Seven of Diamonds belong to the special family of Seven. It means that their life does not follow the traits of 46 cards of the deck. It may feel like being an alien with ideas and set of values no one understands. No one can ever experience how it is to be in your place, except your soul twin. Only six other cards can genuinely share your most profound thoughts and feelings.
Their karma card - the Nine of Hearts - the card of Universal Love. The central question of your life is - money or love, love or money? Harmonization of these two subjects can become a lifetime mission. The Seven of Diamonds can make a fortune, but lack love they desire or go broke with having the most precious relationships. In any case, finances hold the most important keys to their satisfaction, and they will never settle for something less than a grand financial success. It is not like they judge others by their money-making abilities, but they know that money is power, and they give respect to people on the "top of the chain." Seven of Diamonds also understand that what you give is what you get. You do not respect people who are trying to cheat and steal their way up.
Seven of Diamonds life and early years involve some changes. They might have a considerable amount of traveling or relocating in childhood, which affects their entire life. For their very open-minded and mentally sharp brain, creativeness and ambitions, any routine work can be more than they can handle. Seven Of Diamonds need new things to learn, new places to go and new projects to work on to keep themselves motivated and happy.
In love, they are more than anyone else willing to sacrifice and give anything they've got to beloved ones. Women make great mothers and wives. Men - good-hearted and dependable husbands. Many Seven of Diamonds tend to have a significant circle of friends in their home.
Often, the Seven of Diamonds are born into money; others marry money. Others have a great ability and fantastic potential to make a fortune, but only when they realize the real value of wealth as well as its limitations. It can buy you things of pleasure and comfort, but not happiness nor love. Settling the set of values is extremely important. Their life is a good sample of God's law of valid values, and they should always remember, that there are enough money and wealth for everyone, and there is the responsibility that comes with financial success. Being responsible for people we love, for people we invite into our lives, might be the most significant burden for the Seven Of Diamonds, but not recognized until later in life. They have the key to financial success and wealth inside themselves, and if they can unlock this spiritual awareness, they can access the pool of universal wealth.
The Seven of Diamonds have a psychic gift and desire for higher knowledge. They can become an excellent employer that cares about the welfare of others, the leader of the organization working for progress and improvement, - especially after forty-five. They can be attracted to the water, have a house by the ocean, or have a successful business connected to the international transportation, import, and export, or prescription medications and drugs. The Seven of Diamonds are also can do well in marketing and public relations, promoting things they value highly.
Issues to be aware: Need to be very careful in signing contracts. Don't risk in lawsuits and legal matters.
Prima, you're also an Ivy. You're a boar, butterfly, goose, and an Opal.
There are many mythological accounts concerning boars in a variety of cultures throughout the world. Boar hunt, and all its process – from tracking the animal, chasing it and delivering the final blow at the end – as always been a very ritualistic activity, greatly linked to initiation rites, tests of manhood, strength and an exercise to prepare for war.
Hercules chased and captured a ferocious and gigantic boar; the goddess Artemis sent a boar to Calydon to ravage, lay waste, create chaos in that region because Oeneus, the king of the city, forgot about the yearly sacrificial rituals to the gods; in Norse mythology we have Gullinbursti – the god Freyr’s mount – a boar; In Hindu mythology, the boar Varaha is the third of the ten avatars of Vishnu and under that form Vishnu defeated the demon Hiranyaksha. Well, it’s not my intention to give you a list of mythological accounts about the boar, I just want you to understand that this was an animal of great importance in many cultures, but let’s focus on the Celtic culture.
Through archaeology we know our ancestors started the process of domesticating animals during the beginning of the Neolithic period. Of course they domesticated animals before this period, but the Neolithic marks a time when Man’s actions greatly changed the behaviour and the physical appearances of animals. Changes in the animals eating habits, changings in the habitats, inter-breading to enhance certain features of an animal – the earliest genetic changes – well, a variety of factors which contributed to change the physical appearances of animals. Boars were domesticated and we have transformed them into pigs, and for millions of years, in general to us there as always been this idea that boars were just wild pigs and pigs were domesticated wild pigs. So there was no great difference between the two. However, to the Celts, a pig was a pig and a boar was a completely different creature. In the Celtic languages there are different words for a pig and for a boar, I mean, the Celts didn’t just refer to boars as wild pigs. The Celts did not identify the two animals as being from the same species. For instance, he word for Boar in ancient Irish and Gaelic-Scottish is “torc”, in Welsh is “baedd gwyllt” and in Cornish “bath”, this shows us the singularity of the boar in the Celtic cultures.
