I chose Mannaz (self, humanity, culture) to help remind me to take care of my own needs so that I can continue to help take care of those around me, and to help me connect with my past and with those around me. I chose Ingwaz (peace and plenty) to help keep me balanced and grounded no matter what I'm faced with. I chose Tiwaz (self-sacrifice, justice) to help me ensure that I never lose my passion for helping others, and to make sure I always do right by those around me.

The inscription is as follows: Berkana (birch / birth / beginnings) to serve as a reminder that it is never too late to begin something new, or to start over; Uruz (wild ox / Auroch / courage / strength) to serve as a reminder to remain strong, and to have courage, even in the darkest of times; Wunjo (joy / pleasure) to serve as a reminder to always look on the bright side of things, and to follow the heart; and Sowilo (the sun / good fortune) to serve as a reminder that hard work yields good fortune. The incantation is used to repel malicious spirits.

The runes I used are as follows: Othala, Uruz, Thurisaz, and Tiwaz. I thought by placing them each across but equal distance from one another was the best way to create a physical relationship of balance in the spell. Carving all of the runes into stone again created a weightiness to the project, kind of like a burden or form of heavy remembrance by having the charms connected to something so solid. My hope was to create a talisman that would have family as a catalyst, while focusing my power on having the courage to do them justice and to sacrifice my happiest for them if need be.

That said, the reason I chose Othala was to represent that family or home aspect of the spell. Thurisaz was used as encouragement to focus my power and determination not only in this individual project, but also just to remind myself that despite not being able to see my family does not mean that they do not care about me, nor should I stop caring for them. Uruz reestablishes and bolsters the courage and strength needed to live on, knowing I probably won’t ever get to see my mom or brother again and knowing that it’s my fault. Lastly, I’ve included Tiwaz in the talisman to remind myself of the part of my life I have already sacrificed to keep them safe, and that sometimes my feelings do not matter and that justice has a way of pulling everything back to center whether you have a hand in it or not. I hope this was an accurate description of how the runes work, if not please let me know seeing as how I plan to wear this myself and would hate to have any adverse reactions to a poorly made talisman.

The talisman is lovingly inscribed with the runes Othala, Gebo, Jera and Wunjo. Othala reminds me of my inheritance, my home back in the elven forest, it gives me reassurance and reminds me of the powers I am born to. With Gebo, I hope to develop my elven magic over the terms which are still blocked. Jera shall show me the way to wield this gift in my very own way, reaping what I had sown years ago and what I sow now. And Wunjo will give me joy in all these endevors. Its incanantion is not easily pronounced, its Ogejewu. Phonetical, it´s almost similar to the native name of the rose moon fairy. That´s why I chose to have the rose quartz carved into a moon form which I can carry around as a worry stone in my pocket now.

(Lysandra, Ravenclaw)

Being a Sagittarius, and a fire sign, I chose the Kenaz as representative of fire. Spiritually, fire represents passion and creativity, as well as our inner light. It can also suggest destruction or transformation. For my second, the Sowilo, or the sun. After its immediate connection to light and warmth, in astrology the sun represents the self, one's personality and ego, the spirit and what it is that makes the individual unique.

This is a very self-reflective talisman and in some ways representative of myself. With sun and fire runes inscribed on my birthstone, I hope that as I grow more each year, I am reminded to not fear the transformation. I don't want to stop learning and understand that change is the only constant. My talisman shall be one of guidance rather than one of protection.

I chose this particular item because green is my favorite color, and I like that is is rough and unpolished, a bit like myself. It also happens to be the stone of my birth month, and for that reason, it called out to me.

The runes I chose are Berkana, Sowilu, Fehu, Wunjo, in that order. The runes stood out among the rest because they seem like they would contribute a positive force to my endeavors after Hogwarts. Berkana represents beginnings, and I think this would provide a reinforcement for my bakery business by representing the beginning of that. Next, I chose Sowilu because it represents good fortune, another important influence to have over one's business ventures. Thirdly, I chose Fehu seeing as it represents wealth and money. My family is already, thankfully, well off, but having a positive force supporting those finances can't hurt at all. Finally, I chose Wunjo because it represents joy and pleasure, which I hope I will enjoy in my life, and I also hope that my bakery will someday provide that for others as well.

This incantation is rather confusing spelled out: bsfw, however I would pronounce it "besfwa." I made this talisman to be a guiding force in my life, rather than a source of protection. Hopefully, it will provide me with direction and willpower to complete my goals!

The Garnet is inscribed with Dagaz for revelation, Algiz for protection, and Eihwaz for stability. It is DAE, pronounced “day”. Arranged in a pyramid, protection and stability are strong supports for revelation which is at the top to represent the higher thinking.

The runes wills cooperate with the Garnet’s natural powers. As the Garnet cleanses you, your self-empowerment will rise with Algiz and Eihwaz. Algiz will protect you during the healing process, and Eihwaz will provide stability afterwards. The cleansing experience will allow you to have revelation with Dagaz.

My talisman is made from teak wood, embellished with a snake carving and a polished green turquoise (which is also the birthstone for December where I was born in). The snake applies to my family heritage. I've chosen to include four runes - Raido, Kenaz, Gebo and Algiz and the incantation would be 'KARG'. It's pronounced like the Irish City Cork.

