{
  "id": 7010241,
  "title": "Six ways people have used magic to protect their homes throughout history—from witch bottles to 'hag stones'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/six-ways-people-have-used-magic-to-protect-their-homes-throughout",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-12T22:30:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-ways-people-magic-homes-history.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Throughout history, people have employed various magical methods to safeguard their homes from harm. In early modern Europe, towns like Schiltach, Germany, faced destruction by incendiary witchcraft and fire-starting demons, prompting many to focus on protecting chimneys and hearths. Even today, individuals continue using special items and occult techniques to alleviate anxieties and enhance feelings of security.\n\nRowan trees have been utilized in the British Isles for centuries to ward off the evil eye. In the 17th-century, botanist Nicholas Culpeper's Complete Herbal suggested that a bay tree in the garden protects against witchcraft, the devil and lightning. Betony was thought to combat liver disease, epidemics and witchcraft, while bittersweet nightshade was believed to be effective against harmful sorcery. In Britain and Europe, a rosemary bush in the garden was said to protect against harmful night witches, who would count leaves until morning light dispelled their evil powers.\n\nIn the Americas, chili peppers were considered evil-averting and sometimes affixed to doors to repel harmful forces. Early modern Europe and beyond saw the use of five- and six-pointed stars inscribed into wood and mortar to repel evil. These star symbols, explained in magical instructional texts, or grimoires, like the Booke of Experiments (1622) now held at Oxford's Bodleian Library, were believed to overcome enemies.\n\nOther symbols, such as two interlocking Vs, two hexafoils or daisy wheels, have also been used to protect buildings. While the exact meaning of these symbols remains uncertain, they were often placed at key entry and danger points, suggesting a possible mystical purpose. Witch bottles, containing bodily fluids and other objects, were popular across Europe from the early modern era until the early 20th century. These bottles aimed to attack the witch's bladder, make them reveal themselves, stop their magical attacks, or even cause their death. The secrecy surrounding witch bottles was crucial to maintaining their protective power.\n\nShigandang stones, symbolizing Mount Tai in China, were used in East Asia to protect public places and private dwellings. In Britain, hag stones, naturally holed and often known as hag stones, provided good luck and protected against witchcraft and bad dreams. During the 19th century, some hag stones were hung from bedposts or barns, while larger ones were left in front gardens. In recent years, hag stones have experienced a resurgence among modern witches and other esoteric practitioners who prioritize positive magic and reject harm. In 19th-century Britain, sleeping with a Bible close by the bed or under the pillow was a common method for safeguarding against harmful powers and nightmares. In Ireland, crosses surrounded by circles were sometimes inscribed into farm walls or mortar to deter fairies.",
  "summary": "Virtually all cultures and eras fizz with magic. You might call it a secret ingredient of human life because magic takes so many forms and serves so many functions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}