myths/stories

Amaterasu's Jewels

Jewelry, whether simple or luxurious, highlights, encircles, reflects our inner radiance. Amaterasu, the Japanese Sun Goddess, is the inspiration for "Amaterasu's Jewels," four unique beaded jewelry set kits (including necklace, bracelet & earrings) and patterns designed with gorgeous gemstones and metal accents to up the 'wow factor' and highlight the natural beauty of each Divine Woman.

Amaterasu's story is about bringing light: as she comes out of the cave — as we reach outside ourselves — she not only brings the light with her, but brings the world into the light. It is a subtle, yet huge, difference.

Amaterasu's story also addresses two aspects of being, sun and storm: how do we face them in the mirror that is our life? Storms — angry, depressing, or merely sad times — may well causes us to retreat into a "cave" for some time out. We must, of course, also remember to come out. When we don't, we may well have to be enticed out to rediscover the jewels in our life-mirror.

So, here is Amaterasu's story, as we imagine she might tell it:

My name, Amaterasu, literally means “That which Illuminates Heaven.” It is true that, normally, I am warm, compassionate and simply emanate light – as you might expect a Sun Goddess to do.

Once, however, my brother, Susano-O, the Storm God, went on a drunken rampage, as he often does. He trampled all my beautifully planted rice fields, filled the irrigation ditches and threw dirt and excrement in my temples and palaces. As if this were not enough, he made a hole in the roof just above the room in which I was sitting waiting patiently for him to run out of steam with my handmaidens, and - of all things! - threw a dead horse right into the room, killing one of my companions and injuring several others.

I was beside myself. It was simply more than I could take. I ran into the Heavenly Cave and sealed the entrance with a huge rock. I was so upset that it didn’t even occur to me that my doing so deprived the world of light, and that everything would soon wither and die. I just sat there and fumed. Then I got depressed. And my light began to fade ... even for me.

I can’t really say how long I had been sitting there like that, when I heard a great racket outside the cave. It sounded like someone was tapping a beat, and people were yelling, jeering and laughing.

“What is going on?” I wondered to myself. “Who could be having such fun – and without me?” Curiosity got the better of me, I must admit, so I moved the rock sealing the cave just a bit and peaked out.

Much to my surprise, Ame-no-Uzume, the voluptuous goddess of merriment, was the one causing all the commotion. She had climbed onto an overturned washtub and was indeed tapping out the beat as she danced a sensual and bawdy dance in which she exposed her breasts and lifted her skirt. All the other gods were gathered around her, and joined in the fun, laughing, yelling and jeering. I felt the beginnings of a smile creep over my lips...

The God of Force, Tajikara-O was standing near the cave entrance, so I asked him what was going on. “We have a new Goddess,” he answered. “Where is she?” I asked. He pointed to a tree on which, I later realized, they had hung a mirror encircled with many strands of beautiful jewels. I moved toward it. Tajikara-O quickly closed the cave behind me, so that I could not go back in. Then I saw myself, reflected in that mirror and jewels. I stared at the radiance of my own form, forgot my pain and just stood there, transfixed by clear light.

Having lured me out of the cave, the gods then convinced me to go back to the Celestial Plane, where I belonged. I did, and all life began to grow and become strong once again. It is good to be back. I’ve brought along with me the mirror and jewels, which I now wear to remind me of my own inner radiance. And, just to be sure that I am prepared to deal with my stormy brother, Susano-O, and his harsh rampages, I now also keep a bow and quiver by my side.