Book Review: Hallowed Ground: The Folklore of Churches

In folklore, churchyards are as much a place to find spooky things as saintly things. This is what Hallowed Ground: The Folklore of Churches and Churchyards, by Mark Norman, is all about. It’s just the kind of thing I enjoy reading. 

As I’m a pagan witch, the chapter that most interested me was Magic and Witchcraft in the Churchyard. In it, Mark starts by mentioning what real witches and other magical practitioners might get up to there, including collecting grave dirt for spellwork. He writes

“In folk magic, the use of soil from a cemetery or graveyard has a long history across many cultures. There are suggestions from ancient Egyptian texts that it was used ritually, and it is widely used in Southern magical practices, such as Hoodoo, where “goofer dirt” refers to earth which has been removed from the grave of someone who was either considered to be powerful in some way or died under circumstances which would be considered to increase the power of a spell being undertaken.”

Obviously, there are ethical issues surrounding this practice, but Mark points out: “Only small amounts are collected, and always with the utmost reverence, with offerings being required in return.”

I’ll add on a personal note that after visiting any sacred site, I have only ever collected earth that had naturally stuck to the soles of my boots, and which would otherwise have been wiped off on a doormat to stop it being trodden indoors. I’ve also respectfully given thanks to all spirits of the place.

Hallowed Ground shows there’s an overlap between the Christian religion and magic. Many traditional cunningfolk identified as Christian and used Bible passages or the names of saints in their spells. There are also plenty of folkloric stories to connect witches to churches. Mark writes about the 14th century parish church of St Nicholas in Canewdon, Essex.   

“The village of Canewdon has been connected with Witchcraft for a long time, and some of these connections reference the Church. Folklore tells us that six witches will always remain here. If a stone falls from the church tower, this signifies that one of the witches has died, but another has taken her place… The witches at Canewdon were said to have needed to circle the Church… to access certain powers. However, it was also said that if you did so at midnight, or on Halloween, then you might see the Devil, or be forced to dance with the witches themselves. Some even believed that the act would open a portal which could transport you to another place and time.”

I now very much want to visit Canewdon and maybe give that a go. 

These are just a couple of the fascinating entries in Hallowed Ground. The book also covers such things as the purpose of gargoyles, grotesques, and pagan symbols found in churches; the folklore of plants and trees found in churchyards; meeting the Devil; and, of course, plenty of ghosts.

Hallowed Ground: The Folklore of Churches and Churchyards is published by Crossed Crow Books. You can also view the book on Amazon.

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Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/10/london-necropolis-temple-church.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/10/london-necropolis-st-brides-church-of.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/10/london-necropolis-st-bartholomew-great.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/05/temple-church-and-some-mysteries.html

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