Greek Mythology Jewelry

Caduceus of Fire Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 29, 2013
Posted in: Amulets, Greek Mythology Jewelry, Multi Faith. Tagged: , , , . Leave a Comment

A Nurse wished to have a caduceus for her.
Something bold and could pack a wallop.
The design is simple:
the classic caduceus symbol of wings framing a pair of serpents climbing the staff of Hermes.
In Roman mythology it is a staff carried by Mercury the messenger.
Also a recognized symbol of commerce and negotiation,
two realms in which balanced exchange and reciprocity are recognized as ideals.
In North America associated with Medicine and Health Care.

Caduceus of Fire Amulet

Caduceus of Fire Amulet

Caduceus of Fire Amulet

The classic symbol of the caduceus over the Elemental symbol of Fire.
Silver and Bronze,
two inches on a sterling rope chain.
The original piece is now in a private collection.
If you wish something similar, please visit my How to order Custom page.

The Zeus Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 25, 2013
Posted in: Amulets, Greek Mythology Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

“That Zeus is king in heaven is a saying common to all men” – Pausanias

The Zeus Amulet

The Zeus Amulet

Ruler of Mount Olympus, gatherer of Cloud, the might of the thunder bolt. The name Zeus is the Greek continuation of  “Sky Father” and “Cloud Gatherer”. The Cyclopes gave him thunder and the thunderbolt which had previously been hidden by his mother Gaia . She resented the way Zeus had overthrown the Titans: her children. Soon after taking the throne as king of the gods, Zeus had to fight some of Gaia’s other offspring: the monsters Typhon and Echidna. He vanquished Typhon and trapped him under Mount Etna, but left Echidna and her children alive.

 Zeus: consort of Hera, sired Ares, Hebe, Hephaestus, Eileithyia, and Eris. The conquests of Zeus among nymphs and the mythic mortal progenitors are numerous. The god played a dominant role, presiding over the Greek Olympian pantheon and fathered many heroes and worshiped in many cults. The god of the sky and thunder is the embodiment of Greek religious beliefs.

Several attributes of influence are attributed to Zeus:

  • The patron of hospitality and guests, ready to avenge any wrong done to a stranger.
  • The keeper of oaths
  • Zeus watched over business and punished dishonest traders.

For the Zeus Amulet, a small figure in a swirling cloud of Power, holding a Thunderbolt in his hand: ready to strike. The image does not revel his entire form, rather it shows him emerging from the depths of Cloud. A back bail is mounted behind the piece so it will give the illusion of being suspended on your chain or cord. For more, please visit my Zeus Amulet Page

The Artemis Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 2, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Greek Mythology Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 comment

One of the most widely venerated of Ancient Greek deities, Homer refers to Her as: “Artemis of the wild-land, Mistress of Animals”. Daughter of Zeus and Leto, she was the Hellenic goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, virginity and young girls. She is often depicted as a huntress carrying a bow and arrow. Deer and cypress are sacred to her. In later Hellenistic times, she even assumed the ancient role of Eileithyia in aiding childbirth. Other theological references include Diana: goddess of the Hunt and Moon.

The Artemis Amulet
Artemis Amulet

In my one inch, two sided Artemis Amulet I have included a bow and arrow and the theological reference to Selene: (a Greek moon goddess) with a crescent moon above her head. there is a hidden bail for hanging the amulet on a chain or cord within the moon.

This would be an excellent gift for young girls entering womanhood, studying or already achieving midwifery or anyone who honors Women and loves their wild side.

Custom Dryad

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 1, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid Jewelry, Greek Mythology Jewelry, Jewelry design, nature Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a Comment

One of my favorite subjects in sculpture and jewelry design is the tree.
Over the years I have created several versions of the Dryad:
a forest spirit in tree-shape
able to commune with other beings.
Many authors of classical literature
such as Milton and Keats describe them in poetry.
The Dryad is associated with the oak,
however other Tree Nymphs
associated with other kinds of trees;
such as apple trees were Epimeliad,
walnut-trees Caryatids
and Meliai
are associated with the Ash Tree.

