Stoned and Amazed

I don't wear a lot of jewelry. There's the silver pendant that I picked up from a hippie jeweler on Telegraph Ave back in the 1970's. It's sterling silver, a little larger than a nickel coin and is sculpted with the head of an Artemis-like long-haired woman. The wind blows through her long hair and she's holding out her hand to a bird. An opal adorns her neck. I've worn this piece every day for 30 years. She is my wild woman.

Back in 1976, when I finished graduate school, I trotted down to the local jeweler in Iowa City, Iowa and bought myself a garnet ring set in gold. My reward. My symbol of accomplishment. I was never into class rings. Like the pendant, I have worn it religiously. I began to wear this ring with my wedding band when Tom and I were married. This winter when we separated I caught it on the motorhome door as I exited down the stairs and almost pulled my finger off. Startled and in pain I ran inside and immediately pulled my rings off as my finger swelled and turned black and blue. The gold setting of the garnet was badly bent. The wedding ring never returned to my finger.

I recently delivered the garnet to a Navajo jeweler to get it re-shaped and was advised to protect the unusually beautiful piece; that garnets this large are now rare. I decided to reset it to ensure I would not lose it. I picked up the ring on the day that Tom and I filed our final stack of divorce papers. It was as if this ring had led me through the process of separation.

The third piece of jewelry I wear is a turquoise and silver antique Navajo ring. This ring has ten little turquoise in-lays that periodically fall out. I recently had this ring repaired as well; after a year of looking for someone to do the inlay, the missing stones were dropped in place and on my finger. Again, the week we filed those papers.


My three pieces: old friends. I am in awe at the energies my soul called forth and what appeared; what I chose to wear without 'knowing.' First came garnet, known as the warriors stone, protective talisman against death or injury. It is the stone of love and passion, enhancing sensuality, sexuality and intimacy. Garnet brings constancy to friendships. Magically, it rebounds negative energy back to the source, protecting its wearer from malicious energy. A few years later came the wild woman and her opal, which sparks imagination, promotes introspection and awakens intuition. This corresponded to my serious pursuit of writing. Ten years later came turquoise. Like garnet, it also shields from harmful influences. Its energy attracts love and friendship. Ultimately, it brings peace and serene energy to its wearer. This ring was given me on the cusp of my 5-year solo retreat at the edge of wilderness.

Here's the clincher. Last year I was drawn to replace two pieces of the turquoise with red coral. Land with sea. Now I read that red coral stimulates the energetic pursuit of pre-determined goals. What did my soul know that my mind did not? It is linked to the base chakra---passion and creativity are her energetic realms.

All is energy.