Metal Never Lies: An Introduction to Metal Magic

by Sam 'Bo' Thompson

Metal Never Lies is written for those who yearn to add more to their magic and spiritual lives. They have that itch that knows there is something missing, something new yet ancient. Through tested and proven methods, Metal Never Lies answers the How can I use Metal Magic to enhance my Spiritual practice?
In Metal Never Lies , readers
• Use a dependable blueprint to deeply understand metal ‘personalities’ like never before
• Examine hints as seen in Irish lore of metal magic and how it may be impactful today
• Gain a robust understanding of the properties of some common metals
• Explore current uses and ponder ways to incorporate metal magic into your daily life
• Experiment with different ‘make your own’ projects
• Rituals to help incorporate metal into your practice
• And more! Upon completion the participant will have a strong confidence in multiple techniques to include different metals magically on a regular basis. Along the way the reader can create items, both simple and advanced, to aid them in their spiritual practice.
This book is unique in several ways. It is written by a current and successful magical blacksmith , who has shipped magical metal items over much of the world. One who currently teaches the craft of blacksmithing in a primitive method as well as metal magic. This book has been specifically designed so you can learn magical metal work with minimal tools that most people will have on hand or easily acquired. It is my goal that you spend your time doing the work, not collecting gadgets. Get your copy now and start your journey in metal magic!

173 pages, Paperback

Published July 31, 2022

About the author

A tad bit about me:

I’ve been a practicing pagan since the 90's (does that date me or what?), past VP and President of Triad CUUPs (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans). During the years I have become a Reiki Master Teacher and a certified Great Life Coach. I learned Primitive Blacksmithing Around 2012 and took to it like a duck to water. I am honored to have been a finalist in Our State Magazine for a forged steel and copper rose. I teach both Primitive Blacksmithing and Magical Blacksmithing in the Foothills of NC. The focal point of my Work is on the magical part of blacksmithing and I am currently a full-time magical smith. Being a Priest of the Morrigan heavily influences what I do, and the smithy is dedicated to Her. I am also a proud Army Veteran. Find out what I am up to at:
https://www.ravenskeepforge.com/

Reviews

[Sionainn]

Did I want to read a book about metal magick? I wouldn’t have thought so.
Did I need to read a book about metal magick? Yes, I did.
Do I want to run out, create a forge and start working with metal? I sort of do, though luckily, I’m practical and honest with myself in that it’s not feasible. Yet.

Metal Never Lies is a fantastic book that helps explain how to incorporate metal into your practice. More than that, it’s a great example of animist thinking and honestly, I feel can translate deeper than metal- it can be used in many of our tools and materials. I’m thinking drums, paintbrushes, paints and canvas, knitting needles (oh ho ho- those metal ones are really nice!)

Sam has such a unique writing style- it’s literally like listening to him tell a story. You can hear his love and appreciation, his respect for the metals he works with, but for the process, and for his deity. He weaves a picture of past, present and future- the past being the lore and the history of each piece he picks up to work with, the present his workings with metal, his relationship with metal, his process and his forge, and the future being all that hasn’t been created yet but will.

I’ll be re-reading this again- this time doing the work. I always read first, then re-read. But even if I didn’t, it’s given life to feelings I’ve had before as a spiritual practitioner, witch and animist- to connect with my tools, and the things I work with, to develop a relationship and maintain respect with the things around me. And if I make myself a bracelet, a pendant as well as develop a stronger, more connected relationship with my metal tools, it’s because this book help give voice to them.

Even if you don’t work with metal, I highly recommend this book to deepen you magickal practice.

[M Phillips]

As someone who honors and serves the Irish goddess, Brigid, you’d think I’d have a greater interest in blacksmithing due to her connections to the anvil. You’d think I would have read more on the topic or perhaps taken a workshop, but you’d be wrong. Well, you would have been wrong up until recently when I delved into an ebook of Metal Never Lies by Sam “Bo” Thompson.

I first learned of Thompson’s work through a fellow Pagan acquaintance online. She shared a photo of a metal tool she’d purchased from a polytheist blacksmith. I’m always keen to support other Pagan artisans, so I naturally started following Raven’s Keep Forge on social media. When he updated that he’d made and stocked small copper offering bowls and anvil dust, I was moved to purchase the items for my Brigid shrine and devotionals. Later, I purchased an iron hair stick with a swirl at the top. It doubles as a wand with which to write sigils into candles. Beautiful and twice and functional? Sign me up.

