Explore the captivating world of magical beliefs and the enduring power of witchcraft that once permeated popular culture. Discover the fascinating array of objects people crafted and concealed to safeguard themselves from harmful magic. This book delves into the rich history of magical house protection in Britain and beyond, spanning from the fourteenth century to the present day.

Uncover the mysterious world of witch-bottles, dried cats, horse skulls, written charms, protection marks, and concealed shoes - widely utilized methods to repel, divert, or trap negative energies. These age-old practices offer a unique insight into the profound human desire to defend against the malevolent forces of witchcraft.

Join us on a journey that transcends borders, as we examine how similar practices and symbols can be found around the globe, exemplifying the universal nature of humanity's enduring efforts to shield themselves from the allure of witchcraft.

Table of Contents:

List of illustrations
Acknowledgements
Preface

Chapter 1. Folklore, Witchcraft, Religion
Chapter 2. Witch-bottles
Chapter 3. Concealed Shoes
Chapter 4. Dried Cats
Chapter 5. Horse Skulls
Chapter 6. Written Charms
Chapter 7. Protection Marks
Chapter 8. Other Concealed Objects
Chapter 9. Evidence of Darkness
Chapter 10. Conclusions
Chapter 11. Case Studies

Gazeteer

Bibliography

From the Introduction:

The most popular locations to conceal objects within buildings are usually at portals such as the hearth, the threshold and also voids or dead spaces. This suggests that people believed it was possible for dark forces to travel through the landscape and attack them in their homes. Whether these forces were emanations from a witch in the form of a spell, a witch's familiar pestering their property, an actual witch flying in spirit or a combination of all of those is difficult to tell. Additional sources of danger could be ghosts, fairies and demons. People went to great lengths to ensure their homes and property were protected, highlighting the fact that these beliefs and fears were visceral and, as far as they were concerned, literally terrifying.

Brian Hoggard is an independent researcher who has been studying the archaeology of magical house protection for many years. He has a popular website at www.apotropaios.co.uk through which he receives reports and requests for advice about these objects from all over the world.