Crystals and Stones

A Brief History of Crystals

The use of crystals for healing on many levels began long before what is called the New Age. When you hold a crystal or meditate with them, place them in special areas of your home, or wear crystal jewelry, you continue practices which are as old as humankind.

The history below is by no means complete; it is intended to suggest that the human connection to crystals is one which transcends time and cultures.

Prehistoric Use of Crystals

Archaeologists have discovered in graves and barrows excavated in Europe, the Middle East, Russia, and Africa beads, carvings, and jewelry of amber, jet, turquoise, lapis, garnet, carnelian, quartz, and other stones. It is believed that the carvings were probably amulets and talismans, used for protection and as reminders of religious rites.

Some of the discovered stones were carved in the shape of various animals, and were probably symbols of particular totems. Others were necklaces and other items of adornment.

The value given to crystals in these various cultures is indicated by their presence in the graves; they were intended to go with the departed soul to help them in the next life.

A striking example of prehistoric reverence for crystals is the solar temple, Newgrange. This ancient passage grave in the Boyne Valley of Ireland, which is older than the pyramids, was built so that the sun would stream through the 70-foot-long entrance tunnel on the Winter Solstice. Its roof was originally covered with white quartz, to symbolize the White Goddess.

Crystal Skulls

One of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries has been that of anatomically perfect crystal skulls. According to the many sources I've consulted on them they defy modern dating techniques; estimates are that they are at least 20,000 years old.

One of the best-known of these is the Mitchell-Hedges skull. Its origins are disputed. Some believe that it was discovered by Anna Mitchell-Hedges, the daughter of archaeologist F.A. Mitchell-Hedges, in Guatemala; others claim that the archaeologist bought it in London.

Although the specific purpose for the carving and use of the crystal is unknown, those who have spent time with it have reported a variety of mystical experiences.

I had the privilege of spending some time with this skull in 1988. Simply to view its perfection (it is so lovingly carved that its surface is perfectly smooth) and the rainbows which flash from its interiors would have been gift enough; being able to touch it was an experience so powerful that I am sorry to say I can't describe it, except to say that there is enormous spiritual energy in this skull.

 Ancient Egypt

Crystal was widely used in this civilization. A hieroglyphic papyrus from the year 2000 B.C. documents a medical cure using a crystal, and several from the year 1500 B.C. have additional prescriptions.

Lapis was considered to be a royal stone. It was often pulverized and made into a poultice to be rubbed into the crown of the head. It was believed that as it dried it drew out all spiritual impurities.
The pharaohs often had their headdresses lined with malachite in the belief that it helped them to rule wisely. In powder form this stone was used for poor eyesight and inner vision.

Many other stones were found in the tombs, including carnelian, turquoise, and tiger's eye. These were often shaped into amulets, shields, and into the shapes of hearts, the Eye of Horus, and scarabs.

 Native American

The original settlers of North, Central, and South America used crystals widely for spiritual, ceremonial, and healing purposes, and served practical purposes, as well. The ancient Mexicans, for example, made mirrors out of pyrite.

Obsidian served both practical and ritual purposes. The Mayans used it for ceremonial knives, and and other tribes believed that it served to sharpen both outer and inner vision.

Turquoise was believed to be a stone which bridged heaven and earth (a belief also held in Tibet). In one legend it is stated that if one went to the end of the rainbow and dug in the earth he would find a turquoise.

Mayan Indians used quartz crystals for both the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Some Mexican Indian tribes believed that the souls of those who led good lives would go into crystals.

China and Japan

Quartz was traditionally revered in the Far East, especially in carved form. Quartz crystal balls were considered to represent the heart or essence of the dragon. Dragons were thought to have great power, and a deeper meaning for "dragon" is that of a very wise and evolved individual.

The stone most associated with China is jade. It was termed the concentrated essence of love. Many kinds of amulets are carved from this stone, including those for friendship and for romantic love. A jade butterfly was a symbol of successful love.

India

The culture of ancient India is a rich source of information about crystals. The system of chakras (energy centers), which helps us to place crystals on the body for healing and meditation originated there. Astrological documents written as early as 400 B.C. contain detailed observations about the power of various stones to counteract the negative effects of planetary positions.

Stones were regarded as having great spiritual and emotional powers. Moonstone, for instance, was a sacred stone, and believed to arouse love. Onyx, in contrast, was believed to help release the ties of old loves. The ruby was a highly valued gemstone, and was known as the "king of precious stones."

The connection between humans and crystals is especially vivid in the following verses from the Vedas (Hindu sacred texts):

There is an endless net of threads
Throughout the universe.
The horizontal threads are in space.
The vertical threads are in time.
At every crossing of the threads,
There is an individual,
And every individual
Is a crystal bead.
The great light of absolute being
Illuminates and penetrates
Every crystal bead, and also,
Every crystal bead reflects
Not only the light
From every other crystal in the net,
But also every reflection
Of every reflection
Throughout the universe.

