This book contains a lot of indigenous occult practices such as chants, potions, rituals, and general native cosmology. It was originally written in the late 1800s, and was collected from elderly Cherokee shamen (Eastern Cherokee from N. Carolina). They were some of the only tribes to have a written language (rather than the usual oral history), thus the formulas and chants were preserved.
The book is incredibly informative. Though one could definitely tell the book was a product of its times. While the author was generally open-minded and interested in native beliefs, he couldn't help but be a bit smug at times and poke fun at their "savage ways". In any case, it gave me a look into both the native perspective AND Industrial Age America. They all knew the native way of life was quickly coming to an end. Fortunately, people like Mooney were there to record their practices before they were gone forever. Much had already been lost by his time, as many of his interviewees were very elderly. ( )