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Reflections of the Art of Merlin

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Merlin’s Peaceful Mushroom Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 1, 2014
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, Peace Jewelry. Tagged: Amulet, Amulets by Merlin, Bodi Tree, Ethno-Botanist, KPFK, magic Mushroom jewelry, Mayan, Mushroom jewelry, Starwood, Terrance McKenna. Leave a comment

Years ago (back in the 1980s)
I lived in Southern California.
Being an avid listener to KPFK’s “Something’s Happening”
one of the regulars was Terrance McKenna:
and Ethno-Botanist who spoke long and glowingly
about his trips into the Amazon and his research of various ideas that involved 2012,
the I Ch’ing, Mushrooms, DNA,
the Mayans and a host of other ideas.
In the course of listening to these late night broadcasts
I created and amulet the closely resembles mushrooms
growing into a peace sign.

Peaceful Mushroom Amulet
Peaceful Mushroom Amulet

In the early Nineties
Terrace visited the Bodi Tree bookstore in Los Angeles:
a very large alternative shop.
My Buddy Russ and our Ladies visited the store to pay our respects,
however due to other issues the connection wasn’t made.

Late in the Nineties I attended Starwood
where Terrance offered lectures.
I was honored with a visit to my booth that the Man Himself.
After examining my work I presented him
with a copy of the Peaceful Mushroom Amulet
as a “thank you” for the hundreds of hours of lectures
I was able to listen to the KPFK.

“My God!” he exclaimed.
“The usual response I get from folks is:
‘I taped them from the radio and gave them to all my friends!’”
then he laughed.

Although I never saw him again
(he passed away some years after that)
What struck me about him was his laugh:
infectious, kind and full hearted.
When I make the amulet,
I can almost hear his guffaw.

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

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Merlin’s Custom Dragon-Butterfly Cloak Clasp

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 31, 2014
Posted in: Cloak Clasps, Custom Jewelry, Dragon Jewelry, Jewelry design. Tagged: butterfly jewelry, custom butterfly cloak clasps, Custom Cloak clasps, custom dragon cloak clasps, Dragon Con, Dragon Jewelry, DragonCon. 1 Comment

A Lady requested a cloak clasp combining her two favorite things:
Dragons and butterflies.
With a rather limited description we worked through a series of renderings
and then developed the final piece.

Dragon-Butterfly Cloak Clasp

Custom Dragon-Butterfly Cloak Clasp

The main wings are in Bronze
while the body of the Dragon is of Sterling Silver.
Opals were places in the tips of the wings
with garnets and amethysts set into the Mandala of knot work and spirals.
Amethyst and garnets are set into the body of the dragon.
The stones were set with sterling tube and prong settings.
The piece was made to clasp with two hooks to steady the design
while wearing it.
Three button loops were placed on each side of the wings.

The proud owner of the one-of-a-kind Dragon-Butterfly Cloak Clasp
displays her creature on her cloak at DragonCon every year!
See the website for the close ups of the mechanism!

If you have a concept of a piece that you want created,
you need only ask!

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One-of-a-kind Ouroboros Penannular Brooch

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 30, 2014
Posted in: Brooches, Celtic Lore, Custom Jewelry, Dragon Jewelry, Multi Faith, Ouroboros, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: Celtic Lore, Celtic Symbol, Custom Jewelry, Never Ending Story, Ouroboros brooch, Ouroboros jewelry, Ouroboros pin. Leave a comment

One of my favorite activities
is to create things never made before;
this was one of them!
I have already been producing the Ouroboros Ring for some time,
however a fellow wanted to have something specially made
that touches both his Celtic Heritage and his love for the Ouroboros:
the Ouroboros Penannular Brooch!

Ouroboros Penannular Brooch

Ouroboros Penannular Brooch

The Worm Himself
is a solid carving with the ability to be viewed from both sides,
a fully detailed face and the traditional diamond scalded spine.
Unlike the Ladies’ Penannular,
this is a solid ring with a “free” pin.
By his request I created the pin without a head and to replicate a sewing needle.
The way it is worn is that the ring of the Ouroboros is placed on the cloak
(or Great Kilt)
and the needle pierces the material underneath after bunching it up
though the ring thus securing the Brooch and cloak together.

