"Roots, Branches & Spirits" is a fascinating book that offers an intimate look at the magical and spiritual practices of the Appalachia region. Ballard does an excellent job in sharing his knowledge about these ancestral traditions and their importance in the culture and history of the region.
The book is full of anecdotes and stories that help to illustrate the techniques and practices described by Ballard. In addition, the book is well written and easy to read, making it accessible for those who are just beginning to explore these topics.
Overall, "Roots, Branches & Spirits" is a valuable and unique book that offers a detailed and in-depth look at the magic and alternative medicine of the Appalachia region. It is a fascinating and recommendable reading for those interested in these topics.

This is one of those books that will be a favorite for years to come because of how nicely it’s written and how it feels like a conversation with the author versus reading something pedantic or false. I enjoy this book so much and I feel like I genuinely learned a lot from this book. The author obviously knows what they’re talking about and have spent many years either working with or researching the subjects. This is a must have it for yourself if you’re into spiritual metaphysical books, this book is amazing!

Roots, Branches & Spirits by H. Byron Ballard

207 Pages
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications, Llewellyn Worldwide
Release Date: February 8, 2021

Nonfiction (Adult), Religion, Spirituality, Metaphysical, Magic

The book is divided into the following parts and chapters.

Part 1: Beginnings
Chapter 1: Old Mountains, New Worlds
Chapter2: Betwixt, the Ineffable Magic of Place
Chapter 2: Words, Music, and Magic

Part2: Skills and Work
Chapter 4: Tools, Supplies, and Techniques
Chapter 5: Mountain Kitchen Witchery
Chapter 6: Healing and Herb Lore
Chapter 7: Signs and Omens
Chapter 8: Scraps and Other Useable Pieces
Chapter 9: Hillfolk Gothic – Haints and Haint Tales

This is an excellent book of Appalachian folklore and culture. I love Byron’s writing style and the way she weaves her words. She discusses superstitions and folklore some of which I know and some that was new to me. She also includes recipes and information about herbs and plants. This would be a great book for both new and adept practitioners and anyone interested in the Appalachian area.

I was born in Ohio, and lived there until I was twelve. My grandparents had moved there from Kentucky before I was born. They had a farm and I spent a lot of my youth there. I remember the women in my family gathering in the kitchen to can and make jellies. My great grandma never let anything go to waste. This book reminded me of my family and my childhood. It made me want to reconnect to the everyday magic of my childhood. Roots, Branches and Spirits is told partly in anecdotes and partly instructions on how to practice some folk magic. I particularly liked the sections on food and herbs.

Good folklore book. Great for story telling or just wanting to get deeper into old roots! Some moments were more enjoyable than others but otherwise not bad!

I learned something new and liked the stories told by the author.
A good book if you want to learn something about Appalachian lore
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is a deeply spiritual book about the Appalachian region, its history and its people. The author grew up there, and still has a strong connection to the land and people. She starts with the history of the migration of the Scots-Irish to the area. Any topic she relates she intersperses with very personal reminiscences that vividly bring the scenes to life. An ongoing theme in each chapter is how modern ways have cut many of the cultural ties we had and how we can reclaim some of them. Many chapters deal in specific potions and means to bring harmony into our lives with roots, branches, soil, herbs, flowers and stones. These recipes are for such things as good luck, finding lost items, meditating on a problem, finding love and being one with our surroundings. She elaborates on being "betwixt" the two worlds of matter and sprit, and how the boundary between the two works. Her prose is gentle, uplifting and illuminating. If you would like to learn to "taste the wind" and learn how the forests "breathe", this is the book for you.

Coming in as a complete novice to Appalacian folklore I may not be the best prson to review this. I feel like you should have some basic knowledge of the legends and folk lore
I did feel the book was well written and the author is obviously very knowledgable

Sadly this was a "DNF" for me. I read the first 25% of the book and dragged myself through the entire time. Thinking maybe I would connect with something further on, I flipped through the pages until the end, with no luck. I found it too personal. Just not what I was expecting.

I received an eARC from Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.

A good source for those with an interest in Appalacian Folk Magic!

The author gives indispensable advice and interesting personal anecdotes which made this an immensely great book to read in my opinion. I would highly recommend it to those with an interest in such practices as Folk Magic (obviously), hoodoo, conjure, etc. etc. As this would be a great addition to their personal libraries.

Reading this book is like sitting down and visiting with the author. I was much reminded of the conversational and personal tone of "Southern Folk Medicine" by Phyllis D. Light, another book I immensely enjoyed. The primary purpose of this book is to keep Appalachian culture alive through magic and tradition. I'm not from Appalachia. I live in Florida, but I identify with so many things found within these pages. I wonder if it's because some of my family are of Appalachian descent. If you're interested in finding the magic within the stories that have been passed down from generation to generation, read this book.

