What is the difference between an Amulet and a Talisman, and how do they get their powers? Well, this question may be answered differently by different people, but COVEN 1658 answers these questions this way:
An amulet is an ordinary object that has been empowered to PROTECT a person from a ‘particular’ danger or harm. Amulets may include pendents, coins, stones, drawings, or plant material, or written magickal words. The main duty of an amulet is to protect its wearer from a ‘specific’ harm. For example, one could make an amulet to protect a person from a specific travel problem such as having anxiety when flying on an air plane during a specific upcoming journey. It would be of no use for any other journey, and would not help with any other problems during the flight unless so specified. It would be specific to that journey and used against particular problems. Remember, AN AMULET PROTECTS FROM A SPECIFIC PROBLEM FOR A SPECIFIC TIME.
A talisman is a jewelry item empowered to bring good fortune to its wearer through magickal effects. It may also be called a ‘charm’. For example a talisman may be created to attract romantic love, a job, or to bring good health. Remember, A TALISMAN BRINGS GOOD FORTUNE THROUGH SUPERNATURAL CONDITIONS.
So how does an amulet or a talisman gain its powers, what is it made out of, and how is it worn?
I. How an amulet or talisman gains its powers is very simple. First, a person must select the object of choice to become an amulet or talisman. While an amulet can be made from just about anything and could therefore be contained in a charm bag or written on a spell parchment which one carries upon his or her person, a talisman must be a jewelry item of some sort, made from metal and if possible, gem stones. The more genuine the metal and gem stones are the more powerful the talisman will, of course, be. But faux metals and gems can carry power too, if you can not afford the real thing. First and foremost, one must be Initiated into COVEN 1658 in order to gain the privilege of charging an amulet or talisman. Why is this? Because the initiation rite explicitly asks initiates to do three things: renounce all evil, embrace all good, and share our magick with others, whether by initiating them, or by healing and helping them. In other words, in order to gain access to the magick of White Witchcraft, you must covenant to use it appropriately. If this were not so, and if any person wandering around the neighborhood had access to magick in a powerful way, their intentions could cause all sorts of havoc of the supernatural kind. But this just isn’t happening, is it. And this is because all those people wandering around out there are not initiated properly, and have not covenanted to use magick for benevolent purposes in a conscious way. So it is withheld from them to protect them and others who are ignorant to the workings of benevolent magick. It isn’t withheld from people to punish or exclude them, but to protect everyone.
Once the Initiatory Rite has been conducted properly, (and it is very simple and for either solitary or small group use), ‘then’ a person has a right to charge an amulet or talisman. The Initiatory Rite is set aside for one part of the month alone – the time of the Full Moon. COVEN 1658 never conducts initiation rites at any other time, and the entire reason the Full Moon exists is because it’s light stores this special thing called Magick. Therefore, the only time to gain access to the use of benevolent Magick is during the time of the Full Moon. In COVEN 1658 one needs to return at every Esbat (Full Moon Eve) to take their covenants again. This re-empowers their magick until Full Moon Next.
At the Esbat, ‘after’ this re-empowerment rite, ‘then’ one can ask a Sacred Ancestor to bless and charge an amulet or talisman. As you might recall from a different post, we stand as equals on the Circle of Light with Lord & Lady and the Sacred Ancestors. Even though we are considered equals in every way, we still acknowledge that we know much, much less than they know. Further, we continue to acknowledge that above them all…above us all is a benevolent Highest Divine that is the source of all this magick power, which is guarded by Lord & Lady, who permit our initiation and use of this Magick. The Sacred Ancestors also share their special and specific powers with us if we ask. Just as we have already inherited our physical attributes from our Ancestors, we also may inherit their spiritual attributes by asking them. On the Esbat we may ask one Ancestor for one spiritual gift (a magick power), and they willingly share it with us by transferring that power into the amulet or talisman of our choice. All we have to do is ask them.
