Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ll be using manicules (those pointing finger symbols) to direct your attention to something I’m pondering that delights or interests me. Each entry is somehow related to an unusual, obscure, or simply charming to me word.
H is for…
handsel – a gift or token for good luck or as an expression of good wishes, as at the beginning of the new year or when entering upon a new situation or enterprise. First known usage 14th century.
Etymology: Middle English (denoting luck): apparently related to late Old English handselen ‘giving into a person’s hands’, and Old Norse handsal ‘giving of the hand to seal a promise’, from hand + an element related to sell; the notion of ‘luck’, however, is not present in these words.
I really love this idea. While it may be a common, and likely somehow expected practice to give gifts at certain life points – house warming, moving into a new career, etc. – this has an entirely different feel to me, and is totally right up my alley.
Amulets, talismans and touchstones, often in the form of jewelry or altar pieces, are very much a part of my everyday life and my self-care. I’m a very visual tactile kind of person. I love wearing blessings; I love creating physical-object reminders to place on my altars; I love infusing creations with intention. I love the connecting to Spirit; I love the creating; I love weaving blessings into objects that ask us to remember. and then being present to those reminders.
I really do like to wear blessings/prayers/intentions. I think of it as active invitation in motion. I often make scroll beads, rolling up the blessing and tying it somehow. Sometimes I write the prayer/blessing on a triangular slip of paper and then roll it up, sealing it with lacquer. Sometimes I slip a scroll into a lampworked bead and wear it that way.
Here’s an example: using this beautiful purchased lampwork bead which has a relatively large hole that can accommodate a tiny scroll on which I’ve written both words and symbols. I’ve added one of my own herbal beads, both for the added scent and because it contains herbs and flowers that support the energy of my invitation.
I absolutely hold true these words from Hafiz :
“What we speak becomes the house we live in.”
I’m happy to interpret this as an invitation to wearing soul language on my personal body/soul house as well.
I’m never without an arm full of bangles on which are engraved with snippets of poetry that meaningful to me. You can see them on one of my apothecary chests below. I truly only remove them on occasion to polish them.
Here’s a peek at some of pieces I have hanging off one of the mirrors in one of my rooms.
One practice I’ve been working with for years that I find quite helpful is listening for some quote, some fragment of poetry, some lines of wisdom that really call to me for deep contemplation and consideration. I spend days, sometimes weeks listening and really delving in. And then I create a piece of art or a talisman or something tangible as a reflection of that contemplation – a touchstone of where my soul has led me.
I really love the practice as it feels both like a deep listening and then a co-creative effort – dancing with the energy I’ve been immersed in and finding an expression for it.
And I genuinely love the idea of giving each other handsels as best wishes and blessings at the beginning of new undertakings. Doesn’t that feel expansive and marvelous?
I’m committed to creating and living in a world where beautiful little amulets and touchstones help remind us of all the magic and light and wonderfulness we each carry.
What about you? Do you find the idea of handsels as lovely and powerful as I do? Have a touchstone you love? Have special messages written somewhere only you know about? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Hari OM
Oh yes, this is very much my sort of thing; loving the idea of wearable words and creations from sentences and phrases. Meditation by any other name… YAM xx
H=Hope
“Meditation by any other name.” Love that Yamini.
Interesting! My immediate association is the word is the Housman poem ‘In valleys of springs and rivers’, where the narrator ‘carries his griefs on a shoulder/that handselled them long before’. It’s a poem that has some resonance for me, as I grew up less than a mile from the Teme, and now work in London, though I have happier associations with both.
Your handsels are much more joyful!
(https://keytopoetry.com/alfred-edward-housman/poems/in-valleys-of-springs-and-rivers/)
That’s fascinating Kathleen, and thanks for sharing the poem’s link. True, it’s not the cheeriest of musings. 🙂 I’m glad to know your associations with the areas are happier.
I love quotes but don’t use concrete handsels. I have my comfort items; is that similar? I don’t keep a journal for messages and thoughts and I should.
To my way of thinking life is way too short for “shoulds.” But I always advocate for what feels good and nurturing and like exquisite self care, and undoubtedly comfort items fit right in there.
