Pentacles and Pentagrams

At Moonstone Path we sell sterling silver pentacles and pentagrams. I am embarrassed to say that I did not know the difference between and pentacle and a pentagram. Every once in a while someone would say that they heard that pentacles were evil, a symbol of devil worship. Even though I knew zilch about pentacles and pentagrams, I never sensed that they had dark energies. Pentacles are stars and circles, those two things can't be evil in my point of view.

After looking on the Internet I found some information that clears things up somewhat.

An upright pentagram is a 5 pointed star with one point aligned upwards.
An inverted pentagram is a 5 pointed star with two points aligned upwards
An upright pentacle is generally defined as an upright pentagram surrounded by a circle. The circle represents protection, and the cycle of life.

Both the pentagram and pentacle have similar meanings. In the early days of Christianity, the pentagram and pentacle was worn and used as symbol of Christ. Here's an interesting fact. The inverted pentagram (which is used by Satanists today) was actually a symbol of the divine Christ descending to earth in the flesh.

Both symbols actually were around millenniums before Christianity. These are very old symbols.

The five points of the pentagram have been known to represent the five wounds of Christ. It is also a representation of humankind, the five points corresponding to the head, two arms and two legs.

Nowadays, most people in Wiccan and Pagan circles give the pentacle and pentagram very positive meanings. The pentacle's four lower points represent the elements of the world: earth, air, fire and water. The corner of the star pointing upward symbolizes divine Spirit.

Interesting fact: The pentagram was used by the Hebrews, and was sometimes called the seal of Solomon. More specifically, the pentagram was used as the seal of the City of Jerusalem. There have been fragments of jars dating back to the 4th century BC with a seal impression of a pentagram with the Hebrew letters YRSLM (Jerusalem).

Now I know a little more about pentacles, I can understand how synchronicity worked, by me having the desire to include these wonderful pieces of jewellery as part of our stock even though I knew very little about their history and symbolism.

So if someone asks if pentacles are evil, or of the devil, the answer is a resounding NO

What is my purpose?

I wrote in my last blog about working with a life coach (who was completing the practice part of her training). We discussed my networking fears, how I never have a great answer when asked what does my store sell (it's usually something like this: "We sell...er...crystals...um...and books and ahh...silver jewellery....oh and and statuary, you know Buddhas") Not proud of myself on that. Speaking to my life coach about this issue made me really think what my store was about.

It's about it being an extension of me. I sell healing crystals because I believe they can be useful. Being a skeptic, I don't blindly accept that they can replace conventional medical or psychological care, but I have had enough experience and heard so many stories that I believe with all my heart that crystals have some ability to help us heal be it in little ways or in major ways. It is different for everyone, as we are all unique.

I sell self-help books because they have helped me, and continue to do so.

I sell Buddha's, singing bowls, prayer flags and so on because I have found solace in the Buddhist philosophy.

I sell fairies and fairy doors because it satisfies my whimsical side.

I'm not sure why I sell gargoyles, but I think it's because ancient art has always fascinated me.

Smudging items, native spirituality and the respect for mother earth is profoundly moving.

This is just a sampling of what I sell and why. What it boils down to, is that when I originally conceived this business, it was with the intention to give customers and wanderers different spiritual options without foisting any of my opinions on them. Everyone has the right to choose his/her own path. All paths have meaning to all people.

We all on some level want happiness, security, a meaningful life. Sometimes we have to search for the answer outside ourselves to get to the answer within ourselves. Books, meditation tapes, visual imagery such as statuary, sacred rituals, aromatherapy, conversation and whimsy.

These are the things Moonstone Path offers.

One good deed deserves another

Recently I agreed to be a practice client for a friend of mine who is training to be a life coach. I didn't know her that well, but she seemed like a nice person, and she needed enough practice clients to do her course, so I said sure I'll help. To re-iterate: I was doing HER a favour.

First meeting went quite well, we became more acquainted, I found her easy to talk to, she set the direction of the meeting, and before I knew it, I was blurting out my insecurities, my doubts, my perceived weaknesses like she was my friend for years. This was not going as I anticipated.

