254 – Scourge -bulls penis companion to ploughshare
- Physical description:
- Scourge made of nylon "hair" fixed to a dried bull's penis.
- Museum classification:
- Working Tools
- Size:
- 510x100x35
- Information:
CWOLC document 8194 reads: "THE WITCH'S PLOUGH. To cast a spell upon a person's house and family some witches resort to the following practice. At night two witches go to the appointed place, taking with them this plough-share and whip made form a bull's penis and human hair. They strip naked. The one who is to be the horse places the green cord across her shoulders while the ploughwoman puts the white cord around her neck. Then off they go with the iron plough-share swinging in the air between them. It is vital that at no time during the operation the plough-share touch the ground. Throughout the circuit incantations are murmured and the whip of hair applied and other acts not worthy of mention done. From Suffolk."
A different interpretation, is offered by an unknown employee at the Museum c. 1996 - 2014 who wrote on the catalogue:
"A witch's spirit whip made with hair and the handle formed from a dried bull's penis. Evil spirits, not people, are chastised with these whips."
- Resource:
- Object
- Materials:
- Nylon hair bone and cord
- Copyright ownership:
- Copyright to The Museum of Witchcraft Ltd.
CWOLC document 8194 reads: "THE WITCH'S PLOUGH. To cast a spell upon a person's house and family some witches resort to the following practice. At night two witches go to the appointed place, taking with them this plough-share and whip made form a bull's penis and human hair. They strip naked. The one who is to be the horse places the green cord across her shoulders while the ploughwoman puts the white cord around her neck. Then off they go with the iron plough-share swinging in the air between them. It is vital that at no time during the operation the plough-share touch the ground. Throughout the circuit incantations are murmured and the whip of hair applied and other acts not worthy of mention done. From Suffolk."
A different interpretation, is offered by an unknown employee at the Museum c. 1996 - 2014 who wrote on the catalogue:
"A witch's spirit whip made with hair and the handle formed from a dried bull's penis. Evil spirits, not people, are chastised with these whips."