This is a one-of-a-kind piece
with no mold taken for reproduction,
however
if you wish to have something similar made
(or anything of the kind) simply ask!

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Merlin’s Rite Way Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 29, 2014
Posted in: Amulets, Humor, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: besom amulet bewitched Witch on a broom jewelry, besom jewelry, broom jewelry, witch jewelry. Leave a comment

The classic image of a “witch on a broom”
is much like the picture at the beginning of the TV series “Bewitched”:
a lovely woman in a witch costume riding sidesaddle
(see “Witch on a broom”).
However some years ago it was pointed out to me
in the old Rites the use of the Besom was with the bristles up.

The Rite Way

The Rite Way Amulet

Keeping in mind the more traditional
use of a broom is cleansing a home
(or other space) while you are actual sweeping
you are blessing your home and driving out negativity.
Hence the actual “business end” of the broom is the bristles.

To celebrate the “use” of the broom
I have created an amulet of Blessing:
“The Rite Way”.
The Lady holds her besom with the bristles up
blessing and protecting Sacred Space.

The Rite Way Amulet
is intended for those that are both serious about their efforts
to make the world a better place
and a sense of humor that one would wear
a “witch on a broom” that would be more “authentic”.

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

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Merlin’s Tarot Amulets

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 28, 2014
Posted in: Amulets, Tarot. Tagged: Amulet, Amulets by Merlin, Chariot Amulet, Custom Jewelry, death amulet Temperance amulet, devil amulet tower amulet, emeperor amulet, Empress Amulet, Hanged Man Amulet, heirophant amulet, Hermit Amulet, judgement amulet, justice amulet, Kabalah, Lovers Amulet, Moon Amulet, Qabalah, Star amulet, Strength Amulet, Sun Amulet, Tarot, Tarot Amulets, Tarot Casters, The Fool Amulet, The High Priestess amulet, The Magician amulet, Three Dimensional Tarot, Tree of Life, Universe Amulet, wheel of fortune amulet, world amulet. Leave a comment

 

Tarot Amulets

The Large High Priestess of the Tarot Amulets

It is hard to decide which of the Tarot Amulets would be right for you. Much depends on where you are in life or the kind of work you are doing. The previous posts give detailed explanations of each piece; however I have been requested to post a list of all the Tarot Amulets in the Tarot Cycle for a “quick review”. And so, here is the list of the Tarot amulets, and their possible applications:

00 The Fool Amulet – A fresh start, new beginnings, gift for baby or Youth who has come into his/her own. Newlyweds or some one who has decided to re-start their lives. Children and young people who have graduated, adolescents who have reached the threshold of adulthood..

01 The Magi Amulet – For focus and concentration. Good for student or scalar. Strengthens resolve in marinating concentration on projects and seeing them to their conclusion.

02 High Priestess Amulet – Memory both one’s own and of the Greater Unconsciousness. Aide in strengthening memory. Also good fore devotees of the Feminine both socially and spiritually.

03 The Empress Amulet – Fertility excellent in the beginning processes of projects, starting a business, starting a family, nurturing investments. The Empress Amulet is perfect for the Artist, Team leader, Executive, anyone whose task it is to Manifest the Vision. It is also for the Environmentalist: the symbol of Gaia, all things natural to the formation of Life on the Earth is symbolized by the Empress Amulet.

04 The Emperor Amulet – Vision –The Emperor represents both the perception of the world and the manipulation of it through precise control. More than an amulet of influence, it is one of perception so that one would know the right response to in a give situation. 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.

05 Hierophant Amulet – Authority – Aide in keeping your feet on the ground with poise when trouble brews. The Hierophant Amulet is one 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.

06 The Lovers Amulet – Dynamic balance of opposites – Communication – 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.

07 The Chariot Amulet – Protection, shields, sacred ground – 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.
Second Set

08 Strength Amulet – Inner strength – Self control and discipline, focused Will -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.

