Talismans
Talismans are an ancient universal tradition, offering protection or good luck to the wearer. Talismans have as many varied uses as the human heart holds fears and wishes. During the plagues of the Middle Ages, people wore talismans with the incantation Abracadabra inscribed on them, to ward off death's skeletal grip with the fatal contamination. But talismans and the similar amulet, have been used by every culture throughout the world. In its simplified form, you may wear a ring because it’s brought you good luck, you've had a nice time each time you wore it, so it has become your talisman. A man might think of his 'pulling jacket,' he always 'gets lucky' with women when he wears it, so he ensures he wears it when he wants to appeal to women on a night out, it has become his talisman. So talismans take many forms; incantations such as those used in exorcism or magic spells, rings, pendants, gems, plants and just about anything, even animals.
You may think you've never seen a talisman, but if you've seen a Christian Cross - and I'm not talking of angry vicars - but the kind Christian Cross that forms a wooden stake, you've seen a talisman. Pilgrims still flock to shrines such as Lourdes to be healed, to buy relics and trinkets blessed by priests; these are all talismans. Holy water, often rain water that has been collected and sold, is a form of talisman, as is a St Christopher medallion. The Eye of Horus was the talisman of the ancient Egyptians and the signs of the zodiac all have their own matching gemstones which act as talismans, though there are conflicting ideas as to which stone matches which sign. Rabbit’s poor little feet have long been thought to be lucky and endow the owner with magical abilities. But if the rabbit was really so lucky or magic, it would never have had it's paw hacked off.
Since the medieval period, the pentagram has been avowed to be lucky, to protect from bad luck of every kind and bring prosperity, love and all the good things of life. The Jewish tradition of wearing a prayer shawl, tallis or tallit, which is so similar to the world talisman, is thought to be one of the oldest talismans. It was a decree from God that the Israelites should wear them, so that God could instantly see who was one of his people and who a baddie and also to remind the Israelites of heaven and God himself.
There are three types of healing and protection talisman; one that is worn on the body even as a tattoo, one that is placed above or beside the bed of the sick, such as a sacred text or lucky object and the third which has medicinal qualities. This medicinal talisman may be charged by a witch with a spell to heal or she may inscribe magical healing words into food that is then cooked and eaten.
I love making my own talismans as gifts and charging them in my magic spell rituals with wishes and dreams. My talismans have a thousand uses, they may draw true love to the wearer, they may heal a rift, protect or draw wealth and success. It's a lovely blessing to be able to give people their wishes and see them granted. Binding spells to talismans may be an ancient art but as I've seen, it is as powerful today as it's always been. The word talisman originates with the ancient Greek word 'talein', which means initiation into the mysteries and the magic power of talismans is a mystery that we can all benefit from today.
Back to Witchcraft A to Z
