Fairy Queen-Revelations North

OH. MY. GOD.

I just found the most beautiful necklace , fit for a Fairy Queen!!

It can be found here, at Revelate. If you haven't checked out her new site and blog, you must.

You MUST.

This is an official Goddess Findings endorsement if ever there was one!

Michelle's shop is a never ending cornacopia of mystically inspired jewels and baubles...and be sure to check out her awesome index of stones and meanings on her profile page!

You're wondering about the stone? Mystic Topaz. Do you know about Mystic Topaz? It's that fascinating stone that's been turning up more now in the markets ...you know the one,...it turns colors in different lights.... purples, blues, greens....next best thing to Alexandrite....(my birthstone).

Mystic Topaz is actually white (clear) topaz that's treated with a permanent bond to have a wide variety of colors, the blue-greens being the best known. Many people think that because it is treated, it does not have mystical properties, but I disagree completely. The stones natural energy can be enhanced by the coloration, but I think largely it depends on your intent. When you find a stone that has natural energy and light like this one does, you can just feel the energy radiating outward...look at the picture, can you feel it??

One of the things, just one, that I adore about Michelle's work, is that her stones are pristine. She has great taste when buying, but once acquired, she transforms them with energy and love. Looking through her work, you can just tell that each one has been wrapped and designed in communication together with the stone. And to me, this is the best possible circumstance for jewelry making. The stones at Revelate are infinitely HAPPY to be found there--what a gift to be able to bring stones to life like this!

Hemimorphite

It is said that hemimorphite is the color of angel wings...

Beads of Cambay recently ran a special on these fabulous stones...



And naturally, I had to know what they were. Hemimorphite is a new stone to me, but that's the exciting thing about gemology these days, it seems there are new stones being discovered every day...my stone books from 15 years ago are hopelessly out of date! Colorwise this stone is so fascinating-- it's like a gorgeous cross between high quality larmiar, peruvian opal, and amazonite!

(These hemimorphite Plain Nuggets measure approximately 13x10mm up to 32x16mm in size, have a waxy luster with a moderate polish, the gems show external features of matrix stone and have white calcite structure within the stone, each bead is a polished slightly oval shape with a nice depth for a strong bead, and the translucent to semi-translucent gems are a medium saturation of a caribbean sea blue hue (close to the color of apatite) for a south sea inspired color. Hemimorphite is formed as a result a mix of zinc and other elements which form in concentric patterns that can be seen within the beads. Size: Approx. 13x10-32x16mm Length: Approx. 16 Inch Price: $286.00)

According to Etsy Shop has a bauble created with these intriguing stones:





Earthstone has a really wide selection of this material is you are so inspired!

Note: hemimorphite is soft, ranking only a five on the Mohs scale of hardness. The stone's softness makes it one that many gem cutters prefer not to work with it at all but it can be used in cabochons and beading , and it is more popular as a healing crystal. It should not be cleaned with harsh chemicals or put into an ultra-sonic cleaner, instead, just wipe clean with a very soft, slightly damp cloth.

For more info, check out this great site: RockHoundBlog.com

Commencement: Healing or Stealing?

I adore commencement speeches.

A commencement speech brings forward the utter most best in the speaker--and as many as I've heard in my day, very few fail to rise to the task with the fullness of wisdom that's required. As a professor, I absorbed and cherished every one that I took in as I sat baking in the early summer sun in the full academic regalia of black and blue velvet (garb originally created for much cooler European temperatures!) and have even been known to save the good ones for inspirational reading later.

Commencement speeches aren't only for those who are graduating from university. They are for us all: we are all perpetual students of life with many, many graduations to look forward to. Some will be joyous, celebrated with dinners and family from near and far, some will masquerade as endings, sorrowful, and perhaps celebrated alone (and with a strong martini). Here are tidbits from Paul Hawken's ~University of Portland May 3rd, 2009, I hope you enjoy.

YOU ARE BRILLIANT, AND THE EARTH IS HIRING.

The earth couldn't afford to send any recruiters or limos to your school. It sent you rain, sunsets, ripe cherries, night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute person you are dating. Take the hint. And here's the deal: Forget that this task of planet-saving is not possible in the time required. Don't be put off by people who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done...

...The living world is not "out there" somewhere, but in your heart. What do we know about life? In the words of biologist Janine Benyus, life creates the conditions that are conducive to life. I can think of no better motto for a future economy. We have tens of thousands of abandoned homes without people and tens of thousands of abandoned people without homes. We have failed bankers advising failed regulators on how to save failed assets. Think about this: we are the only species on this planet without full employment. Brilliant. We have an economy that tells us that it is cheaper to destroy earth in real time than to renew, restore, and sustain it. You can print money to bail out a bank but you can't print life to bail out a planet. At present we are stealing the future, selling it in the present, and calling it gross domestic product. We can just as easily have an economy that is based on healing the future instead of stealing it. We can either create assets for the future or take the assets of the future. One is called restoration and the other exploitation. And whenever we exploit the earth we exploit people and cause untold suffering. Working for the earth is not a way to get rich, it is a way to be rich....

