The Wild Hunt (https://wildhunt.org/tag/protection)
It was once believed that metal was a gift from the gods, thereby endowing it with protection and auspicious power. This was especially true for copper, from which pennies are made. Copper is ruled by Venus, which means pennies can attract good luck to those who know how to use it for such purposes.
In magic we strive to fulfill our mundane needs in a magical way. Using herbs, stones, bones, or other curio (along with prayer, energy work, and intention) we attempt to conjure forth the hidden spiritual properties within those items to create an environment that will protect us from whatever harmful influences we may encounter.
It was unsurprising to find an article written for new seekers, indeed even targeting people who were exploring astrology, Witchcraft and manifestation, warning them to be cautious as they begin exploring spiritual dimensions. What was surprising was that it was in the New York Times opinion section, written by Ross Douthat, a conservative Catholic.