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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 23h

My return visit to deliver another talk at Alderton was a lovely experience. A great audience, all very enthusiastic and of course a great church to explore afterwards. Always happy to consider bookings for talks :-) www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Some of the apotropaic markings in the Lantern Chamber of Tewkesbury Abbey. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Decided to pop in to Ashton-under-Hill Church (Worcs) this afternoon. All of the interest is on the outside of the building but particularly the main door to the tower which has mass dials, apotropaic crosses and a magnificent daisy-wheel. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Find of the month is some lovely daisy-wheels in the lead lining of the font at Lower Quinton, Warwickshire. There are three overlapping circles on a nearby column and another patch of daisies beyond that. Lovely stuff. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

It was great to run tours at Tewkesbury Abbey for Heritage Open Days yesterday. The HODs are brilliant for raising awareness of the heritage all around us and encouraging people to get out and explore it. The involvement of Inspector Organ was also very welcome :-) www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Had a lovely time speaking at the Museum of Country Life at Castlebar earlier today as part of the Society for Folk Life Studies annual conference. What a lovely group! A fine museum too...

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

My book is on display in the Country Life Museum at Castlebar in Mayo - hurrah :-)

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I decided to pop into Bricklehampton Church (Worcs) this morning. Mostly a restored Victorian building but with a lovely Romanesque doorway and font. Marian marks and a mass dial by the door and a lovely daisy on the front. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

My next talk is for the Society of Folk Life Studies at the National Museum of Ireland in Castlebar on Saturday 12th Sept. For other talks in England and in Edinburgh next year please follow this link: www.apotropaios.co.uk/lectures.html

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I am doing some tours of apotropaic marks at Tewkesbury Abbey for Heritage Open Day on Saturday 19th September. If you want a little explore do come along :-) tewkesburyabbey.digitickets.co.uk/category/75644

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I was speaking at the ASSAP conference in Worcester today. This is the speaker before me. It was a bit of a nostalgia trip as I used to hear lectures in this room during my degree... www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Popped in to Bredon's Norton Church in Worcestershire today. In five mins I found a huge daisy-wheel on the font, a large mass dial tucked behind the door (!), some apotropaic crosses on the left door jamb and another daisy-wheel on the right. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Popped in to Stokesay Castle in Shropshire the other day, a place I used to have meetings when I used to work for English Heritage. Lots of well known deliberate burn marks and a nice example of three overlapping circles amongst numerous other things... www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Paid a visit to Clun Church in Shropshire today after a tip-off from David. The incredible daisy wheel is on the rear of the front which has been positioned so that it's almost invisible. The motif appears in the choir stalls too. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Edinburgh event! Don't forget friends that we will be in Edinburgh on Saturday 17th April 2027 to run Hidden Charms 6. It promises to be another great day with 8 fascinating speakers. All welcome and tickets via the link... www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

2/2 Oxhill Church, Warwickshire. Inside is a wreath discovered hanging in the roof and a brilliant font with Adam and Eve. Outside the South door is a feast of Romanesque with lots of power flowers. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

1/2 Oxhill Church, Warwickshire. The porch has several mesh marks, a circle and some apotropaic crosses. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

At Tysoe Church in Warwickshire it's all about apotropaic crosses and Marian marks... www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Bishampton Church is 5 mins down the road from where I live. It has an incredible font which I've known about for years and which I've posted about before. Today I thought I would post a video of it so you can admire it for yourselves :-) www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

My book is available widely online but all those ordered from my website are signed :-) www.apotropaios.co.uk/store/p1/mag...

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

I just want to assure everyone that apotropaic marks are definitely a thing. The article in The Guardian highlights one line of thinking & completely ignores the context & social history which is at play in these spaces. Please continue to delight in the daisy-wheel. apotropaios.co.uk

apotropaios.co.uk

Apotropaios

Apotropaios - the site all about deliberately concealed objects which were used to protect house occupants from perceived dark forces. Brian Hoggard (author) has been researching this subject since 19...

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

My next talk in Alderton (Glos) is on Saturday 3rd October. As there was a waiting list from the last talk there really aren't that many tickets available so if you do want to come along to hear me speak then book now to avoid disappointment. (magicalmarksalderton@gmail.com)

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

I was in Gloucester today and couldn't resist a quick visit (in the rain) to the little Chapel of St Mary Magdalene to look at some of it's very unusual flower graffiti. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Every two years I put together a conference all about historic practices which were designed to keep evil away. The next one, Hidden Charms 6, will take place in Edinburgh on Saturday 17th April 2027. All welcome. www.apotropaios.co.uk/2027-hidden-...

