Witches stairs, also known as a "witches ladder," is a term used to describe a unique type of magical item or object. It is believed to have originated from folk magic practices and is often associated with witchcraft and pagan traditions. A witches stairs consists of a woven cord or rope, typically made from natural materials such as jute, wool, or hemp. The cord is adorned with various items, such as feathers, beads, crystals, herbs, or other symbolic objects. The exact composition and design of a witches stairs can vary, as it depends on the individual practitioner and their specific intentions or desires. The purpose of a witches stairs is to serve as a tool for spellcasting or ritual work.

What Are Witches Stairs and Why Do They Even Exist?

Taylor Fuller has been writing about houseplants for The Spruce since winter 2020. She has a collection of over 75 plants in her London flat. She authored the book "The Rainbow Atlas" and her writing has appeared on Bustle and BuzzFeed.

You can come across some pretty crazy things on the internet and on social media platforms like TikTok. Content can go viral so quickly, which means that someone can tell a story about something, and people just assume it’s true. That’s what happened with the witches' stairs. Back in 2021, a TikTok video went viral—it racked up nearly 15 million views.

After it was posted and TikTok went crazy, people started to post videos and write articles about their theories on why the stairs got their names. Although witches' stairs may not end up on your For You Page anymore, you can Google the term and read plenty about them—something you definitely couldn’t do before this idea went viral.

The purpose of a witches stairs is to serve as a tool for spellcasting or ritual work. Each knot tied or item attached to the cord represents an intention, prayer, or magical working. The practitioner may recite incantations, affirmations, or prayers as they tie the knots or attach the items, focusing their energy and intentions into the witches stairs.

What Are Witches' Stairs?

Witches’ stairs are stairs that have alternating treads that are spaced out in what appears to be a checkered formation when you’re looking at them from far away. The staircase is designed this way to save space as it can be built steeper than a traditional one. You probably will have to think about how to walk up and down them the first few times you do it, but you will get used to it over time.

The myth surrounding these alternating stairs, which has led them to be known as witches’ stairs, is that they were built in old New England homes to ward off witches as they couldn’t walk up them. This theory went wild since the Salem Witch Trials took place in New England.

This has since been proven false. According to a Reuters article where the writer spoke with Robin Briggs, an emeritus fellow at All Souls College at Oxford who has studied the history of religion, popular belief, and witchcraft in Europe, from 1500 to 1800—he had never come across any type of stairs that could stop a witch from moving up them.

Additionally, according to an OSHA report on the alternating tread type stair in the 1980s, "This instruction recognized a newly developed alternating tread type stair not presently covered by existing OSHA standards." This information and the date it was published tells us that these stairs were probably not used to ward off witches at any point in history.

Still, if you search “witches’ stairs” on TikTok, you’ll see some funny videos of people who have come across one. Often the caption will say something about how they’re a witch and they’ve found witches’ stairs and let’s see if they can walk up them. So while the myth has been busted, you can always count on the internet to perpetuate it.

The symbolism and significance of the items on a witches stairs can also vary. For example, feathers may represent air or communication, while crystals may represent earth or healing energy. The personal meaning behind these items allows the practitioner to infuse their own intentions and desires into the witches stairs. Once completed, a witches stairs can be hung on a wall, above a door, or placed on an altar as a sacred and magical object. It is believed to hold the energy and intentions of the spell or ritual, acting as a physical representation of the practitioner's desires. In addition to being used for spellcasting, witches stairs can also be used for divination or protection. Some practitioners may use the knots or items on the cord as a form of fortune-telling, similar to a pendulum or Tarot cards. Others may believe that the witches stairs acts as a protective charm, warding off negative energies or spirits. Overall, witches stairs are a fascinating and versatile tool within the realm of witchcraft and magic. Whether used for spellcasting, divination, or protection, they hold a sacred and spiritual significance for those who practice paganism or witchcraft..

Reviews for "The Magic and Mysticism of Witches Stairs Explored"

1. Samantha - 2/5 stars - I found "Witches stairs" to be quite disappointing. While the concept of the story was intriguing, the execution fell short. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I felt like the story dragged on without much substance. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with any of them. Overall, I was left underwhelmed by this book.

2. Jake - 1/5 stars - "Witches stairs" was a complete waste of time. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, and the writing style was incredibly confusing. It seemed like the author was trying to be clever, but it just resulted in a muddled mess. The characters were annoying and their actions were often nonsensical. I could hardly bring myself to finish this book, and I cannot recommend it to anyone.

3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Witches stairs," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story lacked originality, and it felt like a rehash of familiar tropes and clichés. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to engage with the characters. The pacing was inconsistent, with moments of intense action followed by prolonged lulls. Overall, I was left unimpressed by this book.

4. Jason - 2/5 stars - "Witches stairs" had a promising premise, but it failed to deliver. The world-building was lackluster and left many questions unanswered. The plot lacked coherence and seemed to jump from one random event to another. The writing style was also subpar, with choppy sentences and an overall lack of flow. I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.

Witches Stairs: Myth or Reality?