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Echinoids, also known as sea urchins, are
amongst the most commonly found fossils. Therefore
it is not surprising that over the years legends
have developed about these fossils, sometimes even
taking on a religious or magical importance.
Originating from Suffolk in Eastern England, the
folklore name of Fairy Loaves was given to the heart
urchin Micraster because they resembled round loaves
of bread. People would place an urchin by the heath
in hope that it would ensure the household would
always have bread. If the household went without
bread for more than a week it was thought witchcraft
had stopped the Fairy Loaves' protective powers.
In Scandinavia thunderstones or echinoids
were frequently worshiped as family gods who kept
off spells and witchcraft. Beer was poured over them
as an offering and they were sometimes anointed with
butter. In Switzerland the owner of a thunderstone
whirls it, on the end of a thong, three times round
his head, and throws it at the door of his dwelling
at the approach of a storm to prevent lightning from
striking the house. In Italy they are hung around
children's necks to protect them from illness and to
ward off the Evil eye. In Roman times they were sewn
inside dog-collars along with a little piece of
coral to keep the dogs from going mad. In Sweden
they offer protection from elves. In the French Alps
they protect sheep, while elsewhere in France they
thought to ease Childbirth. In Burma they are used
as a cure and preventative for appendicitis. In
Japan they cure boils and ulcers. In Malay and
Sumatra they are used to sharpen the kris, are
considered very lucky objects, and are credited with
being touchstones for gold. Among the Slavs they
cure warts on man and beast, and during Passion Week
they have the property to reveal hidden treasure.
Fossil
echinoids or fairy loaves were called thunderstones,
as they were thought to have descended from the
heavens during a thunderstorm. The St. Peter's
Church in Linkenholt, England, was built in 1871
near the location of the old St. Peter's, which had
stood for nearly 700 years. The 1871 version of the
church included fossil echinoids built into the
walls surrounding the windows, a style adopted from
the original. This implies that Thunderstone
folklore was retained for at least 700 years in
England, and had its roots in pagan folklore.
In other myths, fossil echinoids are considered to
be Snakes' Eggs. It was thought that at midsummer
magical Snake Eggs were formed by the froth from
snakes. The froth, shaped into a ball, was believed
to have the power to protect one from deadly
poisons. They are also known as Shepherds' crowns
which gives prosperiy and abundance with power. It
protects the home from all types of misfortune and
calmity. To get one e mail us. |
