Pentacle

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.

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 Spells for Democracy Amulet. Isaac was very concerned for our nation as he had often spent a great deal of time discussing, lecturing and writing about the subject. After I had created several pieces for him I suggested he continue with his designs; thus he turned to develop a design developed to focus intent to a good aim: righting the wrong of our society.

Spells for Democracy Amulet

Spells for Democracy Amulet

He wrote extensively about this subject, calling for the Pagan community to become more active, participating in the great debate for equality, justice and a better world.

In his words:

“I know very well that not all Neopagans apply their polytheology to their political views in the same ways that I do. To me it seem obvious that politicians dedicated to making the USA a fundamentalist theocracy, to encouraging the fundamentalists in Islam to see this century as one dedicated to an un-Holy War between the two lunacies, and, incidentally, giving a totally free reign to every multinational corporation willing to pay big bribes to politicians, isn’t going to give much attention to the needs or even basic human rights of minority belief systems, at home or abroad, including ours. The Neo-Con Imperialists and the Religious Reich have been telling us for over a decade what their plans are. It is way past time to pay attention and take action with the only form of power they can’t take away from us: magic. “

More about Isaac may be found here.

The amulet itself is a combination of symbols:
The pentacle is a classic symbol of Neo-Paganism. It is crossed with a Besom (broom) which symbolizes a great many things: here it is to represent the modern day Pagans and their efforts to create a better world. The Wampum (the staff with the disk) represents a symbol of the Iroquois: a composite of Native American tribes who formed a Democracy before the United States formed their own nation.

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. You may purchase these amulets through my site. Each piece purchased Isaac’s Household receives a royalty to both help recover from the debt of his passing and to extend his legacy promoting good will, democracy and clarity to the world.
To learn about Isaac Bonewits, his writings and more, you may visit his website.

To purchase the Spells for Democracy, please go Spells for Democracy Page.

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
organized around common values and social cohesion
within a shared physical locality;
however in modern time it may refer to groups of people
spread out over a large area
who exchange ideas through the internet,
phone lines and other forms of communication.

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 matter in balance.

The Pentacle of Brotherhood
is a symbol representing 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
to embrace each other for what they are
without objectifying each other;
Perfect Trust is earned over time,
not simply given.
A community using these ideals as their cornerstones
would stand the test of time,
transcending hardship,
pain and suffering of life’s turmoil
demanding on one’s mortality,
able to put aside petty squabbles and differences.

This amulet is 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.

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

Pentacles often had no connotation of “five” in the old magical documents,
but were magical talismans inscribed with any symbol or character.
The most common “pentacle” is the five point star.
In one of it’s earliest forms the Pentacle symbolized the first “ADAM”,
signified in early art as “Human Perfection”,
the “First Man” in the Garden of Eden.

Grape Vine Pentacle

Pentacles are used in the Tarot
to signify Matter or the Material World.
Each of the Pentacle cards represents a scenario and lesson about money,
influence, decisions and more.
The five pointed star is found everywhere
from a Sheriff’s badge to a countries’ flag;
it is found in nature within apples,
in flowers and trees.
The Pentacle as a five pointed star
represents the balance between the Elements
(Fire, Water, Air, Earth)
under the Spirit
(the top point).
When presented with the top point up,
this is a symbol of health, wisdom,
balance and good fortune.
When inverted,
like any symbol reversed
it is no longer in balance but rather oppressed:
the elements are over powering the spirit.
When both are shown together
it represents the cycle of life:
the “ups and downs” of one’s existence.

Each of my pentacle amulets are focused on a different aspect of health:
brotherhood, environment, healing, friendship and love.
With over 20 designs to choose from
I have versions that include rough textures,
women’s forms,
the caduceus,
moonstone, caldrons, a pin design for wiccan clergy in the military and much more.
If you cannot find the Pentacle you are looking for,
have no fear.
I can create your design by way of your drawing or description.

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

In the old magical documents,

Pentacles did not necessarily mean “Five pointed star” as it does now.
They simply meant: Magical talisman inscribed with any symbol or character.
In one of it’s earliest forms the Pentacle symbolized the first “ADAM”,
signified in early art as “Human Perfection”,
the “First Man” in the Garden of Eden.

Grape Vine Pentacle

In the Tarot
pentacles signify Matter or the Material World.
Each of the Pentacle cards represents a scenario and lesson about money,
influence and decisions.

