Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Superstition in connection with lodestone?

Jens Nordlunde · 8th May 2006, 01:34 PM

Hi Jim,

I was of the impression that lodestone and magnetic ore was the same, but maybe I am wrong. May point with this thread was to stress that not only magnetic ore was used for ingots, an impression you can get when reading some of the books, ‘normal’ iron ore was used as well and in a much bigger quantity. This difference in the ores could be the reason why there is/was something magic about iron. The blacksmiths were respected but feared, a nail from a horseshoe, or other small pieces of iron, could make wonders, either in your pocket, buried in front of your house door or hammered into the door poster. Even those not believing in the power of iron might have used it after the devise – better safe than sorry.

8th May 2006, 01:34 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Jim, I was of the impression that lodestone and magnetic ore was the same, but maybe I am wrong. May point with this thread was to stress that not only magnetic ore was used for ingots, an impression you can get when reading some of the books, ‘normal’ iron ore was used as well and in a much bigger quantity. This difference in the ores could be the reason why there is/was something magic about iron. The blacksmiths were respected but feared, a nail from a horseshoe, or other small pieces of iron, could make wonders, either in your pocket, buried in front of your house door or hammered into the door poster. Even those not believing in the power of iron might have used it after the devise – better safe than sorry.