Then at subsequent meetings, she gave me homework. HOMEWORK!!! Work that made me dig deeper into my feelings than I had ever done so in the past. Work that made me really evaluate why I behaved in certain ways that was not in my best interest. That's right UNCOMFORTABLE WORK.

At each meeting we dug a little deeper, and holy epiphany, I had some amazing insights.

One of the things that I consider a weakness, is that I hate going to business networking events. I'm shy and always feel uncomfortable. When I'm approached and asked what is it that I do, I freeze, my mind goes blank and I mutter something about selling stuff. So, my ruthless life coach in training's assignment to me was to come up with something that I could say that would clearly state exactly what it is that I do that I would be comfortable in saying.

You would think this assignment would be a piece of cake, wouldn't you. WRONG. Every time I tried to formulate a clear and smart answer to "What do you do?" I froze up and my mind went blank. I tried and tried, as the deadline loomed ever closer. Everything I came up with sounded stilted, awkward, just...not me.

At the eleventh hour I sat down and after much searching came up with something that at least described my business pretty good, though I wasn't completely happy with the wording. My coach, however was pleased with my effort (which made me feel pretty good) and we proceeded to discuss what it was I was really trying to say.

and BAM, everything cleared in my mind. The answer was so simple! And so true!

Could I have come to the present conclusion without a life coach (even one in training). Maybe. Maybe not. You see, without someone dedicated to helping you get to the blocks in your life, it is very easy to ignore the blocks (especially the ones that are the most troubling) because at the time it is easier to do so than to experience the discomfort of facing these blocks.

I was doing her a favour....naw... SHE is doing ME a favour.

Facebook

Does repeatedly hitting your husband with his computer keyboard qualify as assault causing bodily harm with the intent to injure or maim, or can it be classed simply as mental self-defence? Or a form of anger management - or tough love? That's what happens when the love-of-your-life asks you for the third time how to "poke" someone on facebook.

I have to keep reminding myself, that hubby is new to facebook, and I have much to teach him. After explaining to him the ridiculously simple steps, he proceeded to ask me again...and...again. I rest my case. After all, when I asked my daughter, Laura, who happened to be messaging me on my Facebook, how to poke she only had to tell me once. Anyhoo, Derek is now happily "poking" everyone.

I consider Facebook's social networking application to be a great way to keep in touch with my children who happen to live out of town, or in the case of my youngest, across town. I don't get to see them as much since they have grown up and moved away to begin their own lives. Facebook keeps me in daily touch with what's happening in their lives. I get to see the friendly banter between them, relishing their warped but screamingly funny sense of humour. I communicated with my son when he was in China, and marvelled at the ease of conversing across such a distance.

Nothing beats actually hangin' out with family and friends, but when that's not possible, facebook fills a need. I have seen my youngest chuckling while she is writing something (probably insulting but very funny) to her brother or sister. I have seen jokes go on an on regarding a seemingly innocuous topic as each sister tries to out-do the other.

Ahhhhh, hubby has just poked me...AGAIN...time to poke him back and I don't mean with facebook.

I'm back

It has been a while hasn't it. I'd like to say that I haven't written because I have been insanely busy, but we all know that would be stretching the truth. Well maybe only a little.

Being a store owner has its many rewards, this I know. What I didn't know was all the extra work that comes with running a business, even one as teeny as mine. It eats up time like shadow gobbles light.

The fun part, ordering stuff (every closet shopper's delight) takes a fair amount of the day. The other parts eg. the dreaded bookwork (of which I am SO far behind, I might as well stay in my office for a month with only bathroom and food breaks to ever get caught up on), the changing of the display window - always guaranteed to eat up a good half day every week (or now, every 2 weeks), cleaning and vacuuming of said store. It all adds up. Then of course there is my required down time (lots of it).

Throw in the flu, pms, cramps (I'm 52, you would think this would end by now), assorted minor health issues - mostly "I don't feel good" and before you know it another week goes by.

I would like to promise more regular blogs as I am SURE that everyone waits with held breath for my pearls of wit and wisdom, but to make such a promise would set the bar too high, and I'm not that good at commitments. But I will try.

