Amulets by Merlin's Blog

In the classic Rider Tarot Card of Death
We see the grim reaper with a scythe,
twisted in a way no living person could pose;
scattered before him are the heads of King and Pauper alike.
Shafts of wheat spring up around the body parts;
Death cuts them down as a farmer tending to his crops.

Attributed to this Tarot Card is the Hebrew letter Nun or the Fish.
In Alchemical terms
the “Fish” represents the “First Matter”, “Primary Imagination”.
In Death, what is carried forward is the primary spark of what we are and our power to create.

Scorpio is attributed to the Death Card,
an astrological symbol that is transformation itself.
It is a sign that starts as a scorpion,
transforms into an eagle and then again as a phoenix.
Each time it transforms it “dies” as one thing and is reborn the next.

The Death Amulet ~ Scorpio
Transformation
“Nun”

When I designed the amulet I chose the Threshold of Transition.
Large heavy Gates swing towards you on posts of skulls;
and the letter Nun is spanning the top.
Transition, an initiation,
a rite of passage that leads to the other side.
In the Tarot Garden (now closed) I developed this concept in the game engine:
you may approach the Virtual Amulet and pass through it,
finding a pit of decay on the other side.
Beyond you find yourself in a field of flowers under a vault of Stars.
This is to illustrate Death as a Process of multiple facets,
a transition rather than a static state with which
you discover more about yourself that you had dreamed possible.

The Death Amulet would be for those in a powerful transition:
a lad who has “become a Man”, a girl’s transition into Womanhood.
One who suffered a major loss and re-forming their lives would find this piece useful:
embrace the break in the pattern and start anew.
Like a tonic, The Death Amulet is for short yet important periods in one’s life.

The Death 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

For more Tarot Amulets, please visit my Wearable Tarot Page

We are reminded of the Story of Odin.

Following several adventures in a search for a better understanding of the World;
One encompassing an exchange of an Eye for wisdom with the Giant Mimir;
Odin continued deep into the Heath in search for wisdom.
Struggling deeper until he found the stark tree Fogmoon in the twilight,
his coat got tangled in the branches
rendering him bound:
immobile,
suspending him for nine nights.

The Hanged Man Amulet
Baptismal Water
Sacrifice
“Mem”

