This week, the world hovers at thresholds: between summer and winter, between warmth and cold, between vibrant waking life and the dormancy of winter slumber. Despite temperatures at and below the threshold of freezing, the mercury still rises into the seventies, and the winds whisper of Indian Summer through flame-colored trees.
And on the ground, the grass is still green.
One of our themes this week has been earth medicine — one among the many plants that are the world’s gift to us. As is the case with virtually all the world has to offer, it is a gift with a double edge: too much, or too carelessly used, and it becomes toxic; approached with skill and the respect it deserves, it can heal the body and nurture visions of the spirit. It is one of many plants that hold the deep rich green of Mother Earth in her most verdant summer robes . . . and unlike so many plants, medicinal and otherwise, the hardy desert cactus holds its color even through the snowy winter months.
Today’s featured work captures this lush color and sets it amid symbols of life and healing. From its description in the Rings Gallery here on the site:
Mother Earth Ring
Like a parent, she nourishes and nurtures us, setting us the path of our daily lives, providing for our needs. Here, our Mother Earth is embodied in a rich green turquoise cabochon, sky and plant spirits melded together, mapped by her own paths of rich brown soil. Directional arrows alternating with symbols of love trace either side of the scored band. Cabochon is 5/8″ square (dimensions approximate); band is sizeable. Other views shown below.
Sterling silver; natural Royston turquoise
$350 + shipping, handling, and insurance
If the forecast holds, we will be blessed with at least another week and a half of Indian Summer, remarkable warmth now far out of season. As the warm season fades slowly into the middle distance of memory and the green of our world gives way increasingly to winter’s brown and gray and white, our mother still provides what we need.
She still gives us the gift of earth medicine.
~ Aji
All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owners.
