The Untold Story Of North Carolina’s Granny Witches May Surprise You

Throughout time, people the world over have been fascinated with others who present special powers. Over time, many have been persecuted for possessing what appeared to be an ability to magically wield influence over creatures and persons, time and space, health and sickness, and more. The earliest witch trials took place in Europe in the 15th century and soon followed to the New World where, beginning in the mid-17th century, witch trials were conducted in New England. But there is one kind of ‘witch’ that has always held a position of honor: the Granny Witch of the Appalachian Mountains.

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Long ago, before the development of modern inventions or an increased ease of travel, and before North Carolina had a doctor in many of our towns, the Granny Witch was lauded as the healer and powerful one in the community everyone would turn to for ailments and other issues. The many isolated areas in the mountains of Western North Carolina made it difficult to seek help outside many of the small communities. ©Robin Jarvis In spite of all the stereotypes and fear of witches elsewhere in the country, Granny Witches never minded the name 'witch' — and neither did those in the community who called them the Granny Witch. And one more thing: you can be assured they didn't have a uniform or a costume like those other kind of witches now seen in movies and on creepy Halloween nights. Flickr/Luminitsa No, the Granny Witches fit right in, and their gifts were often passed down through generations; the eldest being the most wise and powerful in solving health and other problems in the community. Pixabay/Free-Photos Some Granny Witches practiced only faith healing, while others incorporated herbs and natural medicines to help heal the sick. For those practicing 'faith healing,' it wasn't uncommon for them to gently lay a hand on a suffering person and then close their eyes and say a few soft words. A person afflicted with a wart on their finger, for instance, would wake the next morning and there would no sign of that wart after a visit to the Granny Witch. Pixabay/josemdelaa Some Granny Witches were also called Water Witches. They could use their wisdom or even special tools (now called divining rods) to locate a new well for a family. Pizabay.ivabalk

You may be surprised to hear that Granny Witches are still a thing in the Appalachian Mountains (including the Blue Ridge Mountains) in North Carolina. With the addition of modern conveniences in the world, they are relied upon much less for everyday healing and other issues for which they have a keen ability to magically solve.

Have you, or anyone you know, ever had an amazing experience with a Granny Witch? I’ll go first: that person above whose wart on the end of her finger magically disappeared overnight after a visit from a Granny Witch… was me at age 11. We’d love to hear all about your amazing encounters with our Granny Witches!