As his head cleared,
wisdom formed in his mind.
He was able to then free himself,
and carve glyphs into the tree
which held him hostage
and he named them Runes (to whisper).

~~~

In the classic image of the Rider Deck,
A man is hung upside down over a pool of water,

An image of Self Sacrifice and suspense.
In some versions of this card,
he is suspended from a rough shape of the Hebrew letter Tav
(the Material World) .

The suspension of time
when the mind is no longer distracted from the body
we can process information.
Much of that time may not be able to be expressed in words

When one takes a Vision Quest
one is cut off from other influences,
it is just you and where you are.
You don’t have to perform a roll as a parent,
friend or child.
This kind of suspension from the mundane
To take it one step farther,
when you are in deep meditation
or deep sleep
you step beyond your senses
in pure thought.
The first step is to recall the sensation of suspense:
floating in water,
completely relaxed in liquid
~ ungrounded ~

The element associated with The Hanged Man is:
Baptismal Water
(the Fool was Baptismal Air);
and the letter Mem:
also Water.

In Alchemical Terms
and in the Tarot,
Sacrifice
is interpreted as a Transmutation from one thing to another.
In the old sense of offering a sacrifice,
the ancients would take the best animal of their herd,
place it on the alter and burn it for the Almighty,
accompanied with prayers for a good harvest,
fertility, and a better year.

Odin sacrificed his time, energy,
even an eye in search of Wisdom.
Finally when he was completely bound and suspended,
beyond help he bore deep into himself.
Equating his tangled coat with his role in life,
he realized Noble Truths
and was able to communicate what he discovered with others.
Concepts which became the building blocks of their language.

There are times when reaching into darkness
you may draw forth Light.

The Hanged Man Amulet is designed with these things in mind:
the triangle of Elemental Water is the central focus;
the suspended inverted figure in Water (Consciousness),
is embossed on the front with the letter of Mem on the top.
The position of the legs on the suspended figure
is the same as in the classic image of
The Emperor: the use of Mind is suspended as well as Body.
This is the Amulet of Self Reflection,
absorbing knowledge while suspending disbelief,
the Vision Quest.

The Hanged Man Amulet
is for any one who meditate,
go on a Vision Quest,
Enjoys Solitude.

The Hanged Man 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

To see more Tarot Amulets, please visit my Wearable Tarot Page

In his dialogue Republic, Plato describes Justice:

“… is the having and doing of what is one’s own. A just man is a man in the right place,
doing his best and giving the precise equivalent of what he has received”.

In civic discourse, we look for a way to balance various infractions between people,
social organizations, corporations and more.
Descriptions of details varies between cultures,
~ seeking a balance is a constant.

In terms of the Tarot,
we look to the Ideal Manifestation of which the card represents:
Look beyond Human Judgement and behold what is manifesting around us.
Discover is the interconnections of
All Things.
If you make a disturbance – for good or ill,
there will be a reaction
The more powerful the change – the greater the response,
typically in kind.
Hopefully we learned these lessons from The Wheel of Fortune.
In Justice, we see The Law in action.

The Justice Amulet
Libra
We Balance
“Lamed”

Attributed to Libra: “We Balance”
and the Hebrew letter Lamed: the Ox-goad,
a whip used to keep the Ox on the road.
The Fool is the Ox;
hence the concept Justice keeps the Fool on his path.

In a larger sense,
Justice is the force that keeps thing in check
with or without our interaction.
Although we may choose to keep in balance,
the very act of that choice is a function of Justice.
The Wise know that whether we choose it or not,
a dynamic balance in our lives must be maintained
in order for us to function.

The Justice Amulet
hold qualities presented by the card;

Similar to the High Priestess,
she becomes the process:
Lady Justice is standing with her arms outstretched;
her arms are the scales that judge the balance of a given situation.
She stands on the globe of the world;
her hair streams out to encompass all things signifying her influence.
She is crowned with the letter Lamed
This is the balance of all things: action and reaction.
A sword is strapped to her back signifying:
“that which is unwanted or unnecessary must be cut away”
whether you want it to or not.

The Justice Amulet
would be good for those who are dedicated to the Law:
Judges, Lawyers, social workers.
The Amulet would also be good for those people that are in charge of clearing spaces:
Housekeepers, Maids, folks that work a Kitchen, police or security officers
or in any way in charge of keeping spaces clean and clear of unwanted objects,
clutter or energy of any kind.

The Justice 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 viewed on my Wearable Tarot Page

The classicTarot image of the Rider Deck is an eight-spoked wheel
surrounded by mythological creatures.
When viewing it,
The Name of the Tarot is spelled at the “points of the compass”
with the Tetragrammaton or the “holy unspeakable name of God”.
This has roots in the ancient Hebrew concept:
deity unspoken refers to an unfathomable power,
silence shows respect.

The power of The Wheel has set in motion
all things within the Universe.

Wheel of Fortune Amulet
Jupiter
grasping hand
“Caph”

Again, in the classical image of the Wheel of Fortune,
The four corners have animals representing four realms of the Elements;
each examining books representing the Law.
All things (even the elements themselves) are reliant on the Law:
gravity works, every action has a reaction and so on.
The elemental beings reading books illustrate:
not all is understood,
that which seem to defy the laws of nature may only be responding
to a set of patterns that have not yet received.

The image I chose to represent this is the cyclone,
at the four points are the classical symbols of the elements,
in the center is an eye.
Above it the Hebrew letter Caph or the “grasping hand”.
Jupiter:
that which stabilizes.
