LAPIS LAZULI -THYROID

Lapis Lazuli is a beautiful stone. Humans have been wearing it as jewelry for thousands of years. Once again I was drawn to a stone because of its beautiful dark blue color. It also has flecks and veins of gold. Not surprisingly, it is associated with the Throat Chakra.

Lapis Lazuli is found in India and Pakistan. It is a common stone. Common or not you can spend quite a sum on top quality Lapis Lazuli jewelry.

Lapis Lazuli

Drawn to it for it's beauty I am now interested in Lapis Lazuli because of its supposed beneficial effects on the thyroid. I have suspected for sometime that I have low thyroid. I am no fan of pharmaceuticals and particularly don't want to start thyroid medication. Once on it you can't ever go back. If you run out and for some reason can't get more you're up the creek without a paddle. The thyroid is a major hormonal regulator but it retires for good with prolonged use of thyroid medication. I had it on the run before with dietary and excise regimens but got lazy and now some of the symptoms have returned. I am once again back on my regimen but this time I am going to add Lapis Lazuli to the mix. Leave no stone unturned.

Physical Issues: 

Aches and Pains, Bones, Detoxification, Eyes, Immune System, Insomnia,

Emotional Issues:

Anxiety, Calming, Depression

Spiritual Issues:

Appreciation, Intuition, Meditation, Truth

QUICK REFERENCE

Chakras:  

Throat (Blue)
Third-Eye (Purple)
Crown (Violet)

©Walker Barnard

IS THERE SCIENTIFIC PROOF OF THE HEALING PROPERTIES OF STONES & CRYSTALS?

As I have been researching the various stones and crystals in my collection I have run across several articles dissing the notion of stones and crystals having healing properties. The biggest argument; there is no scientific evidence to support it. One article I read bordered on the ridiculous. The idiot that wrote it was so moronic he supplied more evidence against his position than for it. Reminding me, yet again, to always be wary of stuff you find on the internet.

Some detractors were downright rabid about how stupid it was to think rocks had any healing properties. To him the idea is just New Age hokum. I am always leery of people that cannot present their arguments in a calm and educated manner. Unfortunately, people who rant their opinions are legion. All they show me is their ignorance.

It has been noted, in studies where a placebo (fake crystals) were used in place of real a stones or crystals, the placebo was chosen often as not. The placebo had as much effect as a real rock. It was posited that in fact such studies proved the stones had no healing energy whatsoever. Link to one ridiculous article I don't like linking it because Google will interpret it as a good thing. But, I'll no doubt want to refer to it again and not in a good way.

I'm too new into my exploration of rocks and crystals to have an educated opinion on the matter. But, I do have an open mind. Therefore, if it works for no other reason than I believe it works why should I care? I do believe there is considerable scientific evidence the mind/brain is an awesomely powerful organ. I also know that beauty makes me smile and it has been scientifically proven that smiling can help with depression. Below is a little arrangement I made on my nightstand.

Rock and Crystal Display

I think it's beautiful. When I look at it it makes me smile. It provides me with moments of experiencing joy and serenity which reduces stress which supports my immune system. Sounds pretty good to me.

In an earlier post I mentioned Shungite and how some say it might help me sleep better.  I am now 10 nights into placing a Shungite pyramid on my forehead for five minutes or so after lights out. I can report during this time I have taken no sleep aides and have slept like a log. Is it because the Shungite has special energy or is it because I am open to the idea that it does? As Clark Gable famously said in Gone With The Wind "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" which it is. For whatever reason, it's working for me.

©Walker Barnard

MALACHITE

It was only natural I was drawn to Malachite on my Birthday Rock Hunt. Malachite has always been a favorite stone. Green and blue are my favorite colors. It's a toss up as to which is tops, green or blue. I have seen some absolutely exquisite jewellery made with Malachite. Set in gold it knocks my socks off.

The best Malachite comes from Africa and Russia. Malachite has a 9 vibration which I take to mean high energy. I need to see what I can out about rock vibration. And, lucky me, Malachite energy resonates well with Capricorn energy. I'll hold tight to my Malachite!

Malachite

I couldn't resist setting it down in the snow.

