My partner and I have bought rings.
We are not marrying each other,
we are marrying ourselves!

The more we awaken to ourselves,
The more our relationship deepens,
This is our priority now,
to commit to ourselves first.

We declared our intentions
and started to look for rings
that would symbolize this
as a gift to ourselves,
as a reminder of our troth.

Sofia found hers first.
It is bright and sparkly clear.
It reflects her avowed intentions.
I looked on line for ideas
but nothing I saw felt right.
Then, a couple of weeks ago
we passed an antique market.
I felt the urge to look
and I walked past many stalls,
drawn to one at the back
with dozens of rings on show.

My eyes went straight to a men’s ring
with a rich green stone set in a gold square
(well – polished brass probably)
set on a silver ring – see photo.
It fitted perfectly.
I dithered over another choice,
similar but with a red stone.
Then I knew my first intuition was right.

It looks bold and ethnic,
The rich jade stone mysteriously appealing. *
There are little roundels of crossed swords
on the decorated silver sides
and the effect of the whole
just feels right.
I want to remind myself
of my lifelong ‘green’ values,
of my love of aesthetics,
refined but slightly exotic.
The square and the circle
are strong symbols for
the masculine and feminine qualities
that I embody and cherish.
The swords cut through ignorance
in service to truth.

I fiercely commit to love myself,
to honour and obey my truth;
to stay true to my beliefs,
to my values, my souls longings –
especially when opposed or blocked.

We have yet to create a ceremony
worthy of our marriages.
But that will come
when the time is right.
As partners together we notice,
the more we are intimate with ourselves
the more we are intimately connected.

I know that I shall fall short
of my vows many times.
But I wish to make this commitment
with a clear intention for myself
and no-one else,
based on love and acceptance
of my shadow as well as my light.

And so it shall be, till death do us part.

* Jade symbolism: Dream Stone,” revered in ancient cultures, as well as today, to access the spiritual world, gain insight into ritualistic knowledge, encourage creativity, and dream-solve. [Melody,341][Raphaell,161] It is cherished as a protective talisman, assuring long life and a peaceful death, and is considered a powerful healing stone. [Mella,87] An amulet of good luck and friendship, Jade signifies wisdom gathered in tranquility, dispelling negative and encouraging one to see oneself as they really are. [Hall,152]