Totem Jewelry

In my Collection of jewelry I make a wolf ring. It is a portrait, full face relief of a somewhat pleased wolf looking right at you. Last fall a young lady asked me to make the ring with amber eyes. After some struggling I figured out how to do it. With the carving so deep, there was room to place a pair of amber stones in the head and include a special setting to hold them in place. It made the back of the ring more stone than not: hollowed out and allowing some light to spill and bounce around. The result is amazing. When placed on the table, the stones light up and the wolf face pierces you with his gaze. When worn, the orbs in his head give a rather deep look, as if he is gazing into himself.

Watychful Wolf Ring
The Watchful Wolf Ring

I placed an image of it in my gallery and after a bit I received a few requests for the Wolf Ring. Because I focus on custom, I found it a challenge to re produce it. Each ring requires careful modification due to the re-shaping of the wolf face and settings to accommodate ring sizes: this causes each wolf to look sightly different, altering to the size of the finger he (or she) will reside. I took some time over the winter to prefect it. I am pleased with the result and so I would like to introduce you to the latest in my Wolf Collection of Jewelry: The Watchful Wolf Ring.

Through out the World, the Fox has gained a reputation in song and story. Many cultures have attributed qualities to the Fox which are quite similar.

The Fox as a totem suggests Magic, Shape-shifting and Invisibility. In China they are thought to take human form, Egyptian lore suggests the Fox brought favor from the Gods. In Persia the Fox assists the dead to the next life. In North America both the Hopi and Cherokee attribute great healing powers to the Fox. In the lore of the Apache it was the Fox who brought Fire to Humans.

The Fox is revered because it his/her ability to hide in plain sight: in the shadows of perception, thus the Fox lives on the edge of Faerie “between time and space”. The Fox may assist one to the realms beyond normal experience, thus it is the Fox who may guide you in places unknown and little understood.

In celebration of the Fox, I have created the Fox Amulet, quietly sitting, patiently waiting for you to notice, giving you a wink when you do. The Fox Amulet is a smaller piece, only 3/4” tall, yet it is heavier than it appears. A small back bail for a light chain or cord is behind his head.

Fox Amulet
Fox Amulet

To learn more about the Fox Amulet, please visit the Fox Amulet Webpage.

Classically the Bear is associated with Leadership, strength and healing. In much of Native American totems, the association of the bear is also one of of self sufficiency and stubbornness. Bears hibernate during winter, thus those associated with the Bear tend to be “slow” yet thoughtful during the winter. When the ice thaws in spring, the bear becomes very active, looking to the local environment to forage; so it is true with those who associate themselves with this totem: warm weather gets them up and moving: ponderously, yet ever moving forward.

Bear Amulet
Bear Amulet

Bear Medicine reminds us to follow our natural cycles. By going with the flow energies align more positively and successfully. Sometimes Bear Medicine appears in order to tell us to slow down for a season. A powerful symbol for the subconscious depths, the Bear sometimes suggests getting off the main path and seek your own in your own way and time.

In the Bear Amulet I have captured the image of a bear speaking, voicing his ideas and calling those around him to take notice of their situation. At times offering is a warning to those who wish to be aware of danger or of knowledge well earned through experience. Otherwise the bear is silent and ever careful: “when in doubt: don’t”.

The Bear Amulet is one and a quarter inch bas-relief sculpture: a shallow carving of the mouth giving the illusion of a deep carving, textured fur with a “hidden” back bail to hang on your chain or cord.

A custom “Charm Holder” and necklace.

The Charm Holder

The Charm Holder
A custom necklace
to hold various amulets

After searching “high and low” (as she put it) for several years,
such a thing was not to be found.
Apparently my client had a charm holder made in the ‘70s,
but due to her allergy to gold and the problem of breakage,
she sought a jeweler to re-create the piece.
After sending me a rather blurry image with a written description
I created a rendering fro her approval.
Because of her purposes for the piece
I added the triple moon at the top harnessing a hinge and clasp for the armature to swing out,
change the amulets out as needed and clasp again behind the triple moon shield.
I did not add stones because it would “color” what it is
holding to a narrow spectrum of purpose.

Shown here are three amulets in combination:
the High priestess, Leo and an ancestor skull bead.
This combination holds the vitality and perseverance of Leo,
the qualities of the Akashic amulet of the High Priestess
and the wisdom of the ancestors.
As the bearer of this Charm Holder,
she is able to construct a pattern of influences
needed for a specific purpose
or to develop a matrix of intent
for a period of time
and then reconstruct the holder for other purposes in the future.

