Luck and fortune play an important role in our expeditions. While we’re out in the wild traveling amongst the elements, unknowns thrive and multiply. We do our best to prepare and account for the obstacles and challenges that we will face, but often times success and survival depend on good luck. So to curry the favor of fate, or to swing the needle of luck in our direction we asked our friend Mike Cherney if he would create a pair of talismans for us. After a few months worth of work in his Northern California Wizard Factory, Mike shipped a pair of bona fide travel amulets to us, these lucky devils showed up on our door just in time for our departure to Bolivia. I can’t say what would have happened down there without them. What I can say is, that with out a doubt, it was these lucky talismans as much as anything else that saw us through our travels in Bolivia. Facts are facts my friends.

———- Forwarded message ———
From: Mike Cherney <******@sonic.net>
Date: Mon, Apr 6, 2015 at 10:22 AM
Subject: the amulets
To: kyle von Hoetzendorff <[email protected]>

Daniel Pasley <[email protected]>

here’s some lead in info stuff to consider …………………. also i have tried to re-enter the head space i occupied when make’n the amulets but find myself needing to move on, so writing about the amulets is not flowing well now. i would like to work on this again when you return from Bolivia and i have a chance to move some of the other work i have out of my studio. What follows here are, FIRST, some informational bits (A&B) for you guys to consider on Shamanism and Astrolabes. Then a statement (C) from my position about amulets and how the the project i did for YJ evolved. This could be more developed or not !?!?!?!?

Last be certainly not least ……… HAVE A FRIGG’N SUPER GOOD EXPERIENCE IN BOLIVIA AND BRING BACK AN AMAZING STORY AND PICS !!!!! We’ll be sending power vibes of maximum goodness the whole way !!!! <3 Chern

A. Shamanism is an ancient healing tradition and a way of life.

The teachings of shamanism focus on our connection to nature and promote the well-being of all creation.

Essential aspects of shamanic life include journeying, ceremony, sacred dance and pilgrimages to places of power in nature. Through these techniques the shamanic circle embraces us, unifying our lives with strength, healing and love.

A shaman is an intermediary between this world and the spirit world. They act on behalf of the community conducting ceremonial rituals, healing the people, and helping to guide others on the shamanic path. A shaman’s life belongs to the village and it is their responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of the family, the community and all of creation.

In this way the shaman helps to maintain balance and harmony on both a personal and planetary level.

B. The Astrolabe: An instrument with a past and a future

The astrolabe is a very ancient astronomical computer for solving problems relating to time and the position of the Sun and stars in the sky. Several types of astrolabes have been made. By far the most popular type is the planispheric astrolabe, on which the celestial sphere is projected onto the plane of the equator. A typical old astrolabe was made of brass and was about 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter, although much larger and smaller ones were made.

Astrolabes are used to show how the sky looks at a specific place at a given time. This is done by drawing the sky on the face of the astrolabe and marking it so positions in the sky are easy to find. To use an astrolabe, you adjust the moveable components to a specific date and time. Once set, much of the sky, both visible and invisible, is represented on the face of the instrument. This allows a great many astronomical problems to be solved in a very visual way. Typical uses of the astrolabe include finding the time during the day or night, finding the time of a celestial event such as sunrise or sunset and as a handy reference of celestial positions. Astrolabes were also one of the basic astronomy education tools in the late Middle Ages. Old instruments were also used for astrological purposes. The typical astrolabe was not a navigational instrument although an instrument called the mariner’s astrolabe was widely used in the Renaissance. The mariner’s astrolabe is simply a ring marked in degrees for measuring celestial altitudes.

The history of the astrolabe begins more than two thousand years ago. The principles of the astrolabe projection were known before 150 B.C., and true astrolabes were made before A.D. 400. The astrolabe was highly developed in the Islamic world by 800 and was introduced to Europe from Islamic Spain (al-Andalus) in the early 12th century. It was the most popular astronomical instrument until about 1650, when it was replaced by more specialized and accurate instruments. Astrolabes are still appreciated for their unique capabilities and their value for astronomy education.

