Lesson #1b Amulets and Talismans

[Sorcière Charmante]

Amulets and Talismans

Magic comes in many forms. Throughout the ages, witches and wizards have used magic in ritual, religion, meditation and virtually every aspect of their lives. It has been used to bolster popularity and finance and to ward off opposing magic. Most people did not have access to exotic potion ingredients, precious stones or spell books. They had to rely on their own creativity combined with a keen insight into the worlds surrounding them.

Power objects can vary greatly from one person to another. For instance, a muggle policeman might consider his badge to be a power object because it is a symbol that he wears which has personal meaning and power, while a shaman might consider his power object to be a ritual mask, medicine bag or small carving of an animal. Power objects can come in many forms but are often referred to as amulets or talismans. While both amulets and talismans can be carried, they are usually worn in jewelry form or concealed inside of a garment or a pouch.

"Talismans and Amulets are objects, drawings or symbols which confer their magical or supernatural power upon its possessor. Talismans attract good luck, success, fortune, health and love. Amuletsare protectors, guarding against disease, evil, infertility and bad luck. Talismans are active. They bring things to the possessor, whether it be luck or health. Amulets are passive. They protect the wearer against danger. "

“Talismans can be any object, design, or symbol believed to be endowed with magical powers. The item is active in it, and of itself, bestows this magical power upon the one who possesses it at the time. For example, this is the reason why the Excalibur was of such importance in Arthurian lore. The sword gave King Arthur magical powers."

Go to library.thinkquest.org/27661/docs/compare.htmand click “visit site” for more information.

Before constructing a power object it is important to decide what it will be used for and what emotion/energy/spirit animal is appropriate. This is where symbolism comes in.

A symbol is something that represents something else because it is associated with it or looks somewhat like it. Symbolism is the practice of representing meaning by using symbols.
In order to construct a meaningful piece, it is imperative that you do some thinking and at least a little research. Below are places that you can go to see many examples of symbols used throughout history and in many different cultures. Some may be recognizable to you while others are not. Sometimes one symbol can have more than one meaning through different cultures.

Visual Library of Religious, Scientific & Magical Symbols
altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/blsymbols.htmThey Feature the symbols and meanings of Shamanic, Vodoun, Neopaganism, Egyptian, as well as Eastern & Western Religions.

Native American Symbolism
spirit-bears-tipi.50megs.com/symbols-02.html

Celtic, Nordic, Mythological Animal Symbolism
groups.msn.com/CTCAnimals/animalssymbolismincelticmythology.msnw

Animal Symbolism in HP books
www.darkmark.com/c.c?l=animagi&t=Animal%20Symbolism

Feel free to do your own research.Take a look at as many sources as you can. Do this to build your creative intuition as well as your ability to use symbols effectively.
You might find something that really appeals to you.

Beetles and symbolism

For my purposes, I choose a symbol of the beetle or scarab. You may choose what you like as long as it has meaning to you. A scarab is a variety of beetle: image of beetle in clay, faience, precious stones, or other material.

Beetles symbolize; the act of rising from the dead or returning to life, the state of one who has returned to life, the act of bringing back to practice or use; revival. They were used in ancient Egypt to acquire the strength and long life of the god of creation. The symbol of the scarab was also thought to speak up in the judgment room for a favorable verdict for their master.

Beetles are a powerful, though well-used symbol in mystic tradition. In some circles their image is thought to protect its owner from the evil eye.
These are some places where you can find more information on scarab beetles and their symbolic meaning in ancient Egypt.

Scarab Beetle Info
www.dread.net/~finder/beatles/scarab.html

Egypt and Divine Animals
paganizingfaithofyeshua.netfirms.com/divine_animals.htm

[glow=green,2,300]Assignment #1b, Amulets- Imagination in Decoration [/glow]
Choose a meaningful symbol (or create one from scratch AFTER DOING YOUR RESEARCH on symbolism.) Use the symbol to create a wearable power object for yourself. The object may be made from clay, wood, stone, metal, string, feathers, etc. Remember that anything that you put significant time and purpose into can be powerful. Be creative!

Submit a Private Message including any of the following: a photograph, drawing, scan or DETAILED description of your object no later than December 6, Midnight GMT.

(See Next Post for Example Amulet)

Definitions
A symbol is something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible.

