Throughout history, folks have come up with some truly odd ways to keep witches and other malevolent forces at arm’s length. From stashing footwear in rafters to hanging enchanted stones above doors, the imagination knew no bounds when it came to warding off witchcraft.
Odd Ways to Ward Off Witchcraft
1 Hag Stones
Hag stones—also called holey stones or Odin stones—feature natural holes that were believed to trap evil. For centuries, especially in Dorset, England, people hung them above house doors, attached them to keychains, or placed them on beds to keep witches and demons from siphoning strength while sleepers rested. On farms, the stones protected stable doors and were even tied around a horse’s neck to stop witches from stealing the animal for their sabbats.
2 Holy Water
In medieval times, holy water was the go‑to weapon against the devil and his minions, who were thought to be allergic to its sanctity. Villagers sprinkled it around homes, on crops, and over livestock to drive away malevolent spirits. When a beast was suspected of being cursed by a witch, holy water was even poured down its throat. During storms, people rushed to the church for extra drops, believing the water could shield them from lightning and witch‑borne mischief.
3 Spoken And Written Charms
Charms—both spoken and inscribed—were thought to shatter a witch’s spell. Verbal formulas might include reciting five Our Fathers, five Ave Marias, and a Creed, as prescribed by a 17th‑century Nottingham sorcerer. Written charms appeared on paper, parchment, or wood, often folded into triangles. German settlers in Pennsylvania carried such amulets on their persons, sometimes embedding Bible verses, while others hung them in barns or homes for extra protection.
4 Witch Marks
Witch marks were protective symbols etched into walls, floors, or church interiors. Designs ranged from simple compasses and pentacles to intricate mazes called “demon traps,” intended to confuse wandering spirits. In 17th‑century Kent, workers carved Vs and Ws under floorboards at Knole House, invoking the Virgin Mary’s protection ahead of a visit from King James I, a notorious witch‑hunt enthusiast.
5 Rowan Trees
Across the British Isles, the rowan was prized for its anti‑witch qualities. Each berry bears a tiny five‑pointed star, echoing the protective pentagram, while its red hue was thought to repel enchantments. People planted rowans near homes, fashioned twig crosses for personal safety, and bound them with red thread to carry in pockets or stitch into coat linings. On the Isle of Man, rowan twigs were fashioned into May Eve crosses for both people and cattle.
6 Guard Cats
Some households literally bricked cats into walls, arranging the felines in hunting poses as a deterrent against supernatural pests. While the primary aim was to catch vermin, the presence of a cat was also believed to scare away a witch’s familiar—often imagined as an animal companion. Other protective items included hidden figurines in rafters or a lock of human hair tucked into the attic.
7 Witch Balls
Witch balls are brightly colored glass spheres designed to snare malevolent forces. In medieval England they were crudely formed; by the Victorian era they became more refined, using higher‑quality glass. Hung in windows, the dazzling hues were thought to lure witches inside, where they became trapped. In New England, some witch balls were filled with holy water for added spiritual protection.
8 Witches’ Stones Or Witches’ Seats
In old Guernsey cottages, stone blocks jutting from chimneys originally served to keep rain out. Over time, folklore turned them into “witches’ seats.” Legend held that weary witches returning from their sabbaths would perch on these ledges on Friday nights. Without a seat, a disgruntled witch might slip down the chimney, wreaking havoc or even taking up permanent residence.
9 Witches’ Bottles
Witches’ bottles—sometimes called spell bottles—were ceramic or glass containers packed with hair, nails, bent pins, urine, and other curious items. Popular in the late 16th and 17th centuries across England and America, the belief was that the urine represented the witch’s bladder, while the pins would irritate the witch so intensely that she’d lift the spell she’d cast. Owners typically buried the bottles or placed them in windows to keep the malevolence at bay.
10 Elf Arrow Amulets
Scottish peasants once believed that elf arrows—flint arrowheads that fell from clouds—were weapons wielded by fairies, elves, and witches to harm cattle and humans. When a person came into possession of such an arrow, it could be turned into a talisman against witchcraft and the evil eye, even serving as a cure for afflicted livestock. To keep the arrows from being reclaimed by witches, owners kept them away from sunlight.
11 Concealed Shoes
From the 13th century onward, people deliberately tucked shoes into the structural nooks of homes—among roof rafters, beneath floorboards, and within walls. The practice supposedly trapped the devil (originating from a tale of a priest imprisoning the devil in a boot) and shielded occupants from witches and other spirits. Critics argue many of the found shoes were simply lost, but the consistent placement alongside odd items like dried cats or horse skulls suggests a purposeful, magical intent that persisted well into the early 20th century.