Stones In Healing

		From the beginning of time, mankind has relied on stones as tools. Whether in hunting, food preparation, or even timekeeping, rocks and minerals have played an integral role in our development. Some of the earliest artifacts from our early days are simple rocks shaped for ease of handling. Not only did we look at stones as hand tools, however, but we also used them for their healing and spiritual properties. Stones are but solid energy, and each one has its own vibration. But what is the difference between minerals and rocks, if any?

		Without going too deeply into geology, a rock is a naturally formed aggregate of materials, usually inorganic,from within the Earth. Minerals, on the other hand, are naturally occurring, usually inorganic, solids consisting of either a single element or a compound, and having a definite chemical composition and a systematic internal arrangement of atoms, designated as elements. Rocks are made up of minerals; for example, granite is a mixture of quartz, feldspar and mica while diamonds are pure carbon with only trace impurities. Metaphysicians take advantage of the energy-storing properties of stones. Various compositions provide different energy signatures, and while everyone has the ability to get their own impressions from stones, general characteristics have been noted over the years. Some stones lend themselves to healing, some to balancing energy, some to enhancing abilities. Some stones work on more than one plane, such as turquoise, which is known as "the Shaman's stone" for its versitility. Many healers keep a variety of raw or polished stones of many varieties onhand, including the quartz crystal which is probably most universally known for its use in healing. While many stones naturally are crystalline in form, most people think of quartz when they think of crystals. Not only does quartz have useful properties of its own, but it helps to amplify the effect of any other stone--for that matter any substance--with which it is used.

		The stones are polished by nature over thousands of years in river and ocean beds. Some of my stones have been found over the years all from places that I have been so they carry the energy of that area. They have great natural curves formed over thousands of years being tumbled by oceans and rivers. If there is one thing a Stone Therapy will instill into you, it is to slow down and relax. It has taken millions of years for the stones to evolve into what they are now. This energy transfers itself into your mind, body and spirit.