Raido stands for journey and riding. I want to see the world and experience a lot in my life. Furthermore, I hope that I will never lose my adventurous and curious spirit when it comes to travel and journeys. This rune will remind me of that. Kenaz symbolizes torch, fire and light. This is the light within myself, something that keeps me going through everything, no matter how hard life will become. My inner self is a guiding light on my journey. I may dare to quote Albus Dumbledore here - 'Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.' Gebo, however, is a special thing here. It stands for gift and I read this as talent. I've included this because of my ability to speak Parseltongue and that's why it's carved into the gemstone. It makes me proud of my family. Finally, the last rune is Algiz which means protection and self-defense. It is helpful for my love of travel and adventures and guides me through my life while being safe and protected. Then, I love to have a safe and steady home as well where I can't be hurt.

After carefully studying the runes and their meanings she begins. "I'll first choose Raido, to represent my journey to Hogwarts, in the Wizarding world and later in life, wherever I may go." She burns the rune into the wood. "Next, I choose Jera, harvest gain and growth. I'm hoping wherever this journey leads me, that I'll grow from it." She burns the rune into the wood. "Then E...ih..waz?" she stumbles over the word, "Toughness and stability. I tend to shy away from scary situations, so I hope this rune will give me strength on my journey." She burns it into the wood once again. "And finally, I choose Othala, Home. So I never forget where I come from and what the people back at home mean to me, even if they're not here. And also to forge my future home wherever it may be."

She burns the final rune into the wood and makes a hole in the top, fastening a leather band onto it.

"The incantation is a little difficult to say, but it's R-j-e-o, so it'll be pronounced Rio'."

1st rune: Uraz for courage and strength. 2nd rune: Eithwaz for toughness and stability 3 rune: Othala: home

This talisman means a lot to me as it was a gift from my father when I wear it I want to be reminded that I can be courageous and strong and thinking of my dad, I take comfort in the stability and protection he has made me feel throughout my life and that home can be anywhere as long as I am with my parents, family or friends.

Merlin got super excited because one of his hobbies was making amulets. Old Pete, a man that was like a grandfather to him, have taught him how to prepare them. He normally used stones so he looked for one on the objects the professor offer. He found a rose quartz and quickly took it before anyone else would. It was a stone of the heart, of unconditional love and that was what he will offer to the one he will gift this talisman for.

He looked at the runes the professor asked to used and he quickly picked four of them: Berkana for new beginnings or birth, Sowilo for the power of the Sun and good fortune, Uruz for courage and strength, and Algiz for protection. He thought that was it, but then saw Wunjo which was so perfectly fitted in his opinion, it was a rune for joy and Joy was the one who will receive it. “Perfect, my baby sister will always have joy for sure.”

He worked hard to make it perfect, he shaped the stone as a heart and added the runes to it, he made several spells after to finish the talisman. “Done, it looks great.”

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/66fQ6Fr.jpg[/IMG]

I chose the ruins: Laguz, Jera, Thurisaz. These represent flow, growth, and focused power. These ruins are inscribed on an Opal that I intend to use as a worry stone. Or something I can keep in my pocket and fiddle with when drawing or working on assignments. Hopefully the Laguz will help me achieve the proper flow, to get an assignment or illustration finished without stress. Jera will help me absorb and retain the knowledge I should gain from the practice. And Thurisaz will help me keep my focus, in conjunction with finding the proper flow. Keeping everything balanced with growth maintained in the middle as the ultimate outcome. I chose an opal because it is multifaceted and can change colors just like I can.

The object that Aria chose to place her runs on is a tiny aquamarine stone that is shaped like a fox and worn on a necklace. She chose this object because a fox is her patronus and the connection she has with the animal will increase the strength of the runes themselves. The runes Aria chose are as follows: Hagalaz for creativity, Eihwaz for stability and resiliency, and Dagaz for clarity and revelation.

Aria selected these runes very carefully and with her future in mind. She wanted to be sure she never lost her creative mind and ingenuity which is why she chose her first rune, Hagalaz. She knows that when people grow older they often lose their imaginative abilities and creative thought, it is her hopes that she will avoid this. She chose her second rune to balance out the first by creating a stable and resilient foundation. Eihwaz is a powerful grounding rune and Aria knows that together with Hagalaz she will remain creative and resilient to set backs while keeping her mind focused and strong.

The last rune that Aria chose was Dagaz whose purpose within her rune triangle is to create a clearly thinking mind with an openness to a vision that may at sometimes seem out of focus or unreachable. These runes together will protect her mind from growing passive without imagination or vision. The runic incantation is Hed and serves as a reminder of the purpose behind such powerful mindfully-focused runes.

Looking over the rune meanings I thought about which ones I could use in my life. With this in mind I chose Uruz, Ansuz, Eihwaz, and Dagaz. Why not make a tailisman for self improvement? Something to help me, or someone like me, be a better person and student. Uruz for the courange I need to get through the day and speak up, Ansuz for improved communication with my fellow students and to understand my teachers, Eihwaz for stability both physical and emotional, and Dagaz for clairity to help boost the Ansuz rune in helping understanding my teachers and fellow students, and maybe myself. Together this should help me be a better me, I hope.