Then Thompson wrote and published his book, Metal Never Lies. I was interested in deepening my understanding of metal lore, and he serendipitously offered me an ARC copy to read and review.

Metal Never Lies is a great primer on incorporating metal into your magical practice. The author’s friendly voice shines through as he shares stories, insight, and wisdom on the ins and outs of metallurgy, folklore, and working with the medium from a Pagan point of view. It’s both insightful and very accessible to newcomers.

If you aren’t a metalsmith, I promise you’ll get something from this book as I did. Thompson shifted my perspectives on incorporating metal in my own spiritual path as a Druid and animist. Each chapter contains reflective exercises, and I soon realized I’m not paying enough attention to my metallic allies.

The author himself states that he’s not an expert in the lore, but he offers a multicultural list of deities and myth associated with metallurgy. I was a little surprised and saddened he didn’t spend more time discussing Brigid or Goibniu in the section on Irish lore, but they at least get a mention. Once more, Thompson never asserts his text is definitive, and the bits of info he supplies is enough to get a seeker on the right path.

I would have liked some more images or photos to go along with the text, especially when he speaks about tools or Ogham. Though I have enough knowledge of the ancient Irish alphabet, anyone unfamiliar to the folklore may be taken out of Thompson’s narrative flow wondering what he’s describing. That’s a very minor critique, however. As long as the reader goes into this book knowing it’s a very informal introduction, they will glean a lot of knowledge and perspective. I definitely recommend this book to any polytheist seeking to explore new avenues of magic.

You can find Metal Never Lies through Raven’s Keep Forge or Amazon. Don’t forget to check out Sam “Bo” Thompson’s many beautiful pieces available to purchase from the forge!

[Kathryn Mitchell]

I loved this book. It was very informative and I took a lot away from it. It was never dry though, you feel as though you are listening to the author talking with you and teaching you about things as you move through the pages. Sam has a great easy reading style that made a complicated subject feel reachable and inspired me to try this on my own. That’s something I would never have dreamed I could do before I read this! Highly recommended!!!

[Christopher Hickey]

A Landmark Work

Metal Never Lies is going to be an indispensable reference. There is a lot here, and it will be well worth going back to, both in my metalworking practice, and in my relationship to the metal itself.

Luckily, being the only book on the intersection between forging and spirituality that I can think of doesn’t make it the best one simply by default; the conversational style makes it easy to follow, and the breadth of experience Sam has gives the reader full confidence that he knows his stuff.

This is an important work for those who feel called to working and Working with metal. I can’t recommend it highly enough to those who would follow along in that old tradition.

[Nanci Moy]

I had the pleasure of attending an excellent workshop by Bo Thompson where he talked about the magical properties of different metals, allowed us to handle several metal samples and beautiful items he'd created himself, and told us about his forge and this book. I've been a priestess of the Celtic goddess Brigid for decades, and as she's a patroness of smiths I felt compelled to buy "Metal Never Lies" and found it fascinating. I echo what others have said about the contents of the chapters. They are informative, easy to read and comprehend, full of insights, and a treasure to have particularly by Pagans like myself who seek to strengthen our connections to the magic all around us in a myriad of forms.

[Katie]

A wonderful WORKING book, and I mean that. This book can help you begin, reconnect, or even deepen your relationship with metal. Like the other reviews, this book is for those of all skill levels no matter your connection with metal. It can be your first experience or as you'll probably realize, your millionth. I see this book as a tool you can use to truly connect to metal, like you do with any other element so to speak. He takes you every step of the way, and guides you through the process. I highly recommend this book.

[Elli]

- English is not my first language. I apologize for possible spelling mistakes. -

I first heard about this book in Ivy the Occultist's interview on her channel. Ivy interviewed Sam Thompson about this book and instantly added it to the read list.

I was not disappointed.

The whole book is just heartwarming. I could feel the author's passion for Metal Magic while reading this book. I also loved the writing style. Reading this felt like talking to a friend.

5 stars!
I think this is a significant book for the witchcraft community.

[V Nichole Rowland]

Great how to with lots of history.

This book is for people of all experience levels. My favorite parts were the history and examples. The book includes material lists and tips to save money in the craft.