witch’s mark In witch lore, an extra treat or nipple on
witches for suckling fa milia rs and imps, who were said
to crave human blood. Extra nipples appear naturally
in a small percentage of the population, but in earlier
times, they had an infernal association. Any wart, mole,
tumor, protuberance or discoloration of the skin was
thought to be a witch’s mark, particularly if it secreted
fluid or blood. When accused witches were arrested,
their bodies and cavities were searched for any irregularities.
Red spots, bumps under the tongue and fleshy
bumps and folds in the vagina were considered paps for
familiars.
In witchcraft trials, “prickers” pricked the skin of the
accused to determine insensitive areas (see pric king),
which also were called witch’s marks. Out of fear, some
people cut off their warts, moles and lumps, but the resulting
scars were also taken as proof of being a witch and
trying to hide it. The term witch’s mark is often used interchangeably
with Devi l’s mark, which was considered
proof of a covenant with Satan.
Witch’s marks also are described as unusual birthmarks.
Sybil Leek believed in witch’s marks and said
she and other women in her family line were born with
them.
initia tion rituals in some traditions of contemporary
Witchcraft call for symbolic witches’ marks in an Xshaped
cross to be made with anointing oils on the body
396 witch pegs
of the candidate. According to the book of shadows for
the Gardnerian tradition, the crosses are traced over the
third eye, the heart and the genitals, symbolizing the
freeing of mind, heart and body.
In rural Appalachia, a witch mark is a star, similar in
shape to a Maltese cross, that is etched or drawn over the
doorway of a home or barn, to keep witches away. It is
also carved out of wood and nailed over the door.
Further reading:
Guazzo, Francesco-Maria. Compendium Maleficarum. Secaucus,
N.J.: University Books, 1974.
Summers, Montague, ed. The Malleus Maleficarum of Heinrich
Kramer and James Sprenger. 1928. Reprint, New York:
Dover Publications, 1971.
