The stone that I have chosen for my talisman is a green garnet. Garnets are known to be strengthener crystals which are helpful in maintaining focus and remaining unyielding despite surrounding forces. The green variety adds in the color rays of growth, awakening and perseverance. This stone will help to channel the powers of the runes inscribed on it in a focused, unyielding manner while illuminating new knowledge and spiritual growth. Carved into the shape of a skull, the runes have been inscribed on the back side and will be set into a ring of silver.

The runes that I have chosen have a similar character set. They also hold the energies of strength and stability. Hagalaz invokes the forces of both the creative and destructive while Eihwas tempers them with stability. In addition to these, I have chosen Laguz to invoke the energy of water which has always been the element that I feel most connected with and which gives me a strength of mind and spirit, as well as Ansuz which opens communication and symbolizes godhood. Inscribed in the order Hagalaz - Ansuz - Eihwas - Laguz, the incantation is HAEL, pronounced as the word 'hail' bringing to mind the force of a storm.

Brought together, these runes and the stone upon which they have been inscribed are to aid in standing firm, connecting and communicating with the destructive forces of nature as well as the creative forces that rebuild after destruction. To stand, accepting, in the storm, learning from it but not being broken by it.

I've inscribed five runes on the sodalite. On the back of the stone, closest to my person, I've inscribed Ansuz, for communication. On the front, I've inscribed Mannaz, for aid in understanding the cultural side of language, and Dagaz, for clarity and revelation of meaning of the various words I encounter. On the right side, I've marked Hagalaz, for the creative forces necessary for communicating meaning and explaining words I do not yet know. Finally, I've inscribed the left side of the crystal with Jera, for gain and growth in my skill with the languages I study.

Chester walks up to the table filled with objects and thoughtfully considers each option. Nothing seems to pique his interest...until he remembers the object hidden within his jacket pocket. He slowly slides his hand in and pulls out a large, slightly worn Wyrm dragon's tooth, hoping no one notices. A slight smirk appears upon his face as he etches three runes into the tooth. After the runes are carved he whispers "Berkana...Birth and secrecy Thurisaz...Destruction and chaos Eihwaz...Death" Chester closes his eyes and tightly grasps the tooth in one hand, while smirk turns into grin. "Nothing living will ever escape death." Nothing more is said, purposefully neglecting to share the true meaning of his talisman.

I believe combining these runes on a piece of bloodstone will create a powerful amulet that can help guide me to become the person I want to be. The incantation is split in two parts, DS-YU or DS-JU. The incantation should be pronounced somewhat like this: 'dsuh yuu'; where the combined DS is clearly spoken as one and the YU is spoken as in yummy with an elongated u.

Rosie flicked her wand so the metal wire wrapped around the stone and attached itself to the silver chain. Now the stone amulet could be worn as a necklace and it looked much better than the stone on it's own.

The reason for my choices is to enable me to keep my positive thoughts, and to protect me from the bitterly cold winter that everyone seems to enjoy here.

The inscription would be "wkl" which would be pronounced as "wickel".

For my runes, I chose to inscribe Dagaz (clarity, revelation), Ingwaz (peace and plenty), and Algiz (protection), incantation pronounced "dia." Coupled with the Tanzanite, my hope is that it will help to soothe my anxiety (Ingwaz), allow for better meditation (Dagaz), and grant me protection from the dark arts (Algiz).

I have inscribed the back of the pocket watch with kenaz for light, ansuz for communication, and wunjo for joy. Its incantation is "kaw", which combined with the runes, reminds me that staying true to myself as a Ravenclaw and letting my inner light shine out is how I can bring joy to myself and others.