There Be Witches: A historian’s approach to understanding the history of witches, occult, and esoteric and their impacts on modern culture within the

There Be Witches: A historian’s approach to understanding the history of witches, occult, and esoteric and their impacts on modern culture within the

There Be Witches provides a comprehensive theoretical and historical exploration of witchcraft and folklore within the Appalachian region. Drawing on over a century of scholarship, the work examines the ways scholars have approached, interpreted, and often misunderstood Appalachian witchcraft, highlighting both the strengths and limitations of existing research. This 15,000-word study situates older ethnographic, folkloric, and historical accounts within broader cultural and academic contexts, addressing gaps in contemporary understandings of Appalachian spiritual and folk traditions. The book establishes a foundational framework for field research by exploring the social, cultural, and historical construction of witchcraft identities in Appalachia. By interrogating previous scholarship and emphasizing the role of local cultural knowledge, it seeks to illuminate the nuanced ways in which witchcraft practices and beliefs have shaped—and continue to shape—the region’s cultural identity. Serving as both a literature review and theoretical grounding, this work prepares the reader for an in-depth exploration of lived experiences, contemporary beliefs, and the ongoing relevance of witchcraft folklore in Appalachia today.