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Link's Lesson Book
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Link's Lesson Book |
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We all know how to get acquainted
with other people. What if we made an
analogy between getting to know people, and better understanding our Stones. Why?
Because Stones are people too. “Where Are You
From?” The place we were born shaped much
of who we are. Earth’s many cultures
each have a flavor all their own.
Perhaps culture comes in part from energies unique to that specific patch
of Earth (under which our Stones were born too). Like people, Stones come from diverse places
all over the world, carrying with them a heritage chock full of unique
traits. What energies might you discover
in an Amethyst from spicy “Where Did You
Grow Up?” Stones form in many different
ways. Pearls are the milky secretions an
oyster paints atop a grain of sand, day after day, as a smooth band-aid to
prevent the rough sand from irritating the oyster’s delicate inner
membrane. Amber is age-old tree sap --
not much different than the syrup we pour over pancakes! Diamonds are carbon, the basic chemical
building block for all plants and animals on Earth (including people). Emeralds are born white, and “ripen” into
their rich green color. Malachite is
rich in copper, the same metal that links together your local phone
network. Now that you know this, how
might Malachite help you reach out and touch the magical energies you desire? Examining our own past helps explain how we were
forged into the people we are today.
Likewise, knowing how your Stone “grew up” might help you understand its
properties. Shiny black Obsidian, formed
by a violent volcano eruption, was cast forth - red hot and flaring. But like anything cast forth with sudden
rage, the Obsidian cooled down over time, and gently settled into its present
smooth state. How might pondering this
process help us cope with life’s many flare-ups we may encounter each day? Wherever your Stone comes from, remember that it is
far from home, uprooted by a rather disruptive mining process. Ripped away from its homeland, from where it
formed and rested beneath the Earth for ages, your Stone may have traveled
halfway around the world, just to sit upon your book shelf. “What’s Your
Name?” Names given to Stones often tell
what we thought of them, many centuries ago.
The name Amethyst comes from the Greek word Amethustos, meaning anti-intoxicant. This word is related to Methyl, a form of
alcohol. People once believed that
holding Amethysts in your mouth, or using an Amethyst cup, would prevent
drunkenness. Regardless of what “given name” your
Stone was born with, you might want to create your own pet names for the
special gems in your life. Like the Dear Ones close to your heart, Stones
become more personal, more intimate, once a little nickname is used for them,
and only them. Can’t think of a pet name
for your favorite Stone? Ask it – and be
sure to listen deeply for the answer that pops into your thoughts! “Do You Have
Brothers and Sisters?” Like people, Stones come in
families. Like any family, members share
common traits and look alike, yet are still quite unique. Perhaps knowing which types of Stones are kin
might help you plan for ways to use multiple Stones together. Experiment here. Play with the chemistry between Stones,
mixing and matching between families.
When should you use Stones within the same family, versus
outside the same family? Think about
what activities “people” do best when shared with family? Conversely, then think about those activities
usually not shared with family members, where opposites attract. Be sly, and trust your intuition about these
“social interactions.” (Be sly -- and
the family Stone?) Think about your favorite Stones and research their
family tree. Emeralds, Aquamarines and
Alexandrites are part of the Beryl family of Stones. Beryl means the Stone contains the metal
Beryllium, and may be related to the Germanic word for brilliant. Beryls come from
six-sided crystals, and offer something to ponder for people interested in
numbers. Rubies, Sapphires, Zircons, and
Topaz are part of another family, called Corundum, and form via a mix of
aluminum and oxygen. The Quartz family
of course contains Quartz rock crystal itself, along with siblings such as
Citrine, Rhine Stone, Amethyst, and many others. Quartz is made of the mineral Silicon, which
composes nearly one third of the Earth’s crust (and the vast majority of its
microchips)! How might Quartz effect
your daily activities that involve technology? “How Old Are
You?” Unlike people, Stones won’t take
offense if you ask their age. Stones
have a life span nearly immeasurable by us mere mortals. Formed over many millennia beneath the Earth,
your precious gem (including the 99 cent rock from the mall) is by far the
oldest thing in your home. Millions of
times older than any herb or oil, your Stone is an honored elder in any
Tradition. As you hold a Stone in your
hand, think of the time that has passed during its existence! Liquid yellow Amber oozed out from a
now-extinct species of pine 300 million years ago and is older
than human culture itself. Remember
their fortitude as you think about Stones.
The gem you wear on your finger will continue on, long after that finger
has turned to dust! Our Stones will
survive eons after the winds of time have swept away every building, city, or
temple ever built in our era. The
ancient Roman world has crumbled to a few tattered ruins, yet the Emerald that
Nero peered through while watching gladiators has likely changed very
little. Where will your favorite Stone
be in a hundred years? A thousand? A million?
How many functions will it have served; how many stories could it tell? “What Do You Do?” There are countless references over
the ages about what Stones do. In
addition to researching the books, try to feel which Stone is good for what
purpose. And again, if you don’t know –
just ask it! Historically, Stones were
used in many ways. Some were even ground
up, mixed with sugar and eaten. (Note: this could be dangerous and is not
recommended.) Ground Diamonds were
once used as weapons, since they lodge in the intestine quite painfully. Amber was once smoked in a pipe and inhaled
for medicinal value. Even today, it is
customary for fine tobacco pipes to have yellow plastic mouthpieces, once made
of Amber. Over time, with practice, people get
better at any task they repeat. Do you
use stones for divination? Try using the
same Stone over and over many times, for divination or any magical act. As you improve with practice, perhaps your
Stones will too. If your Stone is an odd
shape, let your inner nine year old
try looking at the Stone like you might gaze at the clouds. What does that one look like? A fish?
Maybe a rabbit? What do these
shapes symbolize for you? Down to Earth
Folks Not all Stones are fancy
polished gems. Most are as common as
dirt. But being ordinary makes them no
less special. While they might not have
elegant names or pedigrees, the Stones we encounter every day along our path
can be very powerful indeed. Want to
change some part of your home life?
Could a Stone from your own back yard help better than some foreign import
from a far-off land? Stones from our own
back yard teach us to see the simple solutions, ones we may otherwise
overlook. Think about the Stones you
might find in the many places of your life:
where you work or shop, your school, hospital or bank. What energies might these places hold? A Familiar Face Stones become memorabilia that bring
us back to the people, places and things we love. Ever take a pebble as a remembrance of an
intimate walk along the beach, forest or vacation? Whether we fly to an exotic resort, or NASA
flies to the Moon, rocks are often what we bring home as souvenirs! Perhaps we innately sense how they absorb and
store energy, recording a bit of what our own emotions splash upon them. Stones in your home hear your every
word. They have been there for every
holiday, witnessed every occasion. As
gifts, they often last longer than the person who gave them to you! As jewelry, they bask in your aura, become
warmed by the heat of your body, and oh so gently touch your skin for hours on
end... How many stories could that Stone
tell – about you? Stones Are People Too If you see this analogy, perhaps
other objects can become more personal and take on new life too. The same questions we asked our Stones can be
asked of any part of our surroundings.
Perhaps all things (whether animal, vegetable or mineral) are part of
the vast community of all things, a community larger than we ever realized, a
community in which we too are a part.
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