Pagan Objects Near Me As I walk through my neighborhood, I can't help but notice the various pagan objects that are scattered throughout. From small trinkets to elaborate statues, these items hold a certain mystique and draw the eyes of passersby. One of the most common pagan objects that I come across are pentacles. These five-pointed stars, often enclosed in a circle, are a powerful symbol in many pagan traditions. They represent the balance of the elements and the connection between the physical and spiritual realms. Some people wear pentacle pendants as a form of personal protection or to show their affiliation with pagan beliefs.
Some people wear pentacle pendants as a form of personal protection or to show their affiliation with pagan beliefs. Another eye-catching object that I frequently encounter is the altar. These personal sacred spaces are often adorned with candles, crystals, and symbolic items that hold personal significance.
Ten Strange Things You Didn’t Know About the History of Magic
When researching the stories, choosing the objects and creating the narrative for Harry Potter: A History of Magic, we have encountered magic round every corner.
Here we explore 10 strange things you might not know about magic, unravelling strange myths and weird traditions, and being charmed by the mysterious world of witchcraft and wizardry.
1. Making yourself invisible is easy… provided you know the right words
Forget the fact you don’t have an invisibility cloak to hand, according to one 17th-century manuscript, known as The Book of King Solomon called The Key of Knowledge, you could make yourself invisible simply by reciting the following words:
“Stabbon, Asen, Gabellum, Saneney, Noty, Enobal, Labonerem, Balametem, Balnon, Tygumel, Millegaly, Juneneis, Hearma, Hamorache, Yesa, Seya, Senoy, Henen, Barucatha, Acararas, Taracub, Bucarat, Caramy, by the mercy whitch you beare towardes mann kynde, make me to be invysible.”
These instructions are found in a chapter headed ‘Howe experyments to be invysible must bee preparedd’. The writer and scholar, Gabriel Harvey, owned this manuscript, and one account of his life states that he largely disappeared from view in the final decades of his life: maybe the invisibility charm worked for him!
"A phoenix rising from the ashes, in a bestiary A phoenix rising from the ashes, in a bestiary" (13th century)Первоисточник: Harley MS 4751.
2. A phoenix takes 9 days to rise from the ashes
Phoenixes are one of the most famous mythological birds and Dumbledore’s feathered friend Fawkes was a much-loved character in the books. Their behavior and life cycle was often described in medieval bestiaries (encyclopedias about animals real and imagined). In one tradition, it was said that the phoenix was native to Arabia, lived for 500 years, and in its old age would create its own funeral pyre from branches and plants. It would then fan the flames with its own wings, in order to be consumed by the fire, before rising again from the ashes after 9 days. This legendary ability has often been compared to the Resurrection of Christ.
"‘The signification of lines and other marks in the hands’, in Old Egyptian Fortune-Teller’s Last Legacy" (1775)Первоисточник: C.194.a.825(2).
3. Moles on the buttocks are especially auspicious
The Old Egyptian Fortune-Teller’s Last Legacy, published in London in 1775, contains lots of dubious advice on how to predict your future. We’re used to tea leaves in cups, but one other way to tell the future was by interpreting the moles on your face and body. For example, did you know that “a mole on the buttock denotes honor to a man and riches to a woman”? On another page, headed: "The signification of lines and other marks in the hands", we receive the news that certain lines denote “a trusty and faithful person”, while others indicate, “Let the party take care to avoid deep water”!
"Culpeper’s English Physician; and Complete Herbal" (1789)Первоисточник: 1601/42.
4. Nicholas Culpeper was a witch
Nicholas Culpeper’s Herbal, first published in 1652, is one of the most influential books to identify the medical uses of different plants. But Culpeper was frowned upon by the medical establishment. He was an unlicensed apothecary, and he came into frequent conflict with the College of Physicians, not least because he wrote in English (for the benefit of the masses) rather than the more traditional Latin. In 1642, Culpeper was apparently tried, but acquitted, for practising witchcraft, the penalty for which was death. Today, we would describe him as a ‘hedge witch’, a wise man or woman adept at providing remedies for illnesses and ailments.
"Kitāb mawādd al-‘ilāj (Arabic version of Dioscorides, Materia medica)" (14th century)Первоисточник: Or 3366.
5. Need to harvest a mandrake? Then find yourself a dog
A lesson in Herbology now – in the Middle Ages, it was believed that mandrakes could cure headaches, earache and gout. At the same time, it was supposed that this plant was hazardous to harvest, because its roots resembled the human form; when pulled from the ground, its shrieks could cause madness. This is why medieval plant-collectors devised an elaborate method to harvest mandrakes. The best way to obtain one safely was to unearth its roots with an ivory stake, attaching the plant to a dog with a cord. A horn should then be sounded, drowning out the shrieking while at the same time startling the dog, causing it to drag out the mandrake. Another piece of advice was to stuff your ears with clods of earth before attempting to pull the mandrake from the ground!
