Druid Jewelry

A few years ago I created Jewelry for Isaac Bonewits. He created renderings of several designs and sent them to me to create for his special line of Jewelry. One of them is Dagda’s Shield. Over the years I have received several requests for a larger more “masculine” version.

http://www.amuletsbymerlin.com/Dagda-s-Shield-Amulet-p/ib-8.htm

Large Dagda’s Shield Amulet

The Original version is 7/8 of an inch, this amulet is much larger: 1 1/2” and much heavier. The detail in the snake skin is more pronounced, yet in keeping with Isaac’s original Design – and like the original, it has my signature, his name and the Rune of Dagda on the back. A bail is placed behind the piece for your chain or cord.

Isacc Bonewits’ description of his design in his own words:

“This talisman is meant to be used with a daily self-protection spell from Isaac’s book The Pagan Man.
“Dagda behind me, Dagda before me
Dagda to my left, Dagda to my right
Dagda beneath me, Dagda above me
Dagda in quiet, Dagda in danger
Dagda in the hearts of all that love me
Dagda in the mouth of friend and stranger.
“I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Dagda,
By invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three,
The mightiest of all the Gods, Father of the Queen of Arts,
The Supreme Knower, Lord of Fire, and King of Druids.

“This silver or bronze talisman has been made by Merlin of Amulets by Merlin, based on the above design by Isaac Bonewits (includes the ogham letters for “Dagda” on the back). The design (inspired by Ian Corrigan) has a Celtic triple spiral as found in the Boyne River in Ireland, plus three awens, with a snake wrapped around the edge of the shield. The shield as a whole is curved to cover one-sixth of a sphere to aid in visualizing it at all six directions.”

While is is indeed featured in his book “The Pagan Man”, it is not exclusively for men. This amulet is focused on protection and may be harnessed by men and women alike, and yes: children.

Isaac wrote the book “Real Magic” in the ’70. In my opinion it is one of the most important book on the subject, offering a point of view which sheds a lot of the typical stereotypes one finds in the old tomes and even the more recent “recipe books” about magic still written in this era. He later wrote several more volumes about ritual, Druidism and with his Widow: Phaedra Bonewits a book called “Real Enegry”.

In his honor, a part of the sales of his designs goes to her, including this new Large Dagda’s Shield. To get your copy of this piece please visit my Large Dagda’s Sheild Amulet Page. To review more of Isacc Bonewits Designs, please go to my page: Designs by Isaac Bonewits.

You may recall I have been making Isaac Bonewits designs in my jewelry line for some time. I have recently developed his classic Druid Awen as a Brooch.

The Awen Isaac created is more than the simple dot and stave seen in the old writings: this is a wreath of oak leaves with the Mesopagan Druid symbol of the “three rays of light” emanating from three acorns and staves (like wood) completing the design.

Awen Penannular Brooch

I have augmented the piece by making it a functional Penannular Brooch. the Brooch Frame is of knot work of my own making with a pin mounted and able to “travel” around the frame.

To learn how to use a Penannular Brooch and learn more about this new piece, please visit my page The Awen Penannular Brooch.

To see more of my designs of Isaac Bonewits, please view my Bonewits Collection.

Awen Stud Earring from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 26, 2016

Posted in: Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid Jewelry, Earrings, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: Awen Jewelry, Druid earrings, Druid Jewelry, Isaac Bonewits Awen, Isaac Bonewits Earrings, Isaac bonewits jewelry. Leave a comment

As many of you already know, I have been producing the designs of Issac Bonewits featuring the Awen. In his design, the symbol is of three acorns (the source of light) with three staves (the emanation of the Light) framed in a wreath of leaves. The original amulet is about an inch tall. Since then I have developed the design into a larger version of the Awen of an inch an a half and a smaller version I am using to hang from Shepard hook earrings. This year I have gone even smaller, about 3/8 of an inch and attached a stud for pierced ears.

When you go to my website, you may find the entire collection of Isaac’s designs which include the Sigil, a Pentacle which he named “Spells for Democracy“, an amulet of Dagda’s Shield, Dagda’s Club, as well as the Awen pendant designs. I have also expanded his collection to include an Awen Ring.

