Magical Practices against Elves

Bewitched by an Elf Dart: Fairy Archaeology, Folk Magic and Traditional Medicine in Ireland

“…Folk magic and folk medicine practices that involved the use of archaeological artefacts have been documented across much of northwest Europe, including Scotland, England, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Estonia (Blinkenberg 1911; Bonser 1926; Carelli 1997; Hall 2005; Hukantaival 2016; Johanson 2009; Merrifield 1987; Penney 1976). The most common phenomena include the interpretation of Neolithic and Bronze Age flint arrowheads as fairy darts that were both the cause and cure of illnesses, particularly in animals, and a belief that prehistoric polished stone axes were thunderbolts that fell to earth during a lightning strike and could safeguard the family home.…”