What is a Witch Bottle?
The witch bottle is a very old spell device. Its purpose is to draw in and trap evil and negative energy directed at its owner. Folk magic contends that the witch bottle protects against evil spirits and magical attack, and counteracts spells cast by witches. Witch bottles are usually stoneware or glass bottles or jugs, filled with urine, heart shapes cut from felt, bent pins and nail clippings. These were buried beneath the hearth or near entrances to buildings.
The reason for this post:
A 17th century Witch Bottle was unearthed in Southeast London in 2004 and has been recently analyzed for its contents! (Read about it here)
As a History lover, this got me thinking about the significance of ritual artifacts. There are no known contemporary documents that describe these bizarre custom, but many old houses and other buildings may contain concealed ritual objects placed there as protection against witches and evil spirits. 
These objects have been found in the UK, Continental Europe, Australia and even North America. The majority of such objects are found in buildings constructed before 1800 but they have been discovered in buildings dating from as late as the early 20th century.
Shoes are the most common objects discovered. These are typically well-worn and in most cases only a single shoe will be found. The chimney breast, roof cavity or sub floor area are typical locations for concealed shoes.
And if urine filled bottles aren't gross enough for your taste, dried cats may also be found in various locations within a building. 
In the UK they may be found in roof thatching. In Australia they have been discovered in voids near the foundations of the building or in roof cavities. Cats were believed to have an association with witches and it may have been thought that they would serve to decoy evil spirits away from the people of a house. It may also have been thought that they would destroy spiritual vermin in the other world thus they were posed in scary hunting positions.
A variety of domestic artifacts may be found concealed within the structure of old houses as well. These may include clothing, clay pipes, dolls, utensils, books, toys and other common household objects. Thus ends your history lesson of bizarre practices!
These objects have been found in the UK, Continental Europe, Australia and even North America. The majority of such objects are found in buildings constructed before 1800 but they have been discovered in buildings dating from as late as the early 20th century.
Shoes are the most common objects discovered. These are typically well-worn and in most cases only a single shoe will be found. The chimney breast, roof cavity or sub floor area are typical locations for concealed shoes.
And if urine filled bottles aren't gross enough for your taste, dried cats may also be found in various locations within a building. 
In the UK they may be found in roof thatching. In Australia they have been discovered in voids near the foundations of the building or in roof cavities. Cats were believed to have an association with witches and it may have been thought that they would serve to decoy evil spirits away from the people of a house. It may also have been thought that they would destroy spiritual vermin in the other world thus they were posed in scary hunting positions.
A variety of domestic artifacts may be found concealed within the structure of old houses as well. These may include clothing, clay pipes, dolls, utensils, books, toys and other common household objects. Thus ends your history lesson of bizarre practices!
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