Custom Dryad

Custom Dryad Amulet

This necklace of a Dryad is composed
of sterling silver for the body
and roots with bronze as the leaves above her.
Tiny nymphs hold the amulet to a custom sterling chain.
This necklace was created for a dear friend
and is a one-of-a-kind piece:
no mold was taken for reproduction.
However should you wish to have your own
personal Dryad made just for you,
I would only be too happy to make one for you.

Hand of Zeus Earrings

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on May 20, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Earrings, Greek Mythology Jewelry, Multi Faith. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 comment

“Begin!”
First the word, then it happens. The crack of the gun before the race, the blowing of the whistle that starts the game. A single moment that is beyond time itself, a single point of origin from which a flash of lightning springs into being.
“Inspiration!”
The point of fire now has direction: purpose and a way to manifest.

Hand of Zeus Earrings
The Hand of Zeus Earrings

Although named for the Father of the Greek Gods, Shango would be pleased to be associated with this piece, the most popular Orisha; he is a Sky Father, god of thunder and lightning. Well loved in the Lukumí religion of the Caribbean, Shango is also revered by Efa in Africa. Umvelinqangi is the Sky God from the Zulu mythology, Baal-Shamin, was a supreme deity and the sky god … both attributes are the lightning bolt. Amm was a moon god worshiped in ancient Qataban was also revered as a weather god, as his attributes included lightning bolts. Heironeous is the Oeridian god of Chivalry, Justice, Honor, War, Daring, and Valor. His holy symbol is a silver lightning bolt; the images both look and mean the same: Manifest!

The Hand of Zeus Earring is an icon akin to the Ace of Wands: the place from which such movement springs into manifestation. A Godly hand holding a lightning bolt directs and guides it into being. Good for a “make it so” day: marathons, deadlines, important meetings, and “putting on your thinking cap”. This would be the earring equivalent to the “Power Tie”.

The Icarus Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 27, 2010
Posted in: Greek Mythology Jewelry, Jewelry design. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 comment

The image of Icarus from the ancient Greek Legend.

The Icarus Amulet

The Icarus Amulet
Front and Back

Icarus and his father Daedalus attempted to escape prison at the hands of King Minos.
Daedalus fashioned wings out of wax and feathers for himself and his son.
Before they took off,
Daedalus warned his son not to fly too close to the sun,
nor too close to the sea.
Overcome with the sense of flight,
Icarus soared through the sky,
but flew too close to the sun,
melting the wax.
Without his wings Icarus fell into the sea which bears his name.
This tale strikes deep into the heart of those who attempt the impossible,
risking themselves for the sake of their vision or desire for freedom.

The Icarus Amulet

The Icarus Amulet
one-of-a-kind
Custom Amulet

With a basic sketch and a written description from my client
I rendered out multiple images before the right feel of the piece was approved.
The idea was to use a large cabochon as the sun,
the rays extending out from the orb as the setting,
then overlaying the image of Icarus over the top.
Because of the shape of the stone,
the sculpture has the figure’s knees bent as if falling towards you.
To provide the ability for work to be done on the amulet in the future,
I used a “clock-work setting” for the stone.
This setting on the back allows the stone to be fed behind the artwork,
thus protection the amulet from damage from bench jewelers should the amulet last longer that I do!

Capturing freedom,
motion and the source of All,
the piece is of sterling silver and garnet.
The Icarus Amulet is a talisman of freedom and daring,
a one of a kind piece worn by a noble and free soul
who continues to attempt the impossible with Good Intent.

More about how to order Custom Jewelry

The Amulet of Pan

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 1, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Greek Mythology Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

Pan is the son of Zeus, (or Hermes or Dionysus); his mother a nymph (or sometimes Dryope?). In fact, his parentage is so unclear that some historians consider him Pre-Olympian. Because of his effect on people his qualities appear to be more a nature spirit (or elemental). As an entity, he inspires panic, sexual arousal or in the higher form: musical ecstasy.

