Welsh Protection Magic
Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Mhara Starling, author of the new Welsh Witchcraft.
Much of my practise as a Welsh Witch is inspired and informed by the historical folk magical traditions of my country. I enjoy digging into old practises, superstitions, and beliefs and incorporating some of that Welsh magic into my everyday life, sometimes altering them slightly to fit with what works for me. For the modern-day Witch, ensuring we have sufficient wards and magical protections in place is highly beneficial and practical as we traverse our magical lifestyle. Practises based on protecting oneself from harm, adversity, illness, and even magical attack was something my ancestors also emphasised. Today, I would like to outline some traditional Welsh magical forms of warding and protection, and how you might incorporate these charms, spells, and rituals into your magical practise.
The Rowan Tree
You will find many old homes in rural parts of Wales today who still have a Rowan tree or two near the front door. In times of old it was believed that the Rowan, or Criafol (Kree-AHV-all) as it is called in the Welsh language, was imbued with potent protective virtues. A tree planted near the front door kept trickster fairies and malevolent spirits away from the home. A pocketful of the Rowan berries kept bad luck and troublesome entities at bay. The Rowan tree was considered apotropaic in nature in many parts of England, Scotland, and Wales alike, and in many areas the berries were strung on red twine in the home as a form of protection.
If you have a Rowan tree in your locale, connect with the spirit of the tree and collect some of the berries or twigs of the tree to carry with you in a pouch or to hang in the home.
Horseshoes
As is the case in many of the Celtic nations, a horseshoe was considered an item imbued with good luck and protective qualities in Wales. Hang the horseshoe above your door to attract good fortune, and to banish any ill influence.
Protective Incantations or Charms
Though the word charm today conjures up an image of an item one carries with them, historically a charm was a written or uttered spell or incantation. In Wales we had numerous charms that protected people from disaster, illness, baneful magic, or malevolent spirits.
Here is a traditional Welsh charm for protection. Write this on a piece of paper and place in a pouch with dried Rosemary and, if possible, a small hag stone; carry the pouch with you at all times.
Credo fechan, credo lan,
Credo i Dduw ac Ifan,
Rhag y dwfr, rhag y tan,
Rhag y sarffes goch ben-llydan,
Cerddais fynydd, ac o’r fynydd,
Gwelais Mair a rei Gobenydd,
A’i angel, angel ufydd,
A Duw ei hun yn Dedwydd,
A’r gwr llwyd a’i wisg wen,yn llunio llen,
Rhwng pob enaid ac uffern, amen
Snakeskin Powder
The shed skin of a snake, when burnt and crushed into a powder, was believed to hold protective qualities, as well as other virtues. If you are fortunate to find snake skin, turn it into powder and sprinkle the powder near the windows and doors of your home.
These are but a few examples of traditional Welsh folk magical forms of protection, alter them as you see fit to utilise in your personal practise.
Our thanks to Mhara for her guest post! For more from Mhara Starling, read her article, “An Introduction to Welsh Witchcraft.”
