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Nummits and Crummits, Devonshire Customs, Characteristics, and Folk-lore
Sarah Hewett's "Nummits and Crummits" is an indispensable compendium for anyone delving into the rich tapestry of British folklore. Published at the cusp of a new century, it captures an era when ancient customs still held sway, offering a rare window into the esoteric underpinnings of rural life. Hewett's dedication to preserving these 'bits and pieces' of folk wisdom—charms, superstitions, and weather-lore—is evident on every page. The book’s strength lies in its authentic voice, directly transcribed from local inhabitants, providing an unvarnished glimpse into a worldview where magic was a practical, everyday force. This is essential reading for folklorists, cultural historians, and spiritual seekers interested in the enduring power of ancestral beliefs and the subtle energies that shape our world.
📝 Description
Step into the shadowed vales and mist-shrouded moors of old Devon with Sarah Hewett's "Nummits and Crummits." This seminal work, first unearthed in 1900, is far more than a mere collection of regional curiosities; it is a meticulously gathered testament to the enduring power of folk magic, ancient beliefs, and the whispered wisdom of a land steeped in mystery. Hewett, a devoted chronicler of the unseen, draws directly from the lips of those who lived by the rhythm of the seasons and the subtle currents of the earth. Within its pages lie potent charms for protection and prosperity, intricate superstitions guiding daily life, weather-lore that speaks with the voice of the elements, and hauntingly beautiful songs and stories that echo with primal truths. The title itself, derived from archaic words for 'bits and pieces,' hints at the fragmented yet profound nature of this hidden knowledge, offering a glimpse into a worldview where the mundane and the magical are inextricably intertwined. This book is an invitation to the discerning reader—the seeker of lost traditions, the scholar of the arcane, and the practitioner yearning for authentic roots—to partake in the 'nummits' and 'crummits' of Devon's soul, a veritable feast for the contemplative mind.
✍️ Author
Sarah Hewett
Writers who have contributed to New Zealand literature include:
💡 Why Read This Book?
Unearth the hidden magic woven into the fabric of everyday life in ancient Devon. "Nummits and Crummits" offers a direct conduit to ancestral wisdom, revealing potent charms, profound superstitions, and the elemental language of weather-lore. Ideal for spiritual seekers, folklorists, and practitioners seeking to connect with the deep, enduring currents of earth-based magic and the forgotten ways of the land.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the title "Nummits and Crummits" refer to?
The title is derived from old Devonshire words for 'bits and pieces,' suggesting a collection of diverse, often small but significant, fragments of folklore, customs, and beliefs.
What kind of folk-lore is covered in the book?
The book encompasses a wide array of folk-lore, including charms, superstitions, weather-lore, local customs, traditional songs, and captivating stories collected directly from the people of Devon.
Who was Sarah Hewett and why is her work important?
Sarah Hewett was a dedicated collector and preserver of folk traditions. Her work is crucial for its authentic, unadulterated capture of rural Devonshire's customs and beliefs at a time when they were beginning to fade, offering invaluable historical and cultural insights.
Is this book suitable for beginners in folklore studies?
Yes, "Nummits and Crummits" is an excellent starting point for beginners. Its accessible style and direct presentation of folk materials make it an engaging and informative introduction to the subject.
Can this book be used for practical magical or spiritual practices?
While primarily a historical and ethnographic record, the book contains numerous charms, rituals, and insights into folk beliefs that can be studied and adapted by modern practitioners seeking inspiration from traditional practices.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
The Living Tapestry of Folk Belief
This theme explores how "Nummits and Crummits" reveals a world where superstition was not mere quaintness but a vital framework for understanding and interacting with the natural and supernatural realms. Hewett captures the deep-seated belief in charms for protection, healing, and prosperity, illustrating how these practices were woven into the daily lives of Devon's inhabitants, reflecting a profound connection to unseen forces and the cyclical rhythms of existence. The book acts as a repository for this living tapestry, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of ancient spiritual technologies.
Elemental Wisdom and Weather-Lore
The book delves into the intricate relationship between the people of Devon and the elemental forces that governed their lives. Hewett meticulously records the local weather-lore, presenting it not as simple predictions but as a form of communication with the sky, the sea, and the land itself. This theme highlights the profound respect and understanding these communities held for nature's moods, viewing weather patterns as imbued with meaning and often influenced by subtle forces. It underscores a holistic worldview where humanity and the environment were in constant, reciprocal dialogue.
The Echoes of Ancient Ritual and Song
"Nummits and Crummits" serves as a powerful testament to the enduring power of oral tradition and ritualistic expression. The collected songs and stories are not merely entertainment but carriers of ancestral memory, wisdom, and spiritual practice. This theme examines how these narratives and melodies acted as conduits for passing down knowledge, reinforcing community bonds, and maintaining a connection to the sacred. Hewett’s work preserves these echoes of ancient ritual, offering a glimpse into the soul of a culture deeply rooted in myth and communal experience.
💬 Memorable Quotes
“"The old ways are the best ways."”
