FROM SHAMANS TO KINGS
Stones encode the story of the planet – the energetic processes of earth, fire, wind and water, the great alchemical story of the birth and evolution of the planet. Melted minerals, compressed rock, flow and seepage of water all play a part in the morphing, growth and crystallization of the wondrous variety of the mineral kingdom. Each stone and mineral is a unique embodiment of chemical combination and physical processes. History reveals that crystals, gems and stones have long been of interest and use to humanity.
The history of mankind’s relationship to and beliefs about stones provides a context to understand contemporary interest in the metaphysical properties of stones. Shamans have served as intermediaries between the two worlds, the world of the known and the unknown; the light and the dark. Shamans, as holders of wisdom, knowledge and healing, have been seen as embodiments of light. Quartz crystals are intimately tied in with the symbology and rituals of shamanism. In Australia, Siberia, the Americas and Africa, quartz crystals were used as ceremonial tools for rites of initiation, protection, healing and communication with the spiritual realm. Quartz crystals were regarded as solidified light providing a rainbow bridge to knowledge and power, and they were considered to be living beings. The quartz crystal was often considered to be the most powerful spiritual ally or helper of a shaman. Crystals could act as windows for the inner sight to see sickness within someone. Northwest Coast shamans used crystal-filled rattles to extract disease. Some initiation rites had candidates swallow crystals or had crystals inserted in their bodies as an enactment of the death of the earthly body into the crystal-body or the body of light.
Moving through the ages to the time of the Greeks, the root word for crystal is krystallos, “ice.” For many centuries it was believed that crystals were ultra-frozen water, so hard that they could not melt. One legend tells that crystals are holy water dropped from the hand of god and touched by angels to stay in solid form for the protection and blessing of man. Another story from this time period is about Amethyst and the God of Wine, Bacchus. Bacchus is insulted and in the grip of his anger decrees that the first person he meets will be eaten by tigers. The poor unfortunate is a young woman, Amethyst, who is on her way to worship at the shrine of Diana. Just as the tigers are closing in on their hapless prey, Diana transforms Amethyst into a clear, transparent crystal. Bacchus in his remorse sheds tears of wine turning the crystal a beautiful purple; hence the name Amethyst for the purple form of quartz. From this myth, amethyst was believed to be a protection against intoxication and enchantment.
The mythical and mystical connotations of crystal continued to manifest throughout the world’s cultures. Crystal balls have long been part of mythology and lately featured in film The Lord of the Rings. Such crystallomancy, or crystal gazing, has shaped the actual course of human events for millennia. Based on crystal divinations, military and political events of far-reaching consequences were undertaken -- wars were launched, battles lost; marriages were arranged and murders committed; kingdoms rose and fell. King Solomon by gazing at one of his rings, said to be either amethyst or garnet, could see whatever it was he needed to know.
Amethyst came to be the stone most associated with royalty, who were seen to be representatives or incarnations of divinity. The purple stone was thought to enhance communication with the gods. Not only the stone but the color became synonymous with royalty. Royal purple became the color of robes and banners, and amethysts ubiquitous on crowns, miters, scepters, and rings of kings, queens, and popes up to the present day.
OF ATOMS AND ANGLES
In the alchemical cauldron of the play of elements, individual stones, gems and crystals were formed. Colored by minerals – the greens of copper, the reds of manganese, the purple of iron, and wrought by the interaction with the elements – the seepage of water, the furnace of volcanoes, the compression of earth, each mineral encodes these chance combinations of minerals and elemental energies. From this primordial forge are birthed the members of the mineral kingdom. Each crystalline structure has a mathematically precise and orderly lattice arrangement of atoms, which give rise to the unique properties of stone.
Crystal is the most common stone on the planet. By looking in some depth at the scientific characteristics of crystal, the basis of metaphysical beliefs about all stones can be discerned. The mineral kingdom is comprised of “seven systems of symmetry” defined by the lengths and numbers of the axes and angles that govern shape – isometric, hexagonal, monoclinic, tetragonal, orthorhombic and triclinic. Quartz crystal is of the hexagonal system that is defined by four axes. Three axes are of equal length and lie on the same plane, and the angle between each axes is exactly 120 degrees. The fourth plane is perpendicular to these three planes. The hexagonal system therefore can be seen as one of dynamic equilibrium and balance.
