The God's Eye, or Ojo de Dios in Spanish (sounds so much prettier too!) is a craft many of us learned in grade school, using Popsicle sticks and yarn. But did you know that it is also a minor art form? In any images search engine look them up and you will find some incredible pieces of work!
According to Wikipedia (I know, not really the most definitive source for information, but it's ok in a pinch), "The weaving of an Ojo de Dios is an ancient contemplative and spiritual practice for many indigenous peoples in the Americas, and beliefs surrounding them vary with location and history. Some people believe they were originally part of the sophisticated religion of the Ancient Pueblo Peoples....Ojos de Dios have traditionally been created for celebration or blessing, presented as a gift or designed to bless a home. Often they reflect a confidence in all-seeing Providence. The spiritual eye has the power to see and understand things unknown to the physical eye. During Spanish colonial times in New Mexico, from the 1500s to the 1800s, Ojos de Dios were placed where people worked, or where they walked along a trail (Mager, 2012). Traditional Ojos de Dios are frequently woven in solitude, as part of an extended meditation or prayer. In other settings, their construction is one aspect of longstanding communal engagement and connection. For centuries, young people in the mountains of New Mexico have made Ojos de Dios in learning circles (wisdom circles) with their elders. In other parts of the 'New World' they were used as ritual objects or for rites of passage. Today, artisans weave complicated or variegated versions of the traditional Ojo de Dios, selling them as decorations or religious objects. There has also been a huge increase in the use of Ojos de Dios as an easy and fun craft for children, but with the meditative and collaborative aspects removed."
Finally, their article states "The Ojo de Dios or God's Eye is a ritual tool, magical object, and cultural symbol evoking the weaving motif and its spiritual associations for the Huichol and Tepehuan Indians of western Mexico. The God's Eye is symbolic of the power of seeing and understanding that which is unknown and unknowable, The Mystery. The four points represent the elemental processes: earth, fire, air, and water. The Huichol call their God's eyes Sikuli, which means "the power to see and understand things unknown." When a child is born, the central eye is woven by the father, then one eye is added for every year of the child's life until the child reaches the age of five. Original Tepehuan Crosses are extremely rare to come by. There are many that are being made for the tourist market, but they do not carry the same traditional and spiritual significance."
Well, I have a client who is in need of quite a bit of protection from neighbors and just all-around nasty people who are causing him and his animals harm. Along with other things, I decided that a God's Eye hanging in his window would be a great visual deterrent for those who understand what they are. And for those who don't...well, their subconscious will give them an "idea".
To make this God's Eye even more powerful I also attached a large Turkish Evil Eye bead in the center. The Turkish Evil Eyes are used for protection "to guard themselves from such not-so-well-meaning people with their necessarily evil eyes.
The Turkish Evil Eye Pendant or the Nazar Boncugu, which literally means the "evil eye bead", is actually a stone bead, which is worn to protect oneself from evil looks. The stone is an amalgamation of molten glass, iron, copper, water and salt. This particular combination of minerals and metals is believed to provide a shield from the forces of evil....It is believed that the Nazar Boncugu deflects the negative energy that is being directed towards a person onto itself, thus dispersing its powers.
The Nazar Boncugu is blue in color and the age-old Anatolian belief is that it is actually the blue color of the stone, which holds the real shielding power and absorbs the negative energy." (Turkey for You)
The client's favorite color is Ferrari Red, so I promised I'd add it to the piece. Once I finished it I mailed a picture of it to him...he loved it. (whew! I always worry that items won't be as they think or hope.)
After finishing it I placed it on the altar for consecration, and once all of the ritual works are done I'll mail it and everything else he ordered to him.
Here's the 12" God's Eye with the Turkish Evil Eye bead:
I salute you in recognition of our cultural heritage's art form and symbolic religious artifact. As a Mexican-American 4th generation, with all our family males having served in the Military since World War I, WWII, Korean Conflict, Vietnam War and onwards, to be worthy and having gratitude of all the opportunities afforded us as an "American," we still hang on to our Catholic cultural beliefs as moral support. Even though now, I am delving into Cabala Ceremonial Magick, Wiccan spell work, Hoodoo methods and, other Magickal Crafts as I see fit, in my elder years. I feel I am free to study and practice what I wish now, after many years of obligations and responsibilities met. Rock On, Lady Tackett. You have a new fan in San Antonio, Texas, USA.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the compliment. I really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI am a purist in many ways. If something is going to be borrowed from another culture, craft, faith system, or whatever, then I feel it must be as accurately followed as possible within the means as your disposal. I find that by doing so I am able to infuse not only my "newer" energies, but that of its "older/ancient" energies, empowering it further. I also feel that not being proficient in whatever that skill or activity may be does not lessen it, but in fact increases your own through the connection now made to those older energies. Plus, never mind that I just LOVE history, researching other cultures, religions and their practices! :)
Again, thank you for the compliment, and I hope your studies bring you many new insights. The Divine can be found in everything, and I firmly believe that It leads us to find "more" so as to broaden our view of the universe, the world, ourselves and the connection it all has to each other.
Blessings!