Bear totem Characteristics:

Introspection, hibernation, turning inward to seek truth;

to “bear”, bring forth, give birth, “bear fruit”;

to support, hold up, “bear responsibility”;

to have fortitude, endure, “bear misfortune”.

White Kodiak Bear w/ Rowan Charms and Berries 3 ½ inch overall length.   $480.00	Silver Kodiak Bear / plain pendant 1 ½ inch length.   $250.00

The Rowan in America:

Yes, we have the sacred Rowan Tree in North America!

Sorbus aucuparia is an introduced species which has naturalized in British Columbia, Southeast Alaska and South Central Alaska. I have seen and photographed it myself as far north as Talkeetna, AK, where it grows alongside the Alaska Railroad.

Rowan Mythology:

  “In Germanic and Norse lore, the rowan was sacred for two reasons: first, because it saved Thor, the mighty thunder god, from being washed away in the river of the underworld. And second, the rowan was considered sacred because the first woman was made from its wood.

The English name, rowan, stems from the Norse runa, meaning “a secret”, or “to whisper”, which is also the origin of the word “rune”. This hints at a deeper layer of meaning: the tree whispers secret inspiration into our hearts. It was also the sacred tree of the ancient goddess Brigid, the patroness of crafts, particularly spinning and weaving (thence spinning wheels were made from rowan wood)”.

The magical rowan is the second letter in the ancient Irish tree alphabet; the letter “L”, or “Luis”. Also known as quickbeam, or “tree of life”, rowan has the magical property of quickening: the period of gestation when a fetus is first felt stirring in the womb; also in plant terminology, when a fertile seed begins its active stage of growth.

Rowan is mentioned in the ancient bardic epic “The Book of Taliesin”, and plays a quizzical role in The Battle of the Trees (Cad Goddeu).

The alders in the front line

Began the affray

Willow and rowan-tree

Were tardy in array.

For more information about the mythology of rowan and the ancient Celtic tree alphabet, I recommend studying these books:

“The Meaning of Trees: Botany, History, Healing, Lore”, by Fred Hageneder. 2005

      Fred Hageneder is chairman of The Friends of the Trees, an organization that protects trees, and a leading figure in the campaign to save the endangered yew in his native United Kingdom.

“The White Goddess”, by poet and scholar Robert Graves. 1948

Swans and Turtle Amulets:

Silver Art Deco Swan w/ Garnet 1 ¾ inch length.  $280.00	Silver Turtle Amulet w/ Inlaid Red Coral 1 ¼ inch length.   $125.00

Snarling Cougar Lockets and pendants:

Bronze Snarling Cougar Locket 2 ¼ inch overall length.   $400.00	Silver Snarling Cougar /plain pendant 1 ½ inch length.   $255.00

Note:  The lockets have a hinged door on the back surface, which opens to a leather-lined cavity inside the head…. A perfectly hidden and secure place to stow your medicine pouch or to keep a romantic lock of hair!

To see more lockets and snarling cougar designs, look in our Art Gallery inside the New Designs folder.

Faerieworlds Festival 2009 / Announcement

Brooke Stone Jewelry will be at the 2009 Faerieworlds Festival this summer, selling our animal totems!

Where:  Mt Pisgah Arboretum, Eugene, Oregon.

When:   July 31 and August 1 & 2, 2009

Come in costume!

Many special Faerieworlds SALE prices, available only at the Festival!

See the Faerieworlds Festival website at:  http://www.faerieworlds.com

Tickets are going FAST!

New Handcrafted Narrow Gauge CELTIC Chain:

Narrow Gauge Celtic chain    Sold ready made and by-the-inch: $8.15 per inch Ready made 19 inch length:  $155.00

Comparative Sizes / Celtic chains Regular Celtic chain (top view) Narrow Gauge Celtic chain (bottom view)

 

Our new Narrow Gauge Celtic chain can be made as a continuous length, or it can be made to attach to the animal pendants behind their ears.

See many more new, ready made handcrafted chains in the Art Gallery, inside the Chains folder.

A parting Spring poem, one of my favorites!