UNUSUAL METAPHYSICAL DARK MAGIC WAND W/ MYSTICAL POWERS Start Price USD 79.00 Current Price USD 79.00 Time Left 7 days 7 hours 57 minutes Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, October 18, 2008 End Time Friday, January 16, 2009 Location BONDED SELLER See more about 'UNUSUAL METAPHYSICAL DARK MAGIC WAND W/ MYSTICAL POWERS' Description UNUSUAL METAPHYSICAL DARK MAGIC WAND W/ MYSTICAL POWERS                                                 Quality backed by a professional dedicated staff We keep all our financial information private and secure.  We do not wish our client's information to be available to anyone.   THIS IS A 'ONE OF A KIND' DARK MAGIC WAND with INLAID FACE & CRYSTAL We do not know the origin of this piece or the meaning of the symbols. We were told that it was used in rituals. The original collector had a variety of unusual items he obtained in his travels.  Many of them were Central American and Chinese. This is part of a valuable estate collection.  Look at the other items we have listed to see some of what was acquired with this collection! This is your opportunity to buy below its actual value.   Approx. Dimensions:  14" long Inlaid with a semi-precious stones and a blue crystal on top.  Symbols are pictured. Payment must be made within 3 days after the auction. Shipping is $19.95  Insurance is required. We get your items to you undamaged, and as quickly as possible.  Please contact us if you need further details about any of these items.   Part of the proceeds from all our auctions go to the non-profit we support.  Refer to our 'ABOUT ME' page for full details about our charitable affiliations at: http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=uncle-tio  INFORMATION ABOUT:    HUICHOL INDIANS, THEIR ART & SYMBOLS Deer and wolves that speak to man, arrows that carry prayers, serpents that bring rain or impart skill in embroidery, pumas that are messengers of the Gods - are all real in the Huichol belief system. These are the proud Indigenous people seen around Puerto Vallarta in their colorful embroidered clothing. "Huichol (pronounced Wettchol)", according to Norwegian explorer Carl Lumholtz "is a corruption of the work Vishalika or Virarika, that the Huichols call themselves, the word signifying "doctor or healer', a name they fully deserve as about one-fourth of the men are shamans." The Huichol Indians live in virtually inaccessible areas of the states of Nayarit and Jalisco, straddling the Sierra Madre Occidental in an inhospitable region of about 15,000 square miles in scattered kinship settlements (ranchos). In the past thirty years, about four thousand Huichols have migrated to cities, primarily Tepic, Nayarit, Guadalajara and Mexico City. It is these "citified' Huichols who, because of the need for money have drawn attention to their rich culture through their art. To preserve the ancient beliefs and ritual ceremonies, they began making detailed and elaborate yarn paintings. The Huichols have only an oral tradition and no written language (thus the many differing spellings of Huichol words). "Through their artwork, the Huichol Indians encode and document their spiritual knowledge." notes Susana Eger Valadez in 'Huichol Indian Sacred Art'. In their artwork the Huichol express their deepest religious feelings and beliefs acquired through a lifetime of participation in ceremonies and rites.  From the time they are children, they learn how to communicate with the spirit world through symbols and rituals. Thus for the Huichol, yarn painting is much more than mere aesthetic expression. The topics of these yarn paintings reflect Huichol culture and its shamanic traditions. Like icons, they are documents of ancient wisdom." Beginning about thirty years ago the yarn painting evolved to its high state today from the "Nierika'. A small square or round tablet with a hole in the center is a Nierika (Nearika) or sacred magical offering. These tablets are covered on one or both sides with a mixture of beeswax and pine resin into which threads of yarn are pressed. Nierikas are found in all Huichol sacred places such as temples, springs and caves. The Nierika, in ritual use, is a face; of the sun, of the earth, of a deer, the wind, the peyote, and the face of the man making the offering. The Nierika facilitates the entry into the other "spiritual world". For the Huichol there are five directions, each of the cardinal points and the fifth is the spiritual, source of visions, power and enlightenment. A Nierika is called a mirror with two faces, and for that reason often both sides are covered with yarn designs and the hole in the middle is considered a mirror or often a small glass mirror is used. This 'hole' or 'mirror' is the magical eye through which man and God can see each other. The mirror makes the Gods pay attention to the petition, which places a real obligation on the Gods to grant whatever is portrayed on the Nierika. For example, offering Nierika to the Mother Goddess or Rain goddess ensures rain, but other rituals must be observed as well, i.e. the ritual slaying of a deer. The first large yarn paintings were exhibited in Guadalajara in 1962, a direct outgrowth of the Nierika - simple and uncomplicated. At present with the availability of a larger spectrum of commercial dyed and synthetic yarn, more finely spun yarn paintings have evolved into high quality works of art. Realism, based on mythology, is the basis of yarn paintings. Beaded bowls (jicara in Spanish, rakure in Huichol) evolved in this same manner. Beadwork originated as an art form long before the Spanish Conquest of the Indigenous peoples. Instead of the glass seed beads utilized today, bone, clay, coral, jade, pyrite, shell, stone turquoise and seeds were used. These were often colored with insect or vegetable dyes. Originally the beads defined the waxen figures pressed into gourd prayer bowls to be