BY ANDREW PACHOLYK, MS, L.AC
Do you use these Celtic Crystals in your spiritual practice?
Celtic Crystals
The Celts had a firm belief in the power of stones. From the standing stones at Carnac and megaliths at Stonehenge to the Winter Solstice tomb at Newgrange and the looming mound in Glastonbury, stones have been used to mark territories, honor grave sites, invoke seasonal ceremonies, revered as touchstones and utilized as altars or “mass rocks” for centuries. The Lia Fail (Stone of Destiny) is often referred to as the Coronation Stone or Jacob’s Pillar and is where many high kings of Ireland were crowned. The Turoe Stone in Galway, Ireland is considered the omphalos or “navel” stone. This “earth navel” is considered the meeting place between living mortals, the gods and the dead. On the summit of Tops Hill in County Donegal, lies Beltany Stone Circle, an example of one of the best Irish stone circles. On the slopes of Mount Tullig, in County Kerry, lies Caherdaniel Fort, a great example of a stone ring fort. These are just a few images of some of the sites of war, worship, and wells that dot the Celtic landscapes. Below I have compiled a short list of some of my favorite stones, Celtic Crystals, associated with Celtic lore, stones local to the Gaelic regions and crystals that have been associated in “current times,” which embrace the symbolism of the past.
Celtic Crystals #1 – Chiastolite: The “Cross Stone”
This crystal is a variety of the “Earth Stones” or Andalusite. It exhibits the axis and angle in a different color from the rest of the crystal forming a natural cross. This is a polymorph mineral as it shares the same chemical makeup but a different crystal structure with one or more minerals particularly kyanite and sillimanite. This powerful crystal balances one’s perspective in both creativity and practicality. It is used as a sign of devotion towards awareness and dispels negativity. It signifies both death and re-birth and helps one to understand the realization of immortality. It is used as a bridge for “crossing over.” It helps one to assimilate during times of change. It provides insight into answers when problem-solving. This stone has a reputation for astral journeys and is used as a gateway into the mysterious. This stone allows for the overcoming of fear, the facing of reality and overcoming of the unknown. Chiastolite is used to attune to our soul’s purpose. It encourages one’s survival instincts and is grounding and protecting. This stone is said to embrace the emotions and assist in spiritual journeys.
Celtic Crystals #2 – Bloodstone
Bloodstone, also called “Heliotrope” (named for its sun “red” glow – Helios – setting over a green sea) is from the quartz family (Si02). It is a type of chalcedony, similar to Jasper. The martyr stone aptly named, due to the legend of this stone being at the foot of the cross and stained by the drops of blood from Jesus. Metaphysically, bloodstone is used to either promote a calm, tranquil atmosphere that is grounding or revitalize insufficient energy. An excellent stone for mental exhaustion. This stone represents both courage and strength and is used for achieving these attributes. It is associated with honesty and integrity and is useful in removing obstacles in life. A classic stone for wealth, it attracts abundance and good luck.
Celtic Crystals #3 – Copper
Copper occupies the same family of the periodic table as silver and gold since they each have ones-orbital electron forming metallic bonds. The similarity in electron structure makes copper, silver, and gold similar in many ways. This mineral is an excellent energy conductor! Sends and amplifies thoughts, healing energy, and gem electrical energy into wearer’s energy field. Because of this, it encourages the physical/emotional bodies to find alignment. This is a warming stone. Copper helps to release the “excess charge” of resentment and anger. Its mineral makes up encourages the balance between warm sun energy and cool lunar energy. Copper is often known as the “love metal” as it helps us open up to love energies and physically helps with sexual imbalances. Copper ore was mined in Ireland dating back to about 2000 BC, particularly in the areas near the Caherdaniel Fort Ring and West Cork was well-known for its copper mining industry.
