Amulet

All posts tagged Amulet

Merlin’s Tarot ~ 5th Key The Large Hierophant Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 20, 2019
Posted in: Amulets, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

The Large Hierophant Amulet
Taurus
The Tent Stake
“Vav”

After reviewing the collection of Tarot Amulets I have created, I started developing larger versions of the designs for those who wish to have a heavier more detailed piece. While possessing a rather strange name, this particular amulet has always been a favorite of many who find themselves teaching through example and discover themselves an authority through life experience as well as study and reflection. Because of the larger size, have the opportunity to add detail with fingernails and the lines on the palm. In this rendering of the design, I included the “magic “M” found intersection with the “life line”. Because of it’s mass it “gives weight” to the meaning of the piece.

When setting up a tent One knows the importance of a good tent stake. If the stake is not solid, deep and well anchored, the tent will collapse. The Hebrew letter associated with the Hierophant is Vav<: “the tent stake”, a well-grounded object (when set) will hold up an entire community. The concept is associated with the very grounding sign of Taurus.

The “Hierophant” comes from the Greek: “hiera, “the holy,” and phainein, “to show”
offers a blessing to be in turn redirected to others. Its effect continues through the members of a given community thus weaving the fabric of love and strength through out society.

The amulet focuses on the hand of blessing, the fingers in the circle of spirit, the arm trailing in roots below into matter. These symbols are the embodiment of religion:
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 that of blessing;
the art of bestowing the divine to each other is what gives religion its lifeblood.

Blessings to Earth,
Service to the Divine.

The Large 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.

The Large Hierophant Amulet may be used as a Talisman
or it may be used as a part of a Three dimensional Tarot Deck
The Tarot Casters
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

More Tarot Amulets may be seen on my Wearable Tarot Page

 

Twin Dragons Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 25, 2016
Posted in: Amulets, Dragon Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

Two serpentine dragons in one amulet, facing each other and holding a stone between them; the settings are in the shape of dragon’s teeth. Their wings frame the piece touching on top and below. Their claws weave their magic between them.

Twin Dragons Amulet
Twin Dragons Amulet

This Amulet of Dragons is about a balance of energy suspended in mid air. Fierce dragons are known to fight each other, however these twin dragons hold their own space to provide a balance for each other: recognizing their differences, they support each other in flight, speaking to each other they credit each others perspective. They are the balance of opposites, yet seem exactly alike: their scales, position and movement are dissimilar and because of those differences, support each other. This amulet is a reminder of how opposites attract, how different views expand perspective and how diversity strengthens us all.

The Twin Dragons Amulet is one and a half inch tall amulet is designed for a stone set between each other and comes with an 18” chain permanently attached at the wings.

Triquetra Earrings from amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 23, 2016
Posted in: Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Knot Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Earrings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

I wrote earlier about the Triquetra Amulet: simply meaning “triangle” and has been used to referred to a variety of three-cornered shapes but has been evolved into a symbol of depth. To accompany the Amulet, I have created a set of earrings of the same design: the Triquetra Earrings.

The Triquetra Amulet
Triquetra Earrings

Added to the Triquetra is a woven circle: The Unity of the Trinity, the Circle of Love unifies all. The Triquetra Earrings are for those who cherish the Trinity in any of its forms: The love of family, their religion, the earth itself, or simply find the shape of the triangle pleasing to their eye.

More Ear Jewelry from Amulets by Merlin

Sunflower Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on December 11, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, nature Jewelry, Pentacles, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

Shortly after I founded Amulets by Merlin in the 1980s, I was commissioned with a project: to develop a piece combining the two basic images used in the Sun and Star cards of Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot Deck. In the Sun card the main focus is the Sunflower: a common symbol harnessed in many other Tarot Decks, but this one was special: twelve segments, each divided into two aspects. This represents the houses of the Zodiac divided into their active and passive principals. In Crowley’s deck he also used the seven pointed star to symbolize the the Star Card: associated with Tazaddi (a Hebrew letter) often considered in Qabalah as “the fish Hook”, meaning the process of meditation is akin to lowering a “mental fish hook” plunged into the depths of the Great Unconsciousness (Akesha).

The Sunflower Amulet
Sunflower Amulet

Combining the aspects of these two ideas produces the simultaneous process of seeing all of creation in all of it’s glory and yet being “passive” enough to understand it’s subtleties.

