A bad witch's blog: shop

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Monday, 8 June 2026

Dowsing: I've Shopped For Crystal Pendulums

I've been shopping for crystal dowsing pendulums for people to use at the dowsing workshop I'm running at Greenoaks festival next weekend. They came with a velvet chart. Here's what they are as they're photographed from left to right, top row to bottom row:

Strawberry quartz: Helps with questions of the heart
Zebra agate: Good for intuition
Peach moonstone: For questions on personal happiness and creativity
Kambaba jasper: For help with grief, anger, and sadness
Red aventurine: Boosts confidence, for help with getting the most out of life
Vesuvianite: For questions to help get over negativity and about the past
Black tourmaline: Helps block unwanted thoughts and insecurity when doing psychic work
Cream moonstone: For questions about creativity, imagination and fertility
Mahogany obsidian: For questions about sex and passion as well as creativity
Banded agate: A good-luck stone that can help with answering difficult questions
Red jasper: Help with questions about your ambitions and goals

I'll be adding these to the ones I already owned. These include ones made from rose quartz which is good for questions about love and friendship, garnet which is associated with passion and confidence, and wood which is grounding.

Greenoaks Gathering

The Greenoaks Gathering runs from Friday, 12 - Sunday 14 June 2026. It's a lovely Pagan gathering in the beautiful Cambridgeshire Fens (picured), at an eco venue. There'll be nusic, talks, workshops (including a couple run by myself on dowsing and poppets), kids activities, and a magickal market. The venue is Hatters Campsite, Second Drove Adelaide, Ely CB7 4UD. Tickets are from £0 – £114.47. Find out more here: https://www.greenoaksgathering.co.uk/

Pagan Portals - Dowsing

My next book in the Pagan Portals series is Dowsing: A Witch’s Guide to Divining with Pendulums and Rods. It's published by Moon Books. This is the description on the website:

"In Pagan Portals - Dowsing Lucya Starza teaches the basics of using pendulums, rods, and the tingles in your fingers to find what you are looking for, whether that falls within the elemental categories of earth, air, fire, and water, or the boundless remit of the realm of spirit."

The book is due to reach shops early in 2027 but can already be pre-ordered.

You can view Pagan Portals - Dowsing on Amazon.

(Please note: I earn commission from some links)

Previous Related Posts

https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/03/revealing-cover-of-my-next-book-dowsing.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/06/my-witchy-events-charms-dowsing-dolls.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/11/i-bought-pendulum-at-college-of-psychic.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/10/using-pendulum-as-divination-to-make.html

Monday, 23 March 2026

Happy Birthday to 3 Magical London Locations

Three of London's best-loved magical venues celebrated birthdays over the Spring Equinox. Pictured on this post is the oldest of them: The Atlantis Bookshop. The esoteric bookshop and hub for occult gatherings has been at 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, for 104 years. Proprietors Geraldine and Bali invited customers old and new into the shop on Saturday to enjoy a glass of bubbly and cake.

The College of Psychic Studies is 100 years old. On Friday, the venerable seat of learning about all things psychic had a special evening at its beautiful venue at 16 Queensberry Place, South Kensington. I went along and enjoyed a glass of wine or two and a chance to chat with staff and members. Everyone who attended was invited to do a little springtime spellwork by planting a seed and making a wish. I'll be blogging more about that tomorrow.

Wicca Moon, the lovely witchy shop in Eltham, had a 21st birthday tea party on Friday afternoon. Sadly I wasn't able to get along for that as I was busy working then.

I wish all three magical venues very happy solar returns, and hope they will be celebrating more years of success in future.

Thursday, 4 September 2025

Would You Buy Your Cat a Ouija Board (or Coffin)?

Pets at Home is currently offering a cat ouija board toy as part of its Halloween range. I honestly can't decide if it's fun, tacky, or a really really bad idea.

The petstore suggests you: "Summon playtime spirits with a rotating butterfly that mimics real prey. USB-powered, multi-sensory fun for 5 hours of chasing, pouncing, and feline enchantment."

The picture at the top shows what it looks like. A coffin-shaped cat or dog bed is also part of the Halloween range, and that's pictured below.

If you want to have a look for yourself, here's the Pets at Home link: https://www.petsathome.com/

But do let me know what you think - and if you've already bought one, what does your cat think about it?