Celtic Crystals #4 – Fairy Quartz
This crystal has been given several names such as Spirit Quartz, Faery Amethyst or Spirit Druzy. Encrusted with hundreds of small, terminated points, this is also referred to as Cactus Quartz. These stones are named for their delicate and fanciful forms in which the crystals “sparkle” as if to have an internal battery. Representing the attributes of grace, greatness and gratitude, these brilliant, yet humble stones lend a relaxing, peaceful sensitivity when held in your hands. They are utilized in connecting to fairies and guardian angels, beings who are loving and benevolent.
Also, worth mentioning is Crackle “Faerie” Quartz. This is crystal quartz that is tumbled and dyed, which gives the gems their colors, crackle, and spark! They represent the energies of both the fire and water element. Quartz is the ultimate power stone. This master crystal resonated with our own bodies and has great influence over us. The addition of the color adds another layer of intrigue and mystery, believed to attract the fey of the woods, wells, and highlands. Quartz harmonizes and balances. It enhances energy and thoughts and purifies the spiritual, mental and physical body. It is also a powerfully protective stone, allowing refined light and energy within.
Third in this group is Star Mica or Fairy Mica. It’s common name, Muscovite or Mica, appears in sheet-like layers or scales, masses or tabular crystal. It is the reflection stone. It allows one to reflect on their past and present situations and gives one the opportunity to both acknowledge and eliminate any traits one wishes to detach from. Mica provides for clarity in visions and self-reflection. It can be used during fasting times to help reduce hunger, provide energy, relieve dehydration, bring sparkle to the eyes, sheen to the hair, as well as, help in situations of insomnia.
Celtic Crystals #5 – Flint
This is an ancient stone used for thousands of years by Prehistoric man to create a spark for fire and for making weapons. Known as “knapping,” Flint would be struck on an angle, leaving the sharp edges exposed. This was perfect for fashioning axes and arrowheads. These relics have been known for centuries as “Elf Shot.” This refers to flint’s solid metaphysical history. Elf Shot attributed to the belief that elves or fairies would shoot an object, visible or invisible, into an animal or sometimes human, causing it to suffer in pain from the flint arrow. Flint has been used for protection throughout history. Both in Scotland and in Ireland, Flint has been used as an amulet worn for protection against evil, including mischievous fairies and elves. Shaman throughout the world has utilized this stone in ritual circles, as remedies for clearing unwanted spirits and negative energy as well as for rituals to exorcise earthbound spirits from places, which are haunted. Flint can be used as a protective weapon when undergoing a spiritual quest or astral journey. Flint represents the powers of elemental Earth and Fire.
Celtic Crystals #6 – Staurolite: “Fairy Cross”
This mineral is a talisman of good luck! Historically, this stone is said to be formed from the tears of fairies when they were brought the news of the death of Christ. Built in the shape of a cross, this unusual stone is beautiful and powerful on your altar or meditation space, around your neck or in your pocket. Represents four elements and joining of spirit with earth/matter. Spirituality, compassion, allowing, dis-attachment. The focus is centered on the here and now. This stone provides protection and grounding energy.
Celtic Crystals #7 – Green Goldstone
Not particularly known as a “Celt stone,” green goldstone is fascinating. It is a stone I cannot seem to take my eyes off of. It harkens back to the alchemy of the Druids as Goldstone is a man-made stone, a type of glass that sparkles due to flecks of copper. Originally created when alchemists were working towards creating gold. Gently uplifting, Goldstone is also said to help one stay calm and stabilize the emotions. Called the stone of ambition and drive, it is said to help attain one’s goals. It is for this indirect connection that I love carrying it around as my personal good luck stone!
