What is your talisman?

By Vichara

Which talisman do you carry? Is it literal or is it a figurative talisman? It is a lucky penny, a cross, a photo or a combination of things you find solace in keeping close to you in your daily activities? Going through the items in my Mum’s purse after she passed away I discovered hers. Inside this 3½ by 2½ plastic dual cardholder were two things. On the right side is an actual 4-leafed clover. Because of its rarity and its alleged magical properties finding one of these would bring the person good luck. This clover was encased in a couple pieces of scotch tape in some kind of crude archival way of preserving it and hopefully it’s magical charms. On the other side is a small 4 color printed card, the kind they give out a Christian churches which you carry with you to find comfort. On one side of the card is an image of Jesus with a shepherds’ staff out strolling in a wonderful green valley with a crystal blue river lazily winding behind and through the hills. Surrounding Jesus is a small herd of sheep. In the crux of his left arm he is holding a baby sheep. It is looking up at him as he is gazing at it and looking like he is imparting some words of wisdom. Printed on the other side is a prayer that is attributable to St. Francis…

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; 
 where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

For some the talisman that we carry is something where we direct the energies that we are having trouble with or in need of an answer in a crude primal way of hopefully dispersing the negative or finding the answers we need. Regardless of how people perceive carrying some form of talisman can be a well needed focal point of comfort and solace. After all the mantra utilized in meditation practice is just as similar. A focal point so the energies we want to deal with are processed is some kind of cathartic exercise for the mind, body and soul. What is your talisman?