this dried frog carried in a silk bag was used to prevent fits. Alternatively, another amulet against fits involved wearing a live toad in a bag. Live frogs and toads were also bound on to wounds to help them heal and were placed on the throats of children with whooping cough.
People have carried around amulets and protective objects for millenia. I was lucky enough to visit the Wellcome Collection exhibition on 'Miracles and Charms' back in 2012 and saw the many amulets from Edward Lovett's collection.
The dictionary defines amulets in the following way - "a small object worn to ward off evil, harm, or illness or to bring good fortune; protecting charm". Though many of us might not think this superstition lingers - we might find that we have objects in our living space or wear particular pieces of jewellery which have special significance. The following are some of my favourite 'amuletic' objects...
Stone with natural perforation, found fixed on a nail to the cottage-door of Kimber to keep away witches - often referred to as a hagstone
The dictionary defines amulets in the following way - "a small object worn to ward off evil, harm, or illness or to bring good fortune; protecting charm". Though many of us might not think this superstition lingers - we might find that we have objects in our living space or wear particular pieces of jewellery which have special significance. The following are some of my favourite 'amuletic' objects...
Stone with natural perforation, found fixed on a nail to the cottage-door of Kimber to keep away witches - often referred to as a hagstone
Large animal lumbar vertebra carved with at one end with a human face.
carrying around this piece of bone was believed to be a cure for rheumatism (aches and pains in the joints), transferring the pain from the person to the bone.
carrying a mole’s forefoot in a pocket as an amulet to prevent cramp is a medical tradition specific to the East Anglian region of England. The feet were either hacked off a mole or bought from a shop. As an amulet against toothache, moles’ feet have a much longer and wider tradition, being recommended by the Roman writer Pliny in the first century CE.
carrying a mole’s forefoot in a pocket as an amulet to prevent cramp is a medical tradition specific to the East Anglian region of England. The feet were either hacked off a mole or bought from a shop. As an amulet against toothache, moles’ feet have a much longer and wider tradition, being recommended by the Roman writer Pliny in the first century CE.
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