It’s a lovely thought — creating talismans — and I like the description you share here of your contemplation process.
Perhaps not quite the same thing, but similar: my mother is forever collecting small objects that she sees/finds meaning from/in. I think it is soothing to her to hold these things — miniature glass decanters, small vases, knick-knacks and whatnots from bygone eras — and remember things, either to herself or aloud. I once took her to an art festival and she constantly gravitated to small objects, especially the small smooth stones with engraved messages (or words, like “love” and “focus”) and quite obviously delighted in holding them.
I wonder, since “handsel” means “luck,” whether the German — Hansel (of Hansel and Gretel) — might have been, relatedly, an auspicious name.
You’ve certainly got me thinking about a number of things Mrs. Fever. While certainly not everyone is drawn to “touchstones,” I’m always curious about what someone who is chooses. Often it’s stones. I think they function, as worry beads do, in providing comfort and soothing in the repetive moment as one strokes or turns them over. I’m fascinated by repetitve movement and how it often helps shift people into altered states. And what an interesting thought about Hansel and Gretel. You’ll have me down that rabbit hole for sure.
Wow, I love what you’ve done with us and how you’ve shared the way you make it happen. Inspirational
Thanks Beth.
I have a necklace that has a square box locket and I usually write a quote about my word of the year on a small piece of paper that I fold up and put in the locket. I know when I wear it I am conscious of what it holds.
How lovely Janet!
What a lovely word, and what an amazing collection you have shown us here. Wonderful, Deborah!
Thanks Damyanti.
Ooh, I have done this instinctively, giving small things to friends starting new journeys. And now there is a name for it! 🙂
The Multicolored Diary
I love that. It’s always a delight for me to find such a word.
I do not have anything like that, maybe except a pearl necklace my Grandma gave me that I cherish because not only is it pretty, it reminds me of her, even though she and I created enough memories. I don’t *need* a physical reminder.
However your post reminded me of a scene in ER (Emergency Room) I loved:
In Season 8, before Dr. Benton departs County General, his final farewell is to Carter. As a going-away present, Carter hands Benton a train token; it is the same one Benton had given him shortly after he started in the ER. Carter was left exhausted and distraught after a shift where the ER had handled a mass casualty, and when he admitted the night had devastated him Benton simply gave him the token and said that if he was serious about being a good doctor, he would use it to come back to work the next day. Carter did return for his scheduled shift but kept that token as a reminder of what the job entailed.
How lovely about your grandmother’s necklace. I really like the scene from ER you described – the exchange of the ticket is such a meaningful gift.
Impressive how artistically and aesthetically u r living. Loved the pics of these unique pieces. I love the sound of Handsel and meaning of it !
Good day – Dropping by from A to Z – https://afshan-shaik.blogspot.com/
Thanks for stopping by and your kind words Afshan
Also just wanted to add – bangles with poetry inscribed on them is my most fav – wow
They dlelight me so much.
Thank you for sharing “What we speak becomes the house we live in.”
I can never tire of reading Hafiz.
One day, I’ll take a picture of my notebooks to show you where I store my special messages. Not surprisingly, the month of April brings many:)
This post paints a portrait of you in my mind’s eye. I like it very much.
It would be a delight seeing your notebooks – and yes, indeed, April brings many things to add. How abundantly we are gifted! And thank you, Arti, for your kind words.
Ooh, in your first picture I recognize those leaves! LOL We got a set of fancy tea for Christmas that came in bags with those leaves, and I’ve been saving them. Not sure what I’ll do with them yet; I was thinking maybe a tree or a mini garland…
Yes, giving people little things, and saving the little things that others give me is a lovely way to keep connection.
H is for Hoarding
Excellent eye Anne. I couldn’t resist hanging on to those leaves, and I love your idea of a little tree. A faux teatree floating in some oil maybe. 🙂
My dad passed on a decade ago and i have a ring that he used to wear made of elephant hair… i wear it whenever i want to feel protected or supported
Jayashree writes
That’s lovely Jayashree!