Amulet/Talisman - which is it?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 19 Dec 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

tarotbear	19 Dec 2002
Some time ago I remember reading an article from a so-called famous psychic (no, not HER!) about an amulet he was offering ( for sale, of course.) He kept talking about the 'amulet' , and then about halfway through his pitch he started called the same thing a 'talisman'. He kept switching back and forth between terms. I said "O.K.- which is it?" In my magickal understanding a talisman is something you find, and an amulet is something you make with a specific purpose in mind. I'm sure most people use the words interchangeably. Further, IMHO, an amulet is something to keep things AWAY from you; a talisman is to bring things TOWARDS you. (A= amulet/away; T=talisman/towards). Does anyone else see this differently or can shead some light on it?

jlbvt	19 Dec 2002
I think I read something about this in my spell book by Donaldson, that a Talisman is an object charged with magic, and an amulet is a little bag or something that you carry around with you? I will look this up tomorrow. ;)

HudsonGray	20 Dec 2002
Yes, I thought it was the same way. Native Americans had amulets, which contained small items of intense personal value, a small stone perhaps, their natal cord, a snip of their hair, this was to tie them & their soul together I believe. Talismans are made with a purpose in mind to do something for you. My Websters Dictionary says an amulet is something worn to protect against evil, and a talisman is a ring, stone, etc. bearing engraved figures supposed to bring good luck, avert evil, etc., also a charm. I don't think Websters is too 'up' on the meanings in the pagan community though.

Pollux	20 Dec 2002
Quote: Originally posted by tarotbear In my magickal understanding a talisman is something you find, and an amulet is something you make with a specific purpose in mind. Further, IMHO, an amulet is something to keep things AWAY from you; a talisman is to bring things TOWARDS you. (A= amulet/away; T=talisman/towards). Actually I can't add more than you said yourself. As Talismans I can think of stones, crystals, objects that can have a personal emotional value, as HudsonGray already explained. You can charge both, and whilst Amulets will reflect certain energies away from you, talismans will attract them. I am sorry, that's all I know... :(

cjtarot	20 Dec 2002
tarotbear, I of course am clueless, but I think I'll go with your explanation and tell the "Famous" guy...Get a Dictonary... BUT I HAD TO POST BECAUSE, I wanted to say NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN. BLessings, CJ

Diana	20 Dec 2002
Hi there tarotbear! :) I don't know about Magickal stuff, but my Oxford Dictionary of World Religions has some very interesting things to say about amulets (they do not mention talismans.) They say that amulets are universal, and can be found in Judaism, but these have to be written or made by a holy person, expert in kabbalah. They can be used to protect against devils, thieves, or enemies, to obtain love, wisdom, or an easy childbirth. They are used by Muslims too and usually contain passages of the Qu'ran, but in Africa especially they can contain names of protective spirits or angels. The Hindus use them too and they are also an indispensable part of Chinese folk religion. They don't mention Christianity, but I suppose the crucifix that many Christians wear is an amulet, or the St. Christopher that they hang on their rear-view mirror in their car. They don't mention Wiccans either, but I suppose the Pentacle that Wiccans wear acts as one? The Webster says talismans are objects held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune. It says more or less the same thing about amulets. But of course, you Magickal people may see things differently. But in the mundane world, it seems like an amulet and a talisman are the same thing.

zorya	20 Dec 2002
this is only from my head, so take it with a grain of salt ;) an amulet is something you change in some way. perhaps you make it, or alter something. a talisman is something found, left in its natural state. i don't see them as being used for differing purposes. either can be intended to protect, or attract etc.

Umbrae	20 Dec 2002
IMO: The difference between an amulet and a talisman is the spelling. The reason why a charlatan would change language midstream is that he plagiarized from different sources.

