Wahya Circle
Moon Day
Magick & Medicine
Beginning Practicum
Amulets & Talismans
AMULET
The origin of the word “amulet” is found in the late 16th century: from Latin amuletum, most likely from Middle French: amulettum. This word in Arabic (ealaq = “ah – la – guttural q”) means “to hang up” or “dangle”. It was most likely brought to Europe by Arabian merchants around the same time. It is later found in the written works of Pliny's Natural History. Now the word is used to primarily describe "anything which hangs from the neck that Magickally Protects a person". But, it goes back much further than even that.
The use of amulets, (meket) was widespread among both living and dead ancient Egyptians, rich and poor alike. They were used for Protection and as a means of reaffirming the “fundamental fairness of the Universe" amongst the Egyptian Gods and Goddess’. The oldest amulets found are from the pre-dynastic Badarian Period, around 4400 BCE. They persisted throughout all time, beyond even the Roman empire and Religious Revivals.
AMULET = ANYTHING = UNMARKED INTENT
Anything can be an amulet. Lucky charms. Totems. Juju. Idols. Fetishes. Items commonly used include bells, crystals, statues, coins, drawings, keys, plant parts, animal parts, and even photographs. Knots also make effective amulets in today’s Crafting as they are believed to capture negative spirits, entrapping them. An amulet can also be a natural piece of jewelry you make for yourself. Amulets are used the world over by Practitioners of many Paths.
TALISMAN
The French word “talisman” came into noticeable use in the mid 17th century during a Religious Revival. It is based on Arabic ṭilsam, apparently from an alteration of late Greek telesma which means ‘completion, religious rite’, and from telein ‘complete, perform a rite’. Some say it can also be traced to telos ‘result, end’.
The earliest recorded use of the word indicates it has strong ties to various religious practices and rites from many different ancient Paths, from Islam and Hermetic to Christian and Hindu. The talisman seems to have a “prescribed” magick indicated by the Practitioners performing the Magick or Medicine or in how they are utilizing the item. Talismans can also be on anything but traditionally contain markings made by the Practitioners eliciting the power, Element, God, Goddess, etc. Examples of “talismans” are Hindu swastikas, Hermetic seals (Seal of Solomon), as well as any written prayer, verse, invocation, symbols, sigils, etc. on an item.
TALISMAN = ANYTHING = MARKED INTENT
Talismans require inscribed Intent, obvious or not, and usually are imbued with additional magickal properties for the possessor’s Intented purpose.
In summation, amulets do not require anything “additional” from its possessor to imbue them with its metaphysical properties as talismans do. Amulets ALWAYS possess the metaphysical properties whereas talismans often have to be given the desired properties and time parameters through magickal workings.
AMULET EXAMPLE: An amethyst always bestows “Protection” upon its possessor only occasionally needing cleansing or recharging in its natural environment.
TALISMAN EXAMPLE: A blank disk remains so until the Practitioner(s) inscribes the Seal of Solomon upon it. With Rite, they imbue the blank disk with the magick of a very powerful Hermetic seal for their Intented use.
Moon Day W73
General - Journal - Book of Shadows
SUBMISSION: W73 MON AMULET OR TALISMAN (Due by Sunday)
Please take a few moments with the above passage.
When ready, copy, paste, and answer the following questions:
Do you have, or have you Crafted, a personal Amulet or Talisman?
Do you still utilize the Magick or Medicine of your previous Craft?
What was its purpose? Or, if you make one, what will be its purpose or Intent?
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Three Circles Medicine & Magick™
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to receive full Submission credit.
Lessons are subject to change without notification to Practitioners.
Late Submissions receive no credit without prior approval.
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