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.

The Dragon King Money Clip

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 12, 2017
Posted in: Amulets, Dragon Jewelry, Money Clips. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Amulets by Merlin presents the latest, largest Dragon Money Clip yet: The King Dragon Money Clip!  This is the biggest one yet: three inches long with a deep set spring loaded jaw designed to hold a large wad of cash. Going much bigger would require a holster!

The King Dragon Money Clip shown here in Bronze
The profile is low to slide into your pocket. Spring loaded jaw to open and close around your stack of cash. Spring Made in USA. Deep detailed carving of scales and stones for the eyes. Each one is made to order so if you want different stones, additional design changes (like your name or initials), I can do that: just email for more details on custom of this or any other of my work.

To order your King Dragon Money Clip please visit my Money clip Page or go directly to the King Dragon Money Clip page.

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Ace of Pentacles Money Clip

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 15, 2017
Posted in: Amulets, Money Clips, Pentacles, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

An Amulet for your Money. A disk of two inches featuring a five point star framed with wood and vines. Each field colored with enamel and paint representing the elements: Red for Fire, Blue for Water, Yellow for Air, Black for Earth, White for Spirit. Enameled and painted. Using the classic solid spring clip for easy use. The Piece is solid and sturdy. Available in Sterling Silver, Nickle and Bronze.

The Ace of the Tarot Card represent the “source” of a given element. In the case of the Ace of Pentacles: the material world. Pictured in the classic Tarot card as the point where all elements may be seeded; surrounded by a sacred space: a garden of possibilities. Like the Card, the clip also hold the potential of all good things: space, elements and star. The Ace of Pentacles reminds us: if we focus on the positive, we plant the seeds of good fortune.

Ace of Pentacles Money Clip

Grandpa used to say: “Son, if your want to double your money, just fold it in half and stick it in your pocket!” Here is your chance to do just that: next time you want to double your money, use this clip to secure it and keep those bills safely in your pocket or purse.

The Ace of Pentacles Money Clip is an Amulets by Merlin creation; designed, developed and crafted by Kirk McLaren of Amulets by Merlin. If you wish modifications, contact him and the piece may be made custom to fit your vision.

To get yours: please visit my Ace of Pentacles Money Clip page To see my spring loaded, jaw action Skull and Dragon money clips, please visit my Money Clip Page.

Music Mandala Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 22, 2017
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Knot Jewelry, music amulet, Music Jewelry, music notation jewelry, music notation pendant, music pendant. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Over the Winter, I have continued to design new pieces, some are focused on musical themes.

Music Mandala

Music Mandala Amulet

My studies in the past have included the love of the repeated patters of the Mandala: typically a circle pattern used in Hinduism and Buddhism. The word “Mandala” is actually a Sanskrit word describing a symbol representing the Universe. In this case it is a bit of a play on words: when one plays a musical piece in western music, the grand staff holds a description of the “rules of the game” (so to speak) composed of a treble clef, a bass clef and the symbol of “common time” (4/4) repeated in a circle sixteen times in a filigree style. I have provided a “back bail” behind the design to give the appearance of the piece “floating” on your chain or cord.

The Music Mandala is a celebration of music and looks a little like a snowflake, so it may cross over to a winter design, however it also as a floral look, boarding into spring and summer. The texture of the piece provides places for light to flash and catch in it’s design, the filigree provides a lighter feel to the piece, as music itself rides the air.

To get your Music Mandala Amulet, please visit the Music Mandala 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.

Amethyst Garden Ring

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 1, 2016
Posted in: Jewelry design, nature Jewelry, Rings. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

A friend of mine suffered a broken piece of jewelry. She loved the stone but the ring was far too fragile to hold up under the riggers of using her hands on a daily basis. She is a professional body worker and required a design strong enough to withstand pushing muscles, moving equipment and a lot more. The goal was to create a durable ring of elegant design ~ reflecting her love of health an beauty.

Amethyst Garden Ring

The result: a custom, one-of-a-kind Garden Ring of Amethyst and Sterling Silver. Vines wrap around the stone with leafy foliage winding down the shank. The ring has many hidden open voids to allow light to bounce around the stone: set into a sculpted cage of leaves, prongs textured with veins. The shape of the stone (a triangle) is focused to “extend” beyond the hand, allowing the flow of design to harness the shape of the stone. Now in a private collection – no mold was taken for reproduction: truly a unique ring. If you want something like it, please visit my how to order custom page.

Be sure to visit my Website: Amulets by Merlin and see my collection of rings!

Custom Crocodile Money Clip

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 10, 2016
Posted in: Crocodile Jewelry, Money Clips. Tagged: , , , , , , . 2 Comments

Some years ago I created a Dragon Money Clip for a fan of the Movie Face-off. While he loved the clip in the movie, we could not create an “Exact copy” due to copyright reasons. After a little time, I developed a larger version of the clip to grasp bill a little deeper into the fold of cash. This inspired a variety of Skull Money clips and even larger versions of the Dragon Money Clips.

Last Spring a gentleman in England asked about a Crocodile Money Clip with the same spring action as the other working jaw pieces I have made int the past. John Aka Mrtlookalike, an American living in the UK who wanted a bit of America on him at all times. He loved the look of the Crocodile and desired a piece which could be an heirloom, something to be passed down through the generations. In his instructions, he wanted it to look as real as possible – the skin texture and eyes with his family’s name written under the jaw.

Custom Crocodile Money Clip

The result of a lot of carving turned out to be over 10 ounces of sterling and after searching for the right kind stones for the eyes and extremely detailed piece. While I suggested a holster due to the weight, he has insisted it fits comfortably in his pocket.

The Crocodile Money clip is a one-of-a-kind piece, no mold was taken for reproduction. The stones set from the interior of the piece to give a life-like eyes. His family name is hand engraved in the only smooth portion of the sculpture. Solid, sturdy piece should hold up through decades of wear. This piece is now residing in John’s private collection (probably in his pocket!). An American Crocodile in England holding currency in his toothy grin.

If you would like something like this, you need only ask.