Symbol of St. James

The symbol of James, the apostle in the New Testament is the scallop shell.  Legend has it that when James was  martyred by beheading in Jerusalem in 44 AD, the saints sent his body by ship to the Iberian Peninsula to be buried in what is now Santiago.  When they were nearing the coast of Spain, a storm sank the ship and the body of James was lost.  A short time later the body washed ashore covered in scallop shells.  The scallop shell is now a symbol of the pilgrim traveling to Santiago de Compostella.  It was also was a useful tool for the pilgrim as is served to hold food or collect water on the way to Santiago.  

The shell has other meanings as well.  There are many ridges in the scallop shell and they all lead to one point.  And so it is for the journey to Santiago.  There are many paths that lead to this final destination.  Deciding which path to take has been incredibly joyful for me.  As I have discussed this journey I have met many people who have completed all or parts of the journey.  I have read stories of others who have made their way to Santiago.  All have been exciting to read/hear about.  All have enriched my experience in one way or another.

For me, my journey started three years ago.  The dreaming, wishing and visualizing of this adventure has been a significant part of this path.  And it has been pointed toward Santiago.

And so it is with life.  There are many roads to choose from, some more difficult than others. Some are near the ocean with beautiful views and a cool breeze, but steep climbs and rocky cliffs.  Some paths are less traveled and there is joy in the solitude and finding of oneself or loneliness and longing for companionship.  Some paths a wooded and filled with sounds of nature or fear of not being able to see what is making all the sound.  For whatever reason, we all have chosen the path we are now on.  No matter the struggle, there is alway joy in the journey, we just have to take the time to see it.