Paracelsus is quoted as saying: ‘The Scorpion Cures The Scorpion’, suggesting that poison cures poison, or like heals like. The Scorpion is associated with the power of both endless death and endless regeneration, as its venom can both be mortally wounding but can also cure its own sting~ self-destroying / self-healing, a most poignant metaphor for us humans, perhaps even more so on this urgent timeline. 

Mythically and associated with alchemy, it slays itself with its own 'dart' and brings itself back to life, reminding me of another creature that does likewise, the Phoenix. This dual natured balance of life and death, of destruction and healing is a visual metaphor I was going for in this talismanic vessel, where two conjoined scorpions are locked in an eternal embrace of the mysteries of life and death, of letting go and becoming, the ultimate transformative energies at work to be work close to the body and above the heart. 

Scorpion:

Over 400 millions years old (older than the Dinosaur or the Spider) the ancient Scorpion has been an image of both destruction and healing over the ages. Like the Spider, it is both nocturnal and poisonous, carrying potent venom in its stinger as well as a fierce strength in its front pincers. Many species of Scorpion are subterranean, often waiting underground in solitude, emerging to ensnare and devour its prey. This links Scorpion the Underworld like Spider; its unconscious, instinctual nature helps him conquer transformation within the shadowy depths.

Often feared with venom strong enough in some species to mortally poison man, these Scorpions act as a protective talisman and also a talisman of transformation. As an added layer of meaning: Scorpion also speaks to the Shadow Self of Carl Jung’s ideas on ‘Inner Alchemy’. Its ability to transform, its destructive and links to the underworld ( realm of shades and shadows) underline the idea of the Shadow; which is seen as the repressed, unwanted or unaccepted parts of oneself.

An extension of ‘Darkling, I Listen’ ~ this collection of jewels urges the wearer to move towards self-acceptance through the jewels as talismans. The process of individuation or transmutation is the process of becoming ‘whole’. For Jung, this didn’t mean becoming ‘good’, but becoming complete in the sense that one accepts all of their unconscious ‘faults’ as well as their experiences (their pasts) to become whole or complete. In ‘Inner Alchemy’ each phase of the alchemical process from antiquity was re-assigned new meanings: i.e. the quest for the philosopher's stone is truly a quest to become whole. In the 'Nigredo' process, everything is blackened, putrefied, 'killed' in a sense, to allow for new growth. It is during this phase in 'Inner Alchemy' that we are confronted with the knowledge our darker aspects, a phase in which we must accept our shadow selves. When we accept and acknowledge our more shadowy aspects, the parts of ourselves we have been conditioned to suppress, the parts of ourselves we hide from others as well as ourselves, we are on the path to wholeness. We become more accepting of our flaws, our darknesses. Having struggled with my own shadow self for many years, this talisman represents not only that long tangle with ‘darkness’, but our ability to become whole.

Details:

- 49mm at it's widest 

- 36mm from top to bottom 

- Solid Sterling Silver  

- Shown on Miguel with 20 inch chain 

- Shown on Jess with 16 inch chain 

- Both pendant and chain are hand oxidized to achieve our favorite shade of stormy gray and then highlighted to reveal the bright luminous silver beneath

- Last image shows all three sizes of 'The Poison & The Cure' scorpions for scale

***IMPORTANT***

This jewel is handmade to order, just for you, with care and focus. Please allow approximately 5 weeks for creation before shipping.                   

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If you have further questions, we are always here to serve you in a kind and timely manner: via bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com