Gemstones and Healing: Sunstone
Copyright 2010 Eileen Nauman
All Rights Reserved
Sunstone truly is the light of the Sun! Here is an exceptional transparent and glittering Sunstone faceted and surrounded by rough.
CATALOGING THE GEMS
I evaluate a gemstone in a number of ways. First, it falls into one of these categories: Heart Stone, Grounding Stone, Guard Dog Stone, High Energy Stone, Trauma Stone, Mental Stone, Stress Tone, Luck Stone, Psychic Stone, Money Stone, Arthritis Stone and Master Healer Stone. I created this system over the years because each stone has unique skills. Some, like the Master Stones, are diverse, multi-skilled and affect more than one chakra in our aura. With this blog, we’re going to look at SUNSTONE. It is a “Strength” stone.
STRENGTH STONE
These gemstones connect with our deeper core values of this personality in this lifetime BUT, they also connect with our SOUL who has far more strength built up in it as a result of hundreds of thousands of lifetimes. This is the phenomenal magic of Strength gemstones. They are able to ACCESS this vault of built-upon and earned spiritual strength so it can help us get through some present difficulty/test/initiation that we’re putting ourselves through in this lifetime at this moment. It ‘feeds’ us so that we don’t give up, despair or want to check out because the life lesson is “too hard” to deal with. Not all people are strong spiritually speaking. We have baby spirits to ancient spirits in human body on this Earth. No one is created equal. And we’re all working on collecting that very necessary soul strength so that we can take on tougher and tougher challenges–and work through them successfully instead of failing them.
This cache of strength is accrued by living thousands upon thousands of lifetimes. It is there, like a cosmic “IV”, much like a blood transfusion for a human body, it is a strength/energy transfusion into us in our present incarnation when we need it. Certain gemstones can access this cache and give us the necessary strength to continue forward and work through the gauntlet we’ve chosen. This gemstone is like the marathon runner at the 26th mile when it is the hardest mile of all–and the finish line is so close. These gemstones take us the last mile of our own marathon in Life and help us pass over the finish line. And Sunstone is one of them.
THE HISTORY OF SUNSTONE
Sunstone is an aventurines feldspar. It has a ‘spangled’ appearance that is caused by hematite or copper inclusions. Geology wise, it belongs to the plagioclase feldspar group. It was named because of its “bling” of glitter beneath its surface. Aventurine is usually known for its green quartz and golden feldspar coloration. Both have a metallic appearance which is caused by inclusions. This “spangle” effect is known as “aventurescence.” You can see it in all colors of Aventurine including Sunstone.
The colors of Sunstone colors range from water clear through pale yellow, soft pink, and blood red to (extremely rare) deep blue and green metallic glitter. This glitter is caused by very small platelets of goethite or hematite. High end Sunstone is transparent/translucent. Cheaper Sunstone come in opaque varieties. When cut in a cabochon, some have a “star” effect. When this occurs, it is called “Star Sunstone.”
Sunstone Knoll in Oregon was formed of volcanic vents that erupted during the early Pleistocene (1.6 million years to about 750,000 years ago). These eruptions left deposits of basaltic lava and volcanic breccia (angular, broken rock fragments held together in a matrix of finer grained material). Sunstone is a transparent, yellowish labradorite (a plagioclase feldspar mineral) found as crystals in these volcanic rocks and on the flats surrounding the knoll.
Made up of sodium calcium aluminum silicate, Sunstone’s hardness is 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. Deposits are found in the USA (Oregon), Canada, India, Russia, Norway and Madagascar. Only the Oregon variety contains copper crystals, which sets it apart from all other Sunstone varieties. In my opinion, it is the best of all Sunstones. The Oregon Sunstone was formed and crystallized in ancient volcanic flows. It has the “Schiller Phenomenon” caused by microscopic copper platelets found in the stone. This makes the stone appear to glow. Take it out into sunlight and it is truly rock bling!
