A Greenstone for Me!

One of the prime objectives of our 4 day outing was to find a Greenstone that wanted to be mine, and Hokitika is the place to do that. Greenstone, or Pounamu, is a Nephrite Jade that is found only in the South Island of New Zealand. There are many forms of jade throughout the world, but only here can you find true Pounamu. In fact, the Maori name for the South Island is Te Wei Pounamu, which translates to The Land of the Greenstone Waters. The Arahura River just north of Hokitika is the center of Greenstone collection. 

To the Maori, the stones are sacred and it is believed that many have their own mana, or power. I think it's important to note that the government here has recognized the spiritual importance of Pounamu to the Maori and has granted them complete ownership and collection rights, unless it makes it to the sea where any rock collector is allowed to pick it up if they can carry it on their person. Anything that is too big to carry without assistance must be turned over. And that's provided you can actually recognize it to begin with. In it's raw form it looks milky or chalky, and many times you can't even tell that there is something green and precious inside.  It is a remarkably hard and durable stone, and has traditionally been carved into war clubs (mere), jewelry, fishhooks, and adze. The older the Pounamu, the more mana it holds. The more Pounamu one has been given, the more prestige they have. Given is the key word. Traditionally, Pounamu is always a gift or a spoil of war.

The legend of the creation of Pounamu goes something like this: Poutini was a giant water being that became infatuated with a beautiful Maori woman from the North Island, so he kidnapped her. Her husband, who was very strong and clever, was not pleased at all, and chased them down into the South Island. Poutini was frightened of the husband's determination and decided that if he could not have her, no one would. So he changed her into his image and laid her under the river's cold water. The pieces of Greenstone that break away and roll down the river are said to be her children, and as such have their own spirit. 

This is the piece that chose me. I say that it chose me, because I think it did. Of all the beautiful pieces in the shop we were in, I was drawn immediately to this one. It is called Kahurangi Pounamu, and it is carved in the shape of the Manaia. The Manaia has the head of a bird, the body of a man, and the tail of a fish. It is meant to represent the sky, earth, and sea, and the balance of the three. It is said to be a messenger between the living and the dead and is the carrier of supernatural powers. It is likened to a bird sitting on your shoulder to guard your spirit from evil, and to guide it where it is meant to go.

I don't know who else it's talking to, but it certainly speaks to me. And it must have spoken to Jeremy too to guide him to give me such a perfect gift.