Both the bear and the boar were considered to be the most fearsome creatures of the forests in pre-Christian times and throughout the early middle ages. The Celts highly respected and admired the capacity the boar had to defend itself when the creature felt threatened. So the boar became a symbol of courage and bravery, and also ferocity in battle. To the Celts and also among the Anglo-Saxons, the boar assumes the zoomorphic figuration of the Ideal Warrior, which is why the figure of the boar appears in decorations of weapons and in the equipment of warriors, most prominent in helmets and shields.
When the Celts went to war, one of the most characteristic objects they would take with them was the Carnyx, those long bronze trumpets, with an animal head from where the sound would come, and most of the heads were representations of a boar’s head, of course there were other
animal representations such as serpents, but the boar was the most used representation for these wind instruments. The boar being an animal linked to courage, bravery and ferocity in battle, it’s really interesting to see this very creature represented in these objects emitting a battle chant from the depths – frightening.
animal representations such as serpents, but the boar was the most used representation for these wind instruments. The boar being an animal linked to courage, bravery and ferocity in battle, it’s really interesting to see this very creature represented in these objects emitting a battle chant from the depths – frightening.
The boar is also associated with certain Celtic deities, such as Vitiris, a Celtic god who was worshipped in the British Isles, a very popular deity amongst young warriors and even roman warriors who adopted this god. And the god Mogons also associated with the boar and Moccus a deity from Gaul, worshipped by boar-hunters. The goddess Arduinna, also from Gaul, a goddess from a specific forest in ancient Gaul, and she is associated with hunt and the boar, she even rides a boar. And in ancient Lusitania, the cult of the god Endovélico involved sacrificing boars, and also pigs. So the boar was one of the main animals used in the cult of a variety of Celtic deities. And we have other spiritual/religious references to the boar, such as some of the warriors from ancient Celtic Scotland wore wild boar skins, or even a Celtic tribe from northern Britain, whose name was Orci which means “tribe of the boars”. And then a wondrous variety of statuettes and figurines of boars, and boars represented in coins. The boar was one of the most represented animals, second only to the horse.
In conclusion, the boar is one of the most representative animals of the Celtic culture, as a symbol associated with war, but above all, courage and bravery, ferocity in battle, and in a variety of folktales and Celtic legends, even the ones about King Arthur, the boar is also associated with magic and the other world, in Celtic mythology, especially in Welsh mythology, the boar can speak with humans and the creature is able to lead people into the world of the spirits, linking the animal to initiation rites; rites of passage.
Celtic Zodiac Sign Butterfly
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Celtic Zodiac Sign: Butterfly Meanings
Celtic Zodiac Sign:
The Butterfly
The Butterfly
September 30 –
October 27
October 27
Personality Introduction for This Celtic Animal Sign:
Greetings dear Butterfly! What’s not to love about you!? Elegance, style, grace beauty…and these are just some of your exterior qualities! In truth, your sign tends to have a natural physical beauty.
Greetings dear Butterfly! What’s not to love about you!? Elegance, style, grace beauty…and these are just some of your exterior qualities! In truth, your sign tends to have a natural physical beauty.
People find you quite attractive. Like the butterfly, you tend to take our breath away with your presence.
You also appreciate the beauty around you. It’s highly likely you surround yourself with lovely things and people as well as gravitate to refined environments.
Consider the butterfly, who flits from one exquisite flower to another. That’s you..flying from one eye-catching, pleasurable delight to another.
Even if you don’t feel as externally beautiful as I’ve described, I guarantee you’ve got class. You radiate a certain charm that is absolutely infectious. This charm and grace makes you a magnet in social settings. Folks tend to gravitate to you for your wit, demeanor and style. When it comes to social gatherings, you are the hostess with the mostess. In other words, you really know how to throw a party! This is all well and good, but there’s an important lesson here. It’s vital for your Celtic zodiac sign to realize people are captivated by YOU, not necessarily the stuff you do. You are enchanting just the way you are – there’s very little you need to do to prove your value.
