Witch Bottle*
Apotropaic magic | ἀποτρέπω (apotrép) 'to ward off'
Crafted on Mar's Day, during Mar's or Saturn's hours in places ruled over by either. Bottles are crafted during light hours and hidden at nightfall the same day.*
deflecting misfortune or averting the evil eye
cures for sickness, bad luck, or poor harvest
trap and ultimately break curses
kill the witch or wizard who cursed the person
needles/ pins / nails (bent & colorful)
red wine / vinegar / salt / oils
sprite traps / knotted thread
taglocks: urine / hair / menses / spit / natal chart* / imagery*
bottle / jug (see Bartmann jugs)
plant matter / thorns / rosemary / lemon
near or under the hearth / chimney stack / fireplace
buried at the farthest corner of the property
placed in an inconspicuous spot in the house
thrown into a fire (killing the witch)
"... He therefore advised him to take a Bottle, and put his Wives Urine into it, together with Pins and Needles and Nails, and Cork them up and set the Bottle to the Fire well corkt, which when it had felt a while the heat of the Fire began to move and joggle a little, but he for sureness took the Fire shovel, and held it hard upon the Cork, And as he thought, he felt something one while on this side, another while on that, shove the Fire shovel off, which he still quickly put on Again, but at last at one shoving the Cork bounced out, and the Urine, Pins, Nails and Needles all flew up, and gave a report like a Pistol, and his Wife continued in the same trouble and languishment still.
Not long after, the Old Man came to the house again, and inquired of the Man of the house how his Wife did. Who answered, as ill as ever, if not worse. He askt him if he had followed his direction. Yes, says he, and told him the event as is above said. Ha, quoth he, it seems it was too nimble for you. But now I will put you in a way that will make the business sure. Take your Wive’s Urine as before, and Cork, it in a Bottle with Nails, Pins and Needles, and bury it in the Earth; and that will do the feat..." Joseph Glanvill’s Saducismus Triumphatus
Sprite Trap: Set at night, constructed at sunrise blackthorn, red thread and animal hair. Once caught, the threads were removed and sealed in a witch bottle.
*Disclaimer: This is information that has been specifically collected for my own practice, with focuses on ancestor overlap. This is not all encompassing, and was not created with the intention to be used as a teaching tool. *Also these items are personal additions and have no historical basis.
