The Long Hidden Friend

Der Lange Verborgene Freund appeared in German, written by John George Hohman in 1820- appearing later in English as ‘Pow-wows’ or ‘Long Lost Friend’. (It’s as a result of this book that the Dutch Pennsylvania tradition of folk magic became known as ‘Pow-wow’)

This book is a wonderful collection of traditional European folk-magic formulas for a vast range of simple rituals, charms, spells, talismans, prayers, benedictions, magical folk healing, bindings, remedies and recipes for humans as well as various non-magical tips for matters of rural or domestic life.

In this version, published by Troy Books, Gemma Gary has arranged the disorganised content in an immediately usable order- solidifying into sections of Curative Arts, Animal Arts, Arts against Evildoers, Protective Arts and Propitious Arts. The section on Propitious Arts focuses on magical and non magical practices for success, good fortune, safety and well being in various areas of life, including gambling, hunting, games, divination and legal matters.

This edition is illustrated by Gemma Gary’s line drawings, inspired by Dutch Pennsylvanian folk art, charms and traditional hex signs.

Why we love it

This is our favourite edition of the Long Lost Friend, and is also the edition we find the most easily accessible, readable and the best for quick reference. This book represents an important part of occult and folk magic history, and the spells still hold up hundreds of years later.  Some of the spells are fascinating and inspiring- a really useful book!

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