The moon has been a fascination for man since the beginning of time and we have adorned ourselves and our homes with its images in the form of beautiful jewelry and statues.  Its glow and magnetic control of tides has conjured up elements of mystical and magical proportions.  From the Ancient Egyptians to Stonehenge, people have worshipped the terrestrial bodies of the Sun and Moon, believing they were portals to the afterlife.

Where the Sun is considered the most important celestial body for Earth, the Moon is without doubt the most mysterious.  While the Sun gives us life-giving needs and warmth, the Moon is believed to give out powers that rule over growth, in nature, those hollow, dark spaces on earth and the movement of water.

It was believed that the Moon could draw its power from the stars, filtering these powers before pouring their sustenance over the Earth.

Sterling Silver Lunar Phases Link Bracelet

The moon is thought to be a Pagan Goddess in the Wicca religion believing she guides us through the mysteries of life through various phases and faces of the moon.  Due to the mysterious properties and movement of the Moon, the Wiccan religion believes each Moon phase holds magical powers that affect our lives.    Every phase of the Moon creates energy and this energy affects us and everything on Earth.

Gazers still conjure up many mystical thoughts about the Moon, a symbol of love as well as our imaginations.  Is there any wonder why, with Moon’s beautiful glow radiating over Earth in dark night, we believe there are unknown mysterious and magical powers radiating from her light.

Even though science has taken away some of our fantasies, most of us still believe there is something very powerful about the Moon.  We decorate our homes with Moon images as well as adorn ourselves with jewelry depicting the Moon.

Sterling Silver Magical Crescent Moon charm

The crescent moon is the most popular image used in fine sterling silver necklaces and bracelets.     Designed in Celtic Knots, smooth gleaming silver or bedecked in stones, artisans have crafted exquisite Moon images to fit everyone’s taste.  Whether you just like the images of the moon or believe they possess powers like the Ancient Egyptians Amulets, there is truly something for you.

Buddha artwork and statues have become very popular with many different cultures due to their grace and beauty. Each of these Buddhas is shown with their hands in different positions. Outside of Buddhism, few really understand or know exactly what these gestures and movements mean.

Who Was Buddha:

Siddhattha Gotama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent whose teachings founded Buddhism. He is regarded as the Supreme Buddha, meaning “Awakened One” or “Enlightened One”. Accounts of his life and rules are believed to have been memorized by his followers after his death. These teachings were passed down by oral tradition and first placed into written form approximately 400 years after his death.

What are Mudras:

The various hand and finger movements are called Mudras. They are gestures replacing the spoken word and are used to evoke mind ideas and divine powers. Mudras symbolize divine manifestation and are used by monks in their spiritual rituals.

Below are some of the hand and figure gestures and what they symbolize:

Bhumisparsa Mudra

Bhumisparsa Mudra

- With hand held down, palm facing inward – touching the earth as Gautama did, invokes the earth as witness to the truth of his word

Varda Mudra

- Hand down, palm outward – Fulfilment of all wishes, the gesture of charity.

Buddha Absolute Balance of Meditation

Dhyana Mudra
- Hands are in the lap and the tips of the thumbs and fingers touch each other – Absolute balance of meditation.

Abhaya Mudra
- Hand up and open: reassurance, blessing and protection.

Dharmachakra Mudra
- Hands are held level to the heart, thumbs and index fingers form a circles: this is a gesture of teaching, interpreting the Wheel of Law.

Vitarka Mudra
- A circle formed by the thumb and index finger: Intellectual argument or discussion, the sign of the Wheel of Law.

Tarjani Mudra
- Extended index finger pointed at an opponent: Threat or warning.

Jnana Mudra
- The hand is held at chest level and the thumb and index figure form the Wheel of Law. It is Teaching.

Karana Mudra
- Index finger and pinkie are held erect – demons are expelled.

Ksepana Mudra
- Both hands together gesturing sprinkling the nectar of immortality.

Uttarabodhi Mudra
- Both hands placed together above the head with index fingers touching. This gesture is supreme enlightenment.

Buddha statues have become very popular artwork in many homes today with each statue depicting a mudra gesture. Their grace and beauty add a wonderful touch and a certain mystique to any room. Whatever your particular tastes might be, there is a statue that will draw you in and reflect your personal philosophies.

