What Inspired Me?

As I've mentioned before, I have an Etsy Shop!

The creations I've listed in my Etsy Shop have, to date been inspired by the TV show Supernatural. #SPNFamily.

But what specifically led me to put these specific combinations together?  Perhaps best if I start by explaining what each charm means to me, how they signify certain feelings and concepts. Some are very specific, others are more general.

** Caution ** Spoilers Ahead **

Pentagrams:

One of the most important symbols in the show is the Pentagram. Often identified as a Wiccan or Satanic symbol, our heroes explain early on that the Pentagram is used as protection, to ward off demons. True that the symbol can be used in summoning rituals and spells, it is also key in trapping demons.

I use several different styles of pentagrams, but they all, to me, represent protection and staying safe.

When paired with other symbols, they can take on an even deeper meaning.

Baby:

The boys'  '67 Impala is, in its own right a cast member, a character, part of the family.

The Impala witnessed, and was even a key element in many crucial events. She even had a hand (or tire?) in stopping the apocalypse! 

Aside from a few episodes, Baby has always been there. Since before the boys were even born. 

Their father John, while dating their mother, bought the car second had and it has been in the family ever since. Baby has been a safe haven and base camp for the boys. When travelling from town to town, not knowing where they would be stopping, or sleeping next, the one thing they could count on, could get comfortable in, was their dependable '67 Impala.

The Impala can be seen as symbol of safety, hope, home, trust, strength, familiarity, innocence, a family legacy, continuity and dependability, but ultimately she is associated specifically with Dean. When the Impala is damages, often seemingly beyond repair, Dean rebuilds her. She is his safe space, his therapy, his love, his pride.  

Sam's Shoe:

Sam's shoe is a very specific reference to a moment in season 3, episode 3: Bad Day at Black Rock. 

Sam is undeniably a strong, smart, capable hunter, willing to put his life on the line to vanquish evil and save lives. He's fearless and selfless. 

Cursed with bad luck, in the moments leading up to Sam losing his shoe, he is the exact opposite. He is vulnerable, meek and maybe even pitiful. We feel deeply for him and want to save him, tell him it will be alright and we want him to get his shoe back.

This moment has gained notoriety within the fandom and the mere mention conjures the vivid memory of a defeated Sam on the side of the road, with only one shoe. 

Sam's Shoe has also inspired a number of memes.

Wings:

Angels are featured prominently in the show, specifically season 4 and beyond. 

The S04 opener is one of my favorites. It includes some of the best cinematography I've seen. The imagery of Dean, freshly crawled out from his grave; as the camera pulls back we see the devastation caused by the force required to pull him out of the pit. Even more stunning is the shadows cast by both Dean and his grave marker. Ominous, perhaps a little reassuring, certainly foreshadowing. The forces of Man and God. We are left to wonder if these forces will work together, or against each other. 

In this episode, we are introduced to Castiel, an Angel of the Lord; and what an entrance he makes. But Cas isn't the only Angel in the show, nor was he even the first (but we didn't know that yet.)

There's a lengthy list of who's who from the celestial realm including Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, Metatron and even Lucifer, to name but a few.

In my SPN inspired creations, I use a variety of wings. I don't use them to represent any specific Angel, but more the concept. (Although if pushed, I'll admit that I have my favorites and that many are a nod to Cas.)

Unicorns:

Unicorns are mentioned a few times in SPN, but my inspirations comes from the demon Meg and her Unicorn. Season 8 Episode 17: Goodbye Stranger.

We all understand what Meg meant when she referred to her unicorn.  This moment comes about during a heart to heart with Sam and Meg. Sam explained how it came to pass that he was out of the hunting business for a year. Sam had (hit a dog and) fallen in love with Amelia. Meg summed it up as she 'get it', that Sam had found his unicorn. Shortly thereafter, Sam had to go save Dean and Castiel. Meg bids him adieu saying, "Go save your brother... and my unicorn."

  

There has been several instances prior to this even, when the interactions between Angel (Castiel) and Demon (Meg) was affectionate, protective and even lustful.  

Odd, isn't it, that we can get so attached to a Demon; be inspired by her, understand her, even grow to love her. Perhaps odder still, is that she found her unicorn in the form of an Angel.

We all aspire to find our own unicorn, some may even turn out to be Angels or Demons themselves.

And what, I wonder, will that make us?

(I could go one step further and say that a unicorn is magical, much like  the actress who plays Meg: Rachel Miner.  Each time I use a unicorn, it's a silent nod to Rachel. I wish her well and would love to see her return to the show.)

The Colt:

The colt along with its special bullets is one of the only things known to kill vampires, demons and the like. Throughout the series, the boys find and lose track of the gun several times. The gun is not only a weapon with great power, but like many things in the show, it serves multiple purposes and is a  'key' element in keeping the planet safe. 

For me, the Colt is a symbol of strength and protection, but also something that shouldn't be treated lightly, something that should be kept safe out of the reach of those that would do harm.

