Fairies and Iron
she as not wounded’
by Warwick Goble
Published ‘The Fairy Book’ by Dinah Craik (1913)
Of late, I have been contemplating about the nature of fairies and iron, and how iron has been used to protect against malevolent fairies of all kinds, and how all fairies in general hate iron. This has led to a number of thoughts about iron, what it represents, how it acts, what it means.
History and Practice – Historically, iron in the form of horseshoes, scissors, needles, knives or blades, nails, and even iron filings in water have been used to repel or protect against malevolent fairies. It is usually used at thresholds such as doorways to prevent ill meaning spirits, witches, demons or ghosts from entering or around cradles to prevent the kidnap or switch with a changeling of a newborn baby. It can also be used as a knife in one’s pocket to prevent being ‘led astray’ along the road, or buried under a threshold to prevent entrance. Other items such as salt, bread, red thread, rowan trees, various plants (clover, daisies, primrose), bells and various practices can also repel fairies similar to iron, but iron remains the primary and strongest deterrent.
It is said that iron acts as a natural repellent, which burns fairies on contact, acting like heat or poison, and disrupts their magic by its natural properties. The shapes of iron, such as knives or pins, or horseshoes also enhances the effect of iron, as sharp forms ‘hurt’ fairies by their sharp lines, intent and use. Its nature drains the magical energy of the fae, and also disrupts the natural magnetic and directional aspects of their magic.
Cold Iron – Which leads into a discussion about ‘Cold Iron’ as it is usually and specifically is described as the primary ‘type’ of iron for use against malevolent fairies. Cold iron is specified in contrast to Hot Forged Iron or Steel and the terms leads to several conjectures, from practical to poetic. Basically ‘Cold Iron’ refers to rough forged, coarse castings, but can also refer to intent, as the phrase ‘Cold Steel’ can indicate hard resolve and violence.
Some also say that cold iron is created by a cold forge process, a mythic magic onto itself, a process of shaping iron or steel at room temperature using extreme pressure, which increases strength, durability and hardness. It can also be differentiated from hot iron by noting hot iron refers to blood, while cold iron refers to blades. It has also been said, ‘what matters to fairies would not be the iron in your blood, but the iron in your thoughts.’
In any case, cold iron and iron in general indicate other aspects which are threatening to fairies, all fairies, good and bad. For one, iron refers to a time in human evolution where mankind moved away from the earlier more natural living before the bronze and subsequent iron age, a split from Nature. This is a time when mankind started to industrialize and mechanize, directions away from the natural lives and living of fairies. So it also indicates a time when humans started to move away from the beliefs in fairies, towards more ‘modern’ faiths and away from the supernatural.
Of Forge Fairies and Mine Faeries – It is of note to remember that the Tuatha dé Danann were known for their fine armaments and jewelry, and that in the fairy halls of the Summer and Winter courts, all kinds of utensils along with swords and spears are mixed into the general festivities and councils. So what gives, how do fairies work with metals, even iron if it burns them?
So this thinking leads to the considerations of aesthetics and intent. Metal, iron is hard reality, heavy weighted and most usage is towards industry and environmental destruction, especially war machines. This moves the whole consideration of things far from fairies. Can you imagine a fairy driving a tank?
Ah but perhaps I run amok (a fairy in a tank?) in this essay. Regardless moving on, buy some honey, attract some good fairies. They can be fierce defenders of one’s home without the need of iron. Mostly fairies are about nature, and the underlying aesthetics of a natural life. Iron in and of itself is neutral, both for good and bad depending on intent. Watch the iron in one’s thoughts, believe in fairies and pray to earth. Such is giving a blessing to oneself.
References
https://sorcereroftea.com/why-does-iron-hurt-fairies/
https://lairbhan.blogspot.com/2021/02/7-things-about-fairies-and-iron.html
https://writinginmargins.weebly.com/home/why-dont-fairies-like-cold-iron
https://gutenberg.ca/ebooks/craikd-fairybook/craikd-fairybook-00-h-dir/craikd-fairybook-00-h.html