Amulets & Talismans
Talisman Versus Amulet
I know! I know! If you're like me I keep wanting to change the man in talisman to men to make it plural and you just don't do that with this word. Anyway, this is a very, very simple class.
What is the difference between the two, you ask? Easy, peasy. A talisman is any thing created by a human (man or woman) for anything other than adornment (ritual tool, store energy, good luck, protection, etc.). N. Am. medicine shields, rattles, battle jewelery - while being made of all natural ingredients - fall in this category because someone other than nature's forces assmbled it into a tool for power/use. Cut stones also fall in this category. Crown jewels, because of their history, can also fall into this category (i.e. Hope diamond etc.).
Amulets are any natural made object (i.e. rocks - rough or polished, feathers, wood, fossils, etc.). In other words, any object, like holey stones, created by the elements of earth, air/wind, water, or fire over time. Many civilizations believe stones with holes in them are good luck. Many argue that N. Am. ritual tools like rattles should be included because they are all natural objects. Because it takes a human to put it together makes it a talisman - not an amulet.
Whichever one chooses to use, for whatever purpose is needed, the object needs to be cleansed, consecrated, and dedicated to the purpose it will be used for - protection, ritual garb, healing, whatever.
Example: Protection Ring Ritual
A simple ring of metal can be made into a Protection Taliman. The following is one I did several years ago. I have never removed the ring - not even for surgery. I have come close to a few potentially lethal near misses by other drivers over the years.
- Set up your ritual space with: a> the correct colors of candles (E=Yelow, S=red, W=blue, N=green, silver=goddess, gold=god, black=no negativity, white=purity and protection, orange=angels. b> Have incense at least in the center. I had one at each quarter (i.e. frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, etc.). c> Have at least 1 appropriately colored stones at each quarter. Place a rose quarts on the altar to represent yourself and place the ring on it. It's better to use a plain ring than one with a stone - but whatever you feel the most comfortable with. d> Have your tools to cleanse/consecrate on hand. e> Blessed or holy water and/or rose oil to bless the ring with before hand. and f> Libation to offer those you call upon and yourself to share in (cookies and juice works well). g> Offering bowl.
- Cleanse/consecrate your area. Cast your circle 3X about.
- When you call in the Quarters and Spirit, providing you feel confident in doing so (newbies probable should leave the elements out) you can invite in the appropriate beings - remembering to call on only those that walk the paths of Goodness & Light. For example, East-Air-Sylphs, South-fire-Salamanders, West-Water-Undines, North-Earth-Gnomes. Then there's the Center-ancestors, teachers, guides, totem animals, etc. Dragons and Fey can be invited at every point if you so desire. Angels of protection and safety, travel & health can then be invited by lighting the orange candle.
- Invoke the God & Goddess by lighting the appropriate candle.
- State the purpose of your ritual clearly. Cleanse and then consecrate (incense/candle flame/salt water). Then anoint it with the rose oil/Holy water blend.
- Beginning in the East, the area of New Beginnings, hold the ring up and ask each being you invited in to bless the ring with their powers of protection to ward off evil and bad luck, to keep you safe and healthy. Envision that power (yellow or white light) being put/absorbed into the ring. End with a blessing and Thanks for their gifts. Do the same thing for each Qurater, the Center (each one you called in), the angels, the God, the Goddess. See each one's light (colored or white) being absorbed into the ring. Remember to end with a Blessing and Thanks after each one. Lay ring back on rose quartz.
- Offer libation: 1 each for the Goddess, God, ancestors & all those who couldn't be here, totem animals, angels, and one for Spirit, each quarter, and each one you called in. Bless your libation. Celebrate.
- When finished, dry off ring and pout it on. Release in opposite order of invitation, giving thanks and blessings. Clean up area. Ground yourself by eating something.
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