Temple of Time: Big Key (TP)

I'm currently doing my second playthrough of TP since it was released and I've noticed that I've got the 'Big Key' pretty early(ish) into the dungeon. So far I've got the Map and the Compass, but I don't have the dungeons weapon yet (I forget the name of the wand/rod). Are you meant to get this key this early into the dungeon?

Thanks.

Nope, you got it too early. Consider your file broken, and your game will crash as soon as you get the Dominion Rod. Better just start over now and save yourself the grief.

Heh, I've finished the temple now and everything is fine? Hm...I just used the armour from the back of those armoured bug-things on the switches as well as the min-statues to gain the 'Big Key'.

im confused... so you beat the temple with out the dominion rod? thats not possible is it?

Yeah? How the heck did you do that? And besides, your going to need it later on in the game o.O
But your probably already know this (:

You don't need the Dominion Rod to get the Big Key, ironically.

You do need it for the boss, though.