I've been reading about herbalism and in two books I've read that iron tools should be avoided because iron "destroys magic". I've also heard something similar in a non-magical context regarding soil implements, that iron tools disrupt the soil in some particular way and that copper tools are better.
I'm not having much luck finding an explanation for this or figuring out what it's based on. Does anyone know more about this?
There are old superstitions that Iron can stop witches. So, modern witches have often used this superstition agains using iron in tools. Iron is associated with the planet Mars. It's a fine metal to use for martial type workings. Copper, on the other hand is often associated with Venus, so it would not always be the most appropriate material for everything. It's interesting to note that cauldrons are usually iron, so I'm not sure why these experts are OK with that but not other iron tools. Also it is hypothesized by some scientists that the molten core of the earth is Iron. There's a lot to navigate when you are reading about the Craft on the Internet. Much of what is taken as "law" I personally don't agree with. BB