Symbolism of Wedding RingsWritten by Peter Breslin
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Wedding rings have most commonly been worn on third finger of left hand. Speculation has it that this is because Romans believed that a vein ran directly from this finger to heart. An alternate suggestion for this tradition is that each finger on hand is associated with a planet in ancient systems of astrology, and ring finger of left hand was associated with Sun. In this way, wearing of a wedding ring on that finger signifies public proclamation of union in daylight, in other words, conscious and clearly visible world of human community. This correspondence is perhaps even more strongly emphasized by general tendency to craft wedding rings out of gold, which is symbolically metal of Sun throughout folk history and across cultures. Wedding rings capture full range of ceremonial, symbolic, and communal aspects of marriage, and preserve these many levels of significance as a durable and constant reminder. Ancient yet contemporary, steeped in lore and mystery yet almost universally exchanged, wedding rings combine art of jeweler, reverence of betrothed, and beauty of love and partnership in a single, resonant symbol. Peter Breslin, Reflective Images http://www.artisanweddingrings.com http://www.celticjewelry.com marek@celticjewelry.com
Peter Breslin is a musician, astrologer, Tarot reader, teacher and freelance writer for Artisanweddingrings.com and Celticjewelry.com living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has taught mathematics, music, writing, and literature in the course of a 20-year teaching career in Pennsylvania, New York, New Mexico, and California. Writings include a variety of pieces for publications online and otherwise. He is currently at work on a novel.
| | Women Own The Holidays!Written by Ed Williams
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$$$ Advantage: Women. 4. Christmas - If Christmas was any more oriented towards women, Santa would physically resemble Martha Stewart. But, don’t take my word for it, research it yourself - visit a Sears one day, walk through store, and tell me if at least two-thirds of items in there aren‘t oriented towards women? I think that’s why Sears is still hanging on in retail world. If you want to see what happens when a store tries offering a more gender balanced mix of products, visit a JCPenney's (while you still can). They’re learning hard way what it means to not openly cater to women. $$$ Advantage: Women. 5. Easter - When I was a boy growing up, I got lots of Easter candy each year, so I’ll admit that food wise holiday is a break even between boys and girls. However, what slants this one towards women are clothes. Have you ever seen a young woman on Easter without a new dress and accompanying accessories? As for us guys, I can remember some years just being handed a new tie if I could still fit into my previous year’s stuff. $$$ Advantage: Women. 6. Father’s Day - This is only holiday where men rake in most of loot. But, most wives, recognizing that, purchase gifts for their honey that ultimately end up benefiting them - stuff like gutter cleaners, new paint brushes, woodworking equipment, and like. And guess what - all those things end up producing goods or services that ultimately benefit woman. $$$ Advantage: Debatable. And there you have it - clear, non-biased proof that most gift giving holidays favor woman. I guess this is to be expected, and is just as nature intended. I’d like to discuss this topic even more, but, I have to finish up this column right now. The upstairs bathtub is clogged, and this’ll be first chance I’ve had to use that new super strength plunger I received this past Christmas. And guess who gave it to me?
Ed’s latest book, “Rough As A Cob,“ can be ordered by calling River City Publishing toll-free at: 877-408-7078. He’s also a popular after dinner speaker, and his column runs in a number of Southeastern publications. You can contact him via email at: ed3@ed-williams.com, or through his web site address at: www.ed-williams.com.
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