A shaman’s mesa (medicine bundle) is a very personal  representation of that person’s relations and connections with spirit.   I don’t generally talk about the meaning of all the symbols in my mesa but a few weeks ago something happened and spirit has been nudging me to write about it ever since.

Many months ago, I put a silver dollar that had belonged to father into my bundle.  Recently I opened my mesa to do ceremony with a spiritual friend and she asked me about the coin.  I told her that the coin represented many things to me:

1. My father and my father’s lineage.
2. The Lady Liberty on the coin reminds me to seek to see the world in a way that enhances liberty and love for all.
3. The eagle has the ability to fly high with Great Spirit and see clearly. I pair the eagle with the Einstein quote that “Problems cannot be solved by the level of awareness that created them.”   The eagle on the coin reminds me to get up out of day-to-day consciousness and ask for connection to the Great Mind that can help me see things differently.
4. In addition as a silver coin, it is a symbol of resources and abundance. It is a reminder that I am rich in my tradition and in my daily life.   It cues me to be grateful for what I have and to use my resources wisely.  It also lets me know that I am capable of creating my version of wealth—wealth of resources, connections and love.

My friend said, “That coin is very powerful.  It is a bridge for you. It is important right now.” The coin felt special to me and that was all that really mattered but I was glad she noticed the energy the piece held for me.

Taking a closer look.

Later that night, I picked up the coin.   I noticed the word “Peace” under the eagle–something I had not noticed before.  An Internet search let me know that these coins were minted after World War I—the war that was supposed to end all wars—and they are called Peace Silver Dollars.

“The Peace dollar is a United States dollar coin minted from 1921 to 1928, and again in 1934 and 1935. Designed by Anthony de Francisci, the coin was the result of a competition to find designs emblematic of peace. Its obverse represents the head and neck of the Goddess of Liberty in profile, and the reverse depicts a bald eagle at rest clutching an olive branch, with the legend “Peace”. It was the last United States dollar coin to be struck for circulation in silver.” ¹

Connecting with a Vision

Chills ran up and down my spine.   This vision of peace, the vision of the United States without war and the vision of our interior lives at peace, spoke to me deeply.     Now when I pick up that Peace Silver Dollar, I also feel all people’s desire to live in peace.  Peace that is not just the absence of war but the peace that comes from knowing that you are loved, safe and connected to others who are feeling the same.

Someone else might see a silver coin worth about $19 to coin collectors, but in my mesa, it is a priceless connection to peace, a father’s love, wisdom, and responsibility to hold my power wisely.

Thanks Dad for saving it.  Thanks Mom for giving it to me after Dad died.   Thank you both now in the great hereafter.

Choose your symbols wisely but allow spirit to inform you with deeper meanings and magic.

Symbols are important.  Our subconscious mind absorbs symbols and rituals more easily than words.   And it is often attracted to things that have much deeper meaning than we might originally know.  Choose your symbols and tokens wisely but also allow there to be space for the magic.

What symbols or tokens have taken on greater meaning for you over time?  What do you cherish?  Will you help me hold the Peace vision?  I’d love to read your comments below.

 

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_dollar