The tales already given are sufficiently typical of the faith of the credulous regarding witches, and their ability to work out their evil desires on their victims. I will now proceed briefly to relate other matters connected with witchcraft as believed in, in all parts of Wales.
How to break, or protect people from, a Witch’s Spell.
There were various ways of counteracting the evils brought upon people by witches.
1. The intervention of a priest or minister of religion made curses of none effect.
The following tale was told me by my friend the Rector of Rhydycroesau. When Mr. Jones was curate of Llanyblodwel a parishioner sent to ask the “parson” to come to see her. He went, but he could not make out what he had been sent for, as the woman was, to all appearance, in her usual health. Perceiving a strong-looking woman before him he said, “I presume I have missed the house, a sick
person wished to see me.” The answer was, “You are quite right, Sir, I sent for you, I am not well; I am troubled.” In the course of conversation Mr. Jones ascertained that the woman had sent for him to counteract the evil machinations of her enemy. “I am witched,” she said, “and a parson can break the spell.” The clergyman argued with her, but all to no purpose. She affirmed that she was witched, and that a clergyman could withdraw the curse. Finding that the woman was obdurate he read a chapter and offered up a prayer, and wishing the woman good day with a hearty “God bless you,” he departed. Upon a subsequent visit he found the woman quite well, and he was informed by her, to his astonishment, that he had broken the spell.
2. Forcing the supposed witch to say over the cursed animals, “Rhad Duw ar y da” (“God’s blessing be on the cattle”), or some such expressions, freed them from spells.
An instance of this kind is related on page 242, under the heading, “A Horse Witched.”
3. Reading the Bible over, or to, the bewitched freed them from evil.
This was an antidote that could be exercised by anyone who could procure a Bible. In an essay written in Welsh, relating to the parishes of Garthbeibio, Llangadfan, and Llanerfyl, in 1863, I find the following:—