The Amulet of Cernunnos

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 5, 2013
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Pagan Jewelry, Sculpture. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

This is a god of the Old Celtic lines
throughout Europe.
Cern means “horn” in Old Irish
and related to similar words carn
in Welsh and Breton,
and is the origin of Kernow,
meaning horn of land.
The depictions of Cernunnos
are strikingly consistent:
stag’s horns,
and portrayed as a mature man
with long hair
and a beard wearing a torc
to denote nobility.
He often carries other torcs in his hands
to signify wealth and prosperity.
He sits and cross-legged in meditation.

The Amulet of Cernunnos

The Amulet of Cernunnos

The Horned God
reflects the seasons of the year
in an annual cycle of life,
death and rebirth.
Cernunnos
is the guardian of the forests,
the defender of the animals
the source of the deep forest wisdom,
and the male aspect of creative energy.
He is called upon for vital,
non-violent masculine divinity.
In the Wheel of the Year,
His time is between Samhain and Beltane
as the Goddess’ time is between Beltane and Samhain.
During these High Holies,
they come together
in a balance of energies,
union and blessings.

I created an interpretation of Cernunnos Amulet as depicted on Gundestrup Cauldron.
The Celtic design dates from the La Tene period.
Here he is shown holding a serpent in one hand
signifying knowledge and connection to the Ancients;
and a tork in the other,
the symbol of holding power in the world of mortals.
This piece is 5/8″
and can be worn as a pendant
and may also sit like a statue on your shelf
or where ever you wish!

The Amulet of Cernunnos

The Amulet of Cernunnos

The Celtic Cross of Joy

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 4, 2013
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Knot Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Christian Jewelry, Crosses. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

I met my friend Kevin in the late 80s.
Among his many talents,
he creates Knot work designs.
Kevin typically creates very complex,
free form knots
and then tools them into leather
for his garb
for the Society of Creative Anarchism
(SCA)
of which he is a part.

The Celtic Cross of Joy

The Celtic Cross of Joy

Unlike the typical border work
of a more standard,
symmetrical knot,
Kevin’s style is to create broad sweeps
and then tiny inter-weaving
to populate a design
or free form shape.
Creating knots of one,
two and three strands,
depending on the use of the knot
and can become very complex
because One is not using any formulas
or pre-made patterns.

I had asked him to design a cross for me
and he smiled.
“I will design this knot
and teach you how it is done
so long as we call the amulet:
“Joy”,
for my friend” he told me.
He had not seen her in years
yet wanted to dedicate the design to her.

He drew it in one sitting:
smiling the entire time.

It is an eternal knot:
one strand from beginning to end
forming a cross
with the circle of spirit in the center:
the “Empty Cross” (He is Risen) design.
Though Catholic:
“she won’t mind” he told me;
“Think of it as a compromise.”
Kevin isn’t Christian!

And so I present to you a
cross dedicated
to friendship
and Joy.

The Club of Dagda Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 4, 2013
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Knot Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid 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.

Dagda's Club Amulet

Dagda’s Club Amulet

One of them is Dagda’s Club.

In his Words:

“Show your devotion to the manliest god of them all: the All Father, the Good (at everything) God, the fabulous Dagda!

“Fiery father of the Gods of Erin, the Dagda is the Supreme Druid, the Mightiest Warrior, and Danu’s Most Fertile Stud. His famous club could kill or resurrect, depending on which end He tapped you with.

“Honor the Dagda by wearing this silver or bronze amulet, designed by Isaac (includes the ogham letters for “Dagda” on the back).”

This represents the Irish All-Father’s magical club,
which was a Druid’s wand,
a warrior’s weapon,
and a Healer’s Blessing of fertility.
Entwining snakes embossed on a club,
topped by three tri-spirals.
A back Bail allows a hidden yet sturdy way
of wearing it on a chain or cord.
Script of the artist “Bonewits”
and producer “Merlin” of
Amulets by Merlin found on the back.

Isaac’s Amulets are a beautiful combination of design,
comfort and concept.
You may purchase these amulets through my site.
Each piece purchased Isaac’s Household receives a royalty
to both help extend his legacy promoting good will
and clarity to the world.
To learn about Isaac Bonewits,
his writings and more,
you may visit his website.

