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The Astro Blends

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 3, 2021
Posted in: Amulets, Astro-Blend, Pagan Jewelry, talismans, Wiccan Jewelry, Zodiac Amulets. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Amulets are pieces of jewelry which are used for a purpose, each one holds a significant idea treasured by an individual and may be used as a reminder or tool. Sometimes it can represent a relationship such as a wedding ring represents the Union between people who are devoted to each other. Friendships, brotherhoods, circles, groves, churches, temples, families, societies; all these and more can harness a symbol crystalized as a ring or pendant and used as an amulet.

Astro Blends


The Astro Blends take two symbols from the Zodiac and combine them to create something new. In the majority of most people’s chart, we are born under a Sun sign (the house of Sun) and a Moon Sign (the house the moon occupies) at the time of one’s birth. By calculating these two aspects One can get a more accurate idea of the chart rather than using the basic House of One’s Sun.

Aries-Gemini



The Astro Blend many also be viewed as combining the two sun sign of a pair of friends or lovers, the Astro Blend may represent the friendship itself: the strength of two people’s attributes, strengths and how they support each other.

Capricorn-Cancer

When I design and make these Astro Blend Amulets, I weave them together creating a new glyph to reflect the concepts of blended ideas. Because they are Amulets, I attempt to project the core meaning with the shape of the piece.

Aries-Capricorn



Blending the all Astrological symbols will take some time and I have only begun this project. When you go to my website you will only find a few that I have created so far. Should you want me to make a blend I haven’t created yet, I would only be too happy to do so for you.

If you wish to have something made that isn’t an Astro Blend, no problem. Simply go to my How to order Custom Page for details on how to make something special for you, your friends or loved ones, even your group or organization.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Gemini/Pisces Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 26, 2021
Posted in: Amulets, Zodiac Amulets. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

Blending the Zodiac houses can produce some interesting ideas. This project started with a request from a client. She wanted to combine the sun sign of herself and her friend.

Gemini-Pisces Amulet

The first of my Astro-Blends Combines :

Gemini ~Air~ May 21 – June 21 “I Think” This sign of the twins, nether positive nor negative yet the potential of both.
and
Pisces ~Water~ February 18/19 – 20/21 “I Believe” The flow of Mutable Water: sensitive; strong, deep emotions. Kind, sympathetic, receptive, and very intuitive.


This was originally designed as a one-of-a-kind, however because of the popularity of the piece, I have decided to offer this amulet as first of my Astro-blends. A sterling silver piece with the two signs of the zodiac woven together. The symbols are textured with “wind and water” to enhance the design.

When one looks to a chart, one discovers we are all a combination of these signs: our Sun sign can be very different from one’s Moon sign, so these Astro-Blends may actually be a more accurate representative our one’s own chart.

I am always trying out more designs, adding more pieces to my collection of Astrology Amulets. Check back often with me at my site Amulets by Merlin for the latest designs in Zodiac, Tarot, animal totems, money clips, brooches and more.

If you wish to have a blend of your choice and I haven’t made it yet, please visit my How to order custom page.

The Classic

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 25, 2021
Posted in: Amulets. Leave a comment

Taking a step in a new direction, I am now creating large gauge earrings. I thought it best to start with a “classic”: an open hoop earring with a “stopper” at one end.

These care cast in sterling silver and are about 4mm at the shank. The stopper is 8mm so it will hang in one’s ear, hidden from view.

I sell them singularly or in pairs.

Click the image above for more details.

Not finding what you are looking for?
Please go to my “how to order custom page” and have something made specially for you.

Leaf Dragon Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 9, 2019
Posted in: Amulets, Dragon Jewelry, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

As fall approaches I have been working at my bench. Typically I start with an idea and flesh it out though multiple sketches. Sometimes this takes weeks, months or even years to get the full design clear in my head before carving.

Not this time. A simple shape of wax I found on the bench seemed to want me to start shaping. I could almost hear it sing to me as it took shape. All the while the air outside began to change from the Summer wind to a Fall breeze. The temperature dropped from a sultry humidity to a clear and cool rain. All the while a dragon began to emerge from my carving.

Autumn is a harsh and beautiful time of year. Looking back to each Fall, I recall a transformation of the air, water, and land. Each year the season changes the people as well. Attitudes shift, perspectives grow. We loose loved ones and gain new friends and family. All the while Nature continues to grow and change.

Dragons (though in many eyes) may be Mythical but they represent transformation. The Fall offers us that change, giving us the strange realization that in of itself Change is Stability. All things must Pass, indeed.

