Creating Amulets for Spiritual Protection: A Step-by-Step Guide

An amulet is a small object that is believed to bring good luck or provide protection against evil or harm. Making your own amulet can be a fun and creative project that allows you to personalize the item to your own needs and preferences. Here are the steps to make an amulet: 1. Choose a material: To make an amulet, you will need to select a material that is meaningful to you. This could be a small crystal, a piece of wood, a metal charm, or any other object that resonates with you. 2.

2. Cleanse the material: Before you start working with the material, it is important to cleanse it to remove any negative energy or vibes. You can do this by holding the material under running water, smudging it with sage or incense, or by placing it outside under the moonlight or sunlight for a few hours.

Salem Street Portraits at Halloween Posted On 28th October 2021 To Stories & Street

To say that this project got away from me would be accurate. It morphed and changed as I shot more film, but the more film I shot, the more it changed. It wasn’t until the end that I could feel it becoming cohesive. I started out with a relatively easy goal. Take some basic street photos of Salem, Massachusetts and document how much it comes to life during Halloween.

Salem is best known for the witch trials that took place in 1692. Many people were wrongly accused of being witches and 14 women, 5 men were hanged and one man was pressed to death. It's a dark legacy and the city has embraced it while respectfully remembering who came before us. In recent years, it has created a culture that celebrates the occult and everything spooky and witchy year round.

The energy of Salem

I shot a few rolls and processed them. I process and print my own photos using the darkroom at Salem State University where I graduated with a degree in photography in 2001. I'm so happy to have the opportunity to teach and help out in various darkroom classes. And, recently I was hired to teach a community darkroom class there. As many darkrooms have disappeared, which is awful since I strongly feel they should be a part of everyone's photography education. I'm so lucky that I have access to this one.

I made some prints but they felt flat and really didn't capture the energy of Salem. Realistically, how many people can you photograph with a tiny witch hat on without it seeming generic? So, I started to talk to people in the street and then ask if I could take their picture. I realized without trying, I had switched to street portraits, which is NOT like me at all. I would usually rather lay down in front of a bus than ask someone if i can take their picture but I did it.

Behind the curtain

As I moved through the city, I was drawn to not just the tourists that come here but the people who run this city and make it a place that half a million people visit every October. The wizard behind the curtain so to speak.

I ended up wanting to photograph the people who guard the door to the shop and make sure each shop is at its capacity. The witch who happily lends her knowledge of spells and crystals out to people who want to learn. Tour guides who show why our city is famous and street vendors who spend time creating things to buy. The buskers who make their living performing on the street for the tourists. The tarot card reader, the waitress who feeds the hungry tourists, and the chef who cooks for them. There was an ease which came with photographing all of these people and once I started it was hard to stop. In fact, if it weren't for the deadline I probably would still be shooting!

Consistency

I tried to keep everything I could control consistent. For film I used Ilford HP5 PLUS 400 (which I develop in Ilfotec DD-X), and then I used a 50mm 1.4 lens which required that I be right in front of the person. I also used my Nikkormat which is totally manual so there was plenty of time for my subject to start fidgeting while I adjusted my camera.

A few times I had to apologetically explain to them that I had film in my camera and it was going to take a minute to get settings adjusted. There was a number of times where they would sort of shift and i would have to start focusing all over again. Not many people are used to having to hold still for a picture anymore.

I decided that I would try for a mid range f-stop. There would be some detail behind my subjects and give some context to their location but not enough to be distracting. It worked most of the time unless it was really sunny and then I ended up closing the lens down more than I wanted to but I'm learning to be less rigid when shooting for street photography. You definitely can't get it exactly how you want it all the time.

Amazing Humans

In the darkroom, I printed them on Ilford MULTIGRADE RC DL mostly matte but some glossy with a 2.5 filter in an old full frame negative holder and developed with Ilford MULTIGRADE.

