There is a misconception that if you are a witch, you shouldn’t use tools that traditionally protect against witches but that just isn’t true. They have been used for hundreds of years because they work, and when it comes to protecting you and your family, you should take full advantage of this.
Horseshoe nails are easier to get your hands on than authentic coffin nails. Made from iron, they are a strong tool for protection against witches, fae, and malevolent spirits. They can be carried, hung on the body, or placed about the house.
You should use nails that have been previously worn by horses. The impact of their feet against the ground intensifies the power that resides in them.
On the person –
*Hang a crooked nail around your neck.
*Carry in a charm bag in lieu of a traditional horseshoe. It carries the same energy but fits in smaller places.
*Slide through the eyelets in your shoe to protect you where you walk.
*Bend a nail to make a ring and wear it for good health.
In the home –
*Drive three nails into your doorframe: one above and two below to create a triangle.
*Secure a horseshoe above your door with three or seven horseshoe nails.
*Hammer a nail into each of the four corners of your home.
*Wrap two horseshoe nails together with red thread in the form of an X and hang about the house.
*Place under the floormat of your car or carry in your bag to protect you when travelling.
In workings –
*Hammer a nail into the center of your ritual area or work site. If you use a bench or table, hammer one into each leg.
*Use blue or red thread and wrap the length of the nail for added protection.
*Use to inscribe candles of protection against evil, ghosts, and malevolent creatures.
As with any tool, think of what the object is made from and how it interacts with the world. Take that knowledge and use it in sympathetic magic. Horseshoe nails are forged by fire. They are used to secure shoes to horses to protect their feet when travelling. They are made from iron which protects against evil. They have a square head which prevents them from going through a round hole. Horseshoes are used in workings for good luck. Think of horseshoe nails as what holds that luck in place.
Whenever possible, use nails that have been worn. Folk magic isn’t a clean aesthetic. It comes from working people, with little funds, who used what they had. Embrace reusing items in your craft. See the rust, the dents, and the bends as power absorbed and waiting to be utilized.
Horseshoe Nails