Roots, Branches & Spirits takes readers on a deep dive into the roots and spiritual practices of the Appalachian region. Ballard is a native of Appalachia so her regional experience alongside her academic experience as a mountain folklore teacher allows her to present a tomb of Appalachian history in an accessible and structured way.

This book differs to similar content because it's not a book of spells, ritual work, and recipes. Instead, it is a detailed look into the history and folklore of the Appalachian region. It definitely leans into the history and ancestry aspect of the region which gives it a more academic tone. Discussions of herbs/herb lore, storytelling, music, mountain kitchen witchery, and healing fill the pages. Ballard connects past history and ties it to majick practitioners today.

This book is great for Appalachian practitioners, but it is also a good tool for Appalachian researchers in general. The writing is clear, focused, and intelligent. I really enjoyed this and can't wait to recommend it to readers!

What a joy to read about customs of another culture and their practices. I might even find myself adsorption some to my own eclectic practice

Anytime I see folkways, folk magic, folk lore on a cover I’m immediately drawn in. The attention to detail in this book is fantastic. I appreciate the old school witchcraft approach. I myself have been bringing my practice back to the roots. This is a great reference book and I will be buying a copy for my shelves. Highly recommend!

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for the advanced e-reader copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is my first foray into the folkways of Appalachia and it was a suitable introduction into the region and folkways. The author shares information on the setting of the region, its history, how storytelling and music are valued, mountain kitchen witchery, herb lore, healing, and more.

The book is accessible and is not difficult to understand, but I don’t know if it’s meant to be a first foray. I found myself wishing I had more of a background knowledge of the region. I feel like if I had more knowledge, it would have been an even richer experience.

But everyone has to start somewhere! I’m certainly going to take advantage of the recommended resources listed in the back of the book and expand my knowledge.

My favorite chapter in the book is ‘Scraps and Other Useable Pieces.’ I like how the author talked about our connection to the natural world and how humanity has not always been good to the land. It’s an important thing to realize, so hopefully change can happen.

I really love the haint tales, specifically the Bride and Groom on Mt. Pisgah tale. I love lore like that and it’s wonderful to read lore from different states and/or regions. I know some of the tales from the state I live in, but it’s so cool to know others.

3.5 stars rounded up to four. Thank you to Netgalley and Llewellyn Publications for the opportunity to read an ARC of the ebook.

I've followed Byron Ballard on social media for a few years now. I enjoy all her posts so I'm over the moon about this book. Appalachian folklore is interwoven in my own family history and reading this book, I can almost hear my own Granny's voice. Thank you so much for writing this and allowing me to review it.

I have shared my 5 star review on Goodreads, my Bookstagram, Twitter, in the Facebook group The Broom Closet and after publication on Amazon. I will update this Netgalley review with all links at the time I post them. Thanks again!

Update: 5 star review is live on Amazon and I've shared a public posting on my personal Facebook page. Thanks again.

Coming from a family practicing folk Magick, I really enjoyed this read. Not only is it well researched and informative, it also gives great tools to connect to southern root folk Magick. This is a book I will be coming back to and recommend to others (in fact I already have the title to some friends)! Thank you for thE ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is not for me, too personal in a way that throws me off. A bit informative on stuff introduced. Good for those who are concentrated at/around the Appalachian Mountains.

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Roots, Branches & Spirits: The Folkways & Witchery of Appalachia by H. Byron Ballard is a lyrical collection of traditional remedies of yarb women and yarb men whose families have lived in the small towns and isolated farms of the southern Appalachian Mountains for generations.

Much of what is covered in her book is probably at its end; that this information survives at all is probably attributable to poverty in the region, which has kept many families as subsistence farmers rather than tech workers. Ballard’s useful traditional knowledge is embedded in her sympathetic portrait of life in Appalachia.

Roots, Branches & Spirits is a wonderful introduction to an area and people who are often ignored. It will inspire readers to add some southern magic to practice as well as plan a trip to Tennessee or North Carolina. Just remember to take Byron Ballard's book along.

This book has everything you could want for a beginner or one who is familiar with recipes, spells, and using magical healing. Author Byron Ballard lived close to my family and I grew up hearing about different ways of caring for your mind, body, and spirit using his magic hands. I have not always understood this form of healing but have come to believe in its healing properties. There are many herbs and plants that have a lot of healing powers and through this book they are explained in great detail. If you are curious or have been using these items for years,this book is a great way to learn and understand more.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.