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primitive-roots-conjure · 3 years

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Us Pennsylvania Dutch have a plethora of superstitions about the month of May. This month held many positive and negative intonations. It's a common held belief that collecting the first rain of May and washing your hair with this water would make your hair grow extremely fast and long. There's an entire ritual concerning the morning dew on May 1st, see my last post The month of May was considered an unlucky month particularly for getting married. "Marry in May and you'll rue the day" "Maid or widow married this month must expect ill luck" ~Being born in May was thought to produce a sickly child. ~Never buy a broom in May "Buy a broom in the month of May, sweep a family member away" ~Never wash blankets in May. "Wash a blanket in May, wash a dear one away" ~Cats born in May will bring snakes into the home. ~Taking baths in May is considered unlucky and even thought to bring death to the home. "Those who bathe in May will soon be laid in clay" ~ Any Hares (rabbits) seen on May morning are witches in disguise #primitiverootsconjure #primitiveroots #padutch #pennsylvaniadutch #pagerman #pennsylvaniagermans #pennsylvaniawitches #powwow #powwower #hexerei #fraktur #frakturart #roots #appalachianfolkmagic #appalachiantraditions #appalachianwitch #mountainwitch #traditions #yayinikki #munumidnight https://www.instagram.com/p/COTpsXVH3vn/?igshid=7is51nla754x

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librarycompany · 7 years

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Our conservation department recently uploaded a collection of Pennsylvania German catechisms on Flickr. The 18th-century block-printed decorative papers provide a unique personality to these bindings. To see their full covers visit the Library Company Conservation Dept. Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/librarycompany/34392956223/in/album-72157681837145234/

#1700s #18thCentury #PennsylvaniaDutch #PennsylvaniaGerman #bookbinding #decorativepapers #LCPInsider #catachisms #rarebooks #SpecialCollections #tumblarians #BensLibrary

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primitive-roots-conjure · 3 years

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May 1st is by no means an official holiday among the Pennsylvania Dutch, but a number of significant folk-cultural traditions take place on this day. As the point between the equinox and the summer solstice, May 1st coincided with the increase of daylight and the blooming of the earth. So its no wonder that the day was associated with fertility and youth. A wide range of ritual traditions made use of the morning dew on May 1st. The dew was thought to be particularly effective in treating a broad spectrum of skin ailments, everything from removing blemishes, birthmarks, pimples to warts. Even freckles, which were once considered undesirable, were thought to be "cured" by the dew on May 1st. Even if you didn't have any blemishes, one's complexion was thought to be improved by an application of the dew. The typical ritual involved going out alone before the sunrise, gathering the dew in ones hands or on a cloth, and applying the dew to ones skin without being seen. The individual was to return to their home without speaking about it, or the ritual wouldn't work. Many times this was done 3 times for 3 successive days. Many variations of this ritual have been reported throughout the region, suggesting that one must apply the dew while fasting before breakfast, or in some cases the dew must be applied while wearing no clothing. This latter aspect has led to some embarrassing narratives of people being spotted, much to their dismay, naked and alone in the yard in the early morning hours on May 1st. These cautionary tales concerning the May dew also include accounts of those individuals who hurriedly applied an uneven distribution of dew and only removed a portion of their freckles. Many Pa Dutch believed that this dew must not be disturbed in fields and pastures lest the fertility of the land be stolen. This belief held that dubious neighbors would walk through the fields dragging a scarf or rope to steal the blessings of others. #primitiverootsconjure #primitiveroots #padutch #pennsylvaniadutch #pagerman #pennsylvaniagermans #pennsylvaniawitches #powwow #powwower #hexerei #fraktur #frakturart #roots #appalachianfolkmagic #appalachiantraditions #appalachianwitch https://www.instagram.com/p/COTpkVBnORq/?igshid=zdh7wd68cvs0

