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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 21h

A gentle reminder that I'm giving a talk in Tewkesbury this coming Tuesday at 7pm. Would be great to see lots of you there :-)
www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 4d

An interesting pattern here essentially following six points around a circle (like a daisy-wheel) but overlapping along an entire block. Discovered by the vergers over the weekend at about 7/8ft up the column, near the entrance at Tewkesbury.

www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 8d

My next talk is happening in Tewkesbury. Please do come along...
www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 10d

Had great fun speaking to an enthusiastic audience tonight. Do check out Script Haven if you're ever in Worcester.

www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 14d

Popped into Bath Abbey the other day and spotted a collection of overlapping circles outside the vestry and a Marian mark in the South aisle. I'm sure there's much more there and other people have been there first but it was a fleeting visit...

www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 22d

Found a couple more Marian marks on the high walkway above the High Altar at Tewkesbury Abbey today. This building just keeps on giving...

www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 26d

Thanks! :-)

Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 26d

If you're at all interested in why people used to conceal objects in their houses to ward off evil then there's a good chance you would find my book useful.

www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 29d

CJs other guitarist, Dean, is a mate of mine from Worcester.

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Sep 25

Yes, I go whenever some wants to book me up there :-) The last one I did relatively near there was at Ryedale Folk Museum. I have one coming up in Lichfield which is more north Midlands in January next year and am exploring a Scarborough booking with someone at the mo...

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Sep 25

My next public lecture is at Script Haven in Worcester on Wednesday 15th October. It will be all about Protection Marks, please do come along 🙂
wegottickets.com/event/674251

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Sep 20

Had a great day yesterday running tours of the marvellous apotropaic marks at Tewkesbury Abbey. Thanks to everyone who came along, you were all lovely.

www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Sep 15

Yes, that was a later explanation which neatly evaded having to tell people you had a horses head under your floor for magical reasons. I discuss this in my book.

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Sep 14

Ah that's sad to hear. Yes one has been on display for ages. There are at least two other large caches of horse skulls known from Peterchurch so it was definitely a well known practice in the area. Probably many more yet to be discovered.

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Sep 13

Horse skulls were often concealed within buildings to ward off evil. At a pub called The Portway in Herefordshire 24 were screwed beneath the floor. Find out more in my book, Magical House Protection: The Archaeology of Counter-Witchcraft (Berghahn 2019) www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Sep 5

For Heritage Open Days I am running a few free tours of apotropaic (protection) marks in Tewkesbury Abbey. They are happening at 9am, 2pm and 3pm. You need to book in advance as numbers are limited...

www.tewkesburyabbey.org.uk/heritage-ope...

Heritage Open Day - Tewkesbury Abbey

On Friday 19th September from 09:30 – 16:00 Tewkesbury Abbey will be taking part in the Heritage Open Days festival, where venues across England can get involved and offer free events within the festi...

www.tewkesburyabbey.org.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Sep 2

More discoveries in Tewkesbury Abbey this morning. This time a circle for protection and a Marian mark invoking the presence of the Virgin Mary in the south transept roof void.

www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Aug 31

Upton Snodsbury church (Worcs) has some fine features which I've admired previously including these lovely big daisy-wheels. My friend Catherine Owers visited the tower recently (usually off limits) and spotted these brilliant faces and circles next to the ringing room.

www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Aug 30

It would be good to see you. Details coming soon :-)

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Aug 30

Round trip to Edinburgh in one day complete... This was to check out a venue for Hidden Charms 6 which is happening in April 2027. Those who have signed up to the mailing list will be the first to receive details...

www.apotropaios.co.uk

Apotropaios

Apotropaios - the site all about deliberately concealed objects which were used to protect house occupants from perceived dark forces. Brian Hoggard (author) has been researching this subject since 19...

www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Aug 25

A bit of advance notice for my next talk at Script Haven, Worcester which is on Wednesday 15th October. Tickets here wegottickets.com/event/674251

See here for my other talks: www.apotropaios.co.uk/lectures.html

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Aug 23

Visited Imber Church (The Churches Conservation Trust) today which is usually isolated in a military live fire exercise zone but not today. Big thanks to Tony Hack for the exclusive tour of the markings in the tower. There is a huge amount of interest to gawk at in this church.
www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Aug 18

The font at Kingham, Oxfordshire has what appears to be a large mesh mark on it.
www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Aug 16

Thanks to the @forteantimes.bsky.social and Rob Gandy for this nice feature in issue 461 about Hidden Charms 5 which took place at St Fagan's Museum, Cardiff back in April. The next one will be in Edinburgh in April 2027... 🙂 www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · Aug 14

Visited Rock Church (Worcs) on Monday. Fantastic Romanesque details, huge, Saxon altar stone, cool font and also has stocks and whipping post which were once positioned nearby. A lot of interesting features here...

www.apotropaios.co.uk

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