Drawing of a 14th Century buttercat, a butter-stealing spirit, at the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History, Eugene, Oregon.
My friend Caroline Hatton, a children’s writer and frequent contributor to this blog, visited this temporary exhibition in Eugene and took the photos in this post in August 2023.
“Magic in Medieval Europe” is an enlightening and entertaining temporary exhibition (until October 8, 2023) at the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History in Eugene, Oregon. The exhibition was expertly curated by Dr. Martha Bayless, Professor of English and Director of Folklore and Public Culture, who teaches classes in medieval magic, food, games, and popular culture, and has authored numerous books on medieval subjects.
In the Middle Ages (500s-1500s), believing in magic helped people “understand” why things happened and cope with mystery, uncertainty, and danger. Magic was used for good or evil purposes, by ordinary people and witches. The exhibition shows myriad facets of such magic, including how it was used in the examples below and for many more purposes, blurred lines between magic and religion, types of magic beings, the magic roots of some of today’s holiday traditions, and current superstitions.
BEWARE OF BUTTERCATS
Witches were capable of sending around the neighborhood evil spirits taking the form of cats—buttercats to be more specific (see the image at the top of this post), to “steal” butter, cream, or milk. Buttercats gave people something to blame when a cow stopped making milk.
MAGIC FOR THIEVES
Thieves could magically get rich by stealing cattle clandestinely, then offering magic services (for a price!) to “find” the missing animals.
MAGIC FOR HEALING
In medieval times, disease was incomprehensible and terrifying. Magic helped “explain” and “cure” it.
The Black Death or bubonic plague that killed one third of Europe’s population caused, among other symptoms, large bumpy swellings. People believed that similar things influenced one another. So they put large bumpy toads on swellings to draw out “poison” and “cure” patients.
Gnarled oyster shells (arthritis "cure").
Oyster shells or Devil’s toenails looked like arthritic joints, so they were used to “cure” joint pain. Walnuts looked like a brain, so they were used to “heal” brain ailments or “fix” problems with the head.
MAGIC FOR LOVE
Dried periwinkle (love potion ingredient).
In case love potions could help, periwinkle was a key ingredient because it “influenced” the thinking and feelings of others. A written love spell in the 15th Century required using a feather from the right wing of a male goose as a quill. People in love exchanged engraved posey rings to affirm and “ensure“ mutual feelings.
ABOUT HALLOWEEN
Soul cake replicas.
On All Hallows’ Eve, medieval Christians, remembering dead loved ones and aching to save their souls from hell, used the powerful magical Eucharist (consecrated communion wafer) or rather, a homemade bread version aptly called soul-cake. People went door-to-door asking for one and reciting a blessing, each time “saving” one soul from hell. This evolved into today’s trick-or-treating and receiving candy.
In medieval England, ghost costumes seemed perfect for honoring the dead. The costumes evolved to now include anything scary… or not.
TRY AT YOUR OWN RISK, IF YOU DARE
At the museum, a kids’ activity table gives a chance to create one’s own house sprite by putting together magnets that are body parts (with or without claws), clothing (including hats) and tools of the trade (including brooms). Prompts invite creators to name the sprite, the part of the house where the sprite lives, and the sprite’s favorite treats (milk? cake?) to keep it happy so it won’t cause mischief.
Somniale Ioseph, a medieval guide to dream interpretation.
For magic to try at home, to interpret a dream, open a book to a random page and note the first letter you see. Look up that letter in the above photo of a medieval guide to dream interpretation. For help deciphering the medieval text, see the transcription below.On the explanation of dreams:
A signifies the help of the Lord.
B signifies something good.
C signifies blood.
D signifies an enemy.
E signifies hearing or seeing strange things.
F signifies that evil is near.
G signifies delight.
H signifies a coming delight.
I signifies going somewhere.
K* signifies staying put.
L signifies being happy.
M signifies something large.
N signifies something conflicting.
O signifies giving alms.
P signifies working dutifully.
Q signifies attending to God.
R signifies grave peril.
S signifies deliverance by the Lord.
T signifies being sad.
V signifies coming to worship.
X signifies the coming of the savior.
Y signifies divine aid.
Z signifies a coming death.
*The letter J was not used until the 16th century.
I’m glad I don’t live in medieval times or suffer from silly superstitions. For example, I don’t believe that horseshoes bring luck. But as a horse lover, I use horseshoes for interior decoration, with the opening pointing up—because if it pointed down, the luck would run out!
All text and photos, copyright Caroline Arnold. www.theintrepidtourist.blogspot.com