The dear Lady suggested I place this in my line of jewelry so the virtues of the piece may spread to others. This I have done and so I present to you one of my first commissions and amulets in my line:
The Sunflower Amulet

Te learn more please visit the web page featuring the Sunflower Amulet

Other Amulets may be seen at the
Amulets Page
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

Custom Seals of Solomon Bracelet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 23, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Custom Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , . 1 Comment

The Seals of Solomon are both famous in legend and myth,
yet extremely obscured concerning their meaning.
Typically we hear about them in the Arabian nights legend:
a seal of Solomon kept the Jinn inside.

The Seals of Solomon Bracelet

The Seals of Solomon Bracelet

Historically we discover the source of the Seals:
Solomon, the son of King David who established the city of Jerusalem
and Father of a great deal of esoteric writings and traditions.
Solomon is said to have been given both wisdom and knowledge
and ability to distinguish morally
between good and evil thorough a deeper understanding of the universe.
One of his legacies is what is known as The Greater Key of Solomon:
a series of images containing geometric patters
combined with Hebrew and other images.
Each seal is dedicated to a specific quality and described by the Planets
(Mars, Venus and so on) focusing those virtues.

Classically
each seal is to be made at a specific day and time through out the week
and made to enhance or “seed” those qualities desired.
Virtue, Honor protection, Seeking Hidden Talent and other qualities
are imbued by the various seals.
Every planet holds various qualities
and several seals are attributed to each planet.
The person who works with a seal has the opportunity
to focus the virtue they are concerned with by creating
(or commissioning) the seal they are interested in.

A bracelet of the Seven of the Solomon Seals
mounted on leather.
Each seal was made separately with a concho screw in the back.
The leather bracelet was punched to allow each seal to be mounted.
Because of the need to have the bracelet to “lay flat” against the wrist,
I carved the seals (in order) to curved and fit snugly around the wrist.

This was created to the specific qualifications of the person who ordered it,
all one of a kind work with no mold taken.
It currently is being worn by the Gentleman who commissioned it.

If you would like to have a custom piece made for you,
please visit my How to order custom page.

Medicine Woman Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 9, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, nature Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

From the deepest memories of Human History the role of Women have been the healers of the Tribe. Passed down through the generations, Herb Lore of what can cure and relieve suffering has been handed down from Mother to Daughter through thousands of years.

The Medicine Woman Amulet

Through that understanding, the Medicine Woman was also a Seer, one who understands the mysteries of the mind, perceiving the difference between physical and spiritual suffering and growth.

It has only been in recent human history that the chain has been broken: accusing these holders of such knowledge as “quacks” or worse burned as “witches”, the keepers of the ancient medicine have been insulted and persecuted.

Over the past few decades, herb lore has had a resurgence: a re-awakening to usefulness as Modern Medicine has been set beyond the grasp of the common person (at least in the United States) due to cost and the various hurdles between those who suffer the the keepers of pharmaceuticals. The Herb Lore encompasses both the various teas and such and an understanding of diet as we move forward, reaching out to other cultures for a better understanding of health and vitality.

In the creation of the Medicine Woman Amulet I recalled a scene in the book “Clan of the Cave Bear” where Alia gazes into a medicine bowl, a precious possession of the Medicine Woman; and gazes into its contents, seeing a vision of “what is”. For the Amulet, I combined the image of the woman and the bowl with a dituria plant, considered sacred in the ancient Clan; entwining her hair and body. As a True Healer, the Medicine Woman is a part of Lore, Vision and Tribe; focusing her Will for the betterment of all.

Other Amulets may be seen at the
Amulets Page
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

Oak Pentacle Amulet with Stone from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 4, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Jewelry design, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

The Oak Tree in Celtic lore
represents the door way between to another place,
a grove is a potential sanctuary between the worlds.
Pentacles represent powers brought into balance
and guided by the spirit.

In the design of the Oak Pentacle
I used a simple,
direct representation of oak leaf and branch
without a lot of other symbols.
In this way I have kept the piece open and free of restraint.
The personalization of the amulet
comes with the selection of stone:
set into a cluster of leaves.
Selecting the kind of stone
(color and type)
lends one the ability to “claim” the design
while maintaining the intent of the piece.

