The Powwow Guy

Home of Robert Phoenix and Traditional Christian Pennsylvania German Powwow

About Me

I first began learning about Powwow in the 1990's. It took me a while, but I eventually realized that THIS was the tradition for me. I threw myself into the study of the tradition, reached out to anyone and everyone that would help me to learn, and ultimately got to where I am today.

I am 50 years old, I'm married, we have a son, we run a dog rescue, I'm an Accountant, and that's me in a nutshell!

Powwow is my lifestyle, and every day I learn something new to help me live my life more true to what I want to be. It is my goal to learn the proper information about our tradition, share it with the world, and live it to my very best. 

While I belong to the modern-day German Reformed Church (United Church of Christ), I honestly feel that I would be better classified as a Pietist, as I believe that there is a mystical bond between man and God, and that through this mystical bond we are able to bring the powers of God into the world.

To this end, I do my best to adhere to the historical, cultural, and religious truths of Powwowing. I don't care much for modern interpretations that attempt to rewrite history, while basically cosplaying as Plain Folk. I think that does a disservice to our culture and our tradition. I believe the culture is best preserved by remaining true to our history.

There IS Braucherei in my family history, although it's quite far removed. My grandfather's Aunt and her daughter (his cousin) were Brauchers in the Lancaster area. These would be my third and fourth cousins, or Great Aunt (?). However, I cannot claim any connection to them other than blood because they were black-balled from the family for their marriage into a Catholic family (times were crazy back then!)...

I've written a LOT about Powwow over the past twenty years. I've self-published, I've been published through The History Press, Red Wheel/Weiser, and Llewellyn Worldwide. My work is everywhere, and I'm proud of the fact that my information about the tradition of Powwow has been praised by Patrick Donmoyer as "the truth about the Powwow tradition".

This website has been my public voice since 2008. I put my heart and soul into this work and I hope you find this website to be both educational and interesting. I think Powwow is an extremely interesting tradition and I think the Pennsylvania Dutch culture is one of the most interesting cultures in our country!

Thank you for finding your way to this website!

May God bless you in all that you do!

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Robert Matthew Phoenix

Below is the first official Powwow video I made way back in 2011! This was before I was married and changed my last name. Other than my use of the title "Powwow ARTIST", which is cringey and stupid lol, I think this video holds up to the test of time! (But I hate how skinny I was back then... :P )

My written work:


Charms and Cures in the Tradition of Pennsylvania Dutch Powwow 2010

The Powwow Grimoire 2014

The Powwow Book of Divination 2020

The Powwow Guy 2021

Supernatural Lore of Pennsylvania by Thomas White (as Robert Chapman) - the Powwow Chapter 2012

The Witch of the Monongohela by Thomas White (photographs only) 2017

The Remembering Tree by HR Mason (Foreword and consultation)

Earth below, Heaven Above, God Everywhere by Gretchen Swank (Foreword and consultation)

Llewellyn's Book of North American Folk Magic 2023


I've also been interviewed on countless podcasts as well as the documentary Hex Hollow: Witchcraft and Murder in Pennsylvania 2015


I've done classes/lectures at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Baltimore College, and Swarthmore College.


In addition, I've been working on this website since 2008. I've taught one-on-one students, on-line courses, and private group training.


Finally, I have a YouTube channel, The Powwow Guy, that has over 100 videos of me talking about the many different aspects of Pennsylvania Dutch Powwow.


My work has been going on for over two decades and I am very proud of all the proper information I've been able to share with the world.