So, lets get on with it. We have received new products at Moonstone Path (http://www.moonstonepath.com/). We have the cutest fairies, amazing Buddhas, new oracle cards. We have also received some rather nice clusters like pink halite, celestite, calcite. I've just ordered some gargoyles, as our other ones sold out, and they will be arriving sometime next week.

The store next door to us Earth Angel http://www.earthangelslondon.com/ has received a ton of gorgeous Christmas decorations, Angels, and many other new things. Earth Angels and our store share a building (Maggie and I share snacks, a match made in heaven).

Our labyrinth is starting to fade, but we will have it up and groomed next spring. A lot of people have told me how they enjoyed walking it. Hubby maintained it all summer and he did a wonderful job (a little praise goes a long way). He doesn't know what tasks I have planned for him next spring, poor fella.

You may have noticed that our store window is looking pretty good. I would like to say this is due to my amazing window display skills--but I would be lying. A wonderful charismatic lady by the name of Julie - a professional decorator - has been taking time from her own busy days to do my window for me pro-bono for the last month or so. She makes me put in a chunk of effort, scrambling to get product ready for the window - she's a slave driver!

If anyone is interested in hiring someone to decorate their living space call Moonstone Path and I will get you her contact information. She's really good.

Here's a cute quote I found: Warning: Humour may be hazardous to your illness. ~ Ellie Katz

A Story About a Faerie Door

My friend and I were out touring these little gifty stores that are so popular in those small towns that have no other purpose than to line the streets with these little gifty stores.

I’m not much for gift stores to begin with, and heavens spare me the cutesy fantasy stores. My friend, however, who believes in angels, and faeries, or the wee folk as she calls them, was absolutely thrilled to come upon this little shop that had all kinds of such things. She made me go in with her despite my offer to wait outside so that she could browse to her hearts content.

"Nooo, come in. You’ll love it" she insisted. She obviously doesn’t know me very well. With a shrug of indifference I allowed myself to be dragged, literally, she had my wrist in a death grip as if fearing that if she let me go I would turn and run. I don’t run, it’s too much work, but I might have walked really fast.

Anyhow, we entered this "whimsical" store. My friend was so taken with all the items, but her favourite ones were faerie related. "Oh look" she ooohd. They have faerie doors.

"Fairy what?" I asked in an irritated/snarky kind of voice. In my defense, I was getting a little tired. I’m not a shopper. Give me the outdoors and I’m as happy as can be. Being an introvert, hanging out at home in my backyard is ideal for me. A tall glass of something good to drink and a good book to read, sitting in the shade of my old tree are the things that really make me totally satisfied with life.

"Let’s get a faerie door for you!" My friend enthusiastically said.

"What...? What? You’re kidding, right. What would I do with it?" Panic coming through loud and clear. When my friend has a mission in life, there is no stopping her. If she thought I needed a

"What! No, no way uh huh."

"Yes, it would be perfect in your yard. Just use your imagination. A door like this would draw the faeries. It’s good to befriend the wee folk" Yep, there was that brightly demented gleam in her eye that meant that she was going to get her way.

"I live in a condo complex in Canada, not in a small village in Ireland. What fairy would want to live in a condo complex . Oh my God, now you’ve got me talking this foolishness. NO, no fairy doors. And by the way, why do you say faeries instead of fairies? Isn’t that a little over the top?"
My friend laughed, told me that this was my birthday present (even though my birthday was not for several months) and bought me a fairy door. I refuse to say faerie.

As the shop keeper made the sale, he looked me squarely in the eye, and said that I was to respect the faeries and occasionally leave them treats. The wee folk liked being appreciated. And you really did not want to get on the bad side of the wee folk. I thought that kinda sounded like the Mafia.

Great, I was going to have a portal to Mafia fairies. My friend did not see the cynical humour of this.

Despite my protests, the fairy door was placed up in the tree in the crook of a branch. It seemed to fit there without the need of fasteners, which my friend was convinced had significant meaning. "Big deal" was what I said.

Secretly, I did have to admit that it kinda looked good there. It was rustic and looked like it had been around for a 100 years. I guess it did not damage the zen like feel of my backyard domain.