All in all, I learned SO MUCH about taking street photos and how to shoot for the image even if it's not perfect. Most importantly, I loved meeting all these amazing humans in my own city during my favorite time of the year.

The shots I've shared here are some of my favorites from Salem during Halloween.

Images © Jessica Martineau

About The Author

Jessica Martineau

Jess Martineau is a black and white film photographer, darkroom printer and part-time teacher who lives in Salem, Massachusetts.

You can find and follow her on Instagram @maplesugarwitch

Related Posts

A Winter in Greece, 1970

Posted on 26th September 2023

1969 After too short a visit to Athens’s Parthenon in 1964, I vowed to return soon. By 1969 I was standing on .

Building a studio darkroom

Posted on 21st April 2022

My name is Jason Avery and I am an analogue landscape photographer based in East Anglia England. I have been w.

Cyanotypes

Posted on 7th April 2022

My Approach It was during a group exhibition that I discovered the practice of cyanotype. The Espace Liberté G.

Finland Rooting for Analogue Photography

Posted on 14th April 2022

Finnish Darkroom Association In Finland during the early 2000's, as elsewhere, analog photography practice was.

only way this would be a problem is if you're absolutely broke and need cash NOW. as most tweekers/junkys tend to be.

3. Set an intention: Once the material is cleansed, set an intention for your amulet. Think about what you want it to bring into your life or what kind of protection you are seeking. This could be love, prosperity, protection, or anything else that is important to you. 4. Prepare the material: If needed, you can now prepare the material for customization. For example, if you are using a piece of wood, you may want to sand it smooth or drill a small hole to attach a string or chain. 5. Customize the amulet: This is where the creative part comes in. You can customize the amulet in any way you like. You can paint or carve symbols or designs onto it, attach feathers, beads, or other decorative elements, or even write affirmations or intentions on it. 6. Charge the amulet: Once the customization is complete, it is time to charge the amulet with your energy and intentions. Hold the amulet in your hands, close your eyes, and visualize your intentions merging with the material. You can also say a few affirmations or prayers if that resonates with you. 7. Empower the amulet: To empower the amulet further, you can perform a small ritual or ceremony. This can involve lighting a candle, saying a blessing or chant, or meditating with the amulet in your hands. This step is optional but can add an extra layer of significance to the amulet. 8. Wear or carry the amulet: Once the amulet is ready, you can wear it as jewelry, attach it to a keychain or bag, or simply keep it somewhere close to you, such as in your pocket or on your bedside table. Remember to treat the amulet with respect and care, as it holds your intentions and energy. By following these steps, you can create your own personalized amulet that serves as a reminder of your intentions and offers you protection and good luck. Get creative, trust your intuition, and have fun with the process!.

Reviews for "Amulets and Crystals: Using Crystal Energy in Your Craft"

1. Emma - 1 star

I found "How to make an omelette" to be extremely unhelpful and frustrating. The instructions were vague and unclear, leaving me with more questions than answers. The author failed to provide any specific measurements or cooking times, making it nearly impossible to achieve the desired end result. Additionally, the recipe called for ingredients that were not readily available, making it inaccessible to the average home cook. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this recipe and would not recommend it to anyone.

2. Michael - 2 stars

While "How to make an omelette" had potential, I was ultimately disappointed by the lack of flavor and creativity in the recipe. The author simply provided the basic steps without offering any variations or suggestions to elevate the dish. The omelette ended up being bland and unremarkable. I was hoping for a recipe that would inspire me to experiment with different ingredients and flavors, but this was not the case. I would suggest looking for a more innovative omelette recipe elsewhere.

3. Sarah - 2 stars

I was excited to try out "How to make an omelette," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The recipe seemed to be poorly organized, and some of the steps were unclear. The end result was an omelette that was overcooked and lacking in moisture. I also found the recipe to be too simplistic, as it didn't offer any suggestions for additional ingredients or seasonings. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed by this recipe.

Customizing Your Amulet: How to Personalize Your Magic