Although this piece is a one of a kind,
I can create a charm holder of similar make and construction for you
with your choice of symbol at the top and size of armature.
Custom work is one of my favorite things to create,
so all you need to do is ask.

Under the branch of a tree, a wolf is relaxing, stretched out while watching the horizon beyond. The Tree over head offers little shade yet seems to watch over him.

The Watchful Wolf Amulet
The Watchful Wolf Amulet

This Amulet offers a scene rather than a simple profile or face. The idea here is to present an aspect of the Wolf rarely depicted in the amulet form. Originally created in 1989, this has been one of the more interesting shapes I have created. Completely a-symmetrical in shape it describes a moment in the Wolf’s life he (or she) isn’t hunting, playing, fighting nor sleeping. Rather the wolf surveys the land with reposed interest. Ready to respond at a moments notice, yet reclined in comfort as if watching pups at play or simply enjoying a sunset.

The Watchful Wolf Amulet is designed for those lovers of the Wolf who are a bit more relaxed and ready to enjoy life yet ready to respond when needed. Wolves being pack minded and concerned with their community, this amulet is for those concerned with their families, their community and their planet.

For as long as people have ascribed objects with special affinity
they have harnessed the use of Talismans:
objects associated with “magic” or “special powers”.
Amulets have come in a variety of shapes and sizes:
tools, weapons even vehicles.
Amongst these objects,
jewelry has been the most popular of Talismans:
the Amulets.

An Amulet can be a ring or pendant made of metal,
stone, bone or other substance;
however the intrinsic value is the focus here.
In its basic Latin translation: amuletum,
the “Amulet” was to “repel trouble”;
however as society has progressed
and our needs and desires have become more sophisticated,
the use of amulets has expanded.
A common amulet used today is a wedding ring:
it represents special meanings:
love, trust and a reminder of a promise made.

    Icarus

From the 12th century the creation of amulets became more sophisticated:
the greater Key of Solomon
and its various seals
have expanded the purpose of the Amulet to a wide variety of uses:
bringer of rain, lucid dreaming, clarity of thought and so on.
Our history is filled with Amulets from many cultures
including Native American, Gypsy, Romanian, and Celtic;
nearly every culture has its amulets and their use.

In my own work I began with the Tarot.
Each card has a specific meaning and purpose,
reflections of how we think and respond to each other,
the fine tuning of a person’s virtue and their lessons.
I then developed the metaphors that step beyond the two dimensional image,
allowing the bearer of the amulet to focus on the idea and intent
of each of the Major Arcana.
From there I have studied and implemented a host of symbols
to provide a wide variety of Amulets for many purposes.

How do I get a piece of jewelry to work as an Amulet?

It is preferable to harness a piece of jewelry
has already been targeted to work as an amulet.
The important step is to find a connection with the piece,
something that first “reminds” you of the intent.
For example,
if you wished to become pregnant
(provided you have a partner that will assist you in the physical step),
you would find an amulet that would represent fertility to you.
To activate the amulet is simply developing an affinity with the piece.
“This pendant makes me feel fertile”.
Touching that “place” may require some work on your part:
you need to discover that fertile part within
and connect with the amulet you are using.
A great example is found in the first book of the legendary series:
The Sword of Shannara.
Towards the end of the story,
our hero finds it difficult to activate his Talisman
until he discovers the spark of truth within himself
necessary to ignite the “Magic” of the blade.
Although a book of fiction,
the principle is the plain:
to harness such things one must first find that part within one’s self
before the enhancement can take place.

Looking again to the Tarot Amulets,
each piece is designed to help one find that spark within through lore,
imagery and intent.
If one is studying the Chakras, Kundalini and Yoga,
then the Strength Amulet would be a good tool
to help one focus on one’s studies,
exercises and meditations.
It is an enhancement;
it does not take the place of real practice and study.
A lens in of itself does not create light:
it magnifies and focuses the light
giving one more control over what is already there.
With Amulets and Talismans it is not so much the object
rather it is the relationship between the person and their amulet
that makes the difference.
It is not the Wedding Ring that makes you married
it is the relationship between all parties concerned
that creates the marriage:
the rings enhance the marriage and give it a physical point of reference to focus on;
the symbol of the eternal circle and the experience of its presentation at the ceremony.

I have created hundreds of designs;
and always creating more.
On occasion a person will need a piece that will help them accomplish a task,
focus purpose or celebrate life.
Many times he or she will produce a design providing
the necessary connection to their desired goal.
From their art
(or from a description of the design)
I then create what they would like.
To see my line of Jewelry,
sculpture and other works of art and to learn more about how your amulet can be made,
please visit my how to order custom page.