Metal Magic

 Many of us wear jewelry every (or nearly every) day. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc… Sometimes we choose them for aesthetic reasons, or sentimental reasons, but sometimes we choose the jewelry we wear for other, more magical, reasons.
The magical reasons we choose these body adornments can vary greatly, but when we do, we often take great care to choose the right stones and designs for the job, often while still finding it aesthetically pleasing. I wonder though, how often we consider the metals used as well.
Like crystals, metals also have their own frequencies. They lend their influence to our everyday lives and magical practices alike. Two of the most popular metals chosen for jewelry are gold and silver.
Gold, which corresponds to the sun, has a warm energy. It not only holds energy; it attracts and amplifies it as well. A good metal for creating and manifesting.
Silver, which corresponds to the moon, is energetically cool. Like light off the moons surface, its energy is reflective. However, it can also deflect energy, thereby giving it a protective quality. This also means that if you are trying to call something in, it may actually bounce off of you, so be aware.
Other metals used for magical purposes are:
Copper, which is used to conduct energy. It helps create movement, flow, circulation. It is also considered to bridge the gap between the physical and spiritual realms.
Lead is used for its grounding and protective characteristics, but also valued, especially by alchemists, for its potential influence over transformation, transmutation, and also exhibited potential for cursing.
Iron, often associated with grounding and strength, also offers protective energies. If you know anything of faery lore, you may have heard that it is supposed to protect against the fey and their magic, though that protection extends out to other potentially malevolent forces/energies as well. It is also said to have a dampening or barrier-like effect towards all magic, and so is sometimes avoided all together by some magical practitioners.
These are just some of the metals used for magical purposes. If you would like to learn more about using/wearing metal for magical purposes there are a few books out on the subject. I recommend Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham.
So, do you use metals in your magical workings? Do you wear them with intention? Do you take their energetic influence into consideration when purchasing jewelry, or do you choose them for purely aesthetic reasons? Would you (re)consider their influence now?