Crystals & Stones

Crystals are cool!  Why do we feel so drawn to them?

What is the allure of of these clear geometric shaped 'rock' like objects for Humans?  Why exactly do so many generations and millions upon millions of people worldwide feel magical like energy from these objects that grow inside the earth?  

 Scientifically a crystal is "a solid whose atoms are arranged in a "highly ordered" repeating pattern." These patterns are called crystal systems. If a mineral has its atoms arranged in one of them, then that mineral is a crystal. 

 All minerals form in one of seven crystal systems: isometric, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, triclinic, hexagonal, and trigonal. Each is distinguished by the geometric parameters of its unit cell, the arrangement of atoms repeated throughout the solid to form the crystal object we can see and feel. 

The word crystal comes from  the  Greek word 

κρύσταλλος  (krustallos) meaning "ice" and  κρύος (kruos)  "rock" to describe clear quartz which looked like ice and was extremely hard.

Theophrastus (c. 371 – c. 287 BC) wrote a treatise called “On Stones” which classified crystals and rocks based on their behavior when heated, grouping them by common properties. It was followed by Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) penning his “Natural History” in which he wrote a vast amount regarding the properties of minerals and stones.

  

How many times have you found a "special" rock you put in your pocket and took home? Is there any reaction besides awe when looking at the enormous stone structures like Stonehenge, the Pyramids of Egypt & Central America, Mt Rushmore or the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga & Shiva Temple in India.    ( Pictured Below ) 

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Who wouldn't be drawn to these stones or these stone structures?

Its almost as if its human nature to have a tendency to be fascinated by crystals, stones, rocks and minerals. It's no wonder as they are formed in the "Bedrock"  aka 'The Belly" of this planet we all call hOMe.

In essence these crystals, minerals and stones are the foundation of our being!  Does that sound dramatic?  Maybe....but it doesn't mean its less true, just go take a step anywhere and tell me what is holding you up?  Rocks, stones, and minerals!

Mankind has been especially transfixed by rocks, gems and crystals for ages, from the first time it was used as a surface for petroglyphs to at least as early as the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus.  They come in so many colors, shapes and sizes that catch our eye and they offer physical (as well as metaphysical) properties to help us in many ways.

 

There are records of humans using crystals from at least 4000 BC, when the ancient Sumerians used stones and crystals based on their belief that they contained magical power.  Mayan and Aztec pyramid sites are full of stone carvings and surrounding crystal mines.  

The ancient Egyptians used Lapis Lazuli to guide them to the afterlife as they believed it was connected to the spiritual "sight". This is similar to how many use it today, to open the 3rd eye Charkra and enhance psychic connection.

The world’s oldest known commercial gemstone sources ( that go back to at least 3,000 BC) are the lapis lazuli mines that were producing for the Egyptian Pharaohs and are still producing today in the region of Badakshan, Afghanistan.

Badakshan Afghanistan is a forbidding wasteland of mountains, bare of any vegetation. The sheer mountain faces rise as high as 17,000 feet in places and are scored with treacherous ravines. Humans make their way there to seek one thing only: The azure treasure that is fine LAPIS LAZULI  (below)

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 They also used crystals such as Obsidian, Carnelian, Malachite and Turquoise. 

 Jade has been used by people in Ancient China, India, Mayan and Aztec civilizations.  (Below)

          

 

Not only do crystals and minerals hold physical attributes that captivate us, they also star in their own legends, myths and magical lore. 

 Crystals and gems are spoken about extensively in all major religious traditions, for example:

                        SHIVA LINGAM  ( HINDUISM) 

                      

 The lingam of the Shaivism tradition is a short cylindrical pillar-like symbol of Shiva, made of stone (from the Narmada River) or metal, gem, wood, clay or precious stones formed in that shape. According to the Linga Purana, the lingam is a complete symbolic representation of the formless Universe Bearer – the oval-shaped stone is the symbol of the Universe, and the bottom base represents the Supreme Power that holds the entire Universe in it. The two symbols together represent the eternal process of creation and regeneration, the union of the male and female principles, and the totality of all existence.

       THE BLACK STONE ( ISLAM) 

                

 The Black Stone plays a central role in the ritual of istilam, when pilgrims kiss the Black Stone, touch it with their hands or raise their hands towards it while repeating "God is Greatest". They perform this in the course of walking seven times around the Kaaba in a counterclockwise direction emulating the actions of Muhammad. At the end of each circuit, they perform istilam and may approach the Black Stone to kiss it at the end of tawaf

 CHRISTIANITY/ JUDAISM 

 There are over 200 mentions of crystals in the Bible. One notable example is 12 crystals/gems in the breastplate of the High Priest.

      

 

Ancient Mayan and  Aztec-

 The geometric precision of their stones, the astrological precision of their calendars and the use of precious gems and gold is well known with these 2 cultures. 

 .                                                             Mayan Pyramid

   

CRYSTAL's IN MODERN TECHNOLOGY

In the electronics industry the role of crystals in electronics is well known!!  Though you may not realize this you are using crystals in your computer or phone to read this..... and just about all of the major appliances in our homes use crystals to operate!   

 Quartz crystals are used to control the frequencies of oscillators and circuit elements. Since crystals are good for transmitting electronic frequencies, and because crystals and gems are used in ALL major religious ceremonies, we should assume that they must also be good for transmitting higher psychic frequencies!  

 PIEZOELECTRICITY: is the electric charge that accumulates in certain solid materials-particularly crystals-in response to applied mechanical pressure. The word piezoelectricity means 'electricity resulting from pressure and latent heat.'    Piezoelectric Conductors aka "Crystals" is what makes your phones and computers work.

We wear or share crystals as symbols of love and friendship and we pass them down as treasured heirlooms.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE CRYSTALS???

 A crystal or crystalline solid is a solid material whose constituents (such as atoms, molecules, or ions) are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure that forms a crystal lattice that extends in all directions. In addition, macroscopic single crystals are usually identifiable by their GEOMETRICAL SHAPE consisting of flat faces with specific geometric orientations. The scientific study of crystals and crystal formation is known as crystallography. The process of crystal formation via mechanisms of crystal formation is called crystallization or solidification.... 

CRYSTALS ARE ESSENTIALLY STATIONARY RAYS OF FIRE & LIGHT