Previous related posts

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/12/question-ouija-boards-good-or-bad-gifts.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/06/pagan-eye-ouija-board-at-smoke-and.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/07/question-would-you-buy-secondhand.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/10/halloween-are-you-there-poundland-ouija.html

Thursday, 10 July 2025

Question: Would You Buy a Secondhand Spirit Board?

Would you buy a secondhand spirit board?

I'm sure a few people reading this think I'm utterly irresponsible for doing so. I've noticed more fear about spirit boards, or Ouija boards, than any other divination tool.

There's always a risk that a secondhand object will bring some unwanted energy along with it. Spirit boards are, of course, intended to contact spirits, so there's the added concern that any entity the previous owners contacted wasn't fully dismissed and is still sadly lingering.

Nevertheless, I had no hesitation to buy the board pictured above when I saw it for £2 in a charity shop. After I got it home, I gave it a thorough wash using salty water, which is very good for cleansing things. I wouldn't have done that if it was flimsy cardboard - I'd have done a smoke cleansing instead - but this board is pretty solid.

What do you think? Would you buy a secondhand spirit board? Please leave a comment

Thursday, 27 March 2025

Charity Shop Find: A Witchy Mother Goose Ornament

A friend spotted this Mother Goose ornament in a charity shop and bought her for me, knowing I would love her. She looks a bit like a witch, in her pointy hat, and reminds me of Miss Tick, one of the witches in Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels. However, the author of the original collection of fairy stories, Tales of Mother Goose, was Charles Perrault in the 17th century.

There's been considerable theorising that the figure of Mother Goose herself is much older. Although the evidence for any of them is scant and speculative, contenders as inspiration for the character include:

The German folkloric figure Perchta (a suggestion by Jacob Grimm)
The wife of King Robert II of France, nicknamed Berthe pied d'oie ("Goose-Footed Bertha"). She had the reputation of being a children's storyteller.
Charlemagne's mother, Bertrada of Laon, who was called the goose-foot queen (regina pede aucae).
The Biblical Queen of Sheba

As well as being associated with fairy stories, Mother Goose is a character in pantomime. Harlequin and Mother Goose, or The Golden Egg, was first performed in London in 1806. The character of Mother Goose is a folkloric witch figure described as wearing a pointy hat and riding a goose. In the production she raises a storm, and a ghost. A second Mother Goose pantomime, with a different story, was created in 1902. In that, a poor woman is tempted with wealth by the Devil.

I love both this ornament and the unresolved mysteries about the origins of the character. However, for me, she'll always be a little bit of a Miss Tick too.

Thursday, 20 February 2025

Charity Shop Finds: Amethyst and Amber Jewellery

I thought I'd share this picture of jewellery I've recently bought in charity shops.

First I found an amethyst pendant for £1.50. It would work well as a dowsing pendulum as well as something to wear. Then I noticed a pair of amber and silver earrings for £7.50.

What might be more of a bargain is the necklace with amber-coloured beads for £2.50. I'm not sure if it's real amber or just resin, but I intend to find out.

Thursday, 5 December 2024

WINTER50: The Special Code to get 50% off my Books

If you want to buy Rounding the Wheel of the Year or any of my Pagan Portals witchcraft books, or my Gothic novel Erosion cheaply, now's your chance. My publisher Moon Books, which is part of Collective Ink, is offering 50 per cent off all e-books until December 31st.

All you need to do is:

Click here > https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
Choose your e-book(s)
Click 'Add to basket for direct download.'
Click on your shopping basket
Click on 'Do you have a coupon?'
Apply promo code WINTER50 and Validate.
Proceed to Checkout.

You can order any e-books from any of Collective Ink's imprints. Moon Books publishes well respected titles on magickal topics, particularly the Pagan Portals series. Other imprints cover mind, body, spirit subjects, culture and politics, history and fiction.

If you want to search for my books, you can go straight to my Lucya Starza author page. I've written on candle magic, poppets, guided visualisations, scrying and the wheel of the year as well as my novel Erosion. You can read an excerpt from Erosion here: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/10/seance-with-skull-from-my-gothic-novel.html

Friday, 15 November 2024

Review: We’Moon 2025 Calendar and Datebook

Here's the covers of the 2025 We'Moon calendar and datebook. As usual, they are both full of beautiful art and words. The calendar obviously has much larger pictures and is something I love to see on my kitchen wall to inspire me each day.