"DISCUSSION LINKS"

A - Z of Crystals

7 Crystals You Need to Bring Love Into Your Love Life

10 Best Healing Stones

10 Top Crystals for Winter

11.11.11 Phantom Crystal

A Crystal Excercise

Ajoite for Activation of our Chakras

Amethyst & Healing

Amethyst & Spiritual Consciousness

Amazonite Crystal of Hope "White Buffalo Calf Woman

Angel Stones Attunement

Apache Tear Legend

Aqua Aura Quartz

Atlantian Crystals

Blue Stone Ritual to open or clean your 3rd Eye

Care & Cleansing of Therapeutic Gemstones

Celestite the Story

Chakra & Gemstones

Chakra, Crystals & Color Correspondance

Chakra & Healing Stones

Chakra Stones

Chakra Stones 2

Choosing your Gemstones and Crystals

Chrysocolla

Crystals for Cancer

Crystal & Reiki

Crystals - Breaking Ties and Connections

Crystals For Love

Crystals for Spring and New Beginnings

Crystal & Stones for Healing the Bones

Crystal & Stones for Healing the Thyroid

Crystal Ball - How to use

Crystal Center

Crystals for Healing Pets and other Animals

Crystal "Gate of Orion" Phantoms

Crystal Gazing

Crystal Healing : Cord Cutting Crystal Grids

Crystal Healing Meditation for Headaches

Crystals - Lost or Misplaced

Crystal Metaphysics

Crystal Healing Q & A with Laurelle Gaia part 2

Crystal Placement

Crystals - Programming

Crystals - Record Keeping

Crystal & Stones for Magic

Crystal & Stones for Pain

Crystals & Stones - Our Blessings, Healing, How We Found Them

Crystals - Using in the Home

Crystals - Using for Protection

Crystals - Protection 2

Crystal Zoetrope

Daughters of the Grail Citrine Crystals

Dragonstar Crystals - Carved Natural Citrine Eggs

Fire Harlequin Quartz

Gemstones & What They Help Overcome

Gemstone Ailment List

Gemstones - Clearing

Gemstones for Spring

Gemstones of the Zodiac

Healing Gemstones

Healing With Turquoise

How to Clean & Empower Crystals, Cleansing, Charging crystals, Protection, How to deflect negative Energy

Introduction to Crystals for the Third Eye

Lapis Lazuli - Stone of the Gods

Love Stones

Makara Crystals

Mala Beads the secrets - Meditation & Mantras

Merlinite - Stone & Duality

Mystical Marriage Crystals

Native American's Legend of Crystals

Navaratna Crystals "A Gateway to the Stars

Non-photoshopped images of a crystal aura

Nuummite - The Empath's Stone

Pendulum - Choosing, Charging, Asking Questions, What Questions, Preperation Prayer

Prophecy Stones

Quartz Witches Fingers

Reiki Crystal Healing Q & A with Laurelle Gaia

Rose Quartz & Amethyst - Opening the 3rd Eye

Rose Quartz Flame Crystal - Heart "Light Vortex"

Salt Lamps

Seasonal Stones

Shungite - 2 Billion Years Old Ancient Healing Stone

Staurolite - Fairy Cross, Fairy Stone

Seven Crystals for Starseeds

Stone Rituals

Templar Shield Crystals

Turquoise White - Buffalo

Wands - Directing Energies

What is a Crystal

When Crystals Break

Wisdom of the Gemstone Guardians

Working with Crystals & Gemstones

Working with the Metaphysical Properties of Quartz Crystals

"DISCUSSION LINKS on Individual Crystals"

Adventurine

Amber

Amethyst 2

Apatite

Apatite 2

Aquamarine

Azurite - Malachite

Beryl

Bloodstone

Cacoxenite

Calcite

Cats Eye

Carnelian

Celestite

Chalcedony

Chalcedony 2

Charoite

Chrysocolla

Chrysoprase

Cinnabar

Citrine

Citrine 2

Cobaltocalcite

Coral

Crystal Skulls

Danburite

Diamond

Emerald

Fluorite

Garnet

Geode

Goldstone

Hematite

Hematoid

Iolite

Jade

Jade 2

Jasper

Jet

Kunzite

Kyanite Blue

Kyanite

Larimar

Lapis & Lapis Lazuli

Lepidolite

Lithium

Malachite

Malachite 2

Moldavite 2

Moldavite

Moonstone

Mother of Pearl

Nuummit

Obsidian

Olivine

Onyx

Onyx

Opal Pink

Opal

Papagoite

Peridot

Petrified Wood

Quartz

Rhodocrosite

Rhodonite

Ruby

Sapphire

Serpentine

Shungite

Sodalite

Sodalite

Spinel

Staurolite

Sugilite

Sunstone

Tanzanite

Tiger Eye

Topaz

Tourmaline

Turquoise

NOTE: The above are Links that take you straight into the discussion that you would like to look at. Bless you. Melodie.