#primitiverootsconjure #primitiveroots #padutch #pennsylvaniadutch #pagerman #pennsylvaniagermans #pennsylvaniawitches #powwow #powwower #hexerei #fraktur #frakturart #roots #appalachianfolkmagic #appalachiantraditions #appalachianwitch

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primitive-roots-conjure · 3 years

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This is the Pennsylvanian German or PA Dutch flag and each symbol has a meaning.... Colors - red, white and blue - are a reminder that, in spite of the Pennsylvania Germans' background, they are first and foremost loyal and devoted Americans. - Sailing ship Concord - commemorates the journey from Krefeld to Germantown PA in 1683, the start of a great migration of German-speaking people in search of greater religious freedom and better social and economic conditions in a new area of the world. - Keystone - the symbol of Pennsylvania, the principal and permanent settlement for the majority of immigrants. - Dialect expression - "Liewer Gott im Himmel drin, Loss uns Deitsche was mir sin" is translated: "Dear God in heaven, leave us Germans what we are" - implying "let us keep our traditional ways." - Church - indicative of the devoutness of Pennsylvania Germans whose religious convictions were a strong motivating force in their daily lives. Plow - symbolizing probably the predominant Pennsylvania German profession, farming, and the Pennsylvania German farm as a source of food for state and nation. - Heart and tulip - represents the great skills and contributions of the Pennsylvania German in arts and crafts. - Conestoga wagon - standing for the Pennsylvania German contribution to the need for transportation. This "ship of inland commerce," as it became known, played an important role in the Revolutionary War under the guidance of Pennsylvania German teamsters. It also played a tremendous role in America's westward expansion. #primitiverootsconjure #primitiveroots #padutch #pennsylvaniadutch #pagerman #pennsylvaniagermans #pennsylvaniawitches #powwow #powwower #hexerei #fraktur #frakturart #roots #appalachianfolkmagic #appalachiantraditions #appalachianwitch #mountainwitch #traditions #yayinikki #munumidnight https://www.instagram.com/p/CNbHHNaH6F6/?igshid=patony6bhwgc

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primitive-roots-conjure · 3 years

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Are you American and love your Christmas tree 🎄 ? Thank the Pennsylvania Dutch! For much of the 17th century, the Puritans in Massachusetts outlawed the celebration of Christmas, slowing down the growth of the tradition of the Christmas tree. Although banned in Boston, in the 18th century, the Christmas tree first took root in "Penn's Woodland" - or Pennsylvania - by German immigrants IE: Pennsylvania Dutch. Specifically, in Lancaster County, in 1821 this is the first written mention of the Christmas tree tradition in the United States. Even though Pennsylvania Dutch are credited with bringing the Christmas tree to America, they were not like the familiar ones we see today. Up until Civil War times, the trees used were branches of small trees from the sassafras or the zuckerbaam (wild cherry tree) and not the evergreen trees used presently. These table top trees of branches and limbs were surrounded by or decorated with apples, gilded nuts, colorfully wrapped candies and other ornaments. Do you think the upside down Christmas tree is a new thing? Think again! Again credited to the Pennsylvania Dutch. One of the ways the Pennsylvania Germans celebrated was with an upside down tree hung from the ceiling. Why, you ask? Many ornaments were edible, so suspending the tree from the ceiling kept the snitz (dried apple garland) and other treats out of the reach of mice. This century's-old tradition is making a comeback today. #primitiverootsconjure #primitiveroots #folkmagic #cunningfolk #folktradition #pennsylvaniagermans #appalachianfolkmagic #appalachiantraditions #padutch #pennsylvaniadutch #pennsylvaniawitches #powwow #powwower #christmastree #christmastraditions #holidayseason #holidaytraditions #holidayhistory #christmashistory #christmas #holidays #origins #mountainwitch #yayinikki #munumidnight #appalachiansuperstition #upsidedownchristmastree https://www.instagram.com/p/CIcCIBJn7oo/?igshid=110xkoqxk6v9p

