Obsidian.  To this day, I still have no idea how I came to be in possession of this.  Cool, yet it vibrates with energy.

Another rock from the river in Tennessee.  It has seams in it, like very narrow cuts – you can see this in the picture.  I think this rock reminds me of myself – if I were calm and still.  I love its texture.  Another altar rock.

The rock itself is not extraordinary.  I have no idea where I got it or why I liked it.  It has, however, been used for ritual blood sacrifice, within the practice of my Heathenry.  For this reason, it is sacred; it has been anointed with my blood.  Someday, when the time is right, I will bury it in the right spot – when I find it.

A smattering of rocks from Oregon – some collected by me, and some by one of my roommates, who brought them back with me in mind.  They each have a different feel.

A huge chunk of labradorite.  One of the few rocks I’ve used in this piece that I actually bought.  Not only is it beautiful, it feels incredibly soothing to me.  Plus its backside is unpolished, for a fantastic contrast of texture.

Smoky topaz.  I mined this, with my family in Tennessee.  The piece itself is huge, especially for a semiprecious stone.  Although it is probably too flawed to make large pieces of cut jewelry out of, I would rather have it in its original state.  It also happens to be my birthstone (yellow topaz, not specifically smoky topaz).  I’ve often thought about having it wire-wrapped, so I can wear it as jewelry without cutting it.  It has a slow energy to it.

Some storage of the rock collection, before I set up my altar…

The more breakable stones get separated into compartments.  Isn’t that a pretty box?  I have always loved sparkly things.

And finally, my newly set-up altar.  This is probably the largest altar set-up I’ve ever had.  Thanks be to old mantles!

I hope you’ve enjoyed the trip through my stone collection.

Velsignelser,

Muninn

…Yet more on rocks, and why I love them.

I found this rock in a state park in the redwoods of California.  I was by a river, with a friend.  (picture of said river, and friend, below.  the blur effect in the picture is from the oh-so-high-tech solution of sticking my digital camera in a ziploc bag.)  I had seen this rock while walking towards the river, and decided to take it with me.  On the way back, I couldn’t find it as easily, and had to search for thirty minutes before I found it again.  It may not seem that special when dry, but when it’s wet, it is the most gorgeous shade of green.

This rock is from Bagby hot springs in Oregon.  Like the previous rock, it doesn’t look so crazy when dry, but when submerged, it’s the most vivid shade of orange.  We camped beside the river it was in, and I decided I had to have it, despite cold weather, and the fact that the river was icy.  I had to wade in about ten feet, which doesn’t seem like much, but let me tell you, I nearly froze my feet off.  It was definitely worth it.  Both the red rock and the green rock have a coolness, and a slow thrum to them – as if to remind me where they came from – the freezing, rushing waters.

This marble is very significant, for two reasons:  for starters, it began by living in a cathedral for centuries.  This particular cathedral was on my college campus.  When they underwent renovations during my freshman year, small pieces were handed out as souvenirs from the discarded marble.  I have three of these pieces.  They contain a very spiritual sense about them, from being in such a gorgeous, quiet space for so long.  Second, around this same time, one of the most fierce thunderstorms I have ever seen while living in the south (that was not associated with a hurricane) rolled through our campus.  It rained harder than I have ever seen.  So naturally, I abandoned classes and work, walked out into the thunderstorm, and dedicated my marble pieces to Thor.  They have amazing powers stored in them.  They feel almost electric in my hands.  The one pictures always sits on my altar…  that is why there is a bit of candle wax on it, in the picture.

Coral.  This I found while on vacation, swimming on the reefs in Hawaii.  I have many pieces of coral that I found washed up on shore, but I find this one to be the most visually striking.  Some of the pieces I have were washed almost smooth against the rocks, but this still retains its shape.  It feels warm to me.

I found this river rock near a river in Tennessee.  It was in the parking lot.  I remember this vividly, even though I found it as a child.  It is almost perfectly triangular, with oddly planed sides, and only a few dings in its otherwise unearthly smooth surface.  I have always been drawn to it.  It always sits on my altar, as well.  It feels cool and slow.

Marble, from my father.  I don’t remember what it was from.  It is unpolished, possibly a remnant from a marble-top dresser I used to have as a child.  It’s cool, calming and still.

Velsignelser,

Muninn