What Are Amulets and Talismans?

Although amulets and talismans are some of the most commonly used magickal items, there remains much ambiguity as to what exactly they are and how they differ. Today we will briefly explore the most common definitions, how useful they are and how they differ, in order to arrive at a clearer understanding of these staples of magickal practice.

There are three common definitions for amulets and talismans. The first, the most common dictionary definition, is that they are synonymous and refer to any item which exerts an ‘occult influence,’ such as protection or good luck.  A second definition popular among some magickal practitioners is that an amulet is used against certain influences, such as an amulet against illness, whereas a talisman is used for a specific influence, such as a talisman to attract love. Finally, a third definition favored by other practitioners is that an amulet is natural, such as a stone or herb (worn in a ‘medicine bag’ for instance), while a talisman is man-made, such as a pressed metal disc with symbols on it.

Now, since these three definitions are all in common usage, it cannot be said that one right or wrong, but it can be argued as to which is most useful. First of all, there are contradictions between the definitions; so, we cannot just accept them simultaneously and move on. A single example will illustrate this. Take the stone carnelian, which is traditionally worn for courage. According to definition one, it is both a talisman and an amulet; definition two would say that it is a talisman because it is for courage, while definition three would say that is an amulet because it is a natural stone. So, which is it?

Since practitioners (i.e. those who actually use talismans and amulets), prefer the second two definitions, we will assume that there is some reason for differentiation between the two terms and move quickly past definition one. Now, as for definition two, this definition is often contradicted in the traditional literature. For instance, the Key of Solomon, available here, and here, one of the primary texts of Renaissance talismanic magick, lists many different talismans which are explicitly used against certain influence, such as “the sixth pentacle of Jupiter” which is used against earthly dangers. Also, whether an item is for or against something is often only a matter of phrasing. For example, an “amulet” against danger could just as easily be considered as a “talisman” for protection. Given these contradictions to the source material and the issue of phrasing, the second definition is not particularly useful.

Coming now to definition three, the natural vs. man-made dichotomy, consider a rune stone, tiger’s eye, for instance, which is engraved with the rune Uruz. Is it an amulet or a talisman? Well, in that tiger’s eye is a natural material, it is an amulet, but since it is inscribed, it is also a talisman. Since all natural materials have their own magickal properties, and since all symbols, likewise, have their own properties, it is useful to be able to differentiate between the “amuletic” and “talismanic” properties of a thing. In the instance of our tiger’s eye Uruz, it has the amuletic properties of tiger’s eye, being confidence and willpower, and the talismanic properties of Uruz, being virility and power, among other things. In this case, we can say that the amuletic and talismanic properties are harmonious. This allows us great subtlety and layers of definition. It also puts amulets/talismans on a spectrum; a stone or herb is obviously an amulet and a sigil or symbol is obviously a talisman, but where they combine, we can say why it is both and how these layers may affect one another, and whether they are harmonious or discordant. Clearly, this is the most useful of the three definitions.

ADAM SCHAAB

Foxen Organics Deodorant

About a year ago I decided to give up the use of traditional deodorants because of concerns over the long-term effects of aluminum products. Now, as an arch-virgo, this was not an easy decision, as the possibility of smelling bad is just about the most abhorrent thing imaginable to me and I was not sure if the natural stuff would cut it. Nevertheless, I began my quest to find a healthful alternative.

I started with a liquidy roll-on that I bought from a nice hippie woman at a folk festival. It smelled strongly, but did nothing to stop me from feeling wet and gross. Next, I tried a leading natural stick deodorant available at most coops. It worked well, except for the fact that it took forever to dry and left white stains on all my t-shirts. So, I took to standing in front of a fan with my arms raised in the morning for a few minutes, even in winter, until it dried. Even with this strategy, I would sometimes have to reapply half way through the day. Eventually, I tried another natural roll-on from the coop, with much the same results as the first I had tried.

