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Elegante batente de porta em forma de mão, feito de latão dourado polido, instalado numa porta de madeira escura em Ciudad Rodrigo, Espanha. Este tipo de aldrava, comum na arquitetura tradicional ibérica desde o século XVIII, representa a "mão de Fátima" ou "hamsa", um símbolo com raízes no Norte de África, adotado nas tradições muçulmana, judaica e cristã na Península Ibérica. Ciudad Rodrigo, uma cidade histórica fortificada na província de Salamanca, conserva muitos desses elementos decorativos que refletem a influência multicultural da região. Além da sua função prática, estes batentes eram também símbolos de estatuto social e proteção espiritual para as casas, em que a mão frequentemente simboliza a figura feminina como guardiã do lar. Modelos semelhantes continuam a ser procurados para portas restauradas e edifícios históricos, evocando práticas e estéticas de outros tempos.
A sleek, hand-shaped door knocker, crafted from polished golden brass, graces a dark wooden door in Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain, exuding a sense of elegance and refinement. This intricate door knocker, a staple in traditional Iberian architecture since the 18th century, embodies the 'Hand of Fatima' or 'Hamsa', a symbol with deep roots in North Africa, embraced by Muslim, Jewish, and Christian traditions in the Iberian Peninsula. Ciudad Rodrigo, a historic fortified city nestled in the heart of Salamanca province, boasts a treasure trove of decorative elements that embody the region's rich multicultural tapestry. Beyond their practical purpose, these knockers were also symbols of social status and spiritual protection for homes, where the hand often embodies the female figure as a guardian of the hearth. Similar designs continue to be sought after for restored doors and historic buildings, evoking the charm of bygone eras and the beauty of time-honored craftsmanship.
Before I knew how I wished to shape the temple, I already decided the items that would surround White Tara. White Tara is a female Buddha. Among other things, she is known for her healing nature.
When engaging in a prayer to White Tara /meditation on White Tara, it is often recommended to visualize light and liquid streaming from her heart. The light/liquid contains healing for ALL of the elements: earth, air, fire, water and aether (or "space"). Thus, she holistically seeks to aid those who need healing.
In order to show my respect to her, her image and the way she models compassion and love, I surrounded her with all five elements:
1. EARTH. On the temple's bottom shelf, I placed a rock; this rock came from my old neighborhood beach on Possession Sound (in Washington State). Because this rock has a white band all the way around its "body," it's considered a "wish rock." Many believe that finding a wish rock is good luck. One is supposed to hold the rock, make a wish and throw it back into the water. I have saved a few of my wish rocks for future "needs." In this case, I elected to use the wish rock in order to "wish" my Schatzi whole health.
2. AIR. Behind the White Tara statue is a feather. I collect feathers that I find in my walking stride's way. I was once told that a feather resting in front of one's foot while walking was a Divine sign of luckiness on one's travels. Thus, with this feather, I offer my Schazi good wishes for his journeys.
3. FIRE. The statue and the metals that make up the wire and chain maille come from fire casting.
4. WATER. I included one of my favorite shells from my personal shell collection. Like the rock, this shell came from my old neighborhood beach in Washington state. It remains unbleached and in its natural (though now-abandoned) state. I chose the shell for many reasons (too many to include here), but mostly to represent the water element. For me, water is the closest physical representation of the Universal AND the womb.
5. AETHER/SPACE. I deliberately made sure that I chose a crochet hook small enough to keep the entire temple intact/not too "bendy," and I also chose a crochet hook large enough to make the temple airy and nearly transparent. Thus, the spaces between the walls' crochet stitches are meant to represent the fifth element . . . and the stitched metal is meant to show how there is merely a thin (yet often well-disguised) "veil" that separates one from the Universal.
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THE BACKGROUND STORY.
