In my favorite book, Women Who Run With the Wolves, Clarissa Pinkola Estes writes:
“La Loba sings over the bones she has gathered. To sing means to use the soul-voice. It means to say on the breath the truth of one’s power and one’s need, to breathe soul over the thing that is ailing or in need of restoration…That is singing over the bones.”
When we 'sing over the bones', we invite the wild feminine into our lives, and begin to awaken that uniquely female sense of wildness which so often remains hidden or suppressed.
“La Loba sings over the bones she has gathered. To sing means to use the soul-voice. It means to say on the breath the truth of one’s power and one’s need, to breathe soul over the thing that is ailing or in need of restoration…That is singing over the bones.”
When we 'sing over the bones', we invite the wild feminine into our lives, and begin to awaken that uniquely female sense of wildness which so often remains hidden or suppressed.
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The story of La Loba:
An old woman still lives among the broken slopes of the mountains in the land of the Tarahumara Indians. No one knows exactly where, though. She is sometimes seen standing along the highway near El Pasa, hauling wood, or hitching a ride. She is called the bone woman,, La Loba. She is the Earth Mother who wanders the earth collecting bones, especially the bones of wolves. Legend has it that when She has collected enough bones to make a whole wolf, She begins to sing over the skeleton...and as She sings, the wolf begins to grow flesh and fur. And, the longer She sings, the stronger the wolf becomes; then it begins to breathe. Lo Loba keeps on singing, and the wolf leaps up and races off. And when a ray of light from the sun, or from the moon, strikes the wolf at just the right time and place, it becomes a woman, a laughing woman...and if you look closely, you may even be able to see Her running towards the horizon.
An old woman still lives among the broken slopes of the mountains in the land of the Tarahumara Indians. No one knows exactly where, though. She is sometimes seen standing along the highway near El Pasa, hauling wood, or hitching a ride. She is called the bone woman,, La Loba. She is the Earth Mother who wanders the earth collecting bones, especially the bones of wolves. Legend has it that when She has collected enough bones to make a whole wolf, She begins to sing over the skeleton...and as She sings, the wolf begins to grow flesh and fur. And, the longer She sings, the stronger the wolf becomes; then it begins to breathe. Lo Loba keeps on singing, and the wolf leaps up and races off. And when a ray of light from the sun, or from the moon, strikes the wolf at just the right time and place, it becomes a woman, a laughing woman...and if you look closely, you may even be able to see Her running towards the horizon.
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This is a powerful story which connects us to our true essence of being women...healers... a tale of shapeshifting and the power of breath. It serves as a reminder that we, as women, can step into our own inner strength to create and dream our dreams into being at any given moment. It speaks to us of "presence", of allowing us to choose life. Lo Loba is the guardian of the female instinct, of female traditions. She is urging us to change for our own good as well as for those of our descendants.
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I adore this story, and you will see that I have an entire section in my shop devoted to La Loba. I have also created illustrations of her. This is probably my favorite folk tale, so inspirational, and it is something I re-read often. Have a look at the La Loba Section in the Shop HERE.
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La Loba Design Laser Engraved onto Stainless Steel Pendants!
The symbolism in this pendant:
*The Moons at the top of her head: Represents our unconscious desires. The moon, which reflects the sun's light, is a creative force in the dark of night. Both the full and new moon are powerful times of letting go and bringing newness in your life. As well as the tides, and all things fluid, the moon has an impact on our emotions. When we are positively inspired by the Moon, we are creative, intuitive, sentimental, adaptable, introspective, and protective.
*The spirals in her hands: The Healer's Hand, also known as the Shaman's Hand, is an ancient symbol of healing and protection. The image consists of a hand with a spiral palm and it is believed to have come from the Native American solar hieroglyphs that have been found in a number of places in the south-western part of the United States.
*The Wolf with the Leafy Plant represents life being breathed back into the bones, the fleshing out into the wolf as in the story of La Loba. The wolf spirit is a reminder to keep your soul alive and to trust your instincts.
*The two Ravens under each hand: Native American lore describes the raven as a creature of metamorphosis, and symbolizes change/transformation. Often honored among medicine & holy men of tribes for its shape-shifting qualities, the Raven was called upon in ritual so that visions could be clarified.
*The tree represents renewal and growth.
The symbolism in this pendant:
*The Moons at the top of her head: Represents our unconscious desires. The moon, which reflects the sun's light, is a creative force in the dark of night. Both the full and new moon are powerful times of letting go and bringing newness in your life. As well as the tides, and all things fluid, the moon has an impact on our emotions. When we are positively inspired by the Moon, we are creative, intuitive, sentimental, adaptable, introspective, and protective.
*The spirals in her hands: The Healer's Hand, also known as the Shaman's Hand, is an ancient symbol of healing and protection. The image consists of a hand with a spiral palm and it is believed to have come from the Native American solar hieroglyphs that have been found in a number of places in the south-western part of the United States.
*The Wolf with the Leafy Plant represents life being breathed back into the bones, the fleshing out into the wolf as in the story of La Loba. The wolf spirit is a reminder to keep your soul alive and to trust your instincts.
*The two Ravens under each hand: Native American lore describes the raven as a creature of metamorphosis, and symbolizes change/transformation. Often honored among medicine & holy men of tribes for its shape-shifting qualities, the Raven was called upon in ritual so that visions could be clarified.
*The tree represents renewal and growth.