I had pretty much resigned myself to spending my mornings with my arms over my head when a long-time customer brought me a sample of the natural deodorant she had been working on. I was immediately hooked. It smelled great; it went on easily without an uncomfortable wet feeling; it didn’t stain my shirts and above all, it WORKED. After one application, I was fine for the rest of the day. I went through the sample in a week and since the main batch was not finished yet, I asked for another. When the tins arrived, I was the first the buy one. Foxen Organics Deodorant is hands down the best that I have found, and better still, it is locally and lovingly made. I cannot recommend it enough.

ADAM SCHAAB

The Corner Stone....Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is a beautiful stone, even in its raw form. It has a wondrously deep rich blue color (imagine the bluest sky you have ever seen), graced with delicate streaks and specks of pyrite. The blue and gold are even further enhanced by polishing and shaping.

Elemental Attribution: Water

Planetary Attribution: Venus

Associated Deities and Spirits: Hathor, Venus, Aphrodite, and Isis

Source: Primarily from Afghanistan, along with mines in the Andes and in North America.

Magic: Lapis Lazuli is a highly magical stone, with influence over your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual states. Physically it is a stone which promotes healing of fevers and diseases of the blood. Just holding lapis lazuli can calm the body and ease nerves and tension.

Wearing lapis lazuli can bring good health and benefit. Mentally, lapis lazuli can bring a sense of calmness and balance, enhancing mental stability and increasing awareness on many levels.

Lapis lazuli is useful in achieving emotional balance and stability, as well. Many ancients used this stone to bring love and gentleness into their lives. Used a material basis for a talisman, along with the powers of Venus, it can bring you good fortune in your quest for love, or to keep fidelity with one you already love. Most importantly, lapis lazuli enhances your spirit with the magic of psychic awareness. Many use it to increase their perception and recall of dreams, and in attaining awareness in dream-magic. Keep a piece by your bed or on the table when you perform any divination, such as tarot, runes or scrying. In ancient times lapis was also used as a stone of protection to keep away unwanted psychic disturbances and unfriendly spirits.

THOMAS BRENDEN

Tarot...The Elements

The lower Arcana is where our modern playing cards descended from. Hearts, clubs, spades, and Diamonds. They were originally cups, wands, swords, and pentacles, which did and still represent the four elements: water, fire, air, and earth. They represent the building blocks of our psyche. Our emotions, creativity, intellect, and the physical, material realm we dwell in. They help us to find balance in our physical and spiritual life, which is the ultimate goal for most of us.

Our focus is going to start with the cups and the element of water.

The cups suit, take us through the emotional ups and downs we experience with people, situations, and creative ventures in life, how to work through our emotions, and accept them, or let them go.


Water is our life force, we are made of it, we cannot survive without it. Our emotions are our spiritual life force, if we didn't have emotions life would be meaningless and our souls would starve. 
We would live in our body and only once, never experiencing what it is capable of. 
You can start to tune yourself in to this elemental force to help you balance your water/emotions in your life.

Questions to meditate on that can be a helpful way to do this, are to ask yourself, are your emotions internally balanced, as well as externally? Are there negative emotional situations you need to face before you can move on to positive ones?

A life without water, is unimaginable. As is a spirit without ever feeling emotions.

ARIEL HANSON

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Asthma Herbs

As summer approaches, allergies increase for many of us.  Whether it is dogs in the park or pollen in the air all around us, breathing freely can become a real struggle in the summer months.  For others it is hives, and for others summer is fine, but another season spells trouble.  Fortunately, there are dozens of herbs that have a long history of helping people with allergies and asthma.  Some of these herbs have been studied in modern times as well, so there are two levels of knowledge available to most people about these herbs.

Herbs that can be found in most kitchens are a great way to start combating allergies.  Thyme can be a great herb for clearing lungs of phlegm and keeping airways clear during asthma season. Considered a tonic for the lungs, Thyme is a wonderful herb to cook with when the lungs are not as healthy as they could be.  Not sure how to cook with this little leaf?  Carrots are a natural match for Thyme, as is fish.  Sprinkle a little over these foods near the end of cooking.  One note, Thyme tea is a strong tasting tea that many find unpleasant, so a teaspoon of thyme in hot water may be too much for most people.