Originally designed by Isaac Bonewits, interpreted, developed and produced by Amulets by Merlin. Available in single and pairs.

On this page is the new link for the Awen Stud Earrings which may be purchased one at a time or in pairs. To get your Awen Stud Earrings, you may go to the special ordering page – available in Sterling silver.

For more Druid Jewelry please visit my Druid Jewelry Page.

Large Awen Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 29, 2015

Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: Awen Jewelry, druid amulet, Druid Jewelry, Isaac Bonewits Amulet, Isaac Bonewits Awen, Isaac bonewits jewelry. Leave a comment

A few years ago I created Jewelry for Isaac Bonewits. He created renderings of several designs and sent them to me to create for his special line of Jewelry. One of them is the Awen.

Large Awen Amulet

In his words:
“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 design itself is a wreath of oak leaves, three staves emanating from three Acorns. The bail from which to hang the amulet is also an oak leaf curled to hold the chain or cord. On the reverse side of the “signature” of the artist: “Merlin” or Kirk McLaren of Amulets by Merlin.

After creating the original Awen I have received several requests for a larger version of the piece: same wreath of leaves, acorns and staves: but larger. I now present to you: the Large Awen.

Two Awens

When Isaac was still with us he traveled with the amulets and his books and other items; he even created a special portion of his website to feature the work. Since his passing into the Summerland I have continued to produce his line for him. For each piece purchased Isaac’s Widow receives a royalty to help through difficult times and encourage in efforts to promote good will and clarity to the world. To learn more about Isaac Bonewits, his writings and more, you may visit his website.

To learn more about the new, larger version of Isacc’s Awen, please visit my web-page featuring the Large Awen Amulet.

For more druid jewelry,

please visit my Druid jewelry page

Custom Awen Necklace from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 13, 2015

Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Custom Jewelry, Druid Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: Ancient Order of Druids, Awen amulet, Awen necklace, Druid Jewelry, Druid lore, Druid necklace, Isaac Bonewits, the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, United Ancient Order of Druids. 1 Comment

A fellow who loved the Awens I developed for Isaac Bonewits
wanted a special piece made for him.
The Awen is an ancient symbol attributed the the Druids of old.
As Isaac Bonewits put it in his website:

“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.”

Custom Awen Necklace

This one of a kind piece is larger,
solid and inlaid with amber.
It was designed to allow the hand carved amber
to be set with open backs providing light to shine through and bounce about,
giving the impression of emanation from the dots and rays in the center.
Three circles surround the amber,
each grooved and filled with translucent enamel
specially mixed to replicate amber.
A wreath of Oak leaves frame the amulet,
hung by sterling chain and wooden beads to accent the piece.

This is a one of a kind Custom Awen Necklace,
specially designed.
Should you wish to have your design made for you,
please visit my How to Order Custom page.

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

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.

In the mid Seventies I was given a book:
Real Magic by Isaac Bonewits.
After reading so many other books on the subject
I found the book a breath of fresh air.
Instead of creating a mist of possible misconceptions about the subject,
Isaac developed a clear,
concise and easy to read volume that both introduced the concepts
and gave excellent definitions and ground rules as to what Magic really is
and how it works.
Over the years I had purchased more than a dozen of these books
and gave them as gifts,
loaned them to friends and relatives
each time in hope that a little light on the subject
may bring a better understanding
and thus appreciation of those that are studding the subject.

Years later I had approached Isaac Bonewits
to create something for him.
He found my work pleasurable
and even purchased the Green Man Necklace from me.
I marked that day with pride.
For a favorite author to have blessed me in that way was inspirational!

Small Awen Amulet

Some time later
I approached him with the idea to create his designs.
Isaac is well noted for his skill in graphic art
and has developed several designs featured in his site.
After a bit of time he finally agreed and we began
to work on what was to be the first of several Amulets by Isaac:
the Druid Sigil;
representing Druidism in general and the Earth mother (Gaia) in particular.
Following that he requested we make an Awen,
and the Dagda amulets: Dagda’s Shield
and Dagda’s Club.
During one of the elections he developed a Spells for Democracy amulet.
With each of these designs he worked feverishly
to produce the renderings and sent them to me for carving.
Isaac’s Amulets are a beautiful combination of design,
comfort and concept.

