The Leaf Chain

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 2, 2009
Posted in: Jewelry design, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

Some years ago I wanted to enhance some of the amulets and pendants I created with a chain that would carry the motif. When I designed the Green Man it came upon me: what was needed was a chain of leaves.

leaf chain

Popping open a botanical book I then stared carving small leaves that could be then be attached together to make a chain: maple, oak, apple, larch and several others: eleven in all (so far!). I now offer the leaf chain as both an enhancement to other pieces and also bracelets, necklaces, hand flowers and waist chains (like belts for dancers). Each chain is unique in that the order of the leaves vary according to the time of their creation. Most do not “repeat” a pattern; they are composed in a completely random fashion. Some of the leaf chains are “custom”:they are created in the order of the client’s desire. Every link is held together by a silver jump ring that is in turn soldered to make the chain solid. I have in the past created “eternal” chains with no clasp but designed to simply put over the head; but typically they are accompanied with a lobster clasp for spring loaded security.

The Leaf Chain is an original design by Amulets by Merlin; each chain is made one at a time by the artist.

The Amulet of Pan

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 1, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Greek Mythology Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Pan is the son of Zeus, (or Hermes or Dionysus); his mother a nymph (or sometimes Dryope?). In fact, his parentage is so unclear that some historians consider him Pre-Olympian. Because of his effect on people his qualities appear to be more a nature spirit (or elemental). As an entity, he inspires panic, sexual arousal or in the higher form: musical ecstasy.

The Amulet of Pan

Syrinx was a exquisite water-nymph of Arcadia, daughter of Landon, the river-god. As she was returning from the hunt one day, Pan met her. In fear of his amorous interest the fair nymph ran away. He pursued her until she caught up with her sisters who immediately changed her into a reed. In his search for her he noticed the air blowing through the reeds produced a melancholic melody. The god, still infatuated, took a handful because he did not know which reed she became, and cut seven pieces and formed a musical instrument. He has carried her with him ever since.

Contrary to Plutarch, Pan is not dead. In Jitterbug Perfume: Tom Robbins describes the continued life of Pan and his exploits as he sailed to the New World and lived in America…. but that is another story.

In creating an Amulet of Pan, I chose his musical aspect. The Pan amulet is not a simply relief; it is a 3D sculpture from his waist up, framed in grape leaves playing his pan pipe.

An amulet to inspire a Panorama: good music, good wine and a celebration of life itself.

The Epona Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 28, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Jewelry design, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

Epona or the Gualish “the Great Mare” is the protector of horses, donkeys, and mules. A Roman goddess of fertility, Eponia and her horses were leaders of the soul in the after-life ride much like Rhiannon of the Mabanogian. Unusually considered a Celtic deity, most of whom were associated with specific localities, the worship of Epona was widespread in the Roman Empire of the early centuries.

The Epona Amulet

Among many songs and stories both classics and modern fiction, Epona was celebrated in Llewellyn’s novel: The Horse Goddess. A Celtic woman who possesses a curious talent. When her community attempts to force her to be a druid, she runs away. Her adventures become folklore and in time she is herald as a Goddess.

Through out my life I was drawn to the image of a Goddess of Horses and decided to create an amulet expressing my love for all Horse-Women and the Goddesses they are. The Epona Amulet holds a portrait of a Mare and the towering Goddess, each looking in different directions denoting their ability to see farther than most, understand better than many. A bas relief sculpture of the Goddess of Horses is presented with mane and hair of each braided together illustrating the blending of Her manifestation. Blessings to all who see and know the grace of Epona.

Cernunnos Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 25, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, Pagan Jewelry, Sculpture, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

This is a god of the Old Cletic lines through out 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.

    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 and 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 Beltaine and Samhain. During these High Holies, the 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!
on a coin

The God and Goddess Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 23, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

Custom is my specialty.
In most cases I am approached by a client who has a specific vision in mind:
a design that they have worked up or seen in a dream.
A sketch is created and either emailed to me
or perhaps sent in the regular mail.
Not so with this particular piece.
A fellow approached me at a festival
and handed me a very rough stone
and told me he wanted the design to have four basic elements:
a tree, a star and the image of a God and Goddess.
The stone had special meaning to him
He carried it for years
and wanted to be able to wear it on special occasions.