"Pierre Pomet, A Compleat History of Druggs" (1748)Первоисточник: 546.k.19..
6. Some of the best bezoar stones are found in the stomachs of goats
We all remember the bezoar Harry used to save Ron’s life after he sipped the poisoned mead in Professor Slughorn’s office, but what actually are they? Bezoars are a mass of undigested fibre formed in the stomach of certain animals, and are believed to be an antidote to poison. They were first introduced into medieval Europe by Arabic physicians. Wealthy collectors (including kings and popes) were willing to spend considerable sums to acquire the best ‘stones’. In A Compleat History of Druggs (first published in French in 1694), it was reported that the medicinal strength of a bezoar depended on the animal that produced it. For instance, those found in the guts of cows were nowhere near as good as those which came from the so-called ‘bezoar goat’. One of our colleagues recently acquired a bezoar stone from a llama, sourced from Bolivia. We hope we never need to try it out.
"Abū al-Qāsim al-‘Irāqī, Kitāb al-aqālīm al-ab‘ah (Book of the Seven Climes)" (18th century)Первоисточник: Add MS 25724.
7. This early alchemical illustration is in fact… a record of an ancient Egyptian monument
The Book of the Seven Climes, written in the 13th century by Abū al-Qāsim Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-‘Irāqī, focuses on alchemical illustrations. This picture was supposedly taken from a ‘Hidden Book’ attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary sage-king of ancient Egypt. He was believed to have mastered the secrets of alchemy and recorded them in hieroglyphs on the walls of tombs. Unbeknown to Al-‘Irāqī, this image actually reproduces an ancient monument erected in memory of King Amenemhat II, who ruled Egypt around 1922–1878 BC.
"Unicorns, in Pierre Pomet, Histoire générale des Drogues, traitant des plantes, des animaux et des mineraux" (1694)Первоисточник: 37.h.7..
8. A unicorn can have two horns
In recent years unicorns have appeared in our hair, on our toast and on our clothes, but our fascination for the horned horse goes back centuries. In 1694, Pierre Pomet, a French pharmacist, published his Histoire générale des Drogues. One of its illustrations shows five different species of unicorn, among them the camphor (a horned ass from Arabia) and the pirassoipi. The pirassoipi’s most distinctive feature is its twin horns (surely this is cheating), as seen in the lower left-hand corner of this image. Pomet reported that this two-horned unicorn was as large as a mule and as hairy as a bear. He also noted that unicorn horn was “well used, on account of the great properties attributed to it, principally against poisons”.
1. Making yourself invisible is easy… provided you know the right words
Altars are used for various purposes, such as meditation, spellwork, or simply as a place to connect with spiritual forces. They can be found both indoors and outdoors, reflecting the diversity of pagan practices in the community. In addition to pentacles and altars, pagan statues and sculptures also dot the landscape. These range from small figurines to larger-than-life depictions of gods and goddesses. Some popular pagan deities include the horned god, the triple goddess, and various nature spirits. These statues serve as a focal point for devotion and reverence, inviting worshippers to connect with the divine energies they represent. While these pagan objects may be seen by some as unconventional or even controversial, they play a significant role in the lives of those who practice pagan traditions. For many, they serve as tangible reminders of their beliefs and a way to honor the spiritual forces that shape their lives. These objects also contribute to the diversity and richness of our neighborhood, showcasing the wide range of spiritual practices and perspectives that coexist within our community. Overall, the pagan objects near me act as symbols of faith, personal connection, and cultural diversity. They remind us that spirituality can take many forms and that there is value in embracing different belief systems. Whether one follows a pagan path or not, these objects can spark curiosity, encourage understanding, and foster a sense of acceptance towards alternative spiritual practices..
Reviews for "The Modern Pagan: How Contemporary Society Embraces and Utilizes Pagan Objects"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the selection of pagan objects at this store. The items seemed cheaply made and there wasn't much variety to choose from. The staff were also not very knowledgeable and couldn't answer my questions about the different symbols and meanings of the objects. I ended up leaving empty-handed and feeling unsatisfied with my visit.
2. Mike - 1 star - This store claimed to have a wide range of pagan objects, but I found it to be quite the opposite. The shelves were sparsely populated and there were only a few different types of items available. The prices were also ridiculously high for what they were offering. I could easily find better and more affordable pagan objects online. Save your time and money and skip this store.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - When I visited this store in search of pagan objects, I was disappointed by the lack of cleanliness and organization. The shelves were dusty and many of the items were damaged or looked worn-out. It was clear that the store didn't put much effort into maintaining and presenting their products. I couldn't find anything that caught my eye and left feeling let down by the whole experience.
4. John - 1 star - I had high hopes for this store, but it fell short in every aspect. The quality of the pagan objects was extremely poor, with some items even falling apart as I picked them up. The prices were exorbitant for the low quality offered. The staff seemed uninterested and unhelpful, making the overall experience quite unpleasant. I wouldn't recommend this store to anyone looking for authentic and high-quality pagan objects.