Magical Healing: Folk Healing Techniques from the Old World - Hexe Claire 2018

Magical Stones and More
Tools of The Trade and Practice

We can draw from a wide variety of stones today, but even our ancestors had their favorites among stones when it came to healing work and protection. If we want to take a closer look at stones, we have to take a few steps back into their time. Back then you couldn’t walk into a store or shop online in order to simply buy your stone of choice. Stones were something special, and simply by being special it was easier to use them for healing work. Not everything was available all the time and that’s why people recognized the value of it. Often magical stones (typically contained in jewelry) were inherited over generations, which gave them additional power. What helped my grandmother will help me too—these opened completely different doors than anonymous stones purchased in a store. Many magical instructions from the old days emphasize that one should use a family heirloom if possible.

This is more difficult for us today than it was for our ancestors. We can attain so many things with ease if we have the necessary funds, but that is precisely what makes it difficult to find items to use in magic: things that are readily available are not special.

I already mentioned how important mental images are in healing work; both head and heart want to be enchanted. This is when the doors to self-healing powers open. In the old days, peddlers who told their customers the most amazing stories about the origin of the stones they sold did people a favor. People (who certainly didn’t believe everything but were well entertained) began to dream and allowed the stone into their heart. Today, we would say, “What a charlatan! The stones are certainly not from the treasure of an Indian princess. The stones originated in a mine in Brazil. I won’t be fooled.”

We have to admit that we still let ourselves be fooled and want to dream. One example is the highly praised Himalayan salt that is often ordinary rock salt that comes from Poland, yet it costs twenty times what normal salt costs. Some will object that it works well for them and that is exactly what I am talking about: if you value something, it has a retroactive effect. Do we enchant ourselves by believing in something, developing cozy, positive images and emotions to go along with it and thus ascribe extra value to it? Yes, and that is a good thing. How we activate self-healing powers is irrelevant as long as it works and does no harm.

Many of the stones used by our ancestors are fossils. We find those as far back as the earliest graves in history, as well as over and over again in ancient jewelry finds. Therefore, if we pick up work with fossils today we step into an ancient stream of knowledge.

Of course, the following is true here as well: we will feel a sense of chemistry with some things and not others. This is no different than it is with plants and other healing methods. Traditions that have been handed down are one thing, but they only represent a fraction of the possibilities, and the ultimate importance is where the spark travels and the feeling that something works. This is where the energy begins to flow.

Fossilized Ammonite

(also: Snake Egg, Dragon Stone, Wheel of the Gods)

Fossilized ammonites were popular protection stones due to their spiral and snake symbolism. Big ammonites can be found on house walls in rural France and England, either constructed into the wall or in the form of paintings on walls that depict the symbolism. Magical ammonite amulets were used whenever something needed special protection or was supposed to go well. They were (and still are) an excellent means of support in terms of regaining health.

Even today they are said to help with unfulfilled wishes of childbirth and are considered a kind of fossilized aphrodisiac. As such, you can carry a small specimen with you as an amulet, fasten it to your bed, or place it on your nightstand. Those who need a more discreet solution can also lay an ammonite under their mattress.

Figure 1: fossilized ammonite

They were used as oracle stones in ancient Egypt. Especially pyritized ammonites (those bonded to pyrite), which are known as “golden snails” in Germany today, were considered stones of priests. In many cultures they have a connection to meditation and the path to enlightenment. But even in everyday life they hold a strong “lightbulb moment” energy. Ammonites can be wonderful support during uncertainties of any kind, when you do not know your path or want to examine underlying causes.

Belemnites

(Bullet Stones, Devil’s Fingers, St. Peter’s Fingers,

Thunderbolt, Ghostly Candles;

additionally in German folk vernacular:

Lynx Stone, Fright Stone)

Belemnite guard fossils are the fossilized ancestors of today’s squid. In the old folk traditions of Germany, they were most often called Thunderbolts, and carried a special significance against bewitching and for protection against illness in general. In Northern Germany, especially, they were worn as amulets well into the present time. The stones are considered helpful against fright as the cause for an illness (which today we might call a psychosomatic trigger). Thunderbolts are classic stones for spells. It is documented that in the former regions of Prussia, Pomerania, and Saxony, physicians used them to cure bladder stones by incantation.⁴⁹

Figure 2: belemnite fossil

Their use is not limited to that, however. They were also used to brush warts in folk medicine; three times in the form of a cross, preferably on a Thursday or Sunday.

Belemnites can be used to brush away multiple ailments and then to seal the spot with three cross-like motions. The stone thus supports the healing power of the hand.

As always, the rule here is that simply copying what our ancestors used to do does not necessarily help us reach the goal. We should consider the old traditions as an inspiration, but never forget to use our common sense and our intuition here and now in order to apply old knowledge in contemporary ways.