Laurel	20 Dec 2002
Here's how I learned it a few years back, and I'll quote directly the source :P "A talisman is any object, sacred or profane, with or without appropriate inscriptions of symbols, uncharged or consecrated by means of appropriate ritual magic or meditation. Amongst other things it exets an auto-suggestive effect on the wearer. It is made to serve a specific end, to bring good fortune in some area of life, or to achieve some specifically named goal. An amulet is in effect no different, save that as a charm it is supposed to be worn for protection against disease, sickness, ill-fortune, or witchcraft." -Israel Regardie, Introduction of _How To Make and Use Talismans_ I have worked successfully with Hebrew-based talismans in meditation work and archangelic evocation and communication with my HGA/Godhood, using this tiny (60 page) well-written book as my primary guide. Its probably OOP, and is from Aquarian Press. Well worth picking up from a used bookstore. I do believe anyone with faith, imagination and self confidence can make effective talismans and amulets for themselves... maybe even have them work as gifts to friends and loved ones upon request... Selling them for profit to suck-- err.. strangers... is against my personal ethics and my own psychic powers are telling me Umbrae was dead on right in his analysis of why that famous Psychic switched words in mid article. *eg*

jlbvt	21 Dec 2002
Jere's what I found In "The Tarot Spellcaster" By Terry Donaldson, pg. 25. I hope it's ok to post this- "It is important to keep all talismans and amulets you make along the way. An amulet is a three-dimensional object such as a stone or coin, that represents your magical purposes. A talisman is a two-dimensional object, such as a piece of parchment with something written on it, to attract certain influences or repel others...." "...Always treat them with respect; a good idea is to store them in your spell box alongside your magical tools." "...An uanga bag is the African name for a pouch containing magical objects that is hung around the neck."

Ophiel	03 Jan 2003
Donald Kraig ("Modern Magick") has a brand new book out called "Tarot and Magic," and addresses talismans, amulets, etc. in the chapter, "The Tarot Cards as Talismans." He says (p. 79-80) "Today, for practitioners of magic, the word 'talisman' is the name of an object that will bring a physical thing, energy, or quality to you. The word 'amulet' is the name of a protective device that keeps things, energies, or qualities away." He goes on to state that nonmagicians tend to use these terms interchangably.

january	03 Jan 2003
whether you have an amulet or talisman, what do you think happens if you lose it? what should you do? make or search for another? i was just wondering. ~ january

zander770	03 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Ophiel . . . the word 'talisman' is the name of an object that will bring a physical thing, energy, or quality to you. The word 'amulet' is the name of a protective device that keeps things, energies, or qualities away." He goes on to state that nonmagicians tend to use these terms interchangably. [/b] EXACTLY! talisman's BRING to YOU (the magickian); amulet's keep things AWAY from YOU (the magickian). i also think that your last sentence resonates, here, and should be noted, here, profoundly. i also found it "strange" that laurel's quotes from regardie were verbatum from those of kraig's UNTIL THE MIDWAY POINT in his_appendix three, _m.m_ (chk it out)! "weird," as a writer, to me. i'll diffinately bring the subject up to him.

jlbvt	08 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by january whether you have an amulet or talisman, what do you think happens if you lose it? what should you do? make or search for another? i was just wondering. ~ january Now that is a really good question. I think losing a talisman before you have accomplished what you started using it for would be detrimental. I have been carying a quartz arrowhead that I found in my garden (the coolest thing I ever found) for a specific purpose. I lost it in my laundry hamper for about a week, and things have been really complicated in that area of my life since. I found it this morning, and tonight I got some answers and guidance on how to get the thing done that I have been using the arrowhead for. My question now would be, when the talisman is no longer needed for the spell can you use it for something else, after cleansing it? Or what do you do with it instead, keep it in a box forever? carry it with you forever? Will it always have magical energy for the first intended purpose? Will it spoil any gains you have made if you stop carrying it when you think you don't need it anymore???

The Amulet/Talisman - which is it? thread was originally posted on 19 Dec 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.