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Rocks, Stones, Gemstones--Metaphysical Purposes
Hello!
I posted a bit about the colors of this site (for posterity's sake in case we change, they are currently green and pink) being the same as those in the Watermelon Tourmaline. I thought it would be nice to have a place where we could talk about rocks if you are into all that woo-woo jazz. I most definitely am. I've been studying the metaphysical properties of stones since 1985 or so. I've taught classes on it and used to the the instructor for this at the College of Wicca and Old Lore in Denver (now defunct.) I know I'm not the only queer in the world to love stones. Who else? And no, not 420 and not Mick Jagger, y'all. Bunch of sillies... |
I'm actually just curious about what goes behind the "woo-woo jazz" of stones. Perhaps for the newb a little cheat sheet or FAQ?
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I used to collect stones when I lived in Australia. Me and my ex would go to gem shows and get some pretty stuff. My favorite woo woo jazz stone is Hematite. I love how it is supposed to keep away negative energy and what not. But we bought an Amethyst stone and someone told me if you sleep next to it you will have bad dreams. So of course I tried it and yeah don't sleep next to an Amethyst stone. :eek:
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Linus, here is a piece from my stones website that I put together. (If you want to see the stones referenced, go here. http://www.anisoptera.com/stones/seven.htm)
Arwen's Guide to Stones My hope here is to share with you what I think are seven good stones to begin working with. This is not a replacement for acknowledged Alleopathic or Homeopathic remedies. There are pictures of many of these stones in my Stone Gallery. 1. Apache Tear-- I chose this because of its grounding ability and its negativity absorption. It is also a teacher of past things and can help bring up latent memories. Here is a piece I love! Other black stones are : Black tourmaline, Hematite, or Obsidian. 2. Carnelian-- This is for the belly and emotional issues. It helps you deal with things that are trapped and stuffed inside of you. Other orange stones are: Orange Calcite, Amber 3. Citrine-- One of the two stones that are said to need no cleansing, Citrine is my energy stone. It affects the Solar Plexus chakra. Use this one when you are studying or need that extra bit of focus. This is a necklace I own of citrine. Other yellow stones are: Yellow flourite, Amber, Gold Tiger's Eye 4. Rose Quartz-- Because it promotes self-love and self-healing. It is very very gentle and takes a great deal of emotional pain. It can be a great lesson giver as well when it shatters from overuse. Other pink stones are: Unakite (actually this is green and pink),Pink Tourmaline, Morganite 5. Sodalite-- For the throat and communication centers. I like to call this one the Great Communicator. It facilitates getting your ideas out of your head/heart and into a form that can be understood by others. It is a lovely stone that is perfect for people whose jobs require them to communicate. Here is a piece (the large one in the middle) I have. Other blue stones are: Indicolite, Iolite, Lapis Lazuli, Kyanite , Blue Lace Agate 6. Amethyst-- Because Amethyst is a negativity remover and a soother. A beginning healer would be able to use its energies easily and would be very encouraged by how simple Amethyst is to work with. This is a cluster I love. Other purple stones are: Sugilite, Purple Flourite. Charoite 7. Clear Quartz-- This one is a basic because it is so easy to work with. It programs very well and cleans easily. I also think it lets you know when it needs cleaning better than most. And, once someone has gotten 'adept' at stones, quartz will adapt to more complex things as well. Here is a picture of special quartz I have. Other clear stones are: Herkimer diamonds, diamonds |
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It is also known as the drunkard's stone. That's because Bacchus fell in love (well okay, lust... as much as a permanently drunken God can be) with a nymph named Amethyst. He went towards her. Now you have to know that Bacchus rode in a chariot pulled by tigers. Just what the world needs, right? A drunk driver pulled by tigers. Naturally Amethyst was scared. So she shrieked and ran and prayed to her patron Goddess, Diana. Diana wasn't really in the mood for it so she turned Amethyst into a clear pillar of crystal. Bacchus realized his mistake and in his sorrow poured his jug of wine on the stone turning it the clear beautiful purple we see today. He then stated that anyone who carried a piece of this stone could ward off the effects of alcohol. Another variation of this tale is that he was ticked at all mortals and vowed to set his tigers on the next human he saw. That was Amethyst. I like my version better because it's more of a love story. LOL Hematite is known to lower blood pressure as well as be an absorber/reflector of negativity. I can't wear regular hematite because it makes me really ill (I have low blood pressure already.) If you crack it open, you will find why it is called Hematite (first part is related to the Greek word for "blood"). It's red inside! I really love Specular Hematite too. |
Arwen,
