Sprite Trap

From Traditional Witchcraft Wiki Project

A sprite trap is a form of a protective device whose name is a corruption of Spirit 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.

Sprite traps are used at night, when the trap is set at the entrance to a home, church, graveyard, or other location where disturbances are taking place. To attract the troublesome entity, a cleft blackthorn stave with a lighted candle is placed in front of the trap.

After the sprite trap has captured a spirit, it is removed from the location and the red thread is cut with a consecrated knife; the thread is then placed into a prepared witch bottle. If the bottle has been prepared to imprison the spirit, a spell is recited while the thread is placed in it. Finally, the bottle is corked and sealed with red wax before being buried. A thorn bush will be planted on the site.

It is said that if a witch's bottle containing a spirit is opened, a very angry spirit will escape.