Protection

The threat of malefic witchcraft weighed on many peoples minds throughout the early modern period. In order to ward off any unwanted visitors and protect themselves, their children, animals and property from malefic witchcraft many people sought out their own charms, rituals and amulets.

Here are just a few of many -and I mean thousands- ways people protected themselves from witchcraft!

Witches Mark
Marks were engraved into walls, stone and woodwork to ward away witches and evil spirits. Most marks were called ‘hexafoils’, which were six-petalled flowers. This was the most common and recognisable mark, such as the ones illustrated above!

Some Wiccans and Pagans say they resemble the sun. Others believe it is a geometry exercise! I know which idea I prefer!

Mountain Ash Ring
A ring made the wood mountain ash (rowan) acted as a talisman against witchcraft.
They were often placed under doors to frustrate witches!

Cunning-folk
Enlist the help of cunning-folk, a healer, or a conjurer to master and overpower the witches spell!

“Witches Butter”
“Witches Butter” was the name of a fungus that grew on mouldy wood. If someone thought they were bewitched, it was believed that a pin thrust into “Witch’s Butter” unravelled her spell. It was believed that the pin would also pierce the witch and undo all her evil, relieving her of her bewitchment.

The Seventh
Apparently, the seventh daughter possessed the power to destroy a witches charm. The seventh son was also believed to have magic but was not as strong against witches as the daughters.

Protecting Animals
Horse-shoes found in the field or on the road, nailed around the door or stable warded of witches. A stone with a hole placed above or in a barn was also good protection against witchcraft.

Animals who are bewitched!
Welsh folklore believed that you forced a witch to say “Rhad Duw ar y da” (God’s blessing be on the cattle”), they are freed from the spell. Another way is to draw blood from the animal. But the first seems more cow-friendly!

Plants
Some plants were believed to have powers against witchcraft, such as the elder, the rowan, vervain, and may blossom. For more herbal healers, please read Bewitching Botany!

The Bible
Anything to do with the Bible was believed to be a good ward against witchcraft. Get someone to read it to you, read it to the bewitched, as long as you’ve got one and your preaching; you were off to a good start! Put a priest or minister into the mix, and you’re invincible! Why not invoke the Holy Trinity too! The Bible was a must-have!

Church
Just like the Bible, anything associated with the church was deemed a powerful ward against witches. Earth from the churchyard sprinkled on anything was believed to preserve it from maleficium. Similarly, anything cursed taken into the church was cleansed of its power.

God
If the Bible and the church were not enough to stop you from being bewitched, it was thought that if the Witch said “God”, the bewitched curse would be broken!
For extra protection, you could put a sign of the cross on the door whilst placing a hand over your heart.