I've got a few stones that are significant for me. I've got several amethysts, in the form of a point, a chunk of geode, wands, and a merkaba. Theses are scattered around my home, as they tend to keep my dreams peaceful, along with a gentle balance of energy. My majick box has my stones that I use for rituals and healing, but I couldn't tell you right off-hand what all I have in there right now. I know that I've got clear quartz, rose quartz, amethyst, hematite, lapis lazuli, but I can't say for sure what else at the moment. When I am in a a majick shop or other place where stones are offered, I just wait for the ones that speak to me, and I am called to take them home. I literally can feel when one is right and one isn't. It's instinctive. I don't require that they have a certain shape, color, or clarity, but I just close my eyes and hold them, and I can tell if they speak to me or not. There are other stones that I can't or won't consider wearing, but I may add them to my box, because of connections they may have to people in my past. For instance, I can admire the beauty of emeralds, but I cannot bring myself to wear them, because they were the birthstone and were greatly loved by my late mother. I don't resent them for any reason. It's just that they bring my heart close to her when I'm around them, and the missing of her makes my heart ache for the longing of her company. Even speaking about it is bringing tears to my eyes, and she left this plane almost 23 years ago. In fact saying this makes me aware that the anniversary of the parting is in just 11 days. OK, no time for tears. I've got a full morning ahead of me, and then I'm off for the afternoon to help my angel move in. Know this...I will be pulling out the stones and sage, once everything gets settled, to restore balance to my home, and to seal hir safe in its embrace. WT |
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I know exactly what you mean, WT. They do call. It's why I try my best to stay out of metaphysical shops. OrganicButch saw me in one. It's not a pretty sight. LOL And peace to you for your mother's passing anniversary. My mama crossed the Veil seven and a half years ago. I miss her terribly and talk to her all the time. |
What a lovely, lovely thread! Thank you for starting it, Arwen!
Of the two of us, Gryph is really more the stone person, but I do love them also. He's got big stones in the doorways to ward and guard our place, and we both carry small stones in our pockets. Maybe he'll come in and post more about our stone people. |
Arwen! Who knew? We must chat about gemstones.
My mother has me wearing bloodstone all the time. I wear aquamarine and riverstone as well. These are the things she gives me to combat the leukemia and blood clots. She communicates with her guides to ensure I have the right thing and then hand makes the necklaces. I wash them in sea salt and warm water twice a week, and dry them in the sun. I have never heard of the healing power of stones, but Momma is adamant and while I initially thought it was silly I now think there is for SURE healing properties. No surprise my dad thinks it's a waste of time. I'd love to hear what you think may help. Mom just set up a thing with the homeopathic doctor in her town where she does gemstone consulting once a week and sometimes readings. I am awaiting her to send some kind of red stones for my son whom she says is a Ruby Child. What is a Ruby Child? Do you think color is important in ones environment as well? Mom wants lots of reds in the boys room and is sewing curtains, pillows and some other stuff for his room. This is all new to me and I'd love to hear others thoughts. |
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Fellow lover of rocks, metals, and stones here. :)
I make gourd art and often decorate the bowls with different stones, depending on who I'm giving the gift to. I also collect stones for myself for metaphysical purposes. I learned about gemstones from my mother. A few of my favorites are fire opal, jasper, hematite, and amber. I also love silver and copper. |
I'm a rock lover as well. Great thread.
I have some rose quartz and Amethyst that was given to me by a healer in Sedona, AZ I also picked up some Red Stones from the Bell Rock Vortex area in Sedona as well. It is legended for its healing powers as well. The Sedona area in general is a fantastic metaphysical and geological area. A place where I need to revisit now that I am in a better place in my life. I'm usually not one to believe in hocus pocus stuff but without question the Sedona area has a very strong metaphysical presence. You would have to be dead not to feel it while visting. |
I am a lover of all things rocks, gems and stones!
I have had an extensive rock collection including rocks from Guatemala to Alcatraz... some from Australia and Hawaii.. all given to me my caring people and some I gathered myself. I do feel rocks carry energy and I love how they feel. I have used them in massage with clients.. I use Quartz crystal to clear bad energy out and let the good in.. Seems to work too! I have a rose quartz that is my favorite .. I do love this thread! |
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I would very much agree and I would suggest you get some brown jasper as well. It's a good healing, stable stone. Quote:
Adele, I'll do some research on other healing for you. My first thought is that you also need garnet. Check with your Mama though. She sounds like my kind of gal! Quote:
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I will totally mug you for it! Quote:
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My mother used to despair of me. I always had rocks in my pockets as a kid...then I started it again when I was an adult. ha! |
I am in the middle of a move...well at the tail end of the actual move and the beginning of the unpack/purge.