The datebook is far more than just a diary. As well as pictures, it has astrological and moonphase information for the coming year plus articles on topics including herb lore, holy days, tarot and women's spirituality. I particularly like the feature on decolonising witchcraft, and the emphasis on diversity.

It says on the We'Moon website:

"Each year We'Moon weaves threads of intention into this wonderful moon calendar. Every edition has a theme, and currently, our themes are based on one of the eight moon phase cycles. We'Moon 2025: Growing Edge draws inspiration from the ripening glow of the Waxing Gibbous Moon. Here she is, on the cusp of completion, but she has work to do yet—as do we all—navigating toward the glory of fullness. This datebook is an astonishing collection of art and writing that takes you on deep soul journeys to and beyond the Growing Edges of your imagination. Be prepared to weep. Be prepared to rejoice. May the momentum of the Growing Edge bring you joy and light your way on the journeys ahead!"

I should probably mention that the We'Moon calendar and datebook are published in America, so some of the details on holidays and the like will be a bit different in other countries, but I know quite a few of my readers are based in the USA. If you buy a copy from the We'Moon website and use the discount code BadWitch25 you will get 15 per cent off.

You can also order from bookshops in the UK but without discount as far as I know. I will add specfic shops in England to this post as I learn about them.

Tuesday, 12 November 2024

I Bought a Pendulum at the College of Psychic Studies

I treated myself to one of these lovely dowsing pendulums when I was at the College of Psychic Studies for the weekend of Divination and the Esoteric.

Although I already own a few pendulums, including a couple I inherited from my dad who was a keen dowser, I was really taken with the ones you can see in the picture above. Not only did they look great, the weight felt perfect when I picked one up. Not only that, but the bob (the heavy pointed bit at the bottom) is detachable, meaning I can swap it for different crystals.

That's really useful because I have a lot of crystals that I wear as pendants which could now easily be adapted for dowsing and divination.

The College Of Psychic Studies is at 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. You can pop in and look around the lovely building, as well as visit the library and shop, on Wednesdays and Fridays any time from 11am-4pm.

Online evening class on scrying

On Wednesday 27 November and 4 December I'm running a two-part online evening class on Scrying: Divination Using Crystals, Mirrors, Water and Fire via the College of Psychic Studies. Tickets are £75. You can find more details and book here: https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/workshops/psychic-training/scrying-divination-using-crystals-mirrors-water-fire/

Other previous related posts

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/10/using-pendulum-as-divination-to-make.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/04/craft-making-divining-rods-from-twigs.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/10/divination-dowsing-rods-that-found.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/04/spells-and-divining-to-find-lost-things.html

Friday, 8 November 2024

Charity Shop Find: Two Tea-Leaf Reading Cups

I was delighted with my find in a charity shop: two tea-leaf reading cups. I already own a couple of similar cups, but four is better than just two, especially if you are going to invite some witchy friends round for some tea and divination. You can see my earlier review of the Cup of Destiny.

Esoteric Weekend

If you are interested in fortune telling techniques, then this weekend, Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 November, The College of Psychic Studies is running a full weekend of talks and workshops on the topic. I will be giving a talk on scrying on Saturday. Other topics include spirit portraits, hand reading, numerology, animal communication, automatic writing, tarot, runes, remote viewing and dowsing.

It's a hybrid event. The in-person venue is the lovely College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Online tickets £135 for both days; in-person tickets £250 for both days. You can find out more and book here: https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/special-events/psychic-and-mediumship/a-weekend-of-divination-and-the-esoteric/

Online Evening Classes in Scrying

On Wednesday 27 November and 4 December I'm running a two-part online evening class on Scrying: Divination Using Crystals, Mirrors, Water and Fire via the College of Psychic Studies. It starts at 7pm. Tickets are £75, with a reduced price for CPS members. You can find more details and book here: https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/workshops/psychic-training/scrying-divination-using-crystals-mirrors-water-fire/

Previous related posts

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/11/my-events-scrying-candles-poppets.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/08/honeysuckle-tea-for-lammas-protection.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/10/charity-shop-find-black-tea-set-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/kitchen-witchcraft-finding-magic-in.html

Thursday, 10 October 2024

Spooky50: The Special Code to get 50% off my Books

If you want to buy any of my Pagan Portals witchcraft books or my Gothic novel Erosion really cheaply, now's your chance. My publisher Moon Books, which is part of Collective Ink, is offering 50 per cent off all e-books until October 31st.

