The Aeternum guide
Amulets & talismans
A symbol to wear, an object for your home, a tradition to explore: find an amulet or talisman that means something to you.
Nazar eye · photograph from the Aeternum catalogue
An object chosen for what it represents
Popular uses often associate an amulet with protection and a talisman with an intention or ritual preparation. These terms overlap across periods and traditions. A Nazar eye, a Saint Benedict medal and a Jupiter pentacle have different stories. Each gives a tangible form to a belief, prayer or gesture you wish to keep close.
Start with the symbol and its context before considering the colour of the metal. Would you like a familiar sign to wear every day, an object of devotion, or a figure from a grimoire you already follow? This guide connects these choices to formats and materials. Specialist articles explore history and practice; product pages explain what you will receive.
Where would you like to keep your object?
The right format depends first on your use. Choose a starting point, then compare the symbols below.
A symbol for everyday life
A pendant keeps the motif visible; a pocket talisman offers a more discreet presence. Check dimensions, weight and cord or chain length when provided. A hanging loop does not mean a necklace is included. Protect glass or clay carried alongside keys with a separate pouch. For a gift, choose a symbol the recipient knows or appreciates.
A chosen place in your space
A hanging Nazar eye can mark an entrance or another meaningful place. A small piece can rest in a dish or on an altar. Check the attachment, weight and material: a hanging cord does not automatically make an object suitable as jewellery. Choose a stable place, protected from knocks and easy to maintain.
Start with the tradition you wish to follow
For planetary magic, compare the planet, pentacle number and associated text. A planetary hours calculator can then provide a reference if your method calls for it. A Christian medal accompanies prayer and devotion. A veve belongs to a particular ritual context. Choose an object whose use you can understand and respect.
Which symbol speaks to you?
Six starting points for reading catalogue motifs. Select a name for its context, an example and details to check before buying.
The Nazar eye
This blue and white glass eye is associated with the evil eye in Turkish and Mediterranean traditions. Necklaces, small amulets and hanging objects use the same motif for different settings. The example below is a necklace; for an entrance, choose a format intended for hanging. Protect the glass from falls and friction.
Nazar Eye Necklace · Sold out
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The Hamsa, an open hand
Also called Hamsa or Hand of Fatima, this open hand appears in several Mediterranean traditions as a symbol of protection and good fortune. Look at the specific motif. This pendant comes with a faux-leather necklace. For a pocket format, explore the other models and protect them from friction.
Fatima's Hand Pendant · $10.00
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The pentacle and five-pointed star
A pentagram is a five-pointed star; pentacle can also refer to a talismanic object. Today a star within a circle is often called a pentacle. This example reproduces the motif on a handmade Aeternum clay piece, sold individually. Keep it in a protective pocket, bag or stable place, avoiding impacts and water.
Clay pentacle - Pentacle · $8.00
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Solomonic pentacles
Planet, inscriptions and number distinguish these ceremonial-magic figures. The second Jupiter pentacle shown here is traditionally associated with prosperity and recognition in the catalogue. Another Jupiter pentacle can have a different text and use. Read the product page and your grimoire. This model is stainless steel with a cord.
Solomon's Talisman - Second Pentacle of Jupiter · $15.00
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The Saint Benedict medal
The cross, saint’s image and prayer initials belong to Christian devotion. A blessing is a separate religious act. This example is a keyring medallion: read its page before choosing it as a necklace. Other formats are available in the religious-medal collection.
Saint Benedict Medallion · $7.00
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A veve associated with a lwa
Vévés are ritual figures of Haitian Vodou traditions, associated with particular lwa. This example bears Maman Brigitte’s vévé. Its name and context matter. Follow that tradition’s teachings. The product page specifies that water, alcohol and oil can damage this medal.
Maman Brigitte Vévé Amulet · $15.00
View this objectThese examples are starting points rather than an exhaustive list. Find other figures, seals, archangels and lucky charms in the collection. Associations describe traditions and beliefs; choosing an object does not guarantee an outcome.
Three checks before ordering
Found a symbol you like? Check the format, material and what is included for your intended use.
Size & how to wear it
Close-up photography can give a misleading impression of size. Check measurements against jewellery you already wear. Look at the loop, cord, chain and attachment. Pocket objects, pendants and hanging pieces need different arrangements.
