Do Guatemalan worry dolls work?
In a placebo kind of way, I think they do. There can be something freeing when you relieve yourself of a worry by placing it on something inanimate, so in those terms, they do. Worrying does nothing but rob one of time, youth, and action, so why not have some charm do all that for you? Kombolol, or worry beads, are in the same vein, and they can be helpful when you’re antsy or agitated. Some people see the Italian horn or the dual fingers as charms. Many runes have a charm to them, and those can be quite fun. An outfit called Chisel Me Timbers crafts lucky Knock On Wood sticks (I have one and they make great gifts). They embrace wood spirits but also provide a piece of wood to knock on when you need it. The sticks come with a great story about the cultural history behind knocking on or touching wood. www.chiselmetimbers.com Offhand, I can’t think of anything else (probably will later). Good luck in your quest. Its all in good fun.
