In German folk magic and superstition, the keyhole played a fascinating and often eerie role. It was seen as a kind of magical portal, a small but significant opening through which not only a key, but also invisible forces and beings could pass.
The Meaning of the Keyhole
The keyhole is a liminal space: it connects and separates at the same time. It provides access to a locked room and therefore symbolizes the transition between the outside world (often seen as dangerous and uncontrollable) and the protected interior of a house. This symbolic meaning made it an ideal point for magical practices, both for protection and for causing harm.
Keyhole Magic for Protection
Defense against Demons and Ghosts:
It was believed that evil spirits, demons, or witches could enter a house through the keyhole. To prevent this, various protective measures were taken. This often involved plugging the keyhole, for example, with garlic, herbs, or even a needle.
"Drudenfuß" (Hag's Foot):
In some regions, a "Drudenfuß" (an inverted pentagram) was carved or painted beneath the keyhole. This symbol was meant to prevent the Druden, female night demons, from entering.
Keyhole Magic for Causing Harm
The "Keyhole Ghost"
As mentioned in the first response, there was a superstition that one could send a "witch's spirit" or a hostile force through the keyhole to another person. This was often done to wish them bad luck or a poor night's sleep (nightmares). The idea behind this was that the human consciousness is particularly vulnerable during sleep and the soul could leave the body, making it susceptible to such attacks.
Nightmares and the Night Hag:
The "Nachtalb" (Night Hag), a type of demon that haunts people in their sleep and causes shortness of breath (hence the name "Alp-traum," meaning nightmare), was believed to be able to enter houses through narrow openings like keyholes and knot holes in wood.
Divination at the Keyhole
There were also customs where the keyhole served as an oracle, especially on certain magical nights like Christmas Eve. It was believed that if one looked through the keyhole into a lit room at a specific time, they could see the spirits of the deceased or future events.
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