A variety of spiritual objects and artifacts are associated with different cultures, spirituality, and religions. An amulet is a natural object used as a charm. Amulets may include: stones, crystals, fossils, bird feathers found on the ground or in trees, four-leaf clovers, pieces of wood, nuts, shells (especially cowrie shells), dried flowers or other herbs, and seeds. A talisman is a human-made or manufactured object used as a charm. Talismans may have natural elements, but they are incorporated into a human-created design. An amulet can be a natural object of special quality. It can be an animal part, such as a tooth, an ear, a foot, or tail, from a particular animal who has certain desirable traits associated with the purpose of the magical object. It can be a plant, an herb, or mixture of herbs in a bag or tied or otherwise secured in place on a specific body part. Or it can come from the mineral world, as a stone of particular shape or quality (in its "natural" state). Manufactured talismans take many forms. They can be words or symbols written, drawn, incised, or otherwise formed in clay, stone, metal, paper, parchment, wood, wax, or cloth, and often encased in metal, leather, or cloth. Another common and popular form is the semi-precious stone, such as carnelian or agate, often engraved with mythical scenes, symbols, prayers, charms, names of deities, or other magical words or carved into a particular shape. To be efficacious, it has to be consecrated, usually with burning incens or libations. Then the amulet or talisman can be worn or carried on a person, hung or placed in a house or other building, put into things such as boxes; or finally, it can be tied on animals for protection from harm or to promote fertility.A prayer or incantation is usually recited as the amulet or talisman is put on the person. Talismans especially are used to gain or achieve something, such as love, luck honor, wealth, power, or victory in combat or competition. Protection is the primary function of amulets. And finally amulets and talismans can be used to regain something, particularly health. |