In the Spring, leaves bloom from barren branches and sway in the wind. Each leaf captures light and clean the air, like tiny lungs they breath and send out clean air supporting life all around them. In the Fall they turn colors each wearing various shape and hue.

To celebrate the leaf and adding a bit of whimsy, I present the Leaf Dragon. A curling leaf presents a head with horn and scale, looking about to see what is around. An emissary of Elemental Air, the Leaf Dragon knows how to both improve the qualities around them and ride the air itself.

The Amulet of the Leaf Dragon is 3-D sculpture, the curling leaf adds depth offering a sculpted look and feel. The head of a dragon appears to look at you from the crest of the piece. A bail behind the head of the dragon for your chain or cord.

Order your Leaf Dragon Here

If you wish to see more of my work, please go to Amulets by Merlin

To order custom jewelry please visit you How to order Custom Jewelry Page

The Amulet of Morgan le Fay

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 19, 2019
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Lore, Custom Jewelry, Druid Jewelry, Jewelry design, Moon Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

A classic figure from Celtic Lore. Her Origins are vague and encompass many different figures which include the Arthurian legends of a sorceress, protector, healer and spiritual sister of King Arthur. In some versions of Her story She has been elevated to Queen of the Fairies and even Goddess.

For this version Morgan is placed in the Pentacle representing the elements where she offers her Blessings. Below are the feathers of the Raven: the bird who watches and often bring omens.  She is Crowned with a crescent Moon.

This amulet is heavy for it’s size: 1.25” tall with a bail behind the crescent moon so the amulet on a chain or cord appears to be “floating”.

Originally this amulet was commissioned by a client who wanted her vision of Morgan le Fay depicted as an amulet. This has been reproduced with her permission.

To get your Amulet of Morgan le Fay, please visit Her page in my website
If you are wanting something of your own design, please visit my “How to order custom” page.

Singularity

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on May 20, 2019
Posted in: Amulets. Leave a comment

A few years ago I was contacted by Robert Koubia with an inquiry if I could make an amulet for him for a movie. In the past I had created jewelry for a television character “Q” in an unreleased TV show and some work for a time travel film created in France: “The Visitors”. It also wound up hitting the cutting room floor, so although I was excited to be part of a production, I knew right away that possibility that my work would be on the screen was small.

This time it was not the case.

screen shot dude

Over several days we discussed the design and I produced a master work for him and into the mail. And, just in case it might get damaged, I offered him an extra copy to work with. He wound up using both pieces on the screen!

screen shot girl

After signing a Non Disclosure Agreement and told that they just started shooting my expectation dwindled and years passed. Then as my Wife was dying he contacted me again with questions about revisions. In a matter of days I did it all over again with new designs and I pushed it out the door without any more thought about it.

Another two years passed and while tooling through Netflix I stumbled over the movie: “Singularity” and sat in amazement as I watched the amulet pop up on screen again and again. Apparently it did not get tossed out by the editor this time, it even appeared as a major illustration in the “mechanism” of the “machine”.

screen shot art

No Spoilers: I will say no more. But I must say I was very pleased to be selected to help in the production. Even though I was not listed in the  IMBd, I did get to be in the credits of the film as “prop designer”!

See Trailer

My experience in theater is small, like so many I got a chance to trod the boards in High school under the tutelage of Charles Peters in Fullerton California.  I didn’t pursue the theater as a career but got a small taste of a large production and loved working with Mr. Koubia: a very thoughtful, meticulous and professional Director. I hope to be able to do such a thing again some day.

screen shot closeup

If you are working on a production and wish to have me make something for you, please visit my “How to order Custom” Page.

The Music Tree Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 29, 2019
Posted in: Amulets, music amulet, Music Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Each year near Christmas time I create a special pendant for my piano students. This year I offered: The Music Tree.

The Music Tree Amulet

This piece is composed of a treble clef rooted and sprouting branches, adorning the upper frame with leaves. I am now releasing the pendant to the public as a part of my Music Line of jewelry. This stout amulet is heavy for it’s size with lots of detail in bark and branch and includes a back bail hidden behind the piece to hang on your cord or chain. Perfect for music students and lovers of music everywhere.

Where to get your Music Tree Amulet
More from my Music Jewelry Collection
Even more jewelry and sculpture at Amulets by Merlin
Looking for custom? Please visit my How to order Custom Jewelry Page

Gye Nyame Tao Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 23, 2019
Posted in: Amulets. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Gye Nyame: a symbol from Ghana considered one of the oldest glyphs in human memory. Some have suggested it is at least 5000 years old. “Nyame biribi wo sor” : good things come from above. GYE NYAME: “Except for God” recalls a time when none were present (pre-human history) “Except 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.” Akan: SUPREME BEING, the CREATOR who they refer to by various names: OBOADEE, NYAME, ONYANKOPON TWEREAMPON to list but a few. Some have said it is the oldest monotheistic symbol known. However this idea suggests a simplification of theology and thus it would be better to do more research into the the religion(s) from which it springs.

