Hand of Zeus Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 20, 2013
Posted in: Amulets, Greek Mythology Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

“Begin!”

First the word, then it happens.

The crack of the gun before the race,
the blowing of the whistle that starts the game.
A single moment that is beyond time itself,
a single point of origin
from which a flash of lightning springs into being.

Hand of Zeus Amulet

Hand of Zeus Amulet

“Inspiration!”
The point of fire now has direction: purpose and a way to manifest.

Although named for the Father of the Gods,
Shango would be pleased to be associated with this piece,
the most popular Orisha;
he is a Sky Father,
god of thunder and lightning.
Well loved in the Lukumí religion of the Caribbean,
Shango is also revered by Efa in Africa.
Umvelinqangi is the Sky God from the Zulu mythology,
Baal-Shamin, a supreme deity and the sky god …
both attributes are the lightning bolt.
Amm was a moon god worshiped in ancient
Qataban was also revered as a weather god,
as his attributes included lightning bolts.
Heironeous is the Oeridian god of Chivalry,
Justice, Honor, War, Daring, and Valor.
His holy symbol is a silver lightning bolt;
the images both look and mean the same:
Manifest!

The Hand of Zeus Amulet is an icon akin to the Ace of Wands:
the place from which such movement springs into manifestation.
The hand holding A lightning bolt
directs and guides it into being.
Good for a “make it so” day:
marathons, deadlines, important meetings,
and “putting on your thinking cap”.
This amulet would be the equivalent to the “Power Tie”.

The Awens

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 14, 2013
Posted in: Amulets, Belt Buckles, Celtic Jewelry, Druid Jewelry, Earrings, Pagan Jewelry, Rings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
The Awen Page

Amulets by Merlin Awen

In the words of Isaac Bonewits:

“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 classic image of the Awen
is three concentric circles,
at the top are three “dots”
representing the “source”
and from it three “rays” of light.
I have created a couple of one-of-a-kind pieces
with this classic symbol of the Druids.
Years ago Isaac Bonewits commissioned his own version:
a circle of leaves, acorns and staves
illustrating the dots and rays of emanation.
On the reverse side of the “signature”:
“Bonewits” and that of the artist:
“Merlin” or Kirk McLaren of Amulets by Merlin.
For the Bonewits designs,
I continue to send royalties to Isaac’s Widow
for every one of the Bonewits collection.

Since the original design,
I have expanded the Awens to two sizes as amulets,
a smaller version as earrings and a stout ring.
For those who wish to celebrate the Awen all year long,
I have made a “Winter Awen” version featuring pine cones and holly.
For the more adventurous,
I can also add a patina to “green it up a bit” and enamel the berries.
This design is available both as an amulet and a belt buckle.

If you are looking for Awen Jewelry,
this is the page for you!
If you don’t find the design you are looking for,
please visit my How to Order Custom Page.

Custom Dove and Wolf Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 5, 2013
Posted in: Amulets, Custom Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

She loves the Dove and all it symbolizes.
For the love of home, family
and the Will to Be True to her Sweetheart.

Custom Dove and Wolf Amulet

Custom Dove and Wolf Amulet

He Loves the Wolf,
the courage, intelligence and vigilance
to protect what he cares for.

The Couple asked to have an amulet created to symbolize their love together.
After approving the rendering the amulet:
Wolf and Dove was created as a one of a kind piece.
Within the talons of the Dove is set a Blood Garnet, beneath the wolf sings.
A bail was placed behind the Dove
creating the illusion the piece is “floating” on a chain or cord.

If you have an idea but not an image to work from,
if you have a totem,
favorite animal or symbol
I can help you design your piece
so it will present the look and feel you want.
To have a custom piece made specially for you,
please visit my “How to order Custom” page.

