This morning, I opened one of my jewellery boxes to locate a necklace to wear. There, before my eyes was an almost forgotten turquoise scarab, which, out of intrigue for its beauty many years ago, I bought. How Unique! This beetle was sacred to the ancient Egyptian monarchy. The pendant is scarab-shaped, being flat on the reverse side and about the size of a woman's lower thumb section. The body markings are gilt-gold-wired On the back (possible jade) are hieroglyphics, an ancient form of writing using pictures to represent different objects, actions, sounds or ideas. No one has the knowledge to understand or translate this message. Soon I must wear it!
This jewellery item inspired me to write the following:
AMULET: (Any object intended to bring Good Luck or protection to its owner)
For many centuries, mankind wore amulets to guard against evil.
An ancient Egyptian amulet representing the rising sun, held or worn,
gave the wearer the “vigour” of the sun god, Rah.
TALISMAN: (A magical object that many believe
can help people achieve their true desires)
CHARMS: Not surprisingly, charms have come to play a significant role
in many cultures...especially in America, in the union of man and woman
to guard against disease and to ensure a happy life. Women often wear
charms as small pieces of jewellery which signify important things or events
and may foster Good Luck. Beads come in beautiful shapes and colours
including Murano glass.
FETISHES: Some people aren't sure if they even have a fetish while others
think that their fetishes are abnormal. If you have a fetish, you are obsessively fixated on either an object or body part. Originally, it meant “charm” When the Portuguese first explored West Africa and encountered native religions, they called whatever talisman (totems, carvings, beads) they revered...a fetish.
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Now, I question myself! I own a few items that give me great Pleasure and induce Happiness, perhaps even bring Good Luck! In researching these “things of mystery” it is evident that a few of these are among “my special things”....as they may be with you. Have a Look!
ACORNS attract the opposite gender...increase income, promote divine powers and prosperity.
ANGELS are long thought of as the symbol of “invisible forms” between heaven and earth. Angels
are the most perfect of protection and bringers of Good Luck. (Sana, a friend of several years ,was obsessed with Angels...ornaments, stationery, clothing, pictures, jewellery, bookends, etc.)
CROSS: Early Christians believed it to be a supreme amulet against all forces of evil. The sign of the cross was thought to cure illness and drive off demons. Today...Life and Divine Protection.
DREAM CATCHERS: According to the Sioux, the legends speak to us of Dream Catchers. It is believed that each carefully woven web will “catch your dreams” on the night air. Placed over the bed or centred in a window, the bad spirit dreams will become entangled in the new day. The good spirit dreams will always find their way through the centre opening and will gently float down the sacred feather(s) to bless the dreamer with peaceful dreams.
Living near the Six Nations Indian Reservation, I have often driven to a Boutique shop of interest. Their crafts are amazing! On one occasion I bought two different dream-catchers...loved the feathers and the aura they cast upon me. Their beaded jewellery impressed me greatly...buying a couple pieces.
FOX TAIL also a Good Luck amulet is often attached to personal possessions. People believed that it endowed the owner with the “cunning of the animal”.
FOUR LEAF CLOVER ...a Good Luck Amulet. The four leaves going clockwise from the left of the
stem represent fame, wealth, love and health.
FRIENDSHIP BALLS: These glass hollow balls are known by other names...fairy balls, witch balls, kugal (German) balls and spiritual balls . Originally made at the end of a shift from leftover glass, they are given to friends and family as a token of Friendship and Good Luck. They can be hung inside a window to stream coloured light into the room or hung outside in trees to add more colour to the garden. Each glass ball is hand-made and blown by mouth making each piece unique and different.
My Friendship Balls became a collection of 10 which I absolutely love...circular, spherical or tear-drop in shape...softly and gently patterned in shades of pastel...a couple are hand-painted on clear crystal They hang in the front of windows against sheer drapes. As the sunlight filters colours through them and gazing at them, my spirits are lifted!
HOLLY: It is one of the most endearing of Christmas symbols. Holly was the “Gift of Good Luck” among the Romans, celebrating their midwinter festivals. (The Northern Tribe draped holly over clearings as shelter for friendly woodland spirits who would bring Good Luck to the houses.) Sprigs of holly in the home will also bring Good Luck.
HORSESHOES: If you nail a horseshoe above the doorway leading into a home, keep it pointing upwards so as to keep the luck from running out. Marcia once gave me a small brass horseshoe with a cord loop at its top. For years, I have hung it on my monthly calendar...daily message is Good Luck!
With my daughter's interest in riding for several years (and I love horses)...I collected many brass horseshoe ornaments which I hung across the fireplace wall of our Family Room...they gave me positive feelings. An uncle in Chile had several mounted in his rustic “study”...giving him inspiration.
JADE is the ultimate symbol of calm and serenity, also known as the “Stone of Wisdom and Prosperity”. Jade pendants have long been used as a powerful magnet for love, especially when the stone is carved into the shape of a butterfly. Jade can attract money into your life; can also bring a boost to your brain...contributing to clear thinking, acute decisions and sharp memory skills.