What about your inner world? It’s a glorious world of understanding and comprehension. One of the reasons people find you so charming is because you instinctively hone in on who you’re interacting with. I mean, if you know who you’re dealing with, it’s quite easy to establish an enjoyable rapport with them, right? It’s almost like you have x-ray vision. You can see inside people with your psychic eye. Consequently, people walk away from you feeling like they’ve been understood. Folks call you attentive, and a great listener. Part of this ability of yours comes from seeing both sides to any coin. You have a remarkable talent for putting yourself in other people’s shoes. It’s as if you can relate to almost anybody. This is a rare and beautiful skill.
These are extraordinary qualities that serve you in accumulating meaningful relationships. This is especially true in the business world. Your knack for ‘seeing’ gives you a leg-up in your career. You’re an excellent team player, and use great diplomacy when communicating with others. This ties in with your Celtic zodiac sign ‘s theme of partnership. You’re at your best when you’re working in tandem with others.
So what’s in it for you, dear butterfly? You give so much to the world, where’s your payback? I’m not saying you expect anything for being an awesome friend, partner or parent – you don’t. But there are things you need to keep your energy high-flying. Admiration for one. You really need to be appreciated and complimented. You might say approval from others is like your nectar…it keeps you feeling alive. There’s really nothing wrong with this. We all deserve to be respected and acknowledged. Nonetheless, a big butterfly lesson is to understand the very best form of gratitude comes from within. The inner work of self-loving and self-admiring is crucial for your sign’s development.
“Enjoy people as you might enjoy a rainbow or a butterfly –
they are most beautiful when they are free.”
Keywords for Celtic Zodiac Sign of the Butterfly
- Social
- Creative
- Traveler
- Tasteful
- Creative
- Idealistic
- Optimistic
- Beautiful
- Charming
- Easygoing
- Instinctual
- Harmonious
- Peace-Loving
- Understanding
- Companionable
Those of you born between September 30 – October 27 are peace-lovers. Harmony is the name of your game, and you’ll go to great lengths to achieve it. You’re not a big fan of conflict, and try your best to avoid it. Sometimes you might even trample on your own needs, or staunch your opinions just to keep the peace. Occasionally, this behavior might make people think you’re a people-pleaser, or even a push over. That’s not accurate. You simply appreciate the beauty in balance. You value smooth interactions and even-tempered environments.
Noteworthy Aspects for Your Celtic Zodiac Sign
Element: Air
Those of you born under the Celtic zodiac sign of the butterfly are ruled by the air element. What does this mean? It means you tend to be high-minded and idealistic. Air is symbolic of thought, messages and ideas. You’ve got plenty of those, and they tend to be lofty. Often, the air element influences you to stay in a dream world. This sometimes leads to living in a dream, rather than taking action to make your dreams come true. Air is also a changing, unpredictable element. By association, you can be that way too.
Those of you born under the Celtic zodiac sign of the butterfly are ruled by the air element. What does this mean? It means you tend to be high-minded and idealistic. Air is symbolic of thought, messages and ideas. You’ve got plenty of those, and they tend to be lofty. Often, the air element influences you to stay in a dream world. This sometimes leads to living in a dream, rather than taking action to make your dreams come true. Air is also a changing, unpredictable element. By association, you can be that way too.
Planet: Moon
The butterfly Celtic zodiac sign is governed by the moon. The moon is a tricky luminary. It’s all about what it shows to the world, and what it hides from it. By association, you’re kind of like that too. You emit a bright light to the world, but you also have a shadow side. For example, you easily show understanding and compassion to others. The shadow side is that you don’t always show the same respect and love to yourself. You present yourself as a proud, confident, optimistic creature to the world. The dark side of this image is that you sometimes feel indecisive, unsure and weak.
The butterfly Celtic zodiac sign is governed by the moon. The moon is a tricky luminary. It’s all about what it shows to the world, and what it hides from it. By association, you’re kind of like that too. You emit a bright light to the world, but you also have a shadow side. For example, you easily show understanding and compassion to others. The shadow side is that you don’t always show the same respect and love to yourself. You present yourself as a proud, confident, optimistic creature to the world. The dark side of this image is that you sometimes feel indecisive, unsure and weak.
