The Witch's Dert: An Unseen Realm Underneath the House

In this note, I will be discussing the concept of "witch dirt under house." This topic refers to an old folklore belief that witches bury dirt or objects beneath their homes to harness their magical powers or ward off evil spirits. The notion of witch dirt under the house has been associated with witchcraft and witchcraft practices for many years. While the origins of this belief are uncertain, the idea of burying magical items under homes can be found in various cultures worldwide. In some cases, these magical objects are believed to grant protection to the inhabitants of the house, ensuring good luck and warding off negative energies or evil spirits. The practice might also be tied to the idea of grounding and connecting oneself with the earth's energy.

The J. Paul Getty Museum Journal 8 (1980), pp. 181-188.

The obverse of the amulet contains a schematic, simplified figure of a sitting Harpocrates and below the mummy of Osiris in a boat, as well as depictions of animals a crocodile, a rooster and a snake and symbolic astrals a half-moon and a star. Namely, the writer, following his own symbolic system, shaped and presented in the amulets a number of ideas, yet mainly practical feelings, deriving from personal-individual experiences.

The practice might also be tied to the idea of grounding and connecting oneself with the earth's energy. In the context of witchcraft, witch dirt under the house might be considered a form of sympathetic magic. Sympathetic magic is based on the principle that similar things can affect each other, so burying magical items or dirt beneath a house is believed to bring about beneficial effects or provide a connection between the witch and the earth's energies.

Greek Magical Amulets. The Inscribed Gold, Silver, Copper, and Bronze Lamellae. Part I: Published Texts of Known Provenance. Text and Commentary by Roy Kotansky

During the first excavation campaign of the Paphos Agora Project (3rd July – 6th August 2011), an interesting object was discovered. In Trench II, Area 2 (Room 5), in the upper, late Roman layer, an oval amulet was found (siltstone, 39.41 x 41.32 x 4.81mm). The layer is dated to the 6th century AD, partially due to the presence of ceramic objects of the Cypriot Red Slip Ware type (Hayes form 2, AD 450-550). The obverse of the amulet contains a schematic, simplified figure of a sitting Harpocrates and below the mummy of Osiris in a boat, as well as depictions of animals (a crocodile, a rooster and a snake) and symbolic astrals (a half-moon and a star). On the reverse, however, an eight-line text of the so-called ιαεω- palindrome, consisting of 59 letters of the Greek alphabet, was carved. According to the current state of knowledge, it was translated in the following way: “Yahweh is the bearer of the secret name, the lion of Re secure in his shrine”. Both the depiction and the text carved into the surface of the amulet clearly indicate the influence of the Orient and the context of solar ideas; the object may be dated to the 5th-6th century AD.

The J. Paul Getty Museum Journal 8 (1980), pp. 181-188.

In this article we present an up-to-date list of Greek (and Latin) amulets and formularies from Egypt that contain Christian elements. We first discuss the criteria whereby an item is identified as an amulet or formulary and as containing Christian elements; these criteria are used to classify items as having been certainly, probably, or possibly produced or used as an amulet. We then describe some of the main patterns observed in the corpus: the geographical and chronological distribution of the items, the language in which they were written (Greek versus Latin), the materials on which they were written, the purposes for which they were applied, and the dynamics of continuity and change as Christian forms and elements were introduced into the genre. We conclude with an appendix listing all the items included in the corpus and tabulating a basic set of characteristics for each item.

AMULET-EXORCISM CYLINDERS (Scrolls) WITH MAGIC INVOCATION, (17TH, 18TH C.) FROM SPARTA-PISIDIA-IN ASIA MINOR Contribution to the research for Christian amulets

