Feb 24, 2025 by HTV9
Many religions have their own traditional versions of protective amulets. This is a Pagan one. They’re called Solar Crosses, or for whatever reason, Alrums. So in my particular kind of Paganism, the purpose and intention of these is to protect you and your loved ones, your hearth, your home and all that matters most to you from evil and invoke the presence of Good. These are called Solar Crosses because they mimic the perceived meeting points of the paths of the Sun and the Moon (scientific accuracy might not be great here, but eh), as well as the cardinal directions, and the perfect timing throughout the year of two Solstices and two Equinoxes. They have long been believed to symbolize and invoke the positive, life-giving powers in Nature, especially that of the Sun. Rowan twigs are the most traditional material for making these, but in Asian folklore bamboo is also said to be quite protective and is said to ward off evil. So what material in modern life fits the bill? Chopsticks.
To make:
Find twigs of Rowan, or in this case bamboo chopsticks, and cut them to size. Supposedly oak or ash could also work but I’m not a big fan of that idea because the idea here is serious protection, and I see those more as blessing type trees. Anyway I used kitchen scissors, keeping my eyes closed and allowing that bamboo to fling away with each cut. Probably not the safest, but meh. Safety glasses and someone else to hold the other side of the chopstick, and pruning shears instead of kitchen scissors would be safer. Or, spending time sawing away with a serrated-blade pocket knife or small saw.
For the thread: Loop on with diagonals for three loops, one on each side (you’re making an X three times, once per loop, doesn’t really matter how you do it except don’t tie knots til you are done), then around the ends once or twice. Keep each loop as tight as you can. It’s tricky. Tighten as you go. Try to make the final meeting point of the two sides of yarn, cord, or thread at the middle of the X.
Tie off only at the end of the looping process, three granny knots. Lick your finger and dab it on over each knot. Right over left, right over left, right over left. The idea is “right over wrong, right over wrong, right over wrong.”
It’s best to request the holy Powers That Be in your tradition or belief system to bless this. The most traditional blessing requested was for a Solar Deity such as Helios.
For alrums the tradition goes something like:
One at the hearth
One at the heart
One for your lover, never to part
Although that one can be on a pet, or your children. Can also be on your spouse and children; just make enough for everyone in your immediate family. Since children and pets are notorious for losing things, if you’re going to make these for them, you might want to make duplicates. Some for the little cretins to carry around in their bookbags or on a necklace or whatever (I’d recommend some sort of durability treatment for that if you made a necklace), and some to keep at home, say on an altar or shrine. A small version of one of these can also be carried in a wallet or purse. As for pets, I’d just make one of these and put it near my altar in a drawer with prayers for the pet’s well being. Reason: pets can and will eat these. In fact, for that reason I like to keep the hearth one also in a drawer near the hearth but not actually over it unless I suspend it from a nail on the wall or something.
Once you’ve got these down, you can make smaller more inconspicuous ones and put them wherever you like, especially over exterior windows and doors, in glove compartments, over garden gates, etc.
After they sit around for a week or so you can use clear all-purpose glue to help glue down the thread. I suggest this.
Traditionally when these start to fall apart is when it’s time to make new ones. Same deal if the red color of the cord or thread starts to fade. Burning the old stuff is considered best and no need to take it apart first. You can also bury it or throw it away, but I prefer burning it.
New Book of Days 