Our modern “age of communication” is based on the physical characteristics of crystals for their ability to act as components for reception, modulation, storage and transmission of electromagnetic energy. Modern science values quartz crystal for its “piezoelectric effect,” a property discovered in 1880 by Pierre and Jacques Curie, who also discovered radium. In their exploration of the electrical conductivity of crystalline substances, they discovered that when mechanical pressure was applied to a crystal, an electric charge was produced. Conversely, when electrical voltage was applied to a crystal, mechanical movement was produced. Further, opposite charges developed on alternate prismatic sides. The oscillating charges produced a well-defined frequency that was then able to be used in crystal radio tubes and phonograph needles, transmission of radio and television signals, radar and sonar and numerous other technologies. Quartz has 4 oxygen atoms and one of silicon. It is the element silicon, which is key to its electronic capabilities, hence the name “Silicon Valley,” to describe the hub of communications technology in the United States.
In the medical field, too, the piezoelectric effect has been noted. The body can be viewed as a field of continually flowing electromagnetic energy, a flow of interacting positive and negative charges.
FROM THE PHYSICAL TO THE METAPHYSICAL
Understanding the physical properties, the scientific realm of facts and intellectual knowledge, provides a springboard into the metaphysical, a realm of
intuition and human experience. Metaphysical thought and practices utilizing the mineral kingdom are based on the perceptible qualities and energetic principles of minerals, crystals and gemstones. The metaphysical properties of stones are an evolving exploration into how these physical properties, the uniquely encoded qualities of energy, can be used for healing and spiritual attunement. If crystals can be used to channel and transmit radio signals,can they not channel the healing energies of balance and light to an area of disease in the body?
The past several decades have witnessed a tremendous upsurge of interest in the metaphysical properties of stones. A dizzying array of businesses and books has arisen. There are healers using stones. There are stone channellers and crystal vendors, stone chakra pendants and stone wands. There are birthstones and stones for protection. There are stones for dreamwork and spiritual attainment and stones for love. And of course there are pet rocks.
THE STONES USED IN DRUKMO MALAS
A survey of the various expositors of metaphysical properties of stones reveals little agreement among them, yet the stones do have distinctive, scientifically determined compositions and qualities. In this day and age of a world out of balance and suffering from pollution, warfare and disease, perhaps we can use whatever help we can get to reconnect to the wisdom of the earth. Focusing upon the stones used in Drukmo Malas, we provide a sampling of opinion from these practitioners of the art of stones.
Amazonite – A form of feldspar comprised of potassium aluminum silicate, named after large deposits found along the Amazon River. Four thousand year old jewelry has been found incorporating amazonite. The seventh chapter of the Egyptian Book of the Dead was engraved on amazonite, and an amazonite scarab ring was found among Tutankhamen’s treasures. Contemporary thought associates this stone with communication and harmony and with the 4th(Heart) and 5th (Throat) chakras. This stone allows the energy of the heart to be expressed through communication.
Amber – An organic material composed of fossilized pine resin between 30 to 60 million years old. In ancient Greek the word for amber was also the name of the sun: electron. When amber is rubbed, it forms an electronic charge, from this is derived our word “electricity.” The finest amber comes from the Baltic region. The healing properties of amber are particularly associated with the warming energy of the sun and the organic life force of trees. It is considered to be one of the most wholesome and warming of all the gemstones. Amber is thought to take in negative energy and transform it into clear, pure energy. It also is a very “ratna” stone, in its color and qualities, and assists in amplifying prosperity.
Amethyst – A member of the quartz family with the addition of iron and aluminum. It is the birthstone for the month of February. Its chief qualities are those of enhancing spiritual awareness, transformation, purification and cleansing. It is connected with the 6th and 7th chakras, the Third Eye and the Crown.
Aragonite – Is a form of calcium carbonate named after the Spanish river Aragon. It is often found near thermal springs. Because of its high calcium content it promotes the formation of healthy skin, bones and tissue. It also strengthens the immune system. Aragonite is connected with the 2nd or Sacral chakra.
Aventurine – A member of the quartz family. It may be green, red or blue depending on other combining minerals. Green aventurine is colored by the addition of fuchsite particles. Metaphysical thought associates this stone with vitality, growth, confidence and good luck. It is linked to the 4th or Heart chakra and therefore its energy is peaceful, compassionate, nurturing and healing. Its healing influences affect the heart, lungs and immune system.
Black Onyx – A variety of chalcedony and a member of the quartz family. It is a stone of inner strength and discipline, protection and clearing obstacles. Onyx is connected with the 1st (Root) and 3rd (Solar Plexus) chakras. It enhances one’s ability to carry out and complete activities. It is considered to be a very powerful stone.
