In folklore and history, there have been numerous markers that were commonly associated with witches. These markers often served as a way to identify and accuse individuals of practicing witchcraft. While it is important to note that these markers were based on superstitions and beliefs, they played a significant role in the witch trials and persecutions that occurred throughout history. One of the most well-known markers of a witch was the presence of a "witch's mark" on their body. These marks were believed to be a physical indication of a pact made with the devil. Witch hunters would search for these marks, which were typically seen as moles, birthmarks, or even skin blemishes.
Witch hunters would search for these marks, which were typically seen as moles, birthmarks, or even skin blemishes. It was believed that by pricking these marks, the witch would not feel pain or bleed. Another marker of a witch was the possession of a familiar.
Eerie Witches’ Marks Found Among Ruins of Medieval English Church
This week, archaeologists conducting excavations at the abandoned church of St. Mary’s in Stoke Mandeville, England, discovered strange stone carvings and medieval graffiti suspected to be “witches’ marks,” or protective symbols designed to ward off evil spirits.
Per a statement, the etchings are among the many “exciting” archaeological finds made ahead of construction of HS2, a controversial, high-speed railways set to connect much of Great Britain. Previous discoveries include the skeleton of an Iron Age murder victim, remnants of Britain’s prehistoric coastline and a prehistoric hunter-gatherer site on the outskirts of London.
Two stones found at St. Mary’s feature spoke-like lines radiating out from central holes—a design perhaps meant to entrap malicious spirits, dooming them to forever wander around an endless line or maze. Alternatively, the statement notes, the markings could be rudimentary sun dials, or scratch dials, used to signal when it was time for morning, midday and evening prayers.
A detailed view of some of the circular markings HS2 LTD
“Discoveries such as these unusual markings have opened up discussions as to their purpose and usage, offering a fascinating insight into the past,” says Michael Court, lead archaeologist at HS2, in the statement.
One of the carvings identified at the site was situated close to ground level on the church’s west buttress, making it more likely to be a witches’ mark than a scratch dial. As the United Kingdom’s National Churches Trust notes, these timekeeping tools were typically scratched into churches’ south walls. Priests placed a stick in the dial’s central hole; when the stick’s shadow crossed one of the lines etched onto the wall, petitioners knew it was time for the next service.
Witches’ marks, meanwhile, were often inscribed near the entrances of churches, houses, barns or caves. According to Historic England, researchers have previously spotted the ritualistic symbols on buildings dating from the early medieval period to the 19th century.
As Hannah Furness wrote for the Telegraph in 2014, archaeologists previously discovered witches’ marks at a Kent estate visited by James I shortly after the failed Gunpowder Plot. The etchings—likely carved to protect the king—testified to the atmosphere of paranoia and uncertainty that dominated England following the assassination attempt. And just this month, BBC News reported that the New Forest National Park Authority had created a digital portal that allows users to explore witches’ marks and other etchings left on trees in England’s New Forest.
According to the statement, St. Mary’s was built as a private chapel around 1070. A church and aisle followed, and by the 1340s, the structure had become a communal house of worship. A new church located closer to the village replaced St. Mary’s in 1866, and the now-derelict building was demolished in the 1960s, per the Stoke Mandeville Parish Council.
CGI rendering of what the St. Mary's church may have looked like in its prime HS2 LTD
To clear the way for HS2, archaeologists excavated and fully deconstructed the medieval church—a process last undertaken in Great Britain in the 1970s. Interestingly, the team found that some of St. Mary’s walls had survived the earlier demolition, standing nearly five feet tall and even boasting intact floors.
“The HS2 excavation work at Stoke Mandeville has allowed our team of archaeologists to uncover a unique site and get a once in a lifetime opportunity to examine the story of how the church at St. Mary’s developed,” says Andrew Harris, historic environment manager at contractor Fusion JV, in the statement. “The levels of preservation of some of the features of the church are surprising given its age, and we look forward to continuing this work and being able to share our discoveries with the local communities.”
The HS2 project itself is controversial, with critics from groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Stop HS2 citing high costs (upward of $128 billion, per Tom Burridge of BBC News), environmental risks and potential loss of heritage.
In February 2019, the Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society raised concerns over HS2’s exhumation of human remains at St. Mary’s, as Thomas Bamford reported for the Bucks Herald at the time. Previously, the society had argued against the planned excavation, stating that “[t]he situation faced by Stoke Mandeville’s deserted village site, unprotected by legislation and prey to the bulldozers, is but one example among many sites along the route—in Buckinghamshire and other counties along the route.”
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The HS2 project itself is controversial, with critics from groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Stop HS2 citing high costs (upward of $128 billion, per Tom Burridge of BBC News), environmental risks and potential loss of heritage.
Familiars were supernatural spirits or animals that were said to serve witches and assist them in performing their magic. Cats were often associated with witches as familiars, and it was believed that witches could transform into cats at night. Additionally, witches were often believed to have the ability to fly. This was seen as a clear sign of their involvement in witchcraft, as it was believed that they would fly to their meetings with other witches or to gatherings known as sabbaths. The image of a witch flying on a broomstick has become a popular symbol of witchcraft. Furthermore, witches were often believed to have the ability to cast spells and curses on others. These spells were thought to bring harm, misfortune, or even death to their victims. Many of the accusations made against witches during the witch trials involved these alleged spells and curses. Lastly, witches were often associated with the practice of herbalism and potion-making. They were believed to possess extensive knowledge of plants and their properties, which they would use to create potions and remedies. This association with herbalism led to the belief that witches had the ability to heal or harm through their potions. It is important to remember that these markers of a witch were based on ignorance, fear, and prejudice. The belief in witches and their alleged markers resulted in the persecution and tragic deaths of thousands of innocent people, mainly women, throughout history. The idea of a witch as a sinister, evil individual has persisted in society, but it is crucial to challenge these stereotypes and recognize the harm they have caused..
Reviews for "Witches' Birthdays and Special Holidays: Celebratory Markers of Witchcraft"
1. Jane Smith - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Markers of a witch". The story lacked depth and the characters felt flat and uninteresting. The plot seemed predictable and the writing style was mediocre at best. I was hoping for a captivating and immersive read, but instead, I found myself struggling to stay engaged. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted and compelling witch story.
2. John Doe - 1 star - "Markers of a witch" was a complete letdown for me. The premise sounded promising, but the execution fell short. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest early on. The characters were poorly developed, and their actions often felt forced and unnatural. Additionally, the dialogue was cliché and lacked authenticity. I was hoping for a thrilling and suspenseful witch tale, but unfortunately, all I got was a tedious and uninspiring read.
3. Sarah Thompson - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "Markers of a witch" as much as I had hoped. The plot felt disjointed and the story lacked coherence. I found myself confused and struggling to follow along with the narrative. The characters were forgettable, and their motivations were unclear. The writing style was also a letdown, with awkward phrasing and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointing read and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Michael Johnson - 1 star - "Markers of a witch" was a complete waste of time. The concept seemed intriguing, but the execution was poorly done. The plot was predictable and the twists were underwhelming. The main character was unrelatable and lacked depth, which made it difficult for me to invest in the story. Furthermore, the dialogue was stilted and lacked realism. Overall, I found this book to be poorly written and uninteresting, and I would not recommend it to anyone.
5. Emily Davis - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Markers of a witch", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow moments dragging on and fast-paced action feeling rushed. The world-building was weak, leaving me with many unanswered questions. Additionally, the romance subplot felt forced and didn't add anything meaningful to the story. The writing style itself was average, lacking the lyrical and captivating prose I had anticipated. Overall, "Markers of a witch" was a disappointment and I wouldn't recommend it.