The Crazy Wisdom Community Journal • January - April 2017 • Page 100
All That Shimmers with Shiva Lingam Stones By Carol Clarke-Tiseo Remember the film Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom? The highly sought-after ancient stones in the movie, referred to as “Sankara Stones,” were based on Shiva Lingam stones. The Sankara Stones were actually plastic props with lights inside them, representing the “diamonds” inside that would only glow if the stones were brought together. Unlike the movie, Shiva Lingams do not actually contain diamonds, but the primal energies stored deep within these stones can bring out beauty, force, and love. When we think of the New Year, we think new beginnings, removal of old patterns, and welcoming change. The Shiva Lingam stone is perfect to incorporate into your healing and wellness practice at this time of year. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but its power can go deep within you, awakening tantric energy and allowing it to flow freely. A Shiva Lingam is an oval shaped stone made of cryptocrystalline quartz. It shares the same metaphysical and healing properties as Jasper. Lingams are found in the Narmada River, which is one of the seven holy sites of India. They also go by several different names, including Shiva, Shiva Lingams, Boji Stones, and Shiva Linga. The stones are gathered from the river once a year and are hand-polished by villagers to correct and balance the shape. The stones represent the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, and for centuries have been an integral part of spiritual practice in Hinduism, only recently being recognized in the West for their healing and restorative powers. Each stone is unique, with different striations, patterns, and spots creating a very personalized, one-of-a-kind crystal for the individual. The markings, also known as the yoni, symbolize the feminine energy manifesting the creative power in the dance of the cosmos. Geologists theorize that the iron oxide, of which the yoni is composed, was pressed into the Narmada river bed millions of years ago by a meteorite.
The stones represent the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, and for centuries have been an integral part of spiritual practice in Hinduism, only recently being recognized in the West for their healing and restorative powers. and activation of energy — a lot like balancing the yin and yang of the body. Common folklore states that a Shiva Lingam stone contains a microscopic version of the universe, where its form represents the energy of knowledge and the markings represent the energy of wisdom.
Ways to use Shiva Lingam Stones
Powerful second (spleen/sexual) chakra healer. Can be placed in the front of the body in the area just two fingers below the belly button or over the lower back/ sacrum to assist in correcting emotional health and balance, sexual dysfunction, reproductive issues, prostate health, menopause, infertility, et cetera. Amazing for sexual abuse survivors to help reinstate trust in others.
Common folklore states that a Shiva Lingam stone contains a microscopic version of the universe, where its form represents the energy of knowledge and the markings represent the energy of wisdom. In ancient Sanskrit, “Shiva Lingam” means a sign or symbol. Stimulating the electric flow in the body — its currents, or “meridians” — these symbolic stones can raise and harness Kundalini energy — great for spiritual evolution. Kundalini refers to primal energies, or shakti, located at the base of the spine. Kundalini is described as lying “coiled” at the base of the spine (Wikipedia), represented like a sleeping serpent waiting to be awakened for the purpose of spiritual enlightenment. This symbolizes the Hindu god Shiva’s union with the Shakti, or uniting the higher with the lower and moving those energies throughout the entire system, almost like gears on a machine. Activating primal Kundalini energy can assist in having you look deep within yourself to release what you have outgrown in order to move on in your spiritual development. Shiva symbolizes the masculine principle of opening consciousness, while Shakti symbolizes the feminine principle of power
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This stone can be placed anywhere on the spine or back for pain issues, spine dysfunctions like scoliosis, or spinal joint disorders.
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Meditating with this stone on your solar plexus can bring instant corrective healing, balancing the female Shakti/male Shiva energies of ourselves. Perfect for those wanting to get back to a healthy lifestyle!
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Practicing yoga and using this stone in your meditation can promote great results with posture realignment and restoring proper energetic Kundalini movement throughout your chakra system.
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Using it with the heart chakra, you can bring unity and openness to receiving unconditional love, beginning a true relationship with one’s authentic self while banishing fears.
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Placing a Shiva Lingam stone in your home, bedroom, or office can bring power to purify and balance energies in a space, as they have been used in sacred temples and holy sites for centuries.
*Important Note: Beware of purchasing these stones from unreliable sources (like certain stores on the Internet), as they can be fakes. Copies can be made of Shiva Lingams from a similarly colored African sandstone that is then shaped and polished. No two Lingam stones should look exactly alike. Carol Clarke-Tiseo is a Melody Master Crystologist, Reiki Master, and licensed massage therapist who recently relocated to South Lyon, Michigan. She has ten years of experience in energy healing and eleven years of experience in therapeutic massage and bodywork. Carol can be contacted at cclarke2005@hotmail.com.