In January, 2022, a few years into pandemic-plagued New York City, our founder, Allison Gerrits was in the height of burnout, preparing for a move to Amsterdam when plans were disrupted and she found herself unhoused for the month. She welcomed the freedom of flexibility and booked a farewell tour in California to visit friends and family and impulsively booked a retreat in Costa Rica. The women who led the retreat described it as holistic and feminine in nature. Without a strict daily schedule, they felt it was important to feel into the energy of the group each day.
In preparation for the retreat, the team sent a preparation guide and scheduled intake calls to learn more about the group and prepare us for what was ahead. Allison was led through a hypnosis visualization meditation where I was able to connect with her higher self and see the bigger picture, above all the noise below. She envisioned a cool blue light, sort of rushing upward through her body and let that lead her to a waterfall in a cool, lush jungle. She saw orange birds and trees with purple flowers. Loes led her to swim in the pool at the bottom of the waterfall where I felt my heart opening with every stroke.
Loes brought Allison back from this state and recommended she bring these colors into her life as a visual reminder to trust and connect with her higher self.
Allison took this to heart, and while visiting Torrey in San Francisco, she made charms for earrings and a necklace with blue, purple and orange crystals. Every time she looked in the mirror, she smiled, put one hand on her belly, one on her heart, and said “I trust myself.”
This practice shifted the way she talked to and about herself, providing safety and space to expand. It gave her courage to drive a car through the mountains of rural Costa Rica without cell service, to rappel down waterfalls, to share her pain in community and enjoy her own company.
She found herself in the lush jungle, teaming with life. It felt like the banana leaves were waving hello and for the first time in her life, she saw the purple Jacaranda trees from her meditation, admired the powerful waterfalls and laughed to herself as she saw orange parrots flying through the canopy. She knew she was exactly where she needed to be.
On a farm, harvesting and processing sugar cane, connecting with the local community, a charm fell off and she was reminded that this crystal had served its purpose, she had what she needed and could swap it out for another that would serve her in this moment.
She felt grounded, knowing that she was safe, that she can trust herself to take on whatever may come her way. What a gift.
So we began making these charms as gifts for friends and family and delighted to share this gift with you.