By Amanda Moreno
First of all, that Mercury Retrograde period was a doozy and I’m just so glad it’s over! Second of all, I’ve officially become a stone fanatic.
Photo by graywacke/A Landing a Day
By “stone” I am referring to stones and crystals and gems. I’ve been increasingly using them in the past few years as tools — for healing, or grounding, or balancing or protection (typically in the form of jewelry. It’s become a thing, I’ll admit it. The goddess must be adorned.).
I tend to choose the stones I’m working with based on instinct; whatever color or shape calls to me is what I go with, and my decisions are usually validated with further research.
I’ve recently found an increased ability to tap into them in a way that is more like hearing than guessing. There’s also been a big shift in the types of stones I’ve been attracted to. So much of the focus has been on heart-centered healing and protection — fluorite and green turquoise and chrysocolla and selenite. Now I’m suddenly drawn to lapis and moonstone and obsidian, among others.
I’ve been working with moonstone for years, but its energy has suddenly become far more ethereal than I’m used to. In combination with the lapis, it seems to bring me into my head with some calm, cool, calculated feeling that is not separate from the heart, but it’s such a different experience. It reminds me of some Atlantean priestess standing on a cliff, staring out at the ocean, gathering energy for some storm to come. Or something.
I’m also aware that as I use these stones, the way that energy is moving through my body is changing. Not to say that’s necessarily because of the stones, but there are correlations.
The thing is that I really like the heart centered stones, and I’m somewhat hesitant about these new choices. Part of this is because I’m feeling increasingly called to some part of my path that I’m also wary of, even though I’m not quite clear what it is. All signs point to an intensified focus on self-discipline, structure, and the further deconstruction of beliefs I’ve held for some time, all in support of continuing to come into my power. It’s triggering this instinct I have, largely supported by experience, that tells me walking the ‘healing’ path has to be a solitary adventure — that I cannot have love and relationship (with other humans, at least) as well, at least not in any form that lasts.
My immersion in the heart realms has had me slightly off balance. I’m aware of a pattern I have of focusing all of my energy on others, especially while in relationship, not leaving enough space for ‘the work’, and for that actual day job thing. However, I can feel my powers of perspective and objectivity filtering back in after these years of heart-work and I’m curious as to how the connection between the head and the heart will blend together.
My instinct is that this new crop of stones are helping with that. I just don’t entirely trust them yet. And how strange it can feel to have thoughts like, “I don’t quite trust this rock.”
My birthday just passed, and the rising sign of my solar return chart was 1 Capricorn, with Saturn (ruler of Capricorn and my Aquarian Sun) in the 11th. A look at the Sabian Symbols for these degrees seemed to get me a bit closer to contextualizing the energies I feel ushering me into the year ahead. (If you’re new to astrology, the Sabian Symbols are a system of images applied to each of the zodiac degrees; Dane Rudhyar’s version is one of the most popular.)
Capricorn 1: An indian chief claims power from the assembled tribe. Keynote: The power and responsibility implied in any claim for leadership.
Something about this one speaks to a feeling I have that I should be concentrating more on teaching classes and being a part of like-minded groups this year — and the part of me that feels like I’m not worthy of that or an imposter, even though other parts of me know I’m good at that kind of work. This also refers directly to Saturn in the house of tribe.
The Sabian Symbol for the Libra Moon, then, speaks to what I sense now as a blending of head and heart that can help me in the year to come:
Libra 10: Having passed safely through narrow rapids, a canoe reaches calm waters. Keynote: The self-control and poise necessary to reach a steady state of inner stability.
Perhaps that’s what I feel most keenly right now, a more increased state of inner stability. Four days into my 35th year, and there has already been one episode of ‘crisis.’ But I was able to hold my center and have begun the process of objectively examining what happened.
Coincidentally, the Sabian Symbol for 2 degrees Aquarius, where Mercury just stationed direct — and holy hell, what a Mercury retrograde period that was — reads: An unexpected thunderstorm. Keynote: The need to develop the inner security which will enable us to meet unexpected crises.
As for the connection to the stones, I’ve noticed that using lapis and moonstone together tends to result in me running a lot of energy between the heart and head chakras. For the most part I have felt unable to ground the energy. I have to focus on drawing it down, and have difficulty breathing into it.
It’s all so fascinating, and so much weirder and more mysterious — and fun — than I ever thought it could be. Here’s to continued work with stones, even if I have declared a jewelry buying hiatus for the foreseeable future.
Please accept my belated, but nonetheless sincere best wishes for your solar return Ms. Moreno. As you describe it, the mineral quotient of your experience might include where those particular items have been before reaching your hands. Consistent with the concurrent Mercury station (as well as the lunar component of your solar return) you might want to give some time for those new stones to be with you, so the vibe contained within their crystal lattices may have an adequate chance to increasingly resonate with where they are.
Thanks for the birthday wishes and the advice. Much appreciated 🙂
Just returned from outside. Since, (as i understand it) we share the same Seattle sky, it is my earnest hope you got a chance to see Jupiter rising and Venus setting at the same time on this crystalline Sunday night. Quite the sight after so long with so many clouds.
I was in fact watching the sunset at golden gardens and got to see them both – and Mars, too, a little bit later. It was lovely.
I once had “stones”, I threw them randomly over the land surrounding my house, not sure where they landed but I like to wonder and think they are doing something great by being there, sometimes I even daydream they’ll “grow”, meaning I’ll find they have expanded somehow and one day I’ll find them in bigger shape or more of them than they originally were. The rabbits sure have prospered, that’s for sure.
