Originally published at: Elemental Magic in the Briarverse: Ore - Ackerly Green
Next up this week, an element near and dear to my own Flinter heart, and the third in magimystic order: Ore.
Element: Ore
Associated Guild: Flinterforge
Associated House: House of Creation
Associated Time of Day: Day
Coming on the heels of two of the more intangible elements, Ore brings us quite literally back down to earth. In its most literal form, Ore is, in fact, most similar to the element of Earth in other traditional strains of elemental magic, as it represents the base ingredients of all other forms of matter and creation, and is said to originate from deep within the earth’s core. As the associated element of Flinterforge, aligned with the magimystic House of Creation, this feels only fitting.
And yet, in terms of its use, we also see Ore take on more of a metaphorical mantle, as many modern Flinters choose to view it more as a seed to be planted than a chunk of rock to be excavated. In a figurative sense, Ore is more often understood as a nugget of Creation incarnate: the potential of an idea or a project or a passion that perhaps is stumbled upon, perhaps strategically uncovered, but takes on little meaning of its own unless something is done with it. Whether planted and tended, tossed to the fires, or incorporated into the Day’s Work, it is only when Ore is imbued with the whims of our own sense of creative direction that it begins to take on meaning.
Returning to the more physical side of the metaphysical, Ore can also be used for most forms of grounding work, be it in the form of a spell, charm, or just a bit of mundane reassurance. Due to its strong connection with the earth, a piece of Ore is always recommended for Grounding Hexes, and was also essential to the creation of a physical tether during the Living Spirit dream-walking spell of the Secret Society narrative. Crystal magic is also known to harness the elemental powers of Ore, as different energies can be channeled through different variations of crystals (in the office, we’re partial to Fluorite, Amethyst, and a little bit of Brown Citrine). Even without a specific magical intention, humans have long been drawn to various kinds of stones and rocks for our personal collections, regardless of their innate meanings or magimystical dispositions—I’ve personally kept a worry stone of Connemara marble by my bed since I was probably around ten, never even considering the possibility that it could be used for anything more magical than giving my anxious hands something to touch.
Which is precisely the unique beauty of Ore, however you choose to interpret it. Its magic lies in its ability to influence our own magic, in whichever way we need it to do in that moment. Whether we’re seeking grounding or inspiration—or both, more often than not—Ore is one of the most practical and adaptable elements, ready to lend itself to whatever your practice calls for.
Per usual, we’d love to know what that practice is! Are you partial to a certain variation of crystal? Have a completely different interpretation of Ore and its origins? Have you ever found yourself especially inspired after coming into contact with one of its many manifestations? As ever, we’re all ears.