The Museum of Witchcraft

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Sea Witchcraft

Cornish witchcraft, as with all witchcraft, is greatly influenced by the landscape and the surrounding seascape. Cornwall is exposed to the elements that witches love to work with. Predicting and controlling the weather was of vital importance to sailors, fishermen, farmers and witches. It was and still is believed that witches can influence the wind and rain. Before going to sea sailors would purchase the wind tied in a handkerchief or rope from a sea witch. The wind would be released by untying the knots as required. The first knot would produce a gentle wind sufficient to fill their sails; the second knot would produce strong winds and the third a tempest.

A sorcerer selling wind tied in knots to sailors. Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus (1555)

A Mackerel boat called 'The Broom' was thought to be cursed, and as a consequence caught no fish. The cause was attributed to a young woman in Newlyn West. The remedy was to burn a portion of the boat's nets in public. (Penzance Gazette 20th May 1840)

One cannot help but wonder if witchcraft is used to raise storms to assist the local 'wreckers' who would lure ships onto the rocks so as to plunder their cargo.

It is common to find glass fishing floats hanging in windows of cottages in Cornwall. These are the local equivalent of 'witchballs' and will offer protection from curses and evil.

Bottles of seashells are kept as spirit houses, as are mermaids' purses.

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