The Cursed Stone of Long Meg and Her Daughters

In the rural countryside near a small village called Little Salkeld in Cumbria, England, there’s an ancient stone circle known as ‘Long Meg and Her Daughters’. The stone circle, or henge, consists of 69 stones laid out in an oval shape and one large stone positioned away from the main group, often referred to as ‘Long Meg’. According to folklore, this monument has a fascinating myth tied to it. One of the tales refers to a local wizard who, finding Long Meg and her daughters dancing on the Sabbath, turned them into stone. Another tale tells that Long Meg was a witch who, with her daughters, was turned into stone by a powerful wizard from Scotland named Michael Scot. In this version, Long Meg was a ‘wise woman’ who made herbal medicines and potions and was beloved by locals. Her power was such that she held dominion over wind and weather, and she could make herself invisible or assume the likeness of any beast. The locals lived in dread of her magical powers. It’s often stated that if you try to count the stones, you’ll never reach the same number twice. It is said that the spell will be broken when someone accurately counts all the stones. Some locals still believe in the myth and avoid the site, especially during the evenings for fear of encountering supernatural occurrences. It is also believed that if anyone tries to move or harm the stones, they will be severely punished. This folklore stands as a symbol of ancient practices and respects towards unseen forces.

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