Fairy stones

 

These are natural crystals called Fairy Stones. There are two kinds of fairy stones, the mineral staurolite and a carbonate concretion in clay. There are healing properties of fairy stones. Others call these stones Fairy Crosses, Goddess Stones and Menilite Opal. 

These stones have been found throughout the world in former glacier deposits. They get their reputation for the shapes and patterns on the surfaces. It's caused by geological events but seems as though somebody has drawn on them but no one has. There patterns are mostly shapes of crosses, flowers and even hearts on the stones. 

Often used as good luck charms, they also have been carried around as protective objects as it was believed they give off magical energy. It was also believed the Fairy Stones ward off evil spirits. 

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Thor's hammer pendants

  Here is some of my Mjolnir pendants that I often wear. 

1. Ivory. Note, this isn't my own Mjolnir but a new one in a shop. I've had it for 17 years and it's not white as snow like the one pictured anylonger. It's turned yellow with age! It's pretty and warm.  

2. The carnelian. This is another one that feels gentle and warm. It isn't cold or severe on the skin. This particular Mjolnir carved from a gemstone, Carnelian that is associated with fire and passion. The gemstone is a healer for bones and kidneys.

3. Pewter. One of the kindest metals for sensitive skin is pewter. This Mjolnir has a red glass stone in the centre. My boyfriend has one of these but his glass stone is green. There is something artistic and gothic looking about these detailed pendants.

Many have been wondering: What is a Mjolnir? It is a powerful weapon that belonged to the god of thunder, Thor. The mjolnir is also called Thor's Hammer, it's mentioned in the Poetic Edda. The symbol of Mjolnir has been worn as a pendant throughout the Viking world, and became popular again in modern times. 

Others have been asking: Is it a masculine pendant? Yes but it also can be worn by women. Thor is a god that protects all people, including men, women and children. Some jewels have fashioned the Mjolnir to be in so many varieties, from bone, alloys, wood, stones, gems and metals that are base, noble and precious.  

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Snakes

The most fascinating reptile alive now is the snake. Well yes many more reptiles are each beautiful and interesting to learn about, although nothing is quite so intense as the snake. Also called serpents, snakes have been a part of human mythology for thousands of years. They have an infamous reputation because of the serpent that gave Eve the apple of knowledge, according to the Bible. This followed with humans being banned from the Garden of Eden. Some would regard this as symbolic, with Adam and Eve portraying an earlier age of humans being closer to nature as hunter-gatherers. Because of this story, snakes generally have been associated with evil. Despite that, snakes appear as symbols of healing and medicine. This comes from Greek mythology and the Rod of Asclepius, which became the constellation "the serpent-bearer". 

Far back in ancient times, Minoan figurines of snake goddesses were made. The artwork shows fine details of their clothes, as the Minoan dresses were long, full and layered. Later the classical Greek myths mention Gorgons, snake-haired women that turned people to stone. Also there was the giant snake called Python who was killed by the god Apollo. This was much to do with the oracle of Delphi as some believe there is a connection. 

The biggest snake is found in Norse mythology, named Jörmungandr. This is The World Serpent that circles around the earth and holds its tail with its mouth. If the tail is ever released, that means the time of Ragnarok (doom) will come. It's said that the god Thor will eventually slay it. Jörmungandr is the offspring of Loki and the giantess Angrboda. According to some stories, Thor once lifted a giant cat, which really was Jörmungandr in disguise. One paw remained on the ground but if it had been lifted completely, the world would've been destroyed. 

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Childhood book review

 This book review post is today about the A4 sized hard cover "Hilda Bowell's Treasury of Poetry." This green book version was published by Collins in 1983. Its full of spellbinding illustrations on every single page. The book can be fun to read for kids and also for adults too. It's very nature inclined with animals, seasons and folklore. It has epic poems such as "I went to sea in a sieve" by Edward Lear and "The Butterfly's Ball" by William Roscoe. It has fairy tale poems including "The Mermaid" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. A few well known authors William Blake and Lewis Carroll have featured poems. There are sad poems like "Babes in the Wood". 

Some of my favourites are: 

"The Spider and the Fly"

"A fairy went a-marketing" 

"The Garden Year"

 

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