Six years after "Darkside of the Moon," Supernatural found away to bring the Samulet back into play.

A gift from Sam (Jared Padalecki), Dean (Jensen Ackles) wore the odd medallion for nearly five seasons, only discarding it when his faith in God (and in his relationship with his brother) took a beating. The amulet glows hot in God's presence, and while Chuck (Rob Benedict) suppressed its abilities during the apocalypse, Dean received a shock when he found it glowing in Sammy's pocket last week.

"For those of you who don't know - I'm sure you probably thought it would eventually - the amulet worn by Dean has surfaced again. Apparently Sam had kept it the whole time," Ackles informed fans at Asylum 16 last on Saturday. "It was no surprise to me, I'm sure it wasn't a surprise to you. But is was a surprise to Dean."

"Don't Call Me Shurley" didn't really have time to dig into Dean's reaction--the Winchesters were to busy marveling at their sudden reversal of fortune--but discovering that the Samulet wasn't rusting in a Garbage heap certainly had an emotional resonance with Dean.

"I think Dean was probably touched and confused as to A) how and why he kept it this whole time and why he didn't say anything, and B) why is it now glowing," the actor explained.

Unfortunately, fans may not see a whole lot of the necklace in the future. Originally selected by Ackles from a box of costume jewelry ahead of season 1, the heavy icon eventually became too cumbersome for filming.

"I liked it in the fact that it kind of helped me create Dean. I didn't like it because it was a thick cast metal and every time I would run or dive or jump or do a stunt, I'd catch it in the teeth," Ackles told the Rouge Events audience. "I'm surprised I still have front teeth."

For now, it appears Dean will keep the symbol of his brotherly bond, but it won't be hanging in plain sight. Like Sam, the elder hunter will stick it in his pocket.

"I don't want to put it around my neck; can I just keep it in my pocket?" Ackles had asked Bob Singer, executive producer and episode 20 director. "So it's now in Dean's pocket. Whether it comes back out again, I don't know."

Find out what's next for Sam, Dean, and God when Supernatural airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on The CW. Click the video below to see a preview for the series' next episode, "All in the Family."

Tags: supernatural television the cw