Talismans, Amulets,
and Defixiones

Most present-day historical scholars agree that amulets and talismans were very much a part of the ancient everyday world, regardless of religious persuasion, including those sects who overtly frowned upon such nonsense. The word amulet comes from Arabic, meaning “to bear” or “to carry”89—sounding much like the Latin amolior, which means “I repel or drive away.” In the ancient world an amulet was called periapta or periammata, meaning “things tied around.”90 According to Pliny, the word amulet meant “an object that protects a person from trouble.”91 The word talisman comes from the Greek root teleo, which means “to consecrate.” Most historians also agree that amulets and talismans were prepared and sold by specialists, who produced them according to traditional recipes and consecrated them through ritual acts designed to empower the object for the special needs of the client.92

Over the centuries, amulets and talismans have sometimes changed or shared definitions, though they have separate magickal functions. Cultures all over the world have used them in magick, adornment, and religion. Where an amulet is often considered passive (used for protection and preventative reasons), the talisman is active (made to bring something to you, like success). A third object, designed specifically to bind evil, whether it was a person, god, or animal, was called a defixiones, meaning “to fasten,” or katadesmoi, “to bind down” (both are Greek)—meaning curse tablet.93 A third meaning, sometimes added to either defixiones or to katadesmoi, is eucha, meaning “prayer,” therefore the total meaning would be “to bind down (or fasten) a prayer.” Although called “curse tablets” for lack of better terminology, not all of the tablets consisted of negative thoughts or banishing. Some were created for increased physical strength or for matters of the heart. For more information on banishing and binding, see page 375. Some historians feel that the ancient defixiones were specifically for harming, restraining, or enslaving enemies or objects of lust and thus fell (as a whole) into the cursing category.

Some magickal people will tell you that an amulet can only be of natural material (a stone from a river bed, herbs, a bone from an animal), where the talisman and the defixiones are usually a construction of some sort (jewelry, a statue, even a bumper sticker); however, this explanation doesn’t bear up under archeological findings,94 and as we move on in this section you’ll see why it gets a bit confusing.

Although we tend to think of an amulet as a single object, the Egyptian words for amulet have a less restrictive meaning. The word sa can mean a group of objects, the cord they were strung on, or the bag that contained them, as well as the words and gestures needed to activate them.95 Such bags have a variety of names, depending upon the culture—conjuring, gris-gris, and mojo bags, to name a few.

In most magickal symbolism, an amulet is normally a small, usually portable item that is unusual in nature, and can be worn or carried on a person, placed in a house, office, or car, and can be temporary or permanent. An amulet’s job is to ward off danger and sickness—a protective device. A talisman, on the other hand, is designed to transmit energy, such as bringing success to the wearer. If you always wear the same unwashed socks before an athletic event to bring you luck, then those stinky, smelly things would be considered a talisman. The defixiones is a finishing device—binding negative energy and then banishing that energy completely from the client. Defixiones have been found all over Europe in wells, foundations, streams, pits, and cemeteries, left by the clients hundreds and thousands of years ago right where they put them for the original ceremony. The amulet pushes away, the talisman brings in, and the defixiones banishes. What is confusing to the new practitioner of magick is the fact that all three can (but not always) be used for protection. Of the three, the defixiones is the most volatile because if it is handled incorrectly it will backfire on the practitioner. Many magickal individuals do not bind or banish by name; instead, they work on breaking the negative energy and then banishing the unwanted residue.

In modern magick you will discover that everyone has an opinion on the definitions of all three items. For example, according to the Order of the Golden Dawn,96 a talisman is a drawing or inscribed object charged with the force it is intended to represent, therefore you need to research all correspondences before activation. Studying medieval talismans from books on occult philosophy can be time consuming because each talisman contains a variety of symbolism, including heavenly hierarchies, specific colors, metals, and tools for activation, and are extremely strict on timing. These talismans can push or pull energy, depending upon your point of view.

One of the most popular ancient Egyptian amulets was the wedja, used to both protect the wearer and bestow desirable qualities such as health and vitality—a combination between an amulet and a talisman that both repelled and attracted.97 The wedjat eye98 (or protective eye of Horus), shown below, can be drawn on anything you wish to protect. Make a copy of this drawing and hang it in your locker to keep people from taking your things.

