Now Might Be a Good Time for a Talisman

In November 1922 archaeologist Howard Carter descended a limestone passage in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. Holding a flame up in the darkness he peered through a small hole chiseled into a sealed door. When asked if he could see anything Carter famously replied “Yes, wonderful things.” More than one hundred objects were discovered within the linen bandages of King Tutankhamun’s mummy including an abundance of amulets that Carter declared were “intended to protect against injury on that journey in the underworld.” Scarabs serpents vultures lunar ornaments ancient gods like Horus and Anubis carved from gold and lapis lazuli were strategically placed on various points along the body. Over 3,300 years later these kinds of symbolic objects aren’t relics from a bygone era they play an ongoing role in our spiritual landscape. Somewhat ironically just look to TikTok for proof. As Vogue Business reported the platform has over 9 million videos under the #WitchTok hashtag. It doesn’t stop there of course. The profusion of tarot crystals astrology talismans and other permutations of spirituality has all drifted mainstream in recent years. “I think the core of authentic spiritual work is rooted in a thread that has always existed,” explains tarot reader Cory Sargeant Boehr. “But the way we engage with those practices naturally evolves alongside society.” My curiosity around amulets and talismans is something of a contradiction. On one hand I am staunchly skeptical of the metaphysical. But I can neither resist it. I am utterly obsessed with rituals as a child I would trace the Sign of the Cross on my chest because I was fascinated with the sacramental gesture I was not catholic. And yet if someone earnestly explores the merits of the zodiac or crystal healing at a dinner party my inner cynic awakens. But as it pertains to protective objects I am somehow spiritedly on board. Photo: High Light Rituals The difference between an amulet and talisman deals largely with whether it exists in its original state or if it has undergone some sort of ritual preparation. In Claude Lecouteux’s The High Magic of Talismans and Amulets a book I strongly suggest reading on the subway if you’d like to spark a conversation with strangers he explains that the amulet is an object “possessing natural virtues” while a talisman is an object that has been “invested with magic powers thanks to a ritual compelling.” Both can serve the purpose of protection and in modern times Lecouteux explains the term talisman has come to designate any magical object. For Donnie Soddu a shamanic practitioner and founder of High Light Rituals the talisman is a physical object that’s been given a spiritual purpose. “It might be created for protection courage abundance clarity or to help someone stay connected to any particular intention or part of themselves,” she explains. Soddu makes jewelry talismans because they can be worn and returned to. “It becomes a physical anchor or a reminder that helps bring physical form to energy work.” After the death of his grandmother jewelry designer Presley Oldham recovered a rock in her desk drawers that she had kept there for as long as he could remember. “She would hold it as a sort of meditative object while working,” he says. The rock fit snugly in the palm and even had a spot for one’s thumb to rest on. “I’m sure she picked it up on a walk somewhere for this exact reason,” he says adding that it brought him comfort while moving through waves of grief. Photo: Presley Oldham As Oldham was working on his first cast pieces he made a mold of this rock and introduced a slightly re‑sculpted version as a pendant. “I had been calling it a ‘worry stone’ and the name just stuck,” he says. “It felt like the perfect name for the piece and what it has the power to do.” He regards it as a talisman and intends for his new hand‑carved gem Worry Stones crafted in crystal quartz smoky quartz jade amethyst lapis and moonstone to serve a similar function. “Each stone has its own texture and striation and slowly transforms from the owner’s touch over time,” he says both literally in shape and on an emotional plane. The pendant is designed to fit perfectly in your hand and asks you to hold it and release what you need into it. “To me that is a talisman an object that allows you to alchemize your emotions.” Stones Soddu explains have a very long history of being associated with energetic medicinal protective and symbolic properties. She works with gemstones as “spiritual allies” playing the role of intermediary between clients and the spirit world. “Most often a stone will volunteer for a particular purpose or intention and I use that information to guide the creation of the talisman,” she explains. Once it’s made Soddu holds a ceremony to bless and activate the piece according to the intention then passes along guidance on how and when to wear it and use its affirmation. “The stone matters but the relationship and ritual surrounding it matter just as much.” Photo: Courtesy of Kindred Black Beyond stones and jewelry talismans and amulets have historically encompassed a wide variety of objects rabbit feet four‑leaf clovers arrows evil eyes animal teeth astrological seals and so on. For Kindred Black founders Alice Wells and Jennifer Francis even scent can be talismanic. “Throughout human history there is almost always an element of burning something scented during a ritual,” Francis says. Their studio is currently full of talismans—a horseshoe above the door a carved snake guarding the window a lucky dart hanging in the corner—but when they set out to design a home collection they kept going back to this idea of shaping atmosphere through scent. “So many ingredients have been used for millennia for their spiritual and protective properties,” Wells says. Neroli to ease nervousness lilac to welcome new beginnings rose.