What Items Are Witches Afraid Of? Deep Dive into Folklore and Beliefs

By Alex Assoune Mar 18, 2025

Witches have long been a subject of fascination, fear, and mystery. Throughout history, different cultures have associated certain items with warding off or even terrifying witches. These items often stem from religious beliefs, folklore, and superstition. But what exactly are these objects, and why are they believed to hold power over witches? Let's explore the most well-known items that witches are said to fear and their origins in folklore.

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1. Iron – The Ultimate Warding Metal

Iron has been regarded as a powerful protective metal for centuries. Many cultures believed that witches, along with other supernatural entities such as fairies and demons, had an aversion to iron. This belief likely originated from the Iron Age, when metal tools and weapons became crucial for survival.

Horseshoes: Hanging a horseshoe above a doorway is a well-known folk practice to repel witches and bring good luck.
Iron Nails and Tools: Placing iron nails or tools in a witch’s path was believed to block their magic.
Iron Amulets: Some traditions suggest wearing iron jewelry to protect against curses and malevolent spells.

2. Salt – A Purifier and Protector

Salt is another widely recognized element used in spiritual protection. Since ancient times, people have believed that salt has purifying properties and can neutralize negative energies, including witchcraft.

Salt Circles: Drawing a circle of salt around oneself or a home was thought to prevent witches from entering.
Throwing Salt Over the Shoulder: This practice was believed to ward off bad luck and negative energy.
Salt in Doorways and Windowsills: Many people still sprinkle salt in these areas to prevent witches or evil spirits from entering their homes.

3. Silver – A Metal of Mystical Resistance

While silver is often associated with warding off werewolves and vampires, some traditions also claim that witches have an aversion to silver.

Silver Jewelry: Wearing silver rings, necklaces, or bracelets was believed to protect individuals from dark magic.
Silver Weapons: In folklore, weapons made of silver were thought to be effective against supernatural beings, including witches.

4. Holy Symbols and Religious Artifacts

Throughout history, religious symbols have been used to repel evil forces, including witches. Christianity, in particular, played a significant role in shaping the fear of witchcraft and the items used to counteract it.

The Cross: Witches were believed to avoid crosses and other Christian symbols.
Holy Water: Sprinkling holy water on an area was thought to purify and protect it from witchcraft.
The Bible: Some legends claim that witches cannot touch or read the Bible without experiencing pain or distress.

5. Rowan Wood – The Witch’s Bane

Rowan trees (also called mountain ash) have a long history of being associated with protection against witches and malevolent spirits.

Rowan Twigs: Placing twigs over doorways or making charms from rowan wood was a common practice.
Walking Sticks Made of Rowan: People carried rowan walking sticks as a safeguard against witchcraft when traveling.
Rowan Crosses: In some traditions, crosses made of rowan wood were believed to ward off witches.

6. Broomsticks – More Than Just a Mode of Transport

Ironically, the broomstick, often associated with witches, was also used as a protective tool against them. In some cultures, placing a broom upside down behind a door was believed to keep witches from entering a home.

Broomstick by the Door: This was thought to confuse witches or prevent them from crossing the threshold.
Sweeping Wards Off Evil: Some traditions held that sweeping the doorstep at midnight could cleanse a home of evil influences.

7. Running Water – A Natural Barrier

Water has long been seen as a powerful barrier against supernatural forces, including witches. In many folk traditions, witches were believed to be unable to cross running water.

Bridges and Streams: Some legends claim that witches would lose their powers if they crossed running water.
Throwing Water on a Witch: This act was sometimes believed to disrupt their magic or reveal their true nature.

8. The Sound of Church Bells

The ringing of church bells was believed to repel witches and other evil spirits. In medieval Europe, people would ring bells during storms to prevent witches from summoning bad weather.

Bells in Homes: Some people hung small bells in their homes to ward off negative influences.
Bell Towers in Villages: Many communities used bell ringing as a protective measure against witches.

9. Mirrors – Reflecting Evil

Mirrors have been associated with supernatural beliefs for centuries. Some traditions suggest that witches avoid mirrors because they reveal their true nature or reflect their curses back at them.

Broken Mirrors and Bad Luck: This belief may stem from the idea that breaking a mirror disrupts spiritual protection.
Placing a Mirror Facing the Door: This was thought to prevent witches or evil spirits from entering a home.

10. Herbs and Plants with Protective Powers

Certain herbs and plants have been traditionally used to repel witches and evil entities.

Garlic: While best known for repelling vampires, garlic was also believed to ward off witches.
St. John’s Wort: Often used in charms to protect against evil magic.
Lavender: Burned or placed in homes to cleanse negative energy and deter witches.
Wolfsbane: A poisonous plant that was sometimes used to ward off dark magic.

Conclusion: Fear Rooted in Folklore

Many of the items associated with repelling witches stem from historical fears, religious influences, and cultural superstitions. While modern witches—especially those who practice Wicca or other pagan traditions—do not fear these items, the myths and legends surrounding them remain a fascinating part of history. These beliefs reveal humanity’s deep-rooted need to protect itself from the unknown, using symbols and objects that carry perceived power.

Whether one views these items as superstition or historical relics, they serve as a reminder of how ancient cultures perceived magic and protection. In the end, fear of witches—and the items used to ward them off—reflects the timeless struggle between light and darkness, belief and skepticism, and the human need for security in an uncertain world.

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

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