For centuries, Venice has had a well known tradition of Venetian wall masks. For eight hundred years, the Republic of Venice enjoyed unrivaled superiority. From their natural beauty to their master shipbuilders, the Venetians level of wealth and life style were unmatched. Unlike the majority of contemporary Europe, citizens in Venice enjoyed a very high standard of living. This level of wealth has been unequaled ever since. During this time Venice developed a very unique culture which consisted of concealing ones identity as a daily activity.
Venice was a small city and these masks would permit the wearer to act freely where one wished to interact with others outside the bounds of identity. In some instances these masks served as hiding identities involved in illicit or criminal acts. These masks also served a purpose of keeping everyone on a level playing field.

In the Middle Ages, Venice became the most popular tourist spot and also became known as a “pleasure palace”. The popularity of these masks grew among affluent social figures allowing them to conceal their identities while they performed various unscrupulous acts.

With this secrecy grew more decadence, such as gambling and promiscuity. With the increase of declining moral, wearing of masks in daily life was banned and limited to only certain days or months of the year. Eventually it was shortened to a week-long festival now known as Carnevale (Carnival of Venice) or Mardi Gras.

The construction of these masks were outlawed in 1797 and did not start again until 1979 when art students revived the tradition in order to profit from tourism in the city. In less than 30 years, Venetian Wall Masks and Venice are inseparable as one and the same.

Replicas of these exquisite wall masks can add grace and style to any room in your home. Some are so elaborate with headdresses made with fans and feathers wall masks can add a focal to any room. With an enormous range in colors, textures, patterns and materials, you will find a Venetian Wall Mask for every room in your home.

You don’t have to be Hindu or even believe in it to use a Ganesh statue in your home.  It is the one deity that brings luck, wisdom and removes all obstacles in your life.   Ganesh is one of the deities of India that is highly worshipped in the Hindu world.  Before people in India start anything they ask Lord Ganesh to give them a good start on the project.  Ganesha statues come in metal, wood, fiber, stone, and resin, among other materials. The details can be abstract or intricate depending on the size of the statue.

Ganesh has a long history in India where he is worshipped as one of the immortals.  When he was born to Parvati, she wanted all the other gods to admire him. When Saturn would not look at him, Parvati beseeched him but he knew the boy’s head would turn to ash.  With pressure from the other gods, Saturn finally look at him and his head burnt to ashes.  The god Vishnu quickly found a baby elephant head and put it on Ganesh’s neck.

From then on, Ganesh was known as the one “who can remove obstacles”.  Ganesha is worshipped all over India where you will find potbellied, four arms, and two tusks statues.  One of the tusks is always broken and he is usually riding a rat.  He rides the rat so he can get to all the small places that his body can’t.  It also helps him work out problems and in solving difficulties.

Ganesh’s tusk is broken because he was guarding his father’s house one day when a foe came looking for his father and Ganesh used one of his tusks to skewer him and throw him around.  The foe threw his axe at Ganesh and broke his tusk.

He stands for purity, wisdom, and luck.  Ganesha is also thought of for his great  memory that Vyasa, the great author, had him write down the longest poem ever, the epic Mahabharata.

Ganesh or Ganesha, Lord of Success Prosperity as he is known, removes all obstacles when he watches over weddings, when houses being built, soccer games, and performances.  A Ganesh statue in your home or business will bring you good luck, wisdom and remove any obstacles you may be having.   It also makes a great gift for friends or relatives.

Mermaids are those fantastic creatures that every young girl, at some point during their youth, dream of becoming. Mermaids have been around in folklores for thousands of years, but it probably wasn’t until the commercial success of Disney’s The Little Mermaid in 1989 that the mythological creature saw a revival. That movie spawned a sequel, a prequel, and a television program.

1920's mermaid

Mermaids are mythical creatures of the sea with the torsos of beautiful women but fins for legs. They most likely originated from Greek legends that painted them similar to sirens. In public media, mermaids usually have long hair and wear clamshell bras to cover their breasts. This common representation diverges from the classical one which has them entirely naked.

They are said to have beautiful voices but did not draw lost sailors to their deaths intentionally. Their singing voices were simply too beautiful to be ignored. In fact, they were known to impart the gift of music onto those they believed were worthy.

In the modern age, their influence has spanned various forms of media. Most recently, the blockbuster reboot of the Pirates of the Caribbean series featured mermaids as warrior women of the sea. Most commonly, they aren’t portrayed in a hostile light, but rather in one of compassion as illustrated by another movie, Empires of the Deep.

