Our journey on planet Earth is all about personal power and freedom. . . to struggle past anything that controls your 'free will' Some people are able to manifest that power on their own, while others, through the history of humanity, have placed that power into inanimate objects - the choice of those objects based on the folklore of their timelines. Much of this folklore is about the supernatural . . . Magik . . . Magic . . . that which is more than what we can do with our physical bodies. . . higher forces linked to creation/god/source of power.

Some objects carry energy, such as crystals and certain precious metals. By placing one's energies into the object it could work as an amplifier for one's personal power. The object and the person can work together in a manner of speaking.

Talismans - and some amulets - are charms which allegedly have magical empowering abilities or power of their own which is transmitted to their possessors. They are used to attract good luck and to ward off evil. These include religious items.

In our timeline we work with healing our issues, especially the lower frequency emotions; fear, anger, self-sabotage, psychological disorders, to restore us to higher frequency. In so doing we release the third dimension and its physical objects and move back into our natural state as spirit where these lower emotions do not exist as they do not vibrate as lower/ slower moving frequencies.

When one comes into their own power, they tend to realize that they alone create the luck and can protect themselves from negative frequencies/forces. Once a person vibrates to a higher frequency, letting go of lower emotions that hurt themselves and others, there is no longer a need for physical objects to do their bidding.

Usually the function of talismans is to make possible powerful transformations which the person would not feel empowered to do without it. A talisman can initially be used then later set aside.

There is a long tradition throughout history of talismans made by alchemists, shamans, witches, priests, etc. and sold - or given to the public.

In Magic talismans supposedly can be endowed with its supernatural power only by the forces of nature, by god or the gods, or by being made so in a ritualistic way.

Among talismans are precious stones for they each possess their own magical or curative powers endowed by nature.

Talismans can be any object, design, or symbol believed to be endowed with magical powers. The item is active in that it, and of itself, bestows this magical power upon the one who possesses it at the time.

The Egyptians and Babylonians used talismans when attempting to alter the forces of nature. In the Middle Ages, holy relics and other objects assumed the value of talismans in attempts to cure illnesses. Some thieves converted severed hands of thieves into talismans to assist them in their trade.

Alchemical charms were worn by kings and queens, popes and bishops, merchants and diplomats. Less expensive amulets, usually made by witches, were worn or hung in the house by nearly everybody else. The most common amulets were those that protected against violence, plague, theft and bad luck.

In ancient African culture, the carrying of an animal's foot, or other parts of a swift creature were supposed to help a person be able to escape or flee with the speed of the animal. This 'lucky rabbits foot' charm was handed down and assimilated into our culture by the enslaved Africans who were brought to the New World. Also borrowed from centuries of African Voodoo ceremonies is a Mojo or luck bag could carry many lucky objects or a spell meant to cause a particular effect. The idea is that certain items (spices, teeth, feathers etc,) placed in a bag and blessed or ³charged² will produce a magical effect for the person who carries it. Mojo bags are still popular today as many advertisements in magazines and on web sites promote their use and distribution.

Many alchemists sought the assistance of talismans which they made in elaborate ceremonies which were conducted during periods of auspicious astrological signs. During these rituals they recited incantation to conjure the desired spirits who imbued the talismans with magical power.

The talisman most sought after was the elusive Philosopher's Stone, which the alchemists thought would transform base metals into silver and gold.

The continent of Europe has also produced its share of lucky items.

Excalibur - the Sword in the Stone - was of such importance in Arthurian lore. The sword gave King Arthur magical powers.

Followers of St. Patrick, who drove the snakes i.e. the devil from Ireland, the patron saint of Ireland, have adopted the Shamrock (and in its rare form the four leaf clover) as a symbol of the ³luck of the Irish² as clover grows plentiful in the green hills of Ireland. Finding a four leaf one is less difficult than in other regions. This Irish symbolism becomes prevalent in American culture once a year as we celebrate St. Patrick's Day and also lives on throughout the year in the form of a famous cereal that included moons, stars, hearts and clovers.

During the time of the Crusades, Nordic countries employed their magical alphabet known as the runes for protection, carving symbols of battle success into stones to be carried on a soldier.

In Eastern Europe during the middle ages, legends of the undead or vampires were prevalent, partially due to the number of plague deaths as well as a certain Romanian prince known as Vlad the Impaler, who horribly tortured and killed thousands. To ward off such vampires, charms and talismans were employed. Legend has it that the undead cannot attack if you hold up a cross, the symbol of God, as good deflects evil. Another vampire vanquishing tool was a chain of garlic around your neck garlic was the closest thing to an antibiotic in the middle ages, so no wonder it seemed like a lucky charm!

Many talismans were inscribed on precious stones or parchment under auspicious astrological signs. Talismans were made for many endeavors such as getting rich, winning at gambling, falling in love, prevention of sudden death, improvement of memory, and even making a good speech.

An example is the talisman belonging to Catherine de Medici, queen consort of Henry II of France which she constantly carried. It was a medal allegedly made from metals that were melted together during favorable astrological signs, and also added in was human and he-goat blood. Although the original was broken at her death, a copy exists in the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris. On one side of this medal is engraved the god Jupiter, the eagle of Ganymede and a demon with the head of the Egyptian god Anubis; on the other side is a Venus figure believed to be Catherine flanked by demons. She believed the talisman conferred upon her clairvoyance and sovereign power.

In modern times, many lucky charms and talismans have been adopted and utilized.

Anything that you consider brings you luck . . or protects you . . . is a talisman.

Ancient ceremonial practices are still performed in most parts of the planet and involved talismans.

During the early 20th century when many Irish Catholic men became Police officers in New York City, many started carrying a medal of St.Jude, along with their callbox key for protection, as St. Jude is considered to be the patron saint of policemen.

Many Catholics continue to believe that certain holy medals (especially blessed ones) will aid those who wear them, particularly St. Christopher, who is the patron saint of travelers.

Although crosses are not employed as a deflector for vampires today, at most Catholic funerals many attendees have crucifixes around their necks that don¹t usually wear one as everyday jewelry.

On a less religious, although team spiritual level, some ballplayers swear by a pair of 'lucky socks' and hesitate to wash them during an important series for fear that they will lose power.

Although science has defeated superstition on many levels, we can't help but pick up the penny lying in the street or smile when we come across a four-leaf clover.