What is most amazing about the wedjat eye is that it consists of a mathematical shorthand of fractional proportions for Egyptian medical ingredient measurements, listed in six parts. The eyeball is 1/4, the eyebrow is 1/8, the portion in front of the eyeball is 1/2, the portion behind is 1/16, the curlycue is 1/64, and the line straight down is 1/32. In total, the picture equals 63/64, with Spirit supplying the last little bit to equal 64/64.99 Not only is the design spiritual in nature, it also links to medical and practical uses. If you wanted to write a spell of your own using the wedjat eye, as listed later in this section, then you would need a total of six ingredients, each representing one portion of the eye in the measurements listed above.

Natural amulets (wood, bone, seeds, herbs, stones, gems) depend on their association with the elements (earth, air, water, fire) and the inherent energy of the item. This kind of device bases its magick on animistic principles: the notion that things throughout nature have spirits or personalities dwelling within them.100 For example, a wolf’s tooth placed in the home for protection would connect with the energy of the wolf species (protection against attack, guarding family energy). An amulet made of garlic would work on the principle of the garlic’s natural healing energy to ward off sickness. The use of amulets for protection is worldwide among almost all peoples, and they are used to protect the owner against shipwrecks, terrible storms, sickness, evil spirits, death, guarding one’s possessions, gossip, warfare, and bodily attack. Amulets aren’t reserved only for people, and can be found tacked on homes, barns, sheds, and even government buildings, as well as around gardens, fields, and tied onto animals.101 The modern-day scarecrow is an amulet set in the fields to ward off negative energies that might harm the crops. Granted, the scarecrow is a mighty big amulet (and certainly human-made), but it could be considered a protective device just the same. In Egypt, as well as many other cultures, unusual natural objects such as the holey stone (a stone with a hole in it) were considered to have special powers because they were exotic. Egyptians called this special power heka, meaning the object contained the energy that first created life. In the Craft, we call heka Spirit. Even more interesting, the Egyptian word for seal sometimes means “amulet,” and sealing is a standard magickal technique not only in ancient times, but in modern ones as well. In the Craft, we seal the magick circle and magickal operations so that the energy is not lost.

Human-made amulets serve the same function: to protect. Examples over the centuries are coins, horseshoes, statues, bracelets, necklaces, rings, prayer papers, pieces of the crucifixion cross, balls made from wax and herbs, even Pennsylvania Dutch testimonials (letters asking God for protection) and hex signs created for protection and warding off sickness.

From their history we can see that amulets, talismans, and defixiones are not specifically related to Witchcraft, but to magick and culture. Many people, regardless of religion, believe in the power of these items, whereas if you asked them if they believe in Witchcraft because they refused to change their socks (that lucky talisman) in an effort to make sure they win the upcoming hockey game, they might look at you as if you lost your mind. Most amulets, talismans, and defixiones are activated by charms, which are spoken words of power.

Before working the following spells, remember to check your divination tool and the correspondences throughout this book, especially those that discuss timing. Remember to cast all spells in the magick circle.

Thunderstone for Home Protection

Supplies: One round, smooth stone that fits in the palm of your hand, preferably from a stream, lake, or river; several small pieces of mirror—rather than breaking a mirror, you may want to check your local handicraft store, which sells packages of tiny mirrors; glue.

Instructions: On the night of a full moon, cleanse, consecrate, and empower the stone, mirrors, and glue, asking for divine protection. You can petition the Lord and Lady, the angels, or the animal spirit of your choice. As you glue the mirrors on the top surface of the stone, intone the following chant:

To guard, to protect, to ward off evil

keep my world safe from awful upheaval

thunder to shatter and lightning to blast

so mote it be, this magick is cast.

Repeat chant seven times, then blow on the stone, saying: “As above, so below, this magick is sealed.” Empower again in thirty days. For extra power, infuse during a thunderstorm.

Empowering Jewelry for Protection

Choose symbols that mean protection, such as the pentacle, the Goddess, the lunar crescent, or pick a gemstone that has protective correspondences. On the night of a full moon, cleanse and consecrate the piece with the four elements in a magick circle. Repeat the following chant seven times while consistently rubbing the jewelry with your fingers:

Formed in earth and forged in fire,

Goddess blessing, lift me higher.

