Rocks, Stones, Gemstones--Metaphysical Purposes

[Arwen]

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?

[Lynn]

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.

[Ryobi]

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!)

[Gryph]

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.

[Arwen]

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.

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by Arwen

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.

Woman!!!

I do NOT keep rocks in my bra. They're in my britches.

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.

[Ryobi]

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.)

[Bit]

Originally Posted by Bootboi

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.

This is so true. Those mountains are speaking to EVERYONE who comes near... I wish more people were listening.

I left an offering on Bell Rock and asked for help finding my love. A week later Gryph walked into my life.

Originally Posted by Arwen

I agree with your mama about the color being important. I know next to nothing about Ruby people. I think maybe they are the children of Indigos? bit? Do you know?

Never heard of them before. This is all I could find. http://www.theangelchanneler.com/RubyChildren.html

Originally Posted by Arwen

What about you? Ever find the perfect rock only to realize you were supposed to give it to someone else?

For me, this happens with anything, not just stones. I used to always give away jewelry after I'd worn it a while, and I've had all kinds of things including stones need to be passed on to others. It's kind of haphazard with me... I just do it when I hear loudly enough that it's time.

Originally Posted by Lynn

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.

I love, love love peridot! Much more than my stone, which is aquamarine---and I've also often wondered about those lists. The green stones call me, peridot, emerald, malachite.

Of course, tourmaline, amethyst, and azurite all call me as well... and Peacock Copper! Love that!!

[violaine]

i love turquoise

[Bootboi]

This is a very cool experience Bit. I guess I shouldnt have been so greedy and left an offering myself. However, I was more on a mission to find pease than true love.

Originally Posted by Bit

This is so true. Those mountains are speaking to EVERYONE who comes near... I wish more people were listening.

I left an offering on Bell Rock and asked for help finding my love. A week later Gryph walked into my life.

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