Cottagecore Lore
How much history does the future hold?
My family and I recently acquired a shed. The interior is unfinished, and it is the perfect canvas for a summer family project. By the end, we will have transformed it into a whimsical cottage with hints of Victorian style and Southern folklore decor.
As my daughter and I delve into planning, I’ve been drawn into what makes cottagecore so alluring. The thought of communing with nature. The romanticism of overstuffed chairs, a full bookshelf, and cozy solitude. Escapism from the chaos and demands of daily life.
Yes, there’s definitely a defiance of modern life at the “core” of cottagecore. But there is also the persistence of history.
In the South, no matter if one lives in a cottage, a mansion, or in something inbetween, hints of our Southern heritage have been subtly worked into daily life by design. For instance, whether a resident or just a visitor passing through, you have probably noticed the serene blue and green hues decorating historical homes. There is a special name for this color: Haint blue. You see, haints are bad or restless spirits that wish to do harm, as believed by the African American community of the Gullah Geechee. And this particular light-blue or light-green color was used on porches, doors, and around windows to mislead spirits into believing it was water, of which they could not pass over. (Side note: the light blue color often tricks birds and bugs into thinking it’s the sky, leading them to build nests elsewhere.) Using haint blue is still a persisting belief and tradition. It is also a remembrance of those whose lives were uprooted and destroyed by the horrors of slavery.
There is a definite merging of Gullah Geechee and Appalachian superstitions in the South. The practice of folk magic, or “Granny witchcraft,” as Appalachian folk magic is warmly coined, is as spiritually rooted in a sense of culture and purpose as the Gullah Geechee. Granny witchcraft flourished at a time when most people couldn’t afford a doctor or had none, and relied on their expertise of native plants to create medicinal teas, salves, oils, and tinctures for remedies and wards.
One shared superstition that persists today is leaving salt at the door. It is thought to cleanse a home of bad intentions. If spirits (or other uninvited guests) are unpure or bear ill-will, they are unable to cross the salt, whether jarred or sprinkled. Of course, I always hope this discounts curious and warm-hearted spirits in search of a corny dad joke or just a peaceful spot to stop and rest for a bit. (Boo hags need not apply!) It is also a persistent belief that demons must count each grain of salt or sand before entering, risking the destructive rays of sunrise before they are able to finish their compulsive urge. In this vein, a jar of sand is also a common porch decoration.
Other forms of Appalachian superstitions can be found in herbal wall hangings and the placement of mirrors. For instance, never place a mirror facing your bed. If your soul were to wander as you slept, the mirror may trap it. It’s also good practice to hang a mirror beside an entry door to catch bad spirits. And no hats on the bed! I’m not sure if this one is rooted in Appalachian lore, but any Southerner knows a hat on the bed brings death, so it’s a no-no! (Even the writers of the movie ‘Drugstore Coyboy’ knew this one!)
To recap the list of items we will need for the cottage:
Haint Blue/Green Paint
Salt & Sand
Herbal Wall Hanging
A Mirror
Natural Elements
A Proper Hat Rack!
There are deep dives for days if you want to explore local lore and superstitions in your region. Personally, I love living in the South. It is culturally and spiritually rich. And as my family begins our new cottage project, we plan to incorporate found bones, sticks, minerals, and stones as an extension of our home by way of honoring the land and spirits past as well as celebrating the present. After all, the future is nothing without a beautifully laid foundation of mountain magic, folklore, whimsy, and superstition.
If you are on a cottage journey -or dream of starting one some day- remember, the most important part of cottagecore lore is weaving yourself into the magic. Don’t forget to include your own family traditions and personal meanings!
***Follow my family’s cottage progress on Substack***