Arrows!
Little did I realize when I first started writing the STEWARDS OF THE PLANE books that the symbols I chose for the Quarrels would have such a profound look on my philosophy. I knew that the Hermetic Seal was a 'magickal symbol' but at the time I didn't really know anything about it other than that... I chose it because it had circles (which are my favorite shape) and 'four' parts to represent four characters, that the shapes nested within one another to represent the four united parts of the quarrel, and that it was an established, ancient symbol that had a history that I could use to my advantage, and then diverge from as I worked on the back story for my characters.
The other symbol that I chose was the arrow. It began when I chose the word 'Quarrel' to represent that 'union of FOUR' (characters) that would come together to do the things that needed to be done to protect the plane. I also knew that I wanted the arrow because A: It's a fun symbol and it's not overused and B: It's something that can be found in popular culture (arrow t-shirts, tattooes, jewelry, etc). In YA it's important to reach your readers on a level that makes sense to them and pop culture is important because as teens are learning who they are as a person, they try on or try out lots of different styles, personality traits, inward and outward demarcations that declare to the world who they think they are or want to be... and the arrow fit that in my opinion... "Know your own way" is how I use it in the second book.
The interesting synchronicity about this for me is that the Hermetic Seal (a symbol of Hermes Trismegistus) is well-matched to the arrow of Truth - ANOTHER SYMBOL of Hermes Trismegistus -- I didn't know anything about this at the time. But as I went on and began writing, and then reading and researching, and then reading just to fill my head with knowledge, and interesting thing happened... I began to undergo a process called gnosis, and Greek word associated with knowledge and wisdom, and the process of this knowledge of how (God as Life, the Universe and Everything) works. It's been a really epic experience so far and I don't plan to quit learning -- EVER.
Anyways back to the arrow... I commissioned a bracelet from Siren Jewels on Etsy again and just got it in the mail today - a silver cuff with the Arrow of Truth on it. I love the cuff, it has the polished rustic look that some of her pieces have (that I find very attractive) and it fits perfectly on my wrist. IAs soon as I put it on, I could feel a surge of heart chakra energy that made me smile... Take a look!
Incidentally -- the color of the heart chakra is GREEN - guess what the sacred color of Hermes Trismegistus is? That's right, Green! Now... anyone want to guess what the sacred number for Hermes Trismegistus is? (four... I know!!)
The writing of this book series has been chock full of synchronicities and these are only a few of them. Maybe one day I will get around to sharing a few more of them with you. For now - drop by the Siren Jewels Etsy page and take a look at what Melissa has made - she's a first class artisan and I am proud to own several of her pieces.