Category: Colorful - The Cowrie Shell Center

Adornments

9/6/2014

Traditional Indian Jewelry World over jewelry is worn for number of reasons - adornment being the primary purpose. Jewelry is also sported as a form of symbolism and artistic display. However, some cultures, purpose of jewelry is not just adornment and display; it is also worn for curative reason. Complementary to such thought is the conventional view where the graceful form of a woman is said to epitomize the ideal beauty and mystery inherent in nature. Thus fitting each and every part of the feminine physique including the head, torso, limbs, and between the appended parts- have consistently been used to support ornaments, often in ingenious ways. Hence the stress on adornment of the women, who are but the poetry of nature. Ornamentation not only serves to please the eyes of the beholder but also fulfills an auspicious purpose. The impulse to adorn stems from a deep rooted sensibility to mark every occasion of life with auspicious symbols, designs and figures to obtain good fortune and protection from evil. Thus a fully bedecked woman evokes in the viewer a deep and ingratiating feeling of tranquil contentment, springing from an intuitive realization that evolving before him is an image of perfect beauty, symbolically conveying the richness and completeness which is but natural to nature.

The Healing Gemstones

11/1/2013

Precious and semi-precious gemstones have been used since recorded history and probably before, for spiritual, emotional and physical healing. Alternative healers all over the world use gemstones today. It is best to use gemstones for physical healing with a professional, but the layman - with caution and practice - can use them. If you are using gemstones on yourself or helping a friend, it is best to work slowly and keep a written record of each treatment as to how long stone was left on the body and exactly where on the body it was placed. Some stones should not touch the body, but only be used about an inch or two above it. Research and understand each stone before using it. Spiritual and emotional healing should also be done with a written record. You may have to experiment with many gemstones to find the correct stone for your purpose.

Read this article to find out more about how healing gemstones work.
In any type of healing, set stones are better set in silver. Gemstones used in healings can be tumbled or cut. Crystal healing should be done in conjunction with orthodox medical treatment.

A sneak peek inside: The NEW Cowrie Shell Natural Hair Care & Wellness Center

4/12/2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR TRUNK $ALE

1/30/2013

YOU'RE ALL INVITED TO A HAPPY NEW YEAR TRUNK $ALE...!!!
On SUNDAY, FEBRUARY, 3RD 2013 FROM 1PM TILL 7PM

In Honor Of The Fourth Principle Ujamaa In Kwanzaa Nomics.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) Means To Build And Maintain Our Own Stores, Shops And Other Businesses And To Profit From Them Together In Order To Care For Our Lives, Our Families And Our Communities.

So We Look Forward To Seeing You At:
Judy's Place Restaurant
342 Macon Street & Marcus Garvey Blvd.
Bedstuy-Brooklyn, NY

Three Amazing Vendors Present:
An Exciting New Year Trunk $ALE featuring Amazing, Unique Handcrafted Items...

FASHION: 'ABEOKUTO ENTERPRISES' BY AMMA
ONE OF A KIND DRESSES, SCARVES, HATS & MORE...see her designs on Facebook

JEWELRY: 'DESIGNS BY LINDA'
UNIQUE NECKLACES, EARRINGS, BRACELETS, WAISTBEADS AND [email protected]

NATURAL CARE: 'ANCIENT BLENDS NATURALS' BY YENDYS
ORGANIC, PLANT-BASED HAIR CARE AND BODY CARE PRODUCTS; HAIR OILS, GELS, SHAMPOOS, HERBAL TREATMENTS, BODY BUTTERS, SOAPS, AROMATHERAPY AND MORE...www.cowrieshell.com