I just found a rock I thought I'd lost. I'm so happy! It's a Petoskey stone. For those who are unfamiliar with this rock, it is named for Petoskey Michigan. It is fossilized brain coral. I used to have it on my desk wherever I worked as a reminder. I would pick it up when everything was going beserk around me and remind myself that to this rock--this ancient thing that was once a living organism (and still, to me, sentient)--all of the madness was but the blink of an eye. I called it my perspective stone. http://ic2.pbase.com/u36/qjul73/uplo...28.080304b.jpg |
Did you know that a good stone for easing a headache is chrysophase? I once had a large piece that I thought looked like a frozen piece of the sea. I had it on my desk at work. One day a woman walked in and said, "That looks just like a frozen piece of the sea."
:| I did what any good stone witch would do. I gave it to her. She promised to pass it along to the next person who also got the magic of that particular rock. Often I've just been a pass-through for stones. What about you? Ever find the perfect rock only to realize you were supposed to give it to someone else? |
At different times in my life, I've been more attuned to different modalities, including the healing properties of stones. It's just fascinating.
I don't feel much affinity for my birthstone, which is peridot. I do have some pieces, but it's purely an aesthetic connection. I have wondered if there is really anything to the "Hallmark" birthstone lists. On my fireplace mantle (the whole fireplace is natural slate), I have a display of an amethyst cluster, a rutilated quartz crystal point, a bluebird feather, and a beautiful piece of petrified wood. That last one, the wood, was an estate sale find that made me so happy. I carry a small piece of rose quartz. For some reason, although I have some hematite, I find it to be overwhelming. I've read some mixed things about hematite, as well as jet. I love things like old jet buttons, but they seem to hold some negativity for me. My favorite piece of all is a slice of watermelon tourmaline. Tourmalines, in general, are so fascinating. Their ability to conduct energy is amazing. Learning about tourmalines is what elevated the idea of using stones for healing from "alternative" to an approach that made some practical sense. |
Cool thread Arwen. I have a few questions for you. I'll start off easy.
What is a good way for me to wash the rocks I have. (I was going to say my rocks but, ya know where that would have gone!) I hear different things. What each thing has in common is, it was told to me by someone with not much of a clue. Do they even need to be washed? I will admit, they have kind of a funky "feel" to them lately. My grandpa polished rocks when I was a kid. I have lost the one he gave me, still has a sad note to it for me. When I was a kid and learned that rocks have "powers", when I saw them polished, I always thought, "entombment of powers". That leads me to another question. When rocks are polished, are their powers altered in anyway? Are they more powerful in their natural state? Thank you. (now I want to go lick rocks!) (zip it, you pervs!) |
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Yes, Arwen dear...Tell me what you would like to know about the stones that are nearest and dearest to my hand(pendulum) and heart(Smoky quartz crystal skull) ;P Besides the large piece of Red Jasper that I picked up from one of the rivers in MN. In fact all my stones made it down here with me on that and other moves.
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Lynn, here is a helpful chart of birthstones from different schools of thought.
http://www.jewelrymall.com/birthstones.html I keep a piece of peridot in my wallet. It's said that it will keep money close to you. :) I also carry rose quartz on me to give to people. Careful with the jet. It is an absorber of negativity. You can get other people's unhappiness. I don't let folks handle my jet for that reason. They don't need my grief! Ryan! I do wash most of my rocks--just not the halite. I don't think that a polished stone has an edge (hee) over a natural stone. I use them alike! So sad about that stone from your grandfather, but I guess someone else needed it more! P.S. I hear Gemme keeps rocks in her bra in case you still want to lick rocks. Gryph, darlin', welcome! Come in and share whatever you feel moved to share. I am all ears. |
Yep, Arwen. I passed on a beautiful piece of Green Jasper that I found to a gal that I knew through some of the sweats I was in, in MN. I found the stone on Harriet Island at a Women of Nations gathering.
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Since Ryan asked about cleaning stones, I thought I'd post my short article on this.
