Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
In Bengalese folklore, shouting "Ram Ram!" drives way ghosts and all evil things. Source Encyclopaedia of superstitions, folklore, and the occult sciences of the world. : a comprehensive library of human belief and practice in the mysteries of life ... Editorial staff: Cora Linn Daniels and C.M. Stevans. (1903)
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
"Antler– Stags' horns are considered in Spain to be an omen of the evil eye, and to be a safeguard against its malignant influence. Should the evil glance be cast, it is believed the horn recieves it and instantly snaps asunder. They wear a tip of horn mounted
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
Amethyst – The "maid stone." It's said that she who wears an amethyst will sleep calmly and have innocent dreams. Amethyst is believed to remove drunkenness, particularly wine-coloured stones. The word, amethyst comes from, the Greek word amethystos, meaning “not drunken. It also was thought to divert
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
Amber – Amber has enchanted humanity for at least 10,000 years. From the Mycenaeans to the Mayans, amber has been considered sacred and used by cultures across time on nearly every continent. It was believed by some, that if one wore amber, no harm could befall them. In particular, amber
Rock Collection
Amazonite (also known as amazon stone, Green feldspar and Neshmet) – A popular stone among ancient Egyptians, the greenish amazonite represented rebirth and fertility. For this reason it was often used in jewellery and funerary amulets. The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead recommends amazonite for papyrus sceptre necklaces. These necklaces
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
Alectoria – Alectoria is a stone of darkish crystalline colour found in the intestines/gizzards of capons (castrated cockerels) that had lived seven years. Alectoria is said to be able to grant invisibility to its carrier, makes women aggregable and men eloquent, constant, and friendly. If held in one's
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
Alabaster – At Antiparos in the Aegean sea, the ancients used alabaster for incense and for funeral urns. If it turned yellow and lost its whiteness, it meant sickness and famine would come. Church statues made of alabaster are sometimes found to be chipped, in many cases this damage is purposeful.
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
Agate – an agate stone is believed to quench thirst and turn away thunder in lightning. A black agate veined with white will protect a person from all violent dangers. Hyena-coloured agate can cause domestic unhappiness. Agate was thought to protect from the effects of poison, but agate shaped as eyes
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
Adamant – Adamant was a stone that once believed to be impenetrable, giving rise to the saying: "As hard as adamant." (Daniels, Encyclopaedia of Superstitions) It may be an archaic word for diamond. Because adamant was believed immune to fire, artisans would soak the mineral in goat's
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
Animal Lore (British Isles).
Articles
In Brittany, listening and speaking for the dead was once a well-respected trade.
Notes
An ancient theory that is seeing a resurgence thanks to advances in Physics.