Directions "Akeyaa" Four Medicines Bracelet
For my health, my loved ones, & my traditions. Life is sacred. I am loved. I am not alone. Little reminders of hope.
The ends of the adjustable bracelet secure half of the four directions, a continuous harmony symbolizing the circular medicine wheel’s revolution. Each bracelet keeps the four medicines, one side holding tobacco and sweetgrass and the other side holding cedar and sage. The tobacco and sweetgrass direction is the moons transitioning into winter and spring. While the cedar and sage direction journey into summer and autumn. Passing on and on, the woven cycles carry life balance and traditions.
Although ceremonies differ from First Nation to First Nation, basic beliefs remain similar. Our medicine bundles carry sacred knowledge and contain ingredients to spiritual well being. These powerful religious objects represent faith in a tangible way and transcend into modernity through cultural exchange and societal development. Traditional Healing is the restoring of balance to the mind, body, spirit and emotions. There needs to be harmony and balance in us just as there is in all of Creation. When you start on a healing journey, you are making a commitment to help yourself, your family and your community. Great respect is shown for the plants that are used in this specific healing. The Four Medicines Rings are an embellishment that contributes to the physical act of finding faith in a time when cultural identities are becoming blurry. The unique medicine pouch is a bicultural composite of an exchange and revamped further to a multifaceted object set into today’s medicinal context. There is a need for cultural support in our new contemporary setting and this pedant defines that.
My creations stem from the native hybridity, intertwining of my two worlds and developing a bicultural composite. The cultural blend is due to the authenticity of my Native American roots and the influence of European dealings. An example of how a piece of art can transform over time in response to cultural encounters. I create not only for aesthetic but functional purpose to provide healing opportunities and tangible strength.
Mother Earth over diamonds.
Content + Care
- Rings: 20% Acrylic, 70% Metal (Plated Gold or Plated Silver), 10% Four Medicines
- Tobacco, Sage, Sweetgrass and Cedar
- Surprising Lightweight
- Cedar transitions into a fabulous dusty peach - just as beautiful as it's fresh state.
- Wipe Clean, Keep Dry, Store in Safe Dark Place, More about Materials
Size
Each ring is crafted one of kind, and may vary just a slightly from the images provided. Understand some materials used must be treated with a certain amount of respect, these are traditional medicines. Email [email protected] with any questions.
- Adjustable
By Tashina Lee Emery, blessing given by local medicine man to create.
Please note the materials encased are natural and come from the earth. There will be "flaws" and "mistakes". I intentionally seek the imperfect, and personally love raw beauty. Each piece of jewelry will not look like the photo because your jewelry is unique, however I try to make the jewelry as close to the photo as I can. Each piece is made by hand and not a machine so tiny bubbles, bumps and slight imperfections are part of the unique characteristics of the jewelry.
Love our Mother Earth as we love our own Mothers. Protect her at all costs. To save her…We save ourselves.