used as offerings (as Niekira) and/or petitions to the gods and goddesses. The Huichol believe that just as one drinks water from the gourd bowl the gods drink up the petitions in the bowls and subsequently understand the prayer better. Color defines the god or goddess petitioned: for example blue signifies Rapawiyeme (Rapa is the tree of rain); black is Tatei Aramara, the Pacific Ocean, place of the dead, great serpent of rain; red indicates Wirikuta, location of the birthplace of peyote, deer and the eagle. With the development of finer, smaller beads, more detailed work s are now seen, not only on gourds but on wooden jaguars. Peyote cactus is much revered by the Huichol, a veritable gift from the Gods. Through the use of peyote, the Huichol create the elaborate designs used in their artwork. It symbolizes the essence, the very life, sustenance, health, accomplishment, good fortune of the Huichol. Plus through peyote's hallucinogenic effects, enlightenment and shamanic powers can be achieved. Annual pilgrimages are taken to Wirikuta to collect the peyote. Only the 'purified ones' can participate in the harvest or the peyote will not be found. Peyote Mandalas or Neakilas (nierika) symbolize the entrance to the spiritual world. As important power objects they are often found at the center of yarn paintings. Each mandala is individual, mirroring peyote vision trances. Utilizing many of the same sacred designs and patterns as seen in yarn painting and weaving, the Huichol create anklets, bags, belts, bracelets, chokers, earrings and rings with the seed beads. "Life is a constant object of prayer for the Huichol, it is, in the conception, hanging somewhere above them, and must be reached out for," explains Lumholtz, "thus all phases of their lives are prayer - the planting, harvesting, peyote pilgrimages - all art, weaving, bead work, face painting and yarn paintings, embody prayer within symbols. With this introduction one can better understand the Huichol, their art and their constant communication with the spiritual realm. Ramon Mara Torres sums it all up by observing, "This ancient art, modernized as a result of circumstances entirely outside Huichol culture itself, has become like an exotic flower, eagerly sought after by the conocenti."  In recent years, there has been a new phenomena among the Huichol population, the "urban" Huichol. The Huichol who live in and around urban communities do so primarily because of the advantage this affords them in selling their art. Most urban Huichol go back to their mountain homeland frequently because of strong cultural ties to their ancestral way of life. Some, having achieved teaching certificates, go back to educate the primary age children who speak only the Huichol language. The sale of their art enables the Huichol Indians to keep one foot firmly entrenched in the culture and tradition of their religion while the other strides forward into the 21st Century. These "urban" Huichol Indians live primarily in Huichol-only villages around cities where they continue to observe their ancient religious practices and culture. Many prefer to wear their colorful native dress rather than modern clothing. Living in these tight-knit communities enables them to keep their indigenous identity. By the creation of their art, they are continually living their culture and communicating it to their families and others. Other than sales of their art, the only economic means afforded these people outside their homeland requires backbreaking farm labor in maize, bean and tobacco fields where they are exposed to unhealthy chemicals, low pay and uncertain employment. Before the Conquistadores and missionaries came to Mexico from Europe, the Huichol were practicing the art which preceded the beadwork they are most noted for today. Hollowing out bowls from gourds, the Indians spread a thin layer of beeswax and pine pitch in the bottom, then pressed in seeds, shells and stones to form religiously significant designs. These offering bowls were used as containers for items offered to the gods. When the Franciscans and Jesuits arrived, bringing glass beads as trade items, the art form expanded to include different media and vibrant colors. This was the genesis of the broad expanse of beautiful beaded items being created today. The Huichol's other well-known art form, yarn paintings, originated with "nierikas", small round or square offerings made of wood or paper board. One or both sides were covered in wax; fibers were pressed in symbolizing whatever the shaman was requesting from the gods. These magical little tablets are still found in remote Huichol sacred places. In the mid-twentieth century, Huichol shaman began interpreting their visions by creating much larger yarn paintings which tell the stories of their religion in the same manner in order to share them with the rest of the world. The Indian artists with whom we work are creative, talented people who, in addition to the traditional pieces they fashion, combine contemporary base materials with their ancient art process. They express their recognizable religious designs and symbols on a variety of media. This creates new markets for their work, enabling them to reach art lovers who might not otherwise be exposed to its beauty. The result of this has been the improvement of their economic living conditions with better housing, more healthful living and better health and educational opportunities for their children. In addition, the Huichol who create and sell this art as representative of their culture, increasing awareness of what makes the Huichol people unique, actively benefit their tribesmen as more of the world learns of their lives and history-and demand for their art increases. When will gold exceed $1000. and silver exceed $20.  Get your coins now!!   The rare coin market is exploding and there is no end in site.  