This past Valentine’s Day (2007), I wanted to show my Schatzi that I was falling in love with all aspects of his character. At the time, we’d only been together for a little over four months. By this time, I’d made him several little plush critters and goofy, crafty love gifts, but nothing that really allowed me to express my growing feelings toward him seriously or metaphorically.
I don’t use the phrase “in love” lightly; I consider these words quite sacred in nature. Often known as a stubborn gal who’s afraid of commitment, I found myself nearly shocked at the rate at which I was falling for this “Funky Bavarian” man I’d basically met through the internet. In fact, I consider the notion of being “in love” as something reciprocal that touches and enhances the human and spiritual parts of myself and the person with whom I am in love. Because the human aspect of love is so easy to express through kisses and touch, etc., I wanted to focus on the more spiritual aspect of this loving feeling I had for him.
My Schatzi is a practicing Tibetan Buddhist. While, indeed, he engages in the daily practices and prayers, he also consciously tries to live a gentle life filled with thoughtful acts of kindness and sincerity. Thus, when pondering how I might express to him that I see him as one whom helps me to understand aspects of the Universal better, I found myself returning to Buddhist images.
Ultimately, when I combined some of my personal spiritual beliefs with his Buddhist beliefs, I ended up creating this White Tara Temple set that now sits on my Schatzi’s altar.
In Buddhism, the white lotus is often associated with White Tara. Originally, I wanted to make this a 1000-petal flower, but quickly realized that, should I attempt this, I would create a table cloth, rather than an accessory for the miniature work! I think I ended up crocheting a little over 120 petals. (Please, don't make me count them again. :)
I wanted the white lotus to float in the water in order to show the health and nurturing quality of the waters. Essentially, by showing the flower "thriving" in the whirlpool waters, I wanted to express to My Schatzi that I felt my love for him was "good" and "right," rather than something superficial (i.e., puppy love, a crush, an obsession) or exclusively self gratifying (i.e., "having" a boyfriend, lust, etc.). I felt my love and our relationship was nurturing and had the potential to grow--and to help both of us to grow as individuals, as a couple and as smaller bits seeking a way to connect with the Universal.
I also wanted the metaphorical image of White Tara (who is a female Buddha) to float on the waters to show that, while human existence has obstacles and struggles (i.e., the water's whirlpool pattern), the Universal is always present. Thus, with the white lotus, I wanted to pledge to My Schatzi that, even during challenging times in our relationship, I would respect him, honor his essence and try to contemplate whether or not my actions would help or hurt either of our spiritual journeys. Essentially, I wanted him to know that I honored the Each and All within him AND within the bonds that brought (and keep) us together.
***
THE BACKGROUND STORY
This past Valentine’s Day (2007), I wanted to show my Schatzi that I was falling in love with all aspects of his character. At the time, we’d only been together for a little over four months. By this time, I’d made him several little plush critters and goofy, crafty love gifts, but nothing that really allowed me to express my growing feelings toward him seriously or metaphorically.
I don’t use the phrase “in love” lightly; I consider these words quite sacred in nature. Often known as a stubborn gal who’s afraid of commitment, I found myself nearly shocked at the rate at which I was falling for this “Funky Bavarian” man I’d basically met through the internet. In fact, I consider the notion of being “in love” as something reciprocal that touches and enhances the human and spiritual parts of myself and the person with whom I am in love. Because the human aspect of love is so easy to express through kisses and touch, etc., I wanted to focus on the more spiritual aspect of this loving feeling I had for him.
My Schatzi is a practicing Tibetan Buddhist. While, indeed, he engages in the daily practices and prayers, he also consciously tries to live a gentle life filled with thoughtful acts of kindness and sincerity. Thus, when pondering how I might express to him that I see him as one whom helps me to understand aspects of the Universal better, I found myself returning to Buddhist images.
Ultimately, when I combined some of my personal spiritual beliefs with his Buddhist beliefs, I ended up creating this White Tara Temple set that now sits on my Schatzi’s altar.