Multi Faith

The Key of Solomon is a series of glyphs or designs (mandalas)
which date back to the 14th or 15th century Italian Renaissance.
There are no actual claims as to who constructed the text
and there are no references to the book by King Solomon himself.

The Second Seal of Jupiter Amulet

The Second Seal of Jupiter Amulet

Most historians consider
the Greater key of Solomon was created
between the 14th and the 17th century
with very strong influences from the High Medieval Period.
Primarily,
this is a series of various glyphs,
seals and signants
(more often referred to as “Pentacles”)
which correspond to the Planetary qualities
(remember this is Renaissance times,
so the moon and sun are included,
while the outer planets are not).
Each pentacle is attributed to a planet and holds an aspect,
yet not all of the qualities ascribed there to.
As in most medieval grimoires,
magical operations are performed
through the power of (the Christian or Hebrew) God,
to whom all the invocations are addressed.
Before any of these operations are performed,
the operator must confess his sins and purge himself of evil,
invoking protection.
It is interesting to note here,
the acknowledgment of celestial beings
other than Jesus.
The saints and angelic beings,
even the pentacles themselves
(although attributed to the “planets”)
and hold the names of the Old God(dess)s.
Over the years I have created many of these seals,
one of which I produce regularly in my line of Jewelry:
the Second Seal of Jupiter.

To quote directly from the manuscripts:

“The Second Pentacle of Jupiter. – This is proper for acquiring
glory, honors, dignities, riches, and all kinds of good, together with great tranquility
of mind; also to discover Treasures and chase away the Spirits who preside over them.
It should be written upon Virgin Parchment, with the pen of the swallow and the
blood of the screech-owl.
**Editor’s Note.– In the center of the Hexagram are the letters of the Name AHIH,
Eheieh; in the upper and lower angles of the same, those of the Name AB, the Father;
in the remaining angles those of the Name IHVH. I believe the letters outside the
Hexagram in the reentering angles to be intended for those of the first two words of
the Versicle, which is taken from Psalm cxii. 3:– “Wealth and Riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endureth for ever.”

This is for those who are “seeking Hidden Treasures”,
primarily the way I have interpreted this is the process of seeking hidden,
inner qualities of One’s Own Self.

In my re-creation
I carved the seal as a disk:
the circle is “cut” into the disk
and the lettering is embossed (raised) from the surface of the amulet.
I have included a jump ring from which to hang the piece.

To order you copy,
please visit my Second Seal of Jupiter Page.

An equal Armed cross in a circle sometimes referred to a Odin’s Cross.

The Solar Cross Amulet

The Solar Cross Amulet

This shape has been cited
in the prehistoric religions
the bronze age of Europe’s Spoked Chariot Wheel
(originally, the wheel had four spokes)
seems to have reached Europe
in the mid second millennium BC
of the Sun Chariot.

The symbol also appears on the Snoldelev Stone in Denmark:
a ninth century Rune Stone.

In Native American lore,
the Solar Cross represents
the universe separated
into active and passive principles.
Similar to the descendants
of the old religions
of Europe’s Solar Traditions:
the wheel of the year
illustrates the movement of the seasons:
the solstices and equinoxes.
The time of year has great meaning
to the Old Ways:
when to plant,
when to harvest,
when to prepare for winter
and much more.

The Solar Cross Amulet is made of metal,
but the texture is that of stone,
referring to it’s ancient origins.
The cross is bold
and stands away from the disk:
slightly domed;
giving this piece
a very three dimensional feel

This unique and beautiful symbol is omnipresent in Ghana. It is the most popular in decoration: a reflection on the deeply religious character of the Ghanaian people.

Custom Gye Nyame Amulet
Custom Gye Nyame Amulet

Symbol of the Omnipotence and the Omnipresence Of God. From the Akan aphorism: Abode santann yi firi tete; obi nte ase a onim ne ahyease, na obi ntena ase nkosi ne awie, Gye Nyame. Literal translation: This great panorama of creation dates back to time immemorial; no one lives who saw its beginning and no one will live to see its end, Except God.

Gye Nyame is a symbol meaning “I am afraid of none but God,” or: “Nyame biribi wo sor” suggests that good things come from above. More information about this symbol and it’s backlground may be found in an eariler article.

I have within my jewelry line the amulet in two sizes, one larger deeply carved piece, a smaller flat version and matching earrings. A client who has enjoyed her set requested the larger piece modified to accommodate a much larger chain. The result was to turn the Custom Gye Nyame Amulet into a more leaf-like shape.

