Witch's Ladder - Sabine Baring-Gould's "Curgenven"

Sabine Baring-Gould's "Curgenven"

Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould, included an extensive article on the witch's ladder in his novel "Curgenven" published in 1893. In his account the ladder was made of black wool, with white and brown thread, and at every two inches it was tied around cock's feathers. The maker would weave into it aches and pains and other aliments intended for the victim. The ladder was then thrown to the bottom of Dozmary Pond, located on Bodmin Moor. They believed that as the bubbles rose to the top of the pond, the curse was released.