The holed stone amulet and its uses

Of the many small stones once thought to possess magical powers the naturally holed pebble used as a simple protective amulet is of particular interest, because of its wide geographical range and marked uniformity of purpose. The dangers from which it supposedly afforded protection are many, ranging in importance from nightmare to plague and including in its scope such hazards as mine accidents, storm at sea and famine. Yet its primary function was to provide immunity from the perils of witchcraft and it is suggested that the many apparently distinct usages do not, in fact, indicate any fundamental difference of belief, but rather bear witness to the variety of common misfortune formerly attributed to the activities of witches.