A Beginner's Guide to Hag Stones & Their Spiritual Significance

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Discover the folklore behind these magical holey stones

Co-authored by Sam Lagor, MSc and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: November 26, 2024 Fact Checked

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What is a hag stone?

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Magical Properties

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Using a Hag Stone

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Finding a Hag Stone

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Video

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Tips

A hag stone is any rock or mineral that has a natural hole in its center. Mainly based in British folklore, these stones are believed to have magical abilities that protect the owner from witches and allow them to see spirits and fairies. Some still use hag stones as talismans of protection today. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about hag stones, including what they are, superstitions, how to use them, and where to find them.

What are hag stones?

Hag stones, or adder stones, are rocks with a naturally-formed hole going through them. For centuries, hag stones have been believed to possess magical properties and have been used to ward off witches and evil spirits, see fairies, and cure snake bites and diseases. They’re often hung above doorways for protection.

Section 1 of 4:

What is a hag stone?

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Hag stones are stones with a natural hole going through them. These stones, also commonly known as adder stones, are formed when water erodes the mineral to create a natural, circular hole through the middle of it. Because of this, hag stones are most commonly found on the beach or near rivers.^{[1]
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- Any rock can become a hag stone, though many of them are made of flint, sandstone, or limestone.
- Even a seashell can be a hag stone if it has a hole formed from water erosion.
- Minerals of any age can be a hag stone. The age depends on the type of rock being eroded, as some minerals take longer to degrade than others.
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Hag stones are believed to have magical properties. According to British folklore, hag stones are good luck and are capable of warding off witches (or hags) and negativity—hence the name “hag stone.” The belief is that only good things can pass through a hole, and bad luck and evil thoughts get “stuck” in the middle of the stone.^{[2]
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- This may come from the centuries-old belief that magic cannot work on moving water, so because hag stones are created by water, they act as a “shield” against evil magic.
- Hag stones are also known as Odin stones, adder stones, hex stones, fairy stones, holey stones, and eye stones because of their magical associations.
- According to folklore, hag stones are called adder stones because they’re formed from the hardened saliva of several serpents, with the hole being created by their tongues.

Section 2 of 4:

Hag Stone Magical Properties

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Hag stones are believed to ward off evil. One of the most common hag stone superstitions is that they can protect you from evil spirits and witches. Many believers hang hag stones above their doorways or wear them as talismans to keep negative energy away.^{[3]
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- Historically, sailors tied hag stones to their ships with rope to stop witches from clinging to their vessels. The swinging of the stone was also believed to help break up storm clouds.
- Farmers would nail hag stones to their barn doors to prevent witches from souring their herd’s milk or from riding their horses at night.
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Many believe they allow you to see Fairyland. Another common superstition is that if you look through the hole in a hag stone, you’ll be able to see fairies. The hole acts as a “lens” that reveals a glimpse of the magical world usually invisible to the human eye. Legend has it that if you look through the stone under moonlight, you’ll see spirits and other magical beings.^{[4]
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- Similarly, some believe holding or looking through a hag stone can help you see and connect with your ancestors and spiritual guides.
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Some say they protect from disease and death. While not backed by science, many believe hag stones can protect you from physical illness and injury the same way they protect you from spiritual harm. Possessing one may help you live a long, healthy, and happy life.^{[5]
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- Another reason they’re also called adder stones is because they’re believed to cure snake bites.
Some Native American tribes used hag stones to perform cleromancy, a form of divination in which items like stones or runes are thrown with a question in mind, and the way they land determines your answer. Some also say you can hold a hag stone over your third eye while meditating to enhance natural divination and psychic abilities.^{[6]
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Hag stones combine the elements of earth and water, so many believe you can use them to ground and balance your emotions. Additionally, they may be able to remove blockages from your chakras and cleanse your aura if you hold them during meditation.^{[7]
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Use a Hag Stone

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Keep a hag stone on your person or in your house for protection. There are countless superstitions about how to use a hag stone, and most of them state that possessing one will ward off evil and negativity, as well as keep you physically healthy. Just keep in mind these are all superstitions and spiritual beliefs that are not supported by science. Here are some common superstitions and ways you might use a hag stone:^{[8]
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- Hang a hag stone above your front door or over a window to ward off evil spirits.
- Wear one around your neck on a string to bring good health and to heal minor illnesses.
- Attach a hag stone to your bedpost to prevent bad dreams.
- Tie one to your keys so you’ll never lose them again.
- Look at a person through the hag stone to protect yourself from any bad intentions they have toward you.
- Keep one on your person to conceive a baby, then continue wearing it to promote a healthy pregnancy.
- Place hag stones in the foundation or walls of your house to ensure it’s sturdy and protected from disasters.
- Many say it’s best to hang a hag stone by tying it with a red string, as red is a color of protection.

Section 4 of 4:

How to Find a Hag Stone

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Because hag stones are formed by water erosion, you’ll have the best luck finding them along the ocean coast or on the banks of a river. They’re also sometimes found in tide pools, especially if they contain Pholad clams, which sometimes burrow holes in stones to escape predators.^{[9]
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Buy one from a seller, but beware of fakes. You can purchase hag stones from various vendors both online and in-person, for fairly cheap, but there is a chance these could be man-made. While this isn’t a common practice, some sellers may drill holes in rocks and pass them off as natural hag stones. A reputable seller should be willing to answer any questions you have about their hag stones.^{[10]
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- A common way to tell if a hag stone is man-made is to look for sharp edges on the inside of the hole. A real hag stone will have smooth edges due to erosion.
- It’s also suspicious if a very large hag stone only has one hole.

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Tips

Only take one hag stone at a time, and don’t try to gift them to someone. It is said that you don’t find hag stones—they find you. They only work for the person they “found.”

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Some say it’s particularly fortunate to find a hag stone on Samhain or Halloween (October 31), as the stone houses a spiritual guide that will help you manifest your wishes.

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