Creating Talismans for Writing Success - by Lu Hersey

Looking for something specific on my bookshelves earlier this week, I got totally distracted by a book on charms and talismans, some of which were 'certain' to help bring writing success. OK, I had a few doubts (actually quite a lot) - but writing success is something we all crave, right? So I decided I may as well share a few relevant talismans with you.

The following info all comes from The Book of Charms and Talismans, published in 1924, written by a man who went by the pen name of Sepharial. Investigating Sepharial further (meaning a quick google), I discovered his real name was Waltar Gorn Old, and apart from his many writings on esoteric subjects, he was a founder member of the Theosophical Society. According to Wikipedia, he was a prolific but 'slapdash' writer, otherwise he might have gained more posthumous success. Slapdash or not, I figured Sepharial had a keen interest in Enochian magic and talismans, and on these subjects it might be worth giving him the benefit of the doubt. 

So which Talismans did Sepharial reckon would bring you writing success? Firstly he tells us that A Talisman to Secure Eloquence (above) is very useful for public speakers, and should be worn by clergymen, auctioneers and politicians as well as writers. Apparently it's important to make this Talisman on a Wednesday, though he doesn't bother to explain why (probably because of the slapdash thing), but I happen to know it's because Wednesday is the day associated with Mercury and successful communications. 

More importantly, it's best to use the Talisman to Secure Eloquence alongside The Seal of Eloquence (below) to ensure success. Or in Separial speak, you'll 'find great benefit from the use of these in combination.'

He assures us that 'this Talisman will assist all those who are desirous of becoming writers, authors, journalists, orators and who may wish to develop ability for radio, stage or screen activities...' and that 'concentration upon this Talisman will intensify the natural inspiration and hence assist in the writing of books and plays, poetry or short stories'. 

So I guess it might be worth a shot. Sepharial stresses again that you make your Seal of Eloquence on a Wednesday, also suggesting you make it using either silver, platinum or aluminium, in either the first, eighth, fifteenth or twenty-second hour of the day (which is all to do with Mercury again. And no, he doesn't explain that either).

If you don't happen to have any silver, platinum or aluminium handy, he says you can cut the Talismans you need out of his book if you prefer, and place them in a silk bag to wear on your person. I reckon on that basis, it should also work if you print out this post and cut out the talismans instead. Though where you get the silk bag from is up to you, and you probably need at least one pocket in whatever you're wearing to keep them on your person. Also, on a practical note, remember to take them out before washing your clothes. (He doesn't tell you any of that, obvs)

If I haven't already lost you at the silk bag bit, and you can be bothered to follow all his instructions, you might also want to include Prosperity (with a capital P) in your collection of talismans. After all, what's the point of all that eloquence if you don't earn anything?

The Seal of Great Prosperity is best made on a Sunday, and Sepharial suggests we make it in gold (gold is associated with the sun, and Sunday is the sun's day...& no, of course he doesn't explain this). Fortunately you can save yourself a lot of effort and money by cutting the page out of his book (or from a print-out of this post) so long as it's in the first, eighth, fifteenth or twenty-second hour of the chosen Sunday. Sepharial was a keen numerologist, so the hour numbers probably hold significance. Oh, and remember that silken bag to put your Seal of Great Prosperity in, and keep it on your person. The benefits are not only wealth, but also finding "the right contacts, and to say and do things at the right time in order to lift you from mediocrity to relative eminence."

So there you go. A simple matter of making your talismans (on the right day, at the right time) and putting them in that silken bag you happen to have, so you can wear them on your person - and writing success will be yours. Probably.

Got to admit I haven't tried any of this out so far, but doutless Sepharial would say that's why I'm neither rich nor successful...

Yet :)

Lu Hersey

Patreon: Writing the Magic

Substack: An Old Hag's Snippets of Folklore, Myth and Magic

Charms and amulets - by Lu Hersey

 Everyone would like a powerful amulet, right? A magical charm to help you do whatever - stay healthy,  find love, prosper, get a publishing deal.... Or perhaps you'd rather benefit from others' gullibility and simply invent one to sell? Russell Brand claims his new amulet (retailing at £188) will protect people from 'evil energies' and WiFi signals. 

