The horseshoe has served as a practical tool of protection —both in the realms of the mundane and mystical. These iron shoes have protected the hooves of horses, as well as, hung in and around the homes of the wise ones for centuries.
In the context of folklore and craft practice, the iron horseshoe has been used as a charm of protection against malefic spirits and those practitioners of the crooked plough. It is also a charm associated with luck and good fortune.
The Protective Properties of Iron
The Virtues of Iron are well documented throughout the age of antiquity and within the writings of Pliny the Elder. The supernatural or spiritual oriented proprieties of iron will protect any dwelling from malevolent spirits, negative forces, and those of the hidden arts that attempt to harm and oppress.
It is also believed this charm can dispel evil, directed, thoughts such as the “maluke” or overlook.
The Shape of the Shoe
The “horns” and “arch” of the horseshoe are associated with various types of magickal symbolism that are considered protective and generate good luck and prosperity.
The arch of the shoe is reminiscent of wooden boughs Scottish farmers would fashion from Rowan or Mountain-Ash trees to safeguard livestock from evil spirits. These boughs would be placed at the entrance ways of livestock pens.
The horseshoe can also be seen as having the corresponding shape of that of the crescent moon, which to the old wise ones has been thought to have positive influence over agriculture, nature and all those who live under its illuminating glow.
The arch aspect of the shoe can also be associated with the womb, the cauldron, the well, which invokes the energy of creation, life, prosperity, and wealth.
The "stang" or "horn" aspects of the horseshoe can also be reminiscent of various types of sacred horned animals and their protective nature; such as the deer or stag, horned serpent, goat, bull, etc.
Luck and Good Fortune
In various cultures, such the horse is regarded as a lucky animal; thus, when the horseman rides into newly planted fields, it is believed the crop will be abundant and provide a great yield that season.
The lucky number 7 is also associated with the horseshoe charm, as it is believed seven nails are needed to secure it to a door or archway.
The Folktale of Saint Dunstan
Within the Christian arcana, there exists the 10th-Century legend of Saint Dunstan.
Before becoming the Archbishop of Canterbury, Saint Dunstan worked as a blacksmith.
According to legend, the devil had walked into his blacksmith shop and asked for his horse to be shoed. Dunstan, who pretended not to recognize him, agreed to the task. However, in a twist of events, Dunstan nailed the horseshoes to the devil’s hooves instead. While the devil was in agonizing pain, Dunstan shrewdly bargained with the him, stating he would only remove the horseshoes if the devil would never enter a home with a horseshoe nailed to the door.
The Horseshoe Charms offered at the Saint & Sorcerer are also infused with Saturnian and Jupitarian energy to offer increased protection and open pathways for those to plant and harvest opportunity and prosperity.