Credit: photo by Dirk Toerien on Unsplash
A Guide to Understanding Crystals - Gems
AN INTRODUCTION
Infused with The Light of the Universe
Crystals are the Heart and Soul of the Earth
Backdrop – A Rich History
Since the dawn of time, dating back to the beginning of humankind and revered for thousands of years, crystals have attracted us. For as long as we have existed, it is fair to say that we have had an affinity with these precious stones.
The first historical references to these ‘power beings’ come from the ancient Sumerians, the oldest civilization known to us (between 4100-17050 BCE). They included crystals in magic formulas and rites.
Our ancestors intuitively knew that these gems 'energies’ interacted with the invisible and natural human electromagnetic field of force to bring about energetic changes.
Throughout history, humankind has linked crystals with the sun, moon, planets and stars, including the zodiac signs.
In the past, the records tell us that crystals were sacred items, used as talismans and amulets, in burial rites, for divination practices, healing rituals, spiritual/magic advancement, and as decoration to signify power.
Mexico’s Giant Crystal Cave... Credit: science.howstuffworks.com
Interesting
A tiny 4.4-billion-year-old crystal is the oldest fragment of Earth's crust.
Crystals were worn as jewellery as far back as the Stone Age, dating back as far as 2.5 million years ago.
Reference sources tell us the word crystal comes from the Ancient Greek word krustallos, meaning “ice,” “rock crystal,” and or “frozen” – icy cold.
Historically, crystals appear as ancient forms of medicine. Dated around 2000 BC, a hieroglyphic papyrus discovered in Ancient Egypt refers to a medical treatment that required crystals. They also believed in crystal healing and placed quartz crystal on the dead to help guide them safely in their journey through the underworld. Further, around the 11th century through to the Renaissance period, in Europe, several medical treatises mention crystals' in treating certain diseases.
Gems have inspired many a myth - for example, the legendary creator of the gemstone Amethyst. Bacchus, the God of Wine and conviviality, became angry because of a slight against him. Swearing revenge, Bacchus declared the first mortal to cross his path would be consumed by tigers. Simultaneously, a lovely maiden, Amethyst, was on her way to worship at the goddess Diana's shrine. Diana saw what was happening, and rescuing her from violent death, she turned Amethyst into stone. When Bacchus viewed the miracle, he repented and poured wine over the stone, staining it purple.
Crystals and other minerals were an integral part of Ancient Greece, which is why many stones used today, particularly in crystal healing, have a name with Grecian roots.
Jade has been considered sacred within the Chinese culture for thousands of years.
A Native American Indian Legend refers to Indians dancing and rejoicing when the rain fell. Tears of joy mixed with the rain seeped deep into Mother Earth. The ‘tears' union with the rain became the stone we know as Turquoise - Turquoise symbolises life.
‘Pounamu ‘– Greenstone. Credit: globalculture.com
Crystals were highly valued in Asia and South America's spiritual traditions and used by the tribes in Australia and New Zealand. The Maori people, natives of New Zealand, carried or wore Greenstone aka Pounamu Stone, as a talisman to bestow protection. They long believed it to be a stone of mystical vibration - a magical stone to promote long life and contact ancestors' spirit world.
In Ancient Mexico, Green Stone signified the deceased's heart and used in burials. Further, we find some of the largest crystal structures on earth in Mexico, in the crystal cave deep below the Naica Mountain in the Chihuahuan Desert.
In Ancient Mexico, Green Stone signified the deceased's heart and used in burials. Further, we find some of the largest crystal structures on earth in Mexico, in the crystal cave deep below the Naica Mountain in the Chihuahuan Desert.
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