Some notes on protection vs. witchcraft
"The reality of supernatural evil was almost universally acknowledged during the 16th and 17th centuries. Demons, evil spirits and witches were genuinely believed to be stalking the land, intent on wickedness. "
—James Wright
I come from a country soaked in superstition, full of old tales of witch, elf, faery and monster. Despite Christianisation, many centuries-old beliefs clung to society like ivy. Old magic sill runs in our blood, and at this time of the year especially, it surges. All of which reminds me of a lifelong attachment to the rowan tree, which in some parts of the land is known as 'witch tree', and in North America as 'mountain ash'. In some parts of Yorkshire, you will see these trees planted one either side of the gate or entrance to a property, or close to the front door, in parts of Nottinghamshire too. A hazel hedge serves the same purpose, even the non-native witch hazel on newer properties. Incidentally, that's from Old English wice, meaning "pliant" or "bendable", and is not related to the word witch meaning a practitioner of magic.
Other ways of deterring bad witches and other evils include, of course, the humble horseshoe, nailed above the door. Made of cold iron (of itself an anti-witch measure), and being made by blacksmiths (notoriously magical and embedded in British superstitious culture) it's a sure-fire way of repelling demons and rampaging elves into the bargain.
Then there are witches' stairs, which, if leading from the attic, prevent flying witches from accessing your house from the roof.
If you are having nightmares or are plagued by a night hag, you might try a string of pebbles ('hag stones') hung in each window. The seashore or riverbank may provide some neatly-holed stones suitable to be strung together to protect your mind. Naturally-occurring bored stones are known in some parts as 'hag-stones' for this reason, by the bye.
Carve protective marks, put hex marks everywhere you can think of. Bind a few spells and splash some magical potions on the doorknobs and you're set. Alternatively, on Hallowe'en night only, the smaller and cuter witches may be mollified with a few fun-sized candy bars.
For Hallowe'en 2025
Chord says re How to stop witches (how-to): Jeez, it's like people don't want me around for some reason.
I reply: but this is for bad witches.
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