“Just make the piece and I am sure that I will like it” he told me. The amulet you see here is the creation he requested. The God and Goddess Amulet is a one of a kind piece in sterling silver with rough quartz at its heart.

The God and Goddess Amulet

The Custom
God and Goddess Amulet

The design holds the intent of a balance of God and Goddess
influences born from nature
and blessed with the symbol of the star:
all elements in health and harmony.
He was very pleased.

If you are interested in learning more about having something made especially for you.
Please visit my How to order Custom Page.

The Cross of Joy

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 22, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Christian Jewelry, Jewelry design. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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

The 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-weavings 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 you are 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 the 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.

Elvin Moon Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 17, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

In unfeasible image: a tree rooted in a crescent moon, the branches hold tiny stars – a cosmos within itself.

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

The Old stories remind us of the truth hidden in fiction; children’s stories that hold the lessons of life that 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.

The Tarot Casters: Reading techniques

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 15, 2009
Posted in: Multi Faith, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

We often see someone request a Tarot reading with a question about money or love, and usually they want to know what will happen in the future.

The Tarot Casters

If you want to get a snapshot of your psychic health or an over view of what kind of options you have in a difficult situation: the Tarot is a powerful tool and you may get more than you bargained for.

The process for reading a standard 2D Tarot deck is deceptively simple: first one shuffles a deck of the 78 Tarot cards and selects a few and place them in a pattern on a flat surface. The pattern has several pre-assigned positions, each a designated concept: “this is your present” – “this is your past” – “these are the powers that you have control over”, and so on. The reader examines the combination of position and meaning of each card and akin to an algebraic equation estimates an interpretation. This formula is a launching pad for one’s intuition, a starting point: one meditates on a combination of concepts and “reads the Querent” for resonance.

This works for a combination of reasons. First, the Tarot is a pictorial representation of 78 aspects of one’s being. Each of the Major Arcana (the first 22) represents of life’s architectural bardos: lore developed from centuries of experience from a variety of cultures. The remaining cards (the Minor Arcana) represent situations that every one experiences and the lessons associated with them.

Because we are addressing imagery rather than text, the interpretation of these images may be broad. The reader uses knowledge and experience to open channels of intuition. The Tarot offers door ways to one’s self with a planet full of lore to back it up.

One of the reasons I created the Tarot Amulets was to apply the concepts of the Tarot as talismanic in use, the other reason was to develop the Tarot Casters.

Typically a two dimensional deck (cards) is limited to how a card would be placed in a reading: up or down, perhaps across. Tossing a deck to get a random throw can be messy and consumes a lot of space and is only used as a parlor trick – for the most part.

The term “Tarot Casters ” was inspired by the Star Card: the Hebrew letter associated with it is Tzaddi: the “Fish Hook”. Meditation (according to the Tarot perspective) is like a fish hook dropped into the waters of the unconscious to see what may be found. In the creation of these pieces I discovered the process was more like casting a net to discover what lies under the surface of mundane thought.

I did not translate then entire deck: only the 22 pieces of the Major Arcana: the core concepts of the Tarot or The Fool’s Journey.

The Casters produce a random pattern when dropped. The pattern is first considered by the querent as a rorschach blot, open for interpretation. Should the querent describe the scattered pieces as a bird, then the components of the reading (the casters themselves) are perceived like the anatomy of a body. For example: the head of the bird is the High Priestess which in turn points towards the body; therefore the mind of the querent is at its best position to receive information from dreams and other subconscious input; memories and other feminine powers. This flow will color every piece down the “neck” and into the body. As before this provides the reader a springboard for meditation; as you can see once the pieces are no longer in predetermined positions, it forces the reader to step directly into an intuitive state of mind.

