HUMAN HEART
12TH-13TH CENTURY
This shrivelled human heart was found inside its lead, heart-shaped case lined with silver, known as a ‘cist’, in county Cork, Ireland, back in 1863. In some cases, particularly if the man or woman was wealthy, the heart was removed from the body after death and buried separately. It is believed that the heart dates back to the Middle Ages, and could have been used for rituals of devotion, magic and love. Such love magic was used to bind one person to another romantically, for example in times of love sickness.
JOHN DEE’S PURPLE CRYSTAL
1582
This purple crystal belonged to John Dee, the famous occultist who served as an advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. Dee was known for his interest in divination, particularly after his…