The Triquetra Earrings

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 3, 2013
Posted in: Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Knot Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Earrings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Triquetra simply means “triangle”
and has been used to refer to a variety of three-cornered shapes
but has been evolved into a symbol of depth.
Often seen in the Book of Kells,
some have surmised that because of its frequent use
as ornamentation
It has been a part of folk lore predating the creation of the ancient texts.
It appears in stone and metal on crosses,
markers, jewelry and other artifacts
through-out Celtic history.

The Triquetra Earrings

The Triquetra Earrings

Because of the Christian Influence
and their lore concerning the Trinity,
many have attributed the shape to represent:
“The Father, Son and Holy Ghost”,
but it could easily represent any lore that embraces the Three:
Parents and child;
the three phases of human existence:
Youth, Middle Age and the Elderly;
Maiden, Mother, Crone;
Green Man, Hunter, Sage.
All Threes:
a number of Manifestation in Creation.

In recent years
it has been popularized within the Pagan and Wiccan communities,
for they too love the manifestation of Three.
It has even been embraced in the Television series “Charmed”;
the Triquetra is embossed on the Grimoire of the Three Sisters.

The Triquetra Earrings represent the Trinity,
the manifestation of Three and the integrity of one purpose through love.
The Triquetra Earrings are for those who cherish
the idea of the Trinity in its many forms.

Mermaid Earrings

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 26, 2013
Posted in: Earrings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Mermaids are found in folklore all over the world.
In English,
the word is taken from mere (sea)
and maid (or young girl)
however there are mermaid stories of these half fish,
half woman in lakes and rivers too.

Mermaid Earrings

Mermaid Earrings

As early as 1000 BC accounts are found in Assyria
where the goddess Atargatis turned into a mermaid in shame
for killing her lover.
The stories are not confined to tragedy:
some stores are of generous mermaids
giving blessings and falling in love with their human counterparts.
In 15th century China there is a story about a mermaid
who wept tears which became pearls.
In India Suvannamaccha is a mermaid princess
who tries to ruin Hanuman’s attempt to build a bridge to Lanka,
yet falls in love with him instead.
In Africa the Mami Wata are water spirits of both sexes.
In the Caribbean a mermaid is called Aycayia,
in Haiti the Loa called La Sirene
and associated with the Orisha Yemaya.

I wanted to focus on the more pleasant version
of these stories when designing the Mermaid earrings.
She is a complete sculpture,
yet only ¾ of an inch long.
Her tail curves onto itself
and her hands meet above her head,
her expression of quiet contemplation
and she swims though the waters.
She swims with a grace that could only exist
in the passion of such creatures.

To get your Mermaid Earrings,
please go to my Mermaid Earring page.

Morning Star Earrings

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 22, 2013
Posted in: Earrings. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Classically,
the Morning Star as a weapon
is a mace with a ball and spikes on one end.
A medieval weapon which came into popularity
around the 14th century in Germany
and was known as a Morgenstern;
often confused with a simple military flail
or Kriegsflegel
which is a wood shaft which included iron bars at the end.

Morning Star Earrings

Morning Star Earrings

When I originally designed these earrings,
I was attempting to re-create the Kettenmorgenstern
(which translates chain-morning star,)
again a kind of flail.
When writing or describing these
I simply referred to them as the Morning Star,
and left it at that.
I was often corrected when attending the various SCA events
by the Period Experts,
however they liked them anyway.

These earrings are made of sterling silver:
a handle carved to replicate wood,
banded together and a small jump ring
to attach the classic ball at the bottom.
The ball has small “spikes”
which are more rounded than pointy
so as not to get caught in hair
or leave a mark on your cheek.
A classic look for those who enjoy a more medieval look.
To get your Morning Star Earrings,
please go to my Morning Star Earring page.

Leaf Chain Earrings

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 18, 2013
Posted in: Earrings, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

In spring,
the trees wake from the winter’s slumber
and over time
(in some places in hours!)
the put out shoots which develop into leaves.
Amazing things: leaves.
They capture sunlight
and use the solar energy to create food for the tree.
Transfer the air into usable material.
Some trees turn their leaves down when they sense rain approaching.
All through the summer,
leaves provide shelter for the animals
who inhabit the trees.