Of course, mermaids in popular culture aren’t confined exclusively to film. In fact, it was a short story by Hans Christian Anderson called The Little Mermaid (off which the Disney movie was based) that initially spurred the fascination with the creatures. In fact, a novel is in the works that will attempt to re-envision the original mermaid fairy tale. Other popular novels, such as Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia, include mermaids within their narratives. 

 
Catch the romance of the lovely mythical mermaids for yourself with a statue to enhance your room or a sterling silver pendant or ear cuff to wear close to you. They make perfect gifts for anyone who takes a pleasure in singing or music in general.

Egyptian Bastet (Cat) Canopic Jar

What better way to honor the spirit of a beloved animal companion and friend that has passed on, than to keep their ashes in an elegant Egyptian canopic jar? As a lover of animals and the human companion to four dogs and a cat, I know the mutual love and adoration that one has with their pet(s).

Egyptian Horus (Falcon) Canopic Jar

I have felt the devastating ache and sadness of losing a dear friend. There was emptiness in my heart with the passing of Tango, my Bernese Mountain dog. I knew that I had to keep a piece of her with me always so I had the Vet give me her ashes after cremation. Finding an appropriate container for the ashes was difficult until I discovered Egyptian canopic jar reproductions.

Canopic jars were created and used in the ancient Egyptian culture during the rituals of the mummification process. The jars were used as containers in which to hold the major internal organs of the deceased that were removed prior to the dead being mummified in gauze like linen strips.

Egyptian Anubis (Dog) Canopic Jar

Egyptian Amun (Ram) Canopic Jar

The Egyptians firmly believed that the dead would require these organs in order to be reborn in the afterlife. These jars had lids or stoppers that were shaped as one of the heads of a minor funerary deity whom the ancient priests believed would protect the internal organs such as the goddess Bastet (cat) or gods Anubis (jackal), Amun (ram), Hapi (baboon) and Horus (falcon). Once the mummification was complete, the linen wrapped body and canopic jars were then placed in the sarcophagus (tomb) for the deceased to begin their journey into the afterlife.

If you have lost that special companion in your life, whether it be feline, canine or fowl, there is a beautiful and elegant Egyptian style canopic jar just right for them. Honor their spirit and preserve their memory by placing their ashes in one — their vessel for the journey to afterlife.

Do you need a guardian for your treasures?  Then the magnificent Gryphon is for you!  The Gryphon (also spelled Griffin, Griffon, or Griffyn) is a legendary animal in myth, literature, film, art, and today, online gaming. Symbols of this great mythical creature can be found in jewelry and statues as well as a charge in heraldry.

Whether the griffin is a noble protector or fantastical beast, the gryphon has been part of mankind’s fantasies and folklore for ages. Today they are myths but at one time, gryphons were alive and well in our collective psyche.

Celtic Gryphon Statue

The Gryphon is a creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. The legendary Griffins are known throughout history for guarding treasure and priceless possessions.  Most statues have eagle-like talons and they generally have a lion’s hindquarters.
As the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts and the eagle was the king of the birds, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature.

 The gryphon’s claws were said to have magical powers.  The gryphon loved gold and precious stones and spent hours upon hours handling their treasures.  The gryphon was a complex creature; a lover and thief of gold and jewels, but also a trusted guardian.  This creature drew the chariots of the gods, represented the glory of the sun, and possessed Great Magical Powers.

Sterling Silver Griffin Pendant

The Regal Gryphon Pendant is often translated into sterling silver jewelry and is worn as a symbol of strength and steadfast purpose.  A statue of the griffin will guard all your jewels and may even play with them when you are not looking!  You definitely need a griffin in your life today!

Theban is an alphabet used today primarily by witches and Wiccans. Their mythical and sacred quotes and sayings are carefully inscribed on beautiful pieces of jewelry to be worn as talisman, amulets or reaffirmation of a person’s faith.

Sterling Silver Tree of Life

The Theban alphabet, also known as the ‘Witch’s Alphabet’, is widely used today to hide magical writings such as the contents of a Book of Shadows from prying eyes. This alphabet serves to disguise or put into cipher the meaning of a text and to give it a mystical quality.