Symbolism is a system of symbols or representations, revelation or suggestion of intangible conditions or truths by artistic invention. It is the practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships.

[Sorcière Charmante]

Example:

Magic Scarab Amulet

Materials List
2ounces or 56 g block of white or light colored polymer clay
table knife
resealable sandwich bag
rolling pin, empty jar or something to flatten clay
drawing and carbon paper or photocopy of scarab design
scissors
metal sthingy
knitting needle, chopstick or thin pointed object
cookie sheet covered in aluminum foil
oven
hot pads/ oven mitts
black pencil
About 18 inches or 45 cm of cord in silk, rayon, leather, hemp, string (or whatever you like)

Instructions
1. Use the table knife to cut the block of clay in half. Place one half of the clay in the bag, seal it and set it aside.
2. Knead the clay in your hands. Roll it into a ball and then stretch it out. Do this several times so that they clay is soft and warm. (Clay often responds to the warmth of your hands. A person with colder hands usually needs to work the clay longer before it is easy to manage.)
3. Roll the clay into a ball. Put it on a clean, smooth work surface and flatten it out with the palm of your hand. Use the rolling pin (or substitute) to roll out the clay until it is about 3mm or 1/8 inch thick.
4. Make your photocopied image. You can use a drawing if you like but you will need carbon (transfer) paper to put underneath your drawing or printout. Inkjet printer ink doesn’t transfer well and you will need to use the carbon paper. If you absolutely cannot get carbon paper or a photocopy, you can make due with what you have. (Explained in step 6.) Keep in mind that if you are using a photocopy, the transferred image will be a mirror image of your drawing. Use photocopies as fast as possible to ensure that the ink will rub off.
5. Trim your clay so that the image fits nicely. The clay may be in a flattened oval shape or something else as long as it is large enough to hold your design and two string holes. Use a table knife to cut the clay into the correct shape.
6. Place the photocopy face down on the clay. If you have a drawing, leave it face up but place your carbon paper below the drawing. To transfer the design onto the clay, gently rub the back of the paper with the sthingy. Don’t rub too hard or you will change the shape. Let the clay and paper sit for 10 minutes.
(Note: If you need carbon paper, you can make some by taking a number 2 or softer lead pencil and rubbing its side onto the paper pretty hard. If you’ve put enough lead onto the paper, it will look shiny. Then you can put your new transfer paper onto the clay (lead side down!) Put your drawing on top and follow directions for #6.)
7. Preheat the oven according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the package of clay.
8. Use the tip of the knitting needle (or stick) to make one or two holes in the clay. You will use the holes to attach your cord later so be careful where you place them!
9. Gently and carefully move your clay to the cookie sheet. If you would like your amulet to have texture, carefully the tip of a toothpick or other tool to make very small impressions in the clay. Don’t get carried away. Your impressions shouldn’t be holes or go through even half of the depth of your clay.
10. When the oven is ready, put the cookie sheet into the oven. Make sure that you wear oven mitts! Be sure to leave the paper on the clay!
11. Bake the clay for 10 to 15 minutes. Use mitts/hot pads to remove the cookie sheet from the oven. While the clay is still warm, CAREFULLY remove the paper to reveal your transferred image. Let the clay sit until it is completely cool.
12. If you want to color the clay with colored pencils, now is the time to do it. Use several layers to darken the color. Use a black pencil to darken the lines from the photocopy transfer. Check the package for your clay. Some clays recommend a specific type of paint while others do not. Perhaps you would like to paint your amulet.
13. To complete the amulet you need to use a little knot magic. Measure and cut a piece of cord so the amulet will hang around your neck to the desired length. If you made one hole in the amulet, double the cord and thread the fold through the hole. Then pass the free ends through the loop and pull it tight. Knot the two free ends. If you made two holes in the amulet, make a double or triple knot at one end of the cord. Thread the unknotted end through the amulet, then thread through the opposite hole and knot that end as well. As you tie each knot, imagine that it holds the positive energy of the scarab. The energy will be released when you wear the amulet.
14. Prepare a spell and recite it with closed eyes, holding the amulet in your hands. The spell I used was this:

Round my neck a circle goes
Guiding my magic as it grows
By all the might of the moon and sun
As I do will, it shall be done.

Then wear your amulet proudly! And make sure to take a photograph or draw a design or write a description to turn in!