Jet

(Black Amber)

Jet is also of fossilized origin. It was sometimes called “black amber” because it feels similar to amber. In actuality the two are not far removed from one another. Jet is fossilized plant material, a form of coal formed from pressurized decomposition of wood, while amber is fossilized tree resin.

In German-speaking regions it is known as widow’s stone. It has been documented as the favored jewelry during times of grief ever since the Middle Ages. Jet is not only protective for those in mourning, but for little children as well. Basically, jet is a stone which helps anyone who is more vulnerable than others, whether this is due to their young age, a particular sensitivity, or a personal situation. It is like a filter that repels negativity. It is also used against the evil eye, envy, and streaks of bad luck, and protects what is near and dear to us. This refers not only to health, but also to personal belongings and our dearest relatives.

Figure 3: mano figa

In regions where Romance languages are spoken, we see the mano figa azabache, meaning a Figa hand (a hand with the thumb tucked between the index and middle fingers) made from jet. This is often decorated with a bead made from luck-bringing coral, other red beads or gems, or a red cord, and it protects against all evil. It particularly protects against the mal de ojo, the evil eye. Sometimes the hand can be found carved from coral.

Germanic people are said to have picked up the hand as a good luck symbol. It is called the “fig of envy” in German. It is easy to see that the hand gesture symbolically hints at intercourse, and offensive and sexual allusions have always been considered apotropaic in folk traditions, meaning they ward off spells or evil. In Slavic and Russian regions, this gesture simply means “no” and as such is an entirely neutral defense.

Hematite

Hematite is also known as “blood stone” in Germany (not to be confused with bloodstone), since the stone’s grinding water takes on a red tint when the stone is polished. It was used to cure bleeding magically and was generally considered a stone that strengthens vitality, because what is good for the blood is also good for the whole human being.

Snake Stones and Snake Eggs

(Fossilized Sea Urchins, Echinoids; also, in German folk vernacular:

Victory Stone, Thunder Stone, Stone of the Gods, Soul Stone,

Toad Stone, Sea Apple, Druid’s Stone)

Snake Eggs, or Snake Stones, are fossilized sea urchins with five-pointed star designs or bumps. They can look very different; some are fairly flat, almost like sand dollars, while others are pointed or bumpy. They have been found as grave goods since the Bronze Age. They are therefore also soul stones, which are connected to the power of the ancestors.

Snake stones containing star shapes were very popular until the eighteenth century as an all-around amulet and were sometimes worn as jewelry, partially encased in silver or gold. The star-shaped pattern is reminiscent of a pentagram, which was considered a reliable remedy against nightmares and the so-called druden (pressure ghosts that torment people in the night so that they wake up exhausted the next morning). This is still true in many rural regions today. Snake stones are said to protect against evil spirits, which used to include demons of illnesses.

Figure 4: echinoid fossil

In modern times there are other stones (ammonite or serpentine, for example) that are referred to as snake stone. Do not be confused by this. It is apparent when reading the old texts that the term “snake stone” in German was almost interchangeably used with “power stone” or “magic stone,” regardless of the actual stone in question. We can find a possible explanation for the popularity of “snake” stones in the shamanic worldview. When demons of illness are considered “worms” in the body, a snake stone can speak to them, move them, and help lead them out of the body.

Fossilized sea urchins which show small bumps in a radiating pattern (known in German as Snake Eggs or Druid’s Stone, in English folk vernacular as chalk eggs, sugar loaves, or fairy loaves) were the magic stones of the Druids according to Pliny the Elder. Among the general population they were known as stones of protection.

Figure 5: fossilized sea urchin, bumpy variety

“Protection” seems a little vague to us today. Which areas of application? How exactly? Where exactly? I want it exactly, down to the gram, to the spell, to the gesture!

With an anxious, demanding attitude like that you will not get to the bottom of secrets like these. They want to be sensed; they need to be found by a loving search party that is willing to experiment, extend their antennae and trust in their gut feeling. A personal connection to the item that is being used is necessary, too. It does not work to simply buy everything quickly to file it away in a mental type case to be sorted by its associated effect. This is no way to discover the powers of stones and fossils.

Let it in, follow your feelings, listen to your instincts. Is the chemistry right? Is anything getting across at all? Not every stone is made for everybody. Even a super stone can be silent for some people, while a simple stone on the side of the road can be brimming with power and energy. Do not think about price, rarity, touted effects or the like. Don’t let that cloud your view of the actual strength of the stone. Also consider that each individual stone is different; we may warm up toward a certain specimen of a type of rock or mineral, while others leave us cold. Even if you don’t happen to feel a connection to a stone, maybe someone in your inner circle will connect with it.