I recently threw a bunch into a lake…
Some years ago moonstone was recommended to me because I have a Cancer Sun. I wear it when I’m feeling vulnerable or chaotic and it seems to condense and clarify of emotion I’m feeling into something focused and processable.
I’m going to go put some on right now 🙂
Happy Birthday Dahlink! I offer to you one of my favorite quotes from Marianne WIlliamson-
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure!” Thank you for this article…I was pondering what to do for my New Moon Ceremony, and crystals it is!
Yuuuup. Thank you!
Yes – go for the teaching, dear Amanda! I’m sure you’re an excellent teacher. For me, there’s nothing more rewarding than teaching – and that feeling of being an impostor will dissipate with experience and the love that will come back to you. Love your piece – would like to write more but no time right now. A very Happy Birthday to you!
Thank you, Lizzy.
A very happy birthday year to you! I have “recently” developed a stone fascination as well. You might want to try garnet for grounding. I really feel the pull into the earth when I hold mine. It helps me maintain my center better since I am a Gemini and live in my head a great deal. It keeps me from being too spacey!
Garnet actually just found it’s way to my altar in the past few weeks. Thanks for the reminder to actually pay attention to it!
VERY interesting, Amanda… This rock-a-holic older’n dirt gr-gramma went on a spending-binge over moldavite set in sterling — that led to a golden rutile teardrop with small teardrop faceted citrines at its base as if “splashes” — as led to a Melody Stone oval cradled by citrines (similar to a gravy ladle’s bowl filled with lovely Melody Stone inferring abundance ?;-) — those ( + three long, sterling cord/chains) were a rock-a-holic Feb Fun binge for this giver. My turn… Happily banked my last vintage Ben to offset PayPal hits. Were pearl studs, a red ladybug and an ammonite set in sterling in today’s mail. My last rock-a-holic binge was in 2007-08… I first wore Lapis in 1995.
Feeling compelled to invest in more rocks took this Frugalitarian* (*my word) by surprise so, as is my wont, I’ll “blame it on the stars.” When/if GUS* nudges, I heed. (* my acronym for Guiding Universal Source). Before shown that acronym, Gus was a gnarly gnome atop a tall rolling ladder mulling/archiving data in my grey tunnels. My youngest son asked, “Does he look like Creature in Harry Potter films?” I’d not seen Creature so found an HBO listing, watched it and yup, there was Gus playing Creature… Giggle… GUS sez to mention Matt Kahn (in Seattle?). His 2014-15 YouTube videos are fun, timely, spot-on. That webinar host Eric knows (John) adores Matt — has him on as often as possible. Astrology is Eric’s gift — Matt’s gift is what he refers to as The Love Revolution.
Yup, seeing you’re into rocks after the binge I’ve been compelled to en-joy since mid-Jan, posting this on here is another super-cool-fun-win-win-win… Solitarians are often their own soul-mate…
~ S*
Ah, I got some moldavite set in sterling recently after realizing it’s going to be a rare thing in the not so distant future. Haven’t worked with it, still a bit too zingy for my brain to care for, but I will…
I don’t get this rant. I don’t. Sorry Sus’n
I will say this – Amanda, I have realized that astrology is to Tarot, is to Stones – as Spirit is to Soul, is to physical.
It is an enigma as to why they always agree. When we look closely – without prejudice.
Hi Amanda…If I may suggest, try sleeping with a piece of black tourmaline or hematite at the bottom end of your mattress for grounding, where your earth star chakra is located. Also, being attracted to stones for the heart could also be a way of subconsciously trying to balance out the other chakras for some people. Remember, the heart chakra is the middle regulator chakra. Have fun with your stones!!
My heart chakra is having a hard time middle regulating these days 🙂 Getting lots of support to try and move the energy on through…
And I love the tourmaline/hematite idea. Thank you!
very late to the party (as Amy said the other day). Love is in the earth by melody. Celestite and topaz for me these days with amethyst and a little silver.
xxxp
I love rose quartz for the heart and healing and clearing my energy. I keep it at bedside and close to me when I sleep. Putting it on the window ledge at night to clear, especially at a new moon and into the bright, full sun of these gorgeous days lately. For me, rose quart brings balance and strengthens my intuition; my dreams are rich and vivid and very helpful – a godsend. Thanks for your beautiful stories. Seattle and surrounding islands seem to be writer’s haven; I love it there.
Ooh, I love rose quartz, too, although I only use it occasionally. It’s very soothing sometimes, but other times it’s too uber emotional for me.
And Seattle is indeed good for writing. Something about a good, grey, drizzly day brings a certain romance to the art. As does a 75 degree sunny day with lakes and trees and mountains around for that matter…
I agree with Dorothy Rodriguez about rose quartz. It can be profoundly amazing if it resonates with you. When I wear my rose quartz necklace by Gemisphere I feel like I’m getting the most loving warm hug. It’s super clear to me why it’s so popular.
Happy Birthday Festival Amanda!
You refer to attraction of obsidian early on, and don’t mention her again. Please consider working with Mother Obsidian more deeply to anchor the heart stones and lapis that is so powerful for you right now. She’ll also confront your fraud feelings and help you “get over yourself” and get to work! I think I need to go find my obsidian orb and let her give me a piece of her cosmic earth dark goddess mind!