Back to Black

Left to Right: Four pieces Mutya Ng Kidlat from Calabarzon, one with a wooden hilt so that it can be worn as a pendant or used as a pendulum; volcanic rocks from Mount Mayon collected while I was with Abi Valencia of Bicol University; my favorite, round tektite, one of a bagful that Tina Cuyugan gave me from her father's collection; two remaining bulalakaw from an entire bunch I used to keep; and 21 stones, three of which are shown here, from the Ayung River in Ubud, Bali. The river stones are contained in three beaded baskets made by a famous Balinese bead artist, whose name I have forgotten because I could not spell it right.

Black stones are not offensive, negative, or "evil"; on the contrary they are essentially protective and defensive in nature.