So, first you must decide what object you wish to have blessed and charged – will it be an amulet you make from herbs and sea shells in a charm bag? or will you bring your grandmother’s pearl ring to be blessed and charged as a talisman…. Once you choose what you will bring, you must determine what it will be charged with. Will the charm bag be used to ward off the co-worker who bullies you at work so she is curiously absent from your immediate presence in the office? Or will you rather wear the pearl ring to attract the attention of your boss, who notices your efficiency and promotes you to a different position, thus leaving that pesky co-worker behind…you must decide. Either way, you are seeking relief from the negative influences of a co-worker. Now you must research the Celtic Sacred Ancestors. Which ancestor is most likely to have a helpful power to transfer into your amulet or talisman? Choosing an Ancestor who is a warrior will help to ward off the bully co-worker; Choosing an ancestor the gives you wisdom beyond your years will help you gain that promotion you are looking for. But you an only choose one ancestor per Esbat, and you can only ask that Ancestor for one power. You must narrow it down and make a sure decision. Ok. So you have researched and selected the Celtic (or Germanic) Sacred Ancestor of your choice. Now you attend the Esbat Rite and become re-empowered with your privilege to use the magick of White Witchcraft once again. Just after you do this, you very politely and in your own words, address the Sacred Ancestor by name, and ask very nicely if he or she will oblige you to have his or her particular magick power to use for a particular purpose; Present the amulet or talisman by holding it up and waiting. Yes, that Sacred Ancestor will share this power with you by transferring the power you ask for into that object, provided your re-empowerment ritual has been completed and you were sincere once again in renouncing all evil and embracing all good, and made a sincere promise once again to share this gift of magick with others.
Once the object you brought forth has been presented, you can know that the amulet or talisman has been charged with the particular power by that Ancestor as well as blessed for the purpose you have specified. Some people see an ‘aura’ around the object when the power is transferred from the Sacred Ancestor to the object, and others do not. Do not worry if things ‘seem’ ordinary…the object has been charged and blessed to its purpose by the Ancestor who you asked. The object has now gone from ordinary and mundane or supernatural and magickal. It is a very special object now…even if it’s just a door knob!
After the object has been charged and blessed by the Sacred Ancestor, it is time to close the Esbat by taking Cakes & Ale, which ‘seal’ the powers you have received to you and to the charged and blessed objects you have brought. Cakes & Ale can be as simple as a cracker and water or as fancy as mulled apple cider and a fancy layer cake or petit fours. They represent your receipt of magick powers over both the tangible (cakes) and the intangible (ale), so that your magick can work to make positive changes in life circumstances as they come your way for the next month. But more on the Initiation Rite and the Cakes & Ale later…)
II. What is an amulet or talisman made out of?…How to make these special objects: As stated a talisman can ONLY be a pre-made jewelry object consisting of metal and gem stones where possible. On the other hand, a talisman can be anything else…a door knob, a broomstick, a hair ribbon, a charm bag full of sea shells and pebbles, a lock of your true-love’s hair, a written incantation on a piece of parchment…even a soda bottle lid. The only person who knows this object has special powers is you yourself, unless, of course you tell someone. It is up to you to research what flowers, trees, gems, and other objects ‘do’ magickally, and if you are making a charm bag, to include personal objects such as your lover’s photo, or lock of hair, button or love letter. It is up to you to research the ‘coorespondences’ between gem stones, astrological signs, flowers, herbs and other things to determine what their natural powers are and match these powers with your specific needs. then you must further match the amulet or talisman with the Sacred Ancestor who can endow you with the power you need to be protected, or to attract the right energies for what you wish to accomplish. Once again, a talisman is a jewelry item and can be nothing else. An amulet on the other hand is made from anything else other than jewelry and can be several objects tied together in a charm bag or other ‘bundle’. The meaning of the gem stone in the talisman or the several meanings of the items in the charm bag must coordinate with the Sacred Ancestor who is endowing you with the powers you seek to have. As stated earlier, a talisman made from real metals and gems is the most powerful, but if you cannot afford a real piece of jewelry, its ok to use costume jewelry, it just will not have as much power. No you cannot place several powers in one amulet or one talisman. Each item must hold only one power from one ancestor per Esbat. At the next Esbat you must bring a new talisman or amulet. You must also keep the charged/blessed talismans safe from mis-use, but you can loan them to others provided they do not abuse the powers and return the item when you request it back. This means that you can power a charm bag for another person at the Esbat and give it to them. They need never give it back to you. It will work as long as they use it right, and it won’t work when they don’t use it right. Because these things only work for the person or persons the item has been made for, if it gets lost or stolen it won’t release its powers to anyone else. For a ‘stranger’ it will just be a mundane object with no powers.