Oak Pentacle with Stone Amulet

Oak Pentacle with Stone Amulet

Like some of my other other pieces,
I made the setting as a part of the design,
not a typical die struck setting of prongs and bezel:
leaves fold around the stone both securing it to the amulet
and protecting the stone from possible damage of a direct hit.
I developed these while designing on opal settings,
then expanded these protective enclosures to other designs.

Combining the focus
protection of the stone
and the Strength of the Gateway,
the Oak Pentacle provides you with a tool
of exploration of one’s self and the world.
This amulet is for these unafraid of the journey
of one’s life and the Truth that awaits.

To view the Oak Pentacle Amulet with Stone, please visit my website.

Balanced Star Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 27, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, Multi Faith, Pentacles. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Merlin's Balanced Star Amulet

Merlin’s Balanced Star Amulet

Two woven stars interlocked: the six point star:
a composite symbol of the elements:
triangles with point up and down illustrating the alchemic glyphs of Fire Water Air and Earth;
and the five point star of the Adam Kadmon:
the first Man (hermaphrodite)
or “Father Time”;
Humanity in its primal,
perhaps perfected state of existence.

Together these two images represent the balance of forces:
Male (active) and Female (passive).
This is not to say that “all men are active and all women are passive”,
not at all.
In the material world,
we all contain these kinds of energies,
qualities and potential.
The terms are considered “classic” in the sense
of how our cultures have perceived the world
and provided descriptions of what has been observed.

Within the glyph,
I have provided the blending of the two in hope
to develop a “more realistic” manifestation of what is actually there.

In another sense
it is the material world
(six point star with all of its elements)
and the five point star
(what we decide to do with it,
the ability of proactive choice
(the five point star).
The amulet may be a reminder of how we affect the world,
the power of intent,
the purpose of our actions and their result.
A reminder that our “purpose” in the world
is what we decide it is rather than what is dictated by outside forces.

The symbol is intended to transcend the preconceived illusions
of separate religious,
sociological
and philosophical differences
and blend awareness of things into a single symbol.
The symbols are woven together:
just as the earth is a weaving together of awareness,
perspective and ability.

The Balanced Star Amulet
is intended to anyone to wear,
everyone who wishes to embrace divergence of ideas
and capability and bring balance to a troubled world.

Other Amulets may be seen at the
Amulets Page
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

Drummer Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 24, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Drum Circles, Drum Jewelry, Sculpture. Tagged: , , , , , , . 1 Comment

I know you have seen this guy at the drum circle, I have!
He is the guy that walks into the circle,
straps on his drum and changes the sound from a basic pulse
to music that sends the dancers flying.
Other drummers crowd around him as he plays that Jimbay like it as a full orchestra.
Dancers prance before him as if filling themselves with his rhythm
– yet he seems unconscious of the fact he is drawing so much attention,
caught in a wave of music himself.
I saw him too…

Drummer Amulet

Drummer Amulet

In my attempt to capture the moment in a tiny piece of jewelry
I created this three dimensional sculpture of the Drummer Amulet
is only one and a half inches tall.
I tucked a lock of hair behind his head to create a bail
so you can wear him or hang him on your drum.
His hands are in the midst of playing a roll as his palms
stroke the goatskin drum head,
invoking the sound of the drum circle.

This amulet is the first of many tiny drum circle drummers,
dancers and guardians,
each of the same scale,
all three dimensional sculptures,
all may be worn as amulets or charms on a drum
marking a particularly good drum circle or as a dedication to music itself.

Other Amulets may be seen at the
Amulets Page
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

Phoenix Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 18, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Dragon Jewelry, Jewelry design. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

Originally designed to be the front portion of a circlet,
this design highlights the Double Headed Phoenix:
a creature rises from the ashes from a previous incarnation;
a two headed manifestation;
much like Janus the God that sees into the past
learning from the lessons of experience;
and looking into the future.
The God of the gates and passages
of beginnings both abstract and concrete.

The Phoenix

These ideas are combined
into a single piece to produce a hybrid of ideas:
renewal, vision, knowledge from experience
and the ability to begin again
with vitality and the promise of success.

The Phoenix amulet is 2 ½” across
available as a brooch or necklace.
The brooch has a long pin between the win tips
for a secure fastening
the necklace harnesses the flame chain:
completing the motif of fire and renewal.

A massive piece
for those working on starting a new life,
beginning a new project or career
or simply taking a new look to life and the possibilities it holds.

Other Amulets may be seen at the
Amulets Page
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin