Samhain Revival: A Tribute & Contemplation of Reincarnation

Merrily met, and a Happy Samhain- or if you prefer, Feast of the Dead.

SammyI have been unexpectedly detained this week; an answer to Fae Gems’ inactivity can be found in this; perhaps the absence is attributed to the ethereal- or the abnegation of the semblance of it. Splayed wide, as sale tenders in a parlor shop, I planned to blog about The Origins of Samhain, Samhain rituals, alters, chants, incalculable slews of tidbits & rehashed information on the Ancestral Sabbath in my Editorial Calendar (read about how easy it is to readjust your blogging schedule for unexpected lapses).

A regurgitation of echoing Samhain facts, uncertain histories, and recapitulated lore cheapens the Day of the Dead. Dutiful ritual, bereft spirit, purloins reality of its earned mysteries. Lore is important. Facts are paramount in understanding our roots, and history ebbs irrevocably through our veins- never to be forgotten, lest we traverse into the planes of the past, and falter again in the samenss of our missteps. But can we aspire to the heights beyond our mortal contemplation?

We can feel. Experience. Breathe life into the depths of ourselves inward, and abandon our wanton obsession with external influences.

happyyui

Samson came to me in my dreams last night. He died, too soon & unjustly, in the fall of 2010. He was my guardian, my companion, a piece of my soul. Samson wasn’t a human- but calling him the “best dog” I’ve ever had riddles his memory in cheapened sentiment. He was an unsurpassed blessing.

I often wonder if I will meet his incarnation again in this lifetime; I pray for it. I am suspicious of every new animal companion, searching, always (in vain), to meet his likeness. Perhaps the futility in my search lies in the limits of scope, perception, the assuredness of the same- we are perennially bound in the confines of our (remembered) experience; how can I learn to search for him in roles I know him not to play?

I rescued two kittens this may, and I am now nursing a third, who was abandoned, in a barren cardboard tomb. Their souls are eons old, yet their bodies newly formed, and I cannot help but to hope that I have known them before, if not in this life, then perhaps lives before it. Yui (pictured left) came to me with Samson in my sleep. Could their togetherness be a sign of knowing?

He came to me on the Feast of the Dead. That is enough to prove he has some judgement for me. Perhaps passing acknowledgement, maybe a fancy of soul searching. But he is real to me, far from gone, amid a plane I cannot reach.

And so to you I say, fly from your soul. Do not experience Samhain from the confines of a page, of paper, on the web, seek inward to find the balm you seek of those souls loved and gone to grass. I do not know what lies ahead, but it seems that our journeys are far from over when we leave this plane of Earth. Beyond it, but not gone from here entirely.

Be it in the spirit of divination, the realm of dreams, or the passions of meditative dreamspeak, enliven those who you have loved and lost- and don’t allow Samhain to be the only time you remember their touch.

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Artist Spotlight, Etsy: Renaissance Dragon Pendant; Halloween Macabre Animal Skull Pendants by Dr. Scott Camazine

Dragon pendant, Stirling Silver JewelryDragons are the supreme rulers of my universe. I’ve been dragon crazy since childhood, and I’ve resigned myself to accept that I have a dragon familiar lurking around that I am not ready to yet meet. Alike a crow to shiny objects, I flock to anything dragon related, especially when its beautiful!

The 3D lovechild of Dr.Scott Camazine, this Renaissance Dragon Pendant is created using CT scans. Camazine has mastered stacking two dimensional images into three dimensional, virtual models, breathing life into deliciously macabre creations in his Etsy Shop, the 3D Printed SkGold Dragon Pendantull. Dawning white bronze, the wingspan of this fantastical creature is ~2.25″.

Camazine:
“The flying dragon pendant is not typical of most of the work I have been doing. As a medical doctor by training, I have mostly started by taking CT scans of real animal skulls that I have brought to the emergency room where I worked. I got involved with the dragon model when one of the supporters of my Kickstarter campaign asked if I could make a dragon. Obviously, one cannot get a CT scan of a fantasy creature, so in this case I started with a 3D model that was available on the web.”

The Renaissance DragonPendant is an enchanting edition to any Dragon lover’s spoils, and is available in sterling silver and gold bronze.

Camazine’s typical MO is crafting animal skulls! Just in time for Halloween! Camazine:

“As a biologist and passionate lover of our natural world, I wanted to capture the details of the structure and essence of each animal in the collection.  With its highly accurate rendering of skeletal structure, a CT scan is an ideal tool for peering into the structures and souls of these animals.

Skulptures display the minute details of an actual individual animal as a representative of its species.  Each sculpture is in effect a ‘memento mori’ or remembrance of the life and death of the individual and of the species.

A collection of skeletal memorabilia is something I have always wanted to create.  Finally, the perfect convergence of CT scanning, software development, 3D printing, and lost wax casting allows the creation of these Skulptures.”

A boyhood fascination with animals bones, turned biological experiment, and transformed into wearable skeletal-emulated jewelry; creepy, and awesome. Scott:

“I have been collecting skulls for decades! [I] Started when I was just a boy. I also have friends, some of them also scientists, who study one species of animal or another, and have lent me specimens, or have taken CT scans of them for their work.
It has been quite a scientific/artistic adventure!”

To learn more about Dr. Camazine’s Skulptures project visit his Kickstarter page.

What

A percentage of the profit made from purchases on 3DPrintedSkull.com help support conservation efforts; read more about Camazine’s conservation efforts here. To keep abreast of Camazine’s skull sculptures, conservation efforts, & upcoming projects follow him on Facebook.

What do you think about these CT scanned jewelry skulls?

For more Artist Spotlights, New Age quips, and DIY Crafts follow Fae Gems’ Blog & Like Facebook for updates.
You can also check out Fae Gems on Etsy!

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Artist Spotlight, Etsy: Fairy Moon Pendant, by DaKara Kies

Fairy pendant with swarovski  crystal

Fairies are able to captivate spiritual twinklings in the hearts of those still open to their existence. The fae appear in lore and mythology around the globe, and their presence is best felt in the brambles of a wood, the lapping of a giddy stream, at the embrace of a fire, and the caress of the jovial breeze. The wee folk are around us in all aspects of our waking lives, beyond the veil, yet intertwined between our Earth and the Astral Plane.

This Fairy Moon Pendant features a stunning fairy enamored by the immaculate moon; swooning alike the natural phases of the Goddess. Adorned with swarovski crystal, this pendant is an ideal addition to any witches’ collection to help strengthen the bond between the physical plane and the Fae Realm. As Samhain approaches what blessings will you celebrate with the fae?

DaKara Kies is a master energy healer based in Everett, Washington; she is dear to me, being Fae Gems’ first “outside” (non-related) customer. DaKara’s Art Creations give breath to a myriad of magickal beings, including fairies, dragons, and angels. All of Kies’ creations are blessed with her healing energy, and vibrate at high frequencies. As an elementalist of keys, DaKara’s creations can help you touch the elementals around you.

Kies on her creative process:

I have been intuitive all of my life, though for many years (from about age 5 to around age 22) I denied that I had this connection to Nature, the Faerie realm and to Source energy. I have always loved being creative from childhood into my adult years.

My current work involves following my guidance in purchasing all kinds of supplies, including metal charms, beads in both glass crystal form and semi precious beads, fabrics etc. I love all things sparkly, especially swarovski crystal elements. When shopping I find myself attracted to different items I have no idea how I will use them, and then in the creative process I am shown how to use them. This makes my heart sing!

When I take a seat at my jewelry creation station I am guided to ‘who’ wants to come out and play. I receive inner visual ideas from my guides, and the faeries showing me ideas of what elements to start with. As I begin to pull items (metal charms, beads etc) more ideas flow.

One of the important parts of the process is getting the metal to play well together. Many pieces fit like a glove and others will not work when I am layering them together. This also allows other possibilities to show themselves and magical items create themselves!

I also love wire wrapping and adding bling to pieces for that special element that makes a piece pop!

As a Master Energy Healer, healing and transformational energies go into everything I create. Why? Because that is my intention! I choose to make a difference in others’ lives in multiple ways! My jewelry creations is one more way I share my love, energy and talents with the world.

You can follow DaKara Kies on Facebook to keep abreast of her new projects and listings.

What do you think of DaKara Kies beautiful fairy pendant, do you have any questions to ask her? If you have any questions about Artist Spotlights feel free to ask!

For more Artist Spotlights, New Age quips, and DIY Crafts follow Fae Gems’ Blog & Like Facebook for updates.
You can also check out Fae Gems on Etsy!

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