Witchcraft and hair

[AlfrunGrima]

Here some things about hair and witchcraft that I noted down in the last years. Perhaps others have other interesting things to add and make this topic more complete. I am sure that there is more information.

It is believed that the phases of the moon play a role in hair cutting practices. Cutting hair during waxing moon will encourage to grow faster and thicker.

Dreaming about hair can be seen as an omen: dreaming about cutting hair can be a omen of loss of power.

Hair has often been used in various forms of magic and witchcraft because hair is connected with the owner. The witches power is bound to their hair. It was said that a witch could be commanded if one was to possess their hair and knew how to use it.

Hair was put in birds nests to cause headaches or even terrible migraines to a person. A person’s hair can be used to cast spells on them, sometimes in a witch bottle (both love magic or binding a soul), witchladders or puppets. This makes it essential to dispose of hair clippings carefully to avoid falling victim to evil magic in some traditions.

In the Middle Ages all traces of fallen hair were burned to prevent witches from taking the strands and transforming them into snakes.

Hair that is dyed red is linked to protection. Red hair was linked in another way to magic too. For some reason, the medieval mind also attributed magical properties to the bodily fluids of redheads. For example, it was believed that the fat from a red-haired man could be used to make poison. Likewise, Theophilus Presbyter stated that the blood of a red-haired man was needed to turn copper into gold. The urine from red-haired boys was also used to make the paint for stained glass windows.

Braided hair with little iron beads in it is linked to protection. Grey hair is associated with knowledge and wisdom.

In some cultures, people carry a lock of hair from a loved one as a talisman for protection. Hair was also used widely in mourning jewellery.

In some cultures on the African continent women weave strands of their partner’s hair into their own for fertility and strengthen the bond between them and the partner.

 

[ForestSpell]

Hair is such a fascinating, diverse and contradictory subject in folk magic and superstition.

That long hair offers spiritual protection or strength. That cutting hair in mourning averts misfortune.
Carry the lock of the dead for good luck or to avert further misfortune / death.
That the more hair, the more virile. The less hair, the more intelligent.

Some sources advise burning (or burying) hair to avoid it being used against you. Some other sources suggest burning it will cause one to become stupid or cause headaches or hair loss.

That throwing one's hair into running water will cause them to lose their mind.

Some say its a sin and bad luck not to offer it to birds for their nests. That if you a bird uses your hair in a nest it causes good luck or for the family to grow. Others say if a bird uses it for their nest it will cause bad luck, headaches, confusion, cause your hair to tangle or, again, baldness. The same risks are attributed to combing one's hair after dark.

If a rabbit crosses your path at night, pull a hair from your head to avert bad luck.
That cuttings should be kept in a dark place for growth and to avoid headaches.
That if you bury the cuttings/brushings, place them under a rock or keep them in a water closet, it will encourage hair growth.
Alternatively, if you bury them or put them under a rock its bad luck.
That pulling a white hair will summon seven (or two, or five, or ten, or eleven) in its place.
To cut hair in the increase of the moon for hair growth, in the decrease to slow growth.
That cutting in the decrease or dark of the moon will cause balding.
That hair fall will stop if hair is cut on the first Friday of the new moon. And trimming a child's hair on the same day is good luck.
That hair cut in the new moon will grow twice as thick/heavy.
Cut your hair in the light of the moon and rub a new penny over the ends it will grow quickly.
That hair cut in Leo will become heavy, strong and long.
That a man will lose his strength if his hair is cut by a woman. (reference to Samson & Delilah)
That you'll lose your hair, or get headaches, if it gets rained on during the Dog days.
You'll lose your hair if you use the comb of a deceased person.
That a child born with a lot of hair will have a troubled life. Alternatively, that they'll have a prosperous life.
That those born without, will have little trouble in life.
That if you wrap a baby in fur before dressing them for the first time, they'll have curly hair.
Save the hair of a child's first clipping for luck.
That combing one's hair after dark will make them forgetful or is bad luck. More so if done in front of a mirror.
If one of your loose hairs falls over your nose, you will receive money unexpectedly.
To find a loose hair on your shoulder, indicates you'll receive a correspondence / letter.

In addition to that around human hair, there is a wealth of lore and superstition around the hair and fur of animals as well.

Some recommended reading:
The Witches in Our Hair - A. Monroe Aurand Jr.
Folklore from Adams County Illinois - Harry Middleton Hyatt
Beliefs and Superstitions of the Pennsylvania Dutch - Fogel
The Long Lost Friend - John George Hohmann