This is a one-of-a-kind piece currently in a private collection. Because I specialize in custom, I am able to modify any of my pieces to fit your ideas and needs. To learn more about custom jewelry can sculpture please visit my How to order Custom page.

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.

My latest version of the Worm Ouroboros as an amulet, this custom, one-of-a-kind bronze pendant is two and one quarter inches across and fully detailed with scales, a “diamond” on the third eye and (classically) swallowing it’s tail. As requested by my client, this is a unique piece with no mold taken. Heavy because of it’s size, it is designed to be hung on a sturdy chain through the middle.

Custom Worm Ouroboros Amulet

I have already made several versions of this piece, one as a custom cloak clasp, and two versions as a ring: one smooth, one with scales. Both of which could be alternately worn as a pendant. This version was designed to be large and developed as a heavy, detailed piece: each scale is textured.

If you are interested in having a similar piece made, please visit my How to order Custom page.

My first encounter of the Key of Solomon
was in the 1970s
when I began my research of High Magick.
At the time,
there was very little available,
most Libraries omitted manuscripts on the subject.
I had to find Occult Bookstores
to discover references beyond the point of
“it exists”.
Many manuscripts referred to it,
described it
and yet only held a few images
of the old Grimoire
(Magical diary or recipe book).
The Key of Solomon
(in Latin Clavis Salomonis
or Clavicula Salomonis,
Hebrew: Mafteah Shelomoh)
dates back to the 14th or 15th century Italian Renaissance.
There are no actual claims as to who constructed the text
and there are no references to the book by King Solomon himself,
nor copies of the text found between his time in the old world
until the 14th century.
The best guess of most historians
is the Greater key of Solomon was created
between the 14th and the 17th century
with very strong influences from the High Medieval Period.

Primarily,
this is a series of various glyphs,
seals and signants
(more often referred to as “Pentacles”)
which correspond to the Planetary qualities
(remember this is Renaissance times,
so the moon and sun are included,
while the outer planets are not).
Each pentacle is attributed to a planet and holds an aspect,
yet not all of the qualities ascribed there to.
As in most medieval grimoires,
magical operations are performed
through the power of (the Christian or Hebrew) God,
to whom all the invocations are addressed.
Before any of these operations are performed,
the operator must confess his sins and purge himself of evil,
invoking protection.

It is interesting to note here,
the acknowledgment of other celestial beings beyond Jesus,
the saints and angelic beings,
even the pentacles themselves
(although attributed to the “planets”)
hold the names of the Old God(dess)s.

Over the years I have created many of these seals,
one of which I produce regularly in my line of Jewelry:
the Second Seal of Jupiter.
Many of the seals were made for private use
and not for public view.
I was given permission to display in my gallery:
The Key of Solomon.
This is a two sided Talisman, designed,
developed and produced to be carried on a daily basis.

The Solar side holds the Third seal of the Sun

Solar key of Solomon

Solar key of Solomon

“serve to repress the pride and arrogance of the Solar Spirits,
which are altogether proud and arrogant by their nature,
acquire Kingdom and Empire
and to acquire renown and glory,
especially through the Name of God,
Tetragrammaton,
which therein is twelve times contained”

Because the piece was to be shaped like a key,
I designed the piece to reflect the side of the seal it corresponds:
hence I created a sunburst for the solar side
and extended “Yods” down the shaft of the key itself.

On the reverse side of the seal is the First Pentacle of the Moon:

Lunar Key of Solomon

Lunar Key of Solomon

“serve to call forth and invoke the Spirits of the Moon;
to open doors, in whatever way they may be fastened”

This pentacle uses a hieroglyphic representation of a door or gate,
here I used the flairs of the opposite side to create the crescents of the moon,
the “bright side” of the lunar representation showing out ward.
Again (similar to the other side) Yods extend down the shaft,
similar to the Moon Tarot Card.
The shaft itself is composed of the Cross of Matter,
“Earth”.
This both grounds the piece adding foundation to the piece
and provides a direction for manifestation.

The entire piece is two and a half inches long,
each seal is a one inch by one inch piece
of Sterling silver with the Key cast in bronze.

This Key of Solomon a one of a kind piece and is currently in a private collection.

If you would like something made,
please visit my how to order custom page.

We see “sevens” everywhere in nature and thus we reflect the way we describe our world.
There are the seven colors of the rainbow,
and the seven notes of the musical scale.
Western science recognizes seven chief glands in the human body,
called the endocrine glands;
while Eastern yoga systems speak of the seven Chakras
(as I described in the Strength Card of the Tarot).

