Wodenstones
Size: Variable
Weight: Variable
Hagstones, Witch Stones, Glain Neidr, Milpreve, Adderstanes, Gloine nan Druidh, Hühnergötter, Holey Stones, Fairy Stones, whatever you call them, from Scotland, to Russia, to Africa, these small stones have been used in Folk traditions, ritual, and magic since ancient times.
They were seen as protective charms by most people. Sailors would fix them to their boats before setting off from shore. People suffering from nightmares and night terrors would hang them from their bedposts. They were hung in stables to protect livestock and in homes to protect the family.
Beyond their protective nature, they were also worn to bring good luck and fortune, and its said that cunning folk, pellars, and all sorts of other practitioners could use the holes within to peer into other realms and see hidden things.
The Saxon and Norman cultures from which I descend would have called these Odin or Woden Stones. Named for the god who sacrificed his own eye at the well of the Jötunn Mímir, in order to obtain cosmic and primordial knowledge and wisdom.
In a nod to the eye given in sacrifice and their association with “The hanged god" these stones have been hung with a hangmans knot or noose. In these same old stories, it is said that Odin hung himself from a branch of the cosmic world tree Yggdrasil and pierced himself with his own spear. He hung there for nine days and nine nights and stared down into the well of Urðr, from which he learned the secrets of the runes.
May these charms protect, bring luck, and bring wisdom to those that wear them.