Countless objects and magical artifacts across the world are said to posses mysterious powers. Objects like holy nails. Many cathedrals and monasteries claim to have the nails once used to crucify Jesus. Soaked in his blood, numerous miracles have been associated with them – from healing illness to granting super human strength. And that’s just one minor example of real life magical artifacts.
Seven-Branched Sword
Hidden away inside a Japanese temple is a strange bladed weapon. A purely ceremonial sword, it has 7 branches, like that of a tree. We can’t say exactly when it was forged – but in ancient times, it was a gifted from a Korean prince to the ruler of Japan. Said to have been lost for centuries, it was rediscovered in 1945, and has ever since been heavily guarded. The sword is greatly mysterious – and while there is a two sided inscription marked by gold, only part of it is in good enough condition to read. But from what of the inscription survives, we are told the sword holds magical powers – strong enough to foil any enemy on the battlefield.
That’s an impressive ability – considering how impractical it would be as an actual weapon. It looks more like a plumber’s tool – which would also be impressive for how old it is. But anyway, the sword is more than 2 feet long, and the process of forging it must have been incredibly intricate. As such, it is likely a totally unique creation – hence why the sword is safely locked up. And it’s not the only of such magical artifacts to be found in the shrine that houses it. According to legend, another magical sword is kept here – one used to kill an monstrous serpent, with 8 heads and 8 tails. Trouble is, though, that’s one isn’t real enough for a video like this.
Witch Bottle
Even by the mid 18 hundreds, people were deeply superstitious. Despite science and reason emerging as major forces in society, vampire and werewolf scares remained common. All kinds of mythical beings were believed in, including ghosts and even goblins. Most feared of all were witches – and so, people would create magical items of protection known as Witch Bottles. Going back to at least the 16 hundreds, they were typically created by doctors, alchemists, or professional witch hunters. Some were designed to scare witches away, or counteract their magic, containing elements thought to ward off evil, such as certain oils, herbs, and human hair.
In previous centuries, mummified cats, or horse skulls were sealing inside the walls of houses for a similar kind of protection. I guess in those days, witches were just out and about trying to break into everyone’s home. So it’s no surprise they have such a bad reputation. On the other hand, some Witch Bottles were made to attract witches – but sealed inside were things like iron nails and sea water, as to spiritually kill the witch. From that moment, the evil will forever be trapped. Many of the Witch Bottles that survive into modern times are claimed to contain trapped witches. Perhaps if we break said magical artifacts, a new plague of witches will descend on us… or maybe not. But there’s only one way to find out.
Die Glocke
By the latter half of world war two, the German high command were getting desperate. They knew time was not on their side – that the allies had an advantage in both manpower and production. So as the situation got worse, they began asking for something to even the playing field. The best scientists in the world at the time were German, and so they were put to work developing new weapons. What resulted was a range of jet fighters, and the world’s first ballistic missile. These were great feats of engineering, but ultimately just not enough to turn the tide.
In the decades that followed, rumor spread of secretive nazi projects relating to magic, occultism, and even time travel. According to a book published in the year 2000, the most secretive of all nazi projects was Die Glocke, a device that proved deadly to almost everyone involved. During initial testing, it is said to have killed five German scientists. In the shape of a giant bell, it contained 2 counter rotating cylinders, and a mysterious, purple colored liquid. It’s purpose was to achieve both anti gravity flight, and time travel. And while there is little more detail available, many believe Die Glocke was ultimately a success.
The Hidden Truth
The project is suspected to have been led by Hans Kammler, a cartoonishly evil villain, who oversaw the construction of concentration camps. Then, using slave labor, he ran the secretive V weapons program, developing rockets to launch directly into Britain. Naturally, he was a high profile target for capture at the end of the war. Trouble is though, he was never found. Early in May of 1945 Hans Kammler disappeared. In the Chaos of those final months of the war, many influential figures disappeared. Some were killed in allied bombing runs, and simply never identified. Others were able to flee justice, heading first to Spain, and then to South America.
For generations people have wondered what happened to Hans Kammler – and since reports emerged of Die Glocke, some claim he used it’s technology to travel into the future, or even fly to a distant planet. Either way, the original Die Glocke machine and many other magical artifacts are said to to have been hidden away by the Germans. Apparently, it is still waiting to be found inside an old abandoned mine.
Bell Of St. Mura
Speaking of bells, this one is said to have fallen from the sky. Stories of it go back to the 11th century, to a small village in Ireland. According to legend, a loud clanging erupted just outside of town. When the locals ran out to find it’s source, they saw a bright shining object falling from the heavens. For generations they safeguarded the bell, showing it the highest respect. But being Irish, it was only a matter of time until they drank beer out of it. That is how the true power of the bell was discovered – the power of healing.
Anybody with any kind of illness would give it a try, and if rumor is to be believed, drinking from the bell really did reduce their suffering. Women would also drink from it in the hope of increasing their fertility – or the chances of surviving childbirth. Centuries went by, with the bell of St Mura being passed down by it’s traditional owners – until at some point in the 1800s, when it was sold to a private collector. And if your wondering what kind of person was collecting magical artifacts, let’s just assume they were evil. And French.
Twardowski’s Mirror
In a small Polish town, there is a small church. Within it hangs a strange metallic plate. Murky and reflective, it is connected to the legendary Polish figure Pan Twardowski.. According to legend, he was once an ordinary man. But in exchange for magical powers and secret knowledge, sold his soul to the devil. For many years he used said knowledge to avoid going to hell, engaging in a cat and mouse game with Satan. It’s a game he eventually lost, but if we’re being honest, it was always going to end that way.
In the mean time though, he became wealthy and well known, rising to be a sort of court magician for the king of Poland. In 1551, the queen died, leaving king Sigismund heart broken. She was the second wife, and widely hated within Poland – but to him, she was the love of his life, and her sudden death was a deep wound. Only a mystical magic boi could help him, and so Pan Twardowski was sent for. With his magic boi powers, a special mirror was forged, to serve as a gateway to the paranormal. Then he held a séance, and in the mirror, the dead queen reappeared to give comfort to her grieving husband.
Fate of The Mirror
But that’s not the end of it’s story. The mirror survived long after the death of both men, and would show the future to anyone gazing into it. Powerful men from all across Europe searched for decades to find it, hoping to get a glimpse of their fate, most not knowing it was kept in a simple unguarded church. Some were lucky enough to find it, including Napoleon, who in a fit of anger, punched the mirror. A loud crack split the mirror, and it never again revealed the future. Apparently it showed Napoleon his ultimate defeat to his enemies. Either way, what remains of the mirror can still be seen today. At some point, a wooden frame was added, carved with Latin text that reads: “Twardowski played with this mirror, practicing arcane arts; now it serves God.”