Forked stick
From Traditional Witchcraft Wiki Project
There are many types of forked stick used in witchcraft and its associated arts, here follow some of them:
Talking-Stick
Cecil Williamson related that Y-shape forked sticks were used by witches to listen to the earth. The witch would thrust the butt end into the ground, rest the prongs of the fork on the closed eyelids, and concentrate on the pulse emanating from deep within the earth; such a practice is said to give the Sight.
Dowsing Rod
A Y shaped rod, normally of hazel, is held with one tine of the fork in each hand and the longer stem facing forwards. As the dowser walks forwards the shaft will drop downwards to point to underground water; such is also called water-witching.
Sprite Trap
Sprite Traps were made by several means from a small magically charged stone nestled between a forked piece of hazel wood, to more elaborate creations involving weaving a particular pattern with red thread atop a forked ash or rowan wand. Such woven traps incorporated design elements as runes of protection and were planted firmly at the front and back doors of homes and businesses to ward or trap unwanted spirits and bad luck.
Devils Pitchfork The Devils Pitchfork is a natural three or four pronged pitchfork made from Rowan or Ash, it represents the three main roots of the worldtree with runs though the many chambers of the underworld.Throughout folklore and mythology it is associated with the devil and the Greek Sea-god Poseidon. This tool is mainly used in protecting a piece of land, ward off bad luck or cursing.
