Guardian spirits.....and our connection to them.

I've been designing and creating jewelry for over 45 years. I learned early in the development of my style that I had particular shapes and symbols that repeated themselves in my designs. Where those ideas came from and any meaning behind them was something I, honestly, did not want to know. I enjoy allowing the creative process to flow freely, and felt that any precise knowledge of "where and how" might just create an attempt to define or copy---both of which I did not want to do. So---many of my designs are as much a mystery to me as they are to anyone else. People often ask "Where did this idea come from?" or "What is this a symbol of?"----and my response is always, "I have NO idea."

But------at some point, I DID have customers begin to ask for their own ideas of what they would like. That is exactly how I began creating my "Octopus" pendant. A customer, knowing my interest in and understanding of the Art Nouveau style, asked if I could create a "sealife" Art Nouveau pendant for her. One of the features and most recognizable components of Art Nouveau was the use of the natural flowing lines of hair and vines. That organic "S" curve was an inherent part of my style, so I thought that an Octopus would lend itself to this request. In making the pendant (and subsequently a matching ring for the same client) I had no idea that it would become a major part of my jewelry "image."

With the continued success and demand for this type of jewelry, I was reminded of my own background in "guardian spirits" from my time in Tahiti, or, what is known as "aumakua" in Hawaiian. I was introduced to the "idea" of an animal being the guardian or guide to a person or family by Tahitian friends. They believe that ancestral spirits returned to help and guide them in the form of certain animals. Traditionally, every family had it's own spirit guide. When I initially heard this in Tahiti, I was reminded---and mentioned it to my Tahitian friends---that the American Indians had the same belief. American Indian names like Crazy Horse, Yellow Dog and Gray Bird were not just by chance. They were chosen names connecting that person to their animal "guide." And---in conversations about this, I related to them that all the way back to ancient Egypt, we can find the use of  Cat or Dog Gods or deities like Horus---with the body of a human and the head of a Falcon.
 Here is a wonderful painting by Bobby Holcomb that shows the guardian spirits of Tahiti.

When I lived in Maui and would take my dog Lani (an almost all white Australian Shepherd) for walks, we would repeatedly see the Hawaiian Owl or "Pueo." One time in particular, a large one came flying out of the trees down in a ravine and flew directly at me while watching Lani chase the ball up the street in front of me. It only saw me at the last minute and gave me a long clear "look" before flying off over my shoulder. I called and asked my dear friend and Hawaiian "kupuna" (teacher/elder) Charles Kaupu about this. He answered me in his usual "you must be kidding me" style----"Duh!!" he said, after I told him of my continuous sightings, "NO ONE sees them that much, Thomas! That's your aumakua! It is there to guide you and direct you. 

Pay attention to the signs!

So. When I moved here to Oregon and found that my sister-in-law was volunteering for the Cascades Raptor Center AND had been working with Owls, I remembered what Charles told me, "Pay attention to the signs!" We all have things occur in our lives that we may think happen randomly but many times---at the edge of our thoughts---is the idea that "this is all connected."

Michele and I had discussed my creating an "Owl" pendant for her. At first, I simply could not wrap my ideas around the correct way to "present" the design. After a long time of puzzling over this, I woke up one morning, and looked at the large photo of an Owl that a friend had given me in honor of my departed dog Lani---and there the image was!

When I went to the Cascade Raptor Centers website to read up on what they were doing to help Raptors, I came across the image of "Archimedes" shown below......and knew that he was the one who was supposed to be "connected" to my latest creative "guardian spirit" pendant project.

I have been involved with many charities in the past and have donated thousands of dollars in jewelry sales to worthy causes---but I never really knew where the money was going. And certainly never had a direct connection TO where it went. 

With the creation of this pendant---and the idea to donate a portion of each sale to the sponsorship of Archimedes (and other birds to follow)---I feel I am actually doing some thing direct to help a very worthy cause. The plan is this: Archimedes annual sponsorship is $250. Each sale of this pendant will provide $20 toward that total. I am personally donating $50 to begin. I have already sold the first pendant from my Etsy site---  https://www.etsy.com/shop/SauveJewelry

(and here's a very slight explanation as to the funds-----each item takes about 5 hours of work to create. The cost of metal and gems used amounts to approx.$35-40 my cost. Though I ordinarily charge $50 hr to create a one of a kind item, the more I make of these, the easier and quicker it becomes---so let's say I pay myself $100 to create each one. You can see that the $159 asking cost on Etsy provides a "maybe" profit, after costs and labor, of "about" $20. That means that the $20 donated with each sale is basically profit/labor that I would use to keep my business alive---but in this case---it helps keep Archimedes alive......)

That leaves 9 more to sell before the end of the year to provide the total cost of Archimedes sponsorship. And the idea is----I will then create another NEW design for a different bird and start the whole process again. 

We have all felt some connection to an animal or even the reverse---had an animal seemingly have an attachment to us. It is something with a deep, profound meaning. I have learned to accept it as part of my being and am trying my best, through my talent and ability, to keep that magic alive. 

If you wish to learn further about what the Cascades Raptor Center is doing, go to:  www.eraptors.org