Masonic & Occult Symbols Illustrate

Webster tells us a talisman is “an object bearing a sign or character engraved under astrological influences and thought to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune.” In Amulets and Superstitions we are told: “The object of the talisman is quite different from that of the amulet. The amulet is supposed to exercise its protective powers on behalf of the individual or thing continually, whereas the talisman is only intended to perform one specific task. Thus a talisman may be placed in the ground with money or treasure, which it is expected to protect and to do nothing else. But the line which divides the amulet from the talisman has rarely been observed by any people who regard such things as parts of the machinery of magic, and in modern times the use and meanings of the two objects are generally confounded, even by educated folk who are superstitious. And the experts are not agreed on the subject.” One occult catalog that sells talismans and amulets states: “The word TALISMAN is believed to come from Arabic as there are great similarities in that language. One of the root words means ‘to make marks as would a magician. The word AMULET is derived from the Latin Amuletum, and is a magical object. “At one time there was a difference between an amulet and a talisman in that a talisman was made for a specific task, and an amulet had broader uses. With time, down through the centuries, this difference disappeared, and today, an amulet or talisman is considered one and the same as far as having magical powers is concerned. “There are uncounted forms of amulets and talismans. They can be in the form of a seal, pentacle, charm, circle, Voodoo veve, table (name given certain engraved tablets), signets, gemstones, roots, bones, miniature statues of gods and goddesses, and any other item that represents a magical force that benefits its owner.... “There are also amulets and talismans that are connected with ceremonial magic rituals. These are seals, signets, tablets, and other forms that are used in