If you’ve started reading this article because of the “interesting” sounding title, then you might be in for a bit of a letdown. But, if you’ve heard of hag stones before or you’re interested in learning more about them, then you’ll likely read on, and hopefully leave feeling that you’ve learned something worth learning. I recently came across another story referencing hag stones and have been trying to obtain one ever since. They happen to be one of those items that work better if you personally acquire them rather than someone giving you one or you buying one.
Hag Stones can be any type of stone as long as they possess a natural hole through it and if in your possession, should be considered a sacred object. They have been called by many names over the centuries including Witch Stones, Adder Stones, Snake Eggs, Hex Stones, Fairy Stones, Holy Stones, Holeys, and Eye Stones. Most are found in dry riverbeds or along the seashore, as the action of running or moving water causes the erosion that result in the unique appearance of the stone. The reason they are so sought after and valuable is because it’s common belief that magick cannot work on moving water, and since the holes in hag stones are made by the force of this element (water,) that the stones retain water’s beneficial influence. In effect, a hag stone is an amazing protection amulet, and so much more.
Origin of the Term Hag Stone
The name “hag stone” originates in part from ancient beliefs that most maladies, which were curable by using this stone, were caused originally by spectral hags. Other areas call them adder stones because they are believed to protect the wearer from the effects of snake bite. Germanic legend says that adder stones are formed when serpents gather together and use their venom to create the holes in the center of the stones. Hag stones are said to have many uses. They have been used by witches worldwide for centuries in both rituals and spell work. They also have been used, ironically, as a toll to counteract a witch’s magick. Legend has it that they can be used to ward off the dead, curses, sickness and nightmares.
They are used to see invisible creatures of the land of the Fae and open up a window to other realms. They are used as protection against spells, warding, and healing. The spell for fertility magic had a hag stone tied to the bedpost to help facilitate pregnancy. There are stories of very large hag stones; large enough for someone to walk through. These are used by couples trying to achieve pregnancy by walking through it together or holding hands.
Livestock owners would use the stones to protect their animals from bewitchment or being ridden to the Sabbath by witches. A stone would be suspended by a cord in the center of each stable to protect the horses and other live stock. Else a cow would give sour milk and hens refused to lay and eggs. Fisherman and sailors would often find them on beaches during their travels. They would tie them to their boats to keep off evil spirits and witches from affecting their ships and their catch. It was believed that evil spirits and witches would curse ships to have small catches, but a hag stone would prevent this from happening. A few stories speak of them being able to control the winds on the high seas; or more formerly, they could control the weather.
Fairy Secrets Unlocked
Hag stones are called fairy stones because of their power to aid the user in “seeing.” If you close one eye and peer through the hole in a fairy stone with the other, you’ll be able to see into the Kingdom of the Fae. You’ll be able to see elementals and other beings from the Fae world. There are some practitioners of Italian folk magic who also believe that fairy stones can be used to see and ultimately bind a faery to their service for a specific length of time; a dangerous practice for sure. If you have a fairy stone, wear it around your neck when you’re out in nature looking for fairies. To “fine tune” your faery attraction skills, gather morning dew in a container and gently pour it through the hole in your fairy stone before anointing yourself. If the fairy stone was found in the ocean, looking at the water through the hole may help you discover Sea Spirits, Mermaids and Mermen. If your fairy stone was found in a forest, it can help you connect with Tree Spirits. A charm of a hag stone suspended on a red cord is especially useful at Samhain, when the veil between this world and the fairy world thins.
Hag stones were also used as pledge stones, giving the bearer the ability to know if another spoke the truth. Some believe that hag stones were a representation of the Goddess and could be used to create powerful love spells. Tie them to anything you would like protected. If you’re lucky enough to have several, tie them together for a magickal boost to their power. They also regenerate your energy. They refresh your body, mind, and spirit with healing energy when a stone is hung over your bed at night.
What’s amazing is that this compilation isn’t even complete. Did I mention that hag stones were used as protection against the evil eye? And on and on and on; bottom line is that if you can get your hands on a hag stone, treasure it and treat it like the sacred object that it is.
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Hi Ralph! Awesome post… but I believe you meant to put “sacred” and not “scared” in the title, right?
yeah – it’s been wrong for 2 years. the article is #1 on Google and I was worried a change might mess up my rankings
Hello, I found hagstone with 3 connecting opening, like a letter T. What do you think it mean? Thanks, Anne
That sounds like an amazing find – I suggest you run three different color cords through that hole
Wonderful article
Nice post , wonderful website, If you have time maybe you can check mine, keep up the good work.
Wonderful article, I have been wondering about Hag Stones for some time. I actually make jewelry out of the ones I find in the forest. Thank you!
Found a hag stone and had heard a little about it but really appreciated this article!! Thank you!
*WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait ..
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Just wanna say that this is very beneficial, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
What if one were to lose a hag stone?
It would be unfortunate, but I believe that it was destined to be returned to the earth for another person to find and gain the sight that you’ve already been given. Think of it as a gift, you’ve unintentionally given to another; an act of unselfish love, almost. Blessed be!
Oh, that’s perfect.
Thank you for compiling all these stories. I hope to find one someday.