The origins of the Theban alphabet are not exactly known. Theban is not a runic alphabet but is known as the Runes of Honorius or the Honorian Alphabet after the legendary magus. It emerged during the European medieval period when Cabbalistic studies were foremost in the practices of magicians often being referred to as “Witch Writing” or “Witches’ Runes”.

The Theban alphabet bears little resemblance to other alphabets. The parent alphabet is Latin, there is a one-to-one correspondence between letters of the Theban and Latin alphabets with the exception of the letters j and u. These letters are represented by the letters for i and v. The script is also characterized by its left to right writing in a horizontal line.

Sterling Silver Love Pendant

The Theban alphabet is also known as the Theban Script or Angelic Script. It is one of several different scripts used to communicate with angels. When someone wants to petition an angel for help, it’s more powerful if written with this script.

Many Pagans, Witches, and Wiccans use the Theban alphabet to encode their writings in their Books of Shadows or spell books. Many Witches use the alphabet today, primarily for talismanic inscriptions and magickal spells and works. The letters can be carved on stone or wood as an amulet, or on candles for candle spells.

Keep the magic close to you. Wear with pride, jewelry with inscriptions in Theban.

The raven is a complex bird, both in nature and in mythology and, to some, they are very magickal creatures.   There is a tremendous amount of lore from throughout history surrounding the Raven, that is both positive and negative.

On the negative side, the Raven represents the profane, the devil, evil spirits, the trickster and thief, war and destruction, death and doom, and the void.   

Sterling Silver Raven in a Tree Pendant

 In many cultures, the Raven is considered a bird of ill omen.  As a common carrion eater known to feed on humans killed in warfare or by execution, it has become associated with the dead and lost souls.  In Sweden, Ravens are thought to be the ghosts of murdered people, and in Germany, the souls of the damned. 

Yet, in many cultures, the Raven also represents deep magic, the mystery of the unknown, death and transformation, shape shifting, creation, healing, wisdom, protection, and prophecy.

Many Native American tribes in North American see the Raven as a creator Spirit who brought the world into being. To them the Raven is Deity, the First Human and the original Shaman. 

In Scandinavian mythology, Odin,the King of the Gods, had two black Ravens, who flew about the world, delivering messages, gathering knowledge and reporting back to him.  Odin would often shapeshift into a raven himself. 

Scottish Highlanders associated ravens with the second sight. 

Sterling Silver Raven and Pentacles Earrings

 In the Witchcraft and Wiccan worlds, Ravens, are considered magickal creatures. It travels between the worlds of the living and the dead. Because the Raven lives in both  of these worlds, it naturally has great knowledge and Power to transform its realities.  If a raven has come into your life, expect magic to follow.

The intelligence and adaptability of the Raven really makes it an appropriate animal totem for any time or season. It is very powerful especially during the winter solstice which is coming up, December 21.

Raven art is found in all types of jewelry –pendants, necklaces and bracelets as well as clothing and other decorations.  Whether you want to keep your Raven totem close to you or you wish to embrace this magical character of the Raven, consider a beautiful sterling silver piece of jewelry to wear with you always.

Fleur-De-Lis jewelry is one of the hottest fashion trends right now. Celebrities starring on American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and even Paris Hilton have all been seen wearing the Fleur-de-Lis symbol in one form or another.

Fleur de Lis Pendant with Amethyst

Jewelry with the Fleur-de-lis design is beautiful in its simplicity unlike the Fleur-de-Lis’ very complicated history.  It has been connected with royalty (especially in France) and has appeared on family emblems and crests. Although Fleur-de-Lis jewelry has recently become a fashion must-have, this symbol has adorned the bodies of royalty for hundreds of years.

Even today, the Fleur-de-lis is still an enduring image throughout France and wherever the French have settled over the centuries.  In North America, you will see the Fleur-de-lis in places such as Quebec and Louisiana, both of whom have been settled by the French and still retain their French cultures.

The Fleur-de-lis or sometimes spelled Fleur De Lys is translated literally from French as “Lily Flower.” Its origins are somewhat of a mystery. As early as the 700′s the symbol shows up on coins, clothing, pottery and totems from all over Europe.

Celtic Fleur de Lis Pendant

In our modern times, the Fleur-de-Lis can be seen on logos of sporting (New Orleans Saints) and Scouting organizations, in architecture, house accents, main-stream fashion and, as always, jewelry in the form of charms, earrings and pendants. The trend is here to stay awhile, add some royalty to your jewelry collection today!