Flexibility

I would describe myself as easy going. I think thats part of the secret of my success as a parent. My house is chaotic and messy. My kids are loud and lively. My life is fast and furious and I LOVE IT! When I was little, growing up in Manhattan Beach, spending my summers playing in the ocean waves, I learned that when you get caught in a big one it's better if you don't struggle. Relax. Be like laundry in the washing machine. If you are this way, when you get pulled under and tossed around in the waves, you never seem to run out of air in your lungs and the wave passes eventually. When it's over, you just stand up, pull your bikini back on, smile and say whoa, that was awesome!!! Go with the flow. Don't fight, struggle, fear or tighten. Relax, ride, enjoy the foamy green water and worry not. You are tougher than you think. With this philosophy in mind, I have created a belly chain to aid in this mindset. It is called FLOW and its stones help you to let go of the illusion of control and be content in your experience of riding any wave that comes your way. The stones in this one are ocean jasper, grossularite (green garnet) and green tourmalinated quartz. Some noteworthy aspects of these stones are that they dissolve crystallized patterns and release tensions at any level, turn negative thoughts into positive ones, teach relaxation and going with the flow, inspire service and cooperation, support during times of stress, bring tranquility and wholeness, balance the parts of life that have become all important to the detriment of others.

As a crazy, wonderful summer approaches, I wear a smile at the thought of all the family travel we will be doing. Just as insurance, I might create one of these for myself.

Guardian Angel

I am inspired to create thematic belly chains for people I have not connected with yet. I think about what her needs might be, issues in her life that need supporting, problems or gaps that need to be addressed. When you scan my web site you see all the different themes that have come to me. Guardian Angel is a belly chain created to nurture, support, provide insight, guidance and protection. I thought about what a mother gives to her children and realized that there are a lot of grown women who need these protective, nurturing, soothing, encouraging energies bestowed upon them. When we are encouraged, protected from outside negativity, nurtured and gently guided toward our higher purpose, we are able to florish. We all have talents and abilities waiting to emerge or are possibly already present and developing. From a distance, I can encourage you to find and develop yours by encircling your core with your own Guardian Angel.

Protect your Ass(ets)

Sometimes what we need from the stones we wear is protection. I find that we need it form all kinds of things. We need protection from other people's toxic energy, protection from electromagnetic radiation or "smog", protection from malicious actions, protection from manipulation, and sometimes, protection from our own self criticism. I use amethyst and laboradorite a lot for general protection. Black tourmaline protects nicely from electromagetic sources of pollution and calcite does a nice job deflecting negativity, even from yourself. When I wear calcite, I feel more creative because if I have doubt, it is quieted. I draw my jewelry each day from a prolific source (as you might imagine) and usually can feel what stones I need to wear. My clothes are neutral so my jewelry looks decorative rather than therapeutic. When I look in the mirror, I feel beautiful, energized, happy, creative, whole and hopeful. I hope for this for you too.

The Force

I'm not really big on blind faith. I generally need to know how, why, when, all the way back to the earliest, most elemental point of something. I believe this is why I am so enthralled by physics, chemistry, geology, evolution, astronomy, anthropology and medicine. I need to know how the universe began, and everything after that. In detail. The more I learn about it ALL, the more I am romanced by this type of information. So, when I started buying rocks and gems from Maile Ellington eight years ago (Maile buys rough rock from around the world, cuts, grinds, drills and polishes every bead herself), it was natural for me to not just take the beauty of her stones at face value. My natural process has brought me to the point of investigating how and why gemstones work.

A little back story: Ever since I was a kid, seeing Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back for the first time (This is the one where Yoda explains to Luke what The Force is), the concept of The Force as an energy that permeates all things, that connects and binds us all with the universe, has rung true to me.

So, what does the force have to do with gemstones? Gemstones are crystals. Crystals are solid forms of matter in their most organized, stable state. They form lattice structures with repeating patterns, and like all things, they vibrate in this organized state. All atoms vibrate. Even the most solid form you can imagine is vibrating. The nucleus of every atom is surrounded by an electron "cloud". We can only imaine the general whereabouts of an electron at any given moment, that's how much it moves. So, if we are all made up of these energetic atoms and we are all connected by the atoms in the air we exist in, and some things vibrate in a more harmonized way, and, like adding hot water to cold water makes warm water, a more orderly vibration neutralizes a more chaotic vibration, gemstones affect our bodies, our emotions, and our spiritual energies, leaving us in a more positive and healthy state.