We can generally distinguish the texts relevant to magic in two types: the magic scrips and the magic objects, which constitute an application of the magic scrips upon one, or for one particular person. The manuscripts presented in the rotulus form, known as scrolls, namely a vertical cylinder, continue the long tradition of Christian exorcisms ; they are recognized as sanctifying acts by the Church, and belong to the category of "negative" sanctions, in which religion and magic are combined. We assume that the way of presenting amulet A is also very rare; in it the selected texts are supplemented with sixteen coloured miniatures of saints, sketched by the miniature-writer himself, who should, no doubt, be a priest. After this, the recessional of the specific Introit saint follows; sometimes his Kontakion as well. Further on, small extracts from liturgical or apocrypha texts are added and, as a rule, they are completed with a magic amulet prayer. The appeal to beneficent spirits is not depicted on the amulets with random words or even sentences. Mystic names are included, symbols and characters, a number of magic words, Greek or Hebrew names, while, among the appeals to the lot of saints, various elements of the Notory Art of Solomon as well as of pagan witchcraft are added. Their presence could be justified according to the items accompanying every saint as one further element for the creation and strengthening of the small story-texts, which sometimes also create what is known today as historiolae. Namely, the writer, following his own symbolic system, shaped and presented in the amulets a number of ideas, yet mainly practical feelings, deriving from personal-individual experiences. In the texts, which consist of about 1200 verses on the whole, and which we transcribed, located, remarked upon in many ways and compared with respective magic-religious passages, there are a lot of magic Nomina Sacra , holy names; in them there are also found words and expressions which reveal strongly the appeal or prayer for help or even protection. Besides, they are adorned with linear depicted jewels and coloured, large, capital letters. These magic texts but mainly the magic traditions, especially those of the areas around the Mediterranean, are acknowledged as a depreciated cultural phenomenon, the meaning of which has not been comprehended until today; moreover, its boundaries have not been wholly determined yet by the researchers. Undoubtedly, however, the writer, especially the one of manuscript A, (Codex Spartae Asiae Minoris Α΄) succeeds in combining the power of the magic papyrus and the Christian word, together with the power of the picture of the signet-amulets, creating, together with the sketches of the saints and the colour, the necessary atmosphere of mystic influence, but the strengthening of interpersonal sentimental relationships as well, in a dynamics effort to help their protégé. Finally, however, as

During the first excavation campaign of the Paphos Agora Project (3rd July – 6th August 2011), an interesting object was discovered. In Trench II, Area 2 (Room 5), in the upper, late Roman layer, an oval amulet was found (siltstone, 39.41 x 41.32 x 4.81mm). The layer is dated to the 6th century AD, partially due to the presence of ceramic objects of the Cypriot Red Slip Ware type (Hayes form 2, AD 450-550). The obverse of the amulet contains a schematic, simplified figure of a sitting Harpocrates and below the mummy of Osiris in a boat, as well as depictions of animals (a crocodile, a rooster and a snake) and symbolic astrals (a half-moon and a star). On the reverse, however, an eight-line text of the so-called ιαεω- palindrome, consisting of 59 letters of the Greek alphabet, was carved. According to the current state of knowledge, it was translated in the following way: “Yahweh is the bearer of the secret name, the lion of Re secure in his shrine”. Both the depiction and the text carved into the surface of the amulet clearly indicate the influence of the Orient and the context of solar ideas; the object may be dated to the 5th-6th century AD.

It is important to note that the belief in witch dirt under the house is rooted in folklore and superstition. It does not hold any scientific evidence or widespread acceptance in modern society. However, folklore and superstitions often play a significant role in cultural beliefs and traditions, adding mystique and enchantment to our understanding of the world. In conclusion, the concept of "witch dirt under the house" refers to the notion that witches bury magical objects or dirt beneath their homes for various purposes. Whether it is believed to provide protection, harness magical powers, or create a connection with the earth's energies, this belief is rooted in folklore and superstition. While it does not find acceptance in scientific or mainstream circles, it adds to the enchanting world of beliefs and traditions surrounding witchcraft..

Reviews for "Beneath the House: Uncovering the Witch's Enigmatic Dert"

- John Doe - 1 star - I found "Witch dert under house" to be extremely boring and unoriginal. The plot was predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself counting down the pages until the book was over. Overall, I was very disappointed with this read and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and gripping story.

- Jane Smith - 2 stars - "Witch dert under house" had so much potential but ultimately fell flat. The writing style was confusing and hard to follow, with many unnecessary descriptions and tangents. The pacing was off, with long periods of nothing happening followed by rushed and underdeveloped resolutions. I also found the dialogue to be unnatural and forced. Although the concept was interesting, the execution left much to be desired.

- Tom Johnson - 1 star - I couldn't get past the first few chapters of "Witch dert under house". The writing was juvenile and lacked depth, making it difficult to engage with the story. The characters felt like caricatures and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. Additionally, the plot was incredibly slow-moving and I had no motivation to continue reading. Overall, I was highly disappointed and would not recommend this book to anyone.

Discovering the Witch's Dert: Secrets Unearthed Beneath the House