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primitive-roots-conjure · 4 years

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My newest acquisitions! Not easy to find #primitiveroots #Primitiverootsconjure #powwower #powwow #pennsylvaniadutch #pennsylvaniawitches #appalachianfolkmagic #appalachianwitch #mountainwitch #mountainmagic #cunningfolk #folkhealing #folkmagic #witchcraft #braucherei #brujería #rootwork #hoodoo #conjure #pennsylvaniagermans #amishcountry #homesweethome https://www.instagram.com/p/CAQhwO8Hr9t/?igshid=y615cpp0sqjp

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historicboyertown · 3 years

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We’ve already been in planning mode for Boyertown’s biggest event of the year, Oktoberfest!!! Mark your calendars for Friday, Sept 17th and Saturday Sept 18th! More information can be found on our event page (link in our profile). If you are interested in being a sponsor or vendor please reach out! #boyertown #boyertownpa #berkscountypa #pennsylvania #pennsylvaniagerman #oktoberfest #boyertownoktoberfest #drinkbeerbemerry #pretzels #allthingsgerman #polkamusic #lederhosen #imgonnaneedabiggerlederhosen #prost #fallfestival #smalltown #betterinboyertown (at Boyertown, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPGokY5rUq5/?utm_medium=tumblr

#boyertown #boyertownpa #berkscountypa #pennsylvania #pennsylvaniagerman #oktoberfest #boyertownoktoberfest #drinkbeerbemerry #pretzels #allthingsgerman #polkamusic #lederhosen #imgonnaneedabiggerlederhosen #prost #fallfestival #smalltown #betterinboyertown

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librarycompany · 7 years

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It is snowing in Philadelphia, a perfect day for coloring! Today we bring the alphabet from 1802.

Hoch-deutsches lutherisches A B C und Namen Büchlein, : für Kinder, welche anfangen zu lernen. Germantaun [Pa.]. : Gedruckt und zu haben von Michael Billmeyer., 1802.

#ColorOurCollections #pennsylvaniadutch #pennsylvaniagerman #abcs #kinder #rarebooks #1800s #tumblarians #specialcollections #BensLibrary

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primitive-roots-conjure · 3 years

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#appalachiansuperstition #witch #witches #witchcraft #witchesofinstagram #sewing #conjure #rootwork #rootworkers #cunningfolk #rootworkersofinstagram #hoodoo #bruja #brujeria #superstition #primitiveroots #primitiverootsconjure #mountainwitch #appalachianwitch #appalachianfolkmagic #appalachiantraditions #powwow #superstitions #pennsylvaniagermans #pennsylvaniadutch #padutch #powwower https://www.instagram.com/p/CJfdkM1nUCR/?igshid=1giag4k83c4fk

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primitive-roots-conjure · 3 years

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#appalachiansuperstition #witch #witches #witchcraft #witchesofinstagram #sewing #conjure #rootwork #rootworkers #cunningfolk #rootworkersofinstagram #hoodoo #bruja #brujeria #superstition #primitiveroots #primitiverootsconjure #mountainwitch #appalachianwitch #appalachianfolkmagic #appalachiantraditions #powwow #superstitions #pennsylvaniagermans #pennsylvaniadutch #padutch #powwower https://www.instagram.com/p/CJfdhiRHpMg/?igshid=1blt7akmp01ms

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primitive-roots-conjure · 3 years

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#appalachiansuperstition #witch #witches #witchcraft #witchesofinstagram #sewing #conjure #rootwork #rootworkers #cunningfolk #rootworkersofinstagram #hoodoo #bruja #brujeria #superstition #primitiveroots #primitiverootsconjure #mountainwitch #appalachianwitch #appalachianfolkmagic #appalachiantraditions #powwow #superstitions #pennsylvaniagermans #pennsylvaniadutch #padutch #powwower https://www.instagram.com/p/CJfddIkHGge/?igshid=2trhv5esq51o

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