Pagan Jewelry

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.

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.

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.

New!!! The Large Dagda’s Shield

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 28, 2016
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

A few years ago I created Jewelry for Isaac Bonewits. He created renderings of several designs and sent them to me to create for his special line of Jewelry. One of them is Dagda’s Shield. Over the years I have received several requests for a larger more “masculine” version.

http://www.amuletsbymerlin.com/Dagda-s-Shield-Amulet-p/ib-8.htm

Large Dagda’s Shield Amulet

 

The Original version is 7/8 of an inch, this amulet is much larger: 1 1/2” and much heavier. The detail in the snake skin is more pronounced, yet in keeping with Isaac’s original Design – and like the original, it has my signature, his name and the Rune of Dagda on the back. A bail is placed behind the piece for your chain or cord.

Isacc Bonewits’ description of his design in his own words:

“This talisman is meant to be used with a daily self-protection spell from Isaac’s book The Pagan Man.
“Dagda behind me, Dagda before me
Dagda to my left, Dagda to my right
Dagda beneath me, Dagda above me
Dagda in quiet, Dagda in danger
Dagda in the hearts of all that love me
Dagda in the mouth of friend and stranger.
“I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Dagda,
By invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three,
The mightiest of all the Gods, Father of the Queen of Arts,
The Supreme Knower, Lord of Fire, and King of Druids.

“This silver or bronze talisman has been made by Merlin of Amulets by Merlin, based on the above design by Isaac Bonewits (includes the ogham letters for “Dagda” on the back). The design (inspired by Ian Corrigan) has a Celtic triple spiral as found in the Boyne River in Ireland, plus three awens, with a snake wrapped around the edge of the shield. The shield as a whole is curved to cover one-sixth of a sphere to aid in visualizing it at all six directions.”

While is is indeed featured in his book “The Pagan Man”, it is not exclusively for men.  This amulet is focused on protection and may be harnessed by men and women alike, and yes: children.

Isaac wrote the book “Real Magic” in the ’70. In my opinion it is one of the most important book on the subject, offering a point of view which sheds a lot of the typical stereotypes one finds in the old tomes and even the more recent “recipe books” about magic still written in this era. He later wrote several more volumes about ritual, Druidism and with his Widow: Phaedra Bonewits a book called “Real Enegry”.

In his honor, a part of the sales of his designs goes to her, including this new Large Dagda’s Shield. To get your copy of this piece please visit my Large Dagda’s Sheild Amulet Page. To review more of Isacc Bonewits Designs, please go to my page: Designs by Isaac Bonewits.

Awen Stud Earring from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 26, 2016
Posted in: Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid Jewelry, Earrings, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

As many of you already know, I have been producing the designs of Issac Bonewits featuring the Awen.  In his design, the symbol is of three acorns (the source of light) with three staves (the emanation of the Light) framed in a wreath of leaves.  The original amulet is about an inch tall.  Since then I have developed the design into a larger version of the Awen of an inch an a half and a smaller version I am using to hang from Shepard hook earrings.  This year I have gone even smaller, about 3/8 of an inch and attached a stud for pierced ears.

When you go to my website, you may find the entire collection of Isaac’s designs which include the Sigil, a Pentacle which he named “Spells for Democracy“, an amulet of Dagda’s Shield, Dagda’s Club, as well as the Awen pendant designs.  I have also expanded his collection to include an Awen Ring.

Awen Stud Earrings

Originally designed by Isaac Bonewits, interpreted, developed and produced by Amulets by Merlin. Available in single and pairs.

 

On this page is the new link for the Awen Stud Earrings which may be purchased one at a time or in pairs.  To get your Awen Stud Earrings, you may go to the special ordering page – available in Sterling silver.

For more Druid Jewelry please visit my Druid Jewelry Page.

Large Awen Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 29, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

A few years ago I created Jewelry for Isaac Bonewits. He created renderings of several designs and sent them to me to create for his special line of Jewelry. One of them is the Awen.

The Large Awen
Large Awen Amulet

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 design itself is a wreath of oak leaves, three staves emanating 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” of the artist: “Merlin” or Kirk McLaren of Amulets by Merlin.

After creating the original Awen I have received several requests for a larger version of the piece: same wreath of leaves, acorns and staves: but larger. I now present to you: the Large Awen.

Two Awens

When Isaac was still with us he traveled with the amulets and his books and other items; he even created a special portion of his website to feature the work. Since his passing into the Summerland I have continued to produce his line for him. For each piece purchased Isaac’s Widow receives a royalty to help through difficult times and encourage in 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.

To learn more about the new, larger version of Isacc’s Awen, please visit my web-page featuring the Large Awen Amulet.

For more druid jewelry,

please visit my Druid jewelry page

Custom Seals of Solomon Bracelet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 23, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Custom Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , . 1 Comment

The Seals of Solomon are both famous in legend and myth,
yet extremely obscured concerning their meaning.
Typically we hear about them in the Arabian nights legend:
a seal of Solomon kept the Jinn inside.