Through his travels he presented these amulets with his books and other items;
he even created a special portion of his website to feature the work.
Though Issac is no longer with us,
you may purchase these amulets through my site.
To learn more about Isaac Bonewits,
please visit his website.

For more Amulets by Isaac, please visit my Designs by Isaac Bonewits Page

Isaac Bonewits developed renderings of his designs
and sent them to me for a special line of Jewelry.
One of them is the Awen.

The Original Bonewits Awen Amulet

In his words:

“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.”

This version of the Awen is a wreath of oak leaves,
three staves emanating down from three acorns.
The bail from which to hang the amulet:
an oak leaf curled to hold the chain or cord.
On the reverse side of the “signature”:
“Bonewits” and that of the artist:
“Merlin” or Kirk McLaren of Amulets by Merlin.

Through his travels Isaac offered these amulets
with his books and other items;
he even created a special portion of his website
to feature the jewelry.
You may purchase the Awen Amulet and his other designs through my site.
For each piece purchased
Isaac’s surviving Widow
receives a royalty to both help through some difficult times
and encourage efforts to promote good will
and clarity to the world.
To learn more about Isaac Bonewits,
his writings and more, you may visit his website.

A Larger version of this amulet is now available.

This is a god of the Old Celtic lines
throughout 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.

The Amulet of 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
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 Beltane and Samhain.
During these High Holies,
they 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!

The Amulet of Cernunnos

For more amulets of Gods and Goddesses, please visit my Mythicals page

Merlin’s Druid Amulets of Isaac Bonewits

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 8, 2015

Posted in: Amulets, Awen, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Custom Jewelry, Druid Jewelry, Jewelry design, Memorial, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: amulets, Amulets by Merlin, Awen, Awen amulet, Celtic Lore, Celtic Symbol, Custom Jewelry, Dagda, Druid, Druid Jewelry, Druid Sigil, Isaac Bonewits, Real Magic, sigil. 1 Comment

I first “met” Isaac Bonewits in the mid Seventies through the reading of his masterwork: Real Magic.
After reading so many other tomes on the subject
I found the book a breath of fresh air.
Instead of creating a mist of possible misconceptions about the subject,
Isaac developed a clear,
concise and easy to read volume which introduced the concepts
gave excellent definitions and ground rules as to what Magic is
and how it works.
Over the years I had purchased a dozen of these books
and gave them as gifts,
loaned them to friends and relatives
each time in hope that a little light on the subject
may bring a better understanding
and thus appreciation of those that are studding the subject.

Years later I had approached Isaac
for the opportunity to create something for him.
He found my work pleasurable and even purchased the Green Man Amulet from me.
I marked that day with pride.
For my favorite author to have blessed me in that way was inspirational!

The Large Awen Amulet

Some time later
I had approached him with the idea to create his designs.
Isaac is well noted for his skill in graphic art
and has developed several designs featured in his site.
After a bit of time he finally agreed
and we began to work on what was to be
the first of several Amulets by Isaac:
the Druid Sigil;
representing Druidism in general and the Earth mother (Gaia) in particular.
Following that he requested we make an Awen,
and the Dagda amulets: Dagda’s Shield
and Dagda’s Club.
During one of the elections he developed a Spells for Democracy amulet.
With each of these designs he worked feverishly
to produce the renderings
and sent them to me for carving.
Isaac’s Amulets are a beautiful combination of design,
comfort and concept.

Through his travels Isaac presented these amulets with his books and other items;
he even created a special portion of his website
to feature the work.
Though Issac is no longer with us,
you may purchase these amulets through my site.
To learn more about Isaac Bonewits,
please visit his website.

Amulets by Merlin's Blog

Reflections of the Art of Merlin

All posts tagged Druid Jewelry

New!!! The Large Dagda’s Shield

Awen Penannular Brooch from Amulets by Merlin

Awen Stud Earring from Amulets by Merlin

Large Awen Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Custom Awen Necklace from Amulets by Merlin

Oak Pentacle Amulet with Stone from Amulets by Merlin

Merlin’s creations of Amulets by Isaac Bonewits

Merlin’s Original Awen of Isaac Bonewits

Merlin’s Cernunnos Amulet

Merlin’s Druid Amulets of Isaac Bonewits

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