My Mabon Altar...In Honor Of Autumn's Return

9/26/2012

Last Friday evening was September 21st, the autumn equinox!
I decorated my altar for the Sabbat (Holy Day) Mabon, paying tribute to the return of the Autumn equinox. During this time of year, the sun's strength starts to diminish, until the winter solstice in December, when the sun becomes stronger again and the days start to become longer than the nights. The symbols which I placed on my altar include veggies and fruit to represent the harvest for which we should all give thanks and praises to the Goddess, Mother Nature for the abundance and to share the joy that we have received during the past year. It's like the 'first' thanksgiving before the one we acknowledge during November...that is the second thanksgiving. I also have a statue on my altar which represent The God and The Goddess, polarity and also continuous life. On my altar I have the elements air, fire, water, earth and ether in the form of plants in soil for earth, water and sea shells for water, orange and yellow candles, citrine and amber crystals for fire (to bring the sun's energy back to you). Feathers and incense for air and clear quartz and amethyst crystals for ether (spirit)

Mabon is a good time to pray for and meditate on balance and harmony. It's also a time of change. Protection, wealth and prosperity mantras are appropriate as well. I went to the farmer's market the next morning really early to gather the other harvest items I needed to complete my altar. I picked up fresh apples, apple cider and cinnamon cider donuts...during this season, any foods made with cinnamon and cloves (ruled by Jupiter) represent ingesting the sun. I also got some gourds, mini pumpkins, and two yellow/orange beeswax candles. Of course, broccoli, kale, onions, potatoes, etc were in my basket. I left the market with only the funds on my metro card! So, I'd be at the mercy of public transportation to get home, two buses. The trip was going to be long and I was a bit pressed for time...clients to see on Saturday morning and all that! Making a pretty long story shorter- when I got off the bus to transfer to yet another bus, I found a twenty dollar bill laying at my feet!!! I didn't bother looking around, I understood that it was all in divine order lol. So, I hailed a cab, hopped in with my early morning harvest. Told the driver where I needed to go and handed him the money. He only charged me fifteen dollars for the ride. I told him to keep the change...To me, that was my blessings for my good intentions and getting up early to take care of my ancestral duties. I continue to do my spiritual work, acknowledging the wonders, grace and mercies that I am granted every day....Ashe'

Autumn Season's Blessings

9/21/2012

Fall started today and it's going to be a weekend of Mabon celebration! This is my favorite time of the year, although I do love all of the seasons. It is a time to honor the bounty of our harvest and also the cycle of life. There's something really special about this time of the year. Maybe, it's because I can really appreciate 'going in,' reflecting and then manifesting what I've received in the quiet creative womb space of my soul...
Tomorrow, I plan to put on my prettiest fall fashions, moccasin boots, colorful scarf and a huge smile to go to the farmers market. I have to gather some healthy treats for my kitchen pantry and my autumn altar. Hopefully I can find a friend to share the early morning experience with me ;-)

Savory Herbal Butter

9/9/2012

There're so many possibilities for creating your own herbal butter! Who doesn't love soft, creamy butter? I just love the way they look. Whether you use Hotel Bar Butter or any of the other natural alternatives, this recipe can be a savory addition to your breakfast, lunch or dinner. Another favorite of mine is mushrooms and scallions - make this for your guests this upcoming Fall season and have them ranting and raving over it.

You can spread it on toast, use it in soups, use it on sauteed veggies, mushrooms, or use a spoonful to soften baked potatoes spread with chives and sour cream. The uses of this herbal butter are endless.

Herbal Butter recipe
1 cup unsalted organic butter (or healthy butter alternative)

1 tablespoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons fresh parsley

1 tablespoon fresh oregano

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

In a bowl, mash the butter into a cream. Mix in the fresh garlic, parsley, oregano and thyme. Refrigerate for several hours before using.

Garlic
Garlic has been called the 'stinking rose' because of it's dual role as a pungent herb so strong smelling that it has been used to ward off evil spirits in India and Transylvania and as a cure-all or miracle drug renowned for it's health benefits which tastes great incorporated in an herb butter recipe.

