I am blessed to have my house here in Arizona situated between the Huachuca Mountains to the west and Mule Mountains to the east. At both sunrise and sunset there is a certain time when the sun hits just right and the mountains turn a beautiful shade of purple.
This necklace made of purple wampum, charoite and turquoise is a tribute to those magical purple moments. The stacked wampum discs are separated by tiny silver saucer beads flanking Charoite rectangles and turquoise nuggets. It’s finished with a simple sterling silver hook and eye clasp.
This necklace measures approximately 21 inches.
THE STONE MEDICINE:
Wampum, made from the quahog clam shell, was used by Native Americans prior to the arrival of the colonizing Europeans. It served as ornamentation for ceremonial dress. With the arrival of the Dutch, English, and French settlers, wampum was crafted into purple and white tubular beads, becoming one of the main sources of currency for trade between the Native Americans and the newly arrived European traders and settlers. The spiritual aspects of wampum were highly valued, as the beads were rich in meaning, often used as a means of extending condolences or invitations. Woven into belts, the various designs tell a story to a practiced eye. As colonists introduced more advanced tools to the material, wampum gained a more ornamental and decorative appearance.
Shells are commonly referred to as symbolizing boundless growth as the shells are continually growing throughout the mollusk’s life. Shell stimulates intuition, sensitivity, imagination and adaptability. It helps to enhance mental clarity and provides insight into decision-making. Shell promotes cooperation between the self and others, as well as within the self. It provides cohesive energy for groups. This organic shell-life-matrix of the sea carries the energies of life, water, comfort and peace of mind. It is protective of it’s host or wearer, a safe haven and home that resonates security from the tides constant changing. A greater sense of understanding, patience and knowing opens, reflected from the rhythms of the sea that this shell has endured. In healing folklore it encourages security, adaptability and joy.
Charoite is a stone of deep transformation and love. It‘s a soul stone with big bold energy. Charoite is full of emotional healing, spiritual strength, and helps to regulate us in the best of ways. Charoite is here to bring the light. Splashed with purple potency, this stone is all about positive transformation.
In traditional thought, Turquoise unites the earth and sky, bringing together male and female energies. Turquoise is a stone of “earth-grounding” and is valuable in preventing one from losing touch with the conscious mind during deep meditations. It provides strength and protection. Did you know that it is said that turquoise connects with its owner and will grow pale in color if the wearer becomes ill, sometimes losing all color if the wearer passes away, only to regain color when worn again by a new, healthy owner.