In ancient history, the Greeks felt this semi-precious gem represented the Sun god, Apollo who brought life and abundance to the wearer. Sunstone was found in Viking burial mounds. In general Sunstone is felt to invoke the energies of the sun and that it contains magical properties. In historic Oregon, the natives used it for trade and barter. And today, Sunstone is the official state gem of Oregon since 1987. Native Americans utilized Sunstone in their medicine wheels, sacred bundles and at burial sites. The locality is in the Rabbit Basin of southeastern Lake County. The Ponderosa Mine in Oregon has discovered an amazing array of colors in their Sunstone. And in 1992 H. Stern and Tiffany & Company added Oregon Sunstone to their line and call it “American Sunstone.” The Desert Sun Mining & Gems of Oregon does not enhance their Sunstone by heat treating, irradiation or utilizing oiling it. High end Sunstone can go for anywhere between twenty dollars to $2500.00 per carat.
Other names for Sunstone is Heliolite. This is from the Greek word “Helios” which means Sun. Oregon Sunstones have more or less copper. The more copper, the more glittery it appears. The Schiller effect is not in every Sunstone. Places where it is found is in Lake County, Oregon, the basalt lava flow is only seven square miles. In Harney County, it is less than one square mile in Oregon. The volcanic activity in Oregon make it probable more Sunstone will be found over time. They are mined from the soil and partially decomposed rock that has weathered after the lava flows. Surface soil is dug away and shoveled into a quarter-inch screen and sieved. What is left are Sunstones. You can go to the BLM in Oregon and they will tell you where there is a free area for the public to go dig Sunstones.
THE ASTROLOGY OF SUNSTONE
No guesswork here. This gemstone is ruled by the Sun. This luminary bestows our basic personality for a given lifetime. Further, it rules over our sense of individuality and honoring who and what we are. The Sun gives us specific characteristics that make us unique. More than anything else, it can give us the confidence to walk forth in a life and make something incredible out of it.
ASTROLOGY TRANSITS AND PROGRESSIONS WITH SUNSTONE
Any time our natal Sun is under fire with any hard aspect, we should wear this necklace to give us the faith we have within us, to traverse those tough times. Sunstone always gives us hope where we think there is none. Transits of Saturn are in particular, tough on us. Saturn acts like a blot on the rays of our Sun. It can create depression and a sense of hopelessness. Wearing Sunstone counters some of this pessimism and gently feeds us hope instead.
EAST DIRECTION
The East direction is where the sun rises. This is the point of LIGHT for all of us metaphorically speaking. Sunstone has the energy of light within it. This direction is the position of birth and about creating new ideas into the light of day. It is our infant and baby stage where we are open to all possibilities. Our trust has not yet been broken by the world at large and we are still connected to the greater Cosmos that feeds our newly minted physical body. As adults, the East direction can aid us in rebirthing again and again on every level. It can shed light on an outdated or outmoded attitude. It can make us feel reborn on an emotional level once we get rid of an old wound. Consider this the rich soil of ourselves and the seeds of Being on all levels is planted here. A seed holds all possibilities and so will you.
This energy brings “light” bulb time to our jammed up/clogged up and constipated right hemisphere of our brain. It ‘sheds light’ so that we figure out another way to overcome a hurdle and get on with our lives. Or with an idea or project. You might say that Sunstone is the lightning of the gemstone world; it unclogs the debris in our right hemisphere so that we’re flushed clean with new possibilities. When the psychic channels of the right hemisphere are cleaned out, amazing new ideas, intuitions and hunches can once more flow with ease.
HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF SUNSTONE
When we take a ‘hit’ from life, especially a traumatic one, this affects us on every level. If hope lags or is taken away from us, if our confidence sags and dissolves, then this leaves us open to stress. And stress is one of the greatest reasons why we become ill. Confidence is an incredible ‘wall’ against poor health. Of course, our emotions are ground zero for disease. Coupled with our emotions, confidence is a natural part of who we are. Though confidence, by itself can’t stop us from being ill, it can slow the possibility down. Any time we repress or suppress our emotions (especially the toxic ones such as fear, anger, hatred, greed, prejudice, etc.) then this is a toxic dumping ground for chronic disease.
If we are confident, it can help us traverse these pot holes of life. And it can help us plug into our toxic emotions and start getting them discharged. A person without self-confidence lacks the necessary belief in themselves that (a) they’re even worthy of being helped or saved, (b) take on a victim’s mentality (poor me…), and (c) saps the emotional strength out of the person as a result.