The Legend of Your Celtic Zodiac Sign
In Celtic mythology, the butterfly is an ephemeral thing. It is a symbol for rebirth, and also the soul. The concept of rebirth is addressed in the Celtic myth of Etaine. Etaine was a lovely woman who agreed to marry Midir of the Tuatha De Danaan. Only problem was, Midir was already married to Fuamnach. Apparently, Fuamnach wasn’t in to polyamory, and wasn’t about to share Midir. She effectively cursed Etaine to be tossed about in a storm for twelve years in the form of a butterfly. Poor Etaine. It was a tempestuous twelve years, and she took quite a beating. But, as with all good stories, it has a happy ending. Eventually, Etaine lands in a goblet of wine and accidentally swallowed by Etar, the wife of a Celtic chieftain. Etar becomes pregnant, and soon after gives birth to Etaine…err, well, re-birth, I should say.
This is symbolic of getting a second chance to make better choices. Do you sometimes feel beaten down by life? Battered by life’s storms? Or maybe you’re beating yourself up about something. The moral of this story is that rebirth and renewal are available to you. You can choose to make better choices. You can think better thoughts, take better action. In doing so, you are granted lighter passage through life.
The butterfly is also a Celtic symbol of the soul. Many Celtic myths tell of the butterfly swooping down to the dead or dying. The butterfly consumes the soul of the deceased and flies into the skies with it. Essentially, this transference offers immortality. I’m not suggesting you can suck up the souls of the dead and make them immortal. But what I am suggesting is that you have a knack for uplifting folks who are in desperate times. You often elevate people or projects that are sinking. By doing so, you breathe new life in what otherwise might be extinguished.
Learn more about the power of the butterfly here: Symbolic Meaning of the Butterfly.
Closing Thoughts on Your Celtic Zodiac Sign
For those of you born between September 30 – October 27, you have vast goodies to share with the world. You are at your best in a mutual admiration society. Partnerships are crucial for you in terms of discovering more about yourself and the world. And speaking of the world, you always seem to be up for travel. Like your Celtic zodiac sign, the butterfly, you’re quite alright with migrating to far off places. Often, your travels give you new insights and provide a unique education about what’s important to you. Your mission, should you accept dear butterfly is to enjoy the beauty that blooms from within. Give yourself permission to go easy on yourself. Allow yourself to appreciate your inner beauty, and really acknowledge the value of who you are
In the Roman tradition, geese were seen as a symbol of providence and vigilance. There exists a legend that when the Gauls had invaded the Eternal City, they reached the Capitoline Hill and tried to seize it at night. As they approached a temple dedicated to Juno, a sacred flock of geese were awakened and alerted the Roman guards. The Roman army turned back the invaders and the geese went down in history as saving Rome.
St. Isidore of Seville recounts the virtues of geese in his writings. “The goose took its name [anser, in Latin] from its similarity to the duck [anas, in Latin], or because it swims frequently. Geese watch at night and give warning with their noise; they can smell humans better than any other animal can. Geese warned Rome of attack by the Gauls.”
Interestingly, the ancient Celtic people saw the Holy Spirit not as a hovering white dove but as a “wild goose.” The meaning behind this peculiar choice is because they saw how the Holy Spirit has a tendency to disrupt and surprise. The Holy Spirit moves in our lives in an unexpected fashion, similar to the actions of a wild goose.
This reality is constantly reflected in the lives of the saints, who often had their own ideas regarding how they would follow God, but were then led in an unexpected way. St. Francis of Assisi is a perfect example, a man who heard the voice of God to “rebuild my church,” and set out initially to rebuild the physical church of San Damiano. Francis thought he was following God’s call when he gathered bricks to repair the church that was falling apart. However, the Holy Spirit surprised him by redirecting his efforts to the Church at large, building up a spiritual foundation for a religious order that would change the world.
So the next time you set out on a “wild goose chase,” it might not be you who are chasing the goose, but the “goose” who is chasing you!
HOLY SPIRIT AND WILD GEESE
THE CELTIC WILD GOOSE IS A GREAT
SYMBOL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
(Amended from the original)
David Clark
31 May 2009
St. Columba……
The symbol of the wild goose for the Holy Spirit comes from the island of Iona, off the western coast of Scotland, and it is the ancient Celtic symbol of the Holy Spirit.
It wasn't that the ancient Irish and Scots didn't know about doves, the more traditional biblically-originating symbol of the Spirit.
