Hex Research Paper

Hex is a form of manipulative magick The first know hex was in 1856 coming from Germany, then the magic spell first recorded in 1909 which means a witch. The name "hex" may have originated from the German word for six, which is "sechs." The hex sign name could have also come from the German word "hexafoo," which means "witch's foot." The word hex means a spell or bewitchment and comes from the German word hexe for witch. Starting in the mid-18th century, Anglo-Celtic settlers sought to flee recurring religious and political persecutions in Scotland and Ireland by immigrating to the southern Appalachian mountains in North America. in the south the folk magic has always tended to be a solitary practice. This folk magic requires little preparation,

If you go driving around the countryside looking at the farms in Pennsylvania the many landscapes you may see some surprising artwork. Many barns and outbuildings on farms feature a hex sign hanging on display. Hex signs have bright colors and pretty designs. The origin of hex signs includes elements of symbolism, superstition, and even some traces of dark magic. The Pennsylvania Dutch enjoyed adding folk art throughout their homes and farms. Folk art was a strong connection between the Pennsylvania Dutch people and the nature around them. These farmers also painted designs on doors and walls in their homes. Even the fonts used in folk art carried significance. First the Pennsylvania Dutch painted barn stars directly onto the outside wood of their barns. Then, this changed to the practice of painting the six-pointed stars onto large wooden circles and then puting them onto barns. These wooden signs became known as hex signs. The combination of folk magic and symbolism has a strong influence on hex signs. Circles and stars are predominant geometric designs, symbolizing divinity and the circle of life. The Pennsylvania Dutch often incorporated these designs in their folk art, including hex signs. "The folk art style that inspired the modern day hex sign played a important part in the culture and traditions of the

The Fancy Germans, or Lutherans, The other German group was the Plain or Pietist Germans. Hexcraft, or pow-wow, as it is locally called, survived because of the tendency of both Fancy and Plain Germans to live in tightly knit communities, where they preserved their customs and language into the 20th century. Native Americans were present, at least at first, when the Germans arrived and the term pow-wow was possibly derived from the early settlers' observations of Indian pow wows. Pow-wowing includes some charms and incantations dating from the Middle Ages plus elements borrowed from the Jewish Qabala and Christian Bible. Pow-wowing generally focuses on healing minor health problems, the protection of livestock, success in love, and the casting or removing of hexes. For over 200 years, pow-wowers have considered themselves to be staunch Christians endowed with supernatural powers to both heal and harm. Hex signs are the most widely recognized symbols associated with pow-wow magic. Pow-wow tools include common items such as spools of red and black thread, a ball of red yarn, several lengths of red and black ribbons, small hand-made ceramic bowls, a seam ripper, a divinity stone and a container of holy water. Red and white are the basic colors used in pow-wow. Pow-wowing was still common in the early 20th century. Gradually over time, several local murders were attributed to pow-wowers. Pow-wowing rapidly