Talking The Fire Out of a Burn

[Sugar Smack]

Has anyone heard of this practice? It's Appalachian, I think.

Someone who knows how takes the victim's arm (or whatever was burned). He or she whispers a prayer into the burn. So quietly that the burn victim can't hear it. Then, he or she blows gently on the burn and waves a hand to dispel the pain.

At the end, the person's burn is supposed to disappear. If you thank the person who did it for you, the burn comes back because the person is not the one to thank. Also, the practice is taught from male to female to male to female.

Who else has good folk customs to share? I must have read 3 of all the FoxFire books in the series.:)

[Sugar Smack]

1. Kick.

:kick:

[bicentennial_baby]

2. I gotta read those books again...

My momma has a bunch of them.

;)

[Sugar Smack]

4. So does Dad!

We're young, well-scrubbed hippies who eat the viscera of life, honey. I've spent most of my posting day in GD. How're YOU? :D

[bicentennial_baby]

5. You should see my parents' vinyl collection...

:rofl:

I'm good! Tired, ready for the semester to be over. But, Sniffa is making me dinner right now (cheezburgers and fries) and I'm chillin for now.

We *must* talk soon baby!! :bounce:

:loveya:

[Sugar Smack]

7. Yea, we must!!

Hey, listen, girlie. Have a little extra ketchup for me. :P 3 days, max. I love you, mittens!:loveya:

[zabet]

3. I have actually seen

it done. Old timey cures
like drawing the thrush from
a baby's mouth, onions sliced
and wrapped on the soles of
the feet to cure fever, and
wart removals. Was raised in NC with
family from the Virginia mountains,
these practices were common with
my grandparents' and my great-grandparents'
generation.
The Foxfire Series is excellent, what
I have read. How many volumes in all..
is it 11 or 12?

[Sugar Smack]

6. There are about 12. Oh, honey. You know exactly what I'm talking about.

Roots, and all. Thank god I still have a little of the South in me. I've also actually seen "haints". Isn't that the blue glow off foliage in the mountains?

[zabet]

8. Haints or swamp gas,

Depends on the local
vernacular which can
change from community
to community. I do know
digging ginseng in the
wrong patch kin getcha
shot!
You can't take
the Southern out of your
soul. It will always be
there.

[zingaro]

9. I don't know what the FoxFire books are

but I practice as a healer and have been party to similar things. What you describe sounds pretty close to what I'd do, actually. But I'd also probably apply some ice, too, just because. :)

I'm going book shopping tomorrow, btw, and I'm purchasing "She's Come Undone" on your rec.