The five pointed star is found everywhere
from a Sheriff’s badge to a countries’ flag;
it is found in nature within apples,
in flowers and trees.
The Pentacle as a five pointed star
represents the balance between the Elements
(Fire, Water, Air, Earth)
under the Spirit
(the top point).
When presented with the top point up,
this is a symbol of health, wisdom,
balance and good fortune.
When inverted,
like any symbol reversed
it is no longer in balance but rather oppressed:
the elements are over powering the spirit.
When both are shown together
it represents the cycle of life:
the “ups and downs” of one’s existence.

Because I have been creating amulets of many sorts,
I have dedicated my own collection of Pentacles
as five pointed stars
and left the rest to be listed under other categories.
Each of my pentacle amulets are focused on a different aspect of health:
brotherhood, environment, healing, friendship and love.
With over 20 designs to choose from
I have versions that include rough textures,
women’s forms,
the caduceus,
moonstone, caldrons, a pin design for wiccan clergy in the military and much more.
If you cannot find the Pentacle you are looking for,
have no fear.
I can create your design by way of your drawing or description.
More information may be found at Amulets by Merlin custom page .

Merlin’s Caduceus Pentacle Earrings

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 2, 2015

Posted in: Earrings, Greek Mythology Jewelry. Tagged: Astrological symbol, Caduceus, Caduceus Earrings, Caduceus Pentacle, Caduceus Pentacle Earrings, earrings, forms of communication, Hermes, Pentacle, Sterling Silver Caduceus Earrings, Sterling Silver Caduceus Pentacle, Sterling Silver Caduceus Pentacle Earrings, Sterling Silver Earrings. Leave a comment

The Caduceus is the staff carried by Hermes and other Heralds.
A short staff entwined by two serpents and crowned by wings
It was also carried by Mercury the messenger of the gods:
a guide of the dead,
protector of merchants and shepherds
and now represents
the astrological symbol of the planet Mercury.
The symbol is also associated with commerce and negotiation,
printing and other forms of communication.

Caduceus Pentacle Earrings

In North America it is also used as a symbol
of Healthcare and medical practice in general.
It may be noted that in other places of the world,
the symbol of the Rod of Asclepius
is used to represent health care
which looks like a single snake wrapped around a staff
and there are no wings.

The pentacle is a symbol which is also ancient:
symbolizing the balance between the elements
and the spirit in perfect balance.
With the single point up
(representing the spirit)
illustrates the balancing effect of the spirit over the elements.
One may easily visualize a man with legs and arms stretched out:
the feet over the locations of fire and earth,
while the hands over water and air and the head in spirit.

By combining the two images we can see how the concepts merge:
all elements in their place and the communication of Hermes over the top.
By adding the North American view of Health and well being,
one can easily use Caduceus Pentacle as a symbol of health,
good communication and a balance of all things.

The Caduceus Pentacle earrings are 5/8” each
with a small jump rings solidly soldered
to provide security and hung with stainless steel Shepard’s hook finds.
To get yours,
please visit my Caduceus Pentacle Earring page.

More earring designs may be found on my Earrings page

Merlin’s Small Kitchen Witch Pentacle

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 23, 2015

Posted in: Amulets, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: kitchen witch, Kitchen Witch amulet, Kitchen Witch jewelry, Kitchen Witch Pentacle, Kitchen Witch talisman, kitchen witches, Pentacle, silver Kitchen Witch, silver Kitchen Witch jewelry. 1 Comment

Years ago I created the Original Kitchen Witch Pentacle as a commission for a dear friend of mine.
The basic layout was her idea:
the various implements of the Kitchen Witch.
After doing a sketch, the two inch pentacle was made.
She wanted it massive both is size and weight
so it could be used as both an Amulet to be worn and as a Ward,
a piece hung on the wall as a blessing to her Kitchen.
With her blessings,
I pulled a mold of the piece
and have been providing copies for well over ten years.

I recently posted the blog of the Kitchen Witch focusing on the Symbology:
the star balancing the elements formed by the tools of the Kitchen:
The blade,
the spoon,
the broom,
the herb branch and the candle.
En-circled by grape vines,
the piece suggests skilled hands,
a clear mind and the promise of tasty things to come.

Cooking a meal for one’s family to meet a deadline
with no notice as to how it is prepared or who it is for,
One misses an opportunity to bless their home and loved ones.
In taking the opportunity to hum a happy tune,
prepare favorite foods, make the meal a special time,
One instills Magick into every nourishing bite.
Imbuing sustenance with good flavor,
solid nutrition and joy, You may be a Kitchen Witch!

Small Kitchen Witch Pentacle.

