Page 47 - The Flickering Cauldron Magazine - June 2022

The Flickering Cauldron® Magazine - Witches Bells | 47
Let’s look at that a little more closely. According to folklore iron scares off or agitates the fae, so was used in the way of an ‘Iron Horseshoe’ to ward them off. This also worked with spirits and evil.
The iron horseshoe nowadays is used as a symbol or tool, hung over doorways to bring good luck. Iron church bells were used to scare off trickster spirits and keep evil spirits out of the church.
A combination of all these things we feel is why witches use bells to make protective wards today. These protective amulets do not necessarily have to be kept on windows and doors, they can be used for many things. Keyrings to protect your keys from theft or losing them (bells will ring if you drop them, sending an alarm). Small witches bell amulets can be made to pop on your car mirror to protect your car and of course you or the driver inside it, or hung from the bed to help stop the nightmare demons from entering your dreams, as well as protect you while you sleep. They can be hung where you work, as an example; if you have a shop they can be hung from the doorway and windows to protect the building and you inside it, or hung from your stock room door to protect goods from thieves. They can even be hung from a pram for protection.
The list is endless on how these wonderful little protection wards can be used. A little imagination is all that is required, use them in whatever way they resonate with you.
Here are the different ways as discussed above you can use your bells, as well as some other ideas
Hang them off your front door to ward off negative energy or to hear when it's opened, announcing visitors or customers.
If you have a box, cupboard or cabinet containing all your ritual tools and supplies, hang your bells from the door/s to protect the contents and ward off spiritual vibrations or negative energy.
Put one as discussed earlier on your familiar’s collar to protect them, and to hear them arriving home (which is always a nice sound).
or to invoke your deities, but it is best to research which ones first, as some may not appreciate being summoned this way.
You can also hang your bells from your rearview window in your car, to bring good luck and ward off evil entering.
Bells can be hung from your bedroom window to protect you while sleeping.
Wear them on your person as an anklet or bracelet, shake them every now and then to raise positive energy around you, deterring any negative forces.
Shake your bells to announce your sabbat or solstice meal, whether you are setting up an offering or sitting at the table with the family. It will produce positive vibrations, keeping all negativity at bay while you enjoy your meal or ritual.
Use them to announce the start of your rituals
So where do you get them from?
Personally, we feel it is better to make them yourself. It is affordable, fun and would be much more powerful than purchasing them. You can make or buy them as elebrate or as plain as you feel is right, either or is just as powerful. If you prefer to purchase your ‘Witches Bells’ Etsy, Amazon and Ebay have an abundance of them.