09 the Hermit Amulet – Purity, Truth, Development- The Hermit Amulet would be appropriate for those that are self starters, innovators, those that serve humanity because of their own convictions rather than because they are told to do so. 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. The Hermit Amulet is also one that is intended to stabilize one’s journey in life and remind them to hearken to their own inner voice rather than to follow a leader, group of movement: to walk the path of Virtue.

10 the Wheel of Fortune Amulet – the Law, Rhythm, The patterns of the seasons, Centering- 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.

11 Justice Amulet – Natural Balance, Maya and Karma – 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.

12 The Hanged Man Amulet – Suspension, sacrifice, Turning the mundane to the arcane – The Hanged Man Amulet is for any one who wishes to harness daily activates would normally be considered physical into acts of Spirit. From Homemakers to Clergy, Nurses, massage therapists, interior designers and gardeners. Those dedicated to social work, volunteers both in the public eye and those who perform acts of charity without the need of payment or fanfare. In other words, just about everybody.

13 Death Amulet – The threshold – death/re-birth, the bardo – 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 a short yet important periods in one’s life.

14 Temperance Amulet – Art, purpose, Creation – The Temperance Amulet is for the Artist, Actor, Musician or Dancer. The filmmaker that can inspire and inform their audience. The Temperance Amulet would be for those that are more subtle in their abilities to express themselves for the benefit of those around them: home makers that can turn their dwellings into places of inspiration; a chef that can create food, helping one transcend their daily routine. It is within the context of Temperance that we gain a better understanding of the Art of Living.

15 The Devil Amulet –Humor, satire, the power of fiction – This amulet would be an amulet for writers, comics, filmmakers, anyone who creates fiction, images or media that can inspire, reveal the truth or test one’s metal. This is for the trickster, the joker or the teller of tales. It is an amulet representing Humor, the telling of stories and the practical joker. It is also for the scientist: one who tests theories, weighs ideas for their merit. It is for the Editor, one who looks to stories and weighs the validity of their meaning and truth.


16 The Tower Amulet
– the destruction of falsehood, Truth reviled – There are those whose jobs it is to give us the necessary jolt of reality: Judges, Police Officers, Solders and Oracles. However, the Tower Amulet is more of a tonic rather than an every day piece. If you are in confusion, unable to decide what to do, if you feel like you have been lied to and wish to know the truth, then the Tower would be a good tool in meditation. This would be ideal to keep on hand for a spiritual councilor, to use for short periods of time and then to be put aside to build again.

17 The Star Amulet – meditation, experimentation, discovery through self reflection – The Star Amulet would be excellent for those that have decided to use meditation as a practice on their lives. This tranquil amulet may be used to calm and clarify one’s perspective and achieve a better understanding of themselves and their environment. Practitioners of Yoga and martial arts, Religious practitioners who use Meditation and Prayer would find this amulet helpful in their daily lives.

18 The Moon Amulet – Dream experience, the spiritual path, development through maintaining balance – The Moon Amulet is for those that have realized their Life’s Path and have committed themselves to walk their talk. Although not an advertisement for being a Spiritual Leader, one teaches by example, treats others with the respect due them and learns from children as well as their Elders of community. This is a good amulet for councilors, advisers, leaders and solitaries.

19 The Sun Amulet – Masks, filters, seeking the truth through discovery of the universe – The Sun Amulet may be used as a constant reminder and dedication to the Divine. It can also be a reminder not to take things at face value, that there are always layers of assumption between us, no matter how close we are to others. This amulet would be good for Actors, representatives, politicians, teachers and others that interface with the public.

20 The Judgment Amulet – Perpetual fire consuming the unneeded, lessons through hardship, the amalgamation of the personalities – People that would find this amulet useful in daily life would be Judges, arbitrators, housekeepers, and maintenance crews, gardeners, any whose task it is to clear, cleanse and renew environments, relationships and patterns of behavior. The Judgment Amulet is a potent symbol of Spiritual purification. It may be worn by those that are going through upheaval in their lives, watching their positions being discarded, acquaintances being revealed as unhealthy and discarded; all this and keeping balance, knowing that this period on one’s life is to be harnessed as a positive and necessary thing.