Malachite

Physical Issues: 

Arthritis, Back, Bones, Lungs, Immune System Strengthening, Detoxification, Headaches, Skin

Emotional Issues:

Comfort, Emotional Balance, Hope, Confidence, Negativity Disbursement, Enhanced Willpower

Spiritual Issues:

Enlightened Leadership, Creativity, Protection From Negative Energies, A Healed Heart, Abundance

Chakras:

Heart (Green)
Throat (Blue)



©Walker Barnard

Episode 3: MY "POCKET BOOK OF STONES"

A funny thing happens. I'm thinking since I've become interested in Shungite I should get my pal some Shungite for Christmas. But, then I think naw she probably knows all about it, I'll wait and find out. So what does my pal give me for Christmas? A Shungite pyramid! We have a good laugh.

Now my birthday rolls around on the 12th of January and my friend wants to do for me what I had done for her, turn me loose in a rock shop with a budget. Well, I was like a kid in a candy store. I was literally looking for rock candy.

I gamboled up and down the isles choosing stones purely for their sense of style and design. I blew half my budget on a Amethyst geode and a Selenite ball. All I knew was it looked like a VERY pretty combination to me.

 My Amethyst Geode with Selenite Ball

I used up the rest of my budget on smaller stones I thought had interesting designs or were somehow especially intriguing. I had not a clue what healing power any of them supposedly had. But, the Shungite had tipped me off to the idea that stones had more going for them than just pretty faces.

Whilst we were checking out my friend picked up a book that indexed stones and crystals describing the objects as well as their healing qualities. The book was the size of the family bible. I was not interested in picking up that much baggage.

I continued to roam around whilst the proprietor rang up my choioces. In my wanderings I came across a little book, approx 4.5 x 5.5, by Robert Simmons entitled "The Pocket Book of Stones". Thumbing through it I just knew I wanted to learn more about my stones. I bought the book and I'm pretty sure it will prove to be a pivotal choice. In fact, I think this book will help me open spiritual doors I had no idea even existed.

Pocket Book of Stones is filled with glossy photos and treasure troves of information. Each stone has a synopsis of it's qualities.  For example Amethyst is described thus:

Keywords: Protection, purification, Divine connection, release of addictions
Chakras: Third eye (6th) Crown (7th) Etheric (8th - 14th)
Element: Wind
Physical: Overcoming addictions, tinnitus, nerve disorders, aids in oxygenation of blood
Emotional: Helps clear negative or addictive emotional patterns.
Spiritual: Facilitates conscious connection with Spirit Guides, Angels and Source

Following the synopsis is a more in depth description of the stone and it's unique characteristics.  I'll never again visit a rock shop without "Pocket Book of Stones".

My choice of the Amethyst crystal turned out to be rather interesting. I initially bot some Shungite because I thought it might help with my tinnitus. A purely speculative idea on my part.  But, as it turns out, my "Pocket Book of Stones" suggests Amethyst is good for tinnitus. Proving once again the universe will lead you if you will just allow yourself to follow.

Another interesting thing about the Pocket Book of Stones synopsis it that it lists chakras effected by the stones. I don't know that much about chakras but I was under the impression there were only seven. The synopsis for Amethyst suggests fourteen? Clearly I need to brush up on my chakras which I plan to do in the next episode.

©Walker Barnard

Episode 2: SHUNGITE - A ROCK WITH A PURPOSE?

The early part of last December I was watching a video in which the subject of Shungite arose. The video wasn't about rocks and crystals the subject just came up in relationship to EMPs. EMP stands for electromagnetic pulse. And a big shot of this stuff from the sun or somewhere out in space could knock out all our power grids and electronics.

What the interviewee in this video was saying is that we get exposed to small doses of electromagnetic pulses all day long from our computers, televisions and microwaves. I was aware of the effect of an EMP on like autos and the electrical grid but I didn't know about my personal space.

A little research revealed that it's not EMPs which are associated with appliances but EMFs. EMF stands for electromagnetic field and it is to this field we expose ourselves everyday. Studies have shown that exposure to EMF's, which emit low dose radiation,  can impact your immune system and lead to cancer and other health issues in some people.

I wondered if the stone could help me with my tinnitus. I've got it pretty bad from running a chainsaw and a youth filled with hunting and shooting without ear protection. I am very sensitive to high frequencies. On a lark and not knowing a thing about any of this stuff I decided to buy some Shungite to see if it would help with the tinnitus.

I jumped on Amazon and had a Shungite pendant to wear around my neck and a small Shungite pyramid in my possession in a couple of days. So now I'm wondering what is this stuff anyway?

