Hagstones – The magic of witch stones

There are stones you find, and stones that find you. Hagstones belong to the second category. A stone with a natural hole through it, formed by centuries of flowing water – they have been treasured for thousands of years as powerful protectors, magical keys, and windows to other worlds.

What is a hagstone?

A hagstone – also known as a witch stone, adderstone, holey stone, or Odin stone – is a natural stone with a hole that runs completely through it. This hole is not made by human hands, but by the power of water: rivers, seas, and rain that slowly grind through the stone over centuries.

It is precisely this natural origin that makes hagstones so special. The hole is a gift from nature itself – and in many traditions, what nature forms holds power.

Folklore & history

Hagstones appear in folk tales and magical traditions all over the world, from the British Isles to Scandinavia, from the Mediterranean to North America.

In England, hagstones were hung above stable doors to protect cattle from witches and evil spirits – hence the name. Farmers tied them to keys, doors, and beds. Fishermen took them to sea as protection against drowning and bad luck.

In Norse tradition, they are associated with Odin, the god of wisdom and magic. Looking through the hole was believed to reveal the truth – even what is hidden from ordinary eyes. In Scotland and Wales, they were used to spot fairies: look through the hole by moonlight, and you might glimpse the fairy world.

In Greek and Roman antiquity, holed stones were worn as amulets against the evil eye. And in many African and indigenous traditions, holey stones are seen as portals – connections between the world of the living and that of the ancestors.

Spiritual meaning & energetic effect

Within modern crystal healing and spiritual practice, the hagstone is seen as a powerful protective stone. The hole symbolizes an opening – a passage for positive energy, and at the same time a filter that blocks negative energy.

Commonly mentioned properties of hagstones include:

Protection – against negative energy, ill intentions, and psychic attacks
Intuition & clairvoyance – the hole as a window to hidden truths
Connection with nature – formed by water, earth, and time
Grounding – the rough, earthy texture helps you ground yourself and stay present
Transition & transformation – as a symbol of passages and new beginnings

Hagstones are also seen as guardians of the threshold – ideal at the entrances of your home, bedroom, or sacred space.

How to use a hagstone?

There are many ways to work with a hagstone, depending on your intention and tradition.

Wearing as an amulet
Thread the stone onto a cord or chain and wear it with you. Traditionally, this is done with a red cord for protection, or a white cord for clarity and purification.

Hanging above the door
Hang a hagstone near the entrance of your home, bedroom, or workspace. This is one of the oldest uses – a guardian at the threshold that keeps unwanted energy out.

Meditation & visualization
Hold the stone during meditation. Breathe calmly in and out, and imagine looking through the hole – into a space of peace, clarity, and connection. Let the stone help you release what no longer serves you.

Dream work
Place a hagstone under your pillow or on your nightstand. In many traditions, this is done to promote vivid dreams and provide protection during sleep.

Rituals & altar
Place the stone on your altar as a symbol of protection and connection with nature. Combine it with other stones, herbs, or candles that match your intention.

How to find a hagstone?

Hagstones are most beautiful when you find them yourself – on the beach, along a river, or in nature. Look for stones with a completely continuous hole, formed by water. Small, smooth stones from rivers or the sea are the most common.

Do you feel attracted to a particular stone? Trust that feeling. Many people describe finding a hagstone as an encounter – as if the stone was waiting for you.

Can't find one yourself, or would you like a stone with a special appearance? At Natuurlijk Gaia, Mirjam and Senna carefully select hagstones with attention – each piece unique, chosen based on feel and quality. View our hagstones in the webshop.

Cleansing & charging

Because hagstones are naturally formed by water, they are ideally suited for cleansing with running water. Hold the stone briefly under the tap or place it in a stream. Then set your intention – what do you want the stone to do for you?

Charging can be done in moonlight (especially during a full moon), on earth, or near other cleansing crystals such as selenite or clear quartz.

Finally

Hagstones are one of the most accessible yet most mysterious objects in the world of stones and magic. They demand nothing – no processing, no grinding, no polishing. They are exactly as nature made them. And perhaps that is their greatest power.

Whether you are drawn to the folklore, the spiritual effect, or simply the raw beauty of a stone with a hole – a hagstone is a quiet, powerful companion.

Curious about our selection? View our hagstones in the webshop, or visit us by appointment in Kortgene to feel them in person.