Cunning folk
Cunning Folk
Cunning folk, also known as wise men and wise women, were practitioners of folk magic and folk medicine in Europe from the Middle Ages until the early 20th century.
Pronunciation: /ˈkʌnɪŋ fəʊk/
Etymology: The term "cunning" comes from the Old English cunnan, meaning "to know". The term "folk" comes from the Old English folc, meaning "people" or "tribe".
History
Cunning folk were often sought out for their knowledge of herbal remedies, divination, and spell casting. They were believed to have the ability to heal, to ward off evil, and to find lost objects or people.
Practices
Cunning folk practices varied widely, but often included the use of charms, amulets, and incantations. They were also known to perform exorcisms and to provide protection against witchcraft.
Related Terms
- Witchcraft: The practice of magical skills, spells, and abilities.
- Divination: The practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means.
- Herbalism: The study or use of the medicinal properties of plants.
- Amulet: An object whose most important characteristic is the power ascribed to it to protect its owner from danger or harm.
- Exorcism: The religious or spiritual practice of evicting demons or other spiritual entities from a person or an area they are believed to have possessed.
See Also
- Witch trials in the early modern period
- European witchcraft
- Magic in the Middle Ages
- History of herbalism
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cunning folk
- Wikipedia's article - Cunning folk
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