The hand that grasps: stabilizing Oneself.
The eye symbolizes the act of Centering:
an important part of martial arts.

In Aikido,
Centering is one of the first things taught:
One learns to move about an area
never loosing One’s Center of Being.
By Centering we bring our minds to focus on the center of the body,
in turn recall the center of one’s spirit and purpose.
When we Center we find ourselves within
what was once perceived chaotic
and recognize the elements of the cyclone.

The Wheel of Fortune Amulet would be a good tool
for one who has lost direction and feels jumbled in life.
The Amulet would assist in Centering one’s self and others:
a team leader,
someone who is in combat or in an ER; Centering and stabilizing one self,
one’s family, community and world.

The Wheel of Fortune 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 Tarto Amulets my be found on my Wearable Tarot Page

A lot of Led Zeppelin fans would recognize the image from the Zofo album:
an old man with a staff holding a lantern high while looking over a cliff.
Attributed to Virgo:
the Earth sign of the Virgin:
innocent and untouched by corruption;
yet grounded and potentially fertile.
Attributed to the letter “Yod”,
the smallest component of the Hebrew alphabet.
Within all the letters we see time and again this tiny “tongue of flame”

“Yod” represents the “Hand of God”.

Wheel of Fortune Amulet
Jupiter
Hand of God
“Yod”

For you Star Wars fans,
“Yoda” is from whom Luke Skywalker learns the secrets of the “Force”.
George Lucas must have known his Tarot!
Like Yoda, the image of the Hermit walks his own path,
not a follower (or leader in the normal sense)
but makes his own way in life,
discovering it on his own.
In the process of finding his way
he lifts a lantern
which inadvertently gives us direction:
teaching by example yet completely unconscious of the fact.

Although alone,
the Hermit is never lonely:
He moves about his daily routine,
doing the “right thing” as his conscience moves him.

The Hermit card is part of our popular culture and mystical heritage.

A hand holding the lantern with the Yod as the flame within.
the letter itself is the guiding light we see:
the hand that holds the lantern is the Hermit;
the Flame is his intent and purpose.

The Hermit Amulet
for those that are self starters, innovators,
those who serve humanity because of their own convictions
A Hermit need not be one who lives off in the wilderness
but one who is at peace in a crowd and in solitude alike.
To stabilize one’s journey in life
and remind us to hearken to our own inner voice
rather than to follow a leader,
group of movement
walk the path of Virtue.

The Hermit 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 found on my Wearable Tarot Page

In the classic Rider image of the Strength Card,
we see a woman holding a lion’s mouth open,
remarkably she is not being eaten.
The Strength card is attributed to both
Leo (the Lion) and the Hebrew letter Teth (the Snake).

Strength Amulet
Leo
the Snake
“Teth”

This path is similar to the Empress:
it unites the two opposing pillars of Mercy and Severity (see “the Tree of Life”),
however instead of the imagination it is through Inner Strength.
This uniting force between opposites resides within the realm of the Will.

Strength represents
the patience of learning a situation to such a degree
the ability to see the issue from all perspectives.
The classical image of a woman opening the mouth of a lion
teaching the beast to speak,
thus able to perceive the conflict from an opponent’s perspective.
The champion of the Strength card is the negotiator.

This is also the card of harnessing the energies within the body and mind itself.
The study of Kundalini, the Charkas, Aikido,
Ti Chi and Trance Dance (example: whirling dervish).
Each of these studies incorporates the harnessing of such energies
when focused, they may become quite formidable.
This inner strength is sometimes called “harnessing of Chi”,
a practice where one may use the powers of passion
for purposes beyond the lusts of the flesh.

In making the Strength Amulet,
I combined the image of Leo and the body of Serpent Power,
uniting the powers of East and West.
With the Hebrew letter of Teth on the forehead and touched with a touch of fire:
the Strength Amulet is to be focused on one’s True Will
(the driving force of one’s life)
and the strength to maintain focus and control.

Individuals who are studding Kundalini, Yoga,
martial arts, warriors, firefighters
and other people whose life is demanding Inner Strength
would find appreciate the Strength Amulet.

The Strength 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 my be found on my Wearable Tarot Page

The Chariot is a classic image.
A man resides in a chariot at a stand still,
harnessed by two Sphinxes,
the mythological creature that demands of you the important questions in life:
Who are you?
Why are you here?
What is your purpose?
Although the vehicle is designed to move,
it appears to be stationary.
This is implying that the vehicle (the body)
contains the spirit and moves
from one plane of existence to another while in meditation.
The Chariot is associated with the Hebrew letter Cheth:
the letter meaning “Enclosure” much like the Crab of Cancer.
It is hard on the outside and soft and sensitive on the inside.
Within the shells of ego,
we carry images of ourselves for protection and self identity.
Like an old cart our perceptions are fragile,
one small stone in the road will make the vehicle fly apart.

Chariot Amulet
Cancer
Enclosure
“Cheth”

It is also about the space within the circle:
Sacred Space
like our bodies the walls defining the Sanctuary of a church or circle in a grove.
Sacred space is a place of purpose or the commitment of an oath taken.
If a breach of this sacred space is corrupted,
then it must be cleansed,
cleared or torn down and started anew.
Trust is a Sacred Space,
one that must be honored by those who are a party to it.
It can ruin a friendship,
tear apart a marriage
or start a war.
Sacred Space provides a place of Health,
Virtue and other nurturing qualities.

When designing the Chariot Amulet,
I focused on the circle as the primary shape;
replaced the Sphinxes with Unicorns,
emphasizing the importance of Truth.
In Western Lore,
the only person that can see the Unicorn
is an Innocent: a Virgin.