~

....So I have two questions for you all: First, can you feel your body? Stop for a moment. Feel your body. One septillion activities going on simultaneously, and your body does this so well you are free to ignore it, and wonder instead when this speech will end. Second question: who is in charge of your body? Who is managing those molecules? Hopefully not a political party. Life is creating the conditions that are conducive to life inside you, just as in all of nature. What I want you to imagine is that collectively humanity is evincing a 20 deep innate wisdom in coming together to heal the wounds and insults of the past.

...Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do if the stars only came out once every thousand years. No one would sleep that night, of course. The world would become religious overnight. We would be ecstatic, delirious, made rapturous by the glory of God. Instead the stars come out every night, and we watch television...

~

....Nature beckons you to be on her side. You couldn't ask for a better boss. The most unrealistic person in the world is the cynic, not the dreamer. Hopefulness only makes sense when it doesn't make sense to be hopeful. This is your century. Take it and run as if your life depends on it."

For some very mystical graduation jewelry, be sure to visit Ka Gold Jewelry: "Where sacred science, art, and spirit meet".

A few delectable choices include: The Ring of 5 Metals is a powerful symbol of success and wealth, and the Ring of Courage is for overcoming fears and ending suffering in your life.

Author Bangles: Elizabeth Gilbert

Right after Hurricane Katrina I read a snarly, negative review of Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, and Love" in the New York Times. There was something totally off about the review that I disagreed with it before I even reading the book!

The book had JUST been published- so this was pre-global sensation and sure enough, as history speaks for itself, I found the book a glorious, juicy delight. If you've been living sequestered somewhere in the last 4 years and haven't gotten a hold of a copy of this book, please do. It's a true Goddess book in so many ways.

In elementary school, I used to take our little manual typewriter out on the porch and type my thoughts, my assignments, anything- any excuse to type. That yummy feeling as the pads of my fingers landed smack in the smooth indented surface of the keys, the ratchety clicking sound the keys made as they were depressed, and the string of music that ensued when I got going good and fast, writing long paragraphs without stopping was so incredibly satisfying to me. I would imagine I was a journalist on a deadline, or an important author weaving together brilliance and fact...

Recently, my first boyfriend, my first kiss from 4th or 5th grade found me on Facebook. He happened to be the boy du jour during this time when I was clacking away my young and tender profound thoughts on the back porch. What an enchanting small world this is now with technology! As we've had fun getting to know our adult selves through long emails in the last few weeks, he shared with me some of the challenging thoughts he has encountered as he is finishing his book. I not only related to what he expressed, but I know many others do as well. Check out Gilbert's website and the link "thoughts on writing". This paragraph is one of my favorites.

"As for discipline – it’s important, but sort of over-rated. The more important virtue for a writer, I believe, is self-forgiveness. Because your writing will always disappoint you. Your laziness will always disappoint you. You will make vows: “I’m going to write for an hour every day,” and then you won’t do it. You will think: “I suck, I’m such a failure. I’m washed-up.” Continuing to write after that heartache of disappointment doesn’t take only discipline, but also self-forgiveness (which comes from a place of kind and encouraging and motherly love). The other thing to realize is that all writers think they suck. When I was writing “Eat, Pray, Love”, I had just as a strong a mantra of THIS SUCKS ringing through my head as anyone does when they write anything. But I had a clarion moment of truth during the process of that book. One day, when I was agonizing over how utterly bad my writing felt, I realized: “That’s actually not my problem.” The point I realized was this – I never promised the universe that I would write brilliantly; I only promised the universe that I would write. So I put my head down and sweated through it, as per my vows."

Message jewelry is really hot right now, have you noticed? For many, it's a nice way to keep reminded of a key thoughts or phrase that is uplifting or inspiration as you go about the daily this and that. ( I must reveal my Goddess toe ring when I get my pedicure all straightened out!) Check out the Words to Live by collection of Author Bangles at Carolee for key phrases from the likes of Elizabeth Gilbert, Danielle Steel, Cecelia Ahern, Anisha Lakhani, Marisha Pessl, Joyce Carol Oates and Plum Sykes ("Always wear and unbelievable dress - it'll get you everything you want.") Fun!

Petrified Palm Wood

I had some emails on my post about the beautiful Cynthia Mann necklace-- all asking me- what the heck is petrified palm wood?? I thought you would never ask!

Well, first of all, did you know that petrified palm wood is the state stone of Texas? Yes m'am.

It officially became the Texas state stone on March 26, 1969, after measures passed both the House and Senate. Yes, that's what I said- House and Senate. The House and Senate were united on this one. Doesn't that give us some hope?

Petrified wood formed when a tree died and was buried by sediments. Minerals in the groundwater permeated the wood, replacing the original organic matter and turning the wood to stone. The main mineral is silica, but trace elements in the silica impart a variety of colors to the petrified wood.

