It’s no secret that I have an affinity for the rocks and minerals of Great Britain. My best friend Ashley Leavy and I planned an entire retreat around our mutual love for the unique geology and sacred landscapes of the British Isles. Last month I wrote a little about Preseli bluestone (top center) and the role it plays at Stonehenge, and this month I’d like to introduce you to a few more sacred stones and healing crystals found in Great Britain.
One of the most charming gems you’ll find is known colloquially as puddingstone (top left). It’s a kind of sedimentary rock called a conglomerate; this variety is filled with rounded flints of varying colors. Puddingstone helps us sort ideas so we can see the bigger picture, and it reminds us to spend time doing things for pleasure. It’s grounding, nourishing, and strengthinging, too.
The megaliths of Avebury, West Kennet Long Barrow, and Stonehenge include massive examples of Sarsen stone (top right). This soothing crystal is a quartz-rich type of sandstone, containing up to 97% pure silica. A natural amplifier of energies, sarsen stone is also adept at facilitating ancestral healing, clearing out emotional clutter, and is believed to connect to the goddess Brigid.
One of the most famous crystals mined in Cornwall is cassiterite (bottom left), the principal ore of tin. Cassiterite is ruled by the planet Jupiter and is steeped in fairy lore. This grounding, protective gemstone helps to heal the inner child and imparts joy and optimism. Some people believe carrying it can win the favor of the Fair Folk and prevent piskeys (pixies) from bringing too much mischief into your home.
Blue John fluorite (bottom center) is arguably the most famous gemstone found in England, and it is said by some to have been traded far and wide by the Roman Empire. Like all fluorites, it has an overtly mental energy, but this variety offers excellent defense for empaths and stimulates innovation.
Named for its occurrence in the Lake District of England, lakelandite (bottom right) is an igneous rock called porphyry, consisting of large crystals of feldspar in a basalt matrix. This ancient gemstone teaches the importance of letting go, making it a powerful karmic healing stone and a remedy for a broken heart. It ignites creativity, joy, and self-reliance while keeping you grounded in the present moment.
