Witch Bottles History, Culture, Magic
Witch Bottles History, Culture, Magic by Daniel Harms, published by Avalonia on October 31, 2022, is a comprehensive examination of the historical and cultural significance of witch bottles. This 120-page book delves into the magical practices associated with these objects, which were believed to protect against the negative effects of witchcraft. Harms defines a witch bottle as an object typically containing a combination of a bottle, urine, and sharp objects, used primarily in the East of England since the 17th century.
Readers will find a thorough investigation of the folklore and archaeological evidence surrounding witch bottles, including detailed footnotes and examples of incantations. The book highlights how these practices spread from the British Isles to America, reflecting societal fears of witchcraft. With its focus on body, mind, and spirit, as well as occultism and folklore, this edition serves as a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners interested in the intersection of magic and social science.
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“The unearthed witch-bottle is something of a murky treasure. Sealed and secreted, they encapsulate magical ideas and sorcerous strategies for undoing the blights of bewitchment.” – Dr. Alexander Cummins, Foreword
WITCH BOTTLES by Daniel Harms is the first in-depth exploration of the history, culture and magic of this little-known practice used to protect against and remedy the believed effects of misfortunes attributed to witches. The author defines a Witch Bottle “as an object, usually intended to fight off maleficent magic, that employs at least two of the following three ingredients: a bottle, urine, and sharp objects, which may include needles, pins, or thorns”.
In the East of England these witch bottles were used from the 17th century onwards as a protection against the effects of witchcraft. From here it spread all over the British Isles and Ireland; and then to America in communities that feared witches. The author carefully presents research taken from history, folklore and archaeology, including examples of household deposits and domestic magic records, with detailed footnotes and examples of full incantations. Harms’ work is essential reading for scholars, practitioners of folk magic and all those interested in witchcraft.
“Witch bottles are rapidly becoming part of the heritage, not just of one person, but of the world, and granting them to our public institutions and museums will do much to help us to unlock their meaning, to the people of both the past and present.”
– Daniel Harms, author of Witch Bottles.
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