Aaskouandy, a.k.a. Omniont, or power charm/charmstone is any object unusual in some way, appears inexplicably or somehow is out of place in its surroundings. It can be spiteful or a trickster and can be a shapeshifter. It is important to stay on its good side. A couple of examples of aaskouandy take the form of fish or serpents.
The Course Hero website says: The Huron owned power charms (aaskouandy). Many of these were found in the entrails of game animals, especially those who were difficult to kill. Charms could be small stones, tufts of hair, and so on. One of the abilities of a power charm was to change its own shape, so that a stone, for example, might become a bean or a bird’s beak. Aaskouandy were of two types: (1) those that brought general good luck and (2) those that were good for one particular task. The particular use of a charm would be revealed to its owner in a dream An individual or family might collect a number of charms and keep them in a bundle consisting of, for example, tufts of hair, bones or claws of animals, stones, and miniature masks. The owner was periodically obliged to offer a feast to his charms, during which he and his friends would sing to the charms and show them honor. The owner usually established a relationship to the charm spirit, similar to that between an individual and a guardian spirit, although charm spirits were known to be more unpredictable and dangerous than guardian spirits. An individual or family who wished to get rid of a charm had to conduct a ritual and bury it; even then uneasiness surrounded the event
The following is a youtube of “charmstones” and other artifacts the individual found. My thought is that these belong in a museum, but I’m not sure what the laws are regarding them.
What is giving me the goosebumps right now is that I just read a story in Haruki Murakami’s book of short stories, “Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman,” called, “The Kidney-Shaped Stone that Moves Every Day” that features an aaskouandy – the kidney-shaped stone. I picked this one before I ever read that story.
Tao Talk 
How cool! Yours is the first A2Z I’ve read and this is so interesting. I own that book and only vaguely remember the story ~ it’s been a long time since I’ve picked it up.
My first romcom review is scheduled for 4am Pacific time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh right, I forgot you were doing those. Looking forward to it. I wont see it until I get up at around 11 a.m. usually. Looking forward to it. Did you see how many people are doing A2Z? I think it’s 515!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoa no! I won’t be able to check them all out. 👍🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s one of the last stories in the book. Freaked me right out. I picked this entry, then I read the story in his book, within a day or two. What are the odds?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Really interesting topic. Hadn’t heard of it before..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a book of signs and symbols. It was in there. I see you are back writing and going to do the A2Z. Awesome! 🙂
LikeLike
Yes. I was on a break from blogging to handle daily life. Hoping to do AtoZ and NaPoWriMo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah! Very nice. Daily prompts can be such motivators. I won’t be doing NaPoWriMo but will be doing the October one.
LikeLike
I’ve read Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki, but it looks like I need to check out Murakami’s short stories!
Awesome first post. Never heard of an aaskouandy, but it’s a cool word and an even cooler (yet eerie) item.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now there’s another coincidence, I’m reading Colorless right now! ::Twilight Zone music::
LikeLike
Wow, how interesting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Richa 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that we need to spend more time studying animal entrails.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, whatever works!
LikeLike
What an interesting entry – I’ve never heard about aaskounady before. Great food for thought and inspiration. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Melfka 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Punam, yes it is! I’m finding a lot of interesting stuff for the A2Z. Stay tuned 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome. You bet, I will be!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting, and a good start to A to Z!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John 🙂
LikeLike
Wow!! So cool. We have an arrowhead collection passed down from B’s grandpa. The charm stones are new to me. Awesome start!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, J! That’s very neat about the arrowhead collection.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How interesting. I’ll be casting a curious eye over anything that seems out of place from now on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Especially if you put it in one place and keep finding it somewhere else!
LikeLiked by 1 person
that is very interesting, and quite helpful when designing a mythical or magickal system in your novels. Thank you. bridginasauthorpageat.wordpress.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome. It truly is interesting!
LikeLike
I loved hearing about these charm stones! I’d never knew about them, and they are so cool looking. I’d sure like to find one. I’m always picking up rocks here and there, but haven’t seen anything like these. Good video, too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Barbara glad you found them interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person