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A four-leaf clover on bringing good luck also empowered the finder with the power to detect witches. The first four-leafed clover was found in 1620 by Sir John Melton, who was elected Member of Parliament for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland and he thought it would bring good luck. It was discovered in Ireland and is the symbol of good luck
The humble bean has sinister implications as the souls of the dead were thought to occupy bean fields. Anyone who slept in such a field risked going insane and it was thought advisable to keep a bean in one’s mouth to spit at the first witch one saw.
Iron was believed to keep witches at bay. Many people hung hooks and shears on their property.
The most famous good luck charm made from iron is the horseshoe and is important to fix the shoe skyward. The crescent shape which symbolises the moon goddess and fertility was to prevent good fortune from slipping away.
Whole stones were hung in stables and cowsheds to prevent beasts from being hag ridden by witches.
Witch bottles were thought to be a major antidote to witchcraft. The bottles or bellarmines contained iron nails stuck into a heart shaped piece of cloth. Some can
- Type:
- Cultural & History