|
Healing Gems©
A
Brief History
Self-adornment, considered an early manifestation of symbolic
thought, is now believed to have even pre-dated modern humans
in Europe, and to have been one of the earliest ways that
people conveyed their status and their cultural identity.
(1)
Archaeologists
believe that the earliest examples of jewelry used to define
social status were shell necklaces made between 75,000 and
100,000 years ago, recently discovered at sites located in
Israel and Algeria.
"Windows
to the Soul"
While we tend to think of beads merely as adornment, history
teaches us that almost every society, including our own, has
used beads in a way that communicates the religious, political
and cultural beliefs of the wearer.
Different
theories have been suggested for the universal appeal of beads:
round beads resemble the eyes, "portals to the soul,"
and the wide variety of materials used to make beads appeals
to our tactile sense of touch. It is commonly acknowledged
that the earliest healing beads were worn as talismans, to
ward off "the evil eye."
(2)
Mind,
Body and Spirit
Because of the inherent power gemstones were thought to hold,
only priests and royalty were permitted to wear them in the
early days. The wearing of gem crystals, or even having them
in close proximity, was believed to boost the wearer's energy,
heal the mind, body and spirit, and attract abundance, prosperity
and even love. (3)
Contemporary
Talismans
Although the markets today are cluttered with jewelry of all
makes and quality, few, if any, artisans are consciously drawing
on the powerful properties of gems and the historically significant
properties of beads in the jewelry they are producing.
At Marcy Einhorn
Designs, it is our intention to marry the beauty and cultural
significance of beads to the healing properties of gems to
design contemporary talismans, fit for a queen.
|
