For centuries amulets,
talismans, charms, mojos, tricks and a thousand other objects who's
names loosely translate as the edge you can carry in your pocket have
been used by humanity. They can ward off evil, danger, theft and
illnesses, they can help you get a job, a love or a kingdom. With so
many representations in so many cultures how do you know what you have,
how it works or if it's effective? Whether made of iron, stone, or cloth these small but often times powerful trinkets are a second hand spell. In history a shaman or magician would construct a spell that could be used by a lay-person having little magical knowledge. By wearing a charm or carrying it close to you, you were protected or aided by the spell placed on and into the symbol of power.
A Talisman, is a charm that protects the wearer by warding off negativity. Talismans can be found for protection from almost anything.
An Amulet is a charm that brings power to the wearer. If riches are to be acquired, it is an amulet that will bring them to you. Amulets can be quite powerful and their uses are many.
Most amulets have varied purposes, an amulet for money would not do you much good if you were lonely or sick. An amulet is truly a good luck charm.
The Pentagram would be considered an amulet. Although of late it has become known as a religious symbol, it's original purpose was to bestow the wearer with providence through the balance of the five powers.
Later the Templar Knights combined the Pentagram with the image of the god Pan to create the Baphomet. Due to it's dubious recognition with devil worship and it's adoption by the Satanists this once most sacred and most powerful amulet has all but been maligned by the "righteous".
Most Talismans and Amulets today are forged in mass production, this will not diminish the power of the symbols depicted but it does diminish the power of the engraver. Many people "charge" their charms with their own intention this can be done simply by a consecration during certain sun and moon phases (depending on the talisman or amulet).
Talismans are best charged during the wane of the moon as they are getting rid of negativity. Amulets are best charged during the Waxing of the moon, to draw the powers to you.
An amulet or Talisman charged during a point of paradox: the exact full or new moon, or the exact equinox or solstice, can be very powerful charges if done at the exact moment. The most powerful charge for an amulet would be a total solar eclipse for a talisman a total lunar eclipse would be it's most powerful charge.
___
Be sure you read well before creating any Talisman or Amulet. When done wrong they can pull the opposite to what you want within the object.
____
I would like to share ten of the more interesting herbal amulets and their meaning with you:
