Talismans

The metals most commonly used to make talismans are:


Gold has always been regarded as the most perfect of the metals. It was widely used in the cult of the Sun and is still used to make objects for religious worship. The druids used it to make such ritual instruments as billhooks and knives. For Christians, gold was the symbol of faith.Over the centuries, this very special metal was used to make lucky charms that protected the wearer, favoured recovery from illness and brought honour.
Silver is also regarded as a perfect metal. Associated with the Moon, it is the counterpart of gold which is associated with the Sun. Silver is the symbol of femininity. It represents purity, wards off demons and promotes intuition.
Copper is believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits and drive out ghosts and bad vibrations. Worn as a bracelet or a ring, it cures migraine, rheumatism and cramp. It can be used in place of gold.
Pewter is a greyish white metal that looks like silver. It favours premonitory dreams.
Bronze is an alloy of pewter, silver and copper. The fact that it unites metals with often opposing powers makes it extremely powerful. It increases physical strength, and offers protection against wounds and injury in war.
Iron, a precious metal in ancient times, is no longer regarded as such. It symbolises severity and stubbornness.
Lead is associated with the planet Saturn and symbolises heaviness. It was highly prized by alchemists (such as the Swiss alchemist Paracelsus, 1493-1541) who dreamed of transforming it into gold. It is invested with very special powers and favours divination.


MAKING A TALISMAN
Making a talisman requires a knowledge of magic formulae that use the power of names, numbers, geometric figures, and magic drawings. It also presupposes an in-depth knowledge of astrological signs and numerological symbols. A talisman is more complex than a lucky charm or amulet. Usually, the wearer waits passively for a lucky charm to ward off evil. A talisman, however, is made according to a precise ritual and plays a much more specific role – for example, regaining the affection of a loved one, recovery from illness, finding a lost object, defeating an enemy or passing an exam.
Unlike lucky charms and amulets, a talisman represents animals, plants, names and numbers by using associated symbols, a symbol being the form of expression that links an object to an idea or archetype by a logical series of meanings. Thus the archetype “AIR” can be symbolised by the sky, birds, freedom or weightlessness. By extension, having an eagle as a talisman or totem bestows the power of mobility and the power to break free from all forms of constraint.
Putting the image of a bird’s foot or an eagle’s claw on a talisman will, by association, lead to the archetype AIR and will invest the user with the power to regain lost liberty or to retain the liberty that he or she already possesses!
Although a relatively extensive body of esoteric knowledge is required to make a talisman, the role of the user is still relatively passive. This is not the case for the user of a pentacle.