I have had countless experiences with my stones and wear a daily arrangement based on what I intuitively am drawn to as needing. I have a Russian Amazonite pendant that I wore almost every day last year. It made me feel calmer, more resolute, inspired and less fearful. According to Judy Hall's, The Crystal Bible, Amazonite has a powerful filtering action, filtering information passing through the brain and combining it with intuition. It is an extremely soothing stone. It calms the brain and nervous system and aligns the physical body with the etheric, maintaining optimum health. Amazonite soothes emotional trauma, alleviating worry and fear. It dispels negative energy and aggravation. And that is just one example from one stone. You will be amazed.....

Let Go of Your Fear

I just had a passionately heated discussion with my oldest daughter about the immigration policy and a walkout that occurred at her high school yesterday. She chose to stay seated and that dissapointed me. I feel very passionately about treating all beings humanely and I don't believe dark skinned people in this country always are. Weather it be illegal immigration of mexicans or poverty in the south, I think there is a lot of fear that explains why the white majority tends to lean the wrong way on social issues. In the case of the discussion with my daughter, she said that she "didn't know enough to take a social stand on this issue". I said, whats to know. It's about aknowledging your neighbor, whether they are a "legal citizen" or not, they are fellow human beings and deserve the same rights that were handed to you at birth. People who leave their homes, families, churches, traditions, children, parents, risk their lives, pay exorbinant amounts of money and knowingly subject themselves to pain, anguish, humiliation and potentially, death are not "just walking across the boarder". There is nothing pleasant that drives these people to risk so much. So why do we not treat them with the same care and amnesty as we would provide an eastern european seeking religious exile? Why do we make it so difficult to obtain legal entry? Have you ever investigated the proper channels for citizenship? Just to read and understand the laws and requirements requires a significant base of education, financial foundation for legal help, the ability to survive while you endure the months or years it takes to get to a place of action. For most people, coming here illegally is a last resort. A last, desparate struggle for survival, both for themselves and the family members left behind to wait and hope things will improve. Why would we knowingly be so cruel to turn away from this, and as a nation, state politically, that if you weren't lucky enough the be born here, strong enough to stand up for your rights, wealthy enough to get here legally, go home to your corrupt government, your wide division of social classes, your filthy, polluted air, your unsafe water, and your poverty. Maybe you will get lucky and get a job in a NAFTA inspired manufacturing plant where you can get a dollar an hour and no benefits. And then there is the argument, that if we make the twelve million "illegal" residents citizens, we will have to pay them living wages and how will we ever make a profit on strawberry farming again? Government subsidies. Hey, it's my experience that these people who live on the perifery of our society are some of the most admirable, honest, hardworking, family oriented, trustworthy, reliable, unselfish people I know. They demonstrate more integrity with the risks they take for the small gains they receive than most native citizens of this country would ever do. I hope anyone who reads this will let go of their fear that by helping another person by aknowledging that they belong in America as much as you or I do, that you will not be shorted, or left with less opportunity. There is abundance when you live in gratitude and kindness. There is shortage in the fear of not enough.

Stardust (Crown Chakra)

Did you know that YOU are made of stardust? You are, and so is everything else on this planet. What we know about stars is that first generation stars begin with elemental hydrogen (one proton, one electron) and fuse the atoms together to form the slightly heavier element, helium. The amazing energy that comes from this fusion is what the sun and other stars emit. When all the hydrogen is consumed, the helium atoms start fusing , into lithium. Anway, these are pretty simple elements and a first generation star runs out of fuel before any heavy elements, like metals, are created. The heaviest elements, like iron and lead are created when a star explodes, or goes "supernova". So, we know, because I took and iron supplement this morning, that our star is a second or possibly a third generation star and we, and everything on this planet has been formed out of the dust of that mega explosion. Just imagine all the wonderful things that occurred before this very second. All the steps the universe has taken to bring us all here to this point in time. Doesn't it put a smile on your face? You are a part of all of it. The universe is you. You are the universe.

The seventh chakra is called Sahasrara. Sahasrara knows no separation from the source. One is complete, centered, grounded, even as one traverses the higher realms, realizing that while we may access the divine, our place is on the earth plane. We no longer experience an inordinate longing for, nor an obsession with our spiritual life, as it is now an inseparable and undeniable part of us. We are completely self assured in this respect. Ego dissolves, and a sense of wholeness pervades. Peace reigns in our hearts and it is from this platform that we are able to interact with and honor our fellow man. Sahasrara, the many petaled lotus, located at the top of the head, opens up toward the heavens. Sahasrara relates to the element of thought and the color is perceived to be violet or white. It is anatomically associated with the pineal gland, right brain hemisphere, crerbral cortex, right eye and right side of the face. When this chakra is open and functioning, a person is connected to the totality of the body-mind-spirit, experiencing spirituality on the most intimate level of his or her being. Brain functionis healthy and clear and physical energy is strong.

