Amulets: Protective Adornment

Amulets are protective adornments that date back to the beginning of human civilization. Evil eye amulets are perhaps the most globally popular, believed in most cultures to be capable of warding off a hex by reflecting it back to its origins. In some cultures, amulets were devoted to a god or goddess, and the wearer was protected by that divinity. Horns, hands, and the phallus have all been popular amulet shapes throughout history. We know from archaeological discoveries that the inhabitants of the ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia wore amulets. People in that time wore cylindrical seals covered in precious stones, as well as animal talismans to inherit the qualities associated with different animals.

Ancient Egyptian amulets are on display at museums everywhere. They used their amulets in elaborate burial practices. To make the charms, they used faience, which is glazed ground quartz that is usually colored blue-green. The Egyptian royals and priests also wore precious and semi- precious gems and crystals as amulets. The eye of Horus was the most significant, and usually this was made of lapis lazuli.

Other creations included the lapis lazuli scarab, symbolizing rebirth; the frog, symbolizing fertility; and the ankh, representing eternal life.

In the classical age, Romans wore amulets that were metal cylinders containing parchment inscribed with protective words.

The popularity of amulets extended beyond pagan people when organized religions embraced the idea. In medieval times, religious people would wear verses from the Torah, Bible, or Koran in amulets around their necks. Even today, many Catholics wear medals honoring saints. Celtic symbols and imagery pervade trendy shops as Wiccans and modern pagans have updated and re-popularized the wearing of amulets.

You can make your own amulets for yourself or friends. It is important that you believe your friends will truly benefit from amulets, and that they are aware of the special qualities and powers associated with these special charms. First, you must select a crystal associated with the desired energy. Hold the crystal in your hand until it gets warm, then visualize the specific power the stone is offering. If the amulet is for you, wear it as a pendant or tuck it in your pocket.

Stone: Amethyst
Powers: Prevents inebriation; helps with sobriety

Stone: Aquamarine
Powers: Guards against malevolent spirits; attracts wisdom; helps overcome fear of water/drowning

Stone: Bloodstone
Powers: Brings luck; wear while traveling

Stone: Carnelian
Powers: Keeps away evil sprits

Stone: Diamond
Powers: Brings good fortune; lends force to valor; should be worn touching the skin and works best as a gift 

Stone: Emerald
Powers: Cancels out magician’s power 

Stone: Jade
Powers: Guards health of and protects, especially children; creates prosperity

Stone: Jasper
Powers: Aids in defense against venom of poisonous insects and snakes

Stone: Jet
Powers: Helps expel negativity, especially when set in silver 

Stone: Moonstone
Powers: Brings fame and good fortune; wear while traveling

Stone: Turquoise
Powers: Good for a horse’s gait when affixed to a bridle

Amulets

The term “amulet” comes from the Latin word meaning “defense.” Indeed, amulets are a way to protect yourself that dates back from the earliest human beliefs. Pliny himself subscribed to the use of amulets and wrote about three common kinds used by the Romans of the classical age. A typical amulet of that era was a bit of parchment inscribed with protective words, rolled up in a metal cylinder, and worn around the neck. Evil eyes might be the most global of all amulets, the belief being that they could ward off a hex by simply reflecting it back to its origins. Phallic symbols have always been popular, too, coming in the shapes of horns, hands, and the phallus, of course. Some amulets were devoted to a specific god or goddess, and the wearer of such a piece would be protected by that divine entity.The peoples of the Mesopotamian plain wore amulets. The Assyrians and Babylonians favored cylindrical seals encrusted with precious stones. They also loved animal talismans for the qualities associated with different animals: lions for courage, bulls for virility, and so on. The ancient Egyptians absolutely depended on their amulets for use in burial displays, and we can see many preserved in the cases of today’s museums.

To make their amulets, the Egyptians employed a material called faience, a glazed composition of ground quartz that was typically blue green in color. Wealthier denizens of the Nile, royalty, and the priestly class wore precious and semiprecious gems and crystals as amulets. Lapis lazuli was perhaps the most revered of these and was worn in many shapes, the eye of Horus being the most significant religious icon, followed by the scarab symbolizing rebirth; the frog, symbolizing fertility; and the ankh, representing eternal life.

Organized religions appropriated the idea of amulets from pagan peoples, and it was very popular in medieval times to wear a tiny verse from the Torah, the Bible, or the Koran. Today, many a Catholic wears a medal honoring a given saint, such as Saint Christopher, the patron saint for travelers. Wiccans and modern pagans are great proponents of protective amulets, causing a resurgence in Celtic symbols and imagery.

Amulets are very easy to create and make nice gifts, as long as you believe your friends will truly benefit from them and are aware of the special qualities and powers they hold. To make one, select a crystal that is endowed with the desired energy. Hold it in the palm of your hand until it is warm from your touch. Then, visualize the specific power the stone is offering. If you’re giving your amulet to yourself, wear it as a pendant or tuck it into your pocket or purse for a “guardian to go.” Here is a list of stones from which to choose for the specific kind of safeguard you are in need of:

Amethyst helps with sobriety by preventing inebriation

Aquamarine is good for attracting wisdom and overcoming a fear of water and drowning. It is also a guard against malevolent spirits.

Bloodstone brings luck and is good to wear during travels.

Carnelian is to the devil as garlic is to a vampire—keeps him away!

Chrysolite drives away evil spirits and promotes peaceful sleep, especially if set in gold.

Diamond in a necklace brings good fortune and lends force and valor. This dazzling stone should always touch the skin and works best when it is received as a gift.

Emerald can cancel out the power of any magician!

Jade offers protection, especially for children, and guards their health. It also creates prosperity.

Jasper is reputed to be a defense against the venom of poisonous insects and snakes.

Jet set in silver will help expel negativity

Moonstone is another boon to travelers and brings fortune and fame

Turquoise is believed to be great for a horse’s gait if affixed to the animal’s bridle