Returning stones back to nature is also possible if the chemistry is not right; many a stone will thank you for its freedom more than if you cling forcefully to it. Especially since stones are not necessarily gone once you return them to nature. I used to have a stone which I could sense insisted on being in a river. This wasn’t easy for me because I liked it a lot, but I eventually granted its wish. I can feel its distinctive energy to this day as if a good spirit were stopping by. If I had known that ahead of time, it wouldn’t have been so hard for me to let it go.

Tongue stones

(Fossilized shark teeth; in German folk vernacular,

Colubrid Stones, Colubrid Tongues)

Tongue stones are nothing more than fossilized shark teeth. They can often be found in surfer jewelry. They ward off the evil eye and enemies (even an illness can be an enemy in this sense). In the old days they were considered amulets against speech problems—nomen est omen—they were supposed to loosen the tongue. Today we know that they are fossilized teeth, not tongues, but that does not take away anything from their effect. The shark is truly not a bad ally when it comes to warding off negative energy.

Figure 6: tongue stone aka shark tooth fossil

The Magical Duo: Turquoise and Coral

Turquoise and coral play an important role in magical jewelry. This color pattern is not only found in Europe, but also in Nepal, Tibet, with Native Americans, and with the Romany and other Travelers. Turquoise and coral are blue and red stones that are worn together and have an especially protecting and healing effect. Jewelry in the old folk traditions sometimes used azurite or azurmalachite as an alternative for turquoise, or people worked with blue and red glass beads.

These two stones symbolize the polarity of life. Blue is the feminine color (consider the blue starry cloak of the virgin Mary) and red is the masculine color (many painters picked up this knowledge and expressed it in the red sash over Jesus’s white robes). This is echoed in the magical tradition, with red as the color of Mars and blue as the color of Venus (next to green … it depends on the specific tradition). Romany and Travelers also consider blue to be the color of the woman and red the color of the man while purple, as their union, is used especially for calming and relaxation.

Purple balances out the opposites. It is not only a spiritual, but also an extremely harmonizing color. Everything in moderation, however! If you surrounded yourself only with purple all that harmony would render you limp and lazy. We need the stimulus and the ups and downs of change in life in order to be truly alive.

Turquoise stands for water, the sky, and the air, while coral represents blood, fire, and light. In both past and present turquoise and coral were used as protecting, healing stones. They work like a yin and yang in color, helping to restore you to your natural balance. Both stones have been considered reliable detectors of when something is not right with the person wearing them. In this case the stones become noticeably pale or the opposite, noticeably dark, or they may lose their luster or break. Those who work with stones will have had experiences like this; after all, stones are anything but inanimate objects of nature.

One can also meditate wonderfully on the polarity of life with both stones. Ideally, use them together, not individually. Even if we sometimes have the wish to be especially dynamic and strong (red) or soft and balanced (blue), ultimately, we always need both parts in order to be whole. These two stones can be used as jewelry or carried in pant pockets, and can lend support during any chronic or unclear illness, as well as for overall loss of energy and nervous problems. The stones should be worn close to the body if possible. In traditional jewelry from India or in Native American traditions, both stones are often set together.

Fossilized Coral

(also in German: Star Stone, Spider Stone, Jinx Stone)

Fossilized coral used to be sold in polished form, particularly when carved in a heart shape, which was considered effective help against jinxes and was used as a counter-spell to avert all evil. Of course, you can use them in any other shape as well.

Because of their texture they were also known as star stone or spider stone. They were used to stanch bleeding, among other things. Nowadays we go to the doctor for that, but you can still test fossilized coral’s good reputation for helping resolve skin rashes and problems of any kind today. As a rule, these stones not only bring order and structure to the tissue, but to thoughts as well.

Figure 7: fossilized coral

Hag Stones/Holey Stones

(witch stones, adder stones;

also in German folk vernacular: chicken gods)

Chicken gods are stones with a natural hole in the middle. They are primarily found by the seaside. These are old luck talismans and avert harm of any kind. An old man living on the island of Rügen told me that they contain an old healing magic. If you look through the hole at the sun it is supposed to free you of illness and soothe any existing discomforts.

Figure 8: holey stone

Chalk

Chalk used to be more than just a white stone. It used to be stirred into salves (just like healing earth, which is made up of loess) that were supposed to heal the most diverse list of ailments. The healing power of the minerals played a decisive role in all this. Chalk was also used in more magical healing cures in order to draw a boundary around and protect the sick person. People also drew signs and symbols with it to bless house and farm. In Germany, it is still a familiar tradition in many regions for groups of people called “star singers” to go from house to house on Epiphany (January 6), writing blessings onto houses with chalk.

