i cant surf with 'gruagach' or 'gruagach stone' , but however somehow i found "three brothers of grugith" in cornwall,england. it said it inhabitant by a fairy called gruagach (long haired)? pouring milk in its stone hollow? what does it means with 'often found in front yard , so what kind of stone do they talk about ?
then iron for 'keep the fae away' , why or in what occasion do we need to keep the fae away ?(somehowmaybe fairy is wooden element that weak against metal ,but what others think about this?
A gruagachstone is typically a standing stone where offerings such as milk or honey were left for the far, called gruagach.
In my current locale there are many such stones erected in front yards of old houses and there are a couple businesses in town which have one.
I live in the U.S. and it's interesting to still see this faery folklore, ingrained in the older houses about the town.
Instances where you'd want to keep away the fae are in the case they become dangerous or malicious. You'd generally want to know how to protect yourself and deal with the situation.
Traditionally, black/raw iron (iron in its basic state, and not smelted into steel) is strongly disliked by the Fae. I'm not clear on the reason why thoigh- Too many influences from pop culture have invaded my reading/research.
I think it has to do with iron being a powerful grounding mineral (it *is* conductive after all). It is the same reason Iron is a protective element for magic in general, so that thought is what makes sense to me.
What I've read about iron -- and it may well be something made up in much more recent times -- is that [at least some] fae supposedly see it as manipulating nature. Stone can be shaped with knapping, and it's still stone. Wood can be carved, and it's still wood. Steel was stone, and must be melted, smelted, alloyed, amended with carbon, etc., to become useful for any specific purpose. It's as if mankind is trying to create with something already created.
That said, it doesn't make too much sense to me in the face of similarities with processing copper, lead, tin, into bronze, brass, and pewter, for easy examples, as well as smelting and purifying precious metals.
I have read in a recent book purchase, Urban Faery Magick, it supposed that the reason may have to do with Irons ability to conduct. The author poses the fae may take a disliking to things of a conductive nature.
Personally I am not certain why it is said the fae stay clear of iron other than it is told time and time again within faery lore.
Old stories of the fae folk and how individuals within these tales overcame.
Iron Lore is interesting in that it comes from multiple sources throughout history. Historically we see references in English and other European cultures the use of iron items for luck such as the horse shoe and the term cold iron tis a reference to the historical idea that iron repels, contains, and and may harm energy and creatures perceived to be negative. As some spirits and magical creatures are known for trouble, harm, or mischief , one way to improve an issue was the use of iron. This is why iron fences were placed around cemeteries and hung over doorways. Meteoric iron or sky iron is highly prized through out the Himalayas and is used in the creation of signing bowls. The belief that the sky iron is the best material to create the physical representation of a vajara or ritual weapon.The is magical properties to all metals and each one is quite fascinating.
Below are some links to further reading and items related to this topic.
