Aetite

Aetite, meaning "eagle stone", is a type of precious stone formed from iron oxide with some silex and alumina. Spence, L. (1920). An Encyclopædia of Occultism. 2 ed. pg. 4
According to de Plancy, it is said to be found in the nests of eaglesde Plancy, J. C., (1863). Dictionnaire Infernal. 6ed. pg.8, while Spence says that it is rumoured to be found in the stomach or neck of an eagle. 
According to Matthiole, eagles will fly as far as India (from the Mediterranean) to find this stone, as its presence supposedly makes it easier for their young to hatch. From this comes the belief that aetite makes childbirth easier if a pregnant woman wears it above the knee, or of delaying it if worn on the chest or arm
Spence says it was also used to cure falling sickness.
According to Dioscorides, it was used in the past to determine the identities of thieves: it was burned and the ashes mixed into bread that would be fed to suspected thieves. Supposedly, the thief would be unable to swallow the piece due to the tiny bits of aetite inside. De Plancy claims that a form of this practice was still used in Greece during the 19th century, with the addition of some magic words.
== See Also ==
* Alphitomancy
== References ==
Category:Dictionnaire Infernal
Category:Rituals
Category:Materials
Category:An Encyclopædia of Occultism