It is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and selenium. It helps in digestion and helps with the iron metabolism of the body. It helps fight cardiovascular diseases by decreasing the rate of arthrosclerosis, blood pressure, and heart attacks. It also helps fight cancer because it contains antioxidants which fight free radicals and carcinogens.

Parsley
Parsley contains volatile oils and flavonoid such as myristicin, and luteolin which are beneficial for one's health. It also contains antioxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and carotene which help neutralize carcinogens entering the body through food. The flavonoids also act as anti-oxidants. It also helps clear the respiratory tract and promotes a healthier cardiovascular system.

Oregano
Oregano has been called 'joy of the mountain' in Greek for it's warm, balsamic aroma and authentic Mediterranean taste especially when added into an herb butter recipe. It is effective as an antibacterial and is chock full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Thyme
Thyme is a lovely herb most often used by the French to spruce up egg, vegetable, and meat dishes as well as soups and stews. Along with many other herbs, it is nutrient dense with many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It also acts to kill microbes from the intestinal system.

Do you have any herbal butter recipes to share?

Lavender Love

9/9/2012

Of all the amazing plants in the herbal kingdom, only a few hold such a great place of reverence in our gardens as lavender. It's graceful beauty, spicy-peppery aroma, and potent healing properties have made this herb one of my favorites and quite a staple in our homes; especially in the kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms.

Lavender has to be the most widely known and most used of the essential oils. It’s flowerly, light aroma is so pleasant and uplifting. Lavender is also a cool color, not so much in popularity but in tone. The ying-yang balance of lavender points to the feminine side, being very supporting of our ability to turn inward and increase our awareness. Take a look at the spiritual qualities lavender is known for... spiritual healing, tranquility, higher consciousness, releasing energy blockages, easing tension, promoting a sense of calm and is also highly recommended for purification. Lavender essential oils are harvested from the flowers of the lavender plant. You can use lavender in a bath, diffuser, or mist.

Benefits of Lavender Oil for Hair
Of course, for me lavender essential oil as well as the lavender flowers play a major role in my Ancient Blends hair and body care product line (see ancient-blends-sacred-hair-and-scalp). Lavender oil is among the most commonly used aromatherapy oils, which is extremely effective in treating hair loss. Regular usage is helpful in controlling thinning hair and improving hair growth. Alopecia areata, a condition where you lose excessive hair, especially in patches has been known to be treated with lavender essential oil. As a natural hair expert, I recommend daily scalp massaging with warmed lavender oil in olive oil, which will definitely ensure significant hair re-growth in a few months. You can use lavender oil for hair growth and get rid of problems like itchy scalp and dandruff as well. It is a powerful antiseptic and it is very useful for disinfecting the scalp, treating dry scalp, lice, lice eggs or nits. It also fights fungi, viruses and other microbes.

Also, a relaxing head massage with lavender oil is also helpful in curing insomnia and improving sleep quality. One of the lavender oil benefits is that it relaxes you and helps you get rid of anxiety and depression. The calming and soothing effect of this essential oil is beneficial for relieving stress. This in turn helps control hair loss, as insomnia, stress, depression are among the common and probable causes of this problem. Sufficient sleep and mental peace ensures that hair loss is in control. It also increases blood circulation under the roots of the hair follicles. Aside from all of this, you can regularly use one of the following hair masks for improving the texture of your hair and controlling hair loss problem.

Ways to Use Lavender Oil for Hair
You can use lavender oil in combination with other essential oils that are beneficial for hair growth to make an effective hair mask. Here are some that I for you try...

For Hair Growth...
You need to take 10 drops of lavender oil, 10 drops of rosemary oil, 5 drops of basil oil and 4 oz. of jojoba oil. Mix all these oils well and store them in a dark bottle. Use it regularly for scalp and hair massage. This is very effective in smoothing your hair and boosting hair growth Make sure that you shake the bottle well, before each use.