Basil is another kitchen herb that can help maintain healthy lungs.  Especially valuable fresh, a little pesto can be a great way to bring some Basil into one’s diet.  A traditional motivational herb, Basil once had a reputation for lighting a fire under slowed down, depressed people.  This can be a great herb for those who have a hard time with asthma to combat not just poor lung health, but poor motivation as well. 

Caraway is another herb that gently improves and maintains lung health.  This herb is also associated with gas and other digestion issues.  Caraway seeds are another herb known to go well with carrots.  They also do well in dishes involving feta cheese, sauerkraut, potato salad, and many soups.

Thyme, Basil, and Caraway are all kitchen herbs and commonly available, are gentle herbs to improve lung health when they are used in recipes and on foods.  There are herbs that are classics for lung health that people do not cook with today, although some have been used as food in the past.

Elecampane is an herb with a long history helping people with lung issues.  A “cure-all” to the ancient Greeks and Romans, this herb has a reputation for moving mucus out of the lungs, as well as helping those with asthma.  Often used with children, in kid sized doses, Elecampane can be a great herb for many lung issues.  To those who will make the best use of it, it often tastes sweet, but there is a pungency and bitterness hiding this root, too.  Many like a little Elecampane in teas or syrups.

Mullein leaf is a delightful herb with a long history of use both the strengthen lungs and to calm them in mild asthma attacks.  Mullein leaf can be a very calming herb, even distracting during the day.

Once upon a time, taking this herb in a tea during a class on herbalism I found myself unable to concentrate.  So word to the wise, try Mullein leaf in the evening to judge its effects.   This herb can easily be found growing wild in our area, and finding a photo on-line to help with identification is easy.  If harvesting, be sure to do so away from highways and other, busy roads.  Herbs are great, but herbs that breathe car exhaust may not be as helpful as those grown away from a lot of car exhaust fumes.

Goldenrod can help some people.  Hay fever, often caused by goldenrod, has been successfully treated with a little pinch of the offending plant itself!  A weak cup of the tea, a drop or two of the tincture, or a little bitty piece of the leaf of the plant can do wonders to clear up asthma from hay fever.

These are just a few examples of herbs that can help those with asthma find better health.  Some herbs are used because they focus on the lungs, like Elecampane, or Coltsfoot; other because they aid the lungs as part of what they do, like Caraway, Honeysuckle, or Milkwort.  There are even stress coping herbs that are better for people with asthma.  Aswagandha is a great example of this.  It can make a wonderful alternative to Ginseng for those with asthma.  Jiao Gu Lan is another herb that has been used to help the body adapt to stressors that is also associated with lung health and may be a better choice for some than Ginseng. 

There is no one herb for any one problem because we are each unique and need our own unique remedies.  Many can be learned from nature, by cautious and researched experimentation , or from a professional  who has made herbs a central focus of their practice.  As always, check for any warnings these or any other herbs may have before taking them, but do explore.  Our world has many wonderful resources for us…it is almost as though the universe has provided what we need if only we can take the time to look around and realize it.

LIZ JOHNSON

Massage Organics

I recently had a conversation with a massage therapist. She and I have both been in personal business for ourselves with our massage practices for over ten years. We were talking about about the relatively new chains that have popped up over the past few years and their impact on our business, both the good and the bad.

I was surprised when she compared our business to her dad's: he grew organic fruits and vegetables. She relayed conversations they would have about why it is so very worth paying more money for something that can have huge effects on the body.

When we choose to buy organic, it may be for multiple reasons:

• taste
• nutrients
• lack of pesticides
• environmental impact. 

As people are becoming more educated on the impacts on both their health and environment, they are choosing to buy organic despite a higher cost.

Massage can be a lot like this....choosing quality over price. As opposed to stopping to a chain for a convenient, low-priced massage from a low-paid therapist, you can find an experienced practitioner who charges an honest rate for the intense work they are doing with their body, to help heal your body. Someone who does massage at a steady pace, knowing how many quality massages they are able to practically do each day.  For instance, I would prefer two hour and a half massages each day, rather than three or four hour long massages.

Choosing quality for your health and vitality, whether through buying organic and locally grown produce, or finding a therapist who knows and charges the true value of their work will be better for your body, as well as your peace of mind.

MELA AMARA