Knives, Swords & Blades:

There are many different types of swords and blades in Supernatural; silver blades, Demon & Angel blades, Michael's Sword (Yes, I know it was metaphorical and not an actual sword - but maybe that's my point.), swords to kill dragons, to decapitate Vampires and Leviathan, a silver blade dipped in lamb's blood to kill a Djinn. I could go on.

At certain moments, blades have played more than just tool to kill, they help reveal a character's motivation and can foster relationships;  Dean regrets calling  Jo's blade a 'pig-sticker' when she reveals it belonged to her father; Ruby introduces the concept of a demon blade which she later shared with Sam.

Ultimately, however, swords, knives and blades are weapons and represent strength and protection, much like the colt.

Hearts:

This one is simple and only vaguely relates to the show. I could argue that cupids and valentine's day are referred to several times,  that Becky scribbles hearts in her notebook, or any number of heart or love type references, but the truth is, hearts are a universal symbol of love.

My use of hearts is uncomplicated. I love the show and presumably, anyone who has read this far along is either a fan, or knows one. In turn the heart paired with another charm denotes affections for what that symbol represents; a heart and Baby, love for Dean, a heart and a moose, love for Sam. 

You get the idea.

My newest charms:

Moose & Squirrel:

If you're a fan of the show, you know that Crowley, the King of Hell, refers to Sam and Dean as Moose  and Squirrel (or Not Moose). The Moose, then, is a direct reference to Sam; The Squirrel, to Dean.
I can't deny that the Moose has a bit of a Canadian flavour to it as well, but maybe that's just me. ;)

More to come as my creativity takes over.

Love, Hate & my New Shirt.

In a world filled with hate, violence, intolerance, ignorance, fear, prejudice, bullying ... it's easy to forget the good, the beauty and the kind.

Although I try to surround myself with kind, good-hearted people, there are times when the evil seeps in. No matter how hard I try, there are situations in daily life, as an adult, interacting with the world, that I will encounter people who hate, who make derogatory comments about someone's gender, race, beliefs, choice of clothing, where they find love.

In most cases, there's not much point in arguing. I certainly will speak up and voice my disapproval,  or at the very least  shoot a dirty or disappointed  look, but trying to argue with ignorance never turns out well. Mostly it's just frustrating and seems to propagate more bad feeling, rather than the opposite.

But the negativity and fear is everywhere. I can't fight  the propaganda on the TV or in other media.  I can't hunt down every negative Tweet or Facebook post.  I would drive myself crazy and it's not really what I need or want  to spend my time doing.

So, instead, I do my best to be the best person I can be, and to help other be their best. I compliment those who try to do good and who encourage others.

And today, I wear this shirt:

Some of you may already know about this shirt, but for those who don't, it's from Jared Padalecki's "I Am Enough" Campaign.

From the website: 

"I AM ENOUGH! And so are YOU.
In addition to funding charities that support the fight against depression, self harm and suicide a portion of the proceeds of the Rainbow tee will be donated to OneOrlando and Equality Florida's Pulse Victims Fund." --Jared

Who is Jared Padelecki you may ask. He's an actor currently in the CW show Supernatural.

Ok - so I can be a fan-girl, sure, but I don't normally spend a bunch of money for a shirt (+ shipping) just because it's the "in thing" to do, or is being sold by a celebrity or had a pop-culture theme.

But I bought this shirt. I coughed up the $40 Canadian. This is now, possibly the most expensive part of my wardrobe.  Also, when I do get special shirts (normally, only at a discounted rate) I keep them hung up and only wear them once in a while, if at all, for fear that I will stain or otherwise damage them. But I'm wearing this one, and plan to wear it unlit it's unfit to be worn again.

It's my silent protest against hate. 

It's a reminder to myself, and anyone who sees it to love yourself first, that no matter what anyone else says or thinks - you are enough. 

I am enough. 

For me, and many, it's even one step beyond that. Yes, the shirt print is rainbow! Some of the proceeds are going to the victims of the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting.

My thoughts on LGBT? pretty simple, really. If you find love in the arms of good woman - hold on to her. If it's a man - hold on to him. Find what makes you happy and don't let anyone tell you you're wrong for finding it. (As long as it's consensual!)

Love and trust are sometimes difficult to find and Family isn't always a mother, father and 2.4 kids (or whatever the latest stats says). If you can find love, cherish it. if you find trust, never betray it. If you have found a family, never take them for granted. Friendships, family, love... the lines are not so clear-cut in my mind. We should celebrate happiness and joy, no matter where we find it. We should encourage others when they find it. We should cultivate individuality while embracing togetherness.

I don't claim to be an expert and I'll admit that I've lived a some-what sheltered life (as many Canadians have), but it seems to me that if people spent more time striving to be happier with themselves, rather than worrying about other people's lives, the world would be a brighter place.

Don't get me wrong. We have to stop and take notice when evil raises its ugly head. We have to acknowledge and act when others are inciting terror and hate.

But we can't (and shouldn't) all take up arms, and not all of us even want to, but today, I'm wearing this shirt, because today, that's what I can do.

Please be kind to each other. Smile. Say please and thank you. Hold the door and show your fellow human being some compassion.  And for that matter, be kind to yourself!

... and animals too.

Peace.