Adornment has symbolized many things throughout time and for each culture and group of people. Shamans, priestesses, healers, leaders and even royalty have adorned themselves with pieces that are symbolic of their identity, or with talismans to protect and stones that accentuate their state of well being and power.
I think much of this is lost in today’s world of fashion and style. Although clothes and jewels are always a wonderful thing, there is a layer missing, particularly for the conscious and spiritually connected woman. Being an artist as well as a woman on a Sacred Feminine path, has lead me in the last few years towards an exploration of adornment as a sacred ritual that is in essence its own spiritual mystery or practice.
Imagine a woman waking up in the morning, then moving into a quiet space where she does her morning practice, whatever that might be. By tuning into what her day is about and what she is feeling, she sets her intention and tone for this day in order to prepare herself. With this in mind she dresses herself and then goes to her sacred adornment box. It is here that she carefully chooses how she will adorn herself. Will it be a piece of power? Or perhaps one that aids in clarity of mind? Maybe, on this day its really about emanating the healing softness of feminine beauty.
This conscious choosing is an act of spiritual power and responsibility to the true state and intention of a woman and how she exists for that moment. The ritual of adornment becomes an acknowledgment of her awareness for how she will walk in the world, what she is projecting and what she will be taking in.
Although this is not at all a lost art, it is certainly a practice I am called to remind women of. There is a growing number of us re-membering who we are and have always been. The ownership and celebration of our spirits and our feminine potency is a dance the world is longing to receive.
Look at the pieces of adornment you have collected over the years. Is there meaning and feeling behind each piece? How do you feel when you wear them? Are there different pieces for different type of days or feelings? If you had never thought about this before, you may be surprised at the answers you give to these questions.
I believe that creating adornments is an alchemical journey. Each stone and metal used, carries with them their own vibrational energy and in turn, helps to align and enhance the energy of the wearer. While working with these precious materials, I have been humbled by the realization that there are energies that want to be brought together. Each piece becoming its own entity of resonance longing for one to resonate with. It’s a relationship asking for each of us to dive in and explore!
Elena Rego’s adornments can be found at Lunar Adornments . This currentSummer 2010 line was inspired by the quote “I am looking for the face I had before the world was made.” by William Butler Yeats. Many of you may remember Elena from her blog Lunar Musings which is going through a major revamp. To keep up to date with the release of her new website and other happenings, please sign up for her newsletter [here].