Red Stones

Red stones have had a special significance in healing magic for a long time. Red is the color of life and according to old beliefs it fends off any powers of a hostile nature. A fair number of red things were utilized, from valuable ruby to garnet, coral, carnelian, and even red glass beads. Red string, necklaces, cloth, stitching and ribbons were used against illnesses and to prevent ailments.

We can still do this today wonderfully. You can tie a little red ribbon or string to yourself, wear jewelry with red stones or (glass) beads, or purposely choose red pieces of clothing. Italians wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve because it brings them good luck for the New Year.

If red is not necessarily your color, you can also discreetly hide it under your clothing. No one will notice a small band around an ankle. You just have to be a little creative. Especially at times when you feel weak—not completely fit, but not really sick—red can help you get back on your feet. It is also a wonderful color for the little ones. It protects them.

Bricks/Masonry of Special Buildings

When we speak of red bricks we basically return to the symbolism of red stones in general; however, this time the focus is on abraded dust, or brick powder. Due to the high iron content (which causes the redness during the firing process) it is possible that the invigorating effect is true, even though I would not recommend simply pulverizing bricks and consuming the product today. This dust was sometimes worked into salves and was considered an all-around healing remedy against pretty much any ailment.

Powder from church stonework was also believed to have healing powers, especially when it was acquired in the vicinity of the altar. Unexplainable grooves that confirm this custom exist in many old churches to this day. The time around Easter, Christmas, and the twelve days of Christmas were considered to bring the most luck for this endeavor. Some traditions point even further back in history; in Southern Europe people used to fire special clay figures from which powder was scraped off that would then be mixed into food or salves for healing purposes.⁵⁰

Metal

My grandmother used the biggest kitchen knife she could find whenever one of us kids managed to get a bump on the head. I can remember how scared I was the first time, because I thought she wanted to cut the bump off. The whole thing was not so bad after all and I didn’t get even the slightest bruise. The knife was simply pressed to the aching spot and held there for a little while. The explanation was that the knife cools the spot, but other cool things would have been just as effective. After reading about many magical techniques involving a knife to banish illnesses, I think this is an older technique that became rationalized over time (“it is cooling”).

Later on, I read about a tradition collected by the researcher of Romany customs, Heinrich von Wlislocki,⁵¹ that describes the exact same approach and is even connected to a spell. Even then people used to press a knife to the aching area and recite the following spell three, seven, or nine times (depending on the severity of the bump).

Soften, soften, soften up,

And disappear at once!

You shall go to the Earth,

Never to be seen again!

Knife, knife, draw it out,

Hand it over to the earth! 52

Afterward the knife was plunged into the Earth three, seven, or nine times and pulled out again. With or without the spell, the use of the knife was effective every time; this is perhaps due to the impression of a large kitchen knife, which tends to draw every child’s attention to it immediately. I still like to lay a knife on spots that I’ve bumped to this day. It simply works too well, and I don’t care if it is imprinted from early childhood, superstition, or verified in some way. The deciding factor is that it is effective. If you try it yourself you will feel a slightly uncomfortable feeling at first, changing into a somehow electrical feeling (it’s difficult to put into words), as if the pain were wandering into the knife.

Similarly, the application of an axe also works. It was used as a type of threat to the sickness spirit. A (fairly dull) axe is placed flat on the affected area and kept there for a few minutes. In some areas the custom was to place the blade of a knife flat on the back of one’s neck in order to stop a nosebleed. This is often still done with a set of keys today.

Keys also played a role in the old healing traditions; during calf cramps one was supposed to stroke the cramping area with a key. The older the key, the better it was. Several “bone breakers” in Eastern Friesland (the traditional name for bone setters in that area) still use this method with horses that require treatment. Originally this widely spread method was also used on humans. Another custom said that to banish an illness, a sick person should hammer three nails (into a wood block, for example) with all their might.

Back when people used to use fire strikers or fire steels to start a fire, they were used for inflammations, in keeping with the belief that an item that has a specific effect (in this case to start a fire) also has the ability to take it away (here: the fire of the inflammation). Fire strikers seem to have been a very popular remedy. They were also placed on tumors, broken bones, and headaches. It is obvious that we should reasonably go to the doctor in cases like this today, although the additional application can’t hurt. Fire strikers can be purchased at Renaissance fairs and via the internet.

[contents]

49. Schmidt, 79

50. Schmidt, 81

51. Von Wlislocki, Magic Formulas and Incantations…, 58.

52. Charles Godfrey Leland gives this translation of the charm in his Gypsy Sorcery and Fortunetelling:

“Be thou, be thou, be thou weak (i.e., soft)

And very soon perish!

Go thou into the earth,

May I see thee never more

Bring knives, knives,

Give (i.e., put) into the earth.”