The Grief Snake

On the cusp of the Winter Solstice and Capricorn season, during which from where I am writing to you, the days will soon become shorter and we will be plunged into longer nights as Persephone deepens her descent into the Underworld and the natural world recedes with her; we offer a new talismanic object, The Grief Snake bangle. Akin to our much beloved Grief Moth which can be found HERE, this snake was born & grown wholly in our imagination, dreams and hearts rather than life cast from natural history. Like its winged kin, its body and head are freckled throughout with tear shaped scales while its belly has subtle, smooth stripped detailing. Unlike the endless, repetitious cycle that the Ouroboros represents, the head of our snake rests gently on its tail rather than devouring it, suggesting a definitive end/beginning to things/feelings/emotional seasons, acting, if one wishes, as a kind of bookmark in time.  It was designed with being a symbolic balm to grief in mind: a personal grief carrier to help "carry the burden" of intense emotions you may have accrued during this strange, horrifying and transformative year. Or perhaps it can be your anchor, something to literally hold on to and that literally holds on to you, as you navigate the rough seas of past memories that may appear suddenly like a lightning storm. It may also symbolically help assist you unravel the unwanted emotions / thought patterns needing to be shed- much like the snake brings with it the symbol of transformation- as it regularly sheds its old skin in its entirety as it grows, expanding after each shed, becoming, in a sense, fresh with potential and possibility.  The bangle can also be used as a piece of 'sentimental' jewelry to mark the passing of a loved one as a piece of modern mourning jewelry (Snakes were sometimes included in Victorian Mourning motifs.)- as it was designed with this intention in mind as well-the tears symbolizing the snake sharing your sorrow in an eternal way, cast forever in metal-even as you may be able to move on to other emotions during the complex and long dance with grief, this jewel will remain a touchstone.  Additionally, remarkably detailed and tactile, the body of each snake was designed to be touched, spun and rubbed during moments of reverie or intense emotion for a calming experience if you’re  so inclined to somatic soothing techniques. (I've personally been wearing mine non-stop since slipping it on, comfortably sleeping, bathing, and working while wearing it, unwilling to part from it. )  Lastly, snakes and snake magic/medicine have meant a lot to me for a long time, but lately I've been thinking of their connection to Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of medicine. He is usually depicted with a rod on which a snake is twinned around it; symbolizing the secret knowledge of the healing arts and resurrection (Medical practitioners still use this image as their symbol.) His healing temples were known as  Asclepieia or Asklepieia-to which people seeking to be healed would pilgrimage to. Once there, these pilgrims would stay a night or two to under go 'dream incubation'  in a sacred part of the temple, most likely under the effect of hallucinogens (poisonous plants perhaps?) during which they would be visited by the god Asclepius in the form of a snake, and either told what would cure them (which they could then have prescribed and administered on hand at the temple ) or healed in the dream space. Non-venmous snakes were often known to be free roaming in these temples and would 'whisper' cures and heal those who came to the temples, further aligning the healing nature of the snake, counter balancing its poisonous and deadly attributes. DETAILS: -Available in five sizes, size is measured by interior circumference of bangle. -Hand cast in sterling silver, and hand oxidized in our favorite shade of gloomy gray before being hand finished to reveal highlights. -Each part of the process is handmade, right here in Philadelphia, utilizing a local, family own casting company in the same zip code as our studio. -**A note about size** We have found that the most common size ordered is the 8" version, but please measure before purchasing as these bangles *can not* be resized.  -Having a friend help you, use a soft tape measure to measure your hand's circumference. Make sure the base of your pinky and thumb are tucked together as if they are trying to touch then tightly measure around the largest part of your hand. If a soft tape measure is not available to you, use a string and then measure string against a ruler.  -Please inquire if you need any additional sizing help. We are happy to accommodate you.  ***IMPORTANT*** This jewel is handmade to order, just for you, with care and focus. Please allow approximately 6-8 weeks for creation before shipping.                 Visit the Policy Page to make an educated and informed purchase HERE. If you have further questions, we are always here to serve you in a kind and timely manner: via bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com