The name of the sixth-century founder of the abbey at Iona, the man who first brought Christianity to Scotland, Columba, means 'dove'.
But, as lovely as doves might be, Celtic Christians decided the wild goose was a far more apt symbol of the Holy Spirit.
This one,( in our church!) cast in a studio in Ireland where Columba originated, and purchased at the abbey on Iona which he founded, hangs above the pulpit around which are carved the ominous words, "Where there is no vision, the people perish".
Both the goose and those words are a reminder and a warning to preachers and to the preached-to. They are reminders that the Spirit of God cannot be tamed or contained. They are reminders, when it comes to God, to expect the unexpected.
Wild geese are, well, wild. That is, untamed, uncontrolled. They make a lot of noise, and have a habit of biting those who try to contain or capture them.
That has been the Christian experience of the Holy Spirit through two thousand years. Time and again when theology and God have appeared to be firmly in the control of hierarchies and religious establishment, the Spirit of God has broken free – and has often bitten those who tried to prevent it happening.
The beginnings of monasticism in the fourth century, monastic reforms in the eleventh century and movements such as the Franciscans in the late Middle Ages, the sixteenth century Reformation, the eighteenth century Wesleyan movement, the twentieth century ecumenical movement, feminist and liberation theologies and the charismatic movement, have all reflected the untamed, uncontrollable spirit of God. Wayside preachers, radical reformers, visionary women, risk-taking adventurers creating new settlements, scholars exploring beyond the boundaries of orthodoxy, caring helpers going beyond the boundaries of the safe and appropriate, have changed the face of the church over the centuries, empowered by the Spirit more appropriately depicted as wild goose than cooing dove..
Geese make a lot of noise when you disturb them. That is why sometimes they have been used as a kind of early warning system. There’s an ancient story that it was the loud cackling of a flock of geese that alerted sentries in Rome to an invading army creeping up to the walls in the middle of the night.
Throughout Christian history, the clamour of people and movements have expressed the demand for reformation and transformation, seeking to recapture the original Christian vision.
Whenever the church has settled into complacent institutional somnolence, Spirit-filled people have warned of the dangers of believing that the gospel can be contained and controlled.
The song of the Spirit-goose is not sweet to many because its insistence on renewal and change, justice and truth is sometimes harsh and threatens what is often called ‘the peace and unity of the church’.
Those upon whom the Spirit rests are forced by that Spirit to become like wild geese – noisy, passionate and courageous advocates of the gospel’s radical demands.
They have often been reviled, ostracised, excommunicated, imprisoned, tortured, exiled, or killed by the power-holders.
The wild goose is one of the most communal of creatures, drawing its life from the flock. God’s Spirit is not a spirit of individualism, but of community. In an age when the spirit of individualism is a supreme ideology both outside and inside the church, it is worth reminding ourselves that the testimony of the earliest Christians, and of Christians down the ages, is that the Spirit brings community.
That was a primary message of the Pentecost narrative. The Spirit, when it is holy Spirit, brings people together, to support and travel life’s journey with each other.
From observing the behaviors of wild geese, there are five lessons about being community, about quality of relationships.
The first is that flying in the V formation gives geese a seventy-one per cent increase in flying range, with flapping wings creating an updraft for the bird following. Flying is a co-operative business,
The second is that the lead goose in the V formation does not, of course, experience this updraft and so tires faster than the others. When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose takes over the lead.Leadership is to be shared and not go on indefinitely
The third lesson is that when a goose falls out of the formation, it feels the drag and resistance of flying alone, and quickly gets back into the formation.
Fourth, when a wild goose is sick or wounded, or shot down, two others follow it to help and protect it until it recovers or dies, while the others continue to fly on. When the goose recovers or dies, a new formation is created, heading in the same direction as the first.
And fifth, when geese are flying in formation, those flying behind honk to encourage those in front to keep up speed.
Three other relationship lessons from the wild goose – first, if we have as much sense as a goose, we’ll stay with those who are headed where we also want to go, and we will accept and we will give help.
A second is to stand by each other in the difficult times as well as when we are strong, and that the direction and impetus of the community can continue even when some fall by the wayside. What’s more, it is possible for the direction to be picked up again and continued by those who have been left behind.