The Heptagram  Amulet

The Heptagram Amulet
Star of the Fae

The Heptagram Amulet

In western Music
the most common scale is of seven tones
made up of two tetra chords.
This seven tone has a subtle influence on everyone in their daily lives.
For those of us who are always running music their their minds,
we have begun to think in music,
whether a favorite tune or improvising on a theme,
we weave through these seven notes expressing our heart ache,
joy or love of another.

In alchemy,
a seven-sided star can refer to the seven planets
known to ancient alchemists.
Modern discussions of alchemy are generally split
into an examination of its esoteric practical applications,
and its esoteric aspects.
Historians of the physical sciences
have examined the subject in terms of proto-chemistry,
medicine, and charlatanism.
Unfortunately this perspective does not take into account it’s origins of purpose.
The best known goal of the Alchemist
was the transmutation of common metals into gold
and the creation of the philosopher’s Stone
(the inner base components of a person’s being is transmuted through stress and time
~ into a perfected Being).
Modern chemistry was developed
because of the pursuit of knowledge in the material world
where as Alchemy is
(in short)
the pursuit of being a better person.
As with most studies like Astrology,
Tarot and others,
we have developed modern sciences of Astronomy,
physiology, chemistry (and so on)
because experiments opened previous
undiscovered aspects of the physical world.
In doing so
we now have a better understanding of our selves
and the universe we live in.
The result of the studies in metaphysics:
we now have a better language to describe aspects
which required colorful metaphor in ancient times.
Still,
we rely heavily on the old words
to describe which is still hard to fathom.

For example:
we describe the term Consciousness as Mercurial,
because of the way the metal mercury appears:
reflective of everything around it
and pours into any vessel
taking the shape of the vessel
without changing its basic attributes.
Mercury has such a power relation to the way we think
we even have a special day attributed to it:
Wednesday.

We have the seven-day week:
each day is ruled by one of the planets:
The Sun rules Sunday,
the Moon Monday,
Mars Tuesday,
Mercury Wednesday,
Jupiter Thursday,
Venus Friday,
and Saturn Saturday.
Their influences may be recalled
from the days of ancient Chaldea and Babylon.

According to Medieval astrology
there are seven Ancient and Sacred planets:
Saturn,
Jupiter,
Mars,
Sun,
Venus,
Mercury,
and the Moon or Luna.

      (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto not being visible were omitted,
      the Sun and Moon are not planets yet were considered as such for many years,
      thus the influence on our culture
      concerning their representation of primary forces.
      Uranus, Neptune and Pluto were added in modern astrology
    as higher frequencies of already acknowledged influences).

One of the more recent groups
which has adapted the The Heptagram
is Faery or Fairy Wicca:
an umbrella term that refers to any tradition of modern Wicca
that places an emphasis on the Fey,
their lore,
and their relation to the natural world.
When speaking of “Faery Wicca”
some refer to a tradition of Wicca recently founded
by author Kisma Stepanich.
Some claim it recovers the traditions of the Tuatha De Danaan,

      (disputed by those familiar with ancient Celtic polytheism and mythology.

Stepanich’s Faery Wicca

      draws liberally on some degree of Irish mythology,
      from the author’s interpretation of Celtic history,
    legend, imagination, and a variety of non-Celtic sources)

Though Faery Wicca may draw inspiration from some of the customs practiced
among the ancient and modern Celts,
it shares more with other modern Wiccan and Neo-Wiccan traditions
than with the “Fairy Faith” as it is known in traditional Gaelic cultures.

In 2000,
A Pagan organizer started a magical path or religion
based on Faeids called Faeidism (or Faeidry)
which consists of the rites, rituals, practices, and wisdom
of those who live a path in life seek to be in touch with the Faery realm.
Faeids commonly wear the Faery Star or Elven Star
(The Heptagram) as their symbol.
This is a seven-pointed star is believed to be given to humanity
by the Fae representing the connection to the world of Faerie
so they may recognize each other.

One of the great artists who helped establish the Blue Star tradition

(similar to Faerie Tradition)
is Kenny Klein:
co founder of Rose and Antler coven of Blue Star,
author of The Flowering Rod,
and his music expresses but a fragment
of this rich and diverse sub-culture.
His 1995 – High Grows the Barley – Blackthorn Records; highly recommended!

Over the years other Traditions have adopted the concept and symbol.
Despite the inevitable disagreements and friction that will develop
in a large, diverse, and widely-spread group,
a remarkable sense of community and closeness continues between members of the Tradition,
to the point where annual convocations are often referred to as “Family Gatherings”.
Diversity is embraced,
differences are cherished
and expression of many kinds are encouraged.