21 The Universe Amulet – The ever expanding entirety of knowledge and experience, discovering the infinite through limitation – The Universe Amulet is for those that are explorers, scholars, students, those who have taken on the quest of Life: ever searching for meaning, the source, and themselves. The Universe Amulet is for musicians, dancers, lovers of music and the arts; those that push the envelope and are unafraid of new experiences, new ideas and a larger Universe.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!

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

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Merlin’s Dark Angel Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 27, 2014
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design. Tagged: Amulet, Amulets by Merlin, Bone jewelry, Chiropractic jewelry, Massage Therapist jewelry, Skull Jewelry, spine jewelry, vertebrae jewelry. Leave a comment

In the spine the second vertebrae is the axis vertebra (C2),
nick named “The Dark Angel”
commonly because of its position:
It forms the pivot upon which the first cervical vertebra
(the atlas),
which carries the head, rotates.
Also because of when viewed in an isometric position,
it looks like a head and wings and is never seen
unless in autopsy or considerably after the demise of the subject.
For such a small bone,
we rely on its position for movement nearly every minute of our waking
(and at times sleeping)
lives.

The Dark Angel

The Dark Angel Amulet

Dark Angel Amulet

As a subject for an amulet,
this represents many things:
health and healing, vitality, protection
and the ability to “pivot” both literally and figuratively.
Being as that it is so rarely seen while “in use”
it may also represent assistance
we both rely on
and never see.
It connects the Mind to the Body in a very physical way.

The Dark Angel Amulet is intended
to be of assistance to those in Health care:
Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, Nurses
and all care givers and body workers.
Here is an amulet that is rooted in reality
and extended into the realm of the arcane
for those who wish to bring healing to a troubled world.

more of Merlin’s Amulets may be seen at the
Merlin’s Amulets
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

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Merlin’s Witch on a broom Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 26, 2014
Posted in: Amulets, Moon Jewelry. Tagged: bewitched jewelry, Samantha Stevens Jewelry, Witch and broom, Witch on broom, witch on broom amulet, witch on broom jewelry, witch on broom pendant. Leave a comment

One of the classic images of Halloween
is a witch riding on a broom stick.
However since the sixties
and the hit series “Bewitched”
the images turned from the “old crone”
to a beautiful woman riding side saddle on her besom.

Merlin's Witch on a broom Amulet

Merlin’s Witch on a broom Amulet

Like most people in my age group,
the icon stuck with me for years:
the sense of freedom to ride with ease across an inky sky
with the full moon framing a beautiful face,
a Witch to remember!

In my later years
I have met many women that have “come out of the closet”
most of them tend to resemble Samantha:
beauty, talent and a great sense of humor.

As a dedication to this vision of loveliness,
I have created the amulet: “Witch on a broom Amulet”
1 5/8” by one inch tall with a bail behind the moon:
positioned to give the sense of “floating” on your chain or cord.
Not just for Halloween,
the Beauty may be worn year around to spice up your day
“I’m feeling Witchy!”

more of Merlin’s Amulets may be seen at the
Merlin’s Amulets
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

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Merlin’s Blossom Star Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 25, 2014
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Lore, Jewelry design, nature Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: blossom pentacle amulet, blossom pentacle jewelry, blossom star amulet, blossom star pendant, flow star amulet, flower star jewelry, Pentacle amulet, Pentacle jewelry, Star amulet, Star Jewelry. Leave a comment

I make a wide variety of Pentacles:
a symbol that is found in every culture.
The five pointed star has been seen in nature
forming the core of the apple, blossoms, and minerals
and in the random patterns of branches and trees.
It has been adopted as a symbol of strength and purity:
featured in the drawings by Leonardo da Vinci
of the “first man” representing “life in balance”
even associated in renaissance paintings with Christ.

Blossom Star Amulet

Blossom Star Amulet

The individual points represent the four elements:
fire, water, air, and earth
with the point of spirit pointing up,
again illustrating the balance of nature
with the perception of spirit.