All you need to do is:

Click here > https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
Choose your e-book(s)
Click 'Add to basket for direct download.'
Click on your shopping basket
Click on 'Do you have a coupon?'
Apply promo code Spooky50 and Validate.
Proceed to Checkout.

If you want to search for my books, you can go straight to my Lucya Starza author page. I've written on candle magic, poppets, guided visualisations, scrying and the wheel of the year as well as my Gothic novel Erosion. You can read an excerpt from Erosion here: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/10/seance-with-skull-from-my-gothic-novel.html

Friday, 20 September 2024

Witchy Shopping: Less Plastic Tat This Halloween?

In the past I've complained a lot about shops offering too much low quality tat at Halloween, but so far this autumn I've seen an improvement. The photo above shows stoneware cauldron mugs on a shelf in Tesco, alongside some ceramic pumpkin jars. They seem to be good quality and should last for years whether you want to use them to sip a brew, as scrying bowls, or for other kinds of spellwork.

I didn't buy one as I already have a cauldron mug, but these seem more tasteful than the one I bought a few years ago. You can see that here.

In general I've spotted fewer cheap plastic Halloween party decorations, which often end up in landfill soon after the end of October. While I think high street shops and supermarkets still have a long way to go to reduce the amount of plastic on sale, I'm also in favour of giving praise where improvements have been made.

What do you think? Have you spotted less Halloween tat this year? What good quality autumn fare have you noticed? Please leave a comment.

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/07/shopping-issues-practical-magic-as-home.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/10/charity-shop-find-black-tea-set-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/02/witchy-shopping-pentagram-star-candle.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/10/halloween-shopping-tesco-bowls-for.html

Thursday, 25 July 2024

Shopping Issues: Practical Magic as a Home Trend

Practical Magic is the latest must-have interior decor theme, or so I've been told. Admittedly, my info came from an agency that promotes homeware shops, but I'm happy to accept what they said in this instance:

"With autumn just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to infuse your home with a touch of enchantment. Inspired by the cult classic 90s movie "Practical Magic," this product round-up captures the whimsigothic charm and mystical allure of the Owens' iconic home. Think Victorian gothic elegance meets whimsical touches: antique furniture, rich textiles, and a palette of deep, moody hues. Imagine ornate candle holders casting a magical glow, botanical prints bringing the outdoors in, and eclectic vintage pieces adding timeless character."

There's always a dilemma about buying new witchy stuff for my home. I try to live by the reduce, reuse, recycle ethic, which means I prefer to buy secondhand rather than new items. However, when Halloween and autumnal things reach high street shops I'm often tempted. I think the trick is to only buy things I need, make sure they are well-made and will last a long time. The little table with tree-like legs made by Koket rather appeals. I also try to rehome anything I no longer need or want.

What do you think about the dilemma of buying new stuff? Please leave a comment

The image at the top contains pictures of the following objects: Eichholtz Tortoise Hurricane by Sweetpea and Willow, Angel Cushion by Jan Constantine, Mindthegap Wallpaper, Chase And Wonder Fine China, Amy Sofa by Darlings of Chelsea, Rustic Amethyst Pillar Candle by The Wisteria Tree, Divine Savages Fringed Lampshade, Chantilly Whitewashed Chest, Moderne Kuckucksuhr aus Deutschland "My Dark Forest Kuckoo", Wild Swimming No.100 by Victory Colours, Enchanted Side Table by KOKET, Mindthegap Wallpaper.

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/07/witch-room-tales-instrument-to-call.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/04/tales-from-witch-room-pointy-hats.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/03/tales-from-witch-room-cauldrons-big-and.html

Monday, 10 June 2024

Pagan Eye: An Alternative Market at Chislehurst Caves

I visited Orpington Alternative Markets Psychic Pop-Up at Chislehurst Caves yesterday and took the photo above. It's a wonderfully atmospheric venue, as you can see, in ancient chalk mines that date back to before Roman times and are supposedly haunted. I've blogged about Chislehurst Caves in the past: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/10/review-haunted-bromley-kents-mines-of.html

Although it wasn't a massive event, it was friendly with a good variety of stalls selling witchy wares, people offering readings, and a cafe upstairs offering homemade food and drinks. What's more it was free to enter.

Don't worry if you missed the psychic pop-up, there will be other events taking place later in the year. You can find out more via Orpington Alternative Markets Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1335736923852705/

On each of my Pagan Eye posts, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog.

