark folkways include the European Cunning Craft, Cajun/Creole folk medicine including the path of the Traiteur, Pennsylvania German Braucherei often also called Powwowing, Indigenous healing practices from the diverse nations of the Southeastern US, West African folk traditions by way of Southern Rootwork, Hoodoo, and Conjure, and even Central/South American Curanderismo.
An important aspect of my research includes looking into all the traditions that have had such a great impact upon Ozark folkways. In looking at where these traditions intersect, we can start to understand so much more about the lives and practices of our ancestors. While you can look at Ozark folkways and see the fingerprints of all these traditions, remember that these practices remain unique to this specific area and should be approached with that mindset.
An important aspect of my research includes looking into all the traditions that have had such a great impact upon Ozark folkways. In looking at where these traditions intersect, we can start to understand so much more about the lives and practices of our ancestors. While you can look at Ozark folkways and see the fingerprints of all these traditions, remember that these practices remain unique to this specific area and should be approached with that mindset.
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Published Works:
"Gift of the Spirit(s): Supernatural Healing in the Ozarks." Verdant Gnosis Volume 5. Catamara Rosarium, Marcus McCoy, and Jenn Zahrt. 2019.
Ozark Folk Magic: Plants, Prayers, and Healing. Llewellyn Worldwide. 2021.
"Cleanin' the Blood: Ritual Emetics and Purgatives in Ozark Folk Healing." Viridis Genii Series 6 Volume 1. Catamara Rosarium, Marcus McCoy, and Kim Schwenk. 2021.
Ozark Mountain Spell Book: Folk Magic & Healing. Llewellyn Worldwide. 2022.
"Midnight Barn Dance of 100 Spirits: Ozark Daemonology." Viridis Genii Series 7 Volume 2. Catamara Rosarium, Marcus McCoy, and Kim Schwenk. 2022.
"A Living Tradition: Ozark Folk Magic, Reimagined." Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic. Llewellyn Worldwide. 2023.
Granny Thornapple's Book of Charms. Llewellyn Worldwide. 2024.
Ozark Folk Magic: Plants, Prayers, and Healing. Llewellyn Worldwide. 2021.
"Cleanin' the Blood: Ritual Emetics and Purgatives in Ozark Folk Healing." Viridis Genii Series 6 Volume 1. Catamara Rosarium, Marcus McCoy, and Kim Schwenk. 2021.
Ozark Mountain Spell Book: Folk Magic & Healing. Llewellyn Worldwide. 2022.
"Midnight Barn Dance of 100 Spirits: Ozark Daemonology." Viridis Genii Series 7 Volume 2. Catamara Rosarium, Marcus McCoy, and Kim Schwenk. 2022.
"A Living Tradition: Ozark Folk Magic, Reimagined." Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic. Llewellyn Worldwide. 2023.
Granny Thornapple's Book of Charms. Llewellyn Worldwide. 2024.