Emotional Dysfunctions: depression, obsessional thinking, confusion.
Physical Dysfunctions: sensitivity to pollution, chronic exhaustion, epilepsy, alzheimer's
Functional Archetype: guru- may focus on specific, attainable goals, but know that there are infinate possibilities through which these goals might be realized. Are open to, and embrace, the unexpected, the serendipitous and the coincidental. These are not human beings trying to be spiritual, but spiritual beings learning vital emotional lessons through temporarily wearing the cloak of humanity.
Dysfunctional Archetype: egocentric-total focus on the material world and their illusion of control over it. Has no time for anything that cannot be explained logically, hence fails to draw benefit from all that is mysterious and inexplicable in life.
Goals: expanded consciousness
Life Lesson: selflessness
Main Issue: spirituality, selflessness.


The crown chakra belly chain is comprised of crystal quartz, which vibrates at a very high frequency and is physically and spiritually, very healing. I also include rutilated quartz, (the gold filaments in the crystal quartz are actually titanium) and rainbow moonstone.

The Joy of Knowing (Third Eye/Brow Chakra)

Do you ever get that satsfied feeling when something just makes sense? I like to know why things work, how things happen, down to the deepest bit of information. For example, I took geology for fun after I moved to Santa Barbara. It was a subject I have always been curious about. I learned about what happens to rock when it is allowed to go from a liquid, molten state to a solid. When molten rock is allowed to cool very slowly, for example, one degree every thousand years, and it is given ample time to bind in the most favorable manner, it forms a crystal lattice of molecules that are so happily arranged that they are the most stable form of matter. The hardest known crystal is diamond, which is a lattice of carbon molecules that under great pressure forms a three dimensional, unreactive and very hard substance. I say three dimensional because graphite (pencil lead) is also carbon. These carbon bonds are formed not under great pressure and temperature and are weak at one point causing the bonds to break easily and the substance to be "slippery". This is why graphite is used both as a lubricant and as pencil "lead". It comes off the pencil one layer of molecules at a time, leaving the perfect amount of carbon on the paper. So these connections of information have always thrilled me. I could go on and on, but I don't want to lose your attention, so I'll get to the point. When we open up our minds to all sorts of information, connections are made. The puzzle comes together. Sometimes it's hard information, like science. Sometimes it's hard to define information, more of a psychic feeling, or "knowing".

The sixth chakra is called Anja, meaning to perceive, or to know, in the sense of dynamic order and integration. The colors associated with Anja are indigo and purple. It is also refered to as the "brow chakra' or" third eye chakra". Clear thought and comprehension are functions of a balanced sixth chakra. Physically, Anja is located in the center of the forehead above the brow line. It relates to the pituitary, left brain hemisphere, left side of the head and spinal chord. It is related to the perception of light, both on the physical and metaphysical planes. Manifestations of health and balance in the third eye chakra enable us to discern and respond to intuitive information, formulate ideas and initiate appropriate action, causing materialization on a physical plane.

Emotional Dysfunctions: nightmares, learning difficulties, hallucinations.
Physical Dysfunctions: headaches, poor vision, neurological disturbances, glaucoma.
Functional Archetype: psychic
Dysfunctional Archetype: rationalist
Goals: ability to "see" other than with eyes.
Life Lesson: emotional intellegence
Main Issue: intuition, wisdom

The sixth chakra belly chain is made of entirely of amethyst. I use a lot of amethyst. It is an extremely powerful and protective stone with a high spiritual vibration. It has strong healing and cleansing powers and enhaces spiritual awareness.

Speak Your Truth (Throat Chakra)

I have a conscious memory of shutting myself up. Sometime in my childhood, during developmental years, I was way wrong and it made a deep impression. It is so humiliating to speak up and be wrong. Sometimes, the lesson learned isn't to keep learning until you get it right, but to shut off your voice, your opinion and your truth so you never have to subject yourself to that humiliation again. Now, as an adult, I have broken through that self silencing (obviously, if you are reading this) and have come to realize that being "wrong" is as profound and important as being "right". The earthly experience is a pendulous one, swinging from one extreme to the other so that all sides of an experience or a feeling may be appreciated. This is why compassion is such an important tool. To judge others and especially, oneself, is to risk limiting the profound physical and emotional experiences to be had on this plane.

