Q: What are Talismans?
A: Aside from being precious, beautiful art objects, Talismans are healing tools that I make for my clients to use. Talismans are made for the person who owns them, and they can mean many different things to many different people. I try not to tell people what to do with them as I find it can be a limit to the persons own imaginings as what is possible with these tools. Once constructed, they can act as an externalized or concrete version of an issue you are trying to come to terms with, they can represent a part of yourself that you need or want to look at and engage with, or they can represent your own personal power or a toll to use in ritual and magic work. For example, one client of mine saw her Talisman as a tool that cuts away burdens and releases stress. For me, the Talismans are a culmination of all my healing tools into a single object.
Q: What do people do with Talismans?
A: Talismans are spiritual objects and tools. These spiritual tools do not come with instructions on how to use them, its the owners job to determine how they best be used. They can be put on your altar or in a sacred place, can be used as tools for ritual and magical practices as athames or wands, they have been used for grounding energy and connecting with spirit guides. Most people keep their Talismans in a sacred space like a shrine or alter or some mount them on the wall, whether they realize it or not, most people have some kind of altar. The talismans I make are not jewelery, although I have made some pocket sized ones for people to carry for protection and strength. They really are all these things and more the only limitation is your imagination and intention!
A: An altar is a space where you keep meaningful, sacred objects or pictures. For me, an altar is a collection of important items that you look at or spend time with daily and that is in your environment. An altar can also be more active, where you move objects around and are mindful of their placements for reflection. An altar can be any size you choose. It is a reminder of values or beliefs of a spiritual practice or an aesthetic grouping of objects.
Q: Are the Talismans connected to other spiritual tools?
A: The Talismans can be interpreted through the Tarot. I see the knife Talisman as analogous to Swords (air), the spoons as Cups (water), the forks as Pentacles (earth), and the sticks/pokers as Wands (fire). The connection of the Talismans to the Tarot cards’ four elements is where the healing practice comes in for me as my crystal work is based on the elemental energies, the Talismans can likewise be linked to the elements of the seven chakras. Most of the talismans I make have a number of elements combined but there is generally one that is most prominent.
Q: Why do you make Talismans?

Q: What kind of information would I need to give you in order for you to make me a Talisman?
A: I would ask you if you need the Talisman for a specific issue, If there is an intention that you are working toward or with that you want the talisman for specifically. It could be that you are going through a divorce or a transition, want a business to grow, need to improve your health or to achieve your goals. The Talisman has to be built for a reason, although often the reason is not what we originally thought it would be. These tools are for healing, for personal growth and for empowerment.
Q: How do you do this for someone you don't know?