Celtic Crystals #8 – Merlinite
This mystical stone is a combination of manganese oxide with inclusions of both potassium and barium. This variety occurs in Cornwall in the United Kingdom. Associated by name, after the great wizard, Merlin, who was King Arthur’s legendary mentor, this stone is considered the Stone of Self-Mastery. It exhibits traits of duality: black and white, day and night, light and dark. Merlinite waves its wand of energy to communication with the Archetypal energies within nature itself, including the plant kingdom, mineral kingdom, animal spirits and the elemental allies, such as the fey folk, pixies. Dryads and gnomes. This stone encourages the world of dreams and dreaming, teaching us the fundamental of mysticism, past incarnations, and recollections. Excellent stone to use at Samhain, as it eloquently lifts the veil between the spiritual and the physical planes assisting in contacting souls who have passed over. It opens one’s energy field to its innate capacity to serve as a channel for manifestation. It has the ability, as a kind mentor would, to teach us to influence outer elemental processes to help empower our lives.
Celtic Crystals #9 – Preseli (Bluestone)
The Preseli Bluestone is the stone that was used at the Stonehenge standing stones. This stone only occurs in one place in the entire world, Carn Meini in the Preseli Mountains. This site is now protected, and stones can no longer be taken, but the stones that are being sold were mined many years ago before this law took effect. That makes them a unique item because eventually, they will run out. The properties of Preseli stone include help with dream work, past life recall, willpower, spiritual gift enhancer, powerful as a meditation stone and has been used for protection, energy enhancer, dowsing and for receiving messages. Keep a piece close to you in your working environment or under your pillow. These stones make a strong earth connection and are excellent for grounding and create a connection to the heart of nature. They are associated with the Third Eye and their ability to help develop psychic intuition. Legend has it that Merlin transported stones from the Preseli Hills to Stonehenge for the construction of Camelot and King Arthur’s Round Table. The Welsh legends called the “Tales of Youth,” come from The Preseli Hills, and it is said that the way into “Annwn,” the Welsh fairyland, can be found here too. Indeed, Pentre Ifan sometimes called “The Womb of Cerridwen,” which is also built of Preseli Bluestone and located within the Preseli Hills is said to be one of the main gateways into the realm of Fairies.
Celtic Crystals #10 – River Stones
Rivers, streams, springs, wells, and lakes are all sacred bodies of water in the Celtic belief system. Stones found along these bodies of waters, wells, and rivers are all considered sacred mementos. Formed in the mountains that have been plucked from the ground by rain, floods, and landslides, these stones are then rolled and tumbled by the river for hundreds even thousands of miles until they are round and polished. Riverstone promotes rapid change. It can be used with other gemstones for a clearer intention. These stone are believed to carry sacred powers such as protection, good luck, and act as a powerful talisman.
Celtic Crystals #11 – Snow White Quartz
Also known as Snow Quartz or Milky Quartz, it is a variety of Rock Quartz crystal with microscopic water bubbles and inclusions of carbon dioxide. This gives the stone it’s “snowy,” white, or “milky” appearance. Snow White Quartz is the Observation Stone. Like the introspective and contemplative time of winter, this unique stone allows us to notice more the actions around us, both good and bad, helping us to perhaps see ourselves a little better. It can help us to meditate on parts of our personality that we admire and those we need to change. Compelling us from thought to action. Snow White Quartz represents the wonder and innocence of pure snow. It gives us the hopefulness of a new bride on her wedding day and the child-like innocence we all should remember. It is also associated with the white-haired sage, filled with good advice and wisdom, who need not constantly express it, but to just “be” with it. Therefore, the stone represents a gentle calm and soothing stone useful for meditation and the seeking of wisdom or truth through our “inner journey.” We learn life lessons through compassion and empathy, and this stone allows a clearer mental picture to invite these traits inward to us.
Celtic Crystals #12 – Smoky Quartz
Smoky Quartz is a grounding stone. It is used most often to overcome depression, soothing nightmares, and stress. Quartz stimulates the natural crystal in body tissues and fluids to resonate at the highest healing frequency. The clearest smoky quartz is the most intense, powerful tools inducing Alpha/deep meditation. Because of this situation, it benefits also include channeling higher guidance, deep relaxation and helping with unconditional love. Heightens your understanding of nature and concerns for the environment.
