360 – Hand of fate: Antler tines

Physical description:

5 pieces of antler tine linked with twine.

Museum classification:

Divination

Size:

110 x 155mm

Information:

A 'hand' of five small antler tines. This would be spoken to and then cast upon the bare ground. From the position of the fingers a reading is made and a verdict given. From the Parracombe area. (Adapted from text by Cecil Williamson.) Original text by Cecil Williamson: "The dreaded witches hand of fate. Five fingers formed of horn - spoken to and then cast with violence upon the bare ground. From the position of the horn fingers as they lie upon the ground a reading is made and a verdict given. From the Parracombe area."

According to Steve Patterson (2014), one resident of Parracombe , Exmoor, Devon in the mid-twentieth century was known locally as a witch; Ms. Boxer, or 'Old Boxey'.

Resource:

Object

Materials:

Antler, string

Copyright ownership:

Copyright to The Museum of Witchcraft Ltd.

A 'hand' of five small antler tines. This would be spoken to and then cast upon the bare ground. From the position of the fingers a reading is made and a verdict given. From the Parracombe area. (Adapted from text by Cecil Williamson.) Original text by Cecil Williamson: "The dreaded witches hand of fate. Five fingers formed of horn - spoken to and then cast with violence upon the bare ground. From the position of the horn fingers as they lie upon the ground a reading is made and a verdict given. From the Parracombe area."

According to Steve Patterson (2014), one resident of Parracombe , Exmoor, Devon in the mid-twentieth century was known locally as a witch; Ms. Boxer, or 'Old Boxey'.