Anyway, I recently wrote a piece about amulets for Writing the Magic, (my patreon account) so I'll share something of it here - after all, people have put their faith in lucky charms and amulets since the dawn of time, and when I found an obscure book on the subject buried in my tbr pile, it was obviously my destiny to open you all up to the possibilities it offered.

Have to admit, there are books lurking on my shelves I don't even remember buying (often charity shop bargains), and The Book of Charms and Talismans by Sepharial, published in 1924, is one. (Above illustration is the frontispiece)

Sepharial was the pen name of Walter Gorn Old, 1864-1929, once a well respected astrologer and Theosophist. Presumably he was also interested in Enochian magic, as Sepharial is the name of an angel in the apocryphal Book of Enoch. He wrote numerous esoteric books in his day, and was editor of Old Moore's Almanac.

For all his credentials, Sepharial was apparently no fan of indexes or bibliographies. It took me quite a while to find the information to accompany his colour plate of charms and talismans, even using the key he provided (below), so I'll save you the effort.

As a general note, Sepharial tells us that objects 1-8 are from the Petrie Collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts, which is still based at UCL - if nothing else, he's inspired me to want to visit this little museum next time I'm in London. And if you like your amulets tried and tested, probably ancient Egypt is as good place to start as any...

1. The Necklace of Flies

Sepharial tells us the fly is an emblem of activity and swiftness, and a necklace of flies would have been worn as a talisman by travellers to ensure safe and speedy travel. 

2. The crescent

A crescent talisman, taking the form of the crescent moon, which can be worn as a protection against the evil eye. Also symbolic of the new crescent moon (points left) the talisman can help with new projects (Sepharial needed a few paragraphs to say that).

3. Counterpoise of collar (Menet)

A symbolic talisman to bring joy and health, associated with the planet Venus. According to Sepharial, this talisman can help you find true love, as well as strengthening your resilience to illness.

4. A winged Scarab

The scarab was an amulet commonly worn by ancient Egyptians, and is symbolic of the creator of the universe, the sun god Ra. A green stone scarab inlaid with gold was placed on the chest of a dead body, or sometimes embedded in the heart during the embalming process, to help the deceased avoid evil spirits on their journey through the underworld.

5. The leopard's claw

A charm for protection against attack from wild animals. Originally this came from the belief that some people had the power to transform into leopards, which enabled them to destroy their enemies, and wearing a leopard's claw as a talisman protected you from this fate.

6. Crescent 

Another form of crescent moon talisman.

7. Uzat Eye of Horus

Represents the sun, which is the eye of the day, and also the all-seeing eye of the deity. An amulet to protect against enchantment, evil and disease.

8. Frog

Worn by both the living and the dead, frog amulets helped ensure the wearer's well-being in life and the afterlife. The Egyptians probably linked frogs to fertility because of the animal's prolific reproduction, and women may have worn amulets like this one to assist in pregnancy and delivery. (Sepharial didn't bother to include this information anywhere in his book, so I researched it separately)

9. Black Cat

Black cats are considered to be powerful and protective figures in many cultures, and are often associated with good luck and prosperity. (Again, Sepharial forgot to include anything in the book about black cats..)

10. Pentacle of Rabbi Solomon

Magical talismans are Sepharial's key interest, so he provides a ton of information about their meaning and when to make them. Anyway, the Pentacle of Rabbi Solomon the King, shown in the illustration, can be made any day of the week (most talismans have to be made on certain days to be effective), and is an essential talisman for evoking spirits. Also, if you're wearing one, you are protected from all evil genii. (Sepharial goes as far as suggesting you cut the talisman out of his book to save time, and put it in a silk bag to keep it on your person)

11. Fish

A charm of good fortune to help increase wealth and fertility, often made from mother of pearl.

12. Swastika

Of course Sepharial wrote this book before the rise of the Nazis in Germany - and the swastika is an ancient symbol of good fortune, which can be traced right back to the neolithic. A pity the nazis hijacked it...

13. Horseshoe

Again, Sepharial doesn't include any explanation, but the horseshoe is generally seen as a good luck charm, and a protection against evil. 

Of course if you want to know more, there are thousands of other charms and amulets you can research - and when it comes to talismans, Sepharial included a lengthy chapter on that subject alone. 

This is simply an intro to give you some background material if you need an amulet in your next work of fiction. I also guarantee that any of those I've listed will give you protection from Russell Brand, if needed...

Lu Hersey

Patreon: Writing the Magic

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