Finally, we’d better make sure our honking is encouraging! And let me tell you, it is! I hear many horror stories from colleagues about whining, moaning, criticising members of congregations
Wind, shining sun, mother eagle, bright cloud, kind fire, love of friends, mother, father, friend, lover… These and many more are images of the Holy Spirit of God. But consider the wild goose and be encouraged. Amen.
Celtic Meaning: Ivy Symbolism in the Celtic Ogham
Symbolic Celtic Meaning of Ivy in the Ogham
The Celtic meaning of the ivy deals with connections and friendships because of its propensity to interweave in growth. Ever furrowing and intertwining, the ivy is an example of the twists and turns our friendships take – but also a testimony to the long-lasting connections and bonds we form with our friends that last over the years.
Another tribute to friendship as well as the test of time is the ivy’s ability to grow in challenging environments.
The ivy is incredibly durable and can withstand harsh conditions. This is symbolic of our ability to stick by our friends no matter what.
Symbolic Celtic Meaning of the Ivy
- Growth
- Renewal
- Connection
- Friendship
- Opportunity
It is also a symbol of vibrancy as the druids admired its bright green hue. Often, sprigs of ivy would be woven into chain necklaces or head adornments to represent clarity of thought as well as celebrate the vitality of nature surrounding them.
“Vitality in friendships lies in honoring differences,
not just enjoying the similarities.”
The ivy is also a symbol of survival and determination for the same reasons. It seems to be virtually indestructible and will often return after it has suffered damage or has been severely cut back. This is an example of the human spirit and the strength we all have to carry on regardless of how harrowing our setbacks may have been.
Also pertaining to its growth (and similar to the vine) the ivy grows in the shape of a spiral. The spiral has long been considered a sacred symbol…
Symbolism of the Spiraling Ivy
- Consciousness
- Development
- Expansion
- Rebirth
Lasly, most ivy has five-pointed leaves which makes it a symbol of protection as it signifies the harmony of the elements unified by common bonding energy.
Ivy – symbol of strength and determination
Ivy has many superstitions and beliefs attached to it.
Because it had the ability to form dense thickets in woodland, grow where other plants could not and block out the light from even the mighty oak, ivy was believed to be very powerful by the Druids, more powerful than its enemy, the vine and quite sinister.
The ivy and the vine have been seen as enemies since ancient times. This seems odd since the same Greek and Roman gods are associated with each.
Because it had the ability to form dense thickets in woodland, grow where other plants could not and block out the light from even the mighty oak, ivy was believed to be very powerful by the Druids, more powerful than its enemy, the vine and quite sinister.
The ivy and the vine have been seen as enemies since ancient times. This seems odd since the same Greek and Roman gods are associated with each.
Bacchus, god of wine
In Greek mythology ivy was sacred to Osiris and also associated with Dionysus. In Roman mythology Ivy was connected to Bacchus, the god of wine as it grew over his home land.
Bacchus is often portrayed wearing an ivy crown, perhaps because this was once thought to prevent intoxication. The poisonous berries of the ivy, when ground into a powder were also once believed to be a hangover cure.
The link between Bacchus and ivy was taken over to England where old English Taverns would display ivy above their doors indicating the high quality of their drinks.
The proverb ‘Good wine needs no bush’, meaning good wine speaks for itself, comes from this practice.
Bacchus is often portrayed wearing an ivy crown, perhaps because this was once thought to prevent intoxication. The poisonous berries of the ivy, when ground into a powder were also once believed to be a hangover cure.
The link between Bacchus and ivy was taken over to England where old English Taverns would display ivy above their doors indicating the high quality of their drinks.
The proverb ‘Good wine needs no bush’, meaning good wine speaks for itself, comes from this practice.
Gort, G – Ivy, a symbol of strength and determination to the Druids, is the twelfth letter of the ogham alphabet, gort, and the eleventh month in the Celtic tree calendar, representing September 30th to October 27th.
Protection from evil
In old Ireland ivy was thought to provide protection from evil when growing on or near to a dwelling.
However, if it should die or fall down then misfortune would fall upon those therein.
Ivy was often carried by young women for good luck and fertility. Used at weddings intertwined with holly, the ivy would symbolise fidelity and at Yule-tide, would bring peace to the household.
Ivy was also linked to inspiration and worn by poets in the form of a crown.
However, if it should die or fall down then misfortune would fall upon those therein.
