Thunderstone General

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Numerous folk tales mention the “thunderstone” – an object that supposedly falls to the ground along with lightning during a storm. Sometimes it falls immediately; other times it appears only after seven days, months, or even years. Its size is said to depend on the strength of the lightning, the depth it burrowed into upon impact, and the manner in which it later surfaced.
This led to various popular beliefs about it, which, however, had little basis in reality. In fact, “thunderstone” referred to various prehistoric stone tools or different types of stones notable for their unusual colour, shape, or unique location in the landscape.
The thunderstone was reputedly believed to bring abundant crops and to protect fields from lightning, hail, and pests. One custom stemming from pagan traditions was, for example, placing a thunderstone into seeds at sowing time.
The stone, however, had not only a magical but also a practical function. It was used to mark territorial boundaries and served as a safeguard for clearly defined territory. Sometimes it could even become part of tools or weapons.

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