Woman 1 is the latest in the chakra bracelet range at The Riverbank Witch, inspired by the new moon and a very special lady.

The first bracelet, Chakra Balance, was created following a weekend at a friend’s house, where a group of us dancers came together to chill, chat and share our talents. We danced, and ate delicious food, tried our hand at a drop spindle and made wooden ‘roses’. We learned to crochet and had unlimited access to two bead boxes. Using coloured beads, I created my first chakra bracelet, a gift for our hostess, and by the time I’d arrived home, I knew I wanted to make the ‘real thing’. Chakra Balance was born.

In February 2021, almost a year since the first lockdown, I began dancing the chakras, focussing on a different one each week in an effort to restore my confidence. Unable to teach dance classes or set up my stall at book fairs, I’d withdrawn, feeling safer at home, away from people. The first chakras were challenging, especially the solar plexus, but on reaching the heart, something changed inside me, and I stayed with the heart for a few weeks, embracing new ideas that surfaced. From this work with the heart chakra, I was inspired to create Moss Agate and Rose Quartz bracelets.

I continued dancing through the chakras, and at the third eye, I sought solace in the wisdom of Cerridwen. I took her advice, immersing myself with inspiration from the budding nature all around me. I purchased flower spacers for a new bracelet, certain a ‘nature’ bracelet was to be my next creation, but instead, Lapis Lazuli was born, linked to third eye wisdom but inspired by the immense beauty of the starry sky, worn by the goddess Inanna as a girdle. Practical wisdom was still at my finger tips from Cerridwen, but it was Inanna in her aspect as Queen of Heaven, that helped me see ‘beyond the veil’, and opened up new potential for me, and in me.

At the latest dark moon, I felt no qualms embracing the goddess Lilith. As hand maiden to Inanna, I felt confident in her hands, and we’ve worked through many of my shadow thoughts together. At this time, while one dancer friend is getting married, I remember another, our beautiful friend, Anna, taken from us too soon. Woman 1 is a bracelet for inspiration and well being, inspired by Anna.

Moss Agate – allow your heart to expand with love, both for people, all living creatures and the natural world. Drop pebbles of love and kindheartedness into daily life, and watch the ripples spread out into your communty.

Lapis Lazuli – be open to possibilities you may not have considered before, trusting your own judgement. Don’t be blinkered by the past or other people’s beliefs. You don’t have to ‘do’ – you are allowed to ‘be’.

Amethyst – Love purple! Don’t be afraid to wear whatever you like, and embrace all aspects of yourself – jumping in puddles and making daisy chains are good for you. Be aware of your dreams. Be all of you.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the story behind the bracelets. Fiction writing is not yet flowing from my fountain pen, and though I’ve tried to encourage it, I’m drawn back to my beads and my knitting needles. There will be a time to write, but in the mean time, I hope you’ll purchase a bracelet that calls out to you, and helps you on your journey.

New moon blessings xx