Glorified Hands

Season 2: Episode 3

You may already know that The Midnight Library is famous for always having magic at hand-- but you may not know that for centuries it was believed magic could be in anyone’s hand… once they were dead. Tonight, we will tell you how to shake hands with fate and put the power in your hands, that is- IF you have the stomach for it. The dark tale of The Hand of Glory awaits your attention...and perhaps a deal you can’t pass up. What are you waiting for? Let’s shake on it.

A Hand of Glory

A hand of glory was a hanged man's hand which was used as a macabre candle holder by burglars to evade discovery. When alight, it was said to put all the sleeping people in a house into a trance from which they couldn't be awakened.

Sometimes the fingers of the hand itself were lit. It was believed that if the thumb refused to light, it signified that someone in the house was still awake.

This hand was discovered in the early 20th century on the roof wallpate of Hawthorn Cottage in Danby. It is thought that it might have originated from Gibbet Howe, Castleton and been in use as late as 1820.

A hand of glory on a mantlepiece, in a detail of the 1565 artwork The Elder Saint Jacob visiting the Magician Hermogenes by Pieter van der Heyden

A Gathering of Witches by Isabella Francken

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Isabella_Francken_-_A_gathering_of_witches.jpg

Museum of Witchcraft

https://museumofwitchcraftandmagic.co.uk/news/interesting-article-about-the-hand-of-glory/

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MIDNIGHT LIBRARY OFFERINGS

  Midnight offerings!! Make that Midnight Library offerings.-- Listen closely, and you shall hear of mysterious things, for you to hold dear. There are emblems, and bookmarks, and membership cards; there's spooky old music with the warmest regards.-- The Midnight Library is proud to announce the opening of our Patreon page, where everyone gets a perk (or several!) And, the offer of our magical theme music is now available as your very own eerie ringtone! (The Midnight Library is not responsible for any bewitching effect the music will cause...uh...may cause)

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REFERENCE LINKS:

1. Folklore Thursday

2. Atlas Obscura

3. Ancient Origins

4. Pitt.edu