I PUT A SPELL ON YOU

The handwritten spell advises anyone dogged by the ill-thoughts of enemies to fill a jug with urine and nails and keep it warm for a week.

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   An 18th century spell which is to go on show at the Cornish Studies Library in Redruth

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Joyce Froome, of the Museum of Witchcraft, said: "This is a classic example of traditional folk magic and it is wonderful to have the name, time and place included. This really gives it an immediacy which brings home to you how important this type of magic was in people's daily lives."

The 18th century document was discovered in the archives of Cornwall Record Office and will go on public display next week.

The well-preserved spell will form the centrepiece of an exhibition opening in Redruth on October 11. Bewitching History, at the Cornish Studies Library, features a variety of original documents from Cornish archives and collections, along with objects from the Saveock Water witch pit excavation.
The exhibition's themes cover witches on trial, Cornish witch Tammy Blee, charms, spells, witch bottles and witch pits.

Experts at the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle said it is extremely unusual to find charms or spells written down and even rarer to discover a surviving example.

It will be launched with a talk by Cornish author and witchcraft researcher Jason Semmens on October 10. 

The full text of the newly-discovered spell reads as follows, with uncorrected 18th century spellings:

 Charm for Thamson Leverton.
 That your private enemies will never after have any power upon you.

For Thamson Leverton on Saterday next being the 17th of this instant September any time that day take about a pint of your owne urine and make it almost scalding hot then emtie it into a stone jugg with a narrow mouth then put into it so much white salt as you can take up with the thumb and two forefingers of your lift hand and three new nails with their points downwards their points being first made very sharp then stop the mouth of the jugg very close with a piece of tough cley and bind a piece of leather firm over the stop then put the jugg into warm embers and keep him there 9 or 10 days and nights following so that it go not stark cold all that meantime day nor night and your private enemies will never after have any power upon you either in body or goods so be it.

Bewitching History is at the Cornish Studies Library in Redruth from October 11 until November 2. It runs during library opening hours and admission is free. For more information call 01209-216760.

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repost courtesy~  simon parker