For Dry Scalp...
Take ¼th cup of oatmeal and soak it in water for 20 minutes. Take 7 drops of lavender oil and 5 drops of rosemary oil and mix all these ingredients properly and then apply the paste on your scalp. You can wash off this mask after an hour with warm water. This mask is good solution for getting rid of itching and dry scalp.

While using lavender oil for hair growth or other problems, you will start noticing its benefits within a few weeks or months. You need to keep using it regularly as the results will not be seen immediately. So include this essential oil in your hair care routine and take the first step towards healthy hair. Always use precautions when working with any essential oil. Avoid your eye area and other sensitive parts of your body.

You may use lavender essential oil for calming and rest, promoting peaceful sleep and a feeling of happiness. Lavender may help alleviate migraine headaches.
There are many levels of quality to be aware of when shopping for any essential oil. The trick is to preserve the delicate life of the plant, the essential oils. One of the best methods to extract the powerful healing properties of lavender is the method “steam distilled” to ensure high concentrations of the essential oils of lavender or Lavandula officinalis.

Lavender and Love
Lavender does have special magical properties... it has been used for centuries in the area of love, used to scent love letters, also used as a perfume to attract the opposite sex. Back in the Renaissance days lavender would be combined with rosemary and used to secure the chastity of a woman.

Feng Shui and Lavender
Feng Shui focuses mainly on the flow of energy, whether we are talking about the architecture or how our home is decorated. It is advised to use lavender or any purple color sparingly. In Feng Shui and health it is thought that the color purple could trigger blood disease, but it is fine as an accent. The lighter purple shades like lavender is popular for meditation rooms.

Crown Chakra and Lavender
The color purple is associated with the crown chakra, the energy center associated with higher purpose and spiritual connectivity. The crown chakra, also known as our 7th chakra is located at the very top of our head and the vibration of the crown is the highest vibration in our physical body. I recommend anointing your crown chakra with lavender essential oil before mediating.

Lavender Amethyst

When we look into the world of gemstones and crystals a popular crystal is Amethyst (one of my favorites), which is available in pink or lavender, and is a very powerful healing crystal.

Amethysts are recommended to those who deal with stress a lot, such as people with an excessive work ethic who are unable to enjoy relaxation. This quality is also believed useful when treating insomnia too. Amethysts also help those who are prone to depression and an overall melancholy feeling. Many also believe that amethysts are useful for those working to transcend chemical dependence. The stones may work as talismans to provide inner strength when battling dependency. Amethyst is believed to target the pituitary gland, which directs the endocrine system, the pineal gland, where altered states of consciousness and psychic skills are thought to be triggered, and the entire cerebral cortex in the brain. It is therefore felt to be a tonic for headaches, mental illness, anxiety, concussions, and depression.

Amethysts are also used for natural healing. It is a stone steeped in ancient magic and is as popular today as it was two thousand years ago. If placed under a pillow or worn to bed, it supposedly drives off insomnia and nightmares. It also produces a restful sleep with pleasant, healing, and prophetic dreams. It will also make sure that you don't oversleep. It is a spiritual stone, with no negative side effects or associations with violence, anger or passion. It is a stone of peace. It calms fears, raises hopes, lifts the spirits, and promotes thoughts of the spiritual reality behind our lives. It wards off guilt and self deception, curbs overindulgence, and bestows good judgment. It calms emotional storms and in situations of potential danger, it will come to your aid. It also lends courage and is a powerful amulet for travelers. When worn, it protects against thieves, harm, sickness, and danger.

Amethyst is cleansing, physically and psychologically. It helps to promotes internal balance and harmony and brings about stability to the individual. Amethysts are capable of raising ones spirits, promoting self assurance and confidence. They brighten the outlook on life and enhances our sense of humor. The virtues of amethyst include beauty, calm, fulfillment, humility, a loving demeanor, perfection, piety, sincerity, spiritual balance, tranquility and wisdom.

