The President's State of the Union address was last night, and I'm sure that all of you are meditating on the profound prophetic moments that deeply stirred your soul.  Like when the President said . . .

um, he said . . .

Right.  Anyway, not to worry.  In connection with spring fashion week in New York, the fashion saints are marching in with the state of the fashion union, and I want to be in that number!  Though the focus may be on the runway, we must never forget to accessorize. 

Overall, the state of the blingdom is strong.  Crosses, crystals, mandalas--the symbols of spirit abound on today's jewelry.  The Temple St. Clair cross above, for example, is one of many such items displayed at last week's JA International Winter Jewelry Show in New York.  Whatever your particular religious persuasion, church chic is not going away.

But can a blingdom divided against itself stand?  Although spiritual-themed jewelry may be on the rise, we have yet to fully divine the meaning of the great gulf fixed between different types of people who wear it. 

In brief, the red/blue divide that we see in politics is also apparent in spiritual adornment.  The person who wears a "True Love Waits" cross is making a statement quite different from the casual wearer of a turquoise cross, just as the mandala market typically reflects a far different set of cultural assumptions from the market for Mary.

Rest assured, however, that the Blingdom of God is no respector of persons or beliefs.  Whether you wear your Bling of the Spirit for couture, for chastity, or for cuddling, all are welcome here!