About Amulets and Talismans

Many gypsies carry amulets and talismans as good luck charms.

In gypsy lore an amulet is an item from nature that is either naturally, or artificially (through ritual), charged with magical power. A typical amulet would be a stone with a hole through it or a rabbit’s foot.

Talismans, on the other hand, are man made objects charged with magical power by the gypsy sorcerer. A typical talisman would be a piece of parchment or a coin, which has been inscribed with specific symbols, or words of power.

Amulets and talismans are usually carried on the gypsy’s person in a cloth or leather pouch, known as a “putsi” or “parik-til”. You might see a gypsy woman wearing a putsi hanging from a cord around her neck. To the non-gypsy this looks like nothing more than an accessory to her colorful dress, but in fact it would likely contain amulets and talismans, and other magical items.

Note:

There is no use buying or finding a good luck charm only to put it away and forget it. It should be kept close, in a purse or pocket, or worn around the neck, and it should be handled often, always with a feeling of happiness and hope.

The greater the certainty that the charm will bring good luck, the more effective it will be. If you look at your charm or good luck piece with skepticism, thinking “How can this bring me luck? I am never lucky.” then, of course it won’t work – how can it? The charge will soon fade and die.

From: Gypsy Magic by Patrinella Cooper