In the era before people understood electricity and magnetism, how did they explain/react to obvious displays that seemed to defy understanding (e.g., static electricity or a magnet being attracted to metal)?

by ExNihiloAdInfinitum
Dareptor

[This answer] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7rvynq/what_did_people_think_about_static_electricity/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb) by u/hillsonghoods might be relevant to you.