What if a hagstone breaks by accident?
Hagstones are formed by water eroding a hole through the stone over time and some can be quite fragile. If you happen to break yours, then you should return it to a body of water. If you’re lucky, the faeries will see your action as honorable and gift you with another to replace it. Whatever you do, don’t just toss it in a box or drawer.
Thank you for sharing, fantastic blog…
This is a fantastic article! I have wanted a hag stone for a long time, and this morning I asked the universe to find me one, and was fortunate enough to find 2. Made my day!
Thanks for sharing these fascinating stories. I always collect interesting stones when I visit the beach and have 2 hag stones but never knew their meaning, I keep them in my bedside table
One of them has a smaller stone lodged in its hole. What do you think this means?
I have in my possession two hagstones /talismans .I have them on cords so I can wear them. I’ve had a couple of people ask me what they were . I don’t know if they are any help to me because of the simple fact I found them in a box of Arrowheads that I bought from an estate sale ,but I still wear them. They make me happy it seems and that’s what matters.
Thorough and so well written! I found many Hag stones when I visited the beaches in Oregon. My son just brought one from Florida. I learned too that they crumble after they protect you. I had all my stones in the same area. Some crumbled, others didn’t. The explanation resonated with me.
Amazing timing that I came across this article today. I just learned about a hag stone and it’s significance today while scrolling thru Instagram feed. Several years ago, I was at the very beginning of my re-awakening and starting of my divinely guided “coming out of the broom closet”, and one of these beauties chose me to take home as a memento of a special family trip south to San Antonio, TX. (Sidebar, this trip I was guided to purchase my first baby collection of tumbled stones) I had no clue of the spiritual significance. One of the main intentions I set at this new moon and Powerful conjunction of Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury hitting my natal Moon in Aquarius, included working with my spirit tribe in quest to see beyond any illusions or lies I tell myself or deceit from others. That truth will be spoken. My beautiful hag stone serves at protector of myself and all of my “pretties” at entrance of my sacred space/home office. Your article nailed it for me. Eternally grateful for my guides/ancestors/spirit tribe for this eye opening validation of connectedness. You win the internet!
Feels good to be a part of this community
Fun. I found 2 last week on our land. Thanks for the article.
I have a 3″x 3″ hag stone with 2 holes in it, which I hung over the outside front door years ago. The 2 holes reminded me of eyes. Did I do the wrong thing by placing it outside?
Nothing wrong with hanging it outside
How do you use a hag stone to tell if someone is telling the truth like you said at the end?
It is an old belief that if you wanted someone to be honest, make them hold your hag stone in their hand while asking a question to them
I always look for them down the beach as my Grandma was a big believer, found one today so I thought I’d look them up, glad I did.
If I send you a picture would you be able to tell me if the stones I found while going through family belongings (so origin unknown) are hag stones with holes made by nature or man made?
send the pictures to poet@gmx.us
As children, living beside a beach, we’d find Hag stones. I never knew they were called that until many years later. We were told that if we could spit through the hole ( not with our lips over the hole!) we could have a wish.
Hi everyone,
I have collected and given away many hagstones over the years. Mine come from Benicarlo, a stone beach here in Spain. I just wanted to say that I absolutely believe in the power of hagstones or piedras brujas, as we called them in my country but I wanted to correct one thing: the holes are not made by the water but by tiny mussels that are lithofagues , I hope that’s the English for litofago, that is stone eaters. They use the minerals as food. I have found some still lodged in the cavities, that’s why I investigated it and found out. The polishing and rounding outside is indeed the effect of sand and water over time. Blessings to all!
Two hag stones found me while on the beach at a separate time. They vary in size with one hole each. About a week ago, I went to the beach and was led in a particular direction of the beach. After communing with nature, something said to look behind me and walk over to a bed of rocks. The funny thing is that I didn’t notice it in the beginning. As I walked over to the bed of rocks covered in seaweed, something said pick a rock. At first I was looking at the rocks without touching them and something led me to this funny shaped hag stone that appeared to have two holes in it. When I took it home and washed it, something said look at it closely. I did and noticed that it had six holes of various sizes in it. It also has this indent in it where my thumb sits in it comfortably. I couldn’t believe it. I was like I can’t believe I found a hag stone with two holes as I was driving home. As I was saying that, I was like people indicated that it was hard to find one with three holes in it and can’t wait until one finds me and long behold, I possessed one with six. It was a beautiful moment for me.
What is the meaning of finding your first hagstone ever. Picking it up feelings it’s energy then it immediately shatters while in your hand
There is no ominous message – many times hagstones are made from thin rock or soft shale, etc. I’ve had lots of them break on me over the years. Cherish that energetic burst you felt as it was intended for you – take the shards and reverently put them into a body of water to close the loop. Blessed be !
I was busy doing a bit of spring cleaning under the stairs in my kitchen, when I came across a box of rocks/stones/ammonites I had collected when I last visited the South Coast of England circa 2013. And in it, was a hag stone with an ammonite on the one side. Not sure why I hadn’t noticed it before, but I finally have one now. Do you know if it has an even more special meaning to it with the ammonite fossil embedded in it?
No significance, but certainly a one-in-a-million find. Treasure it!