C. Here’s my thing…………………….

Amulets are repositories and guides to the essential threads and energies in the cosmos. They often contain symbols of healing and assisting power for the intended individual.

The concept:

To imagine a way-finding artifact that could be imbued with some essential identifying information of the Keeper and reverberations of the making process…..while having the capacity to align, attract and hold threads of essential cosmic vibrations in an effort to assist and protect the keeper when needed.

The astrolabe and compass symbology anchors the way-finding aspects of this amulet, the numerology references the Keeper through birth year and these numbers are considered markers of good fortune.
Including the spiral sun as a prominent symbol connects the amulet to several Shamanic traditions where the Sun is considered the first Shaman, the first healer of people. This symbol stands for the natural movements and rhythms of life, the constant motion of the universe. It is representative of the unique healing power that is radiated all around the cosmos, which helps us recover from setbacks and get back into natural rhythms and healthy harmony of life.

The task:

Figure out a way to make this amulet, executing it in the direct metal fabrication process, creating a special object to be carried deep into the unknown of personal experience.

The making:

Research elements involved, delve meanings, follow threads, test processes and start putting into reality ideas and visions.

Drawings………………….

fabricate parts, cut, carve, solder…………..

color, rivet, beeswax seal parts and set up assembly………………….

done……………………

here’s some stuff that relates to your amulets …. the symbolic meaning of your lucky numbers ….. probs more i could add but can’t think of it now …. no brainstorm happening tonight !

One: One primarily deals with strong will, positivity, pure energy. The number One reflects new beginnings, and purity. The symbolic meaning of number One is further clarified when we understand One represents both kinds of action: physical and mental. This combined with Ones urgency for new beginnings, we begin to see Ones recurring in our lives indicates a time to exert our natural forces, take action, and start a new venture. One encourages us that our action will be rewarded in kind. *Applies to Kyle’s Talisman

Two: The symbolic meaning of number Two is kindness, balance, tact, equalization, and duality. The number Two reflects a quiet power of judgment, and the need for planning. Two beckons us to choose. The spiritual meaning of number Two also deals with exchanges made with others, partnerships (both in harmony and rivalry), and communication. Two urges us out of our indecision, calls us to unite with like-minds, and like-ideals. Two asks us to exert our natural flow of judgment to do what is best for our souls. *Applies to Daniel’s Talisman

Three: The spiritual meaning of number Three deals with magic, intuition, fecundity, and advantage. The number Three invokes expression, versatility, and pure joy of creativity. Three is also a time identifier as it represents Past, Present and Future. Consecutive Threes in your life may symbolize the need to express yourself creatively, or consider your present directional path in relation to past events and future goals. Three may also represent promising new adventures, and assurance of cooperation from others whom you may require help. Three typically symbolizes reward and success in most undertakings. *Applies to Daniel’s Talisman

Seven: Sevens, like Threes, deal with magical forces. Sevens deal with esoteric, scholarly aspects of magic. Representative of scholarly activities, mystery, and the focused search for esoteric meanings. Seven deals with the activation of imagination and manifesting results in our lives through the use of conscious thought and awareness. Ruled by Saturn, Seven can represent impractical dreaming, but with a deeper understanding of the aspects of Seven, you can quite deftly utilize its magical vibration to your own benefit.*Applies to Kyle’s Talisman

Eight: The symbolism backing number Eight deals largely with business, success, and wealth. This is due to the fact that Eight represents continuation, repetition, and cycles. Such elements are seen in arenas where success is obtained simply because of dogged determination and repetition. Also, matters of business and wealth largely depend on cycles to fulfill their manifestation. It’s like the snowball analogy: As it continues to roll, in gets bigger and bigger with each revolution. Eight represents that kind of momentum.*Applies to Kyle’s Talisman