Shungite Pendent

Shungite comes from the Republic of Karelia in northwestern Russia and only from this region. It is estimated the deposits are in the neighborhood of 2 billion years old. Think of that. I can hold in my hand something that is two billion years old. True, we all walk around on a planet that is 4.5 billion years old but how often are we conscious of what we are doing?

As you can see Shungite isn't one of the more colorful stones. It looks more like a lump of coal. But, this stone wasn't bot as an ornament I was curious about it's potential function. I have since learned that Shungite is an ancient healing stone that is good for much more than EMFs. It has something called Fullerenes which are said to act as anti-oxidants. Who can't use that?

Shungite Pyramid

I've had the stones for about a month now and I can report I detect no difference in my tinnitus.

I also have trouble falling asleep many nights. I usually take Alteril, a natural sleep aid, when I can't sleep. The last three nights I have turned out the lights and set the pyramid in the center of my forehead whilst laying on my back. I'm an on my side sleeper so I stay on my back as long as I can take it then remove the stone and rollover on my side. I'm grateful I'm in the dark as I might look kind of funny laying there with a black pyramid on my forehead. But, here's the thing, for three nights now I have fallen asleep very quickly and stayed asleep all night long. Granted three nights a study does not make but I am going to keep a journal and will report back when I have more data.

I try keeping an open mind in general and so it is with learning about how stones might not be just pretty things we collect and use to adorn ourselves. They may hold mysteries that can be most beneficial to those who take the time to learn. I'm game and anxious to see where this exploration leads.

UPDATE:  February 14, 2017 I have now had 30 consecutive nights of complete restful sleep.


©Walker Barnard

Episode 1: THE WHO & WHY OF THIS BLOG

My name is Walker Barnard. I am called Walker because as anyone who knows me knows, I love to walk. I love walking so much my Indian friends gave me the name Walking Woman. I named myself Walker. I love this name. After nearly seventy years I have found a name that truly suits me.

I live in a National Forest in Montana and have spent the last fifteen years walking alone in the wilderness with my dog as my only companion. It has been the best time of my life. I have observed many things that have caused me to see the world and my connection to it in a different light. I have come to find that many of the Native American beliefs regarding nature and spirituality are very much in alignment with my own. I believe in the sun and the moon and the stars. I believe in the eagle, the owl, and the bear. I believe in the spirituality of all of The Creators creatures. I believe that life itself is the Great Teacher and that we may very well need to return more than once before our lessons are learned. Yet, with all this believing, I believed rocks were simply pretty things.

A little over a year ago my best chum took me to a rock shop in Bigfork, Montana Kehoe's Agate Shop. I just went along because it was something she wanted to do. I think this must be one of the better rock shops because I was swept away by some of the truly amazing stones and crystals. They had stones from the size of your thumbnail to crystal geodes four or five feet tall.

I'm a real sucker for natural designs. In my former incarnation I specialized in photographing what I call Still Life in Nature under the moniker Kinsey Barnard. It wasn't hard for me to fall in love with some of the stones I saw in the shop. I ended up buying a rock that had designs in it that were too intriguing to pass up. It's called a Sepatarian Slab. I had absolutely no intention of starting a rock collection. I just thought the rock was beautiful and I wanted it in my space. It's been sitting on my entertainment console ever since and I have enjoyed looking at it nearly every day since.

My Rock Collecting Begins (Septarian)

Is that rock cool or what? The designs and colors are simply perfection, naturally.

This past October so got the bright idea to take my chum back to the Big Fork rock shop for her birthday and let her choose what lit her candle. She chose a gorgeous Amethyst crystal. Naturally, whilst she looked around for her present I look around for my joy. And darned if I didn't find it!and It was a beautiful Carnelian from Madagascar.

Rock #2 Carnelian from Madagascar

I don't do much studio photography so I don't have the right equipment but I think this is good enough to get the idea across how beautiful it is. The strange thing was no matter how I tried I couldn't get the jagged bright white light in the center to disappear. It looks like a reflection but it's not. The rock is smooth and I totally blacked out the room. Yet, it's not there when you look at it with the naked eye. Is it some energy that can only be picked up by the camera? Anyway, I took my new stone home and placed it on the other side of the big screen. Now I had two beauties to look at everyday.

I now had two rocks so I guess you could say I had a collection. I started thinking I could get into collecting beautiful rocks.

In the next episode I get exposed to the idea that rocks may have more going on than just beauty.

©Walker Barnard