Talisman
An inanimate object which is supposed to possess a supernatural capacity of conferring benefits or powers in contradistinction to the amulet (q.v.), the purpose of which is to ward off evil. It was usually a disc of metal or stone engraved with astrological or magical figures. Talismans were common in ancient Egypt and Babylon.
The virtues of astrological talismans were as follows: The astrological figure of Mercury, engraven upon silver, which is the corresponding metal, and according to the prescribed rites, gave success in Merchandise; that of Mars gave victory to the soldier; that of Venus, beauty, and so of the rest. All such talismans likewise are more powerful in the hour of their planet's ascendency. There are three general varieties of these potent charms : 1. The astronomical, having the characters of the heavenly signs or constellations. 2. The magical, with extraordinary figures, superstitious words, or the names of angels. 3. The mixed, engraven with celestial signs and barbarous words. To these, Fosbrook, in his Encyclopædia of Antiquities, adds two others :-4. The sigilla planetarum, composed of Hebrew numeral letters, used by astrologers and fortunetellers; and 5. Hebrew names and characters. As an example of the most powerful of the latter, may be mentioned the sacred name of Jehovah. The famous tephillin or phylacteries, used in Jewish devotion, and which were bound on the head, the arm, and the hand, may be regarded as talismans, and they were the subject of many traditional ceremonies. We may also mention the mezuzoth or schedules for door-posts, and another article of this description mentioned in the following quotation from the