— This simple adage encapsulates the book's underlying philosophy: a reverence for traditional knowledge and practices passed down through generations, suggesting their inherent value and efficacy.
“"A word whispered to the wind can change a storm."”
— This poetic line speaks to the power of intention and the subtle energies that the folk believed could influence the natural world, highlighting a belief in sympathetic magic and the potency of spoken spells.
“"Every hearth held its own guardian."”
— This quote points to the domestic spiritual landscape, suggesting the belief in household spirits or protective energies associated with the home, emphasizing the sacredness of the domestic sphere.
“"The soil remembers what the sky forgets."”
— This evocative phrase underscores the enduring nature of the earth's secrets and the deep connection to the land, implying that the earth holds ancient wisdom that even the transient elements cannot erase.
“"Listen to the crones; their eyes see beyond the veil."”
— This highlights the respect for elders, particularly women, who were often seen as keepers of wisdom and possessing heightened spiritual perception, capable of perceiving hidden realities.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
This work deeply resonates with the tradition of Western Esotericism, particularly its branches concerned with folk magic, witchcraft, and nature spirituality. It aligns with the study of indigenous spiritual practices and the underlying animistic and polytheistic worldviews that informed pre-Christian European cultures. The collected charms and superstitions reflect a practical, immanent form of magic deeply connected to the land and local spirits, embodying a direct lineage to older, earth-centered spiritual systems.
Symbolism
The symbolism within "Nummits and Crummits" is rich and deeply rooted in the natural world and ancient archetypes. Objects like salt, iron, and specific herbs carry potent protective and purifying meanings. The cycles of the moon, the solstices and equinoxes, and the behaviour of animals often serve as symbolic omens or indicators of spiritual forces at play. Hewett's collection reveals a symbolic language where the mundane is imbued with the sacred, and everyday occurrences are interpreted through a lens of magical correspondences and divine or elemental influence.
Modern Relevance
In an age often characterized by disconnection from nature and spiritual traditions, "Nummits and Crummits" offers a powerful reminder of the enduring human need for meaning, connection, and agency. Its meticulously gathered folk practices provide a tangible link to ancestral wisdom and earth-based spirituality, offering practical inspiration for modern practitioners of witchcraft, paganism, and nature-based healing. The book's emphasis on community, ritual, and attunement to natural cycles speaks to contemporary desires for authenticity and groundedness in a fast-paced, often artificial world.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
This captivating volume is a treasure for a diverse readership. For the **beginner** in folklore or esoteric studies, it offers an accessible and authentic entry point into the world of folk magic and belief. **Scholars** of history, anthropology, and cultural studies will find it an invaluable primary source, providing rich ethnographic data on late Victorian rural life. **Spiritual seekers** and **practitioners** of earth-based traditions will be drawn to the potent charms, nature-based wisdom, and the palpable sense of ancient connection to the land. Anyone with an interest in the hidden currents of human belief and the enduring power of tradition will find "Nummits and Crummits" a deeply rewarding read.
📜 Historical Context
Published in 1900, "Nummits and Crummits" emerged during a period of significant societal change in Britain. The Industrial Revolution had reshaped the landscape and rural life, leading to a burgeoning interest in preserving what was perceived as a rapidly disappearing folk culture. This era saw the rise of folklore studies as an academic discipline, fueled by a Romantic sensibility that romanticized the rural past and its perceived purity. Sarah Hewett's meticulous collection can be seen as both a product of this preservationist impulse and a vital contribution to it. The book captures traditions that were still actively practiced but were beginning to be overshadowed by modernity, offering an invaluable snapshot of a world on the cusp of profound transformation, where ancient beliefs and superstitions held a tangible, if fading, influence.
📔 Journal Prompts
Reflect on a personal superstition or charm you or your family holds. What might be its historical or symbolic roots?
How does the weather-lore described in the book compare to modern weather forecasting? What does this tell us about different ways of knowing?
Consider a specific charm or custom from the book. How might its underlying principle be applied or understood in a contemporary context?
Imagine you are Sarah Hewett, documenting a custom. What sensory details and emotional nuances would you try to capture to convey its essence?
What does the title 'Nummits and Crummits' suggest to you about the value of small, often overlooked, pieces of knowledge or tradition?
🗂️ Glossary
Nummits
An old Devonshire word for 'bits' or 'pieces,' often referring to small snacks or morsels, here used metaphorically to denote fragments of folklore and custom.
Crummits
Another old Devonshire term akin to 'nummits,' signifying small pieces, fragments, or remnants, further emphasizing the book's collection of diverse folk elements.
Charm
A spoken spell, incantation, or ritualistic act believed to possess magical power to protect, heal, attract fortune, or influence events.
Superstition
A belief or practice based on irrational or supernatural assumptions, often involving luck, omens, or the influence of unseen forces on daily life.
Weather-lore
A body of traditional knowledge and beliefs about predicting or understanding weather patterns, often based on observations of nature, animal behaviour, and celestial signs.
