Metaphysical at the Beach

Somewhat oddly and with good humour, while on vacation last week at the beach, I found myself with The Book of Stones: Who They are and What They Teach by Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian. Its thesis is that quite a variety of different rocks, minerals, crystals, and gems, are "a catalyst for inner healing, self-discovery, and/or a deeper connection with Spirit."

In the introduction, co-author Robert Simmons explains the rationale as follows:

When we bring a crystal or stone into our electromagnetic field, two things occur. First the electromagnetic frequencies carried by that stone will vibrate with related frequencies in our own energy field through the physical law of resonance, creating a third, larger field of vibration. Your nervous system is attuned to these shifts in energy and will transmit this information to your brain, where the frequencies stimulate biochemical shifts that affect the phusical body, trigger emotional experiences, and shift brain function to open you to spiritual experience.

The main body of the book relates to approximately 200 different stones arranged and discussed in alphabetical order. The first is adamite, described as a source of energy, sexuality, joy, child-like wisdom, and several other major virtues. The final stone in this alphabetical arrangement is zoisite , which is said to relieve not only a wide range of unpleasant mental and emotional states but to be "one of the foremost stones for healing in the experience of terminal disease and death." Photographic images by John Goodman, Jeff Scovil, or Rob Lavinsky accompany every stone mentioned in the book.

While extra-terrestial moldavite is the only species to be named the "Holy Grail," an even more glowing description is reserved for a stone known as Azeztulite. Through "manipulation and alteration," the authors claim that this particular brand of quartz is imbued to carry the energy of "The Nameless Light," which Simmons equates with "Divine Love."

At one point in the introduction, the authors raise the question: "What do I Do with My Stones?" Among the possibilities mentioned are holding and carrying; wearing stones in pouches and jewelry; meditation with stones; dreamwork; body layouts; grids; stone oracles; energy tools; even oils and essences. Conspicuously absent were buying, selling, trading, or pursuits related to any of the earth sciences.

Interestingly, with his wife Kathy, Simmons owns the mail order business Heaven and Earth. With a strong presence on the Internet as well as each February at Tucson, the enterprise offers to both individuals and other businesses a wide variety of stones ranging from rough material to rings, pendants, beads, sacred symbols, and polished shapes. In one form or another, Heaven and earth carries most of the stones covered in the Book of Stones, Azeztulite included.