The thoat chakra, or fifth chakra is called Vishuddha and is located in the throat between the collarbone and the eye socket. Vishuddah relates to the element of sound and hearing. Its color is vibrant blue. Physically, the fifth chakra governs the voice box, thyroid, parathyroid as well as the ears and throat. It relates to our ability to speak our own truth and manifest creative energy in all forms of artistic expression. A fully functioning fifth chakra results in a clear, strong voice, direct, truthful and respectful communication. The thyroid and parathyroid glands function optimally, resulting in balanced calcium and general metabolism. Neck and jaw muscles are relaxed and strong.

Emotional Dysfunctions: perfectionism, inability to express emotions, blocked creativity.
Physical Dysfunctions: sore throats, neckache, thyroid problems, hearing problems, tinnitus, asthma.
Associated Body Parts: throat, ears, nose, teeth, mouth, neck, thyroid, parathyroid.
Functional Archetype: communicator.
Dysfunctional Archetype: masked self.
Goals: harmony with others, self-knowledge, creativity.
Life Lesson: the power of choice, personal expression.
Main Issue: communication, self expression.

The throat chakra belly chain is busy with the hues of many blue gemstones. It cotains lapis lazuli, aquamarine, sapphire, blue chalcedony, iolite and kyanite. These stones all work in the realm of the throat to heal, aid in expression, and inspire creativity, but individually, they offer access to wisdom, protection, serenity, concentration, aid in the connection to spirit guides and of course, encouragement to speak your truth.

Your Heart Knows (Heart Chakra)

I picked up a journal last night into which I had written to my babies while they were still in utero. Both pregnancies resulted in pre-term labor, which meant bed rest for me in the third trimester. When I was five months pregnant with my second child, a few days after we came up with the name, my labor started. In my journal I wrote, "since the moment you were conceived, I have felt you were a boy baby. I imagine you sweet with brown eyes and blonde hair. I think we have decided your name is Aidan." A sob came out of me as my heart swelled with love for the angel who sat next to me sucking his tounge and holding his "lee-lee" (blanket). I was right. My baby is a blonde haired, brown eyed boy who has love overflowing from his every gesture. He is kind and friendly to everyone he sees and tells me multiple times a day, out of the blue, "mommy, I loves you.". I knew this child before I saw him. I feel like we have loved each other far longer than the three years he has been alive.

The fourth chakra is called Anahata. It means, the pure sound of creation. It is located in the mid chest and expresses its gentle energy through the vibrations of pink and green. Its elment is air. Physically, Anahata governs the thymus gland, heart, blood vessels, bronci, lower lungs, ribs, upper back, skin, hands, immune system and sense of touch. The heart chakra is the pivotal point in the energy system and the seat of unconditional love; the crucible through which celestial energy and lower energies unite. A healthy heart chakra enables one to give and receive love in all its forms. To love unconditionally is crucial to our ability to thrive on a physical plane. Empathy and compassion are the first steps toward the development of a higher consciousness.

Emotional Dysfunctions: co-depedency, melancholia, fears concerning lonliness, commitment and/or betrayal.
Physical Dysfunctions: shallow breathing, high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease.
Associated body parts: heart, lungs, chest, circulation.
Functional Archetype: lover
Dysfunctional Archetype: performer
Societal Association: unconditional acceptance of others.
Goals: balance, compassion, self acceptance.
Life Lesson: forgiveness and compassion for oneself and others.

The fourth chakra belly chains contain a variety of stones that resonate with this part of the body. They can be worn closer to the heart as a long or short necklace, or used as they are needed during meditation, resting on the chest. A complete description of the properties of the stones comes with the purchase of each belly chain.

Gut Feeling (Solar Plexus Chakra)

I've noticed that my gut feelings are getting harder to ignore. I had one recently that wouldn't let up. It caused me great discomfort. Until I acted on it, I was tortured. I won't tell you what it was, but what I will tell you is that my gut feeling made me do something I didn't want to do. It was an uncomfortable thing. After I did it, the feeling went away. I always trust my gut now. It doesn't steer me whong. I don't think.

The third chakra is called Manipura. It is located between the navel and the sternum and relates to the element of fire. Manipura represents our internal sun, or solar plexus. Its color is yellow and it governs the sense of sight. It relates energetically to the spleen, stomach, liver, gallbladder, midback, diaphragm,and kidneys. The solar plexus is the seat of empowerment or control over one's life, self acceptance and inner harmony. It represents the beginning of psychic perception as it finds its impression as a "gut reaction". One who's energies are well integrated experiences a healthy appetite with good physical digestion and a healthy metabolism, knowing a sense of comfort with the universe and a well defined sense of right and wrong.

