Intact Antiquarian Witches Bottles

[Danustouch]

wow..what an archeological find!!!!

http://www.archaeology.co.uk/issues/ca169/witch/witch.htm

[ELM]

Yes. What I wonder is, how did they know the witch bottles were intended to kill a witch, and not that they were owned by witches intending to kill non-witches? How do they know it is meant to kill at all? For all we know it could simply be a 1600's time capsual left so that future people could discover something about their genetic makeup. Could be anything. How do they know?

[Lavender]

Interesting...I've never heard of witches bottles are for killing the witches themselves. (But there's soooo much I still don't know! :D) Most of the lore that I've read or heard of, uses witches bottles mainly to deflect the curse or hexes. I can see how these bottles would explode. Glass was not as well made back then and with the bottles being used over & over again, they are probably weakened. They would probably explode just from the hearth fire heat alone.

[Danustouch]

I agree. It seemed odd to me that the witches bottles were supposedly used to kill witches..but then..in a way..it kind of makes sense. I mean..if people were afraid of witches, for whatever reason, they too would seek a protection talisman. I suppose.

I was watching a documentary on Dracula (the truth vs. the myths)..and it said that Vlad Dracula (the real one)..was a very devout catholic. He even put gypsies to death, because of his beliefs. That started me guessing as to the old superstion that you can repel a vampire with a cross. Well..if he were persecuting people of a differen't faith..it would make sense that they would start wearing a cross, to protect themselves. If they were wearing a cross..he'd think they were christian, right? Similar..in a way..very off topic..sorry. lol.

[KissMeImIrish!]

It looks similiar to a spell for a witch bottle to bring prosperity or somehting I saw in a book...how do they know it wasnt made by a witch, and not to kill? weird...

[Myst]

Witch balls were often hung to repel or capture witches and other evil spirits (I've actually still seen them sold for this in some stores), which is funny, considering it's so well known by us Pagans to be good for protection etc.. of ourselves..