The Seals of Solomon Bracelet

The Seals of Solomon Bracelet

Historically we discover the source of the Seals:
Solomon, the son of King David who established the city of Jerusalem
and Father of a great deal of esoteric writings and traditions.
Solomon is said to have been given both wisdom and knowledge
and ability to distinguish morally
between good and evil thorough a deeper understanding of the universe.
One of his legacies is what is known as The Greater Key of Solomon:
a series of images containing geometric patters
combined with Hebrew and other images.
Each seal is dedicated to a specific quality and described by the Planets
(Mars, Venus and so on) focusing those virtues.

Classically
each seal is to be made at a specific day and time through out the week
and made to enhance or “seed” those qualities desired.
Virtue, Honor protection, Seeking Hidden Talent and other qualities
are imbued by the various seals.
Every planet holds various qualities
and several seals are attributed to each planet.
The person who works with a seal has the opportunity
to focus the virtue they are concerned with by creating
(or commissioning) the seal they are interested in.

A bracelet of the Seven of the Solomon Seals
mounted on leather.
Each seal was made separately with a concho screw in the back.
The leather bracelet was punched to allow each seal to be mounted.
Because of the need to have the bracelet to “lay flat” against the wrist,
I carved the seals (in order) to curved and fit snugly around the wrist.

This was created to the specific qualifications of the person who ordered it,
all one of a kind work with no mold taken.
It currently is being worn by the Gentleman who commissioned it.

If you would like to have a custom piece made for you,
please visit my How to order custom page.

Custom Awen Necklace from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 13, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Custom Jewelry, Druid Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

A fellow who loved the Awens I developed for Isaac Bonewits
wanted a special piece made for him.
The Awen is an ancient symbol attributed the the Druids of old.
As Isaac Bonewits put it in his website:

“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.”

Custom Awen Necklace

Custom Awen Necklace

This one of a kind piece is larger,
solid and inlaid with amber.
It was designed to allow the hand carved amber
to be set with open backs providing light to shine through and bounce about,
giving the impression of emanation from the dots and rays in the center.
Three circles surround the amber,
each grooved and filled with translucent enamel
specially mixed to replicate amber.
A wreath of Oak leaves frame the amulet,
hung by sterling chain and wooden beads to accent the piece.

This is a one of a kind Custom Awen Necklace,
specially designed.
Should you wish to have your design made for you,
please visit my How to Order Custom page.

Medicine Woman Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 9, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, nature Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

From the deepest memories of Human History the role of Women have been the healers of the Tribe. Passed down through the generations, Herb Lore of what can cure and relieve suffering has been handed down from Mother to Daughter through thousands of years.

The Medicine Woman Amulet

Through that understanding, the Medicine Woman was also a Seer, one who understands the mysteries of the mind, perceiving the difference between physical and spiritual suffering and growth.

It has only been in recent human history that the chain has been broken: accusing these holders of such knowledge as “quacks” or worse burned as “witches”, the keepers of the ancient medicine have been insulted and persecuted.

Over the past few decades, herb lore has had a resurgence: a re-awakening to usefulness as Modern Medicine has been set beyond the grasp of the common person (at least in the United States) due to cost and the various hurdles between those who suffer the the keepers of pharmaceuticals. The Herb Lore encompasses both the various teas and such and an understanding of diet as we move forward, reaching out to other cultures for a better understanding of health and vitality.

In the creation of the Medicine Woman Amulet I recalled a scene in the book “Clan of the Cave Bear” where Alia gazes into a medicine bowl, a precious possession of the Medicine Woman; and gazes into its contents, seeing a vision of “what is”. For the Amulet, I combined the image of the woman and the bowl with a dituria plant, considered sacred in the ancient Clan; entwining her hair and body. As a True Healer, the Medicine Woman is a part of Lore, Vision and Tribe; focusing her Will for the betterment of all.

Other Amulets may be seen at the
Amulets Page
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

Oak Pentacle Amulet with Stone from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 4, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Jewelry design, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

The Oak Tree in Celtic lore
represents the door way between to another place,
a grove is a potential sanctuary between the worlds.
Pentacles represent powers brought into balance
and guided by the spirit.

In the design of the Oak Pentacle
I used a simple,
direct representation of oak leaf and branch
without a lot of other symbols.
In this way I have kept the piece open and free of restraint.
The personalization of the amulet
comes with the selection of stone:
set into a cluster of leaves.
Selecting the kind of stone
(color and type)
lends one the ability to “claim” the design
while maintaining the intent of the piece.

Oak Pentacle with Stone Amulet

Oak Pentacle with Stone Amulet

Like some of my other other pieces,
I made the setting as a part of the design,
not a typical die struck setting of prongs and bezel:
leaves fold around the stone both securing it to the amulet
and protecting the stone from possible damage of a direct hit.
I developed these while designing on opal settings,
then expanded these protective enclosures to other designs.

Combining the focus
protection of the stone
and the Strength of the Gateway,
the Oak Pentacle provides you with a tool
of exploration of one’s self and the world.
This amulet is for these unafraid of the journey
of one’s life and the Truth that awaits.

To view the Oak Pentacle Amulet with Stone, please visit my website.