Magic from the Hilltops and Hollers: Folk Witchery, Superstitions, and Healing Practices from Appalachia

Silver Winner―Body, Mind, and Spirit, IBPA Book Awards 2026“This book stands as a valuable addition to the growing library of works on the lived experiences of Appalachians and how folk magic continues to be a valuable part of their cultural identity. I hope, after you read this, that you feel as in love with this land and its citizens, both human and more than human, as I do. Long live Appalachia!”―Rebecca Beyer, author of Wild WitchcraftIn an ode to her Appalachian roots and ancestors, known and unknown, of blood and kin, Leah Middleton, the Redheaded Witch, tells the stories of the grandfathers who had dirt under their fingernails from farming, the grandmothers who bled while sewing their garments, the relatives who decided to take a leap of faith and pave a new path, the ones who passed away too young, and the fellow practitioners and healers who showed her the way. It is a work of veneration to keep their spirits alive. If you share similar roots or find yourself creating new ones, this magical book is a hand to welcome you home.Explore the superstitions of the mountains, the healing charms of doctors, and the folk beliefs of witchery. Wander down shadowy paths lined with rhododendrons, uncovering the hidden corners where charms are whispered and prayers are spoken. Uncover the superstitions captured in this region that have inspired magical workings for protection and healing. Learn to walk the witch’s path as a rite conducted with reverence and solemnity. Appalachia is a place where the lines between the mundane and the magical are blurred, and Magic from the Hilltops and Hollers offers readers exquisite insight into the enduring lore and magic of the region. Read more