This stone is actually a fossil, the name refers to the structure of the wood resembles that of modern palms, although it may or may not be closely related to them. This wood is the petrified remains of trees that grew on the Gulf Coastal Plain during the Oligocene Epoch, around 30 million years ago. At that time the shore of the Gulf of Mexico was further north than it is now so the wood is usually found in the more northern areas of the state, particularly the Toledo Bend area. These deposits also extend into Louisiana and Mississippi. Of all the petrified wood found in Texas, petrified palm wood is the most common. For a lovely article with more, go here.

An Azurite Dream

I DREAM MY PAINTING,

THEN I PAINT MY DREAM.

-Vincent Van Gogh

Gorgeous beaded azurite and lapis necklace by Nina's Creations here at Etsy.

Azurite is formed from the oxidation of copper ores. Over time, as it absorbs water, it changes into the mineral malachite. Thus, the two are found together, creating a brilliant deep blue stone with flashes of green.
The dark brilliance of azurite speeds the vibration of energy toward the spiritual realm.
Azurite has a transformative quality that stimulates an increase in communication skills, intuition, creativity and inspiration. Thank you to this site.

Cynthia Mann: An Enchanted Heart

My good friend Leeza and I regularly oogle each others' jewelry. We share many things in common--she is a very talented pianist making her way in the world, we both work at artisan shops, and we both have a fiendish eye for jewelry. Her tastes are of course slightly different than mine, but it makes the association even more interesting .

Recently we judged an area piano competition together, and she showed up wearing this gorgeous piece by Cynthia Mann and I was smitten! When she again wore it to our Potomac sojourn I had to snap some pics.

Now there are women who are heart collectors, and there are women who are not. I've always been in the "not" category. But I simply fell heart first for this one.

What is it about such a creation, that draws me in so strongly I wonder? Is it the exquisite crafting of the metal around the bezel that sets the heart shaped stone with those cheeky nibs and bits of bi -color metals (copper, 14 K, 22K, and silver)? Is it the stone itself...(petrified palmwood)?

Is it the poignant little sparkling garnet mounted at the top of the heart? Is it because this piece is remeniscent of the Mexican flaming heart milagros that I love so much? (see above). Is it the shape and texture of the hand made chain as it is ornamented by genuine bits of garnet and amber?

Perhaps it' all of the above!

Potomac Rapids

Dusk fell on the Potomac-but earlier, the journey began with the water. ...

Water is the most powerful of the elements. The power of water haunts me. Inspires me.

Water can erode earth,eat away iron, and destroy fire.

Water is impatient, it's always going somewhere.

Water is the ultimate camelian---it can be ice, gaseous, liquid, vapor or steam.

I stood at the top of the bridge that arched low over this powerful, rushing body of water and was mesmerized by its continuous movement..never tiring... never slowing... never needing to rest even slightly... I stood transfixed, drinking in the crashing sound of it, the spellbinding speed of it, the white, foaming, frosted surging of it.

All the forms water can take, all the poses it strikes as it passes through the vessels we create for it....constantly bending, accomodating, transforming...

the balance of nourishing and drowning always in play....

merriment and terror combined as one.

I am grateful for the water of the Potomac which cleansed my soul this day.

Sky Blue Pink

“By letting go, it all gets done.

The world is won by those who let it go.

But when you try and try,

The world is beyond winning.”
~Lao Tzu

I took this photo at the end of my journey to the Potomac Rapids recently....what an astounding confrontation with the forces of mother nature. Thisis what I call sky blue pink. My favorite color when I was young--- the color of enchantment, of youthful wonderment and dreams.

The Guest House

Quickie post...lots of events this week-- and lots of technological issues to face involving too frequent trips to the Geek Squad at Best Buy to iron out the kinks in my computer. Good grief! Meanness has scorched my tender soul this week, but at this moment in time, I feel joy is in air all around me. What does one do with meanness? I leave you with a profound Rumi poem, that I just discovered today that answers this beautifully. Oh, and a Tale of my visit to the roaring Potomac Rapids to come--with accompanying jewelry of course!

THE GUEST HOUSE

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each one has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

~RUMI~

Creatures of D.C.

Gorgeous Spring. How I love thee. And how you make me use my camera obsessively....And then, on a walk home from grand jury testifying duties, I encountered these mysterious creatures.
So, truly, who says D.C. isn't exotic and teaming with wildlife? And gorgeous florals and foliage?

A former student in town from Texas certainly qualifies as exotic given her locale.. she stopped by the shop for a visit on her way to the White House- thanks for the flowers Beverly!) But after all is said and done, it always seems to me that perhaps the most precious wildlife of all can be found at home right on my own couch....

Let Go

A man on the bus sat staring at me today as I was reading my book. After what I thought was too long to be keep looking, I gave him a direct look. He quickly looked up and said:
"You have beautiful toes" with the sweetest, softest smile. It melts the heart to know that a little nail polish can render a man helpless...bless his heart!

But, sleep is calling me- indeed there have been too many cocktail parties this week-but it's a nice chance to glam up and do the goddess thing while having dinner...a recent gathering at West Elm for area businesses provided a some tasty refreshments

“By letting go, it all gets done.
The world is won by those who let it go.
But when you try and try,
The world is beyond winning.”

~Lao Tzu