The use of witch stick symbols has a long and fascinating history in various cultures around the world. These symbols, also known as witching sticks or divining rods, are commonly used in dowsing or water witching to locate underground water sources, minerals, or even lost objects. One of the most famous witch stick symbols is the Y-shaped rod or branch. It is believed that when held correctly, this rod can reveal the presence of water or minerals beneath the ground. The user holds the stick at the ends of the Y-shape, with the stem pointing outward, and walks slowly over the area to be examined. If the stick suddenly moves downwards or upwards, it is believed to indicate the location of the desired resource.
Witches' markings: Public urged to check their house for strange symbols carved into the walls
People might have strange "witch markings" carved into the walls of their house and not even know it.
The public are being asked to look for the unusual symbols in their houses as part of a Halloween effort launched by the government.
The markings have previous been found in historic buildings including the house where Shakespeare was born and the Tower of London. They're thought to have been used as a protection symbol, keeping the people inside the house safe from witches and other threats, and tend to be come from a time when belief in the supernatural was widespread.
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
Show all 171 / 17 'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
Dia de los Muertos is a festival to remember friends and family members who have died and is celebrated throughout Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage living in the United States
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
'Dia de los Muertos' - Day of the dead festival in Mexico
Famers harvest cempasuchilt and velvet flowers to celebrate the Day of the Dead in Atlixco, Puebla, Mexico. The flowers will be sold at the 'Market of the flower
But a full record of where the symbols appear has never been taken, and so it isn't clear how common they are or where they tend to appear. As such, Historic England has asked the public to look out the for the symbols, and submit any information or pictures that they find so that they can be better understood.
The symbols are known as apotropaic marks and tend to be carved into stone or woodwork near entrances like doorways, windows and fireplaces. IT's thought that they would then ward off witches and evil spirits from entering, keeping the people inside safe.
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Markings ranged from a "daisy wheel", the most common type of mark which looks like a flower drawn with a compass, in a single endless line that was supposed to confuse and entrap evil spirits, to "Solomon's knots" and pentangles.
Often they take the form of letters such as AM for Ave Maria, M for Mary or VV, for Virgin of Virgins, scratched into medieval walls, engraved on wooden beams and etched into plaster work to evoke the protective power of the Virgin Mary.
The marks can be found in medieval houses, churches and other buildings, most commonly from around 1550 to 1750.
Known examples include several found at Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, where they are carved near the cellar door where precious beer would have been stored, to the Tithe Barn, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, to protect crops.
Some have been found in caves, such as the Witches ' Chimney at Wookey Hole, Somerset, which has numerous markings.
Chester Zoo animals celebrate Halloween with a pumpkin partyDuncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: " Witches ' marks are a physical reminder of how our ancestors saw the world. They really fire the imagination and can teach us about previously-held beliefs and common rituals.
"Ritual marks were cut, scratched or carved into our ancestors' homes and churches in the hope of making the world a safer, less hostile place.
"They were such a common part of everyday life that they were unremarkable and because they are easy to overlook, the recorded evidence we hold about where they appear and what form they take is thin.
"We now need the public's help to create a fuller record of them and better understand them."
Additional reporting by Press Association
If the stick suddenly moves downwards or upwards, it is believed to indicate the location of the desired resource. Another common witch stick symbol is the L-shaped rod, which is typically made of metal or wood. Similar to the Y-shaped rod, this symbol is also believed to react in the presence of water or minerals.
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1 / 1 Public urged to check houses for strange witch markings in the walls
Public urged to check houses for strange witch markings in the walls
The strange symbols are known as 'apotropaic marks' and have been found in some of the most important buildings in England
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Beginning in the 17th century, accounts of witches using broomsticks to fly up and out of chimneys became more commonplace. Most of what we know about medieval witchcraft today comes from the records of religious inquisitors, legal officials and testimony from accused witches themselves (often while being tortured).
The Triple Goddess is Symbol of womanhood, goddess, revered in many Neopagan religious and spiritual traditions. The symbol represents the three stages of womanhood – mother, maiden, and crone.
A pentacle is a talisman that is used in magical evocation.
Alchemical symbols for sulfur, associated with the fire and brimstone of Hell. Alchemical for black sulfur, is also known as a ‘Leviathan Cross‘ or ‘Satan’s Cross’.
Crystals have the ability to influence people and any events and processes. Witches use this power and use crystal magic in practice.
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When held correctly, the rod is thought to move or twitch, providing a signal to the user. In addition to water and mineral dowsing, witch stick symbols have also been used to locate lost objects or even missing persons. The user holds the stick in a similar manner and walks slowly, allowing the stick to guide them towards the desired item or individual. Although the effectiveness of witch stick symbols is a topic of debate, many people around the world continue to practice and rely on this ancient divination method. Some attribute the success of these symbols to a person's intuition or subconscious ability to detect subtle changes in the environment. Overall, witch stick symbols hold a special place in the realm of divination and have become an intriguing cultural phenomenon. Whether used for practical purposes or simply for fascination, they continue to captivate our imagination and provide a connection to ancient traditions and beliefs..
Reviews for "Healing and Herbalism: Plant Symbolism in Witch Stick Symbols"
1. Jessica - ★☆☆☆☆
I was really disappointed with "Witch stick symbols." The story felt disjointed and the characters were poorly developed. The plot lacked coherence and there were too many loose ends that were never tied up. The writing style was also a major drawback, as it was dry and lacked depth. Overall, I found it difficult to engage with the story and would not recommend it to others.
2. Michael - ★★☆☆☆
I found "Witch stick symbols" to be average at best. The concept had potential, but the execution fell flat. The pacing was off, and the story dragged on in some parts while rushing through others. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. There were also several inconsistencies throughout the book that left me confused. While it had its moments, I ultimately felt underwhelmed by this novel.
3. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for "Witch stick symbols," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. The worldbuilding was lacking, and I felt like I was constantly playing catch-up trying to understand the magical system and its rules. The plot felt predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional, and their actions often didn't make sense. The writing, while not terrible, was nothing remarkable either. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
4. Matthew - ★☆☆☆☆
I couldn't get into "Witch stick symbols" at all. The writing style was confusing, with overly descriptive passages that didn't add much to the story. The pacing was slow, and the plot lacked a clear direction. I found myself skimming through pages just to find something interesting, but unfortunately, nothing caught my attention. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging fantasy read.