Rocks, Stones, Gemstones--Metaphysical Purposes

[Arwen]

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...

[Linus]

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?

[Arwen]

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

[Ebon]

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.

[Arwen]

Originally Posted by Organicbutch

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.

Grin, that's the power of suggestion at work for ya! Amethyst is actually known to be the nightmare breaker not the nightmare maker.

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.

[WhiteTigress]

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

[Arwen]

Originally Posted by WhiteTigress

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.

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.

[Bit]

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.

[Ebon]

Originally Posted by Arwen

Grin, that's the power of suggestion at work for ya! Amethyst is actually known to be the nightmare breaker not the nightmare maker.

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.

Totally must have been the power of suggestion because I had some really messed up dreams. I love that story though I will get some Amethyst and I need more Hematite. Some to break open just to see the inside and some to have for myself.

[Semantics]

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.

[Bootboi]

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.

[Shadownthemind]

I know what it is like to have stones call to you.At times have had that happen so would buy the stone thinking the angels are telling me I should use it instead turns out no I was only to be the delivery person and give it to another. I have Moldavite ring that I love wearing and at times when meditating will place it on my forhead and go into a deeper meditation.Also find myself drawn to Labradorite have 2 rings made of that.Friends jokingly call me a stonehead in a good way that is.Grin

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by Shadownthemind

I know what it is like to have stones call to you.At times have had that happen so would buy the stone thinking the angels are telling me I should use it instead turns out no I was only to be the delivery person and give it to another. I have Moldavite ring that I love wearing and at times when meditating will place it on my forhead and go into a deeper meditation.Also find myself drawn to Labradorite have 2 rings made of that.Friends jokingly call me a stonehead in a good way that is.Grin

That is me and quartz, I get them... and then give them all away.

Stonehead... that's funny.

Labradorite is very beautiful. I like that it is a Canadian mineral too.

My favorites are amber, jet, lapis, chrysocolla and obsidian. And white shells, I am gifted with white shells all the time. I have a shelf in my healing room dedictated those wonderful gifts.

[Miss Scarlett]

Bumping this thread...

Bringing in some Blue Kyanite to facilitate conversation...




i love this stone and keep it on my desk at work. It's awesome because it doesn't hold negativity and brings me balance. i have some black and green too but they stay at home. my absolute fav piece of blue came from right here in NC and is a hunk mixed with mica.

How about everyone else? What brings you balance? Helps you daily? What stones/crystals do you resonate with the most? Does it change from day to day?

[Miss Scarlett]

Originally Posted by Miss Scarlett

How about everyone else? What brings you balance? Helps you daily? What stones/crystals do you resonate with the most? Does it change from day to day?

i love Amethyst...but quartz is what i resonate with the most...all colors and varieties and it doesn't always come nicely cleaned and/or polished from a shop. i have some large smoky, rose, snow and milky but i so very much want a large clear cluster. They can be costly and the right one has yet to call me...since my boss gave me a generous gift certificate to my fav crystal shop i plan to visit soon to see if anyone calls my name...

i confess to having several rather large pieces in the trunk of my car. Most came from a creek at a local gold mine and another came from the NC mountains.

i used to have a local piece but the energy suddenly changed so dramatically that a few months ago i returned it from whence it came...shudder...seriously negative energy that simply could not be cleansed so it had to go. What a difference afterward...all the negative energy left my home.

Some days other stones/crystals may call me but i am firmly attached to quartz.

[Miss Scarlett]

Today's stone is Indonesian Petrified Wood. Petrified Wood is a stone of patience, healing, protection, longevity and grounding. It can help keep you calm and bring you peace during your quiet times.

Here is an example in branch form.

[mariamma]

Originally Posted by Miss Scarlett

i used to have a local piece but the energy suddenly changed so dramatically that a few months ago i returned it from whence it came...shudder...seriously negative energy that simply could not be cleansed so it had to go. What a difference afterward...all the negative energy left my home.

Some days other stones/crystals may call me but i am firmly attached to quartz.

I'm curious, what cleaning technique do you use? For a quick cleaning, I put the stones in rei ki charged water with rose water, lavender essential oil and salt for a few nights under the moon. I usually place the word "clarity" on the stone. Sometimes someone inside the stone will speak to me and I'll help them out of the stone with all the above but no salt. For a very dirty stone, I bury it under 12 inches of Earth for a month, then repeat the fore mentioned technique.