The Idea is simple,
only those who are Pure of Heart can know Truth.
I placed the Charioteer as the central figure and his background is of stars:
when beholding the Truth,
we may encompass All Things.
The I-Ching refers to this state as “Witnessing the Tao”.

The Chariot Amulet is for those who create and maintain Sacred Space,
whether it is a Lawyer working with contracts,
Clergy that would be performing Marriages,
someone who creates and maintains sanctuaries,
alters, courtrooms, homes and gardens.
It is for Healers and other body workers,
marinating the Temple of the Body,
Guardians and Keepers of the Peace,
the Home Guard.

The Chariot Amulet represents Health, Honor, Protection and Virtue.

The Chariot 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 my be seen on my Wearable Tarot Page

The Lovers card has evolved over time;
the images have altered from a man looking to two women,
trying to decide which to choose,
to two brothers,
to an image of the Garden of Eden;
each attempt to describe an aspect of the card’s meaning.
The Lovers is attributed to Gemini,
the Air Sign of Duality;
Mercury,
the planet of communication and the Hebrew letter Zain
described as “the Sword”:
it can both unite and divide a country.

Lovers Amulet
Gemini
the Sword
“Zain”

Following the Hierophant
(The Higher Self or Inner Authority)
The Lovers describes the process where we unite the “parts of the Self”.
The Lovers have been called “the Marriage of the Sun and Moon”
(ha-regesh);
in Jungian Terms: the Consciousness and Sub-consciousness
Unite and yet still hold their essence,
that which makes them separate, remains.
This is a dynamic balance maintained by the “Higher Self”
or “Super-consciousness”.

In creating the Lovers Amulet,
I have united the classic images with a pair of wings,
signifying they are “one thing”.
The man and woman are touching hands and feet:
joined together in their efforts and path
Their bodies are turned away from each other:
moving apart
The Swords are crossed over head:
conflict
Their hair is braided together:
The Lovers cannot be separated
Over their heads is a radiating disk representing one’s Higher Self.
I made two versions of this amulet;
The Larger Lovers Amulet is heavier and more detailed.

Lovers Amulet
Gemini
the Sword
“Zain”

The Smaller Lovers Amulet still holds the design, but is smaller for those that wish a lighter amulet to wear.

The Lovers Amulet is for Fathers and Mothers,
Siblings, Special Friends,
Husbands and Wives,
Sweethearts and Grandparents
for people that are working toward inner balance,
anyone who wants to offer Love to others

The Lovers 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

Anyone who has set up a tent
and suffered the weather has seen the importance of a good tent stake.
If the stake is not solid,
deep and well anchored,
the entire 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.

Associated with the very grounding sign of Taurus

Hierophant Amulet
Taurus
The Tent Stake
“Vav”

In Classic image of the Rider Tarot we see the “Hierophant”
(comes from the Greek: “hiera, “the holy,” and phainein, “to show”);
offering a blessing to be in turn directed to others.
Its effect continues through the members of a given community
thus weaving the fabric of love and strength through out society.

The design 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.

In MetaPlace (now closed),
I have created a setting illustrating the energy flow
of The Hierophant:
blessings to Earth,
Service to the Divine.

The 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 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 Emperor is a culmination of the previous Tarot Keys.
Inspiration (the Fool),
Focus of Will (the Magi),
Knowing the Past (The High Priestess)
and Imagining Possibilities (The Empress),
the Emperor moves forward to make things happen.
Attributed to Aries,
the first of the Sun Signs and the “Maker of the Way”,
the Emperor harnesses his primary Tool:
Vision to survey the world and act accordingly.

Emperor Amulet
Aries
The Window
“Heh”

In the classic image of the Rider Tarot Card,
we see him seated on a cube
(a symbol of the material world)
with his crossed legs forming another symbol of matter,
his face in profile
(you cannot know everything about him)
holding the sphere and cross in one hand
(the symbol of spiritual dominion).

In making the Emperor Amulet,
I have created a composite of symbols that represent these aspects:
The Octopus, both an alien intelligence and of this world.
Highly intelligent and perceptive yet we cannot fully understand the Octopus’ perspective,
though it can perceive us as much as it needs to.
Its Eye pierces the environment and its tentacles are fully able to manipulate its domain.
It is before a pyramid:
architecture that is both solid,
can withstand the test of time and is precise in its creation.
Above it is the letter Heh: the Window of perception;
tongues of flame (first fire).

In MetaPalce (now closed)
I set this piece upon a cube
(emphasizing the material world)
and paced it in a lava bed (primal fire).

The Emperor represents both the perception of the world
and the manipulation of it through precise control.
Those who choose the Emperor
harness its position of Power
saddled with its responsibilities.
More than an amulet of influence,
it is one of perception and would know the right response in a given situation.
Hence the Emperor is attributed to Process,
Procedure and Ritual.
This is an amulet for Clergy, C.E O., President, or chairman,
Fathers or anyone with Duties and Responsibilities
of others under their care.

The Emperor 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 found on my Wearable Tarot Page

Amulets by Merlin's Blog

Reflections of the Art of Merlin

Merlin’s Tarot ~ 13 ~ Death Amulet

Merlin’s Tarot ~ 12 ~ The Hanged Man Amulet

Merlin’s Tarot ~ 11 ~ Justice Amulet

Merlin’s Tarot ~ 10 ~ Wheel of Fortune Amulet

Merlin’s Tarot ~ 9 ~ The Hermit Amulet

Merlin’s Tarot ~ 8 ~ The Strength Amulet

Merlin’s Tarot ~ 7 ~ The Chariot Amulet

Merlin’s Tarot ~ 6 ~ The Lovers Amulet

Merlin’s Tarot ~ 5 ~ The Hierophant Amulet

Merlin’s Tarot ~ 4 ~ The Emperor Amulet

Amulets by Merlin

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Amulets by Merlin

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