Metals in Wicca

Metals are an important part of Wicca rituals and spells and have been prized for centuries for both their magickal and practical uses. According to Wiccan author Skye Alexander in "The Everything Wicca and Witchcraft Book," each type of metal has its own vibration, which proves to be helpful in magick. Each metal relates to a particular planet and day of the week, has its own personality and is the basis for alchemy. Gold, silver, iron, steel and copper are among the metals most commonly used in Wicca.

The Wicca religion tends to adopt the medieval alchemists' belief that everything in the world has an elemental correspondence. The alchemists posited that materials of lesser value have the potential to be transmuted into substances of higher value. Similarly, Wiccans use elements to achieve greater substance through magick. Wiccans may choose specific metals that correspond to their desired goals for a ritual. For example, a dime (ideally coined before 1965, when dimes were mostly silver) can be a powerful part of a ritual in which the magician desires a financial gain, explains Scott Cunningham in "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic." While metals are regarded as sacred, they are to be treated as impure upon acquisition. They must first be cleansed and charged, as they were not likely mined through sacred ritual. Once this is done, their specific properties can be harnessed.

Gold relates to the sun and Sunday and harnesses wealth, power and protection. This precious metal is the core of many important symbolic processes in this world -- whether they are economic, authoritative or simply relating to earth and its energy. It purifies, energizes and strengthens the physical body, which is important for many Wiccans. More specifically, Wiccans may choose to wear gold chains around their necks to promote general health. Using gold and a white candle on a ritual altar may protect the magician, according to Cunningham.

Like gold, silver is an excellent conductor of energy. This metal relates to the moon and has feminine qualities of the Goddess. Silver brings forth insights, creativity and clarity during rituals. It enhances circulation and purifies blood and thoughts. It is best used during rituals that involve the moon, the female force and cycles, emotional balancing, reflecting negativity, psychic awareness and dreams. As mentioned previously, many Wiccans also choose to use silver in money-related spells.

Iron relates to Mars and is the main component of the alloy steel, which is often used in magick for protection. Iron itself also has strong protective qualities for some Wiccans, and it may be considered one of the most important element in the religion. It is used in ritual to warn off malevolent spirits with its power, strength and aggression. Foods that are high in iron content can also prove to be useful in Wicca. These include red meats, beets and dark green vegetables. It must be noted, however, that despite iron's popularity among one subset of Wiccans, the metal is considered by others to be a hindrance during rituals. Cunningham writes that some magicians still remove all traces of iron from their bodies before practicing spells and rituals.

Copper was once exported in mass quantities from Cyprus, the island that is said to be the birthplace of Venus, writes Ann-Marie Gallagher in "The Wicca Bible." Therefore, copper is especially useful in rituals involving love, but it is also powerful when it comes to money, fertility, peace and sensuality. Cunningham writes that copper is often considered a lucky metal, and it may be used in tandem with lucky gemstones. Copper has the potential to conduct powerful energy in health, love, balance and foundations.