"Western Sky" features a pendant of Apache Jasper, Turquoise and Golden Rutilated Quartz, wrapped with pure copper wire. The necklace also includes Old Crazy Lace Agate and sparkling Czech glass. It closes with a copper-toned pewter bar and ring clasp. 17 1/2" long excluding pendant.
MY PROCESS ...
In creating any necklace, I first select a focal piece, and then choose the various stones to complete it through an instinctive (and fun!) process. After lighting some incense and putting on some music that suits my mood that day (new age, world music, nature sounds, classical or soft jazz), I hold the pendant or focal stone in my hand as I look over ALL of the hundreds of types of stone beads in my collection, and choose several (way more than what will eventually be included - usually 20 or more types) that look and feel "right." Next, I narrow things down by repeating the process among the beads I first selected, and place handfuls of about a dozen different types in the old African Mancala game board I use as my beading palette. I then choose complementary glass seed beads (often used as spacers) and a clasp, and begin beading - entirely by instinct. Often, I will get to a certain point and begin over again, until the necklace that is meant to be reveals itself. Sometimes, I find that a stone I hadn't originally chosen is screaming to be included, and I always honor that. Not all of the stones in the final palette are used, and usually the piece turns out entirely differently than what I had originally envisioned. It is a process that feeds my soui. I am inspired by the colors and textures of the materials I work with, and by my spirit guides (all animals! - see my profile), as well as by the constant presence when I'm beading of my two beloved rescued dogs (O'Keeffe and Teddy) and a giant rescued Maine Coon cat named Sassafras, who rules the roost. All three love to be a part of the process.
ABOUT THE STONES...
JASPER: Healing; Nurturing; Protection
Jasper is strongly connected with the energies of the earth, and helps its wearer find stability and balance. It boosts the immune system and assists in extracting pollutants and toxins from the body. It is said to provide protection against negativity and to align the chakras. Jasper is often used to soothe the stomach and nerves and as a general body tonic. It works slowly and is most effective when used over a long period of time. With patience, anyone using Jasper will feel a continuity of spirit and body that can vastly improve both work and play.
TURQUOISE: Wholeness; communication; spiritual expansion
Turquoise is a highly beneficial stone, attracting love, protecting its wearer from harm and enhancing one’s ability to see into the future. It is unique in that it truly reflects the individual wearing it by tuning into that person’s energies and transmitting them back into the world. It is a great aid to communication. Because turquoise contains elements of both the earth, where it was formed, and the sky, whose color it resembles, it assists us in achieving our goals and realizing our full potential. It is considered to be a healer of the spirit, and a provider of calm and peace of mind. It induces wisdom and understanding and can provide strength and protection during vision quests. It may also enhance trust and kindness and bring communication and creative skills to emotional situations. Turquoise is known well from North to Central America, Tibet, China, and the Mid-East, and is a sacred stone to many American native tribes. Navajos used ground turquoise in sand paintings to bring on the rain. North and Central American tribes placed the stone in tombs to protect the deceased. It is also revered as a protective stone and a bestower of goodness for the living. Pueblos laid it beneath the floor of newly built homes as an offering to the gods. Apache shaman had turquoise in their medicine bag for power in healing. On a bow, in some tribes, it was thought to ensure the accuracy to hit its mark. As a healing stone, turquoise is especially beneficial for the respiratory and immune systems. It has also been used in the treatment of headaches, regeneration of tissue, and stress-related skin disorders.
RUTILATED QUARTZ: Energy, focus, stability
Rutilated quartz is reputed to be an energizing stone that helps get energy moving on all levels. Intuitive sources say that it assists with mental focus. It is also said to attract love and stabilize relationships. It can help slowed chakras return to normal spin and balance.
Emotionally, rutilated quartz is said to be very helpful in uncovering the causes of mental issues and hang-ups. It can diminish fears and assist with decision-making processes. It is said that it can also ease loneliness and relieve guilt, thereby bringing happiness. It is used metaphysically to help one get out of a rut as well as for stabilizing emotions and mental processes, and clarifying thought patterns and emotional reactions. Rutilated quartz is said to increase one's self-reliance and ability to find one's own way.
Rutilated quartz is used metaphysically to deflect negative energies and unwanted energetic, psychic, and magical interferences.
Physically, rutilated quartz is said to be beneficial for food disorders, the immune system, regeneration of tissue, fatigue, depression, respiratory illness, stability of all physical systems and general health, and absorption of nutrients from food. It is also reputed by intuitive sources to be helpful for getting energy moving in areas where the physical energy is sluggish.
AGATE: Balance, truth, healing
Agate is a grounding stone that helps bring about emotional, physical and intellectual balance. Psychologically, it gently facilitates acceptance of one’s self and builds self-confidence. Intellectually, agate enhances mental function by improving concentration, perception and analytical abilities, and encourages speaking one’s own truth. Emotionally, agate can help one to overcome bitterness and negativity. It heals inner anger, fostering love and the courage to start again. It is useful for any kind of inner trauma, and aids spiritual growth. Agate has been used in treating disorders of the digestive system, eyes and uterus. It is cleansing to the lymphatic system and the pancreas, strengthens blood vessels and heals skin disorders.
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