Roots and Bones Talisman Necklace - Protection
This one of a kind amulet necklace is for rootworkers, rebels, pirates, vagabonds, hustlers, messengers, mystics, and psychopomps -- anyone who sometimes needs to have their business stay on the down low or who wants to otherwise evade or deflect unwanted attention, unwelcome gazes, bad eggs, evil eyes, Big Brother, and other people's drama and BS.
Components include Black Cat Bone, Coyote Bone, Devil's Shoestring Root, a vintage coin from India, apotropaic African sandcast beads, an antique-style reproduction square-head nail, wooden rosary beads, lots and lots of reclaimed copper wire, and a quartz crystal point.
It is completely handmade, including jump rings, bails, clasp, links, chain, eye pins, and headpins. Creating these findings often involves heating and then hammering or otherwise shaping the metal. Since I make all components myself, I can then quench the heated metal components in water infused with herbs, oils, and curios appropriate to the piece's intended use.
Laid flat, length from one end to the other is 15". Measuring around the chain, its length is just shy of 28".
As with all of my spiritual jewelry and art items, I'm happy to incorporate your specific petitions or intentions as I dress, fix, and bless this piece in preparation for sending it along to its new home. Just leave me a note when you check out to give me personalization info.
This piece is meant to be worn - bones especially will work better for you when you pay attention to them and feed them. It's not meant to be put up for safekeeping and only worn once a year or anything. If you do go for a while without wearing it, keep it near you, maybe even under your pillow every once in a while (the black cat bone especially should like that).
All of my bones are obtained ethically and humanely. I do not engage in any of the cruel practices outlined in the old grimoires for obtaining black cat bones. To read more about my ethics with materia magica generally and my background with black cat bones specifically, see the rootwork education index at Big Lucky Hoodoo. This post is a good place to start.
Feed it with incense smoke or something alcohol-based at least once a month. The full moon would be an appropriate time. (I personally feed my black cat bones with Jim Beam and a brand of pipe tobacco called Captain Black.) You may wish to oil the Devil's Shoestring Root every once in a while, and it is fine to oil the bones lightly, as well.
If it is damaged or breaks due to normal wear and tear, it might have taken a hit for you. You can send it back to me and I'll diagnose it and let you know what the options are for repair or replacement. It took me weeks to make this piece and I want it to be your ally for life, so the diagnosis and repair offer stands for as long as *I'm* alive and in business :)