Kallisti Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 7, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Greek Mythology Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

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

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 that 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.

Maiden Mother Crone Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 6, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid Jewelry, Multi Faith, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 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 then 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.

The Dragon Ankh Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 3, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Dragon Jewelry, Jewelry design. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

The Dragon Ankh Amulet is 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 had 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 piece that was more versatile.

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 ¾” 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 Statue

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 31, 2009
Posted in: Sculpture. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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

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 tricks, discoveries; even the gift of fire. However the over all result to most of the Coyote lore is that 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 balancing on 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.

Warrior Healer Crone Statue

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 23, 2009
Posted in: Celtic Lore, Sculpture. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 4 Comments

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.
Warrior Healer Crone statue
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.

close up

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

The Shrivatsa Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 21, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

My fascination with Knot work in spiritual context has brought me to reflect on other cultures. A close friend of mine had studied Reiki which brought me to the Shrivatsa. Although a Japanese study of healing, they have adopted the use of 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. It is conjectured that 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

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.

Gye Nyame Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 19, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, Multi Faith. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 7 Comments

Some years ago a fellow requested that I create an amulet of his ancestral home land in Ghana. He then presented me with a rather large wood carving of the symbol. Although he had a hard time with the pronunciation, the basic concept was even more obscured. The translation he gave me was a mix of Christian doctrine and the quote from the fellow from which he purchased the Teak carving.

Because of the kind of work I do, I wanted to be sure that I understood the piece before I stared. Unfortunately the resource material I relied on was spotty, however after some digging, the symbol‘s information flowered.

Gye Nyame is a symbol meaning “I am afraid of none but God,” or: “Nyame biribi wo sor” suggests that good things come from above.

Gye Nyame Amulet

This unique and beautiful symbol is omnipresent in Ghana. It is the most popular in decoration: a reflection on the deeply religious character of the Ghanaian people. Symbol of the Omnipotence and the Omnipresence Of 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.

The symbol reflects the Akan belief of a Supreme Being, the Creator. This symbol is considered the oldest “Monotheistic” symbol in existence demonstrating the Africans to have a firm belief in a Supreme and Almighty God. Those who follow the Akan Akom Tradition are indigenous to Ghana of West Africa, the Ivory Coast, Togo, the Congo, the Caribbean and the United States. Akans believe that God is the Supreme Being in whom all things begin, end, and upon whom all things are dependent. God is everywhere but beyond the reach of humans. We know Him by many appellations such as Otweidiampon, Okokroko, Onyame, Awurade, Odomankoma-the One who can give us grace, Nyankopon, Asasse Yaa-Mother earth, pure, unpolluted, motherly, protective, fruitful—He is the Great one, the faithful One, Eternal, Infinite, transcending everything.

Traditional Ghanaians do not worship God directly. They believe that there exists a world a world of spirits. It is believed that Spirits are everywhere. Nyame is the Father and Creator of those spirits. They are ministers of the Supreme Being: the lesser gods; they have no power unto themselves but work independently, doing the good work of healing and protecting the people who worship them. They are called Abosom(plural) or Obosom (singular), sometimes referred to as the Deities. These spirits are embodied in the elements and manifestations of Nature. Through the Abosom, one receives blessings, prosperity, protection, guidance and direction and more.

I set about to create this piece for my friend, included a pair of earrings developing an entire set. While the earrings are carved “flat”, the main pendant holds the curves to accentuate the flow of the design, thus I developed the Gye Nyame Amulet.

In my site I now offer the set or the individual pieces: a large and smaller version and a pair of earrings. Wearing these amulets connects one to a tradition that is well over 5000 years old from the continent of humanities’ cradle.

DNA Ring

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 18, 2009
Posted in: Jewelry design. Tagged: , , , . 2 Comments

A good friend wanted a ring for her boyfriend.
She wanted something meaningful,
a design that would have her “all over it”.
After talking to her about the various things that she likes and is attracted to,
she mentioned that through the years she found
the shape of the double helix comforting
and it has a surprising association with her name.

DNA Ring

Custom
DNA Ring

She decided on the creation of a Men’s Ring that had the shape of DNA.

I looked over the internet to see what other designers had tried to accomplish
with the shape so as not to duplicate other works then created a series of sketches for her approval.
We discussed the possibility of creating the strand to encircle the finger;
however because of the detail requested,
one would find the varying textures uncomfortable over time.
We thought about opening the “ladder” to give it a more airy look to it,
however because of his love of gardening and the likely hood
of his keeping it on once he receives it,
she decided for something more durable

The result is the one-of-a-kind DNA Ring you see here.
This carving was done completely by hand
to produce a full three-dimensional shape
on the top with a smooth “comfort fit” on the inside of the ring.
The back of the ring or “shank” was designed as a “basic”
to provide comfort and wear-ability for someone who uses his hands a great deal.

They both love the design
and there is nothing quite like it anywhere else: truly a one of a kind piece.

Should you wish for a custom piece for someone you love,
Please visit my How to order custom Page

Drum Circle Jewelry

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 14, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Drum Circles. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

It all started with the Drum Circle. Years ago I had attend a few Renaissance Fairs and I saw the employees break into a Drum Circle as the guests were leaving. I wanted to join in! Once I got into the business of traveling about to the Fairs, I was able to attend a few and was enchanted. Then, in the 1990s, I began to sell my work at a variety of Events and attended drum circles after dark. After watching for several months, a drum was thrust into my hands and I was hooked! All my music background gave me a launch pad into the fray of rhythm and dance. The opportunity to drum with others was liberating, I found myself being a part of music like I have never experienced before.

Drum Circle Amulets

I met Freedom: a Drummer that taught me this kind of music, then Bezel, Night Hawk and Tawny, Kelly and Miguel. I found it hard to concentrate on my jewelry creations between drum circles; always leaning towards the down beat of every manifestation of sound.

    Flowing Lady Amulet

Some years later, in the mid 90s Freedom inspired me to create the “Drummer” a small amulet that is actually a tiny sculpture of a little fellow drumming on a Djembe. From there I created a host of dancers; I created an entire set of these little people, designed to hang on a chain or cord around your neck or bracelet or attach to a drum. And then finely a couple of years ago a young lady requested that I make a “Drummer girl” and so I did. The dancers were inspired by people I have seen around the fire over the years: The flowing Lady, Man Astride, Amy, and so on.

These Amulets of the Drum Circle may be used as charms for your drum; components to your charm bracelet hang on a jacket or as a pendant around your neck. They are meant for those that love the drum, rhythm and music in general. They are meant to evoke exuberant cooperation, spontaneous creativity and Joy.

The Tarot as Amulets

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 11, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

The High Priestess Amulet

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..

The First Set

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.

The Third Set

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!