Dear Carol,
        The common name of the Cypraeidae, cowrie, derives from the name Kauri,
who was the same as Kali-Cunti, Yoni of the Universe, and they have
represented the divine vulva and convey the idea of re-eincarnation.
Egyptians decorated their sarchophagi with them as symbols of rebirth.
The Japanese keep them in their wardrobe closets as "good luck" charms.
Moslem women wear them during pregnancy. The Romans called the cowrie
"matriculus" or "teaching priestess", which is why students still
matriculate into instruction.
 
        Mariah
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Mark and Mariah Lawson
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"Universe is not required to maintain a straight face!"
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