The Horse Shoe: The True Legend of St. Dunstan and the Devil, Showing How the Horse-Shoe Came to Be a Charm against Witchcraft

This 1913 text by Edward G. Flight examines the legend of Saint Dunstan and his encounter with the Devil, detailing how the horse shoe acquired its protective properties. Flight traces the folklore surrounding this common object, presenting it not merely as a superstition but as a symbol embedded in a specific narrative tradition. The book explains the rituals and beliefs associated with the horse shoe, particularly its function as a ward against witchcraft and other malevolent influences. It delves into the historical and symbolic roots of this practice, connecting it to broader themes in occultism and folk magic. The author's approach is to illuminate the 'true legend,' suggesting a deeper, perhaps forgotten, meaning behind a widely recognized charm. Readers will find a detailed account of a specific piece of occult lore and its cultural significance. Flight's work is an exploration of how a simple object became imbued with potent symbolic power within a specific legendary framework. The narrative focuses on the story of St. Dunstan, a figure in Christian hagiography, and his legendary taming of the Devil using a red-hot horse shoe. This tale forms the core explanation for why horse shoes are hung above doorways and considered a defense against evil. The book is presented as a guide to understanding this particular piece of esoteric tradition, offering insight into the construction and perpetuation of protective charms in Western folklore. It aims to show the underlying symbolism and the narrative that cemented the horse shoe's place in occult belief.