Better Than Cuban Cigars

Last summer a friend gave me this beautiful wooden Cuban cigar box and I've been uncertain of what I wanted to do with it because I knew whatever it was, it would be special.  As I was looking through (playing with) the stones I've gathered over the years I knew immediately what it would become...my amulet of sorts.  Because this box represents a type of medicine bundle, I knew I would add a tipi to it.  The shapes and symbols around it are mainly aesthetic but the little images of people at the bottom represent a medicine dance or celebration to me and the four vertical stripes on the left hand side represent my family.  I've also incorporated symbols from the Okotoks Big Rock.

Under the stones I've layered some dried wild sage which was given to me by an Elder and I know that at different points in my life it will include feathers, dried leaves and twigs...all of the things I gathered as a child, and I guess I still do.  I've always wanted some small wild animal bones but whenever I've come upon a dead animal, I tend to bury it with a little blessing. 

And, did you know that Alberta's provincial stone isn't actually a stone at all?  It's petrified wood, you can view it in the photo above, second row from the right and the second stone up (cream & brown).  I'm so happy with this little bundle.  It will sit on bedside table and make me happy every morning and every night.  Now, she's also given me a wooden CD case from Switzerland...hmmmmmmm....what next?