(excerpt)
The Lowcountry is a sultry, seductive place known for plough mud and palmettos, graceful snowy egrets and huge herons, old fishing trawlers and extraordinarily expensive yachts, remote sea islands filled with tiny beach cottages and four-story mansions, low-lying marsh and miles of wetlands, fantastic sunsets and mosquitoes as big as your thumbnail, fascinating legends and peculiar folklore…and voodoo. No book on Lowcountry voodoo, in my opinion, would be complete without stories that emerge from this magic place, stories about creepy boo hags, witch doctors, haints, and evil plateyes. These are some of my favorite tales, which I learned while growing up in the Lowcountry and while writing this book.
These include:
The Boo Hag Bride and Boo Hags 101
Hound of Goshen and About Plateyes
Why You Shouldn’t Mess with Voodoo and The Big, Bad Bugaloo
Haints in the Keyhole House and Beware of Haints
Dr. Buzzard, the Most Famous Root Doctor and Why Root Doctors Wear Shades
Doctor to the Dead and Do You Believe?
The Apothecary’s Folly and About Apothecaries and Mermaid or Hoax?
Kingdom of Oyontunji: Voodoo Village
Discover the difference between Lowcountry voodoo or hoodoo and “hardcore” voodoo that is practiced in places like Haiti and New Orleans. Is this a religion or black magic or something else entirely? Learn who the Gullah are, what they believe in, and how they have shaped Lowcountry history and folklore. Find out how to cast special spells, perform voodoo rituals, and much more.
Author’s Note: I grew up listening to my great aunts tell stories about hoodoo, but they called it lowcountry voodoo and took it quite seriously. Whenever I got to asking too many questions, I was told, “Hush, child. You’ll stir up the evil spirits.” I never put much stock in any of that stuff until I began researching this book. The more I learned, the more reverent I became. I want to be clear that the purpose of this book is not to poke fun at the subject matter nor take it too seriously for I am not an expert on the subject. That is why the book is subtitled: A Beginner’s Guide to Tales, Spells and Boo Hags. This book is exactly what it says it is. It is meant for anyone who wants to learn more about how lowcountry voodoo or hoodoo came to exist, if it is still practiced, and some remarkable tales about witch doctors, spells, bugaloos, boo hags, haints, plateyes, and more. If you decide to attempt any of the spells or charms or rituals discussed herein, be advised that you are doing so at your own risk!
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW:
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Midwest Book Review reviewed Lowcountry Voodoo
3 of 3 people found the following helpful
 Shouldn’t be missed by those with an interest in the American occult April 14, 2010Voodoo is something that has to be studied to be truly understood. “Lowcountry Voodoo: Beginner’s Guide to Tales, Spells, and Boo Hags” looks into this folk magic, still sporadically practiced in the Southern United States, in particular South Carolina’s lowcountry. Terrance Zepke brings readers into the myths and legends of voodoo, exploring its superstitions and how some of it can be applied to even those who don’t place their faith in the voodoo. “Lowcountry Voodoo” shouldn’t be missed by those with an interest in the American occult.
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Amazon Reader Reviews:
This review is from: Lowcountry Voodoo (Paperback)
A good introduction to Southern Low Country voodoo, Gullahs and stories. Terrance provides information, and avenues a person can use for more information. The book is a collection of stories, information, Legends and even recipes.
This review is from: Lowcountry Voodoo (Paperback)
Mixed among soem spooky traditional ghost stories are some alleged Gullah spells, some traditional superstitions (roosters crowing at night and dogs howling outside your house are a sure sign somebody you know is going to die) and even a recipe for down-home Hoppin’ John. Readers learn the meaning of Gullah, of indigo…and how to make a “real” voodoo doll. An appendix lists tours that introduce visitors to Gullah culture, and a back-of-the-book section offers classroom-style activities for young readers to review and to learn more.
M. Haines “0logic” (australia)
This review is from: Lowcountry Voodoo (Paperback)
A good, if a little generic, coverage of Voodoo as practiced by the Gullah people from around South Carolina. This is not the flashy skull and zombie Voodoo of Haiti, but a quieter practice, part of everyday life for its participants. “Lowcountry Voodoo” has a wide view of this style of Voodoo, and maybe here the book could be faulted with some areas covered a little too lightly. However, as an introduction to a style of Voodoo many people haven’t heard of I rate this book very highly. It is, not for the advanced researcher or practitioner, but a comfortable entry level tome.
VOODOO GOOD,January 26, 2012
Worthwhile information for anyone who is just starting out in Voodoo. Spells are easy to follow and information is good.
BUY THE BOOK! http://www.amazon.com/Lowcountry-Voodoo-Terrance-Zepke/dp/1561644552/
