TYPE 4

(fossils used as charms, wicca & shamanic

FOSSILS USED AS CHARMS, WICCA & SHAMANIC.

It has always been a practice of both the witch & the shaman to use in their

craft things which were in some way striking, strange, symbolic & mysterious.

In this way they impressed upon the mind strongly with what they were trying

to do.

Fossils were long considered very mysterious objects, appearing as they did

to be some product of nature turned to stone.

For instance the coiled fossils called ammonites were sometimes known as

snake stone which to the witch & primitive peoples worldwide represented

knowledge & wisdom of the Divine Presence. Finding a snake stone was

considered a gift from the Gods & i t was then carried or left on the

household shrine. These fossils were often passed down in families for many

generations. Modern witches place them on the altar during rites for they

produce strong vibrations & are used as a powerful tool to open the mind to

higher wisdom. These fossils are still worn or carried in a putsi today.

A fossil credited with great magical properties is the Shepherds crown, a

kind of fossilized sea urchin. These were often a perfect heart shape with a

5 pointed star on top. A closely similar variety but more high & rounded is

called fairy loaves. These fossilized sea urchins have been found as grave

goods in Neolithic burials & were associated with the ancient Druids.

These fossils were placed on the window-sill to protect the home from

lightning & the evil eye. Placed on the hearth they were used as guardians

against negative influences / evil / bane affecting the food which was

prepared there. If some family member was taking a long journey, one of these

fossils was placed in a bag with some healing herbs & given to them along

with food for the journey. The herbs were for any minor illness or accident,

the fossil was a link to the hearth guardian which would then keep them safe

from bane.

Modern Neo-Pagans place a collection of these fossils, some shells, seed

pods, nuts, corn, holey stones, acorns & a vase of fresh flowers or herbs,

on a small table in a dark corner in the home, above them is hung the glass

witch ball & nearby some seaweed is hung. This is a powerful combination to

combat negativity in the home.

Another fossil that was used as a protective amulet for the home is " the

witch stone". This name is also given to flint with a natural hole in it, but

the real Sussex witch stone is a small fossil in the perfect form of a bead,

round & white, faintly glittering & with a hole in the middle, these were

wore or placed amongst other objects on the shrine & on the altar during

magical work. These fossils are also found in Yorkshire & other places,

They're actually a fossil sponge, the product of war m seas of millions of

years ago. Their correct name is Porosphera globulans.

The long pointed fossils called belemites are some what phallic in shape &

associated with luck, protection & fertility, they are symbolic of the Great

God of nature & are recognised as a life sign / symbol. These are some times

known as " thunder st ones" or " thunder bolts" perhaps from confusion with

meteorites which were associated with Sky Gods, dramatic change & weather

magic.

The belemite is actually the fossilized internal shell of a cephalopod, some

prehistoric ancestor of our squids & cuttlefish. These fossils were sometimes

used to strengthen & bring fertility to cattle. They were dipped into their

water, along with two rounded pebbles to symbolise testicles.

They were also used in fertility rites & during harvest festivals & they too

had their place on the altar & window sill.

Two substances long regarded as magical are amber & jet. Both are fossils,

amber is fossilized resin, & jet is fossilized wood. These were time honoured

bringers of luck, health, healing & protection on all levels. Both empower

the person & when worn within circle magnify the electrical field. Within the

witch Clans of old, it was during the Warrior & First Flowing rites that the

young were given their first amber or jet bead. No self respecting witch then

or now, does not own a piece of one or both of these magical tools.

Coral though not a fossil is used in the same way, for it shares the amber &

jet qualities. Large pieces of coral are used to draw luck, health, healing &

protection to the home.

Jet had another use, it protected from nightmares, aided astral travel by

protecting the body while away, & it also cured depression by averting the

evil eye from the wearer. All fossils are used in past life working.

BLESSED BE.