Quotes from book
The Forge and the Crucible

The Forge and the Crucible

The Forge and the Crucible is a 1956 book by the Romanian historian of religion Mircea Eliade. It traces historical rites and symbols associated with mines, smiths and other metal workers. An English translation by Stephen Corrin was published in 1962.


Mircea Eliade photo

“He who 'makes' real things is he who knows the secret of making them.”

The Forge and the Crucible (1956).
Context: In virtue of this, the artisan is a connoisseur of secrets, a magician; thus all crafts include some kind off initiation and are handed down by an occult tradition. He who 'makes' real things is he who knows the secret of making them.

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