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[Alexandr Korol]

You see, for someone a talisman might be, as they say, a lucky sweater — like in the film “Kangaroo Jack”. For someone else, it might be a cat that always brings fortune whenever it comes, just as when ships set out on long voyages. “It is believed that talismans can bring good fortune, warn of danger, and improve well-being. It is also believed that a talisman poorly attuned to its owner may pose a serious threat, as can someone else’s talisman. A talisman can be any object, from a piece of jewelry to a stone (or a strip of tree bark, or an animal). Most often, precious and semi-precious stones serve in this role.”

“As talismans, people may use both artifacts (that is, objects made by humans) and natural objects (for example, roots, pieces of amber, shells, unusual stones). A talisman may also be a certain character (or an animal). Sports teams and musical groups often use characters as their symbolic ‘talismans.’ Some talismans are created for a specific danger or situation (for example, victory in a competition), while others are intended to help in any situation (amulet- pendants, crosses). Some talismans are enchanted by a sorcerer, witch, or shaman, while others are not (for example, horseshoes for luck).

In Western esotericism, the making of amulets and talismans is considered part of astral or celestial magic, aimed at drawing down certain astral currents and radiations into material bodies. The words amulet, protective charm (obereg), apotropaion, and talisman are usually used as synonyms and are listed as such in many dictionaries. However, some dictionaries point out shades of meaning:

Amulet — an object that, according to superstitious belief, can protect its owner from misfortune. Moreover, the dictionaries of Ozhegov and Ushakov note that an amulet is worn on the body (for example, phylacteries).

Obereg (from the verb “to protect”) — an object, a source of apotropaic magic, which, according to superstitious belief, possesses the magical ability to guard its owner from various misfortunes. In Ozhegov’s dictionary there is the example: “A horseshoe above the door is a protection for the house,” showing that not every obereg is worn on the body (for example, a mezuzah). In a broader sense, oberegs include not only objects but also incantations. According to Dahl’s dictionary: