Abstract:
Many of the Cherokees believe in witches, ghosts, and other supernatural figures, and they have their remedies for guarding against these malignant influences. Ghost may be friendly at times, but witches harm simply because doing so is an inherent trait of their nature. Witches are said to take the form of the mysterious lights that are often seen in western North Carolina, and relatives and friends must guard an ill person all night to prevent a witch or ghost from taking their spirit.