In celebration of the five pointed star,
I have developed the symbol made of the branches of the apple tree.
The branches are woven as a sign of eternity.
The weaving of the branches is in the sequence of
creation, starting with the top point of “spirit”
and proceeding to the point of “transformation (fire)
then Wisdom (air),
Consciousness (water)
then grounding in the material world (earth)
and resolving in Spirit.
An apple blossom on the side: the promise of fulfillment.
The apple is often a symbol of living knowledge,
wisdom and abundance:
though knowledge tend to foster options that tend to lead to trouble,
it is up to the individual to choose to be “right minded” when choosing a path.

I offer the Blossom Star as “the Teacher’s Star”,
perfect for those on the path of all faiths dedicated to truth,
wisdom and virtue.

more of Merlin’s pentacle amulets may be seen at the
Merlin’s Pentacles
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

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One in Spirit Sculpture

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 24, 2014
Posted in: Drum Circles, Sculpture. Tagged: bronze drum circle statue, drum circle statue, drum student statue, Drum teacher statue, drumming together statue, Statue of a Father and Son. Leave a comment

There are few things in life that can inspire such joy.
It is one thing to perform while an audience watches:
expectations, stage fright, critics…
it is quite another when a group of people create music
for the sole purpose of making each other happy.
Many music groups describe sessions
where it was “just the band”,
pure beauty and healing in just the experience.
In a healthy Drum Circle,
one can see an entire community gather together
to create something fresh,
unique and joyful.
Each drummer “holds” the down beat
providing a “floor”
where the community dances both figuratively and physically.

One in Spirit Sculpture

One in Spirit Sculpture

I have taught “Drum Circle Dynamics” to children for years,
helping them to realize how to interact through rhythm.
On more than a few occasions
a little one would approach
and want to play my drum with me.
In those moments I felt a bonding with the younger generation
transcending nearly every other experience.

In an attempt to capture these moments,
One in Spirit”
featuring a drummer and a small boy learning the down beat,
a moment that erases gender,
age, generational perspective
and sync the two into a single moment:
Playing as One in Spirit.

This sculpture
features details in the hair,
ropes on the drums,
texture in the clothing
and joyful expressions of the participants.

Seven inches high
cast in bronze upon request.

To get your copy please visit my
One in spirit Sculpture page

more of Merlin’s Sculpture may be seen at the
Merlin’s Sculpture Gallery
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

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Merlin’s Drum Mom Sculpture

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 23, 2014
Posted in: Drum Circles, Sculpture. Tagged: bronze drum circle sculpture, bronze drum sculpture, drom mom statue, drum circle sclupture, drum circle statue, drum mom sculpture, drum mother sculpture, drum mother statue, drum sculpture, Drum statue. Leave a comment

For years I spent a great deal of time at various Drum Circles.
If you have never attended an Open Public Drum Circle,
you have missed a great deal of fun!
One of the many things to watch is how children respond to the experience.
They naturally move with the beat and want to participate in every way they can.
As the older ones can dance and drum just as well as many of the adults,
some are still a bit too little
and could be easily stepped upon by spinning bodies and the like.

Drum Mom Sculpture

Drum Mom Sculpture

Typically, the Drum Mom is a position held by one of the mothers attending.
She supervises the water and snacks
and watches over the health and welfare of the Drum Circle:
as drummers tire and take a break through out the night
(even if we are not doing an “all nighter”)
the Drum Mom makes sure that they are cared for
and makes a safe place
for the dancers to gather to share drink, snacks and words.

I have attempted to capture
the many aspects within the Drum Circle
through my work:
mostly jewelry, however I still love to revel in my first love: sculpture.
I indulged myself in this one:
The Drum Mom.

This piece holds an aspect of the tiny struggle
between the Drum Mom and a pair of little ones
who are more exuberant then for their own good.
One struggles to climb into her lap
while the older of the two wants to break away into the circle,
armed with a shaker.

The Sculpture is a tiny moment,
a single beat in the Drum Circle,
in fact in one’s life;
yet it is an iconic position,
one of honor.
Every healthy Drum Circle has such people
looking after each other;
in this way the drummers and dancers
may focus on their purpose:
to generate Joy and Bright Blessings.

more of Merlin’s Sculpture may be seen at the
Merlin’s Sculpture Gallery
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

If you wish to commission a statue,
please visit Merlin’s how to order custom page

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