I like my backyard. It has a shade tree, flowers and shrubs, herbs and rocks and a small water fountain. It has a birdbath made of concrete that I had found for a really good price. The birds are grateful, since they drink out of and frequently bathe in that birdbath.
I love going out there and sitting by the tree, listening to the wind rustle through the leaves.

Peaceful.

A couple of day after the fairy door was added to my back yard, I happened to be by the tree tidying up a scruffy flower bed. Have you ever had the experience that your familiar surrounding is suddenly not so familiar. Like you walk into a room and you sense something different and later find out that the walls have been repainted, or the furniture moved. Or even, that something is not laying it it’s usual place.

I had that feeling, plus the hair on the back of my neck was standing up. I straightened up and looked around my little condo yard. Everything seemed fine. Nothing unusual. I’d even gotten used to that make-believe fairy door being there. I shrugged to myself and returned to the weeding. Suddenly, I knew, I just knew, that someone or something was there, right...behind...me. I sprang up and twirled around bug eyed looking left and right and back to left again trying to spot...what? I’m not sure what I was looking for, something that I felt had been near me, watching me. Great, now I was creeping myself out.

I glanced at the fairy door and wondered if...."naw, stop it, you’re really creeping yourself out." I muttered, my desire to garden evaporating.

Went into the house for something cool to drink. As I was sipping my water, I let my gaze wander around the yard. I like my yard. It’s not big. But it’s pretty. The shrubs, the flowers in their pots, the arch with the clematis on it, the old tree. I was even starting to like the looks of that fairy door. It did look like it belonged in that very spot. I was warming up to this thought when in mid swallow of my water I saw a brilliant flash of light appear from behind the small door. I inhaled water and produced the mother of all coughing fits. What the hell....

I stepped out and approached the tree staring intently at the fairy door. What had caused the flash. A trick of light? Solar flare? Eyes going funny? I stared and stared with the intensity of a cat at a mousehole, but saw no other flash of light or anything else unusual. I gave my head a shake, chuckled to myself, and then felt self-conscious for chuckling to myself, and turned to walk back into the house.

I felt something brush my cheek, jumped and frantically swatted at whatever had touched me. Looked around. There was nothing. OK, Carol, now you’re losing it. I said under my breath. Despite myself I glanced at the fairy door. It just sat there, inanimate, innocent. And yet, something inside me, my body’s cells were all pointing at it saying, "there be faeries"

Rrrrriiiight.

Over the years, the faerie door has remained in that old tree. It has weathered storms, felt the chill of snow, baked in the heat. Occasionally I have sensed...something there. No, I never saw tinkerbell, did not hear the tinkle of faerie laughter, and yet, my flower bed by the tree has looked better and better each year. Hell, the tree itself, which was never that healthy looking has grown new leaves, and it doesn’t seem to have as many dead branches. Sometimes, my dishwasher is emptied out and I KNOW that I didn’t empty it, nor did my husband and I don’t even bother asking my teenager if she emptied it, I’d be further ahead actually believing in faeries.

And sometimes, in the evening, when no one’s looking, because I would feel really foolish if I was caught, I leave a little piece of cake or candy by the faerie door. Just in case.
And the next day it’s gone. I’ve either got well fed faeries, or the squirrels and birds are enjoying gourmet treats.

You guessed it, we now sell faerie doors.

Gargoyles

Gargoyles are mythological beings. They are seen on cathedrals around the world. Early references to them date back to Ancient Greece. The Word "gargoyle" is derived from the French word gargouille, meaning throat or to gargle.

Originally a gargoyle was a waterspout, directing water away from a building. If a scary gargoyle-like stone carving does not function as waterspout, but is just used for decorative purposes, it is called a grotesque or chimera.

It is believed that gargoyles were created by medieval architects and stone carvers to ward off evil in an imperfect world. They were the guardians of the church and kept the terrible evil spirits away. I don't know what those medieval carvers were drinking, but they sure had a scary imagination!

So, now, we sell gargoyles (technically grotesques) at Moonstone Path. Only have a couple left, a little one, and a big heavy one. They are made of concrete, and sealed for the outdoors.