The Wishing Well

I am sure all of us as children threw a penny into a wishing well. With eyes closed gripping the coin tightly, holding the image of our desire in our minds we threw our coin and our dream into the mystical waters of the well. To many an adult observer it may appear like some innocent childish ritual, nothing more than some novelty to tell gullible children. The child though, not yet restricted by the limits of his elders beliefs, believes in the magic within the waters. Despite first appearances the child stands on solid ground with their beliefs too. What most do not know is that the act of throwing a penny into a wishing well has its origins in one of the oldest religious practices known to man.

The wishing well of course, is part of a much wider Heathen practice known as a “votive offering”. This practice in the North at least can trace its origins back to at least the Neolithic. The remnants of a Wooden platform found in the tidal muds of the Thames dating to the Mesolithic could push this practice back a thousand or so years. Whilst Scholars are undecided on this platforms exact usage, it has many of the hallmarks of later Neolithic ceremonial platforms, from which we know votive offerings were given.

Despite its modern appearance as a novelty for a spiritual practice to continue almost unchanged for millennia shows us just how ingrained it is in the Northern Psyche. Of course in ancient times as the find on the Thames shows, it wasn’t just wells that received these offerings. Many of the most glorious archaeological finds that are now on display in our museums were found in waterways and marsh lands. Once upon a time these watery places were adorned with the most ornate and spectacular creations of man. Nothing was to good for these sacred places, in fact the finds found in such a manner are generally of a higher quality and value than the ones in common use.

Such spectacular finds as the “Battersea shield” (below left) and the “Waterloo Helmet” (below right) are just a couple in thousands that show the high quality of offerings given over to the depths. Countless bronze age axe heads have been found along marshland trackways. So many axe heads have been found in such a manner it even sparked some rather silly notions of why. Some scholars so trapped in our modern way of thinking begun suggesting these votive offerings were in fact “dumped” there to keep axe head prices high! Yes some believe that our ancient forbears were price fixing common object by methods of perceived scarcity.

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Despite such offerings finding their way into all water places and even on land too, it is was the well and spring that held significance for the longest time. So prevalent was this phenomenon that when Christianity first entered our islands many of these springs and wells were still venerated. In fact all over Britain and Ireland today you can find such “holy wells”. People still make the odd offerings to them too, although it is mostly of tied clothing pieces these days. Sadly though, even after the Christian “adoption” of such places, they have also fell out of favour, with fewer and fewer people taking the time to visit them let alone offer anything.

That is but the humble wishing well, Children and even some adults still offer up their coin to these places. Even this though is tainted somewhat by our modern greed. Most the coins thrown to the wells are attached to demands. Something I am sure happened in the past, but I doubt it was the only reason they did such practices. Gratitude is a thing of scarcity in our modern times, but in ancient times would have been far more prevalent. I am sure many of the offerings found were not given over to the waters for demands, but thanks for gifts already given. Gifts such as life and health, home and sanctuary. The type of thing often taken for granted, well, till its not there any more that is.

I plan on writing much more about the “whys and hows” of votive offerings in the future, as it is a practice I participate in and essential to my own spiritual beliefs. For now though, next time you find yourself at a wishing well, throw a few coins in for thanks. We can forgive the little folk for their lofty expectations and desires, but as adults we should be a little more grateful. I mean, a few coins of gratitude is a small price to pay for the sight of smiling children and keeping the spark of magic alive in them, wouldn’t you agree?.