The Hair Witch Project hits Devon manes
By Lester Haines
Posted in Bootnotes, 14th January 2010 11:18 GMT
Police are investigating the possibility that pagans are behind a "bizarre outbreak of horse mane weaving" in Devon, Dorset and Somerset, the Western Morning News reports.
Some 20 equines have been found with plaits in their manes, and while the initial suspicion was that they were being marked for theft by horse-rustling gangs, the fact that none have actually been lifted has led police to consider the possibility they're being used for "knot magick" rituals.
Such magick commonly involves the tying of knots in a cord, often with feathers or other objects bound in the knots, to create a talisman.* The ritual is carried out with an incantation intended to endow the charm with the power to carry out the creator's wishes.
In this case, the horses may have been used because "pagan gods are thought to have a close connection with horses which adds strength to spells that incorporate the animals".
A baffled PC Jeff Howley, neighbourhood beat manager in Cullompton, Devon, said: "At the moment we do not know of any motive for the plaiting. To start with we thought they were being marked for theft but that is clearly not the case.
"One motive from research by Dorset police who are also investigating a number of cases is that it may be a pagan ritual. It is hard for us to judge at the moment but any speculation will have to be considered."
Jenny Parsons, secretary of the Taunton Vale Harriers Hunt, said she "believes a small group of people are targeting the same animals after communicating through social networking websites".
She offered: "It is possible it's a pagan ritual and I have had reports of a change in horse behaviour, so if these are children's ponies it is an absolutely awful thing to do."
Parsons has set up a horse watch scheme to combat the illicit pagan activity and "urged horse owners to send pictures of the plaits to local police and to remain vigilant".
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/14/knot_magick/
Showing posts with label mane weaving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mane weaving. Show all posts
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Horse mane weaving incidents 'caused by Pagans', police believe
Pagan worshippers are suspected of weaving horses’ manes to cast spells on the animals after police investigated a series of bizarre incidents.
By Andrew Hough
Published: 10:00PM GMT 13 Jan 2010
The practice, believed to have spread via the internet, has seen almost 20 animals targeted over the past three months.
Residents have since started a horse watch scheme after incidents were reported in fields in Hemyock, Culmstock and Clayhidon, Devon, Exeter as well as parts of Dorset and Somerset.
While the braiding appears to not do any harm to the animals, horse owners were said to have become increasingly bemused and concerned by the practice.
Police initially believed the horses were being marked for theft by organised criminals until it was discovered that none had actually been stolen or disappeared.
Officers now suspect white “witches” who practice “knot magick” are using the horses to help them cast spells.
It is thought that Pagan gods have a close connection with horses, which adds strength to spells that incorporate the animals.
PC Jeff Howley, neighbourhood manager for Cullompton, said the case had baffled local police.
“At the moment we do not know of any motive for the plaiting to start with we thought they were being marked for theft but that is clearly not the case,” he said.
"One motive from research by Dorset police who are also investigating a number of cases is that it may be a pagan ritual.
"It is hard for us to judge at the moment but any speculation will have to be considered."
Sarah Bloor, Police Community Support Officer for Pennsylvania, Exeter, added: "Stables are feeling vulnerable.
"So far there have been no actual thefts and we are not ruling out the possibility that it could be something else."
Jenny Parsons, secretary to the Taunton Vale Harriers Hunt who has set up a local horse watch scheme, said it was thought a small group of people were undertaking the practice after communicating through social networking internet sites.
“People have started sleeping in stables but I discourage that strongly as it is not safe nor sensible,” she said
"It is possible it's a pagan ritual and I have had reports of a change in horse behaviour so if these are children's ponies it is an absolutely awful thing to do."
A man in a blue Peugeot 306 was spotted taking pictures of horses in the Hemyock area of Cullompton, Devon, about a week ago.
No one has been arrested.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6980487/Horse-mane-weaving-incidents-caused-by-Pagans-police-believe.html
By Andrew Hough
Published: 10:00PM GMT 13 Jan 2010
The practice, believed to have spread via the internet, has seen almost 20 animals targeted over the past three months.
Residents have since started a horse watch scheme after incidents were reported in fields in Hemyock, Culmstock and Clayhidon, Devon, Exeter as well as parts of Dorset and Somerset.
While the braiding appears to not do any harm to the animals, horse owners were said to have become increasingly bemused and concerned by the practice.
Police initially believed the horses were being marked for theft by organised criminals until it was discovered that none had actually been stolen or disappeared.
Officers now suspect white “witches” who practice “knot magick” are using the horses to help them cast spells.
It is thought that Pagan gods have a close connection with horses, which adds strength to spells that incorporate the animals.
PC Jeff Howley, neighbourhood manager for Cullompton, said the case had baffled local police.
“At the moment we do not know of any motive for the plaiting to start with we thought they were being marked for theft but that is clearly not the case,” he said.
"One motive from research by Dorset police who are also investigating a number of cases is that it may be a pagan ritual.
"It is hard for us to judge at the moment but any speculation will have to be considered."
Sarah Bloor, Police Community Support Officer for Pennsylvania, Exeter, added: "Stables are feeling vulnerable.
"So far there have been no actual thefts and we are not ruling out the possibility that it could be something else."
Jenny Parsons, secretary to the Taunton Vale Harriers Hunt who has set up a local horse watch scheme, said it was thought a small group of people were undertaking the practice after communicating through social networking internet sites.
“People have started sleeping in stables but I discourage that strongly as it is not safe nor sensible,” she said
"It is possible it's a pagan ritual and I have had reports of a change in horse behaviour so if these are children's ponies it is an absolutely awful thing to do."
A man in a blue Peugeot 306 was spotted taking pictures of horses in the Hemyock area of Cullompton, Devon, about a week ago.
No one has been arrested.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6980487/Horse-mane-weaving-incidents-caused-by-Pagans-police-believe.html
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