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Paid a visit to Great Washbourne Church today, near Alderton where I was speaking last week. Some brilliant mass dials, a rather interesting tympanum with daisies, an attempted daisy in the chancel arch and some fragments of wall painting visible. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

A fun talk and tour at Alderton Church tonight. What a lovely audience :-) www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Marian marks can appear as M for Maria or upside down which possibly stands for Virgin of Virgins & they invoke her for protection. Here you can see it on my palm (in my book) along with a few other examples from Tewkesbury, Worcester and Long Compton. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

My talk in Alderton on Saturday 13th June is now sold out, but the organiser can add you to a list for a subsequent one (date tbc) if you are still keen to come along a bit later. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Offchurch church near Leamington was today's visit. Found a consecration type mark and mass dial, and some 'arrow sharpening marks' in the main porch and door. Nice daisy integrated into the Romanesque decoration of north door. Must go back! www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

The study of apotropaic objects and marks is a fascinating and varied interdisciplinary area. Hidden Charms 6 (April 2027, Edinburgh) will embody this spirit - there is nowhere better to come along and meet similarly interested folks. All welcome. www.apotropaios.co.uk/2027-hidden-...

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Recently visited a lovely medieval property near Dorstone in Herefordshire which has many deliberate burn marks and one very large daisy-wheel. Lovely stuff :-) www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

A lovely audience at tonight's talk for Worcester Industrial Archaeology and Local History Society. Nice to be speaking a few doors down from somewhere I used to live :-) www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

A poignant visit to St Swithun's in Worcester today as it was the final AGM of the Friends who've done so much to keep this building in good order over the years. Of course I had to pay a visit to some of the excellent apotropaic marks while I was there... www.apotropaios.co.uk/store/p16/St...

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

If any of you feel the need to have an alcoholic beverage while listening to ones of my talks then the one in Alderton in June may be the one for you! 🙂 www.apotropaios.co.uk/lectures.html

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Visited Long Compton Church earlier on - the place made famous by the rhyme at the Rollright Stones. Lots of incredible Marian marks and some octograms on the back of the main door along with a shoe outline. Some very good concentric circles inside too. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

A return visit to Chipping Camden today. The market hall has a collection of circles, a large Marian mark and some so-called 'arrow sharpening marks'. Across the road at Badgers Hall is a very complex set of concentric and overlapping circles. Good stuff! www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

My next talk is in Worcester on Friday 15th May for Worcestershire Industrial Archaeology and Local History Society (wialhs.org.uk), starting at 7:30pm. (pic from a recent talk at Grafton Flyford) www.apotropaios.co.uk/lectures.html

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Lots of Marian marks and circles at Chipping Camden church. The Marian marks along the edge of the tomb are similar to the ones on the Wakeman tomb at Tewkesbury. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Had the opportunity to view this large daisy-wheel at Ditchford Farm, Moreton-in-Marsh earlier today. This farm appears to be 19th century. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

I am pleased to announce today that tickets for Hidden Charms 6 are now live. This one day conference will explore apotropaic magic and will be happening at The Counting House, Edinburgh, EH8 9DD on 17th April 2027. For more info please follow the link 🙂 www.apotropaios.co.uk/2027-hidden-...

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Paid a visit to Northleach Church today, not far from Cirencester, a fantastic light and airy wool church. Found some lovely marks including some circles, Marian marks and these amazing tessellated daisy-wheels within concentric circles. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Did some exploring at Boscobel House earlier today. Lots of deliberate burn marks and a couple of Marian marks were the key points of interest. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Back in February I visited a lovely Worcestershire farmhouse which had some great circles and daisy-wheels inside and a Marian mark. What I didn't say is that this amazing cruck framed building also has a remarkable King Post surviving inside it's current roof. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Reposted by Apotropaios

Robin Partridge @idacolumite.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

@folkmagicman.bsky.social just wanted you to know that on Saturday my coworkers and I stuck your book in the wall, along with a time capsule, in the 1902 building we’re renovating at work. Cheers! #driedcats

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Some of the incredible circles and a daisy-wheel on the side of Overbury Church, Worcestershire. apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

For those who are new to this page, I have been researching apotropaic objects and marks since 1999 and in 2019 I had a book published all about it. I give lectures regularly. Book: www.apotropaios.co.uk/store/p1/mag... Lectures: www.apotropaios.co.uk/lectures.html

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Made a return visit to Bordesley Abbey today to look at the shoe outlines on the site of St Stephen's Chapel (thanks Polly), also spotted a nice big deliberate burn mark in the reconstructed barn which houses the museum. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Rochester Cathedral has lots of scribed marks including many faces and a good deal of apotropaic marks too. Here's a small selection... www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Spent some time at Battle Abbey today. Another daisy-wheel, some circles and one of several Marian marks all in the gatehouse. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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Apotropaios @folkmagicman.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Dover Castle is riddled with graffiti, mainly from French prisoners. However, two principal fireplaces in the Great Tower have lovely daisy-wheels in the centre of the main hearth lintel. Lovely to see. www.apotropaios.co.uk

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