Our world has cycles within cycles.
Morning and evening, day and night,
the years count out a pulse that resonates though out the world.
One of the metronomes setting the down beat is the Moon.
We see the phases much like the days of the week, counting our calendars through waxing and waning times.
The Celestial Bracelet is a physical expression of this lunar rhythm:
a single link is comprised of a bright disk for the full moon,
crescents of the flux and each cycle linked at the new moon: transition.
Celestial Bracelet
Those whose lives are blessed by the lunar rhythm would find this both comforting and steady,
like moonlight around your wrist.
Druid Jewelry
A few years ago I created Jewelry
for Isaac Bonewits.
He developed renderings of several designs
and sent them to me for his special line of Jewelry.
One of them is the Awen.
The Awen
In his words:
“The sign of “the Three Rays” is used by members of the United Ancient Order of Druids, the Ancient Order of Druids, the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, and many other followers of Druidry. It can be seen as symbolizing Sky Father Energy in balance with the Earth Mother energy of the Druid Sigil, as well as any of a thousand other sets of three ideas.”
The Awen’s image is a wreath of oak leaves,
three staves emanating down from three acorns.
The bail from which to hang the amulet
is also an oak leaf curled to hold the chain or cord.
On the reverse side of the “signature”:
“Bonewits” and that of the artist:
“Merlin” or Kirk McLaren of Amulets by Merlin.
Through his travels Isaac offered these amulets
with his books and other items;
he even created a special portion of his website
to feature the jewelry.
You may purchase these amulets through my site.
Each piece purchased
Isaac surviving Widdow
receives a royalty to both help through some difficult times
and encourage efforts to promote good will
and clarity to the world.
To learn more about Isaac Bonewits,
his writings and more, you may visit his website.
Several years ago m’Lady Tony designed a piece that combines the three stages of Womanhood: the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone. The idea was to develop the three aspects into a single shape: the Astrological symbol of Venus.
At the foundation is the Maiden. She sits cross legged at the base of the piece, creating the anchor of Womanhood: she holds a chalice that contains a flame: an element that symbolizes transformation, a promise of the future’s ever changing opportunities.
In the center is the Mother: pregnant she fulfills the promise and instructs the maiden with her accumulated wisdom of her own maidenhood. In one hand the bud of a rose; the other the blossom: symbolizing beauty and passion, the possibilities that fertility offers. She is flanked with the stems of the rose illustrating life itself.
Above the Mother and below the sickle moon is the Crone. Her hair flows into the spider web that encloses their backs: the network of accumulated lessons of the lives that came before brought to generations of Women for eons. With arms outstretched she holds the wisdom and reveals the destiny of those who seek her.
The symbol of Venus is the cross of matter below with the circle of spirit above, reviling the core concept of Venus: Spirit over Matter: the symbol of love itself. In its purest form, Love is that direct link between spirit and matter without then need for demonstration, condition or interpretation. Women hold the very essence of humanity: the ability to carry within them both the seed of life that brings the next generation and the wisdom to bring to their children the knowledge of a better life.
The Maiden Mother Crone Amulet is a potent piece created as both an amulet that may be worn but also a focus of life itself. Although intended to be worn by women, it also is designed for small alters dedicated to life. A good gift for girls who have achieved womanhood; a talisman for the new mother or for one who has achieved the status of Wise Woman.
In the mid Seventies I was given a book: Real Magic by Isaac Bonewits. After reading so many other tomes on the subject I found the book a breath of fresh air. Instead of creating a mist of possible misconceptions about the subject, Isaac developed a clear, concise and easy to read volume that both introduced the concepts and gave excellent definitions and ground rules as to what Magic is and how it works. Over the years I had purchased a dozen of these books and gave them as gifts, loaned them to friends and relatives each time in hope that a little light on the subject may bring a better understanding and thus appreciation of those that are studding the subject.
Years later I had approached Isaac Bonewits for the opportunity to create something for him. He found my work pleasurable and even purchased the Green Man Necklace from me. I marked that day with pride. For a favorite author to have blessed me in that way was inspirational!
Some time later I had approached him with the idea to create his designs. Isaac is well noted for his skill in graphic art and has developed several designs featured in his site. After a bit of time he finally agreed and we began to work on what was to be the first of several Amulets by Isaac: the Druid Sigil; representing Druidism in general and the Earth mother (Gaia) in particular. Following that he requested we make an Awen, and the Dagda amulets: Dagda’s Shield and Dagda’s Club. During one of the elections he developed a Spells for Democracy amulet. With each of these designs he worked feverishly to produce the renderings and sent them to me for carving. Isaac’s Amulets are a beautiful combination of design, comfort and concept.
Through his travels he presented these amulets with his books and other items; he even created a special portion of his website to feature the work. Though Issac is no longer with us, you may purchase these amulets through my site. To learn more about Isaac Bonewits, please visit his website.
Pentacles often had no connotation of “five” in the old magical documents,
but were magical talismans inscribed with any symbol or character.
The most common “pentacle” is the five point star.
In one of it’s earliest forms the Pentacle symbolized the first “ADAM”,
signified in early art as “Human Perfection”,
the “First Man” in the Garden of Eden.
Grape Vine Pentacle
Pentacles are used in the Tarot
to signify Matter or the Material World.
Each of the Pentacle cards represents a scenario and lesson about money,
influence and decisions.
The five pointed star is found everywhere
from a Sheriff’s badge to a countries’ flag;
it is found in nature within apples,
in flowers and trees.
The Pentacle as a five pointed star
represents the balance between the Elements
(Fire, Water, Air, Earth)
under the Spirit
(the top point).
When presented with the top point up,
this is a symbol of health, wisdom,
balance and good fortune.
When inverted,
like any symbol reversed
it is no longer in balance but rather oppressed:
the elements are over powering the spirit.
When both are shown together
it represents the cycle of life:
the “ups and downs” of one’s existence.
Because I have been creating amulets of many sorts,
I have dedicated my own collection of Pentacles
as five pointed stars
and left the rest to be listed under other categories.
Each of my pentacle amulets are focused on a different aspect of health:
brotherhood, environment, healing, friendship and love.
With over 20 designs to choose from
I have versions that include rough textures,
women’s forms,
the caduceus,
moonstone, caldrons, a pin design for wiccan clergy in the military and much more.
If you cannot find the Pentacle you are looking for,
have no fear.
I can create your design by way of your drawing or description.
Other Pentacles may be seen at the
Pentacle Page
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin
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The Green Man as a work of art has many interpretations. In western culture it is found primarily in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Found from the ruins of ancient times carved in stone, there are many variations: a humanoid face with a wreath of leaves and at times the face is composed of foliage: branches and leaves coming out of the nose and mouth.
In modern times one can find renderings of the Green Man as an architectural form: paintings, sculpture and amulets; considered as a manifestation of youth, re-birth and rejuvenation. In the modern lore of western traditions it has been adopted as the first stage in a man’s life. The succession follows: the Green Man: the Youth; the Hunter: the Father and the Sage: the Wise Old Man. By wearing the Green Man Amulet, one is acknowledging this early stage and supporting the youth in ones own life as well as the vitality of those around them.
In my own work I have developed the Green Man Amulet. Using oak leaves and acorns to adorn the face, I have placed an opal in the forehead: signifying vision and possibilities. For those who want more than the amulet I have a necklace version: the Green Man Amulet hung on a chain of leaves linked together.
You can view this and many other creations at the Amulets by Merlin Website.
Amulets by Merlin's Blog 