Particulars Most of us know our shoe size, but we still have to try on shoes before we buy them. Why is that? Because shoemakers may have a general guideline for specifying sizes but it's not perfect and it's not geared to each of us specifically. The construction and style of a shoe can also affect the fit, not just the length and width of the sole. Even trying them on doesn't guarantee a good match. Our feet are likely to be smaller in the morning than at night, especially if we spend the whole day walking or standing. We don't know where a pair of shoes will rub a blister until we've worn them a while. There are others that feel so good, we're tempted to never take them off. If just getting shoes that fit is such a complicated issue then why do we expect to find one packaged belief system that's just right? Our spirits are infinitely more complex than our feet. Once we get outside institutionalized spirituality, once we begin to feel our independence, we still keep looking for someplace to fit in. We look for people just like us. Trying to find the best way to cooperate and harmonize with the universe is a good thing. Trying to find a conformity that fits better than the last one will only cram you back into a box. It'll be a new box, but a box all the same. You won't find anyone who is precisely like you, so piece it together for yourself and leave your belief system flexible for new information or shifting soul urges. In other words, express your independence and the uniqueness of your own spirit. To define myself I must take into consideration the main threads of my life, at least, those I wish to keep. I may also consider other information as I glean it, like memories of past lives or information from 'outside' sources. This would be messages to my spirit from other spirits who may or may not still exist on this plane in this time frame. Why define myself? Well, firstly, I don't plan to write it in stone. It could become a pair of concrete overshoes and terribly uncomfortable, as well as being an anchor. As I grow, I will change, but I do need a base to work from. If the parameters I choose begin to feel a little binding, then I'll make adjustments. Maybe a nice pair of sandals would do. Some people go into soul work and immediately they are asked to pick a spirit name. It's not a terrible idea. I mean, having a secret name by which you do this spirit work, alone or with others, is sort of fun. Part of the reason for the secrecy is the history of ridicule and even punishment for anyone caught walking these paths. Since we're getting over that, I'm not so sure that the secrecy is necessary anymore. That would depend on your situation. However, it does still feel sort of special to have a name that seems to suit where and who you are now, instead of only having the one that your parents chose for you. Whether you share your spirit name or not is up to you. If knowing it allows others to have power over you, that power is something you give them. The name may just be the tool you supplied for them to weild it. Having your own name may give you another focus point but remember, it's a label. Don't let it restrict you. I use one name that isn't really a name at all. It does however accurately represent what I am, quicksilver. I have always thought of my moods as quicksilver, like the shifting properties of the liquid metal, Mercury. However, I have come to understand that I am, in fact, a quicksilver spirit. I'm fluid but strong as metal when need be. I am a natural conductor of energies, mental and spiritual energies especially. I form and mould to needs and situations. I bond with people to draw out the precious metals within the ore of their spirits. I'm happy to be who I am. I'm happy to do what I do, the way I do it. So I don't mind sharing that I am indeed quicksilver. The only thing I have to be careful of is maintaining my own identity while forming such bonds with others. Because I am a quicksilver soul, I acquired a small amount of mercury which I keep sealed because it's very poisonous. But I can pick up its container and enjoy it safely. I can shake the tube and make it split into separate beads but as soon as they get close again, they rejoin into one seamless whole. I like the weight of quicksilver because even a small bead of the liquid metal carries its own noticeable momentum. It's beautiful, shiny, smooth, with a glass-like surface over its silver-white strength. It reminds me of my ability to shine with my own light and to flow with the rest of all that is. Perhaps it's not a coincidence that mercury is mined from cinnabar ore, which is a reddish-brown mineral the same as my natural hair color. The planet Mercury is also the ruling planet of my zodiac sun sign, Gemini. I love synchronicity! I have other items for reminders or magic. To symbolize my great grandfather with whom I have that close connection, I bought a small statue of a wise Indian elder. It's just a reminder of my closeness to him and an aid for focus, when needed. Also in my small collection is a statue of Anubis. In the mythology of Ancient Egypt, Anubis was the Jackal-headed god and overseer of mummification. I have a rather surreal and pleasant affinity for Anubis and the events in the Egyptian Book of the Dead. There is a connection to Thoth as well. He was a messenger of the gods. His counterpart in Greek mythology was Hermes, in Roman mythology he was called Mercury. Yes, too interesting for coincidence. I was drawn to Ancient Egyptian symbols and mythology long before I knew of these connections. I can't wait to see what further information may come to me from there. While on their journeys, some souls also align themselves with other identification. Some feel connected to animals, plants, gemstones, celestial bodies or elements. This is all good if it helps a spirit get a clearer picture of who they are and aids them in focusing their study or accessing the universal energies. These alignments may help us visualize our own properties better. Sometimes alignments will depend on your legacy. If you identify more closely with Native American spirituality, then you are more likely to discover an animal name (or totem) that expresses who you are. However, such an alignment is not limited by your genetic heritage. Remember that we are all more than these cases we walk around in. When it comes to particulars, just don't box yourself in. Amethyst may be the gemstone for February but that doesn't mean I can't have it as my favorite precious stone, even though I was born in June. I don't feel like a smooth round pearl, however valuable and rare. I feel more like a quartz crystal and my favorite color is purple, so I prefer amethyst. I believe that my love of amethyst is no coincidence. My given name is that of the Moon goddess Diana who saved a maiden named Amethyst from death by tigers unleashed on the whim of the wine god Bacchus. Diana changed the maiden to clear crystal/stone and the remorseful Bacchus poured wine over the stone as offering to the goddess, turning the clear stone to its purple hue. I discovered these coincidences long after I'd decided that amethyst was important to me. Thus I believe that this gem, its color, and my given name are all integrated into who I am and partially explain why I feel so empowered by the Moon. While we're here, we are earthbound to some degree, no matter how much we learn to use our higher consciousness. So, it's helpful to keep in touch with things which are meaningful to us as we proceed on our journeys. I happen to like tokens or trinkets that remind me of who I am and help me to focus when needed, or just things I like to have around. There is great value in pleasures, even little ones. Anything that helps lighten my spirit is useful, as well as items which help me focus on my particular gifts and affinities with All That Is. (Particulars)

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