The Long Lost Friend

The Long Lost Friend is a collection of folk magic formulas and remedies compiled by Johann Georg Hohman in 1820. This German-American grimoire contains spells, chants, recipes and folk practices gathered from Pennsylvania Dutch settlers and European sources. The book provides instructions for healing, protection, and solving everyday problems through a blend of Christian prayer and folk magic traditions. Each entry includes specific directions for implementing the remedies, along with required materials and proper timing. The text reflects the cultural intersection of European folk beliefs, Christian devotion, and early American frontier life. The practices range from medical treatments using herbs and minerals to supernatural methods for warding off evil spirits and hexes. The Long Lost Friend remains an important historical document of early American folk magic and demonstrates how Old World traditions adapted to New World circumstances. The work stands as a testament to how immigrant communities preserved and transformed their ancestral practices while building lives in a new land.

Readers describe this as a historical folk magic text that collects Pennsylvania Dutch healing practices, prayers, and remedies. Many view it as a reference book rather than something to read cover-to-cover. Readers appreciate: - Historical documentation of early American folk practices - Mix of Christian prayers with practical remedies - Clear translations from the original German - Insights into Pennsylvania Dutch culture Common criticisms: - Repetitive content - Outdated/dangerous medical advice - Poor organization - Basic printing quality in some editions Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (150+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (300+ ratings) From reviews: "A fascinating glimpse into rural American folk magic" - Goodreads reviewer "Expected more actual spells and less prayers" - Amazon reviewer "The remedies are interesting historically but please don't try these at home" - Goodreads reviewer "Important primary source but not very practical today" - Amazon reviewer

Pow-Wows, or Long Lost Friend by John George Hoffman A collection of Pennsylvania Dutch folk magic practices and remedies that shares cultural origins with Hohman's work.

Egyptian Secrets of Albertus Magnus by Albertus Magnus A grimoire of folk magic and herbal cures from medieval Europe that combines Christian prayer with practical healing methods.

The Book of Forbidden Knowledge by Basil LaCroix A compilation of folk spells, charms, and traditional healing methods from various European sources that reflect similar practices found in Hohman's text.

The Black Pullet by Anonymous A French grimoire containing magical seals, talismans, and occult instructions that mixes practical folk magic with ceremonial elements.

Secrets of the Psalms by Godfrey Selig A guide to using biblical psalms for practical magic and healing that aligns with Hohman's Christian-based magical tradition.

🔮 Published in 1820, this Pennsylvania Dutch grimoire became so influential that some rural doctors would keep a copy with their medical supplies. 📚 Despite containing magical spells and folk remedies, the book includes numerous Christian prayers and references, reflecting the unique blend of religious and folk traditions in early American settler communities. 🌿 Many of the remedies in the book draw from European folk medicine traditions, particularly German healing practices that immigrants brought to Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries. ⚖️ The book was used as evidence in a 1928 murder trial in York County, Pennsylvania, where a practitioner of folk magic was accused of killing a man who had allegedly used the book to place a curse on him. 🗝️ The original German title was "Der Lange Verborgene Freund" (The Long Hidden Friend), and it was considered so powerful that simply having a copy in one's home was thought to protect against fire, theft, and evil spirits.