Thursday, January 3, 2008

Amulets,Charms & Talisman


Amulets, Charms, Fetishes and Talismans
These are essentially items that act as mini-spells housed in an object or a combination of objects, all of which are easily carried around. All get their power from a combination of symbolic value attributed to the item(s), the faith, belief and energy provided by the User and Creator.
Typical components used in Amulets, Charms, Fetishes and Talismans are metals, stones, plants, fabric, candle wax, pins, fruit, coins, and anything else of symbolic value. These can be as simple as merely carrying around a coin, feather or piece of metal to creating something as elaborate as a Dream Catcher or taking more time to handcraft. Often times, those sources saying there are certain requirements or taboos when making such items; such as abstaining from food or sexual activity for a time or it has to be made on a certain day; this was/is done for the sake of purifying one’s spirit or to help put them into the proper frame of mind for doing magick.
An amulet varies slightly from the others in that it’s typically thought of as being worn such as a necklace or ring. A charm varies as well from the others in that they can be quickly spoken or are a quick gesture. Fetishes are often thought to be small objects of a magical nature. However, thisdoes not hold true to the full definition of a charm. According to the "Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desktop Dictionary," the following definition is offered:
Something worn to ward off evil or ensure good luck; an amulet.Any formula or action supposed to have magical power.
The "Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft" further explains this definition by including: magical words, phrases, chants, incantations, inscriptions, and actions which can be used separately or in combination to make a charm.
Acorn
Attracts the opposite gender, increases income, divine powers, and prosperity.
Akhet
Ancient Egyptian amulet representing the rising sun. It is held to give the wearer the vigour of the sun god Ra.
Alligator Teeth
Protection from sorcery and danger.
Animals
Any statue, symbol or image of an animal can be used as a talisman. The meanings will change accordingly to the type of animal, it's meanings and any cultural significance surrounding them. This even includes fantasy or mythological animals as well.
Ankh
An Egyptian amulet meaning life or soul. It symbolizes enduring life and grants the wearer one hundred thousand million years of life.
Bell
An amulet used by primitive and Western people whose sound was intended to ward off the evil eye and dispel hostile spirits. In the Middle East bells were attached to the harness of horses and camels for the same purposes.
Billiken
A good luck ornament in the shape of a human figure.
Cat Whisker
Carrying a cat whisker in the glove box of the car protects against car theft, troubles, accidents and traffic tickets.
Chai
A symbol of life. Usually made from gold or silver. It supposedly grants the wearer longevity.
Coffin Nails
In was said that a ring made from three nails that had been used in a coffin and dug up in a churchyard would act as a charm against convulsions and fits of every kind.
Cross
Life and divine protection. The Christians believed it to be a supreme amulet against all forces of evil. The sign of the cross was thought to cure illness and drive off demons.
Cylinder Seal
A seal cylindrical in shape made of clay, precious stones and limestone worn around the neck by the Sumerians and other ancient people as a signature to authenticate business agreements.
Deities
Symbols and images of Gods, like animals will also have varying meanings depending on the God or Goddess used and the particular attribute wanted or needed.
Dream Catchers
According to the Sioux, the legends speak to us of the Dream Catcher. It is believed that each carefully woven web will catch your dreams in the night air. Placed over the bed or centered in a window, the bad spirit dreams will become entangled in the new day. The good spirit dreams will always find their way through the center opening, and will gently float down the sacred feather to bless the dreamer with peaceful dreams. Note: If you buy or make your Dream Catcher, make sure the center hole is not covered by a stone or fetish as that traps all dreams.
Eye of God
Amulet used to counteract the evil eye. Made of sticks and coloured yarn by Huichol Indians of Mexico and attributed with power of protecting people, homes, and fields.
Eye of Horus
Egyptian Eye of God made of gold, copper, silver, clay, faience, or wood and worn to acquire strength, vitality, and protection against the evil eye.
Four Leaf Clover
Good luck amulet. The four leaves going clockwise from the left side of the stem represents fame, wealth, love, and health.
Fox Tail
Good luck amulet attached to personal possessions. Primitive people believed that it endowed the owner with the cunning of the animal.
Heart
An amulet worn by many people around the world. It's a symbol of love and devotion. Ancient Egyptians thought the heart was the abode of the soul. In Europe a heard amulet was reputed to prevent heart disease.
Hexagram
A figure of six lines forming a six pointed star. It is worn in many parts of the world as a protection against evil. A widely worn symbol of the Jewish faith called Morgen David, shield or, popularly, star of David.
Horn of Plenty
A contemporary amulet symbolizing prosperity, modelled on the legendary cornucopia overflowing with flowers and fruit.
Horseshoes
Nail a horseshoe above the door way leading into a home, keep it pointed upwards so as to keep the luck from running out.
Knot
An amulet usually of knotted string or cord that was believed to hold the love of a sweetheart or ward off illness.
Lizard Tail
In many species, as seen by geckos especially, the tail drops off when seized by a predator, allowing them to escape and a new tail grows to replace the old one. For this reason, lizard tails are regarded as good luck talismans.
Magic Triangle
Cabbalistic amulet based on the belief that by reducing the size of an inscription, line by line, and evil spirit could be eased out of the sufferer.
Mezuzah
Doorpost amulet designed to keep a house safe from evil spirits, demons, ghosts. and good fortune in travel. To assure good fortune it should be worn as a waxing, not a waning moon. That is, with the points to the left.
Mirrors
The mirror is the quickest way to send back negativity or to absorb it. In ritual, cleanse, consecrate and empower the mirror for protection. Hang the mirror in a central place of the house where it will absorb the negative energy of the house. This is also the source of the term: "Break a mirror, you'll have seven years bad luck" as the person who breaks the mirror, takes all the negative energy absorbed by the mirror into themselves.
Nefer
An amulet worn by the Egyptians. It represents beauty and goodness. It probably is a form of the heart and windpipe, and was thought to bring youth and happiness. Very popular for making necklaces.
Pennies
"See a penny, pick it up and all day long you'll have good luck." Popular to this is if the penny is heads up when found, it's good luck. Tails it's bad luck. To avert this, place the penny in your left shoe to counter the bad luck and give a day, 24 hours of good luck. Pennies placed in the left shoe were also a ward against the magicks of fairies, particularly the harmful ones.
Pentagram
A five pointed star representing the five elements of air, fire, water, earth, and spirit. Also represents the figure of a human being. It is thought to protect the wearer from all kinds of evil spirits. Can also be used by magicians to control spirits. Should be worn with one point up.
Porcupine Quills
Supposedly charms against the evil eye.
Sma
An amulet representing the shape of lungs. Was used by Egyptians to give breathing power to the dead by placing on their mummies.
Tassels
Tassels or Fringes, as used during the medieval ages and after have been used as protective devices, because they confuse and distract evil or negative entities

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