III. How to wear amulets or talismans and where to keep them when not worn: After an amulet or talisman has been charged and blessed, wear it on your person. If it is a jewelry item, wear it as it is normally worn and no need to hide it. You may notice that you get more compliments on the jewelry item/talisman because its energy radiates to attract the attention of others. An amulet on the other hand needs to remain hidden, so keep it in your pocket, or tucked inside your clothing, because it needs to remain upon your person at all times while you seek its effects. When you do take it off, you may find that you wish to keep it in a special cabinet or place with other like items. Further, you may wish to keep such items in a zip-lock baggie that has been labeled with what the object is and what it’s powers are, and from which Ancestor those powers came. If you do not label the object, you will never remember what objects have what powers or from which Ancestor those powers came.
Let’s talk about a few talismans and amulets that are floating around in the every day world in the common population:
*The Jewish Star of David: You’ve seen it…someone at school or work is wearing a silver Star of David. It symbolizes their Jewish Heritage and Faith. Some people also believe it has sacred powers to protect and bring healing and wisdom. It is a….? TALISMAN.
*The Christian Cross: You’ve seen many…people at malls, store clerks, door-to-door sales agents, everyone seems to be wearing a Christian Cross these days. A Christian Cross is a symbol of Christ’s death for the sins and wrongs of humanity. By wearing it, the wearer feels protected from the powers of all evil, and is safe-kept by Christ. This object therefore wards off evil and brings great blessing…it is a…..? TALISMAN.
*You’ve seen it…that crystal thing hanging in someone’s car window when you pull into a parking space at the local grocery store. With it is a piece of paper stating a sentiment of some kind but you can’t read it. Most likely, it protects the driver from auto accidents so it wards off evil…it is a….? AN AMULET!
*At some homes you have visited, there is a small, metal ‘rectangle’ thingy on the right side of the door frame. Inside is a parchment with Hebrew lettering describing specific things about their religious faith. it operates as a protection and wards off evil. It is a….? AN AMULET!
*You recently attended your friends wedding at the local Catholic Church. They dismissed your row and you were allowed to walk up and…should you…shouldn’t you…drink out of that cup? It was blessed to give you a special blessing, but only if you believe very specific theological things. Should you drink from it? Hm…..no matter what you do…it is a……AMULET!
*Your sister has bunches of key chains on her car keys. So many the ignition might break holding up all those crazy key rings. Your dad tells her to take them all off so he doesn’t have a bill to pay repairing the car. She takes them all off except the one shaped like a shamrock. Not only does it contain the ‘Luck O’the Irish”, it was a gift from her boyfriend and discarding it would maybe somehow cancel their true love! She keeps it as a way to protect her romance with Mr. Right. It is a….An Amulet!
*Your best friend at college always wanted to wear “lucky socks’ into the games; without them he always seemed benched. But when he wore them he was always in the field and played great. The socks are…..? An amulet!
*Your grandmother died and left you her diamond wedding ring set. Your grandpa gave it to her in 1932 and they were married 65 years before he died. She wore it 10 more years and then she died. The whole time she said that by wearing the ring, it was like Grandpa was still with her, protecting her and helping her. Now the ring is yours. You could sell it, after all, its vintage jewelry and it’s an heirloom. It has great value and you did want to travel to Hawaii next summer. The ring’s value could buy that ticket to paradise. But no….just as grandma always said, this ring ‘feels’ like grandpa, and now grandma are still with you, looking over you from heaven, protecting you as you meander through life’s troubles. You keep the ring and wear it, especially on days when you need extra help with life’s problems, an to especially attract protection in times of need. It is a…..TALISMAN!
Well now that you know the difference between Amulets and Talismans, make sure that you keep don’t mix them up any more. If you decide to become initiated in COVEN 1658, you will be able to have them charged yourself at the Esbat. You will need to label them and keep them organized so you can find them and use them when you need to. Amulets and Talismans can indeed help you. But the hardest thing about them is trying to remember the difference between an Amulet and a Talisman. Try really hard to do this and until then, Bright Blessings and Blessed Be!
TRADITIONAL, CELTIC, WHITE WITCHCRAFT 