The archaeology of superstition and witchcraft
Witchcraft? Magic?
The evidence of past beliefs in witchcraft come in various forms, and is an area that has been very under-studied. We still have many superstitions in our current day lives, such as horseshoes bringing us luck, or black cats, and much of these ideas date back to the times when people believed in witchcraft or the 'evil eye'.
This site is still under construction, but please have a look around, and contact me if you would like to chat about anti-magic.
This site is not about modern concepts of witchcraft, Wicca or Pagan rites, but is the study of historic superstitions, particularly when they relate to what people believed to be witchcraft or 'magic'.
As an archaeologist, I am interested in the material culture of the past, and so I am trying to research the physical evidence of such beliefs left behind from those past times.
How YOU can help!
I am trying to research and record any artefacts and superstitions from Cumbria that relate in some form to witchcraft, or the general prevention of evil or bad luck.
Would you be prepared to pass on this information? Could you fill-in a questionnaire on-line, download a questionnaire or just get in touch with me?
If so, then please follow the links below.
Do you have a daisy wheel scratched on a barn door?Do you have a cat buried in your house?Do you use a rowan twig to stir your cream?Do you have a dobbie stone?Do you know where a witch used to live (in history!)Do you have a shoe hidden within your house?Do you know how to prevent your cattle from 'evil'?
All these are related in some way to witchcraft, or more accurately - the prevention of witchcraft or the 'evil eye'. They are often described as 'anti magic', 'counter witchcraft', or just general good luck charms.
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