CHARGING AND CLEANSING STONES Some you can clean in salt water and some will DISSOLVE in water! Not even salt water, just water! Selenite is one and Halite is another that do not like water. There are plenty of other cleansing methods though. The following four are *not* ones I have made up all by myself. They are ways that I have tried myself though. Methods of Cleansing a Crystal 1. Sunlight: Place the tired or full crystal in a place where it can receive a full dose of sun for a few hours. If it still "feels" bad, then leave it there for a full three days thus allowing it to soak in the lunar and solar energies. 2. Moonlight: Place the crystal where it can receive the light of the full moon for a night. 3. Smudging: Pass the crystal through the smoke of burning herbs. Some popular herb combinations are A) sage, sweetgrass and cedar; B) frankincense and myrrh; C) sage alone. Again, go with your intuition. 4. Earth: Bury the crystal in the earth. Sometimes, when the crystal is through with you, burying it in the earth is a way of releasing it.(NOTE: Mark where you buried it or you will be like me and that winter squirrel digging up holes everywhere trying to find that last darn rock!) Methods of Charging a Crystal Once your crystal is clean, then you may want to charge it for a specific purpose. You can also just allow the crystal to be and enjoy it as it is. It is up to you. 1. Holding the crystal in your power hand, ground and center yourself. Once you are settled, begin to pull energy up from the earth. Feel it pour into your body. Consciously channel this energy into your stone while thinking of your purpose. It is important to remain focused on your intent. For instance, if working a justice spell, you don't want to think about cleaning the cat's teeth. *smile* 2. Smudging the crystal while focusing on the smoke imbuing the crystal with energy for your work. You can see that the whole point here is focusing yourself. Do remember that a crystal is no more than a tool just like your athame, bolline, wand, robe, etc. You do not need props to work magic. Personally I prefer props because I am a bit lazy at times and it helps me get into that right frame of mind. |
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I do NOT keep rocks in my bra. They're in my britches. :p I like rocks, though I have NO idea what is what and what the whats are good for. I don't know names, unless they have a neat little information card with them, except for arrow heads. Those are easy for me to remember. :dimbulb: |
Thank you very much, Arwen! I'll give the sun/moon thingie a try. :smile:
OK, now wait, :shocked: Gemme has rocks in her bra?!? And now she says britches too!? I found no rocks in either location. I demand a do-over!!!! One does not need to lick rocks, so to speak. If you wet a rock it looks more like it would look polished. I choose to lick them. Yes, I would agree. Strange child turns into strange adult. :big grin: Thanks again! (my smilies don't wanna work. lol.) |
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I left an offering on Bell Rock and asked for help finding my love. A week later Gryph walked into my life. :love1: Quote:
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Of course, tourmaline, amethyst, and azurite all call me as well... and Peacock Copper! Love that!! |
spirit or sky
i love turquoise
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I am a fan of stones. I am also a foster parent to, well whatever wanders in apparently. Clear/Cloudy quartz are the most transient in my house. I have some pieces I use for healing work that I would not, in good conscience, give to someone else, that would just be plain cruel.
I have a fondness of plain old black river stones. Many of the Medicine Wheels that I have built are made of black river stones. I also like to use them to keep and hold space. I have a wonderful assortment of stones and gems, many of which I regret to say I do not remember the names of. One of my favorites is apophyllite. It is a great generator and will help me if I need to give another stone a quick tune up. It has also benefited me by clearing my healing stones, especially if the work I have done has been particularly heavy. I too love peridot and it resonates much more to me than aquamarine. We must both be March babies bit. Are you a Pisces? I am a cusper so some day I am soooo Aries and other days I am Pisces. I am much easier to deal with in Pisces:eyebat:. What are some of the stones others use in healing work, personal or otherwise? |
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I love, love, love sapphires. I have other stones that I lean toward but the dark, deep sapphires, they call me. |
A favorite stone of mine is the aventurine. I have ...somewhere... a piece of blue aventurine with a small window of quartz.
I need to get to a fish store so I can stock up on raw rose quartz. It's one of the cheapest places I've found it. :tarot: |
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Come to think of it, the color this post is in will look much closer to peridot than teal on my screen--I must REALLY love that stone, lol.... |
<<<<<BIT>>>> Mar 12... oohhh so were you born in a "three" year too??? That would explain some of your empathic abilities.
I am glad we are both here to chat away... :canadian: So, Miss Water Priestess do you also make and use moon water?? Arwen are there some stones you think would go better with magical water than others? Gotta go, I have a mountain of work and fire dragons breathing down my neck. Which is kinda nice cause my office is pretty cold... but the sulpher smell is worse than a :fart: |
Hello FoxyShaman.