Ivy was often carried by young women for good luck and fertility. Used at weddings intertwined with holly, the ivy would symbolise fidelity and at Yule-tide, would bring peace to the household.
Ivy was also linked to inspiration and worn by poets in the form of a crown.
October - Opal
09/30/2019
Long, long ago, when the earth was young and elements were divine, the Storm God lolled about, playing amidst the wind and clouds in his luminous sphere. The rain came down in sheets, whipped through the sky, pelting the earth. Amid the lightning strikes, with black clouds riding the mountains and plains like emboldened dragons, the sunlight broke through the darkness. A rainbow appeared. The storm god grew angry and jealous of the rainbow's power. In a moment, he petrified it. Pieces of rainbow fell to the earth, becoming opals.
Flash forward several tens of million of years into the fifteenth century. Imagine in another life time that you were a blond maiden. You were traveling through Cernowitz, Hungary where a community of about three hundred miners was mining for opals. You purchased one for a necklace. It would not only make you quite the fashionable rage, but give you talismanic power to protect the lovely color of your hair.
The name of October's birthstone comes from the Sanskrit word "upala," which simply translates to "precious gem." From the Sanskrit came the Greek word, opalios, and the Latin, opalus. October's birthstone suggests the turn of leaves, gold, yellow, red, in the autumn months. I believe there is no gem more exquisite than a fine opal, and yet many people are reluctant to own one because they are believed to bring bad luck.
Opals are fragile and brittle. Many an opal has cracked on a jewelers' bench during the setting. Jewelers have helped to perpetuate the myth and discourage opals because, when you crack a valuable gem on the bench, you naturally blame it on bad luck and not your own skill set. In Arab myth and lore opals were held to be created when lightening strikes the earth. When lightening strikes sand, glass is formed. Like glass, opals are extremely brittle and fragile.
The second origin of opals being bad luck comes from the notion of the evil eye. Lapidaries in Europe in the Middle Ages call the gem, ophthalmios, "eye stone." The eye of a dragon. or any malignant god was said to be bad luck. A Scandinavian story Volondr, the equivalent of the Roman god, Vulcan, described another source of opals. He was said to have created them from the eyes of children.
The notion of the evil eye is widely held. The evil eye can seduce, which is why you should take care when you see the eyes in peacock feathers. I recently traveled through Turkey where glass charms are sold, concentric circles with a dark spot in the center, said to ward off the evil eye. In an ancient cavern with Roman columns under the streets of Istanbul was a column with a Medusa carving. The origin of this "evil eye," I was told, was the ancient story of this snake headed demon goddess that turned heroes into stone—something many men have experienced with their wives, metaphorically speaking, of course.
In these cultures, to have oneself cast by an evil implies far more than sleeping in separate beds. Eyes, being the "windows of the soul," give access to one's essence. Perhaps to be given the evil eye implies a kind of stain on one's immortal divinity, which translate, in Hamlet's words, to bad luck while in the day to day slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Certainly many of us have experienced a sinking feeling in our stomachs after being glanced by someone who had malignant intent.
Yet opals were also held in high esteem. One gem, called the Orphanus, was set in a crown of the Holy Roman Empire. Said to glow with inner fire in the darkness, the opal represented the empire's regal honor. Opals were used as the eyes of deities. The Roman's knew opals as "cupid stone," symbolic of purity and hope.
These stories suggest the true power of opals deals with a kind of visioning. Going back to the original story, the rainbow is metaphor for purity and blessing. At the end of the rainbow is the pot of gold—gold being the final alchemical process, the manifestation of one's own divinity. Rainbows also are about understanding something from many different perspectives.
Opals contain the full color range. The view of orange is different than the view of blue or green. A rainbow is white light broken into various hues. Some esoteric traditions hold that colors represent the various qualities of souls. Shamanic practitioners in the Americas and Australia have used opals as a type of medicine that enables clarity.
Perhaps opals enable you to dream a different vision of your life, one based on the universal perspective of the rainbow. While this path may not make you popular, it certainly will give you the satisfaction and radiance of fulfilling your inner duty.
References: Most of the historical content, myth and lore referenced in this article came from two books, both of which are in print and available on line:
George Frederick Kunz, The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, New York; Dover Publications, Inc. 1913, 1971 edition.
Bruce Knuth, Gems In Myth, Legends And Lore, Parachute, Colorado, Jewelers Press, 2007.