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vintage style scissors
Is that a Charm, Amulet, or Talisman?
And what the heck are the differences between the three?
I've seen in online spaces these three names being used interchangeably; and although it is really easy to mix these up as they are a little bit similar, they do have very different uses and contexts from one to the other.
This is why in this post I would like to clear up the confusion the best that I can! So, let's get into it!!
Charm:
Charms are items that hold significance because of their historical, religious, and/or folkloric beliefs that surround the item in question. Examples include: the Christian cross, horseshoes, four leaf clovers, or even a rabbit's foot. Because charms hold their own significance, you do not need to charge them with your intention. Charms ultimately have their own innate energy. What’s interesting about the word ‘charm’ is part of its origin and many contexts that it can be used in. Let me explain; the sense of "pleasing quality, irresistible power to please and attract" evolved by the 17th century (“Her eyes were charming to me.”). It is attested from 1590s as "any item worn to avert evil;" ("My rabbit's foot is my lucky charm”), the meaning "small trinket fastened to a watch-chain, etc." (a pocket watch is sometimes referred to as a ‘pocket-charm’) is recorded by 1865.
Amulets and Talismans are different because they are created by the single magical practitioner—imbued with the practitioner's own intention and/or energy. But then, what is the difference between these two? Depending on which culture you are from, or who you ask; these definitions can change quite a bit! So for this, I will be speaking in very broad terms.
Amulet:
The word “amulet” is of uncertain origin, though it could be related to the word ‘amoliri’(Latin) which means: "to avert, to carry away, remove." With that brief relation and/or definition, it is easy to see that amulets are typically created for personal protection.
They’re also typically something that the practitioner would wear physically on their being. They could be in the form of a necklace, like those super gorgeous ones that have the really large crystal(s)! That is a great example of an amulet for personal protection.
Also, if the practitioner were to give an amulet to someone; that would be symbolizing the practitioner’s energy protecting the receiver. So, Amulets are used to protect against and/or push away negative/unwanted energies.
Talisman:
The word Talisman has a little more of a complicated history, in the 1630s it generally meant a "magical figure cut or engraved on stone or metal under certain observances," this comes from the French word talisman as well as partly from the Arabic word tilsam (plural tilsaman). If we go back to the old times, as in; renaissance magic; you’ll see that Talismans were used in a variety of workings when the practitioner/group of practitioners wanted to evoke/invoke (and that is a definition difference for part one) a specific spirit into their magical working.
Naturally then, we can see that Talismans are made for attracting energy. With a talisman, you can attract specific spirits (as stated); or abstract ideas such as love and happiness. You can even attract physical things to yourself like money.
For example, if you were to create a talisman for peace and put it in your living room, then the talisman would be attracting more peaceful/calming energies into your living room. Typically speaking, Talismans are often physical objects; but they can also be symbols inscribed on something or just written on paper (fancy paper or otherwise).
Ending Notes:
So, yes! Those are the super basic differences between the three items, but I invite everyone to experiment with these! They are super fun to make, and if there’s an audience for it; I’ll go over how I make them too!
Have a great day!
🌙 magic tools you use the most?
I will tell everyone that they do not need tools in order to do anything. However, they make it easier to visualize things.
On an average day, I don't really need tools outside of some form of spoon or frother (stir in daily intentions into my coffee), a tea light, and a lighter. If I am doing kitchen magic, the tools I need (including herbs, spices, other ingredients, utensils, etc.) are determined by the recipe I am making, which is the main carrier of the spell.
Of course, when I feel like doing a ritual or anything larger than my daily little things, I have wands (either Selenite/Satin Spar or a symbolic wooden one I purchased when out with my husband on a date day) and a crystal tiara that I love using to help ground me to the moment.
Other tools I have that I use as needed: crystals (spheres, towers, tumbles, jewelry, etc.), dried cleansing herbs, besom (handheld for easy cleansing;full sized for larger rituals/spells), insense and candles, and more.
To join the fun: use this prompt to see which questions have been answered before dropping your ask here!
Witchy Tools: Eggshells
Used For
Eggshells are very well known for being ingredients for protection across a variety of magical traditions. While they have other uses too, that is by far the most prominent use. The crushed eggshells are used to make protection lines/barriers, or as ingredients in spells - something especially helpful in workings where using salt could poison the soil. It can also be used to draw sigils or other symbols - especially if you make it into eggshell-chalk.
Materials
Eggshells
Water (optional)
Flour (optional)
Coloring (optional)
Process
If using eggshells as they are, you can either use whole eggshells or grind them up into smaller pieces or a powder, depending on what you are wanting to use it for. For example, whole eggshells can work as spell containers, pieces can be used in spell ingredients, and powder can form protective lines - though there are many other uses as well.
If making the eggshells into chalk for more directed linework with the eggshells, you can grind the eggshells into a powder. Then you’ll add that to a paste made from water and flour until it’s thick enough to form into the shape of a piece of chalk. If you want to add color magic into it as well, you can add colors to it as well in this stage. After letting it dry for several days, it should be ready to use.
Why it Works/History
Most of why eggshells work as a magical tool has to do with them being a literal protection for new life. By either harnessing (or in some cases, destroying) that protection for yourself, you can take on the magical properties of that protection. They can also provide nutrients for the garden, helping gardens protected with them to thrive.
Historically, there are references to eggshells believed to allow witches to fly, and some believe it can draw in the fae. Between the two, in older times it became a habit to break any eggshells ready for disposal to prevent both from happening. However, there isn’t much recorded regarding the specifics of their use in European witchcraft. In the closed traditions of Santeria, Hoodoo, and a few others eggshell powder had similar uses too, though the powder was often mixed with other ingredients and used in ways traditional to the practices.
Do you really need to pack all your candles, your entire apothecary, and 5 oracle decks? You’ll only be gone for a week!
I just wrote this about traveling and witchcraft. (more specifically, traveling and the witchcraft tools you take with you). If that interests you, give it a read!
Listen. There's nothing wrong with buying your tools. There's nothing wrong with not using tools. I personally think we should all learn how to work magic without tools first.
But. There is something to be said about witches who make their own tools with nothing but sheer audacity as credentials. Never used power tools before? No problem! That wood burner dangerously close to your skin? You'll be fine. The prefect stick buried in brambles? That's what band-aids are for! Want to hand make a book of shadows? Now you're a book binder! You'll figure it out.
All this talk of candle magick I thought we should talk about Snuffers as they’re an often under discussed witchy tool yet I feel like every witch can benefit from keeping one she fancies on her altar for everyday candle work. ✨🔔🕯️✨
Warding question
If you propagate your plant ward, would you have 2 plant wards or just one plant ward and a regular plant?
This is assuming you didn't add any warding ingredients/intention to your propagated plant.
