Toads and Frogs a Witchy Wednesday article.

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Toads & Frogs a Witchy Wednesday article 

Welcome to another Witchy Wednesday, this week's is about Toads and their association rightly or wrongly with Witches and Witchcraft. A fascinating subject worthy of further studies. The links are articles I have found whilst researching the subject and which I found most interesting. 


Julian Cox of Taunton and a man sit smoking by the hearth; a toad is by the feet of the man. Woodcut. Possibly created in 1700 AD.






Pod Cast Toad Magic by Bone and Sickle. 


BONE AND SICKLE is a celebration of the intersection of horror, folklore, and history.  Every episode offers a bounty of frightful tales, fantastic legends, and macabre historical anecdotes harvested by eccentric artist, collector, and rogue folklorist Al Ridenour. I highly recommend a visit to their website. 

http://boneandsickle.blubrry.net/

Update..... this link is currently not working. Will leave here for moment and update on any further information.  Please try accessing their Instagram page instead. 

Dried frog in a silk bag, South Devon, England, 1901–1930. The growing influence of biomedicine in the 1800s did not necessarily replace established forms of treatment based on belief and superstition. What could be referred to as folk medicine – customs that often went back generations – continued to be practised. For example, this dried frog carried in a silk bag was used to prevent fits. Alternatively, another amulet against fits involved wearing a live toad in a bag. Live frogs and toads were also bound on to wounds to help them heal and were placed on the throats of children with whooping cough. The dried frog was purchased in 1930 from Edward Lovett’s (1852–1933) collection of British amulets and charms. Lovett was interested in folk remedies nearly all his life and began collecting from the age of eight. Contributors: Science Museum, London. Work ID: n5jg9xcq.


Six frogs and toads. Date: 1878 – 1917.
Printmaker Theo van Hoytema
 Object ID: RP-P-1914-4715.
Sourced from Look and Learn.


Ploughman painting
The ploughman by Georges-Philibert-Charles Maroniez (1865-1933). What is the link with Toadman? Please visit Daily Jstor link below.


Image of a toad on a 18th Century Alchemist scroll.



Links to further research.

Wonderful article about Toad Magic.

https://spiritedlucy.co.uk/2023/03/02/the-toad-is-the-magic-beast/

Pop goes the page informative article aimed at children's education but in my view just as educational for adults too. Especially myself! 😉

https://popgoesthepage.princeton.edu/ode-to-the-toad/

The Toadmen, Masters of Equine Magic

A strange initiation ritual involving a toad was required for members of a secret caste of nineteenth-century horse. Please visit this link for a fascinating article.

https://daily.jstor.org/the-toadmen-masters-of-equine-magic/

The tale of Mr Toad, an interesting article from Country Life.

https://www.countrylife.co.uk/nature/tale-mr-toad-medieval-instrument-torture-wind-willows.
 Back soon ........ remember to pop by on Wednesday for my Witchy Wednesday articles! 


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Some website links listed may contain Adult material which may not be suitable for children so I would advise visiting them before showing or allowing access to younger viewers.



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