Tuesday, 14 May 2024

My Copy of the Austin Osman Spare Tarot has Arrived!

This is the latest addition to my tarot collection - the long-awaited Austin Osman Spare Tarot Deck. The famous chaos magician hand-painted the originals for this unique set of cards, but it's only now been reproduced in a facsimile form available to ordinary witches like me.

Strange Attractor Press produced a book about the set, Lost Envoy: The Tarot Deck of Austin Osman Spare, back in 2016, and has now published the cards themselves. Eager to get a copy, I backed the kickstarter in 2022, and am very happy to have finally received my parcel. The picture above shows what was inside the box:

The AOS tarot cards
A bag to put them in
A copy of The Lost Envoy book
Another book reproducing The Tarot by SL MacGregor Mathers and How to Tell Fortunes by the Cards by Rapoza
Postcards with images from the cards
A badge

This all came in a nice presentation box with Spare's monogram. I'm looking forward to using the cards and will do a reading for the world with them soon.

Copies of The Lost Envoy can be viewed on Amazon.

(Please note I earn commission from some links. This helps subsidise my blog at no extra cost to readers.)

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/02/dark-monarch-magical-exhibition.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/12/pagan-eye-minoan-priestess-by-austin.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/11/exhibitiion-austin-osman-spare-focus-on.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/04/a-tarot-card-for-world-today-strength.html

Monday, 11 March 2024

Charity Shop Find: A Lovely Little Charm Necklace

I spotted this charm necklace on Oxfam's online shop and treated myself to it. It turned up in the post the other day and I love it. I'll enjoy wearing it a lot. I have a sizeable collection of charms, amulets and talismans, and I'm delighted that I'll be getting a chance to show some of them at events this month as well as on my blog.

Here are some of the charms on it and what they can symbolise, athough meanings may vary from culture to culture:

Star: Guidance and success
Hamsa hand: Protection
Dove: Peace
Heart: Love
Pearl: Wisdom and purity
Six-petal flower: Protection
Elephant: Good luck and abundance

On Saturday, 23 March I'm teaching an in-depth workshop on Amulets, Charms and Talismans at the College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Everyone who takes part will have a chance to make and enchant some magical objects of protection as well as learn about their history and uses. The class runs from 1pm - 5pm. Tickets are £80/£60. You can find the details here: https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/workshops/myth-magic/amulets-talismans-charms-magical-objects-for-protection-luck-manifestation/

Thursday, 25 January 2024

Witchy Shopping: Heart Candles at Aldi for Love Spells

Jane Mortimer spotted these heart-shaped tealights due to go on sale at Aldi. She wrote:

"I just had to send you the attached photo of something that appeared in this week's Aldi Specialbuys booklet. They're pink or red heart-shaped tea lights, perfect for spells related to love, friendship, harmony and healing, and they go on sale on Sunday 28th January. They're £1.49 per set, and there are 9 in the photo, though it doesn't say how many there are in a set. However, at that price they'd be perfect for witches to snap up for their usefulness in magic. There's room on top of them to scratch a name or intention with a pin."

I saw similar ones in Tiger a few years ago and agree they are great for love magic. Below are links to some spell suggestions:

Full Moon Magic for your Heart's Desire: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/02/spells-full-moon-magic-for-your-hearts.html
A Spell to Attract Love: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/02/spell-to-attract-love.html
Big Hugs Candle Magic: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/12/spells-big-hugs-candle-magic.html
Candle Divination and Magic for Love: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/02/candle-divinations-and-little-magic-for.html

You can find more magical ideas for manifesting your wishes and honouring the season in my books Pagan Portals - Candle Magic and Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year. Both are published by Moon Books and available from esoteric shops including Treadwell's in London and online stores including Amazon.

I regularly run candle magic workshops. My next one is on Saturday 6 April at Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. It starts at 1pm. Tickets are £22 per person. Find out more at https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Thursday, 11 January 2024

January Book Sale: 50% Off Collective Ink E-Books

If you want to buy any of my witchcraft books really cheaply, now's your chance. My publisher Moon Books, which is part of Collective Ink, is offering 50% off all ebooks until January 31st.

All you need to do is visit www.collectiveinkbooks.com/, choose your ebook or books, click "Add to basket for direct download". Go to your basket and click "Do you have a coupon" then apply the promo code JANSALE24 and Validate.

