Blacksmithing

My projects? I made a table, a sword, a knife, a fire poker, and other small things because I didn't have the money to buy materials, nor time to mine them out - and plus, I was young when I began to learn in apprenticeship, so school took alot of time too then. My last project- I know, you'd think I'd go out with a bang.. Was a spoon. Yep, a damn spoon.

And now, I sit with the remaining hammers and tools, and think.You never know freedom and independance until you make the items you use, be it pottery, utensils, knives, the chair you're sitting on, etc.

My favorite metal is 1076 carbon steel, followed by the soft copper. I love the color of copper, and it's the healer's metal - it has a good feel when I hold it. Carbon steel says to me "the decider," and "useful" meaning it can be anything from a knife, to a pot, and thus it's a versatile metal. Iron is wonderful to work with, and well, I'm not one to listen to the rubbish about Iron "stopping psychic flow." I handle it frequently, and my intuition has not suffered yet. Here is a list of metals from a smithy's view (this is based on folklore, my knowledge of metal, and well, I think common sense.):

Aluminum: a modern metal that conducts electricty, and it hold the influence of the person who held it before.

Brass: used for money, or collecting. It's a soft metal, so it's really maliable. I've heard it's used to attract wealth, and to "warm" the area around it -a metal of fire.

Copper: It's a great conductor, it's a sacred metal to Sivelia, I've seen healing jewelry such as bracelets, necklaces, even toe rings with great results. Some say it attracts love -

Gold: It warrants strength, fortitude, protection, it "warms" the person, money and material power, sending a person's influences or will, lucid dreaming, and to get in touch with the strength of fire,It's the intuitive and spiritual power, divination, and soverignty..

Iron: it's actually a very defensive metal, and it gets warm to the touch when evil or ill will is around - it's a pattern I've seen. Gives courage, firm decision making, matrimony, fertility, beginnings and undertakings, speed (some have told me), and it helps keep firm one's will power. This metal is a creation metal, and is a metal I use as an offering to my matron, Nantosuelta, and to keep things grounded and "straight."

Lead: it's a "weighing" metal, it slows and stops unwanted actions. I've seen it used to bind thieves, and crime of other types. It's also been seen as a death metal, holding it too much can lead to illness, and possibly death.

Mercury: (Quicksilver): Personally, if I can't forge it, I don't consider it a metal per se, but this is a frequent "binder" of intent. Other than that, I don't work with it. Sorry.

Silver: Ah, one of my favorite metals- I've come to think of this metal not so much as "lunar," as I see the moon as male, but a nocturnal metal. As well as making a wonderful piece of artwork, silver is the most popular metal I've seen around.

Steel: not as modern as you think - add carbon to Iron ore, and viola! This is the metal made into swords, axe heads, knives, eating utensils, cooking gear, drinking gear, etc. It's not necessarily a "warrior's metal," but a utilitarian metal - one of many uses. But I do digress I connect with Rudianus and Cathubodua with this metal, as well as with Iron.

Bronze: another favorite metal - not quite one way, or the other. In some lights it's gold, others silver - gotta love that. It's a lucky metal, and a good offering to the otherworld - as it's "inbetween" two different metals.

Tin: also not so modern, it was imported in the ancient world to many cultures, including the Celts. I've heard from a whitesmith that it's a "wise" metal, an enduring metal, and when he carried it, it brough success in his business ventures. I' think I'm going to try that.