11 The Justice Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 9, 2009
Posted in: Jewelry design, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 5 Comments

Justice is a very old concept.
In his dialogue Republic, Plato describes Justice:

“… is the having and doing of what is one’s own. A just man is a man in the right place, doing his best and giving the precise equivalent of what he has received”.

In civic discourse, we look for a way to balance various infractions between people,
social organizations, corporations and so on.
Descriptions of details varies between cultures,
however seeking a balance is a constant.

In terms of the Tarot,
we look to the Ideal Manifestation of which the card represents.
Here, we look beyond Human Judgement and behold what is manifesting around us.
What we discover is the interconnectedness of
All Things.
If you make a disturbance for good or ill,
there will be a reaction of some kind.
The more powerful the change – the greater the response,
typically in kind.
Hopefully we learned these lessons from The Wheel of Fortune.
In Justice, we see The Law in action.

The Justice Amulet
Justice Amulet

Attributed to Libra: “We Balance”
and the Hebrew letter Lamed: the Ox-goad,
a whip used to keep the Ox on the road.
The Fool is the Ox;
hence the concept Justice keeps the Fool on his path.

In a larger sense,
Justice is the force that keeps thing in check
with or without our interaction.
Although we may choose to keep in balance,
the very act of that choice is a function of Justice.
The Wise know that whether we choose it or not,
a dynamic balance in our lives must be maintained
in order for us to function.

The Justice Amulet
hold qualities presented by the card;
however I have modified the image:
Like my design of the High Priestess,
she becomes the process:
Lady Justice is standing with her arms outstretched;
her arms are the scales that judge the balance of a given situation.
She stands on the globe of the world;
her hair streams out to encompass all things signifying her influence.
A sword is strapped to her back signifying:
“that which is unwanted or unnecessary must be cut away”
whether you want it to or not.

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.

To learn more about concepts,
it’s placement on the Tree of Life
or to purchase please visit Amulets by Merlin’s Justice Amulet page.

10 The Wheel of Fortune

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 7, 2009
Posted in: Jewelry design, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

The classic image is that of an eight-spoaked wheel turning amidst mythological creatures.
The Name of the Tarot is spelled at the “points of the compass”
with the Tetragrammaton or the “holy unspeakable name of God”.
This has roots in the ancient Hebrew concept:
deity unspoken refers to an unfathomable power,
silence shows respect.
The power of the Wheel has set in motion
all things within the Universe.

The Wheel of Fortune Amulet
Wheel of Fortune Amulet

In the four corners are animals representing four realms of the Elements;
each examining books representing the Law.
All things even the elements themselves are reliant on the Law:
gravity works, every action has a reaction and so on.
The elemental beings reading books illustrates:
not all is understood,
that which seem to defy the laws of nature may only be responding
to a set of patterns that have not yet been understood.

The image I chose to represent this is the cyclone,
at the four points are the classical symbols of the elements,
in the center is an eye.
Above it the Hebrew letter Caph or the “grasping hand”. Jupiter:
that which stabilizes.
The hand that grasps: stabilizes oneself.
The eye symbolizes the act of Centering:
an important part of martial arts.
In Aikido,
Centering is one of the first things taught:
one learns to move about an area and never loose position within the center of combat.
By Centering we bring our minds to focus on the center of the body,
and in turn recall the center of one’s spirit and purpose.
When we Center we find ourselves within
what was once perceived chaotic
and we can then recognize the elements of the cyclone.

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.

What is that Sound?

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 7, 2009
Posted in: Jewelry design. Tagged: , , , , . 3 Comments

I was asking myself that question as I entered my tent.
Years ago I attended the FreeSpirit Event in Maryland,
a festival in a beautiful setting of rolling hills
and forest located between DC and Baltimore.
I was wearing a cloak and entering my tent
when I hear a very high squeaking,
but it was both loud and piercing
in a way that alluded me as to where and what it was.

Sleeping Bat Amulet

Sleeping Bat Amulet

After a little bit of discovery
I found that a very tiny bat had fallen from the tree into my cloak
and was clutching the fabric will all of its might.
The little thing was barely an inch in length
and so young it couldn’t open its eyes.
Afraid that I might hurt the little creature,
I arranged my cloak so that it would settle down for the day
and it fell asleep there on my bed.

