I was uncertain as to which section to post this under.  We've never really discussed witchcraft in the General Paranormal section before.  I considered the "Fringe" Science section…yet…having witchcraft and science in the same sentence makes me queasy.  So…General Paranormal it is…

As the title says, an actual witch bottle from the 17th century was recently discovered in Greenwich, England.  Many have been discovered before, but never intact.  This one was.  And it yielded some very interesting contents.  Be warned…if very old magical jars filled with urine, nail clippings, hair, and brimstone upset you, then do not follow this link:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31107319/

I was impressed with the extent of the study.  CT scans and chemical analysis including gas chromatography.  Nice.  After all the shenanigans with GH, GA and the rest of them, it does my heart good to see some real science being done by real scientists and getting some verifiable results. 

This is a very important find.  I didn't find it gross in any way, but actually was amazed that modern forensics was even able to determine the person involved was a smoker!

It is hard for us to understand the power that belief in the supernatural in everyday life held sway over otherwise rational people.  From early medieval times and well into the 18th century, people believed in witches, demons, consulted astrologers, prophets-i.e., the Maid of Kent-and many carried protective bags around their necks to ward off evil.

Elizabeth I, although one of the most intelligent rulers in history, herself made no important decisions without consulting Doctor Dee, a well-known astrologer but also a learned man who studied mathematics and philosophy.  Even he was caught up in thinking that supernatural forces could have an effect on people's lives. 

It is appealing to think that we could bring about change in our lives through a magical practice.  There's a few people that I would create a witch bottle for!

I was about to write that it's fortunate we have outgrown this type of magical thinking but just one episode of PS dispels that notion.

Lol on the "how to spot a witch" cartoon. I always thought the water test a little unfair. If the person floats – a witch which they then burn or hang resulting in dead. If they sink they drown so dead there too. Dead  no matter which way you try them.

Congratulations Revenant!  I'll take a little Python with a pint and my parrot, Polly, agrees.  Right Polly?  Uh,…he's resting.  'ELLO POLLY!!!!! Testing! Testing! Testing! Testing! This is your nine o'clock alarm call!

Nevermind!  Congratulations Revenant!

Nosfer said:

I _cannot_ believe you left out the part of the scene about being turned into a newt!!

Sir Bedevere: What makes you think she's a witch?
Peasant 3: Well, she turned me into a newt!
Sir Bedevere: A newt?
Peasant 3: [meekly after a long pause] … I got better.
Crowd: [shouts] Burn her anyway!

You mean that one? 

And Alicat…thanks.  Four hundred posts of "um…what?"…I'm so proud.  As for Polly:

"'E's a stiff! Bereft of life, 'e rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed 'im to the perch 'e'd be pushing up the daisies!
'Is metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig!
'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile!!

THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!!"

Truly fascinating.  I had heard of nail, hair clippings, urine and other things, but never knew there were witch bottles.  Congrats Revenant on your 400th post!  Thanks alicat for the other links were interesting.  Would not have thought the urine would still be liquid. 

Edit:

Interesting site: Apotropaios (greek origin of the word apotropiac, meaning evil-averting)

Concealed shoes used as spirit traps, witches bottles, dried cats, horse skulls, and ritual marks, etc.

http://www.apotropaios.co.uk/