"Alas poor Yorick..." Memento Mori, in Latin, literally means 'remember you must die.' Not me??!!
Ok, nothing living and no one gets out of here alive. Memento Mori are traced back to Socrates and the Victorians were very interested in them as a means of reflection on mortality. Great writings (even Keats), great art and jewelry harken back to Memento Mori. It is said they are a way to remember to live each minute of every day to the fullest. I am trying to do that very thing lately. Looking under the rocks. Enjoying and wondering - very curious about the world around me. This jade skull is one of many crystal and gemstone skulls sold in my web stores. Not hawking them, just FYI.
Don't know the artist, but artwork abounds on the subject.
An antique gold ring for sale on 1st Dibs.
Even the evil eye jewelry everywhere today is memento mori.
In the US, Memorial Day has expanded to include family members that have passed.
I don't have many veterans to remember and thank, but my brother-in-law was an Army captain, who flew Huey helicopters in Vietnam; he would swoop in to rescue the wounded and in fact, was shot down twice - a true American hero. He rests at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
Thank you this Memorial Day to all of the brave men and women who have fought in wars.
28 comments:
A remembrance to my brother in law, a silent Vietnam vet, at this moment watching my granddaughter in her Memorial Day parade, and will bring her home; to my brother, a changed Vietnam vet who left us a few years ago; and most of all, to all my classmates, lost Vietnam soldiers, swept away in that war.
That was a terrible war Joanne. They came home disgraced and treated like lepers. I think more than any other veterans, the ones whom came home from Nam were the most damaged psychologically.
I visited Arlington a few years ago - a truly inspiring place.
I haven't been yet. I hear there is one on the coast of France that is visited each year by the warriors who are left. Not many these days.
Watched 1968 last evening and remembered, and was chilled by history repeating itself. My brother thankfully was not drafted - and I learned many years later that my father a staunch republican was prepared to go to Canada if it happened.
Thank you to those who serve, and their families who also serve.
Always thankful for those who served. I have an evil eye on my keychain. I think they are such interesting items.
The draft was a very scary time. If my son would have been drafted to go to Iraq, I'd have left. So many young men's lives. It boggles the mind.
So true Child.
And I think we all need to remember they are coming back and having a hard time finding jobs, etc. I guess we help where we are able.
Thinking of all those who served ...... cannot imagine what they all went through.
As much as I love all things vintage, I'm not sure about memento mori .... a bit too morbid !!! We did dig up a little mourning vase in the garden when we first moved here ... but, I dropped it !!! XXXX
A mourning vase - I wonder what that looks like. I agree, contemplating death is a buzzkill. I had an evil eye thing once, but I thought it was for protection and not a memento mori. The jewelry is all the rage now.
my sone served in Iraq. two tours. he came back changed. they all do.
son
I can't imagine how you'd cope after that. Guess there is no choice. I know you're proud of him. I so love my boy - even though he's nearly 33 and has his own family now.
Love the jewelery, wearing pair of shorts with skull and crossbones today.I had a great holiday visiting my family decorating their graves.
Glad you enjoyed the long holiday. The line does keep getting shorter. Skulls seem to be all the rage today. I'm worry more about my weenie girls than myself.
Son bought me the blue evil eye glass beads in a key ring. The way my luck is going lately I think I should use it now.
cheers, parsnip
I have been wanting to find a crystal skull! Where do I go to check out yours? And I've been thinking alot about mortality lately with a recent health scare (which turned out to be a false alarm, thank heavens) and a friend facing death daily with cancer, it's been front and center on my mind. Having been laid up for the last 6 weeks, it's hard to live life to the fullest, but definitely re-evaluating some things. More gratitude is on the list!
Aw sweet Gayle. Email me.
Yes, Kirsten. I wouldn't want to dwell on it all day, but as family members and I get closer, it is worth pondering. I have too much to do still as we all do. It's like, where did the time go and what should I do to make the most of it? I'm getting some new amethyst and bloodstone skulls in and I sell many crystals. I sell on eBay (lostonthefarm) and etsy (RowForShoreCrystals) and Mercari (Row For Shore). Let me know if you have trouble finding me. There are only a gazillion people to find. Hope you are better each day.
Thank you, Donna! I will search you out. I've only just recently heard of these crystal skulls and have been wondering where to look. I was just in Sedona (before my injury) and was wishing I'd gotten one there. I gasped when I saw your photo and love that, thanks to you, I now know exactly where to look!
Thank you, Donna! I will search you out. I've only just recently heard of these crystal skulls and have been wondering where to look. I was just in Sedona (before my injury) and was wishing I'd gotten one there. I gasped when I saw your photo and love that, thanks to you, I now know exactly where to look!
Oh Kirsten, I've always wanted to go to Sedona. They make the skulls from nearly every crystal and they range from about 1.2" all the way up to life-sized. I only have the small ones.
Donna, I had trouble finding you on eBay but found you on the other two. And I HAD to get the jade skull in your picture. The more I read about the properties of it, the more perfect it was for me. I'm so excited to get it. I've never been a "skull" person but just recently learned things about them that are so intriguing, I've been hankering for one. Also I LOVED Sedona! We'll have to talk more. Let me know an email if you want to correspond about Sedona and crystal skulls. Fascinating, both!
I just saw your order Kirsten. Thank you. "As above, so below." There began my journey into crystals and stones. I am such a skeptic on most things, but once I got into researching crystals and stones, I was hooked. So much we don't know. I figured If Sir Isaac Newton and Tesla believed in the power of crystals, who am I to doubt. I'll get in touch. I don't have a store on eBay as it is too expensive, so I'm not sure how people find me without looking through crystals and vintage Navajo jewelry and seeing lostonthefarm. Then you can like the seller and see other things I have for sale. I'll send you the number of one of my items and maybe you can follow my items that way.
Your brother-in-law was indeed a hero. A heartfelt thanks for his service.
Interesting info on Memento Mori.
Sleep well.
He was Sandra. The bravest of the brave. Thank you.
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