A beautifully crafted pendant, perfect for the practising stoic.
As a practitioner of stoicism for a number of years, I originally designed this coin for personal use, it was designed to encompass all of stoicism's predominant maxims and exercises.
In Meditations - we are told that as a doctor always keeps their knives and instruments at hand, we too should have our doctrines at the ready.
This coin serves not only as a reminder, but as an instrument for us to use, to return us to the rhythm of nature and bring us back on track when life knocks us off course.
Both the front and back of the coin are bordered with stars; inspired by a quote from Meditations, which talks about running with the stars in their course and to see the world as they do - from above and afar.
It is a beautiful quote which carries a lot of meaning, befitting of its place on the pendant.
FRONT OF PENDANT DESCRIPTION:
The front of the coin displays the 4 cardinal virtues: WISDOM, JUSTICE, COURAGE and TEMPERANCE.
The embodiment of the cardinal virtues leads to what Cicero called - 'Summum Bonum' - 'The highest good'.
This is what the modern day stoic should strive to achieve.
Fire; the divine fire in the centre of the coin represents the reason and rationality of the human mind and soul. It is the essence of who we are and what we can be.
It reminds us that, just as fire is a living thing, we must breathe life into our practises and kindle the flame of virtue within us.
BACK OF PENDANT DESCRIPTION:
Seneca stated that, 'To Live in Accordance With Nature' was the motto of Stoicism.
The purpose of stoic philosophy is to help us live in accordance with nature and live in its rhythm.
The four reflections (or mediations) help us to exemplify and achieve this motto.
Memento Mori - Remember that you will die.
The rehearsal and reminder of death was a core teaching in stoicism and a key focus in all of the stoic texts. To accept your mortality was one of the most important practises in stoic instruction. Rehearsing death teaches you how to live free from fear and put into perspective what is and is not important in life.
Premeditatio Malorum - The premeditation of evils.
In numerous stoic literatures, we are told to prepare for anything fortune may throw at us, be it good or bad; often it is described as being a soldier on duty - always ready and always prepared. Rehearsing in times of peace, so that one is ready and prepared when war comes. In a similar way we too must prepare or rehearse for whatever the future may have in store for us.
Amor Fati - The love of fate.
While the quote isn't directly attributed to the Stoics, it perfectly sums up the idea of living in accordance with nature. This demonstrates that we must accept our human lot, love both the good and the bad and embrace not only the beauty of the rivers and mountains, but the turbulence and storms life brings.
The Inner Citadel
Marcus Aurelius said, 'The mind is a mighty citadel' it is the seat of a ruling centre - our rational mind.
The Inner Citadel, and our retreat into it, is mentioned multiple times in Meditations. The importance of our minds sturdiness cannot be understated.
Seneca said we must lay siege to the Gods and shake the world to the core. But each day, fortune and every-day events lays siege to our minds and, on the contrary, try to shake our ruling centres to the core. By retreating and reflecting within we can keep the walls of our minds strong and able to withstand any assault life may throw at it.
The hand and fist - It was said that the early stoics would clasp a hand on top of a fist to display they had a firm grasp on reason; the four exercises in this coin, aid one in doing so.
This all-encompassing coin is a must have for anybody who practises Stoic Philosophy.
All pendants will come with a hessian pouch and a cord chain with a length of approx 12.5 inches, it can be tailored to your desired length easily