Amethyst should be worn during contemplation or placed on simple meditation altars. It is worn during psychic acts and since it is a stone of wisdom, it allows the information received through the psychic mind to be appropriately utilized. The stone also helps sharpen the conscious mind and enhances the mental powers. It is used to improve memory and keeps thoughts in line with life goals. It is a stone of pure, true, emotional love. It is often exchanged between two lovers to strengthen their commitment. It is also one of the few stones specifically prescribed for men to use for attracting women. It supposedly draws “good women” to love him. This stone is also used by those involved in lawsuits to ensure that right is done. It has been long thought to bring success to businesses.

My Copper Earrings Collection...(coming this Fall)

9/8/2012

As we move into the fall season, I feel inspired to work with the healing energies of copper, crystals and gemstones. Mostly making copper earrings...
In the early nineties, I used to create jeweled works of art using copper metal. I was inspired by an elder named 'Scrapie...' He was a native of the Island of St. Vincent. He shared his wisdom and experience with me about his struggles with being an artist, a vendor and an entrepreneur while living and creating in his workshop in the basement of a building in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. As our economy flip-flopped over the years and sales began to decline, I decided to put that craft on hold and focus on where the energy was going. My mentor-friend Scrapie apparently left NYC for greener pastures. I continue on my journey, riding the uncertainties of the choices I was making to cultivate my own 'garden' till present day...These days as the cosmic shift becomes increasingly felt by many beings of 'light' the healing medicine of copper (in particular) is becoming a necessity for helping us to recharge and feel more grounded. Archaeologists have been unearthing copper jewelry for over 200 years revealing that jewelry made from this beautiful shiny metal was very common in ancient societies. Did they know that it was more than jewelry, but might also be medicinally beneficial? Copper is an essential trace mineral that facilitates the activity of several enzymes. This mineral provides a role in the development and maintenance of the cardiovascular system, including the heart, arteries, and other blood vessels, the skeletal system, and the structure and function of the nervous system, including the brain and more.
www.cowrieshell.com

Turquoise Stones are some of the oldest stones to be made into jewelry. They have impressive metaphysical properties... and are powerful healing stones that will filter the fifth element ether, into the etheric body. The natural energy of these stones will help you to communicate with truth. They are a strong stone of spiritual attunement and are very effective to aid communication. They have a strong affect within the throat chakra... and they may aid you to manifest clairvoyant abilities. The distinct vibration of these stones resonate within the throat and third eye chakras... allowing you to access past life knowledge.
This may be helpful if you are aiming to work in psychic employment as they enhance your effectiveness to communicate what comes through from spirit, within your day to day physical life. www.cowrieshell.com

I'm told that the best stones come from Australia, Iran, Afghanistan, Tibet and south-western USA. Turquoise may also be found in France, Britain, Russia, Poland, Arabia, Egypt, China, Peru and Mexico. The chemical name for Turquoise is aluma phosphate. The color of these stones is commonly the classic color we call Turquoise blue, but it is possible to obtain these stones in other colors. This includes this green stones (which I adore working with) from Tibet, White Turquoise stones, some fairly uncommon purple Turquoise stones (would love to work with purple Turquoise) and the lovely lighter colored sleeping beauty Turquoise. All colors of this stone are becoming hard to get in the natural form. Blue Turquoise forms when there is copper present, Green Turquoise forms when there is iron present. Although White Turquoise is known to form when neither of these minerals occur in the stone... white stones are quite rare, although you may sometimes see white areas in the blue or green stones. www.cowrieshell.com

2012 West Indian Labor Day Carnival, Bklyn, NY

9/3/2012

The West Indian Labor Day Parade 2012...A Brooklyn tradition. The first time I ever saw this parade was in 1976 after arriving in this country from Barbados in June of that same year. It has really change a lot since then. Back then, there were no police barricades and it was more family friendly...it still remains the largest, most amazingly creative, super festive party in the country... (Photo By: Mirielle Liong)