Glan Neidr, Adder-stones, Hag-stones

Hello readers,

My main area of interest (and I couldn't find a separate category on the forum for it) is items with magical, magickal, spiritual and any other kind of supernatural value. There is a crystal and gemstone board, but I felt this sat better with Faeries.

A hag-stone, called Glan Neidr here in Wales, is a usually glassy stone with a hole worn through it by natural means. These play a huge part in old Welsh folklore, especially in human interaction with Faerie and the faerie-folk. Originally these were used in ritual practice by druids, and were believed to be the hardened saliva from a mating-ball of serpents, hence the alternate name "adder-stone".

These stones are supposedly only magical when found while alone, and most powerful when found on May eve. They have a number of magical qualities attributed to them;

- In some legends, they have been given to humans directly by faerie-folk, and the possession has granted the human protection or even invisibility.

- The negation of evil charms and diseases, the immunity to snake venom and the prevention of nightmares.

- Looking through the hole in a hag-stone allows the viewer to see through the magical disguises of faerie-folk and witches.

So, finally, my question to you all is; Do any of you have any personal experiences with these items? Have you ever found one, do you own one?

I'm looking forward to hearing any stories you have to offer.

The Librarian

[Jenny Crow]

Yes, I have one. When I was growing up on the coast of Northern England, we called them 'holey stones' or some people called them hag stones. I found one on the sands when the tide was out. I'm sure it wasn't on May Eve, though. I've always felt that it was lucky, though.

[Saggi]

Hi The Librarian,



I was doing laps of my local park and on the second lap, I heard 'Look down' and there at my feet was the above stone

I carry it with my daily and feel a big connection to the Fae folk

It's been the source of some beautiful conversations and encounters,,,

Love and hugs

Jo

XxXx

[norseman]

Hag Stones collected last week on my beach [the large one on the left has two holes through it ]



Ancient lore has it that hanging one in your stable prevent witches from taking your horses and riding them to exhaustion.
Hanging one on your bedpost will protect you from the Nighthag or Succubus.
A local custom in Dorset was for fisherman to hang one on the prow of their boat to ward off sea witches.

However, there is a more curious myth which says that if you look through the hole, you will see another realm of being.
p.s. my beach is littered with them, also occasional small pieces of amber

Previous finds


this one I hang round my neck

[norseman]

Largest hagstone ?

[norseman]

"Hole" snipped out and "blown-up". What do you see ?

[Saggi]

Here's what I see with my eyes:



An overwhelming feeling though,,,

Lovely pictures Norse

Love and hugs

Jo

XxXx

That's an eroded arch, a conglomerate sediment platform that's had the middle worn away rather than a single stone. Very pretty picture though, where was it taken?

The Librarian

[norseman]

[ Joke - Librarian ] The whole thing at high tide. There are a series of these rock stacks all along the coast.



It's Marsden, just up the coast from me at South Shields.

This faces it, the Marsden Grotto - a pub/restaurant built into a cave, one of my faves for a cold beer and a walk along the beach.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk267/norseman_photo/Marsden/DSCF0065_zpseaa8cf00.jpg

[norseman]

@Saggi - you missed a couple