I have to say with utmost sincerity that I am not the most pragmatic, down-to-earth individual I know. It is because I am easily given to flights of fancy and whimsical imagination that I am sometimes scared of letting myself go too much into the world of occult, a world that lies outside rationality, science and cool-headed logic.
Recently an event occurred that hit me quite deeply. Sunday, I broke my jade bracelet into four pieces. For seven years, it has been a part of me, attached to my left wrist, joined to me day and night. The Chinese says that the jade bracelet protects you, wards off evil. It stands guard between you and unfortunate events. Its general sheen and shine reflects the wearer’s health and happiness. Mine, I was pleased to note, always sparkled prettily.
It’s hard to gauge the true loss that I feel for the bracelet. This is where I cautiously tread the divide between my natural tendency and my more rational, educated side. On the one hand, I feel a bit lost, a bit panicky. I am separated from my faithful companion, one that has been with me for seven years. It has stayed with me through good times, through bad times and it always comforted me to see it, a warm reminder of a Grandmother much beloved. Finally, I think Jade in general is a powerful symbol in my life. I am, after all, named after Jade in Chinese. More specifically, my name reads, Heart of Jade. So it has always carried a strong resonance with me and may truly play a significant role in my life.
On the other hand, I tell myself, it’s really just a bracelet. A token reminder of your loved ones, but wearing it or not, you will not ever bring her back. Furthermore, there were things I’ve wanted to do that have been hindered by a jade bracelet. Jogging, doing push ups, lifting weights, all these are not activities a jade wearer can easily partake in. Practical matters aside, I don’t like contemplating too deeply about the ramifications of having broken my bracelet. Will I now suffer bad luck? Will I no longer be able to ward off evil?
A lady very much interested in jade told me that since the jade bracelet’s function is to protect me, it broke at that precise moment because it took a hit for me and protected me. I don’t think she meant the actual physical act of what happened to the bracelet. Rather, some metaphysical bad luck that was aimed at me was instead absorbed by my bracelet, and the bracelet broke, in self sacrifice and kept me safe. Hearing this awed me to some extent because it excited my deepest imagination about the mysteries of the universe and how all things are interconnected at a level hard to comprehend. The skeptic in me of course thinks it may be all hocus pocus. But if what she said was true, then I feel great pride in having had this jade, my noble protector, a guardian talisman. The same lady asked me to think hard about what it is I may have deflected from my life. I am truly and genuinely puzzled. I don’t know what “bad” thing was hence redirected from me. I truly don’t know. It may be a mystery that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
In any case, I hope to repair the jade bracelet next year and God willing, I may be able to be reunited with my bracelet once it is repaired.
8 comments:
You can't wear it anymore. It's broken. It'll just break again if you try to wear it again.
Doubting Jason. Ye of litle faith.
Okay. Just don't come crying to me the next time it breaks and you lose a piece of the thing.
when have i ever come crying to you about anything?
One day, you'll come crying to me. And then I will laugh. HO HO HOOOO
em, how did you break it?
I broke it while I was in the batting cage on Sunday. What a rotten way for my bracelet to go.
How’s the bracelet now? I hope it’s still good and beautiful. Having a jade accessory is just a pleasure because it looks very elegant and unique! You can match almost any dress you have with it. Here’s a bonus fact: the Chinese have believed that it has mystical powers that protect its bearer from evil spirits.
Idaline Cirillo
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