In English,
we sue the term “leaf”
to describes the pages of a book
and then again use the metaphor:
“turn over a new leaf”
in reference to “starting again, fresh and new”.
We eat them,
wear them,
use them in all kinds of ways,
both the actual leaves and the ones we mimic.

One of my favorite pass times
is to watch the trees move in the wind,
to feel the air move
and hear the sound of leaves stirring in the branches,
creating ever changing patterns.
The leaf stirs the imagination.

Leaf Chain Earrings

Leaf Chain Earrings

In celebration of the Leaf,
I have created the Leaf Chain.
The earrings are three different leaves,
descending;
connected by soldered jump rings for security,
framing the face with a very organic look.
Because they are of a chain,
they move as you do.

Each earring is 1 1/2” long
with a Shepard’s hook earring finding.
Perfect for those who love trees,
leaves and Nature.
To get yours,
please visit my Leaf Chain Earring Page.

Flame Earrings

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 15, 2013
Posted in: Earrings. Tagged: , , , , , , . 1 Comment

Fire is considered “Transformitive”:
under the right conditions,
it transforms wood to heat and light,
bringing an otherwise cold room to comfort.

Fire can cook food,
disinfect a tool,
melt metal so it may be re-shaped to a purpose.
When out of control
it can alter a landscape,
take lives and leave a wasteland.
As a symbol,
fire represents a quality of Transformation,
changing one thing to another
including altering one’s very thought processes.
It is no wonder the Ancients used Fire and a symbol
of primordial change.

Flame Earrings

Flame Earrings

In my line of jewelry,
I have created the Flame Earrings.
Small tongues of flame leaping up to the ear
flashing in the light with your every move.
The links of flame from my flame chain
add a great accent to any flame amulets,
bracelet or fire creatures.

To get your Flame Earrings,
please visit my Flame Earrings Page.

Pentacle Earrings

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 12, 2013
Posted in: Earrings, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Pentacles often had no connotation of “five”
in the old magical documents,
but were magical talismans inscribed with any symbol or character.
The most common “pentacle” is the five point star.
In it’s earliest form symbolized the first “ADAM”,
signified in early art as “Human Perfection”,
the “First Man” in the Garden of Eden.

Pentacle Earrings

Pentacle Earrings

Pentacles are used in the Tarot
to signify Matter or the Material World.
Each of the Pentacle cards represents a scenario and lesson about money,
influence and decisions.
The five pointed star is found everywhere
from a Sheriff’s badge to a countries’ flag;
it is found in nature within apples,
in flowers and trees.

The Pentacles as a five pointed star
represents the balance between the Elements
(Fire, Water, Air, Earth)
under the Spirit (the top point).
When presented with the top point up,
this is a symbol of health,
wisdom, balance and good fortune.

The Pentacle Earrings are solid,
yet light with a top bail
and soldered jump rings for security;
mounted on Shepard Hook earring findings.
I make them in sterling silver,
however I have been known to create them in other metals for special orders.
To get your pair of Pentacle Earrings, please visit my Pentacle earring page.

The Sun Sword Earrings

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 10, 2013
Posted in: Earrings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

A pair of sun swords for your ears.
The classic wavy blades of Olde.
Quillons (cross guards) in the medieval style and round pummel.
A small loop at the top for the Shepard’s hook earrings.

The Sun Sword Earrings

The Sun Sword Earrings

A sword design found in many Norse versions,
the curving of the blade catches the light like icicles.
The swords are one and an eight inches long,
full three dimensional carvings
(not one sided!)
may be viewed from both sides.

Light, comfortable and shiny!
To get your Sun Sword earrings,
please visit my Sun Sword Earring Page.