Give a Gift That Says You Care ~ About the “Butterfly Children”

Om sarvabharana bhushitayai namaha

I offer my loving reverence to Divine Mother, who is adorned with all the sacred ornaments

Lately I’ve had a yen for some cute spiritual or yoga-inspired jewelry. It seems to be a cyclical thing, where I lose interest in jewelry for a while, and then suddenly become interested again. In the Hindu yogic culture, jewelry is highly significant. Certain gemstones are believed to channel or deflect specific planetary energies, some attract beneficial cosmic energies, and some shield us from negative energies. Each metal has different properties that affect our health, mental state, and spiritual energy.

Although the yogic tradition values gold very highly for its auspicious spiritual energy, I find that I am usually drawn to silver. Interestingly, my original surname was Silver, and I find that when I look at silver, my mind becomes very calm and serene. Gold is associated with the sun, and silver with the moon. So silver jewelry will help to channel lunar energy into the body and mind. The same feeling of nectar that I get from gazing at the full moon, I often feel when seeing or wearing silver jewelry.

So when I saw these adorable silver butterfly earrings at www.satyajewelry.com, I was just sucked right in. I love the tiny circles, which are reminiscent of the moon itself. I also find the butterfly image very meaningful. Of course, butterflies symbolize transformation and spiritual awakening to most people, but there is something more personal for me. A couple years ago, there was a “butterfly incident” with my guru, Amma Karunamayi. As part of an event, Amma was releasing some butterflies, and one of them flew onto her forehead and refused to leave. Amma of course was delighted, and ended up taking the butterfly with her, since it wouldn’t fly away. So needless to say, whenever I see butterflies, I am reminded of that delightful incident.

Something Beautiful Born from a Brush with Tragedy

When I read more about the background of the jewelry, I found that there was something very special about it. The jewelry was designed by Satya Jewelry together with Courtney Cox and her husband, David Arquette, and is being offered as a fundraiser for medical research. It turns out that Courtney Cox has a close family friend whose child is afflicted with a disease called epidermolysis bullosa (EB). Galvanized by the suffering caused by this disease, Courtney decided to become involved with the EB Medical Research Foundation, a volunteer nonprofit organization that seeks to raise awareness and funds for medical research on EB.

In the case of the EB jewelry, the butterfly has a very specific meaning that is at the same time tragic and inspirational. Parents of children with EB have taken the butterfly as a symbol of EB, and call their kids the “Butterfly Children,” because EB causes children to be born with incredibly thin and delicate skin. Their skin is so delicate that it is like a butterfly’s wings, and yet, all children are beautiful. Hence, the Butterfly Children. It seems to me that the butterfly represents the chance to break free of something binding and painful, and so the medical research being done will hopefully allow these children to one day break free from the suffering of their disease.

The earrings and necklaces come in silver or gold-plated silver, with some different chain options. Although the prices range from $24 to $348 (for a sold gold necklace), most of the items are very affordable at less than $50. Satya Jewelry donates 100% of the proceeds to the EB Medical Research Foundation. I bought a set of silver earrings and necklace. I wasn’t crazy about the black cord, so I bought a super-cute silver dot chain to put the pendant on. The items come beautifully presented with a bodhi leaf, the symbol of peace, enlightenment, and the Buddha himself. I love buying things that also benefit others; it’s not often that we get to help others while buying something fun! So if Mother’s Day, a birthday, or anniversary are coming up, this jewelry is a perfect gift that will show you care about the recipient–and about the Butterfly Children.

Sarve bhavantu sukhinah
Sarve santu niramayah

May all beings be happy and free from any disease