The complex art of cuisine or exotic dishes isn’t necessary,
you can accomplish great things with a simple soup, a sandwich, a salad
– anything…
so long as it is done with good intention
and the Will to provide nourishment for the body and soul.
Keeping a Kitchen with happiness and Focused Intent
spills over into:
how the cupboards are kept,
how the dishes are cleaned and arranged,
how the herbs from the garden are hung and dried,
decorations and color all add the the way
the Kitchen Witch blesses the home and family.

Each time I have posted the original piece the response was over whelming,
I realized there are a lot of kitchen witches out there!
Because the original is so massive and silver becoming so dear,
I decided to re-create the Kitchen Witch pentacle in a smaller version.
This one is lighter,
comfortable to wear,
yet still holds all of the detail of the original,
larger version.
Do you want your own?
Please visit my website to get your Small Kitchen Witch Pentacle.

Merlin’s Large Pentacle Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 20, 2015

Posted in: Amulets, Druid Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles, Tarot, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: Big Pentacle, big star amulet, big star jewelry, big sterling silver pentacle, Heavy pentacle, heavy star jewelry, heavy sterling silver pentacle, Pentacle. Leave a comment

My selection of pentacles are detailed, accenting a certain motif, design or purpose. By request I have created a large pentacle: simple basic and bold. The star itself is not woven, no defining marks denoting a purpose; just a simple star as you would find in the Pentacle Suit of the Tarot.

Large Pentacle

This two inch piece is flat on the back, the ring around the star is shaped with a good reflective curve.

This piece may be modified should you wish to have sigils, signs or signets, I can modify this basic piece to suit your needs,
please visit my How to Order Custom page.

To order you big bold pentacle,
please visit the Large Pentacle page.

The image of a Stag is a powerful one: it is seen in art, heard of in song, stories and strikes a spark of racial memory which seems to reach back for generations. When one sees an outline of a stag, one gets a sense of freedom, wilderness and awe.

Hern’s Pentacle Amulet

Like the Buffalo in the Native American mid planes culture, the Stag was revered as Sacred among the Celts: offering food, tools, clothing and more for the conscious hunter. To bring down a deer meant the Household would be able to eat and live well for some time. For this and many other reasons, the image of Hern lived in the hearts and minds of the Celts for many generations.

The first mention in literature if Hern (or Herne) is in Shakespeare’s “The Merry wives of Windsor”, however many ascribe the idea of Hern to a much earlier time. A “ghost” who walks the Woods of Windsor Forest with a great rack of horns.

In the relatively new movement of Neo-Paganism, Hern’s Image has been re-awakened; there is a great deal of tribute to Hern in writings, both in fiction and tomes of Celtic Heritage.

To celebrate the Neo-Pagan view, I have created the Hern’s Pentacle Amulet. This combines the image of a stag head whose rack of horn embraces a pentacle. The bail is hidden behind the pentacle to give the amulet a sense of “floating” on your chain or cord.

In previous articles I described the Pentacle in detail. Basally the Pentacle is a common shape in nature which was replicated in art and Symbology for centuries. In early art it gained significance and represented balance, strength, endurance and that which is sacred to people everywhere. Only in the recent century has it been tarnished by those who do not understand Symbology and it is mistaken for other things.

Small Pentacle with Moon Stone.

In celebration of this beautiful shape, I have made several interpretations of this star, some extremely ornate. In this version I have created the Pentacle in it’s most basic shape: a woven five pointed star set into a circle. In the center I have placed a moon stone, a mineral which seems to be solidified moon light: the Romans and Greeks associated Moonstone with their lunar gods and goddesses.

This tiny Pentacle with Moon Stone is sleek and sturdy for years of wear. The moon stone is set in a bezel setting for comfort and security. To learn more about this amulet, lease visit my web page featuring the Small Pentacle with Moon Stone.

If you cannot find the Pentacle you are looking for, have no fear. I can create your design by way of your drawings or description. More information may be found at Amulets by Merlin Custom Page.

Amulets by Merlin's Blog

Reflections of the Art of Merlin

All posts tagged Pentacle

Oak Pentacle Amulet with Stone from Amulets by Merlin

Isaac’s Spells for Democracy Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

The Pentacle of Brotherhood from Amulets by Merlin

Merlin’s collection of Pentacles

Pentacles of Amulets by Merlin

Merlin’s Caduceus Pentacle Earrings

Merlin’s Small Kitchen Witch Pentacle

Merlin’s Large Pentacle Amulet

Merlin’s Hern Pentacle Amulet

Merlin’s Small Pentacle with Moon Stone

Amulets by Merlin

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