Once upon a time, I found myself working in an office tower call centre environment beside one of Vancouver's beautiful bays. In spite of the lovely surroundings, it was a foreign and sometimes overwhelming experience for me, with hundreds of coworkers in an air-conditioned, competitive business world.
Early in my employment, while out shopping with my best friend, my attention was drawn to a large black ring in a fashionable clothing store. I couldn't even tell what it was at first, and was surprised when closer examination revealed the ring to be in the form of a coiled black snake. Snakes were hardly something I considered to be my style, but I was strangely mesmerized. The cost was more than I would typically spend on a fashion accessory, but after some deliberation I returned and made my purchase with a strange feeling of satisfaction, and something resembling rebellion.
I wore the ring regularly to work until it became tarnished and lost many of its little stones. People would often compliment it and I'd explain that snakes weren't really my thing, but I just really liked this particular piece. Somehow, it made me feel connected to some other part of myself, almost a lifeline to other places and times, when so much of my time and energy were being taken up by the demands of work and the need to function at a level that was unnatural for me. From the crowded commute by public transit, through the days in a very social open workspace, to the wearying end of the day with chronic pain, fatigue and stress my constant companions, the snake ring somehow reminded me that there was more to my life and my SELF than the role I was currently playing.
Although I don't actually believe the snake ring had magical powers, I think it did serve as a source of strength for me, with it's connection to the natural and mystical worlds. It's an example of the power of symbols and how we can use them to shift our energy and focus when necessary as we go about our busy lives.
Early in my employment, while out shopping with my best friend, my attention was drawn to a large black ring in a fashionable clothing store. I couldn't even tell what it was at first, and was surprised when closer examination revealed the ring to be in the form of a coiled black snake. Snakes were hardly something I considered to be my style, but I was strangely mesmerized. The cost was more than I would typically spend on a fashion accessory, but after some deliberation I returned and made my purchase with a strange feeling of satisfaction, and something resembling rebellion.
I wore the ring regularly to work until it became tarnished and lost many of its little stones. People would often compliment it and I'd explain that snakes weren't really my thing, but I just really liked this particular piece. Somehow, it made me feel connected to some other part of myself, almost a lifeline to other places and times, when so much of my time and energy were being taken up by the demands of work and the need to function at a level that was unnatural for me. From the crowded commute by public transit, through the days in a very social open workspace, to the wearying end of the day with chronic pain, fatigue and stress my constant companions, the snake ring somehow reminded me that there was more to my life and my SELF than the role I was currently playing.
Although I don't actually believe the snake ring had magical powers, I think it did serve as a source of strength for me, with it's connection to the natural and mystical worlds. It's an example of the power of symbols and how we can use them to shift our energy and focus when necessary as we go about our busy lives.
If you are looking for your own personal taliman, may I suggest Novica (a selection of rings pictured above), where you may find a variety of snakes, serpents and other fascinating creatures, all carefully designed by artisans around the world. xo
RSS Feed
