You favorite talismans and protective symbols?

[BlueIris]

I've had a few in my lifetime. Pentagrams aren't exactly my favorite--for several reasons. Sometimes, not being a practitioner of the religions which claim the pentagram as a sacred symbol, I don't feel comfortable carrying one around. Also, they've just never provided me with that much protection or protected feelings, in my judgment. I don't know what that's about. For a while in high school, I wore a beautiful seven-pointed star, which I still have, but could never get much information about. A few books I had claimed it was a sacred image to the Celts, who affiliated it with a woman not dependent on men, but others said its origins and cultural significance were murky, and listed not protective properties associated with it. Last year, during the campaigns, I carried a Talisman of Solomon. That was great. I feel that it brought me profound luck during those dark months. Now, I can't find it! That's very frustrating. My local metaphysical bookstores are out of that particular item, and have no way of ordering it. I could scrounge up one online, I'm sure, but I hate doing that (I'm all about supporting local retailers). So, does anyone want to share what kinds of talismans or protective images have worked for you in times of need? I would love to hear your stories.

[Matariki]

1. 7 pointed star

is the traditional symbol for Ishtar or Astarte. Muslims still use it. It also relates to Venus - Ishtar's star

[BlueIris]

2. Oh, man. How did I miss that info all these years?

It's a wonder I never seriously offended the few practitioners of Islam in my state, wandering around with that thing on.

[Matariki]

4. it's not their main symbol

a crescent and 5 pointed star is their main symbol. some arab nation flags have 7 pointed stars which supposedly represent the first 7 verses of the koran. although there may be one of those old leftover goddess worship things going on here. Rumi refers to Allah as 'she' for instance.

[Matariki]

5. actually your more likely to get the attention of ceremonial magicians

:hi:

[Behind the Aegis]

3. I like the labrys.

It was a weapon used by the Amazons and Artemis, occasionally Athena. It also, to me, represents actions 'cutting both ways.' There is good and bad in all things. The labrys was used primarily as a weapon, but was also used as a hoe.

[wildhorses]

6. please help me

I have been wearing a traditional xian cross around my neck for over a year now. I work in a hospital and it seems to bring peace to my patients however, I myself seem to be at a very precarious time in my life. I had my palm read on Monday and the reader saw Hurricane Katrina in it. Please help me. Should I perhaps change the symbol I wear around my neck? I am spiritual but, have a hard time defining my beliefs. It just seems to transcend language for me and people either "get it" or they don't. I am all alone and at aweird juncture in my life.

[Matariki]

9. what sort of help are you looking for?

it's hard to tell from your post.

what did the palm reader say about the hurricane? do you live in the south? were you affected by the hurricane? are you sure s/he was on the up and up? i mean the hurricane had already happened by monday.

what about wearing a cross is making you uncomfortable?

[LWolf]

7. They are completely personal symbols for me,

and not necessarily connected to any particular belief system that uses them.

The climbing spiral is the only one that is not some sort of symbol found in the natural world. The rest:

Sun, star/s, tree of life, spiderweb, red-tail hawk, eagle, puma, spider, wolf, coyote, greenman/woman...all have their place with me. One of my "guides" appears most of the time as a wolf, sometimes as a man; he is a protective spirit. He rarely "speaks," but has a palpable presence whenever he is needed.

What symbol/s most speak to you, and why? I think you'll find what you are looking for there.

:hi:

[Mandate My Ass]

8. I wear the XVII tarot card pendant

The Star. It's an 8-pointed star with a silver depiction of a naked woman kneeling and pouring water into a pool and onto the earth.

I wear it to enhance hope and promote self-healing. I find it very comforting right now.

[NuttyFluffers]

10. the number 13, hematite, marquesite, south sea pearl,

the serpent, the color black, bolts of cloth or long flowy clothes, stuffed animals, y'know the usual.

these things tend to be personal affairs, so not always going to have traditional answers.

[Why Syzygy]

11. I have

a large chunk of amethyst in my car. Protection. Have an amethyst ring on my house key ring. Sleep with my quartz crystal most of the time. Use it to focus intention (prayer). I was wearing a necklace with a small peace dove charm but the latch broke last week. It was a reminder to me. Peace. A friend had a necklace made for me a few years ago. Since he knew I have a strong desire to swim with the dolphins, it is two dolphins jumping. It's too heavy for me to wear all the time though. The only ring I wear was my grandmother's slim wedding band. I've used a crystal ring at times to make wishes come true. Can't think of what kind that is right now. Once I had one and wanted a new job. As soon as I got the new job, it disappeared. Literally.

Interesting question.