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In Bosnian magic tradition there are numerous ways of defending oneself from n egative energy (black
magic, evil eyes, demons) but the use of amulets is considered to be especially efficient and effective.
Wearing the amulet, besides having an effect o n the physical body and aura, has a psychological effect
since it gives additional dose of security and self-confidence to the wearer. According to traditional belief
it is recommended for every man to wear an a mulet in order to be protected from negative energy with
which he comes into contact with daily, especially when coming into contact with other people.
Though it has the power to act in all the mentioned segments people use it mostly if they were victims of a
magical attack or they feel that they could become victims. That's why an amulet is always constructed
when a man desires to do so, in order to obtain immunity against the negative effect of other people, or as
a mandatory rule after the process of elimination of black magic, in order to protect oneself and prevent a
possible return of magic.
Namely, like good, evil is also an indestructible energy which can only be moved or transferred onto
another person or location. That practice is very famous in Bosnian tradition and the targets of such occult
transmissions were usually special categories of people such a s "women whose hair is falling out", "me n
that are going to the mosque", "people separating in a flea market", etc. A strict rule that everyone must
follow is that evil mustn't be directed at children nor pregnant women. Rather than everything mentioned
the practitioner of white magic directs all negative energy onto abandoned houses or mills or generally "to
the dark Hawaii", mythological wasteland, where no sound is heard and where there is no fertility.
Though generally there is a belief that amulet against evil can be created at any time of the day or night,
there are still certain preferences which the Bosnian mages adhere to, namely,
nam ely, amulet is traditionally
always waited for, i.e. the client has ordered it and after 15 or 30 days he gets it. The reason for this is that
in Bosnia it is constructed in the second half of the lunar cycle, last 14 days prior to the lunar cycle, always
after midnight. In that way it receives a specific power of protection and elimination of every magical
effect.
Since the amulet, at least for the first 40 days, must be in contact with the body, the mage folds the paper
he used to write and draw symbols into a shape of a triangle, then it is wrapped in sticky tape and
subsequently wrapped in a red cloth, or red cloth bag, and after the expiration of that period it can be
carried in the wallet or purse. To the question, why is the bodily contact necessary for the initial 40 days,
the simplest answer is that this number repr esents symbols of physical and spiritual regeneration, but
also fate, and that's why it is very present in the tradition of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Text, i.e. the content of the a mulet must not come into contact with dust or moisture, that's why it must be
protected by sticky tape, so that it's owner can go to the toilet or other places which are considered to be
unclean. With the amulet as an addition one often places a leaf of nacre (Ruta graveolens) because of its
apotropaic characteristics. It is mandatory to bathe it in smoke from the root of elecampane (Inula
helenium) using a special formula.
Every time when the amulet is given to the client, the mage or Imam warns him that he must take care of it
since it can lose its power of protection
protection if someone accidentally or on purpose punctures it with a needle
and in such a manner it disrupts its content. That's why an amulet is always taken care of. Similarly, if
someone steals your amulet then they can hurt you with black magic.
Besides it having a function to protect from negative energy the amulet is very efficient against diseases
but also negative propaganda. Today, as in the past, many companies as well as business people order
amulets in order to protect their business space from hate and jealousy of the competition which often
uses black magic to destroy their enemies.
There are a few type of amulets: for the protection of individuals, protection
protection of the house, business object,
for the protection of the land, etc. If the amulet is being constructed for a person from the family which
doesn't want to carry it with herself then the amulet is constructed using a small picture of the owner and
is wrapped in a special cloth, coated in wax, then it is positioned above the bed which the man uses to
sleep. From that place it will protect him from black magic and attack from the Jinn (demon's).