Through out the day folks came in to see the tiny little thing,
cooed over its cuteness and made soothing noises.
I never saw a bat sleep all stretched out like that!
I drew a few sketches of the baby bat over the course of the day,
between attending my booth
(where I sold jewelry to the guests of the event)
and teaching classes.

Later that evening the crying of the bat alerted us
it was time to find Mama.
It wasn’t hard.
After some minutes we heard a much louder
and more piercing sound:
Mama Bat.
I brought the cloak,
baby bat and all
to the tree and folded the cloth
so that she could retrieve her young one.
Apparently helping the baby find it’s mother was not enough
because she commenced to tell me
(in bat language, something I and not fluent)
what for!
Later
the next morning
I found the two of them hanging on the bark of the tree
in blissful slumber.

When I returned home
I looked over my sketches and decided to create
a Sleeping Bat Pendant of the little one’s mother:
hanging upside down as I saw her sleeping at the festival.
I carved the amulet from the sketches.
Folded up like she is sleeping on the tree trunk,
I added a loop behind the feet
so it would look like the critter is hanging in slumber.

A heavy three dimensional carving of a bat
with feet and folding wings
a bail placed behind the feet
so it would appear the critter
is clinging to the chain or cord.

Each time I look at the piece
I recall the day I babysat a bat in Maryland!

09 The Hermit

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 6, 2009
Posted in: Jewelry design, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 5 Comments

The Hermit card is both a part of our popular culture and mystical heritage.

A lot of Led Zeppelin fans would recognize the image from the Zofo album:
an old man with a staff holding a lantern high while looking over a cliff.
Attributed to Virgo:
the Earth sign of the Virgin: totally innocent and untouched by corruption;
yet grounded and potentially fertile.
It is also attributed to the letter “Yod”, the smallest component of the Hebrew alphabet. Within all the letters we see time and again this tiny “tongue of flame” comprises all the other letters. “Yod” represents the “Hand of God”.

The Hermit Amulet
Hermit Amulet

For you Star Wars fans,
“Yoda” is from whom Luke Skywalker learns the secrets of the “Force”.
George Lucas must have known his Tarot!
Like Yoda, the image of the Hermit walks his own path,
not a follower (or leader in the normal sense) but makes his own way in life,
discovering it on his own.
In the process of finding his way he lifts a lantern
which inadvertently gives us a direction as to where to go:
teaching by example yet completely unconscious of the fact.
Although alone,
the Hermit is never lonely:
He moves about his daily routine,
doing the “right thing” as his conscience moves him.

In creating the Hermit Amulet,
I developed an image of the hand holding the lantern with the Yod as the flame within.
In this way,
the letter itself is the guiding light we see:
the hand that holds the lantern is the Hermit;
the Flame is his intent and purpose.

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 intended to stabilize one’s journey in life
and remind us to hearken to our own inner voice
rather than to follow a leader, group of movement:
to walk the path of Virtue.

08 The Strength Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 5, 2009
Posted in: Jewelry design, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 5 Comments

In the classic image of the Strength Card,
we see a woman holding a lion’s mouth open,
remarkably she is not being eaten.
The Strength card is attributed to both
Leo (the Lion) and the Hebrew letter Teth (the Snake).

The Strength Amulet
the Strength Amulet

This path is similar to the Empress:
it unites the two opposing pillars of Mercy and Severity (see “the Tree of Life”),
however instead of the imagination it is through inner Strength.
This uniting force between opposites resides within the realm of the Will.

Strength represents
the patience of learning a situation to such a degree
you are able to see the issue from all perspectives.
The classical image of a woman opening the mouth of a lion
refers the process of teaching the beast to speak,
thus able to perceive the conflict from an opponent’s perspective.
The champion of the Strength card is the negotiator.

This is also the card of harnessing the energies within the body and mind itself.
The study of Kundalini, the Charkas, Aikido,
Ti Chi and Trance Dance (example: whirling dervish).
Each of these studies incorporates the harnessing of such energies
when focused become quite formidable.
This inner strength is sometimes called “harnessing of Chi”,
a practice where one may use the powers of passion
for purposes beyond the lusts of the flesh.