It has been described as “Reading without a net” by some readers; others found it “liberating”, no longer constricted by simple pre-described patterns; they have discovered the system actually strengthens their precognizance, heightening their ability to flex intuitive muscles and able to see more of their “inner workings” through random patterns. A client who purchased the set found after some months of reading that he was able to see the random patterns in clouds and the movement of trees, triggering leaps of intuition. He credited the experiences to his use of the Tarot Casters.

The Tarot Caster System is a step forward in bringing the human touch back into the Mysteries. I invite you to discover a step forward into the use of Oracles by experiencing the Tarot Casters through a reading or by acquiring your own set. I still make each set one at a time as they are ordered; accompanied by a hand made bag used as a reading cloth. Since I developed them in 1992 after 13 years of study and meditation.

If you wish to have your own Tarot Caster set, you may place your order by going here.

The Pentacle of Brotherhood

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 10, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , . 1 Comment

Community is derived from the Old French communité resulting from the Latin communitas, a term for fellowship or structured society. The word is often used in reference to a group that is organized around common values and social cohesion within a shared physical locality; however in modern time it may refer to groups of people that are spread out over large area that exchange ideas through the internet, phone lines and other forms of communication.

The Pentacle of Brotherhood

The Pentacle is a symbol representing (among other things) the ideal human being in perfect balance with him/herself: the elements represented by the lower four points with the top point symbolizing Spirit keeping mater in balance.

The Pentacle of Brotherhood is a symbol that represents Community in its ideal form: open communication between its members, addressing the toughest issues with a clear mind and an open heart. Each of the portions of the Pentacle is comprised of clasping hands in friendship, reserving nothing that would inhibit health and well being. Maintaining such a balance between Perfect Love and Perfect Trust is the most difficult of efforts. It requires the members of the community to be honest with each other, true their own nature and respecting another position without compromising one’s own ethic. Perfect Love means being able to embrace each other for what they are without objectifying each other; Perfect Trust is earned over time, not simply given. A community that uses these ideals as their cornerstones would stand the test of time, transcending hardship, pain and suffering of life’s turmoil and demands on one’s mortality, to be able to put aside petty squabbles and differences.

I designed this amulet as a dedication to these ideals in hope that we can rise above the flesh that separates us and embrace each other for the Radiant Beings that we are.

The Venus Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 8, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Greek Mythology Jewelry, Jewelry design, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

I present to you the Amulet of Love: the Venus Amulet. This piece is dedicated to aspects of love and affection, drawing and offering love in its many forms.
The Venus Amulet
Venus was commonly associated with the Greek goddess Aphrodite and the Etruscan deity Turan, making use of aspects from each. As with most other gods and goddesses in Roman mythology, the literary concept of Venus was borrowed from literary Greek mythology of her counterpart: Aphrodite. The early Latin goddess of gardens became associated with the Greek Goddess Aphrodite. In some Latin mythology Eros was the son of Venus and Mars, the god of war.

Venus was revered in her many aspects: Venus Acidalia was derived from the well Acidalius near Orchomenus, in which Venus used to bathe with the Graces; others con¬nect the name with the Greek acides or cares or troubles. Venus Cloacina: “Venus the Purifier”; Venus Erycina: embodied “impure” love, and was the patron goddess of ill repute. Venus Felix: “Lucky Venus”, Venus Libertina: “Venus the Freedwoman”, Venus Murcia: “Venus of the Myrtle”, Venus Obsequens: “Graceful Venus”, Venus Urania: “Heavenly Venus”; Venus Victrix: “Venus the Victorious”, Soubriquet for Venus included Venus Amica: “Venus the Friend”, Venus Armata: “Armed Venus”, Venus Caelestis: “Celestial Venus”, Venus Aurea: “Golden Venus”, Venus Genetrix: “Mother Venus” was Venus in her role as the ancestress of the Roman people, a goddess of motherhood and domesticity. A festival is held in her honor on September 26.

The classic symbol if Venus: the circle of spirit over the cross of matter illustrating the direct connection between these aspects. It the image of the Goddess of Love standing sky-clad before you, arms outstretched invitation to share and enjoy all that love has to offer.