I’m of Appalachian stock myself, and also a witch. I grew up in Ohio, one generation away from the hills of Kentucky. My grandparents came to Ohio in the 1950s, and my family regularly returns to our place of origin in Paintsville, where many relatives still live.

Naturally, this title interested me, and it definitely surpassed my expectations. I was drawn in by Ballard’s strongly animist perspective and deeply moving love for Appalachia, the people, and the land. As an animist myself, this approach to the region touched my heart with its poetic beauty.

Ballard expresses a keen awareness of Appalachian history. This is the sort of history I grew up learning from my family. I know about the mines, the company towns, and the opiate epidemic, all of which Ballard mentions herself.

The writing style is sometimes somber, but not overly so. Ballard captures the beauty of the region, the rich and meaningful lives of the inhabitants, while also conveying a deep sadness for the region’s scars, both ecological and social.

Far from the dry lip service you might hear elsewhere, I found Ballard’s awareness of Appalachia’s perilous ecological state moving and poetic.

The practical, magical techniques in this book will resonate for witches who, like me, enjoy working with their hands. Ballard includes descriptions of using everyday materials (such as gravel, candy, and more) in magic.
She presents this in a way that’s as endearing as it is useful. The chapter on correspondences for candy sounds a bit strange at first, but in reading it, her rationale becomes clear. It’s a powerful approach, using daily items for magic.

In particular, I love her inclusion of a powerful binding spell involving just an egg and twine. She even suggests using a cast iron pan as a scrying mirror, which is in equal parts innovative and enchanting to me. Some of her suggestions might be impractical for some folks (not everyone has cast iron, for example), but for many of us, they will fit into our lives perfectly.

I can’t give many criticisms of this book. I suppose it could’ve been better organized, but the meandering words seemed to fit the subject matter.

The author’s tone conveys a deep appreciation for what she’s describing. It’s wholly appropriate, but might not resonate with all readers.

Overall, I give it five out of five stars. It’s a love song to Appalachia!

This book was different from what I had originally thought it would be. It is more of a sociological examination of Appalachian folklore and granny magick. Ballard goes into great detail in all areas and the introduction sets the tone of how detailed the book will be. Gowing up in Appalachia and living in different areas of it, many areas of topics I was widely familiar with. My area of interest does not focus on Applachial but I have one friend who is very deeply interested in it. I have suggested the book to him and he has preordered the book. I know he will enjoy this book.

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars but I believe someone who is very interested in Appalachian folklore. and history would give this book 5/5.

This was an incredibly interesting read. It is not a book of spells and recipes. It is an in-depth look into the the Southern part of the Appalachia region. Part history, part anthropological study, part herb lore. This book was highly engaging and captivated me. It is heavier on the history and cultural aspects than I had expected. The author dives into one of the most misunderstood regions of the United States. The language is evocative in describing the people, and cultures that make up the region. The author makes a point to highlight the diversity of the region and pays homage to the roots of the various people that make their home in the southern highlands of the Appalachian region. The author does not shy away from controversial topics and makes a point to touch on the pillaging that humans have done to the land. The research and care that went into this book is evident. The author makes it clear that she is writing about the area she has experienced first hand. I really liked how the author is a native of the Appalachian region that chose to write about the region in clear language that evokes a sense of familiarity and kinship with the people that call the region home.

*This book was received as an Advanced Reviewer's Copy from NetGalley.

The description and subtitle of this book is what drew me in. Folkways, culture, witchery; there's a lot of lore in the mountains. And the author is from Asheville, one of my favorite daytrips.

Ballard combines memoir with history with spellcraft and a few other dabbles of topics in this book. It meanders through lore and information about the area and the people of Appalachia, their customs and beliefs and superstitions. She mixes in some of her own reminiscing and customs that she learned from her family. And then there are receipts for spells or information on practices that utilize a manner of materials from the surrounding world or make-do.

The writing tone is very calm and 'familiar' and makes you feel comfortable broaching the topic matter. I enjoyed all aspects of the book regardless if it was talking history in general or her personal history. It was also a quick read; with sections flying by as they contained more vignette than in-depth study.

My only real complaint is that coming into this book as a person interested in the culture and folkways and not as a practitioner of magickcraft or other, there were some terms or practices that I didn't really understand and had to go look up that seemed to be taken for granted by the author as being common knowledge. For instance, dressing a candle; I gathered it involved oil but didn't know much beyond that.

An interesting book, and whether you're looking to study up on customs in Appalachia, folk history, and practice witchery, there's probably a little bit of something for everyone in here.

Review by M. Reynard 2020

Recently I have become obsessed with links to my ancestors and the past and have read several books focused on regional practices. Oddly enough, this is the second one based in the Appalachians. While my ancestors did not come from the Appalachians, at least not to my knowledge, there were many similarities in some of the old ways and things that have been passed down to me.

From learning about incantations that were used by women as they work to signs and omens, to plants and herbs, and more, this book is filled with history and ties to the old ways that are still in practice today. I particularly liked the tales of saints at the end. A very good read for a cold day with a cup of tea and a candle going by your side.

Roots Branches and Spirits is a book that helped me to get grounded again. I am of Appalachian heritage and looked forward to reading this and learning some of the things I am sure my ancestors knew but through moving and time my family has forgotten. The book starts off with history and descriptions of the lands peoples and mountains. Both were relevant as the simple but powerful magic of the land is still there. There are many examples of work anyone can do to improve their lives. The first simple exercise is a good start. As I read this book I started going outside more and looking at the trees and the animals. I looked for the mast on the forest floor so I could decide if winter would be hard or not as cold. I actually understood more about the land I live on and how I can make practical imporvements in my life . This book is interesting and very readable. I could not put it down as it was so familiar to what I had heard growing up that I felt as though Grandma was talking to me in kitchen like she did when I was small. Simple, plain, common sense but worthy of learning. I look forward to more books by H. B. Ballard.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but the cover and title caught my eye. Yes, the author covers history, folklore and magic, but the chapters are set up more like academic essays. Guess it makes sense, since she holds a MFA, and teaches the mountain folklore. At times though, I considered the details to be traditions, not magic, for example tools women used. Interesting, but images would help a lot, and more stories, like the ones of the women discussing the drug abuse of today. I would recommend this, but would work better for a class reading than personal. Maybe just me, but expected a smoother flow and a stronger feel of what makes the Appalachian people stand out, not repeating over and over they are not hillbillies. Also had a hard time following her discussion of religion, when she continues to mention she was from an unchurch family. If you want a different perspective, pick this one up, if you want an interesting read and view of mountain women perhaps not.