The Gye Nyame Tao Amulet is heavy for it’s size: 1 1/4” tall with a top bail for hanging on a cord or chain. I carved terraces to give depth and catch the light, giving it a Tao-like feel of wood grain or perhaps ocean waves.

 

I have been told this is often offered to young women when “coming of age” stepping into adulthood. However everyone enjoys wearing this powerful symbol. One finds variations of this symbol throughout Ghana in textiles, sculpture, carved into doors and passages through out the country.

 

To see the entire collection of Gye Nyame jewelry, please visit my Gye Nyame Collection page.  Not see whhat you want?  Check out Amulets by Merlin and my How to order Custom page.

 

Merlin’s Tarot ~ 5th Key The Large Hierophant Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 20, 2019
Posted in: Amulets, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

The Large Hierophant Amulet
Taurus
The Tent Stake
“Vav”

After reviewing the collection of Tarot Amulets I have created, I started developing larger versions of the designs for those who wish to have a heavier more detailed piece. While possessing a rather strange name, this particular amulet has always been a favorite of many who find themselves teaching through example and discover themselves an authority through life experience as well as study and reflection. Because of the larger size, have the opportunity to add detail with fingernails and the lines on the palm. In this rendering of the design, I included the “magic “M” found intersection with the “life line”. Because of it’s mass it “gives weight” to the meaning of the piece.

When setting up a tent One knows the importance of a good tent stake. If the stake is not solid, deep and well anchored, the tent will collapse. The Hebrew letter associated with the Hierophant is Vav<: “the tent stake”, a well-grounded object (when set) will hold up an entire community. The concept is associated with the very grounding sign of Taurus.

The “Hierophant” comes from the Greek: “hiera, “the holy,” and phainein, “to show”
offers a blessing to be in turn redirected to others. Its effect continues through the members of a given community thus weaving the fabric of love and strength through out society.

The amulet focuses on the hand of blessing, the fingers in the circle of spirit, the arm trailing in roots below into matter. These symbols are the embodiment of religion:
reaching into the realm of the spirit while grounded into the rituals of daily life.
The actions of everyday existence empowered with the intent of reaching the divine
establishes a relationship with the godhead. The central element is that of blessing;
the art of bestowing the divine to each other is what gives religion its lifeblood.

Blessings to Earth,
Service to the Divine.

The Large Hierophant Amulet
is excellent for teachers, nurses, healers of all kinds,
clergy and any one who has chosen the path
to serve the community through Teaching, Healing and Service.

The Large Hierophant Amulet may be used as a Talisman
or it may be used as a part of a Three dimensional Tarot Deck
The Tarot Casters
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

More Tarot Amulets may be seen on my Wearable Tarot Page

 

The Druid Sigil Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 7, 2019
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, talismans. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

One of the first designed Isaac Bonewits requested I make for him is the Druid Sigil.

The Druid Sigil Amulet

Well over ten years ago Isaac Bonewitz was attempting to expand his offerings beyond this books and lectures contacted me to develop his designs. At the time he was making stickers of his graphics. At a Festival he and I was talking between his lectures and I offered to translate his drawings into amulets. He pointed out the Sigil was not often used. He explained in depth the concept behind it.

In his own words:

“The Druid Sigil is most often rendered as a circle with two vertical lines passing through it (see left). Frequently this is drawn, painted, embroidered, etc. as a wreath of leaves with two staves (or spears for the warrior types) passing through (see right). Twenty years back, a ceremonial tabbard was made with a tree in full leaf on the front and the Sigil on the back with its wreath and stavewood matching.”

“I think that it is a quintessentially female symbol and is thus psychologically powerful. For political and metaphysical reasons, I think it’s important for members of a religion that many folks erroneously assume is male-dominated to have a constant reminder of the eternal power of the female force(s) of Nature. As a magical sign, I’ve used the Druid Sigil for over thirty years as both a blessing symbol and as a banishing sign. From a magical point of view, it is fully as powerful as a pentagram, Seal of Solomon or cross, and meditation upon it will provide many insights.”

The Druid Sigil is available in my website as an amulet, and ring. I can also create a custom piece for you. Please check out my How to order Custom Page.