The primary stones are common white coral. Convenient to symbolic turns, it is then dyed ox-blood red, which is found in a few select places around the world, extremely valued, almost on par with gold. (so the internet says). I see this as Christ redeeming us, bringing us back to our true worth. Higher quality coral doesn't have knots and gauges in it, but I think it looks more real/organic and authentic to our condition- and adds to the firey theme of Pentecost. The various sizes of the coral represent the spread of flames, and the birth of the church, the multitude ignited. The other stone is Turquoise. Legend has it that it is a 'piece of sky' fallen to earth. I take it to represent the Spirit descending and from what I remember, blue is the hottest flame. Again totally appropriate to the mysterious, intense, unifying transaction. Other materials are black dual duty thread and brass. The toggle on top is a wing which also represents the descent of the Spirit as a dove.

And as I usually accompany each piece with a little something, each necklace came with a print of this beautiful face. I find this Mary absolutely captivating. This is part of Fra Angelico's The Annunciation. I like it for Pentecost, though it might be more fitting for Christmastide, because it speaks of mystery, a setting of purpose/destiny, an incomprehensible event and its feminine. Though i may be going too far afield, Ecclesia means "called out" or 'set apart' as it also stands for the universal church, and early pictures portray Ecclesia in the feminine, and for some reason this picture of Mary does that for me and somehow represents the Spirit to me, even though she was visited by an angel. For kicks I will include Hildegard of Bingen's hymn entitled O' Ecclesia (below).

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Home    Holy Days

O ECCLESIA, YOUR EYES ARE LIKE SAPPHIRE,

YOUR EARS ARE LIKE MOUNT BETHEL,

YOUR NOSE IS LIKE A MOUNTAIN OF MYRRH AND INCENSE,

AND YOUR MOUTH IS LIKE THE SOUND OF MANY WATERS.

IN A VISION OF TRUE FAITH,

URSULA* LOVED THE SON OF GOD,

FORSOOK MAN AND THIS WORLD,

LOOKED TOWARD THE SUN

AND CALLED TO THE MOST COMELY YOUTH, SAYING:

WITH GREAT LONGING I HAVE LONGED TO COME TO YOU

AND SIT WITH YOU AT THE HEAVENLY WEDDING,

RUNNING TO YOU BY A DIFFERENT PATH

LIKE A CLOUD THAT RUNS THROUGH THE CLEAREST, SAPPHIRE SKY.

AND AFTER URSULA HAD SPOKEN THUS,

THIS MURMUR RAN AMONG ALL THE PEOPLE.

AND THEY SAID: IN HER NAIVE, GIRLISH IGNORANCE

SHE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT SHE IS SAYING.

AND THEY MOCKED HER WITH A GREAT SYMPHONY OF MOCKERY

UNTIL A FIERY BURDEN FELL OVER HER,

WHENCE THEY ALL KNOW THAT

CONTEMPT FOR THE WORLD IS LIKE MOUNT BETHEL.

AND THEY ALL PERCEIVED THE SWEETEST SCENT OF MYRRH AND INCENSE,

BECAUSE CONTEMPT FOR THE WORLD RISES OVER ALL THINGS.

THEN THE DEVIL INSPIRED HIS MINIONS TO PUT THESE

NOBLEST AND BEST OF WOMEN TO DEATH.

AND ALL THE ELEMENTS HEARD THIS DEED CRY OUT,

AND BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD THEY SAID:

OH WOE! THE RUBY BLOOD OF AN INNOCENT LAMB

IS POURED OUT FOR HER BETROTHAL.

LET ALL THE HEAVENS HEAR THIS AND IN SUPREME SYMPHONY

PRAISE THE LAMB OF GOD,

BECAUSE THE ANCIENT SERPENT'S THROAT

HAS CHOKED ON THESE PEARLS

FORMED FROM THE WORD OF GOD.

(translated by susan hellauer from anonymous 4's compilation)

*URSULA:  a virgin martyr of which hildegard wrote chants for her feast day.

she is said to have protected 1,000's of virgins until they were eventually overcome by the Huns.