spt challenge: lucky charm
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 12:00AM My pasty skin belies the fact that I'm far more Asian than Irish (at heart). So, naturally, my lucky charm has far more to do with Chinese lore than shamrocks, rainbows, or even gold.
Jade and Dragon bracelet (can I just say it's much easier to self portrait a hand than a face..and while my camera is having yellow issues, my skin is actually not). Double good luck token from my non-blood brother in Taiwan. I've never been big on jewelry, but this bracelet does don my wrist more regularly than most. Why? Well, here's the lore of China's most renowned objects of Luck (which just happen to combine in my bracelet):
Jade is traditionally recognized as having properties that bring peace and calm to its wearer. It helps one to accept surroundings for what they are, instilling a sense of detachment from the chaos rather than claiming it for your own.
The Chinese Dragon is a symbol of power and excellence, valiance and boldness, perseverance and divinity. A dragon overcomes obstacles until success is his. He is energetic, decisive, optimistic, and intelligent.
My green luck dragon carries more than a few memories. During a broken-heart chapter of mi vida, I wore it daily, hoping for the elusive detachment and promised power. They came with time, of course...and the bracelet eventually spent more days on dresser top than wrist. It emerged again when I first met Jim. I remember telling him it was my insurance of a hardened heart that would in no way get overly attached. Oh the irony. I had to wear it often over our three year on & off & off & on friendship, love, and inbetween. Somewhere in the middle of all that, the bracelet also traveled to D.C. for a few months, loaning its power & calm to my good friend Rebecca in her need. It returned after working its magic. Oh my, it seems a lifetime ago (she just had her second baby, Violet Love), but I was thrilled to share the lore & luck. I was later often seen wearing it during our engagement...nothing to do with Jim...but my parents' divorce definitely found me seeking a non-innate power & perseverance.
Do I believe in luck of jade or dragon? No, not really. The metaphysical and mystical do subtly draw me in. They always have. But, inherent power of stones or symbols? Hm.. What I do knowingly & fully believe in is the power of Reminder and Intent. And when I wear my jaded dragon it is because I need to remember..need to feel powerful..want to aim for Peace and Calm. I think, therefore I become....or, as my Asian friend Confucius would say, "the way to do is to be."
A little of Luck, and a lot of hoping to Remember that I'm journeying to the BE.
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