These genuine hag stones were found on the shores of the Hook Peninsula, County Wexford, Ireland in January 2023 by local picker, Lila Strand. Hag stones (also called witch stones, fairy stones, eye stones, adder stones, snake eggs, or snake beads) can be found on just about any stony shore, but we thought it would be nice to get some specifically from one of the areas where the hag stone myth originated.
It has long been believed that stones with naturally occurring holes boring all the way through them are magical, and in what way they are magical varies depending on culture and locale. Gaelic custom generally states that looking through them allows one to see through disguises, especially the magical disguises of a witch, fairy, or other shapeshifter, and Brittonic custom generally states that these stones can cure snake bites or grant magical power, though the stories are mixed and merged across all the Celtic nations. Other beliefs hold that tiny spirits live within these rocks and confer good luck or that having this stone on your person - in a pocket or on a necklace, for example - prevents hexes from sticking to you. They have also been hung in windows or nailed to walls to protect a building, hung above a bed to prevent bad dreams, or used for divination as a pendulum or throwing stone.
It's unclear what kind of stone they are, but are medium grey with flecks of white. They are cool and smooth to the touch, very relaxing to hold, and each feature 1-2 natural holes all the way through as well as several more incomplete holes. The high price of these stones is due to both compensating Strand for her time and also for paying to ship these all the way from Ireland. The smaller stones have been added to 24" (61cm) black macrame necklaces made of waxed cord for convenient carry & wear.
When ordering online, you are not guaranteed a specific stone, and your stone may not be one of the ones pictured. Your stone will be intuitively chosen for you.