The Amulet of Pan

Syrinx was a exquisite water-nymph of Arcadia, daughter of Landon, the river-god. As she was returning from the hunt one day, Pan met her. In fear of his amorous interest the fair nymph ran away. He pursued her until she caught up with her sisters who immediately changed her into a reed. In his search for her he noticed the air blowing through the reeds produced a melancholic melody. The god, still infatuated, took a handful because he did not know which reed she became, and cut seven pieces and formed a musical instrument. He has carried her with him ever since.

Contrary to Plutarch, Pan is not dead. In Jitterbug Perfume: Tom Robbins describes the continued life of Pan and his exploits as he sailed to the New World and lived in America…. but that is another story.

In creating an Amulet of Pan, I chose his musical aspect. The Pan amulet is not a simply relief; it is a 3D sculpture from his waist up, framed in grape leaves playing his pan pipe.

An amulet to inspire a Panorama: good music, good wine and a celebration of life itself.

The Venus Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 8, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Greek Mythology Jewelry, Jewelry design, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

I present to you the Amulet of Love: the Venus Amulet. This piece is dedicated to aspects of love and affection, drawing and offering love in its many forms.
The Venus Amulet
Venus was commonly associated with the Greek goddess Aphrodite and the Etruscan deity Turan, making use of aspects from each. As with most other gods and goddesses in Roman mythology, the literary concept of Venus was borrowed from literary Greek mythology of her counterpart: Aphrodite. The early Latin goddess of gardens became associated with the Greek Goddess Aphrodite. In some Latin mythology Eros was the son of Venus and Mars, the god of war.

Venus was revered in her many aspects: Venus Acidalia was derived from the well Acidalius near Orchomenus, in which Venus used to bathe with the Graces; others con¬nect the name with the Greek acides or cares or troubles. Venus Cloacina: “Venus the Purifier”; Venus Erycina: embodied “impure” love, and was the patron goddess of ill repute. Venus Felix: “Lucky Venus”, Venus Libertina: “Venus the Freedwoman”, Venus Murcia: “Venus of the Myrtle”, Venus Obsequens: “Graceful Venus”, Venus Urania: “Heavenly Venus”; Venus Victrix: “Venus the Victorious”, Soubriquet for Venus included Venus Amica: “Venus the Friend”, Venus Armata: “Armed Venus”, Venus Caelestis: “Celestial Venus”, Venus Aurea: “Golden Venus”, Venus Genetrix: “Mother Venus” was Venus in her role as the ancestress of the Roman people, a goddess of motherhood and domesticity. A festival is held in her honor on September 26.

The classic symbol if Venus: the circle of spirit over the cross of matter illustrating the direct connection between these aspects. It the image of the Goddess of Love standing sky-clad before you, arms outstretched invitation to share and enjoy all that love has to offer.

Kallisti Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 7, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Greek Mythology Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

The Kallisti Amulet has been a source of humor for centuries. To understand this “Ancient Prank”, here is a brief lesson in Greek Mythology…

    Kallisti Amulet

Known for being a trouble maker, Eris was not in the list of guests invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, the parents of Achilles. In spite of the lack of invitation she came to the reception party and threw a solid gold apple through the door with the inscription:

Kallisti: “For the fairest”

Hera, Athena and Aphrodite saw this piece of art and started disputing who it was for. Disgusted by the constant bickering, Zeus sent them to Mount Ida near Troy to be judged by the shepherd Paris, who chose Aphrodite as the most beautiful, accepting Helen’s hand for a bribe.
Paris, having come to fetch his bribe at Sparta, where Helen was queen, left the city as her lover and sailed with her to Troy. But her husband Menelaus and his brother Agamemnon took great exception for this theft, sent a powerful army against Troy; and the rest is history.

This symbol is a favorite of those fans of the Science Fiction Trilogy by Robert Anton Wilson: the Illuminati; and is hailed by the Discordians: a movement that pops up now and then who attend such conventions and festivals and enjoy a practical joke now and then. An amulet of mischief and humor.