Do Tailsman work?

Question

I received an email about an offer for a tailsman. I have never really heard of them, but, am intriqued. I cannot see how a piece of metal is anything but a piece of metal. Anyone have testimonies on if these work or do not work?

Answer 1

First, the word is "talisman", not tailsman.

The category of talisman *includes" relics of saints, including "touched relics". I mention this to establish that talismans aren't exclusively heathen paraphanalia.

Relative to Saint's relics, it's believed that anything that's touched or been touched by anything that's been touched retains some of the essense of the Saint. Teensy bits of fabric are enclosed in medalions and retailed to the faithful or to anyone with the price. Me, I picked one up at a yard sale in a junk box. Retail value depends on the market.

Have you ever heard of horseshoe-over-the-doorway? That's a talisman. It's traditionally associated with the 10th century Saint Dunstan, also a blacksmith. The wikipedia version says Dunstan had nailed a shoe to the Devil's (or Satan's, whichever, I know there's a difference, but it's not significant here) foot *or* caught the fiend's nose with smithing tongs and coersed a promised that there'd be no entry through a doorway warded by a smithed horseshoe. Usage has spread far beyond the origin with wee ones of gold and silver as good-luck charms.

Another common talisman is a Saint Dominic's medallion. These go above each and every doorway, window & other entry to a dwelling. They've often tucked behind the framing/molding over the openings. It's considered frivalous to flaunt them.

Those cited are widely but not universally believed to be effective. Other varieties are widely but not universally believed to be pure bunk.

Answer 2

OK. think about this logically. A piece of metal providing protection or luck. Does it matter if it's in one shape or another? What gives a piece of metal "supernatural" power? They are a hoax and a first step on the path of idolatry: giving something inanimate credit for good things and bad things. It's just a piece of metal. Nothing more. It would be like tearing off a strip of aluminum foil wrap, shaping it like a bunny and carrying it in your pocket all day. It would have the same effect as the rip off you've been offered.

As a friend of mine once said, regarding the rabbit's foot as a talisman, why is it lucky for me? If it were lucky, then the rabbit wouldn't be dead now, would it?

Answer 3

What it boils down too is, if you believe it will work, it will. I have one in the shape of an ancient Egyptian Ankh. I believe it will protect me from harm and for the last 48 years or so has, I bought it as a teenager.Too many people shove their religion into things, where it does not belong. They are upset with Harry Potter, well if it gets to read then it is a good thing. Too bad a lot of people were not like him, for he has one thing a lot lack and that is integrity. The human race is a grain of sand in the cosmos, so who really knows what powers are really out there? Do what you think is best.

Answer 4

To work to the extent that they help you focus on the issue in question.

But no, metal is metal. And it will not change your life. You can change your life though. And if you need to focus/meditate on something to achieve that, then cool.