Carnelian – A type of chalcedony and member of the quartz family in which its particles are arranged in fibrous layers. Unchanged since ancient times when carnelian was worn into battle to promote courage, it is still considered to build courage, confidence and power. It is connected with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd chakras, the Root, Creative/Sexual, and Solar Plexus centers of the body. Its healing energy is thought to affect the circulatory and reproductive systems in particular. It is the astrological stone of Virgo.
Crystal (Quartz) – Its metaphysical properties are considered to be those of amplifying one’s intentions, magnifying energy, clearing and cleansing, and healing. It is energetically connected and of benefit to all the chakras. It is
considered the most versatile stone in the mineral kingdom, but is particularly used for enhancing and bringing clarity to one’s spiritual path.
Jade – two minerals share this name: nephrite and jadeite, both of which have been prized for their incredible toughness and strength. Many world cultures have used jade for axes, hammers and ritual implements. This stone is associated with abundance, health and longevity and with the 4th (Heart) chakra. Its energies promote well-being and balance and foster wholesome growth of the life-force.
Lapis Lazuli – a sodium aluminum silicate with sulfur, chlorine and hydroxyl, and inclusions of pyrite and white calcite. It is said to calm the mind, develop intuition, meditation and wisdom. In ancient Egypt lapis was ground and placed upon the eyes of pharaohs after death so they could see the doors of entrance for the next life. The tomb of Tutankhamen is richly inlaid with lapis. Catherine the Great decorated a room in her palace with lapis walls, fireplaces, doors, and mirror frames. The blue in some old and exceedingly fine Tibetan tangkhas (scroll paintings) of meditational deities was made of ground-up lapis, and the Medicine Buddha, the embodiment of healing energy, is described to be the blue of lapis lazuli. All of these historical associations and uses have made lapis a pre-eminent stone of royalty and wisdom. Lapis is connected with the 5th and 6th chakras.
Malachite – a copper carbonate mineral. Like lapis, malachite was a popular stone in Egypt and used extensively in jewelry, ornamentation, and eye shadow.
Some consider it the most important stone for protection against negativity. It works with the heart energy to promote emotional balance. Its energy relates to the 3rd and 4th chakras.
Rhodochrosite – a manganese carbonate. This stone is strongly associated with the heart and its energies of love and compassion. Some call it “the stone of love and balance,” because of the soothing warmth of its energy. It is also thought to influence creativity and intuition. It is linked to the Heart and Solar Plexus chakras.
Rose Quartz – a member of the quartz family. Like all of the quartzes, this stone is a great channeller and transmitter. Its pink color builds upon this and makes it the stone of unconditional love, a love without boundaries or conditions of any kind. It embodies the energy of the Heart chakra and is often used for assisting meditation practices of compassion as well as for connecting with the great body of the mother earth.
Tiger Eye – a fibrous form of quartz. The fine, similarly oriented fibrous inclusions produce the lustrous reflection of light called “chatoyancy,” or cats eye effect. This stone is associated with balance (especially between yin and yang energies), practicality, strength and physical action. It is another stone good for protection as its balancing capabilities neutralize negativity. It is thought to stimulate the 1st, 2nd and 3rd chakras.
Turquoise – a copper aluminum silicate. Blue tones are caused by copper, while green shades are caused by inclusion of iron. Turquoise has perhaps the oldest history of any stone, dating back some 5000 years to its mining in Iraq. For a thousand years, the stone has been used by the indigenous peoples of North America. The Navajo used it to bring rain; the Zuni used it as protection against evil; and the Apache thought it enhanced their weapons’ accuracy. In Tibet it is a stone of action and protection. Metaphysical thought considers it a stone to promote communication and spiritual growth. It is also thought to have considerable healing properties. It is thought to align and cleanse all the chakras, but is efficacious in particular to the Throat chakra.
SOURCES:
Randall and Vicki Baer, Windows of Light: Quartz Crystals and Self-Transformation, Harper & Row, 1984.
Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian, The Book of Stones: Who they Are and What They Teach, Heaven & Earth Publishing, 2005.
Jaroslav Bauer and Vladimir Bouska, A Guide in Color to Precious and Semiprecious Stones, Chartwell Books, 1989.
Paul E. Desautels, The Mineral Kingdom, Grosset & Dunlap, 1968.
Dr. Flora Peschek-Bohmer and Gisela Schreiber, Healing Crystals and Gemstones, Konecky & Konecky, 2002.
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