Hedge Magic Services
Protection against witchcraft
One of their most important and profitable roles. Cunning folk claimed to be able to detect witchcraft and counter it by using their own charms. Often they would also claim to be able to discover the witch who was responsible for cursing the victim. After the execution of witches in England ceased from 1684 cunning folk provided the main means of neutralizing witchcraft for those who thought themselves afflicted by it.
Healing
Using a combination of herbs and spells, they tried to help both people and animals. Some cunning folk had a very good knowledge of herbs and folk remedies.
Property Loss
Whether things were lost by theft or by accident, cunning folk could supposedly find lost items or even identify criminals using magic.
Treasure Hunting
Cunning folk were reputed to have the ability to find treasure by various spells. Some claim that one American example is that, as a teenager, Joseph Smith, Jr. was believed or rumored to have the ability to find buried treasure. By his mother’s account and his own, he reluctantly accepted employment from a man searching for silver ore, as an odd job against his family’s poverty (although he claimed no special ability in the effort, instead working to convince his employer against the pursuit). Even the famous Casanova once set himself up as a cunning man (albeit a somewhat upmarket one) and claimed to be able to find treasure by magical means.
Fortune-telling
Simple prediction of the future using a variety of possible methods, which ranged from astrology to crystal gazing to tasseography.
Love Magic
Often fortune telling played a role in this. They also offered love spells and potions.
Cunning folk often specialized in, and offered variations on, these standard services. The varieties of spells they used are similar to the Pow-Wow magic used by the Pennsylvania Dutch.