“The most important thing to know about metal magic is that anyone can do it. Metals are a part of us. We just need to re- remember how to build those relationships and connections.”
– Sam “Bo” Thompson
I recently had the pleasure recently to converse with Sam Bo Thompson, author of Metal Never Lies: An Introduction to Metal Magic and long time magical blacksmith. My intention was to put metal magic more at the forefront of the conversation considering some of the current challenges our world is facing right now, and metal being deeply associated with balance and justice in the wider perspective. Our conversation though took an unexpected turn and focus.
Beyond Blacksmithing
I met Sam at the Morrigan’s Call Retreat many years ago. and have followed along his journey since then. I was intrigued by how he wove his metal craft with his magic and devotion to The Morrigan. It wasn’t just crafting with magical intention though – He crafted according to cycles, phases of the moon, weaving energies of the earth and Unseen realms as he shaped the metal. Channeling the powers of The Morrigan, the lessons She taught him, the paths of transformations, to create works of pure mastery.
He had a variety of pieces he created with him, and every time I’d touch one I could feel the weaves of energy. I was fascinated because I had never seen or heard of anyone crafting this way. I had never felt metal move me in this way. However, I am not a blacksmith though, and it is a skill that is not part of my wheelhouse. The power and beauty I was experiencing holding one of his pieces felt beyond me because of this.
When I did my first review of his book. back in 2023 we had talked about this. In the book he talks more about the relationship to metal, the bonds of energy within it and between us. How it is not just the blacksmithing aspect, and that even people like me could connect and work with metal tools in this way. This was a refreshing take on it since just about all of us has at least one tool sitting on our altar that is metal – looking at you little cauldron.
Even with all that, I still struggled a bit with my own relationship to metal. In our modern world we are not very connected to the processing of metal as we were back in the day. Even knowing the combination of energies within an item can be challenging, because you are not sure where it was sourced, how they processed it, or what was added in to it. My logical side was running amok with questions that I didn’t really need answered – I just needed to listen.
This is where this current conversation diverged and a new perspective emerged. It isn’t always about the science – it is the relationship.
The Walk
Sam described to me a process that let it all click for me.
As a smith, he has a lot of different metals around his shop and land. He collects them from various places, mostly used and dis-guarded fragments of other tools or creations.
When he goes to craft an item he first just walks around listening to the metal. Touching different pieces – not to choose from but to listen to. What does the metal want to become. What energies are woven into it already. How does it want to be shaped. He lets the metal speak and show him the next form it will take.
It is all about being in relationship with the metal, listening to it, not trying to dominate it. Too often people try to make something fit our need, instead of asking the tool if it wants to do the job. Yes, this is a very animistic approach to working – but magic is about energy, and energy is the foundation of animistic thinking.
The acronym he uses to describe the process is FLOW
- Feel
- Listening
- Open to what it wants
- Work – do the work
He thinks about the metals make-up, what kind of metal it is, and does that fit energetically with the new purpose it will take on. Sam has even devised a whole magical system where this is concerned:
- East is Brass – It is Wise, Introspective, Collaborative
- West is Copper – Healing, Antimicrobial, Blood of the Earth
- North is Iron – Solid, Steady, Laser focus “what do I do”
- South is Bronze – Bright, Reflective, Joyful
A directional practice with directional alloys. Using this system and perspective allows him to stay in flow with the metal and what it becomes in its next life through his forging of it.
Transformation – the ending of one purpose giving way for it to rebirth as another. As a death witch, this makes complete sense and cleared up some of my blind-spots when it came to metal magic.
Creating Your Own
Sam encourages creating your own tools when you can. Like me, he feels the ones we create ourselves are always going to be more powerful because of our energy is ingrained in the creation process itself. Although he does teach a blacksmithing workshop, combining magic and metal working for those who want to learn the craft – He emphasizes that smithing is just one way of creating magic with metal and encourages others to explore and experiment with other techniques.
A simple exercise to begin with is by creating a talisman/ amulet with a simple metal washer. They come in different metal types, easily found in most stores, or perhaps you have some old ones laying just laying around the house right now. You can construct it for many uses, such as a protection ward – to bring in prosperity and happiness – to open doors – or enhance an energy. These are just a few examples to get your mind going.
- Grab you washer.
- Then with your anthem (knife), a nail, or sharpie – write or draw the intention onto the washer. If you are using a tool like your anthem, it is already bound and infused with your energy. If you are going to use something else, you can add some more umph by consecrating in some way to build that added energy. For example, if you are going to use a nail or sharpie – perhaps carry it around with you for a few days first, listening to it and blending with it.
- Carve in the words, sigils or symbols, into the washer.
- Then hang it or place it where you want that spell to work.
Right Relationship
Metal Magic starts where all magic starts – Building relationships and the right relationship. There is a balance between you and the object. Each of your energies playing a role, weaving together for the same goal.
Relationships take time, patience, listening, and being fully present.
What metal objects are currently on your altar or that you use in your practice?
What is your current relationship with them?
What is their energy like? What is the work they like to do? How do you work within that?
These are all great questions to ask if you never have before. It is not just a “tool,” it is your ally. To get the best possible results in your work, it requires working together, cohesively and harmoniously with the energies that are already present.
How can they help boost a particular working? What is the best one to use based on its energy?
Often people will pick a tool for the convenience, because it is there – but not think about the energy the tool already possesses and how that might mix in the working. People consider the energy of the ingredients, but what about the container they are being mixed it or held in as the spell works its magic?
Think about the possible difference that can occur with a spell if we use a scribe we have a bond with, a clear working relationship with. Not only is our energy powering the spell, but the energy of that scribe is amplifying it along side us. Not just a random pin, but a tool that wants us to succeed because we have built a harmonious relationship with it and our energies together, and doing work that it wants to do as well.
This understanding and movement also brings us to a place of consideration – going back to being in Right Relationship with them. If you do a variety of different kinds of workings, you may need more than one tool. Thinking back to the listening part, what kind of work does this tool want to do with me? What is aligned with its own energy? What does that energy compliment and where might it repel?
People are not “one-size-fits-all” and I would say neither are the tools we use. This is just something else to consider as you reflect on your own tools, tools you want to create for your practice, and discovering your personal relationship with them. Just like with every person – every tool is its own energy and holds its own sovereignty – so take the time to get to know them in that way and see what changes in your practice.
Ending Suggestions
If this interests you – If you want to take your craft and tools to a new level, I highly suggest experimenting with metal magic. Try out the exercise Sam shared with the washers. Take stock of what has metal in it that sits on your altar or in your working space right now. Pick it up, feel it, and listen to it.
Check out Sam’s website to learn more, browse his blog, check out his book, peruse his shop, listen to some of his podcasts and more. Gain deeper insights, and discover new ways to build that relationship.
If you are interested in smithing, check out his workshops – they usually have a wait list as those stay pretty filled.
If you are like me, and smithing is not your route but you want an incredible piece to start building with – check out the items in his store! To me, their energy is palpable with this eagerness to connect and start working.
In the end, there is metal all around us and flowing within us. It all has an energy and life of its own. Connecting to it and working with it can add a whole new layer to your magic.
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