Zuni Bear Medicine Jar

Description

The lid of this nine ounce medicine jar has been capped with 31 grams of 26 gauge Sterling silver and is crowned with a genuine Zuni wolf fetish. It is hand-carved from red jasper, with turquoise inlay, by Bernard Laiwakete (see below).

Jasper is an aggregate mineral that is a microcrystalline variety of quartz. It is typically red, yellow, brown, or green, with the red being due to iron inclusions. The name Jasper means speckled stone, and there are many colorful varieties found around the world. It has a hardness of 7.0 on the Mohs scale.

Jasper has been used by almost every ancient civilization for its strong healing and grounding powers. It carries a strong connection with Earth energy, making it beneficial for grounding, stability, and strength.

Red Jasper is a stone of physical strength and energy that enhances stamina, endurance, and increases life force. It brings courage and passion to face unpleasant tasks. It has also been used to aid in dream recall.

The Sterling silver on the lid strengthens the connection between the astral and physical planes while enhancing the energies of the stone it surrounds.

To the Zuni, the wolf represents not just successful hunting, but also social consciousness that inspires working together for the good of the group. In Zuni teachings the wolf is one of the six directional fetishes, symbolizing the Guardian of the East, and the color white. Wolf fetishes are often given to newlyweds in order to invoke the strong family bonds that wolves create. A pair of wolves is often carved together to symbolize mating for life. Wolf gives us inner guidance and clarity; helping us to become a teacher and a pathfinder.

This fetish has an inlaid turquoise arrow in its body, called a heartline. To the Zuni, the heartline represents the breath as the life force of the animal. The heartline is depicted as a line in the shape of an arrow that begins at the mouth where breath gives life, and points to the heart, soul, or spirit, where faith and inner strength preside. A heartline is either etched, inlaid, or painted along one or both sides of the animal, and is created to give the fetish extra healing or medicinal power.

Place your keepsakes, herbs, or medicine in the Native American Medicine jar to infuse them with these powerful, timeless energies. Experience the power of Native American Medicine and own an amazingly unique fusion of art and ancient power.

Bernard Laiwakete is from the renowned Laiwakete family of carvers, who are well-known for their very meticulous inlay work and visually unique, modern fetish styles. Bernard is one of five fetish carving brothers that likes to use striking and highly contrasting stones to create uniquely stylized fetishes.

Jar measures: 3 3/4″ tall (without fetish) x 3″ diameter.

Design Concept and project coordination by Native American Medicine Company, headed by WB Freeman.