Hagstones

Writes Patti Wigington on the LearnReligions website:

Hagstones are rocks that have naturally occurring holes in them. The oddity of the stones has long made them a focus of folk magic, where they've been used for everything from fertility spells to warding off ghosts. The names for the rocks vary by region, but hagstones have been viewed as magical across the world.

Well I found several hagstones as I walked along the beach at Whitby last month, one of which I took home with me. I attribute no powers or magic to the object; it is just a curious natural phenomenon, caused by water eroding a section of a larger stone. Yet how susceptible we are to thinking that objects and trinkets possess special powers or meaning. A friendly robin we think is grandma coming back to say hello. A particular number of magpies in a field we think laden with significance. The alignment of the stars we assume to be concerned by our love life. We fallen humans see spiritual truth where it is not found, while ignoring it where it is:

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Romans 1:20-23, NKJV