The Talisman
Frequently passed down through generations, talismans give power to
the possessor. The medieval Philosopher's Stone is probably the
most famous talisman in history. Possession of this touchstone
enabled its owner to perform many wonders, presumably including
transmuting base metals into gold.
A magical object that possesses and transmits powerful energies,
a talisman contains feelings and radiates these qualities according
to your desires. A talisman generally has a pattern incorporated in
it-such as runic symbols-designed to assist in magic and ritual. Pre-
pared magically to contain and radiate a specific field and tone of
energy, talismans are usually small and carried on your person. They
generate spectrums of energy, usually combining the four elements:
earth, air, fire, and water.
Carving runes on talismans charges them with runic powers. They
can be used to secure love, wealth, good health, and protection.
Runic talismans, or tines, were traditionally scratched into stone,
bone, and wood. Yew wood was usually used for talismans because of
its long association with magic. Tines were also shaped from twigs.
Today, runic talismans are made of wood, clay, metal, stone, and
parchment. Parchment talismans are often carried in lockets or wallets.
Pieces of jewelry large enough to have runes carved on them also make
excellent talismans. Any fixed object such as wall in your room-
even a house-can be turned into a runic talisman.
Making A Runic Talisman
You create a runic talisman by moving your magical field
of intention into an object. You can influence the energetic
structure of the object with this field by using runes.
Runic talismans are best made during the waxing moon and,
preferably, on one of the eight days of power. Prepare the
materials you will need, working out the runic inscriptions
in advance on a sheet of paper. Consecrate your workplace by
sprinkling it with salt and water, and then lightly smudge
(with cedar or sage) or use incense. Light two candles for
ambiance and to symbolize fire.
To make the following talisman, use modeling clay, which you
can find in most craft stores. Select clay that is easy to fire
in a regular oven. It comes in several colors, and you can match
the color to the purpose of the talisman. You will need a quill,
a ballpoint pen, or something similar with which to engrave the
runes on the clay. You can also use wood if you prefer it to clay,
but it's more difficult to carve.
Once you have chosen the medium for your talisman, and know exactly
what runic energies and feelings you are going to place in it, the
next step is determining the area your talisman will influence-two
feet (60cm), twenty feet (6m), or a mile (1.6km). This depends upon
its intended use.
Next, set up your altar, establish your sacred enclosure (circle,
square, sphere, Ingwaz diamond, or Ve), and call the Four Wards.
Place the talisman between two red candles on your altar, directly
in front of you, where you can look at it comfortably. (If you wish,
you can carve the runes on the altar candles to double the energy.)
As you begin carving the runes, call out their names, visualizing
their power entering the talisman. Sing the corresponding galdr song
to empower the runes you are using. As you carve or draw the runes,
visualize the color that corresponds to each of them. For example,
when carving Laguz, you would focus on a deep green or blue-green.
Next, redden the runes you have carved with either red ocher paint,
dragon's blood resin, tiver, minium, or some other red-pigmented dye.
You can also use red wax from the altar candles you are using to redden
the runes carved into the talisman.
Now merge, using your emotions, sensations, or whatever works best
for you, and fill your mind with the feeling, the sound, the shape,
and the quality of the rune(s) you are placing into your talisman.
Imagine actually planting an energetic runic symbol into the talisman,
superimposed on the reddened symbol. You could do this by visualizing
a laser beam of rune-shaped light moving from your forehead or your
hands into the talisman. Direct your feeling, emotion, and all your
attention into the object. See the pattern of your thought-energy and
field of magical intention being absorbed by the molecular structure
of the talisman.
When this is done, enclose the talisman in the darkness, wrapping
it in a dark cloth or putting it in a pouch. This symbolizes the womb.
Keep the runic talisman in the dark overnight or, ideally, if you have
the time, for a full moon cycle.
After keeping the talisman in the dark for an appropriate period
of time, take the pouch (with the talisman inside) and carry it in
a sunwise (clockwise) circle nine times. While you do this, chant
its runic name of power and the names of the gods and goddesses,
and then bring the talisman into the light of day.
A living being having Orlog from inception, the talisman has purpose,
and when you bring it out into the light, this symbolizes its birth.
This is the time to name and empower it. By naming the talisman, you
strengthen it and give it personality. Traditional names are kennings
(poetic metaphors) for the power within the empowered object. Choose
a name for your talisman that is related to its function. If it is for
protection, you might call it "draw wand," which is kenning for "sword."
For the actual ritual of naming the talisman, call upon the powers of
light and life to bring its qualities to life. Pass the talisman slowly
over the flame of a candle or through the smoke of smudge or incense in
a glodhker or incense burner, three times and say:
Now, powers of fire, with speed spew forth,
lend thy quickness and life.
Then lay the talisman on the altar, sprinkle water over it carefully,
and say:
I sprinkle thee with the powers of water and give
thee the name (inserts the talisman's name).
Henceforth, when addressing the talisman, call it by its name as you
would any other living thing.
Next, visualize and sense an energy field around-and radiating from-
the talisman. Do this at least three times. Then give the talisman the
power to carry out its task by speaking its function aloud, three times-
for example, "Your function is to bring me good luck and fortune." Finish
by say:
In the name of Odin, Vili, and Ve, and by the
might of Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld,
so shall it be!
Once you do this, you have activated the runic talisman. Now you can use
it to tap into the runic streams of energy that have been loaded into it.
Keep it on your person, or near the person it is intended for, or in a
specific room, at home or at work, in your car, or in whatever location
its runic powers can function best.
It's usually a good idea to wear the talisman next to your skin, suspended
by a red or black cord. After you place the runic talisman in its intended
destination, say these words:
Now the work has been wrought,
with the might of mighty runes.
So shall it be!
When you have completed these steps, thank the divine energies. Release
the Four Wards and pull up your sacred emclosure. Clap your hands together
and leave the area for a short time. If you are not sure that you've done
the talisman correctly, then repeat the procedure until you feel satisfied
with the results.
Magical Timing
The Eight-Fold Moon Phase
The Elements
The Four Directions
Magical Focals
Rune Galdr Songs
The Altar
Magical Tools
Making A Gandr (Runic Wand)
Consecrating Your Magical Tools
The Three Steps Of Magic
The Sacred Enclosure
Power Animals
Sending Runes
Runic Charms
Rune Cord or String Magic
Rune Script Magic
Rune Candle Magic
Essential Oils
The Runic Circle
The Runes
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