If you would like something special made
please visit my How to Order Custom Page

The Kallisti Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 2, 2013
Posted in: Amulets, Greek Mythology Jewelry, Humor. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

The Kallisti Amulet
has been a source of humor for centuries.
To understand this “Ancient Prank”,
here is a brief lesson in Greek Mythology…

Kallisti Amulet

Kallisti Amulet

Known for being a trouble maker,
Eris was not in the list of guests
invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis,
the parents of Achilles.
In spite of the lack of invitation
she came to the reception party
and threw a solid gold apple through the door
with the inscription:

Kallisti: “For the fairest”

Hera, Athena and Aphrodite
saw this piece of art
and started disputing who it was for.
Disgusted by the constant bickering,
Zeus sent them to Mount Ida near Troy
to be judged by the shepherd Paris,
who chose Aphrodite as the most beautiful,
accepting Helen’s hand for a bribe.

Paris, having come to fetch his bribe at Sparta,
where Helen was queen,
left the city
as her lover and sailed with her to Troy.
But her husband Menelaus
and his brother Agamemnon
took great exception for this theft,
sent a powerful army against Troy;
and the rest is history.

This symbol
is a favorite of those fans of the Science Fiction Trilogy
by Robert Anton Wilson:
the Illuminati;
and is hailed by the Discordians:
a movement which pops up now and then
who attend such conventions and festivals
and enjoy a practical joke now and then.
An amulet of mischief and humor.

Amulet of the Maiden Mother and Crone

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 1, 2013
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Multi Faith, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

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.

Maiden Mother Crone Amulet

Maiden Mother Crone Amulet

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 the 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.

Elvin Moon Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 31, 2013
Posted in: Amulets, Moon Jewelry, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Modern fantasy stories
rely on the old tales
of a race that existed
long before Mankind walked the earth.
European Lore refers to the race
as one that lived with one foot in the realm of Fairy
and one foot in the “mundane” world.
The old religion
based on the forces of nature
describes these stories
with images of sacred trees
so large
that the very branches themselves
reached into the stars.

Elvin Moon Amulet

Elvin Moon Amulet

The Old stories
remind us of the truth hidden in fiction;
children’s stories hold the lessons of life
are only truly realized when we reach adulthood.
The impressions of virtue to the pure of heart
and to those new to life
captured in tales of elves and fairies
struggling to bring peace to a troubled world.

The Fairy Tale may at times
be more true to the heart
than the most mundane experience
because it harkens to a time when we could see
with our hearts
without the jaded perspective of a crushed hope.

To capture the feel of the Old Stories,
I developed the image of the Elvin Moon:
A tree with seven stars in the branches
and the roots resting in the cradle of a crescent moon.
This subtle image of the old perspective
is highlighted with a detailed root system
and matching branches.

The Elvin Moon Amulet
is intended to recall the days when Truth was apparent,
when Virtue was something to strive for
and when integrity was accepted
as the foundation of one’s life.

Dragon Ankh Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 30, 2013
Posted in: Amulets, Ankh Jewelry, Dragon Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

A combination of Serpent Power
and the Egyptian sign of Life,
this piece was created years ago
when I was developing the Egyptian part of my line.
I created several versions of the ankh:
the classic version with stream lines and easily recognizable shape;
the more literal version
which emphasizes the male and female aspects coming together;
however I wanted to create a more versatile piece .

The Dragon Ankh Amulet

The Dragon Ankh Amulet

The Dragon Ankh represents the tenacity of life,
the spark where-in the union of opposites:
something new is created.
The Ankh is formed by the symbol of Kundalini:
the Dragon.
Positioning the Dragon’s head
so it curves around to create the Yoni,
the chin rests at the point where the wings spread.
The tail drops below completing the design.

This Amulet is tiny:
only three Quarters of an inch
but it is potent with meaning and potential.
This would be a good amulet
for those that are studying Yoga, Kundalini,
Martial Arts
or an Egyptian enthusiast.
This amulet is to help focus and balance body,
mind and spirit.