MALACHITE has many different uses as a stone. Traditionally, people wore malachite to ward off and see oncoming peril. It is also thought to bring power, protection, love and tranquillity.
Several years ago, a friend visiting from Florida brought with her several pieces of hand crafted jewellery. One ring that I purchased from her was a large gold mounted Malachite...the composition and texture of the stone intrigued me together with its setting and character. Such a pleasure to wear!
MIRRORS: The mirror is the quickest way to send back negativity or to absorb it. In ritual, cleanse, consecrate and empower the mirror for protection. Hang the mirror in a central place of the home. Often they add much desired decor to our homes.
MISTLETOE: For centuries, the mistletoe has been one of the most magical, mysterious and sacred plants of European folklore. From these early beliefs has come the modern creation of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging kisses under it as a sign of friendship and good will.
NUMBERS: It is thought that every number has a special significance and according to ancient astrologers and numerologists, every person has a lucky number. In general, odd numbers are thought to be better than even numbers. One sure way of finding your lucky number is by adding the day, the month and the year you were born together, then add these digits together until left with a single digit.
For unknown reason(s), I have always favoured odd numbers; when I played ladies softball, I chose 9 for the sweater number I wore; my personalized licence plate displays the numerals 01 and 07.
OPAL: In the Far East, opal stones are believed to make the wearer a beautiful person. The stones are also thought to convey the “gift of prophecy and foresight” but only for those pure in heart.
Years ago, I was given a gold ring with garnets surrounding a misty opal...so beautiful to wear!
OUIJA BOARD is a board with the alphabet on it, used with a “planchette” to spell out answers to questions....with fingertips only holding this pointer...and are supposedly formed by spiritual forces. Ouija is derived from the French and German words... oui and ja. The Ouija Board is quite a versatile and interesting form of entertainment and enlightenment. It has been around for many years and used by millions of people worldwide.
Years ago, Sharon and I played with the Ouija Board many times....it is mysterious to feel the planchette moving below your finger touches. At one time, she asked if her family would be moving from their Hamilton apartment...Yes, it answered...then spelled out the City; when asked the street, it was spelled out. Neither she nor I had heard of it. Guess what? She still lives on this street today!
PEARLS: This, I found no information about. However, when I first met my sister-in-law and her husband, returning from a job assignment in the East, they holidayed on an island off the coast of Spain. Here, Mike bought Alice a plain gold band ring, clawed with a single pearl. She had no love of pearls, believing them to have negative effects. She secretly gave it to me. I love it....and has been my pleasure to wear for many years.
PENNIES: “See a Penny, Pick it Up! And all day long you'll have Good Luck. Popular to this is, if the penny is Heads Up when found, it represents Good Luck.
QUARTZ: For thousands of years, the quartz crystals have been used as rituals to bring about much needed rainfall by the Native Americans and aboriginals. The stone is said to have a strong connection with water and is also connected with protection and health. Quartz also symbolizes the spirit and intellectual powers unique to the human race.
These qualities were unknown to me when I bought a few strands...each of different colours to co-ordinate with my clothing; rings of crystal also fascinated me.
RABBIT'S FOOT: Especially the left hind foot, it is carried as a Good Luck charm...mostly in America where over ten million rabbit's feet are bought each year and said to bring Good Luck to their owners and protect them against evil spirits. The rabbit's foot is usually worn as a neck chain, placed on a key ring or hung from the interior car mirror. It is available dyed in various colours.
RAVEN: The most characteristic form of the mythology of the Northwest is the cycle of legends in which the hero is the Raven...the Yeti of the Northern Tribes. It is not surprising that they believed their world was filled with spirits (like the Raven), dwelling in animals and trees. Northwest Indian art is full of the “eyes of the spirits” that fill their world...watching it at every moment.
Several years ago, driving home from California to Ontario and travelling through Navajo country in Arizona and Colorado, I met with many of their people along roadside venues displaying their crafts. One such double-stranded necklace I bought was designed with carnelian and hematite stones with separating silver beads. The lower strand at its centre featured a black raven on a small ivory pendant.
STARS: Any charm in the shape of a star is considered quite Lucky. It is an ancient belief that everyone has been assigned a special Star in the sky. It is the symbol of New Life and Resurrection. Wear this amulet for Good Luck, Good Health and Long Life.
TASSELS AND FRINGES were used during the Middle Ages and after, as protective devices because they diffused and distorted the evil or negative entities. (Mardadi Designs, I shared with Jill...we hand crafted accessories for both men and women. Our customers were delighted to purchase shawls which we made and “fringed” with a matching scarf. For a long time customer, I made numerous vests...usually fabric fringed and occasionally with tassells and other decorative finishings.)
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Isn't it Amazing that the foregoing ....and more... have become part of our daily living and enjoyment?
It surprises me, that I am such a “practitioner” of several of these!
Merle Baird-Kerr
March 15, 2011
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