How Hagstones Offer Protection & Spiritual Insight

Hagstones, also known as witch stones, holey stones, or adder stones, are natural stones with a hole running through them. These stones have been shaped over time by the erosive action of water, often found along riverbanks and coastlines. The term "hagstone" is derived from the belief that these stones could protect against hags or witches, who were thought to bring misfortune to people and livestock. This protective aspect made hagstones a popular talisman in folklore and spiritual practices.

Hagstones are regarded as objects of magical significance. They are believed to possess protective and healing properties, acting as a barrier against malevolent forces and curses. While hagstones are steeped in legend and lore, their natural beauty and unique formation are appealing to many.

Anyone can create a hagstone, and you do not need any special witchy skills to do so. Although some people believe that the intention behind creating the stone is significant, they often focus their thoughts and intentions on the stone to charge it with protective or healing energy. Those who follow spiritual or magical practices often focus their thoughts and intentions on the stone in order to charge it with protective or healing energy.

People have long believed that hagstones can ward off evil spirits, negative energy, and even witchcraft. The hole in the stone is thought to trap and neutralise harmful forces, preventing them from affecting the person or space associated with the stone.

Many people hang hagstones in their homes, often placing them near entrances or windows to act as a barrier against unwanted influences. In gardens, hagstones are sometimes hung on trees or fences to protect plants and ensure a healthy, thriving environment. This protective function extends to livestock as well. Farmers might place hagstones in barns or stables, believing that the stones will safeguard animals from illness or misfortune.

In addition to their protective qualities, hagstones are used in spiritual and magical practices. They are often used as tools for divination and scrying, where looking through the hole is believed to offer glimpses into other realms or reveal hidden truths. This practice is rooted in the idea that the stone's hole acts as a portal, allowing the viewer to see beyond the physical world into the spiritual.

Hagstones are also associated with luck and prosperity. Some people carry them as personal talismans, believing they will attract good fortune and success. They can be worn as jewellery, placed in pockets, or carried in bags to provide a constant source of protection and positive energy.

Hagstones are sometimes used in healing rituals. Practitioners may pass them over the body to cleanse and remove negative energies or place them on specific areas to promote healing. The belief in their healing properties is tied to the idea that the stone's natural formation imbues it with unique energies that can balance and restore.