Brother Coyote: the Trickster

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 29, 2013
Posted in: Humor, Sculpture. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

In the lore of the Native American Tradition,
the Coyote represents the Trickster
There are many stories that range through out the West Coast
and Great Plains Indians
which look to Coyote as a practical joker
and promotes mischief and at times done harm.

Brother Coyote Statue

Brother Coyote Statue

Brother Coyote Statue

Tales of Brother Coyote
may be found in the Karuk, Chinookan, Flathead and Nez Perce Stories
where Coyote is famed and blamed
for a whole hose of mischief, discoveries;
even the gift of fire.
In most of the Coyote lore
he is here to test our conscience
and tease us into a better understanding of ourselves
and the decisions we make.

A good friend did a sketch of a Coyote holding his staff with his feet
and placing his “hands” in flip flops;
a joke about the reversal of ideas to emphasize their silliness
(why would a Coyote wear flip flops?).

He commissioned a statue of bronze to be made based on his sketch.
The finished piece is a seven inch bronze statue.
The staff is a separate piece that fits between the paws.
To give it balance (and to emphasis the design)
I placed him atop of the world.
The original Brother Coyote Statue now resides in his home;
however he has given me leave to reproduce it
for the pleasure of others.

The Shrivatsa Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 27, 2013
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, Multi Faith. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

A close friend of mine had studied Reiki who suggested to me to look at the Shrivatsa.
A Japanese study of healing has adopted the Shrivatsa as a symbol of their practice.

Srivatsa or Shrivatsa is Sanskrit for Endless Knot.
It is a mark on the breast of Vishnu where His consort Sri Lakshmi resides.
I has been suggested it may have evolved from an ancient naga symbol
with two stylized snakes signifying the dramatic interplay and interaction
of conflicting forces in the dualistic world
primary to their union and harmony of the universe.
This is reflected in the symmetrical form of the endless knot.

The intertwining of lines illustrates
how manifestation is bound together as a closed cycle of cause and effect.
Thus the knot is a pattern of simplicity and harmony.

The Shrivatsa Amulet

The Shrivatsa Amulet

Since all phenomena are interrelated,
the Shrivatsa Amulet
is to establish a connection between the giver and the receiver.
At the same time,
the recipient is blessed with Virtue
and encouraged to practice Virtue themselves;
the knot represents a bond with our karmic destiny.

Although a favorite symbol of Buddhists,
Hindus and those that practice Reiki,
this amulet would be an appropriate for any one who welcomes balance,
harmony and eternal wisdom into their lives.

The Warrior – Healer – Crone Statue

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 26, 2013
Posted in: Sculpture. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Warrior Healer Crone statue

Warrior Healer Crone statue

The Warrior embodies the youthful spirit of the Maiden taken to twenty first century.
Women are now entering the world with an aspect of personal power,
of the assurance of success in the development of their dreams into reality.
She holds the staff the may be used to combat that which opposes her,
but also it may guide others,
pointing the way to their own destiny.
She is clothed in fire and her hair is braided to remove distraction from her goals.

The Healer holds the medicine bowl,
making the remedy that will cure illness
and strengthen those in her care.
She may be embraced as the Mother aspect,
yet many choose to nurse more that their children,
indeed cure the world of its pain both physical and otherwise.
Her hair is down to enfold and protect her work
and she is clothed in the herbs and vines
from which she draws the source of her medicine.

The Crone is the wise one, the keeper of knowledge and wisdom.
Within her she holds the understanding and experience of previous two incarnations
and offers the lore of the previous eons.
She speaks her words to those wise enough to hear.
Clothed in spider webs,
the ancient creatures that weave and spin their webs
just as the Crone weaves her stories and parables.
Her scroll in her hands holds the knowledge
of those that have come before her.

These three aspects of Woman are merged as one being,
just as every woman holds the potential of all of these manifestations.
Their hair is braided together illustrating their interwoven
and inseparable manifestation: the Goddess in every Woman.

Warrior side

The original sculpture of Warrior Healer Crone
was cast in bronze and is seven inches tall;
currently in private collection.

Copies now available