Emotional Dysfunctions: need to be in control, oversensitive to criticism, addictive personality, aggressiveness and low self esteem.
Physical Dysfunctions: stomach ulcers, fatigue, weight around the stomach, allergies, diabetes.
Associated Body Parts: digestive system, muscles, adrenal glands and pancreas.
Functional Archetype: spiritual warrior
Dysfunctional Archetype: drudge
Goals: purpose, effectiveness, endurance, self respect.
Life Lesson: self esteem/self confidence, the courage to take risks, to BE.
Main Issue: personal power, self will.

The third chakra belly chain is made with mostly citrine. I add a few other stones depending on the individual, but citrine is the mainstay of manipura. Citrine is a powerful cleanser and regenerator, carrying the power of the sun. It is warming, regenerating, creative, cleansing and protective. Citrine absorbs, transmutes, dissipates and grounds negative energy. It has the ability to cleanse all the chakras but especially the solar plexus, or navel, chakra. It activates the crown chakra and opens the intuition. Citrine is a stone of abundance. It raises self esteem and self confidence and removes destructive tendencies. It encourages acting on constructive criticism, helps development of a positive attitude and looking forward optimistically, going with the flow, instead of hanging on to the past. Citrine promotes joy in life.

Sex and Creativity (Sacral Chakra)

Sexuality and creativity are governed by the sacral chakra. I find that these two wonderful aspects of life are linked. Stimulate one and you blissfully stimulate the other. Unleash one, and the other becomes free. So many of us are blocked here. Both sex and creativity are celebrations of life. Satisfying and elemental.

The sacral chakra is called Svadhisthana. It is located between the navel and the pubic bone. Relating to the element water and hence, our emotional life and the subconscious. Its color is orange and it governs the sense of taste. Svadhisthana introduces the aspect of relationships into our lives as we reach out beyond the family unit for validation, new experiences and companionship. Our work ethic relates to a healthy development of this chakra. The second chakra energy influences our creative and sexual energies. Physically, this chakra governs the kidneys, bladder, sexual organs, small and large intestines and lumbar spine.

Emotional Dysfunctions: unbalanced sex drive, instability, feelings of isolation
Physical Dysfunctions: impotence, frigidity, bladder and prostate problems, lower back pain
Functional Archetype: sovereign
Dysfunctional Archetype: martyr
Goals: Allowing pleasure, creative expression
Life lesson: uncovering motivations influencing choices- based on conditioning
Main Issue: emotional balance and sexuality

The sacral chakra belly chain is made of carnelian, a stabilizing stone with high energy, excellent for restoring vitality, motivation and stimulating creativity. Carnelian is useful for overcoming abuse of any kind, helping you to trust yourself and your perceptions. Carnelian is full of the life force and vitality. It influences the female reproductive organs, increases fertility, overcomes frigidity and impotence. Carnelian has the ability to cleanse other stones.

I, personally, wear carnelian every day.

Start Low (Base Chakra)

Lets talk about Chakras. This is the system that manages energy that flows through our bodies from the earth up through the crown of our head. Chakra energy sometimes doesn't flow properly, resulting in disease and stagnation, emotional upheaval and bad feelings. For optimum health of the body, mind and spirit, chakras need to be tended, like a garden, aligned and tuned like a machine and protected like the treasure that they are.

The Base Chakra is called Muladhara. It is located at the base of the spine and it's color is vibrant red. It relates to the element earth.Muladhara governs the spine and everything below, including legs, feet, colon, anus, urethra and adrenal glands. It governs the sense of smell. It is associated with basic survival and groundedness. When we are secure in the lessons of the base chakra, we radiate vibrancy in our physical health, a sense of belonging on earth and a strong identification with our immediate family. We are able to meet a crisis with equanimity. Muladhara fosters a connection with mother earth and her many gifts.

Functional archetype is "earth mother"
Dysfunctional archetype is "victim".
Emotional Dysfunctions: mental lethargy, spaciness, unfocused mind, incapable of stillness, difficulty achieving goals.
Physical Dysfunctions: osteoarthritis, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy body.
Life Lesson: Standing up for oneself.
Goals: Physical health and fitness, grounding, stability, security.

The base chakra belly chain grounds and energizes, imparts mental clarity, aids in repair, restoration and proper functioning of the base chakra. It can be worn every day or whenever you need it's beneficial effects.

Live Dangerously

Live dangerously. Live foolishly. Live embarrassingly. Live sillily. Live sadly. Live joyfully. Fear not the impact you will have by being you. Part the waters. Cause a wave. Dare to be stared at. Inspire thought and courage. When you go to high tea in Beverly Hills, wear a hat and gloves. Sip your tea as if you were a princess or a movie star. Embody the experience. Embarrass your family. Live.