Amulets by Merlin's Blog

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
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.

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 recent HBO series Game of Thrones
has adopted this symbol as a center piece representing the religion of the realm
The Heptagram means many things to many people.
In celebration of the the seven point star,
I have created an 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.