One of my favorite artisans is Jennifer Musi, the creative genius behind Musibatty. From her studio in Mexico City, Jennifer crafts iconic pieces that hearken to Mesoamerican design, often centered around nature. I adore all of them, especially depictions of birds, the night sky, insects, and alligators. But her calaveras, or skulls, are among my most treasured objects. In Mexican culture, the calavera has a deep context and symbolism related to death and the fleetingness of life.

I start wearing my calavera at the summer solstice and here’s why. Although this week’s solstice celebrates the longest day of the year, it is also the beginning of the slow descent toward darkness. For a few days, the sun will waver on the northernmost point on the horizon at peak light, then drift southward toward its winter resting place. When I wear my own calavera that Jennifer has crafted, it reminds me to use my time wisely.

You are in luck. This Thursday, Jennifer will list her remaining calaveras on her website at 6:00 pm Mexico City time. Go to musibatty.com and get your own talisman to bring deeper meaning to the darker half of the year.