The Heptagram is found in paintings,
drawings, sculpture, Vae Vaes, pentacles
(in the classic sense of a mandala)
and (yes) mandalas;
crossing cultures, generations, arts and sciences.
The Heptagram means many things to many people.
In celebration of the the seven point star,
I have created a new amulet in my collection:
The Heptagram Amulet.
This is a simple, deep carving of a 7/8 inch (23mm) disk
with a woven seven point star in filigree.
A top bail with a jump ring offers a sleek comfortable wearing of the amulet.
To order your copy,
please visit the The Heptagram Amulet page.

I first met Mark years ago at a science fiction convention named SheVaCon. A very large, quiet man who seemed to lurk in the shadows and “tried” to be unobtrusive. The first thing I noticed was his smile: he seemed to know much more than he let on, quiet jokes he kept to himself as he observed the Fans rushing about in costumes of their favorite books and shows, LARP players taking themselves all too seriously; Mark took them all in in stride.

Memorial Sculpture for Mark Bodkin
Memorial Sculpture for Mark Bodkin

He often hovered around my tables in the Dealer’s Room as I sold my jewelry, listening in on conversations and turning his head when someone said something particularly funny, but one day he was present when I was asked to explain my Tarot Casters. I found he had pulled up a chair and sat next to my tables and simply watched.

Several years went by when on one convention he asked me to step aside for a quick nip of Scotch: “It’s as old as I am” he told me. So, we “snuck” away to a room, only to find he had let me into a meeting of the board of the convention. They were debating about how to expand the curriculum. I was there for the Scotch, not to be a part of the board, however after a little while (and a few shots) I found myself participating in the conversation. All the while Mark was grinning at me, offering the bottle for one more nip. Before I knew it, I had proposed and volunteered the Amulet Making Workshop.

To this day I blame Mark for my return to teaching as a way of life.

Over the years, he has been very supportive. Encouragement at the right time, careful reflection of complex issues summed up in an almost haiku statement as if he were conserving words making each syllable more potent and more profound than the volumes I have heard other people speak; all the while his simple presence said more than his words.

We lost Mark a couple of years ago due to an accident. A dreadful loss to those who knew and loved him. His wife gave me the honor of creating a memorial sculpture to be added to his tombstone. The request included a series of ideas to be incorporated: knot work, a tree dominating the image with ivy, a symbol of wisdom and the figure of a dwarf (his favorite character) whittling something under the tree. An “Aum” (OM) as the center piece, meaning “everything and nothing: a fundamental symbol of all things scared; leaves making out other images (if you look, there are dragons and many other figures in the leaves). Each of these meant something to his Family.

This custom memorial sculpture was cast in bronze with a patina set into the metal so it will colorize over the years, pulling out a variety of hue in time. The piece is five and a half inches across and twelve inches tall: developed as a one of a kind piece dedicated to Mark Bodkin: he will live in our hearts forever.

In my line of jewelry, I have a Yin-Yang Amulet. Wrapped around the edge is the Ouroboros and for the “two spots” signifying the Light in Darkness and Darkness in Light I placed pentacles. This amulet has been a part of my line for many years, quite popular when I was traveling from one festival to another. The combination of these three ideas in one piece provided an amulet that was both quite broad in meaning and focused for a particular kind of person.

Recently I received a request to modify the amulet. Although she loved the idea of the combination she wrote:

“I am more drawn to the Ankh than I am to the Pentacle, is it possible to replace the Pentacles with Ankhs?”

As I specialize in custom, I was glad to do it! And so, the most recent version of this complex amulet has the Ankh replacing the Pentacles: a Custom Yin Yang Amulet.

If you like what you see in my Jewelry Line, but want a modification, Write me and let me know what changes you wish and I will be happy to do so. Modifications are only a small fee, but with alterations the piece becomes a one-of-a-kind!

Custom Yin Yang

For more information on Custom, be sure to visit my How to order custom page!

For many of the Clergy of Wicca, Druidry and Paganism, a pin is needed when ministering to the faithful. More often than not, entering a hospital or other institution requires a bit more formal attire than typical street clothing. For such occasions where one needs to look one’s best, this Pagan Clergy Pin can be recognized and still look professional in a business suit or uniform of a Chaplin.

Pagan Clergy Pin

The Pagan Clergy Pin is a solid piece (Sterling Silver or Bronze) with a black background and easily mounted with two tack pins behind the disk. It is accompanied with the tie tack backs needed to secure it on your lapel jacket or other garment. This is intended for those who serve the community, no other identifying mark is included, making the pin a universal symbol for all Earth Based Religions.

To see and order your Pin, please visit my Pagan Clergy Pin page.