For years I’ve
made “gathering bracelets” to help unify people in their support of a loved one
who is dealing with a life-altering event, such as chemotherapy, radiation,
rehabilitation, about to give birth, going to war etc. The bracelet, with its
reminder to think about the person,
gathers together the hopes, wishes and prayers of all those who wear it
in solidarity.
At the moment,
the Bahama hurricane disaster has me digging out black, aquamarine and yellow
beads (the color of the country’s flag) to make bracelets, which will be part
of a fundraising effort.
Thought this
may be a good time to post how I make these bracelets.
• Hold a
“gathering” party, where everyone makes their own bracelet. Memory wire works
better than stretchy cord, but use whatever you have and can afford. Avoid plastic
beads. Provide color meaning information, see below, and ask people to bring
beads to share.
• One
person makes the bracelets and distributes them to friends and family with a
note explaining its purpose.
• Make
bracelets as part of a baby shower, wearing them until the baby is born and Mom
is safely home. The beads from the various bracelets can be collected and put
together in a necklace to be given to the new mother.
• Keep in mind
the meaning of the colors. The bracelet should reflect the person, or
situation, who is being honored. Colors can mean different things to different
people. For example, in many Western Cultures, black is the color associated
with death, while the Amish view white as the color of death.
Color chart:
YELLOW: symbolizes sanctity, preciousness,
royalty, wealth, spirituality, vitality and fertility. In Chinese Medicine it
is used for healing the spleen. It is also the color of intellect and it is
used for mental stimulation. Good for clearing a foggy head.
PINK is associated with the female. It
is the color of the breast cancer movement.
RED Used for healing the heart in
Chinese Medicine, it is symbolize heightened spiritual and political mood,
sacrifice and struggle.
BLUE represents spiritual sanctity, good fortune,
peacefulness, harmony and love related ideas. In Chinese Medicine it is used
for healing kidneys.
GREEN considered the universal color of
healing, it also represents earth, growth, vitality, fertility, prosperity,
fruitfulness, abundant health and spiritual rejuvenation. Chinese Medicine uses
it for healing the liver.
WHITE used in spiritual purification,
healing, sanctification rites and festive occasions. Chinese Medicine uses if
for healing the lungs.
SILVER associated with the moon which
represents the female essence of life. Symbolizes serenity, purity and joy.
GOLD symbolizes royalty, wealth,
elegance, high status, supreme quality, glory and spiritual purity.
BROWN represents wholesomeness and
earthiness
ORANGE increases immunity, sexual potency,
help with digestion, chest and kidney disease.
PURPLE Connect with spiritual self. Good
for mental and nervous problems.
Below is a sample note that can be modified
when distributing bracelets:
The following Gathering Bracelet has
been made to support (person’s name) in healing (provide appropriate details).
You can wear the bracelet, or place it where you are likely to see it -such as
hanging from a lamp on your desk, the doorknob on a kitchen cabinet, or sitting
on your nightstand. The
bracelet, with its reminder to think about (person’s name), symbolizes our
collected hopes, wishes, and prayers for them during this time.
The
colors chosen for the bracelet reflect what we are hoping for (person’s name):
• Green-
healing and stability
• Blue-
calming and tranquility
• White-spirituality
and safety
• Red-energy
• Brown-wholesomeness
• Yellow-clear thinking
• Purple-spirituality
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