The Copper Ka’kari

I pick up the one that caught my eye, sparkling brightly in a sea of sameness… 

… and my heart sinks.

Not with once-familiar despair, but in white-hot, undeniable recognition.

My hand falls too, briefly, arrested before any damage is done.

Curious, entranced, and bewildered…

I fondle the orb in my palm, rolling it between my fingers, transferring its deceptive and startling, “never have I felt anything like this before” weight from hand to hand.

Somewhere deep inside, my system sighs, downshifts, settles.

———

Of the two metals I’ve found myself drawn to in this lifetime, one is copper: the conductor who amplifies what’s present, circulates energy, and holds connection.

If you’re open to esoteric lenses, in alchemy and astrology copper is traditionally associated with Venus: but less in the romantic context, more in relation to harmony, beauty, pleasure, embodiment, and cultivating attraction through resonance.

…that’s my kinda stiff, velvety-smooth cocktail.

Copper isn’t rigid like steel or brittle like iron.

Copper bends without breaking.

Copper holds polarity in balance.

Copper bridges strength and softness; grounding and flow; power and intimacy. 

———

I wish the kind, sweet, and crazy rock lady of a shop owner would leave me alone.

I don’t want to look at the half-million rocks and gems you have stuffed in here.

I don’t want to hear you speaking to other customers either, stuff ‘em.

Give me space and give me silence, please.

Let me feel this in peace.

———

Mosey down to your local rock and gem shop and look for a chunk of copper to hold.

(Yes, there’s likely one such shop tucked away somewhere.)

Copper’s deceiving density and weight may soothe your soul.

You might feel pulled towards the earth’s depths. Depending on how attuned you are to your body’s subtle physiological shifts, you could feel warm, calm, and stable.

Holding a chunk of copper was when I began believing in the metaphysical properties of rocks, gems, minerals. Not by choice, but submission to obviousness. 

The physical sensation and emotional response on contact are too strong to ignore.

Like, if you shook hands with an alien, you’d believe they’re real.

Samsies.

———

Ever entranced, I roll the orb in my palm, water dripping from between my fingers.

Candlelight catches copper, sparkling as if crusted with tiny wee diamonds.

Its weight settles into my thigh, rolls down my forearm, is held by my belly.

Strands of wet, curling hair wrap around my neck, adorning my shoulders like a melting crown; the prettiest, most fitting, delightful one I’ve ever worn.

My head tips back and my back arches—

Seven years…

Seven years I needed to hear the copper ka’kari’s call… 

Seven years I needed to come home to myself.

Now we’re in the bathtub together, high on acid and starlight.

With love from the forest,

~ Alexander

P.S. If you’d like to sample a more grounded version of The Copper Ka’kari, please enjoy the latest offering from The Velvet Telegram:

→ The Copper Ka’kari: My Journey from Pain to Pleasure