The blacksmith was a central figure in ancient communities and linked the gods of the forge and the spirit world to everyday village life.

Since ancient times, blacksmiths have been linked to magic, due to their power to make metal from barren rocks. Forging weapons for hunting and tools for farming placed the blacksmith firmly at the center of the community.

According to Pagan beliefs, the source of smithery came from deep mines in the Earth Mother’s womb. Thus, blacksmiths were thought to be priests of the goddess who were able to enter the Underworld, and they became linked to stories of eternal life and future resurrection.

Many sacred places are named after the magical powers of the blacksmith. Wayland’s Smithy, a Neolithic passage grave, in Wiltshire is named after the Norse god of the forge, weaponry and the wild hunt. Local legend states that if you leave a horse at the entrance of the passage overnight, it will be expertly shod by morning.

Powerful charms can be forged from the tools associated with the blacksmith, such as horseshoes, anvils and nails.

The goddess Bride was the blacksmith’s patron in Ireland, while Lohasur Devi is the goddess of blacksmithing in India. Globally, there are legends of a male blacksmith god: he is the wounded healer, made lame during the sacred hunt and forced to stay at home with the mothers and grandmothers of the tribe.

From his wounds, the blacksmith god learns sacrifice and from the women he spends his time with, he learns healing and magic. The smith becomes a blend of the best of both sexes; wise enough to receive the secrets of his craft from the Earth Mother.

You can draw upon the wisdom of the blacksmith be wearing blacksmith charm jewelery such as a horseshoe bracelet or a horse brooch.

Horseshoes, rusty nails, hammers and anvils are among some of the symbols of the forge that you can use to make blacksmith charms.

Lucky horseshoes:

Magic charms made from horseshoes are well known as bringers of good luck:

God luck: Bless a horseshoe with water from a natural spring to maximize its magic power and then hang it over your front door with its points facing towards the sky. This will hold good luck inside your house.

Energizer: Hang a horseshoe over an open fire with the points facing down into the flames. The hearth symbolizes with health and vitality of the home and this charm will pour its warm and positive magic into the house to energize its occupants.

Wedding gift: Giving a decorative horseshoe charm to a newly wedded couple will increase their passion for each other and protect their property.

Christening gift: Buy a horseshoe-engraved Christening gift for a new baby to commemorate its arrival into the world.

Rust and nails:

The blacksmith was the forger of weapons and, in mythology; the lame smith god learned the art of healing. Charms therefore associated with the blacksmith are thought to bestow magical powers of protection.

Nail charms: Nails, the tools of a smith, are a symbol of protection that can be used to create charms to ward off illnesses and other negative influences.

Protection: Tie two rusty nails into the shape of a cross, using red thread or a red ribbon. Red is the color of fire and symbolizes the blacksmith’s furnace. Place your charm inside the chimney to protect your family from illness.

Ward off curses: Fill a large glass jar with rusty nails, thorns and your own nail clippings, as a contribution of your magical energies. Pour in apple cider vinegar and bury the jar in your garden when the Moon is full. This charm, called Witch’s bottle’, will protect you from curses.

Wheel of bride:

Bride, the Irish goddess of smithery, midwifery and poetry, rules the festival of imbolc on 1 February, which is the best time to perform this spell. This charm is based on a solar wheel and promotes good health and wealth, particularly when hung above a baby’s crib.

You will need: Gold ribbon, wire coat hanger, birch twigs.

1. Tie the birch twigs into equal-armed crosses.

2. Leaving the hook on, shape the wire coat hanger into a circle.

3. Secure the birch crosses around the circle.

4. Entwine the gold ribbon around the whole charm and say, “Behold the Wheel of Bride. May she forge us a year of gold”.

5. Hang up the charm to attract new prosperity.

Business charms:

The blacksmith would have had a thriving business in small villages, providing weapons and tools to the community. You can utilize the symbols of the forge such as horseshoes, swords and hammers to increase your fortunes and to improve your business opportunities.

Horseshoes: Horseshoes can be used to attract new business and to increase productivity in the workplace.

Thor’s hammer: The Nordic god of thunder and the forge lends his name to this hammer-and-anvil charm. Wear as a pendant or brooch to improve your reputation and increase your authority in the office.

Swords: Ceremonial weaponry helps to sharpen the mind and acts as a charm to enhance your intellect. Hang a sword charm above your desk to help you calculate budgets and to write reports.

If you run a business from home, hang up a horseshoe to ensure its success.