Talismanic Magick

By: Donald Michael Kraig

Talismans are powerful magickal tools that anyone can use. Many books, however, aren’t very clear as to what they are and how they’re used. In Modern Magick, I define a talisman as “any object, sacred or profane, with or without appropriate symbols, which has been charged or consecrated by appropriate means and made to serve a specific end.” Let me break this definition down for you:

1. A talisman is a physical object, not merely an idea or concept.

2. It can be a sacred object, such as a cross or a pentacle, or it can be something with no obvious spiritual connection such as a favorite ring, pendant or even a piece of paper.

3. It may have symbols or writing on it, but that is not a necessity.

4. What is a necessity is that energy (see my column in the previous issue of New Worlds) must be put into the talisman to charge or consecrate it.

5. It must have a specific purpose. Such a purpose can be general (such as health) or specific (to get a certain job).

In Modern Sex Magick (which covers far more than just sex magick), I describe the physical forms talismans can take:

1. Prefab Talismans — These are the type you find already constructed and available for purchase through stores.

2. Found Talismans — These are objects which you find, purchase, are given, etc., which are not designed to be talismans, but which you decide to use as talismans. An example of this might be a ring or a seashell.

3. Traditionally Structured Talismans — Over the eons, various traditions concerning the construction of talismans have been developed. Extended instructions for constructing these, using such things as Kabalistic techniques, numerology and traditional symbols, are given in Modern Magick. The main difference between traditionally structured talismans and prefab talismans is that you make the traditionally structured talismans yourself rather than purchasing them in a finished form. They can also be far more specific to your needs. A popular technique, centered on the idea of compressing the letters of a word or phrase indicating the purpose of your talisman into a single symbol, is an example of such a talisman.

4. Freeform Talisman — One of the most popular ways of communicating with the non-physical world has been through automatic writing. With this form of communication, you let your mind to go blank and allow spirits to use your arm in order to write a message. Some people have used this to write entire books. There have been variations on this, including a type of automatic typewriter. Perhaps the most popular form of automatic writing is the ever-popular Ouija® board and its variations. One twentieth-century occultist, Austin Osman Spare (1886–1956), was also a brilliant artist. He developed a process called automatic drawing. Although more than one critic said the works he did while using this process were inferior to his other work and lacking discipline, that misses the point. They don’t look like his other styles because they are otherworldly. And you can use this to great effect.

Amulets & Talismans for Beginners: How to Choose, Make & Use Magical Objects

Saint Christopher medals, ankhs, birthstones, four-leaf clovers-all are examples of magical objects used for protection or to attract good luck. This introductory guidebook tells you everything you need to know to make or find talismans, amulets, and charms, and use them to improve your life.

Author Richard Webster shows you, in his famous step-by-step manner, how to create, charge, purify, and empower your own personal magical objects for a variety of purposes, from attracting love to attaining wealth. You'll learn about protective amulets from around the world, including previously unpublished information on yantras, a form of talisman that is popular in India. This book even offers a dictionary of lucky charms, from acorns to wishbones.

Easy-to-use and engaging, Amulets & Talismans for Beginners was designed so even absolute beginners can achieve success with their own magical objects.

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