Ancient Grandfather Stones - How to connect to minerals and crystals
On a past retreat, I was at a sacred wilderness camp in Northern Ontario leading women to connect with the elements and awaken their spirits. We planned a hike up to a spot called "Spirit Rock". This place was a sacred meeting spot for many who camped at the retreat center and especially for local First Nations communities. All throughout Northern Ontario, you can find ancient gemstones like mica, sunstone, quartz and amethyst. In this particular spot, there is an abundance of quartz mixed in with other beautiful minerals making the stone beings incredibly desirable and energetically they really do pull you in close.
As we were guiding the women to hike up to this spot it was very clear we were surrounded by conscious living energy and so much spirit connection. On the way down a woman picked up a rock and looked at me and said, "I want to take this rock, I am not sure why." She seemed conflicted to take something from a place she had spiritually connected with. I looked at her and said, "Ask the rock if it wishes to come with you?" She then paused and connected to the stone. A few seconds later, she says "It doesn't want to come with me." And she placed it back down on the side of the slope and we continued to hike back down.
What this taught her was that these stones have consciousness and a spirit. They are not simply objects in nature to collect. They have place and meaning in the forest from which they live. When we stop to connect, ask questions, gain entrance, we are honouring the exchange within nature and respecting its wishes.
At the top of Spirit Rock with the women from Awaken the Elements Retreat.
Connecting to ancient stones is simple - we ask... do you want to come with me? What purpose or healing qualities do you share? What can you teach me or support me with? How can I better connect with your healing properties?
And that's it.
Some will take the journey to learning about crystals further and there is nothing wrong with that. Every mineral and crystal has a story, healing properties and deeper spiritual meaning and one does not have to go far to find out what that is. You can learn from online searches, books or crystal workshops.
The point is, is that when you tend to the quality of your presence, you will be a clearer channel to listen, see, feel and know. I trust my intuitive body first before I look deeper into what information is out there. This is how I continue to tend to my inner spirit.
Often a stone will come forward and let me know that it can support me with different aspects I am having challenges with. So I will welcome that stone and either carry it with me, have it nearby, give it a special place on my altar, or even sleep with it under my pillow.
The fascinating experience you can have is that when you have overcome that obstacle some stones mysteriously disappear, break or say to you "My job here is done." And often when this happens, I clear the stone and gift it away to someone else or return it to nature. This is how I honour the exchange with my crystals. I don't hoard them as though they are objects to collect for the purpose of having more, I ask them how I can live in harmony with them.
My stones range from smooth, rough, rarer gemstones, stones from shorelines, rivers and oceans. Some have come into my life deliberately and others have mysteriously come and then I learn why later. I don't clutter my mind too much with whys or questions. I just trust.
CREATING YOUR OWN CRYSTAL GRIDS
1. Set an intention for why you are creating your grid and for what purpose does it have? Where do you want to place your grid - somewhere inside or even outdoors? Make sure the stones you are using outside can get damp or wet. Some stones like selenite or kyanite are not water-safe stones.
2. Intuitively gather the stones you feel you will need to complete your grid. You can also lookup the crystal properties of the stones you have if you want specific details. Quartz crystals and points help to amplify the intention of your grid and will turn up the healing powers of the stones you are choosing to use.
You can also include elements from nature to add to your grid.
3. Connect to the ancient wisdom of your stones. You can place your hands over your pile/bowl of stones and tune in - feeling them, seeing and hearing their vision or messages. You can even ask them to support the creation of your grid.
4. Construct your grid. You can follow a specific pattern that calls to you or intuitively let the stones guide you. I often like to place primary amplifier stone at the center of my grids. This carries the strongest energy for my intentions and what it is I'm activating with the grid. You can also place a candle or item from nature at the center.
5. Closing your grid practice with an invocation, prayer or meditation. This adds to the energy of your grid and allows the properties of the stones to come together in unison for your intention. Thanking the spirit of the stones for supporting you and offering their healing properties.
6. Tap into the energy and power of your grid often. Tend to it as you would tend to your own inner energy. Meditate and journey with your grid as often as you like. Remember the more energy you create and infuse into your grid the more potent the healing and connection.