Why Gobniu’s Forge?

Why are we, in the outer, called Gobnius Forge? In traditional witchcraft the cunning fire burns, and connected with the fire, and the cultivation of fire by human kind, there are certain significant figures in the mythology of the craft. Two such figures are the metallurgist Tubal Cain, and the wonder smith Wayland.

In searching for a relationship to these traditions in Ireland I turned to Irelands master smith, Gobniu. A fuller significance can be obtained from the study of the material on these three figures – Tubal Cain, Wayland, and Gobniu. Suffice to say that in our context the name of the hearthfire, Gobniu’s Forge, is an expression of the light of cunning here in Ireland. May it kindle, May it burn!