In making the Strength Amulet,
I combined the powerful Leo image and the body of Serpent Power,
uniting the images of power between the East and the West.
With the Hebrew letter of Teth on the forehead and touched with a touch of fire:
the Strength Amulet is to be focused on one’s True Will
(the driving force of one’s life)
and the strength to maintain focus and control.

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.

07 The Chariot Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 3, 2009
Posted in: Jewelry design, Multi Faith, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

The Chariot is a classic image.
A man resides in a chariot at a stand still,
harnessed by two Sphinxes,
the mythological creature that demands of you the important questions in life:
Who are you?
Why are you here?
What is your purpose?
Although the vehicle is designed to move,
it appears to be stationary.
This is implying that the vehicle (the body)
contains the spirit and moves
from one plane of existence to another while in meditation.
The Chariot is associated with the Hebrew letter Cheth:
the letter meaning “Enclosure” much like the Crab of Cancer.
It is hard on the outside and soft and sensitive on the inside.
Within the shells of ego,
we carry images of ourselves for protection and self identity.
Like an old cart our perceptions are fragile,
one small stone in the road will make the vehicle fly apart.

The Chariot Amulet
Chariot Amulet

This card is also about the space within the circle:
Sacred Space;
like our bodies the walls defining the Sanctuary of a church or circle in a grove.
Sacred space is a place of purpose or the commitment of an oath taken.
If a breach of this sacred space is corrupted,
then it must be cleansed,
cleared or torn down and started anew.
Trust is a sacred Space,
one that must be honored by those who are a party to it.
It can ruin a friendship,
tear apart a marriage
or start a war.
Sacred Space provides a place of Health,
Virtue and other nurturing qualities.

When creating the Chariot Amulet,
I focused on the circle as the primary shape;
replaced the Sphinxes with Unicorns,
emphasizing the importance of Truth.
In Western Lore,
the only person that can see the Unicorn
is an Innocent: a Virgin.
The Idea is simple,
only those who are Pure of Heart can know Truth.
I placed the Charioteer as the central figure and his background is of stars:
when beholding the Truth,
we may encompass All Things.
The I-Ching refers to this state as “Witnessing the Tao”.

The Chariot Amulet 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.

06 The Lovers Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 30, 2009
Posted in: Jewelry design, Multi Faith, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 10 Comments

The Lovers card has evolved over time;
the images have altered from a man looking to two women,
trying to decide which to choose,
to two brothers,
to an image of the Garden of Eden;
each attempt to describe an aspect of the card’s meaning.
The Lovers is attributed to Gemini,
the Air Sign of Duality;
Mercury,
the planet of pure communication and the Hebrew letter Zain
described as “the Sword”:
it can both unite and divide a country.

The Lovers Amulet
Lovers Amulet

Following the Hierophant
(The Higher Self or Inner Authority)
The Lovers describes the process where we unite the “parts of the Self”.
The Lovers have been called “the Marriage of the Sun and Moon”
(ha-regesh);
in Jungian Terms the Consciousness and Sub-consciousness
Unite and yet still hold their essence,
that which makes them separate remains.
This is a dynamic balance maintained by the “Higher Self”
or “Super-consciousness”.

In creating the Lovers Amulet,
I have united the classic images with a pair of wings,
signifying they are “one thing”.
The man and woman are touching hands and feet:
joined together in their efforts and path.
The bodies are turned away from each other:
moving apart.
The Swords are crossed over head:
conflict.
Their hair is braided together:
The Lovers cannot be separated.
Over their heads is a radiating disk representing one’s Higher Self.
I made two versions of this amulet;
The Larger Lovers Amulet is heavier and more detailed.
The Smaller Lovers Amulet still holds the design, but is smaller for those that wish a lighter amulet to wear.

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

05 The Hierophant Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 29, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, MetaPlace, Multi Faith, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 5 Comments

Anyone who has set up a tent
and suffered the weather has seen the importance of a good tent stake.
If the stake is not solid,
deep and well anchored,
the entire tent will collapse.
The Hebrew letter associated with the Hierophant is Vav: the tent stake,
a well-grounded (when set) object that will hold up an entire community.