The stated material
A silver colour does not mean solid silver, nor a gold colour solid gold. Read the stated composition: pewter, stainless steel, zinc alloy, glass and clay need different care. If you know you are sensitive to a metal, ask for the precise composition before buying.
What is included
Check whether a cord or chain is included and whether any preparation is explicitly stated. The name talisman does not itself mean prior consecration. Small variations can be part of a handmade piece; its product page should explain them.
Material changes the care routine
There is no single physical purification method suitable for every talisman. Preserve the object first, then adapt any symbolic gesture to your tradition.
Metals & finishes
Alloys and finishes behave differently. The zinc alloy Saint Benedict medal and some archangel talismans in the catalogue must not receive water, alcohol or oil. A soft dry cloth can be a starting point when the product instructions allow it. Do not assume one model’s treatment suits another.
Glass & cords
Nazar glass can break on impact. Check the ring and cord before wearing or hanging it. Store it separately from keys and hard objects. Caring for the glass also means preserving the attachment and other materials in the piece.
Clay & fragile supports
Handle Aeternum clay pantacles carefully and do not immerse them. Keep them dry on a stable support or in a pouch. Protect printed or drawn paper figures from moisture and friction too. A dedication or prayer can accompany an object without wetting or heating it.
Give your object a place
You can start simply. Understanding a symbol and choosing its place already provide a framework for your practice.
Read the motif
Identify the symbol, inscriptions and tradition. Read its product page and guide before assigning it a role. For numbered pentacles, check the exact figure.
Choose its place
Pendant, pocket, entrance or altar: use the format appropriately. Check cords and attachments. A dish or pouch protects small fragile pieces.
Prepare if needed
If your practice calls for a dedication, prayer or consecration, follow its directions and the material’s requirements. A Christian medal belongs to its devotional context; an anointing recipe does not suit every object.
Care & storage
Keep the piece dry when its material requires it. Check attachments regularly and store it carefully when not worn. Replace a worn cord before it breaks.
Your questions about amulets and talismans
Which amulet should I choose first?
Choose a meaningful symbol and a practical format: a necklace to wear or a small pocket piece. One object is enough to begin. Compare dimensions and materials, then read its context in the accompanying guide.
Must every talisman be charged?
No rule applies to every tradition. Some call for consecration; others emphasise wearing a symbol or prayer. Prior preparation must be stated on the product page. Follow a practice compatible with the material.
Can I wear several amulets?
Physically, yes, if the pieces and attachments allow it. Consider each symbol’s meaning and your tradition’s directions. Avoid friction between fragile pieces. Several objects are not a requirement for spiritual practice.
Are the Nazar eye and Eye of Horus the same symbol?
No. The Nazar eye relates particularly to Turkish and Mediterranean evil-eye traditions; the Eye of Horus belongs to ancient Egyptian imagery. Visual similarity does not make their histories and uses identical. Consult the Symbol Grimoire to compare them.
What if a glass amulet breaks?
Stop wearing it if it has sharp edges or a damaged attachment. Handle fragments carefully and check possible physical causes: a fall, impact or worn cord. Symbolic interpretations vary; breakage alone does not establish a particular influence.
Can I purify a medal with water or oil?
Check the product page: some catalogue alloys or finishes can be damaged by water, alcohol or oil. Do not transfer a recipe between materials. For a Catholic blessing, ask your parish and mention the medal’s material.
Can a talisman be a gift?
Yes. Choose a motif the recipient appreciates or whose meaning you can explain, in a format suited to their habits. Check what is included and share its guide. Let the recipient decide their own ritual approach.
Explore the symbol and practice
History, differences between motifs and preparation deserve their own guides. Each link opens in a new tab.
- What are the differences between an amulet and a talisman?
- Where does the Nazar Eye come from, and what does it really protect against?
- What is the Hand of Fatima or Khamsa?
- Why don’t pentacle and pentagram refer to the same thing?
- How to charge a talisman or an amulet?
- Explore the Symbol Grimoire
- Consult planetary hours
A symbol, a material, a place in everyday life
With these starting points, browse the collection for an object suited to your practice. Product pages explain formats, options and availability.
Written using the Aeternum catalogue, our articles and the references below. Protection and correspondences describe traditional beliefs, without guaranteed effects. Material and care details remain specific to each product page.
Further reading: The Met — the history of amulets · Order of Saint Benedict — the medal and its use
