sacred stones

IMPORTANCE OF STONES

Posted on by vlaw759

You may recall that I’m fond of stones. I wrote a whole blog about Shiva Lingam, the sacred stone of India.

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park in Australia’s Northern Territories

But think of the many important stones worldwide, for example:

Stones for Power and Beauty

If visiting stones is good for you, why not just wear them? Many people wear precious and semiprecious stones for more than just eye appeal.

Whenever I am in Corolla, NC, I always visit The Mystic Jewel. (They also have a store in Duck and sell online.) Each purchase has been accompanied by a card. Based on these cards and information in a stone “bible” by Simmons and Ahsian, I venture to assert that there are no bad stones!

Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian have written The Book of Stones: Who They Are & What They Teach, an interesting guide to crystals, minerals, gemstones, and the many ways people use them.

For example, one of my favorites (because it coordinates with my go-to black pants or jeans) is black onyx. (Fyi, onyx can be red, green, or several other colors.)

According to Ahsian, “Black Onyx teaches the appropriate use of power and the focusing of energy into positive force. It is excellent for those who are working to develop their telekinetic abilities.” And physically, “Black Onyx can be used to help stimulate the connection between the feet and the first chakra. This can be helpful for those suffering from weak legs, or who have difficulty grounding or eliminating bodily waste or excess energy.”

You can research virtually any stone for its purported spiritual, emotional, and physical qualities, and any astrological connections as well.

Chakras

Millions of people worldwide wear chakra jewelry for such reasons. Chakra means wheel in Sanskrit. The basic belief is that the body has seven main energy centers that look like spinning wheels or Chakras. They permit energy to flow from one part of the body to another. When these Chakras are aligned and functioning properly, we feel a sense of balance on all levels—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Gemstones are often used to strengthen and balance the Chakras.

The concept of the chakra arose in Hinduism. Beliefs differ between the Indian religions: Buddhist texts mention four or five chakras, while Hindu sources often have six or seven. The modern “Western chakra system” arose from multiple sources, starting in the 1880s.

Chakra Stones

Crown

  • 7th chakra
  • Center of wisdom and knowledge
  • White stones (quartz, selenite, or moonstone)

Brow or Third Eye

  • 6th chakra
  • Center of insight and intuitive powers
  • Purple stones (quartz, amethyst)

Throat

  • 5th chakra
  • Center for communication and creative expression
  • Blue stones (turquoise, sodalite, or lapis)

Heart

  • 4th chakra
  • Energize love, compassion, and forgiveness
  • Pink or green stones (rose quartz, aventurine)

Solar Plexus

  • 3rd chakra
  • Center of energy and emotion
  • Yellow stones (citrine, tiger eye, calcite)

Spleen

  • 2nd chakra
  • Center of creativity and social interaction
  • Orange stones (carnelian and amber)

Root or Base

  • 1st chakra
  • Center of safety, stability, and grounding
  • Red or black stones (garnet, hematite, black tourmaline)

All sorts of jewelry—rings, bracelets, pendant, earrings—featuring stones for all seven chakras, in order, is readily available. If you search for chakra jewelry, for example on eBay or Etsy, the seven-gem option will come up as a “best match” although jewelry designs featuring a single stone are touted as well.

Bottom Line: Wear, touch, seek out, and treasure stones, whether for esthetic, fashion, or other reasons. Even if they don’t actually help, they won’t hurt!

A SACRED STONE

Posted on by vlaw759
Stone lingam and yoni pedestal found in Cát Tiên, Vietnam, circa 8th century

I recently bought a smooth, elliptical stone in shades of mahogany and taupe.  Since I was in pre-school, I’ve been picking up stones, and I have several plates and bowls of them around the house. Larger stones decorate my garden. I could not resist such an interesting looking and fabulous feeling stone.

This is the second stone I purchased at Crafts Without Borders in Connecticut. This time, I was moved to learn more about it.

Zarwani Waterfall on the River Narmada

Shiva Lingam Stones

These are Shiva Lingam stones, natural stones from the bed of the Narmada River, one of the seven sacred rivers of India. These stones are river-tumbled to a smooth surface. No two stones are alike. 

Also known as Namadeshwar Lingam, these stones are said to have sprung from the body of Lord Shiva. According to Britannica, “lingam, लिङ्ग (Sanskrit: “sign” or “distinguishing symbol”) also spelled linga, in Hinduism, a votary object that symbolizes the god Shiva and is revered as an emblem of generative power. The lingam appears in Shaivite temples and in private shrines throughout India.”  People bring offerings of milk, water, fresh flowers, young sprouts of grass, fruit, leaves, and sun-dried rice.  

My Shiva Lingam

My stones are shaped like elongated eggs. The egg represents the female and the male principle.

Lingam from Angkor period on display at the National Museum of Cambodia. Discovered in Battambang Province (Cambodia), made of bronze, quartz, and silver

This stone is jasper, which consists of chalcedony, opal, and quartz.  It provides protection, grounding the body and boosting overall energy. 

Meaning of Shiva Lingam

These stones first caught my attention because of the way they look and feel, but they have a much deeper meaning and history than that.

According to mystonemeaning.com, “People involved in finding water and springs can carry this stone. Shiva Lingam Stone brings courage to resolve conflicts and problems with determination. It helps us think faster, organize better, and turn ideas into action. In this way, we manage to fulfil our obligations.

A 5th-century Mukha-linga (with face)

“When in a relationship, this stone can enhance a sense of intimacy and closeness. Shiva Lingam Stone provides support if you are suffering from a chronic illness or are hospitalized. This stone is great for all those who have problems with blood circulation, digestive tract and reproductive organs. It can balance the mineral content of our body.

Eight faced Shivlingam in Pashupatinath Temple at Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh

“Shiva Lingam Stone is associated with Earth. It helps us connect with our environment and raise awareness about ecology. Thanks to this stone, we can meditate deeply and discover the karmic causes of all the problems in our lives. Shiva Lingam strengthens the immune system and cleanses toxins from the body.

“Unlike other stones that act on individual chakras, Shiva Lingam acts on all chakras equally. This stone can awaken kundalini energy. We can find kundalini energy in the root chakra, at the base of the spine. The kundalini is wrapped seven times and runs upward. When we stimulate kundalini energy, the chakras gradually open and release through the crown chakra.”

Sphatika (quartz) lingams in the Shri Parkasheshwar Mahadev Temple, Dehradun

Incorporating Shiva Linga in the home is auspicious and virtuous to the family. I’ll keep you posted!

Bottom Line: If you believe in the power of stones, Shiva Lingam’s got you covered.