The Hierophant Amulet
The Hierophant Amulet

In Classic image of the Tarot we see the “Hierophant”
(comes from the Greek: “hiera, “the holy,” and phainein, “to show”);
offering a blessing to be in turn directed to others.
Its effect continues through the members of a given community
thus weaving the fabric of love and strength through out society.

In my own representation of the Hierophant
I focused on the hand of blessing,
the fingers in the circle of spirit,
the arm trailing in roots below into matter.
The embodiment of these symbols are religion itself:
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 the blessing itself;
the art of bestowing the divine to each other
is what gives religion its lifeblood.

In MetaPlace,
I have created a setting illustrates the energy flow
of The Hierophant:
blessings to Earth,
Service to the Divine.

The 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.

04 The Emperor Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 27, 2009
Posted in: Jewelry design, MetaPlace, Multi Faith, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 10 Comments

The Emperor is a culmination of all of the previous Tarot Keys.
Combining Inspiration (the Fool),
Focus of Will (the Magi),
Knowing the Past (The High Priestess)
and Imagining Possibilities (The Empress),
the Emperor moves forward to make things happen.
Attributed to Aries,
the first of the Sun Signs and the “Maker of the Way”,
the Emperor harnesses his primary Tool:
Vision to survey the world around him and act accordingly.

The Emperor Amulet
Emperor Amulet

In the classic image of the Tarot Card,
we see him seated on a cube
(a symbol of the material world)
with his crossed legs forming another symbol of matter,
his face in profile
(you cannot know everything about him)
holding the sphere and cross in one hand
(the symbol of spiritual dominion).

In making the Emperor Amulet,
I have created a composite of symbols that represent these aspects:
The Octopus, both an alien intelligence and of this world.
Highly intelligent and perceptive yet we cannot fully understand the Octopus’ perspective,
though it can perceive us as much as it needs to.
Its Eye pierces the environment and its tentacles are fully able to manipulate its domain.
It is before a pyramid:
architecture that is both solid,
can withstand the test of time and is precise in its creation.
Above it is the letter Heh: the Window of perception;
tongues of flame (first fire).

In MetaPalce
I have set this piece upon a cube
(emphasizing the material world)
and paced it in a lava bed (primal fire).

The Emperor represents both the perception of the world
and the manipulation of it through precise control.
Those that choose the Emperor
would harness its emphasis on being in a position of Power
and saddled with its responsibilities.
More than an amulet of influence,
it is one of perception so that one would know the right response to in a give situation.
Hence the Emperor is attributed to 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.

03 The Empress Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 26, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, MetaPlace, Multi Faith, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 7 Comments

The Empress combines the Focus of the Magician and the Memory of the High Priestess.
Placing the Ideal Goal into an environment where it may grow and develop into an actuality.
The Hebrew letter attributed Her is Daleth: “the Door”.
Venus is Her symbol: the direct merging of Spirit (the circle)
and Matter (the Cross):
Love.

The Empress Amulet
The Empress Amulet

Classically we see the Empress seated in a field of wheat,
she herself is pregnant.
The Empress is often referred to as “Mother Earth”
or “Gaia”;
the concepts that form around Her do not manifest
without touching the physical plane:
grounding (planting) them and nurturing them into fruition.
These images all focus on the necessary steps to making things happen:
focusing on one’s goals,
recalling the information needed to make things happen
and the necessary vision and commitment to move forward.
The Empress’ Door can swing both ways,
we are reminded that what we say and what we do matters;
it influences our lives and creations.

The Empress Amulet presents these things:
two hands lovingly hold a crystal ball;
within the ball is the image of Dalth:
the doorway of manifestation.
One must imagine and care for a thing before making it happen.
Below is a bundle of ripened wheat, symbolizing the fruition of the imagined goal.
In MetaPlace
I have created an animated scene of a the Empress Amulet
set in a garden with wheat and other fruit of the land,
symbolizing the effort and care needed to produce anything worth doing.

When choosing to manifest an idea,
the Empress Amulet reminds us:
it takes visualization,
perseverance
and dedication to step over the threshold
from wanting something
and the love and commitment of making it happen.
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.