It is time to invest and buy US coins. Don't get caught short before the boom as happened in 1980, where people waited to buy until after the market had peaked. Some of these people were paying $3,000.-$4,000. a piece for AU Saints and MS64's and MS65's were bringing $5,000 .plus. True unusual rarities were selling for twice what they are now, and they are sure to exceed that soon.  Now is the time to buy if you have investment dollars. If you want something for INVESTMENT, this is it. If you want something for COLLECTING, this is it. You have to feel this in your hands. With gold, silver, and rarities prices soaring and the market booming, who knows where prices will go!! Summary of Our Selling Policies Payment Submitting a bid to Any eBay auction and confirming that bid, is entering into a legal and binding contract. This is recognized by EBay, and by State and Federal laws, regarding auctions. By submitting your bid, you indicate that you have read and agree to ALL of our Terms and Conditions. Electronic payment is due within 72 hours of auction closing time. Payments mailed must be received within 1 week of auction closing time. We accept PayPal, Money Order, or personal check. We prefer PayPal because it protects both ends of the transaction. Pay Pal can only be used on EBay auctions that permit Pay Pal payments. If Pay Pal is not an Ebay auction option on the item purchased, then the other payment methods shall apply. We participate in the Non-Paying Bidders Program. This means that you are legally responsible for paying for the auction you bid on within the time frame indicated above. Fees Any unusual labor, handling, or packing materials, and special care fees are calculated into shipping fees. Most regular packages do not incur any of these fees. (EXCEPTION: All International shipments will have a $25.00 export/customs document fee added to the cost of shipping) All packages are packaged professionally and special care is taken to alleviate any potential shipping problems. Any bulk items that are oversized, or have to be crated or palletized will incur an additional charge based on carrier method utilized. Shipping It is up to you, the consumer, to be sure that your profile information is current and accurate at all times. HSC is not responsible for any inaccuracies to your Name, Address, E-Mail Address, and Phone Number, registered with EBay And PayPal. We ship to U.S.A. to a "confirmed address". We require insurance on all purchases for the protection of all parties. (We, as the Seller will pay for the insurance of some items) We require 'SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION' on most of our parcels for your protection. Our domestic shipping fees are based on FEDERAL EXPRESS ground service. Our total shipping fees are calculated with the extra add-on items. If you prefer another carrier, or faster delivery, fees will be calculated at end of auction. Then confirmed and approved by communication with the buyer. We also ship internationally. If shipped internationally, fees will be calculated at end of auction and confirmed with communication with the buyer. (Please see document fee charge in 'fees section'.) International shipping fees do not include possible duties imposed by the receiving country. Because of various customs policies, we cannot guarantee any delivery dates. Delivery We typically ship within 48 hours after clearance of payment. Most shipments are next day. We ship weekdays unless buyer requests a carrier that will facilitate weekend shipping or delivery. Bulk items that are oversized, crated, or palletized will be issued a ACTUAL shipping quote, depending on carrier, and your location. When items come from, or go to, our main facility, we always pay or ship in an expedited manner to facilitate the BEST FEEDBACK. It is extremely important to us as representation of a professional company.--------PLEASE LEAVE FEEDBACK----------- We monitor ALL Feedback and will do likewise for you. It is greatly appreciated. The staff @ HSC Refunds & Returns You the consumer are responsible for examining your package(s) upon receipt. This means that you are responsible for checking the contents of your package immediately upon delivery. If an item is received "damaged by shipper" a claim must be filed and said claim will follow typical shipper protocol. All freight claims must be settled with the freight carrier before issuing refunds. Items marked, ‘sold as an A1 item’, or marked, ‘sold as an A2 item’, are sold ‘as is’. All ‘as is’ items carry no guarantees. If an item is received "not as described" (that is a description that guarantees the item to be exactly identical), the buyer must contact us within 24 hours of verified receipt of said item, and inform us of such. If a reasonable compromise cannot be reached, then the buyer must return the item (ship with approved carrier) within 3 days at their own expense. If the item is returned without insurance, it will be at the buyers own risk. The item returned must be issued an RMA number, be packaged properly, in the identical condition that it was originally sent, or the acceptance of the item returned will be denied. Only the purchase price (without shipping costs) will be refunded upon return and inspection of the item. Contact Me We can be contacted via e-mail through EBay. (or request our toll-free phone number via e-mail) We typically respond to e-mail in less than 24 hours, other than weekends or holidays when we our closed.   BID WITH CONFIDENCE   BID HIGH  ******    ADDED VALUE     You can bid with confidence. SQUARE TRADE VERIFIED SELLER guarantees a commitment to excellence.   HSC thanks you for taking the time to view our auctions on EBAY      CHECK OUT OUR 100% FEEDBACK Please make sure you go to our 'other items'  to check out our other valuable items. We will be posting many more items that are unique and valuable  Place a Bid!