The following is my translation of an article called: Von Zauber- und Wundersteine von K Diedrichs, Eutin. It appeared in a German popular science magazine, Kosmos Handweiser für Naturfreunde 1909, Heft 3, Seiten 74-77. I'm not aware of any previous translation.
Trevor Dykes.

Of magical and miraculous stones by K Diedrichs, Eutin

All over the Earth are found the petrified remains of prehistoric animals, and they come to light in such numbers that even the most naive observers cannot fail to notice them.

In the Middle Ages, a time when beliefs in witchcraft and magic were blossoming, puzzling 'stones' of this sort seemed very remarkable objects. Plinius, Konrad Gesner, Anselmus Boetius and other ancient authors of natural history tell us of the miraculous power of such prehistoric animal remains. And it was already reported in the Bible that King Salomo, the keeper of the seals of all natural secrets, had knowledge of the secret powers of all stones.

These inexplicable creations of nature were welcome objects for our ancestors, who were joyful at possessing the secrets of a whole series of legends. They saw hidden medicines in these fossils, and they played no small role in their methods of healing. They also played parts in magic and methods of cheating, for those who had a fondness for hocus pocus.

The Keraunien or Kornbanten played a leading role among the magic and miracle stones of antiquity and, even in the present day, we still refer to them as Donnerkeile ('thunder wedges'). Even the names which were used, such as Donnerstein ('thunder stone'), Strahl- or Wetterstein ('ray' or 'weather stone'), Gespensterkerzen ('ghost candles'), Teufelsfinger ('devil's finger') and so on, show that these miracle stones had strong connections with dark, demonic powers. In truth these Donnerkeile, scientifically named belemnites from the Greek belemnon for 'shot', are nothing other than the chalky cores remaining from completely extinct squids of the Cretaceous and Jurassic.

Earlier, these puzzling animal remains were held to be intimately connected with storms. Plinius explained that the Keraunien of montinbus Ceraunius, the Thunder Mountain, had fallen from the sky. The old Germans held that the thunder god, Thor, had thrown the Kornbanten to Earth with thunder and lightning. These beliefs may have been influenced by meteor stones, which had often been seen first hand by people as they descended with fire and noise. Such meteors themselves also counted as miracle stones. Even older and more widespread is the belief that, should an object be hit by lightning, a tree, a building or something of the kind, and is left in ruins, then the damage was inflicted by such a descending Donnerkeil. The versatile healing powers of Keraunien were partly promoted by the fact that they could be worn on an armband or necklace, and the wearer would not only gain great power, but they would also have protection from being hit by lightning. Among the other old quack uses claimed for such Keraunien talismans was the power of invisibility. Thunder stones were also credited with magical charlatanism. Powder was made from them as a famous and sure cure against yellow fever, and this could still be found in pharmacies during the middle of the 18th century. These stones were also used against shingles and against cramps. They protected children from most serious juvenile illnesses if laid in the cradle. Probably, the Keraunien owed all these proscribed magical properties to the fact that, if they are heavily rubbed, then they give off a strong characteristic smell of bitumen, and this is because they contain some amount of sulphur.

Another no less important form of magic stones were Glossopetren. These are simply petrified teeth from fossil sharks. This means our ancestors preferred not to see such fossils as natural products. The old Konrad Gesner dealt with these Zungensteinen ('tongue stones') thoroughly in his book on dug up things, stones and gems. Schlangenzungen ('snake tongues'), as Glossopetren were also named, were highly valued as miracle stones in olden days, and this had much to do with the legend of the apostle Paul on the island of Melite, today's Malta, where he was bitten by a poison snake without dying. The tongue of the snake was turned to stone as a punishment. As it was earlier assumed that snakes delivered the venom to victims by means of a forked tongue, it was logical enough to believe that such fossilized shark teeth, which vaguely look like such tongues, were the altered tongues of snakes. And so they saw these strange stones, according to what they termed their signatures, as best the best antidote against poisoning in all forms. As with the Donnerkeile, Glossopteren were also worn as talismans around the neck. They were sometimes set in gold or silver and used as ear or finger rings. Should, however, they be required for service, then they had to necessarily be in contact with the bare skin of the wearer. So as to make this easier for children, the Glossopteren were worn at the neck, and epileptics had stones pressed against the back of the neck to make their secret powers work. Such excellent miracle stones were naturally in high demand, and the business-minded found there was a rewarding trade. This still happens in distant China, and it was not dissimilar to some of the medical knowledge of the sons of that heavenly empire. Representatives of medicinal practice there work with all available esoteric means, and one can find fossilised animal remains in pharmacies still on offer as miraculous medicines.

So called Brontien and Ombrien were also widely known as miracle and magical stones. These strange things are also fossilised remains from prehistoric animals which are still very common, especially on beaches of the Baltic Sea. They are nothing other than the flint stone cores of the shells from extinct Sea anemones. These fossilised animal remains are pretty constructions of a regular form decorated with five double stripes, and between these lie various bumps and plates. One supernatural legend states Brontien are made from toads and snakes, and that is why Brontien are often called Krötensteine ('toad stones'). Alternatively, it was believed that Brontien fell to Earth from the sky. These miracle stones were ascribed magical energies, and that made them much prized and sought after articles. Their excellent healing qualities lay in the purification of the inner body from all impurities. They also reduced all pains resulting from bites or stings from venomous animals. Should a Krötenstein be placed near poison then it would begin to sweat. These Brontien also leant psychic abilities when worn and helped ensure victories, and that is why Krötensteine were often used in daggers during olden times.

The spikes of these prehistoric Sea anemones were also valued as versatile magical stones. They were commonly given the name of Juden- or Grummelsteine ('Jew' or 'mumbling stones'). Plinius related in his Historia naturalis of such lapides judaici in antiquity, which he called Thekolithen ('smashing stones'). Their miraculous effects were especially useful for getting rid of bladder- and kidney stones. With the magic stones already mentioned, we have nowhere near exhausted all the possibilities. Ancient times knew many more, and some were no less renowned. For example, Bonifaziuspfennige ('Boniface's pennies'), also Sieg- or Sternsteine ('victory-' or 'star stones'), lapides stellares, are nothing other than round segments of Sea lily stems, reminiscent of small coins, and these are mostly from odd, extinct genera of Sea stars. Sometimes, these small remains of long extinct animals are so common, that entire mountains are dominated by them.

Finally, much sought after miracle stones included the highly characteristic houses of prehistoric families of cephalopods, the so called ammonites. These fossilised animal homes, some or which reached massive sizes and are of superb ornamental beauty, had a religious significance in ancient days. At least, this was ascribed to them as a consequence of a similarity to goat horns which, in memorials of antiquity, were associated with the god Ammon or Jupiter. The most valuable horns of Ammon were gold in colour; rather than consisting of slate, these are from gold-yellow sulphur gravel. The enviable owner of such geldenen Sonnesteine ('golden sunstones') should experience meaningful, revealing dreams.

"So each thing has its heavenly aspect from which comes the miraculous power of its effect", said Michael Scotus in his puoch der natur.

Everything hidden in this belief in miracles and legends is ancient, and perhaps it was already brought by our ancestors from their original Indian home. Spiritual and profane scholars, sea voyagers, Jew and Gypsies, have constantly helped increase the treasure, from which some has been preserved into our age.

An index of more of my translations of old Kosmos articles can be found at:

Kosmos Translations Archive
kosmostranslations.htm

A number of Mesozoic (and post-Mesozoic) location summaries can be found at Localities.