You can order any ebooks from any of Collective Ink's imprints. Moon Books publishes well respected titles on magickal topics, particularly the Pagan Portals series. Other imprints cover mind, body spirit subjects, culture and politics, history and fiction.

If you want to search for my books, you can go straight to my Lucya Starza author page. I've written on candle magic, poppets, guided visualisations, scrying and the wheel of the year. My Gothic novel Erosion is due to come out in early April, also published by Moon Books. It can be pre-ordered with the discount.

Monday, 4 December 2023

Gifts: The Tiniest, Cutest Tarot Deck - With Cats

A friend gave me the tarot deck in the picture above. I photographed it with a ruler to show just how tiny it is. What's more it has really cute cats on it! I love it! I particularly like the Hanged Man, which is a kitty all tied up in a ball of wool.

The cards are actually stickers and intended for use in scrapbooking but they seem firm enough to use as cards if I leave them on their backings. I wanted to blog about them so my friend sent me the link to where she got them. Here it is: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005906168759.html?

I reckon a set would be a purrfect stocking filler at Yule (excuse the pun)

Thursday, 23 November 2023

Amulets & Talismans: Witches' Bells for Protection

Witches' Bells are very much in esoteric fashion at the moment. They are highly popular as protection amulets as well as because they look - well, charming. The example in the photo to the right was made by Emma Thomsen who runs the Etsy shop LunaCharmsAndVintage.

I chatted to Emma about them at Romford Pagan Moote last month as it was a thing I'd seen people talk about in witchcraft groups on social media. I'm always fascinated to learn new stuff about magic.

The idea with witches' bells is that you either hang them up a bit like wind chimes so they tinkle in the breeze and clear the air with their sound, or you hang them from your door and they alert you when someone enters the room. Very small ones can be attached to bags and so on more as magical jewellery.

The use of bells for this kind of thing is ancient. In the Old Testament of the Bible, Exodus 28:33, it says priests' robes are supposed to have bells on the hems so: “The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die.” That sounds serious, although I'm not sure whether it was a protection from outside evil or an angry god annoyed at being silently snuck up on. In the ancient world bells used for protection tended to be small things that were worn or carried. Big church bells only began in about the 5th century, but quickly got the reputation of being rung to signal the start of services and also to drive out evil spirits.

They haven't only been used by Christians. In Buddhism, the sound of bells is thought to attract good fortune and bring peace and comfort to those who hear the sound. Hindu temples often have a bell at the entrance which devotees ring before going inside. The Britannica Library Encyclopedia says:

"Among the most basic and widespread uses of bells is signalling—marking significant points of ritual, calling to worship, tolling the hours, announcing events, rejoicing, warning, and mourning. In Christian and Buddhist monasteries, bells regulate daily routine."

Bells are also used widely in modern witchcraft. The sound of a bell changes the atmosphere in a room, a clear sound feels as though it is cleansing the space of unwanted energy. Bells are also used to help with meditation or to mark the start or end of a part of a ritual. The ones in the photo to the left are hanging on my charm tree in my witchy room. I bought them at the Faerie Festival in Sussex earlier this year. They were handmade in India.

I don't know when the use of the term witches' bells for protection began. I suspect it's pretty recent. The Oxford English Dictionary only mentions it as a name for bell-shaped flowers, especially foxgloves, and gives a first use of 1884 in R. Folkard's Plant Lore, Legends and Lyrics:

"The witches are popularly supposed to have...decorated their fingers with its [sc. the foxglove's] largest bells, thence called ‘Witches' Bells."

However, small bells on chains have been used as folkloric protection against the Evil Eye since at least the 18th century. There's a lovely example from Spain in the Victoria and Albert Museum's jewellery hall. It was made for a child.

Whatever the origins, I think the current trend for witches' bells as amulets is lovely. Emma Thomsen makes the ones she sells from recycled vintage necklaces, metal charms and small bells. If you feel crafty, you could create your own by attaching small bells to ribbon or thread. Ring them and visualise their sound as self-cleansing, then say some words as a blessing if you want and hang them from a hook on or by your door (or from a charm tree like mine if you prefer).

On Tuesday December 5th I'm running an online workshop called Amulets and Talismans: An Exploration of Magical Objects via The College of Psychic Studies. It starts at 6pm and tickets are £75. You can find out more here: https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/workshops/myth-magic/amulets-and-talismans-an-exploration-of-magical-objects/

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