To your question about magical waters, I think any--well nearly--stone can be used. There are ones that would dissolve and there are others that would poison so I would be cautious about which ones I used. Personally I like to do healing waters in the appropriately colored bottle as well. It's been another lifetime since I've made healing waters or hung herbs or made tinctures. I think it's time to get back to that part of myself. I used to make a decent catnip tincture. Would deal with a headache or menstrual cramps in a heartbeat but boy did it taste bad! LOL |
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Moon water... do you mean charging water under the full moon? Normally what I charge under the moon is me... although it's been a long while since I was able to do so effectively, because it's been a while since I was able to empty all the way out. I guess I've always held stress and pain in my body--not just mine, everyone's--and without being able to drain it all away, I can't take in as much moon energy as I used to. Gonna have to fix that. I think one reason I love Wichita is that I live within the influence of two big rivers, plus numerous canals and small creeks. The abundance of the water here soothes my soul. The water I use in healing work is deep underground and may be a metaphor for energy--I tend to see it as water and energy both at once. :ohm: |
Arwen, I know some stones cannot be immersed in water. But I don't always remember which ones. What are the ones you would recommend not to use in water because of that? Please refresh this old foxes memory :confused:
Yes Bit I do mean making moon charged water. I make both full and new moon. For healing work where I take something out I ask my patients to drink full moon water. I see the rays of the moons light filling the places. New Moon water I ask the patient to drink if we have returned something. The new moon being a time of potential. Sorry to hear that you hold other's stuff in your body. That is sad and very taxing. I do that sometimes, but I think your empathic abilities run different than mine. You seem to be more physiologically challenged by your healing abilities than I am. I feel for you. I have had to change things over the years to help me to not take on other's pain and suffering. As an example I would very often suffer sore wrists and other oddiites in my arms when working with a patient. I started to wear bracelets, and have made different ones over the years. I find that they act as a barrier between the ick coming out and what ick stays on me. I currently have a thick carnelian one and a bone and antler one. They seem to work very well for me. My wrists have not been bothered once since I started to use them. <insert sigh> thanks for the mini vacation, going back to work now... |
Bracelets...:doh: how come I never thought of that?
Truly, Foxy, I am so mentally geared in this and it's gotta be that I lived for SO LONG with people who were either uncomfortable with or downright hostile to my being Pagan. I have trouble just making the simplest gestures! and I don't use tools much anymore either... it's all mind work for me and I suspect I might be coming on time to break out of that restriction. Maybe I need to wear a stone that's really absorbent, let it accumulate everything and then cleanse it.... hm... :deepthoughts: |
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I love the moon water idea, I do the same with rain water from a Thunderstorm when there is lightning involved, saving it in jars for times when more energy is needed. I practice Medical Qi Gong and Acupuncture and we have Taoist visualizations for "pulling down the Moon" to increase yin, calm emotions, connect with the divine feminine. We channel the moon when giving treatments as well. Adding Moon water is a wonderful idea, for making yin tonic herb formulas with as well, thanks. I like that. I use obsidian when I need to block energy. I have been known to tape it to me even, lol back of my neck, solar plexus, over my heart to block......stuff. Red silk works great as well. A silk slip can take on a whole new purpose energetically. I agree with the use of bracelets to keep patients energy from traveling up your arms. Protection is one of the first things we learn......... Great convo, I'll be back :candle: Pashi OH some of my favorite stones? Snowflake Obsidian, Hercimer Diamonds, Moonstones, Rubys. |
Thanks Arwen for the info. Good thing to know about Selenite. I like it, fortunately I have never used it in moon water. Tender Mercies.
Bit, how tragic that you lived with such ignorance around you. I have had that and will never tolerate it again. And to be stymed in your expression of your spirit!! They needed :hammer: hey?? I like tools, however not everyone is the same. Oh and I like :hammer: sometimes they come in handy for ignorant people. :eek: Passionaria thanks for droppin in!!! Excellent info. I admit I know almost Zero about Medical Qi Gong, so what is that? And how do you practice and how long do you have to train? I love the idea of thunderstorm water, it makes my foxy hair stand on excited end... Snowflake Obsidian has been one of my favorites for a long time. I put stones in my bra, and then I forget them and then I take my bra off and they go across the room!! One of my favs is Chrsycolla. I like lots of gems and lots of stones too. Oh and really like amber, any amber, any color..love all of it. |
Ok, have to join this one as well. I love my stone!! While I tend to work more predominantly with herbs I do also keep a good selection of stones as well. I have actually found that getting out my stones and letting the kids play with them is a wonderful way of clearing the chaos from my home. They ground the kids without me even letting on that this was my intention with giving them the stones in the first place. :D
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