Guard me from life’s evil blows

please make sure my safety grows.

Goddess grant me my desire

formed in earth and forged in fire.

Empower every month (or when you are feeling particularly fearful).

Talisman to Bring Love

Supplies: Pink paper; pen; pink box or bag; rose petals; perfume; pink candle.

Instructions: Make a copy of the above vèvè or draw by hand on a pink piece of paper (it works better if you draw it yourself). On the back of the paper, write your name three times, as well as “Please bring the right person to love me that I will also love.” Rub your hand over the talisman three times, then kiss the front and back of the paper once to seal. Set aside in a pink box or pink bag that also contains several rose petals. Spray the inside of the bag three sprays or add drops of your favorite perfume. Close tightly. Place the bag in the light of the full moon for one hour before performing the spell.

Cast a magick circle. Pass the bag over the flame of the pink candle seven times (be careful not to burn the bag or box). Open the bag and remove the talisman. Pass over the flame three times, rep eating: “Please bring the love that’s right for me.” Allow the candle to burn completely, or relight once a day for seven days, repeating the statement. Don’t forget to thank deity and release the circle.

Spell works well in spellcasting ritual on page 331. Carry the talisman until you meet the right person. To reverse or break the spell, burn bag/box, talisman, and rose petals.

Wedjat Spell

Supplies: One small red bag; 2 small stones, one black, one white, empowered for balance in healing; one hand-drawn wedjat eye (page 456) on a small piece of paper; mortar and pestle; a picture of the sick person and something small (a taglock) that belongs to them; 6 herbs in the following proportions:

1/64­-thyme

1/32­-dried, crushed garlic

1/16­-allspice

1/8­-cinnamon

1/4­-dried mint

1/2­-crushed pine needles or rosemary

Note: Herbs chosen for your ease in obtaining them. You can substitute more exotic healing herbs if you so desire.

Instructions: Using one of the basic rituals in this book, prepare the area, cast the circle, and call the quarters. Cleanse and consecrate all supplies. Place a picture of the sick person in the center of your altar. Grind herbs with mortar and pestle. Empower with herbal charm on page 381. Empower black and white stones for healing in balance. Place herbs, stones, and taglock in red bag. Set on top of picture. Place wedjat eye on top of photo. Hold your hands over the wedjat eye and repeat the following incantation:

I belong to the Craft of the Wise. I belong to (say patron God or Goddess name—Egyptian deity would be best. If this bothers you, say “Spirit.”) I have come from (say where you were born) with the Great Ones of the Great House, the Lords of Protection and the Rulers of Eternity. I come from magick with the Mother of the Gods and I am in her safekeeping. I know charms that the Almighty wrought to chase away the spell of a god, of a goddess, of a dead man, of a dead woman, a living male, a living female, and they are a part of my knowledge. It is I who shall guard the sick person, (say name of sick person), from his/her enemies. Our guide shall be Thoth (main patron of physicians and healers), who lets writing speak, who creates the books, who passes on useful knowledge to Those Who Know, that they may deliver from disease the sick person of whom a god wishes so that he/she be kept alive and healthy.

Place the wedjat eye in the bag. Tie closed with ribbon or string. Hold bag in both hands while saying:

O Isis, great in sorcery, mayest thou remove all sickness, mayest thou deliver (person’s name) from everything evil and vicious and angry, from the spell of a god, from the spell of a goddess, of a dead man, of a dead woman, of a living male, of a living female and deliver (person’s name) as thou delivered both Osiris and Horus. Behold! Thou hast saved (person’s name) from all things evil, and vicious, and angry, from the spell of a god, from the spell of a goddess, from a dead man, from a dead woman, from a living male, from a living female. (Person’s name) is one with you, one with the universe, and one with perfect health. I know you will do this for me.
So mote it be.102

If the ill person is magickal or will believe in your work, you may give the person the bag and tell them to keep it with them until they are well. If they do not believe, place the photo and the bag in a safe place until the healing occurs. When the individual is well, dismantle the bag, bury the stones, and burn the remainder, giving thanks to the gods, particularly Horus and Isis.

Recommended Reading

The Complete Book of Amulets and Talismans by Migene González-Wippler