Sunstone cannot undo all of this. But what it can do is “feed” our personality some confidence to help us work through these times in our life. Confidence is a very helpful trait to have. Without it, we never reach our potential because we never believe fully in ourselves, much less trust ourselves to become successful.
WHO SHOULD WEAR SUNSTONE?
Anyone who has confidence issues. People with a victim’s mentality, low self-esteem or who see themselves as unworthy, can wear Sunstone and derive benefit from it. Lack of energy may be bumped up, too. Oregon Sunstone has copper in it. And copper energy affects those with arthritis. Copper has always been good for relieving some of the symptoms of this painful disease. Sunstone may indirectly help but much depends upon how much copper is in the stone itself.
SPIRITUAL CONSIDERATIONS OF SUNSTONE
Sunstone works in concert with our Solar Plexus. It is from this third chakra, located in the region of our stomach, that gives us our unique, one-of-a-kind, identity. This is the home of confidence and low self-esteem. Because Sunstone stimulates the third chakra, it will help a low self-esteem person get more in touch with their confidence.
When the solar plexus is neutralized or goes unhealthy, certain characteristics show up in us such as:
- Rejection is a fearful thing; and the person does everything NOT to be rejected
- Aging and losing our “beauty” and “youthfulness”–aging poorly (you can tell this type…they are always going to the doctor to have a face or body lift….) Unable to accept ourselves; not being able to age gracefully
- Fear that others will find us out. Find our skeletons in our personal closet of Life.
- Being humiliated or bullied; feeling foolish, in front of others (or making a mistake in front of others)
- Unable to meet our responsibilities to our self or others
If any of these symptoms are showing up, then this is a sign of a compromised Solar Plexus chakra. By wearing Sunstone to boost this chakra into a more healthy response to Life. You may then see:
- Self-esteem; we feel good about ourselves, especially our body, no matter what shape or weight it is
- Self-respect because we believe in ourselves, our skills, talents regardless of how many mistakes we make…and understanding, ultimately, that we are human, therefore, will always make mistakes in order to learn
- Able to be organized, efficient, and disciplined; finish what we start
- Being able to deal fully with Life’s crisis
- A fire starter; able to promote an idea, goal, or dream and enthuse self as well as others–and carry it through to completion
- Generous when able….but always knows when not to give parts of self away to other when in need yourself
- Risk taker after assessing the pro’s and cons of such an action; will not allow self to remain in a rut
- Strength of character to be who you are–and are not–and be comfortable with that
- Morals, values and ethics are strong, undeniable and you will not break them for anyone or anything; a person of your word through daily actions.
The Shadow issues of the Solar Plexus are:
- Being rejected
- Others bully and humiliate you
3. Fearful secrets that you scramble to hide from the public
4. Irresponsible
5. Cannot be counted on by others to follow through
Sunstone can’t turn a person around unless they want to improve and moved from darkness to light. It can support. It brings light into our darkness. And we can all use this stone because it will happen to all of us during our lifetime.
This is a very expensive, deep red-orange Sunstone in marvelous faceted design.
HOW TO WEAR SUNSTONE
Anyone who is suffering from a loss of confidence should wear this beautiful stone. It shines, like the sun’s rays and that energy dissolves into your aura to feed your confidence and belief in yourself. Those who are depressed may be gently supported by this gemstone.
IN SUMMATION….
I’m always amazed by how many people who don’t have confidence in themselves. Earth is a tough place to live, much less thrive within. The wonderful glistening and glittering aspects of this stone, when worn, simply uplift. Just looking at it can make you feel lighter! And more confident. It can help us to believe in ourselves and that alone, will swing open Cosmic doors for us to walk through.
IMAGES:
http://geology.utah.gov/utahgeo/rockmineral/collecting/sunstone.htm
Utah area to collect Sunstones
http://www.oregongeology.org/sub/learnmore/images/sunstone450.jpg
Oregon sunstones and a faceted sunstone
http://spiceoflifeherbs.net/catalog/images/sunstone-boulder.jpg
boulder sunstones 3
https://spiritoftherock.sslpowered.com/ArtClayCanada.com/prodimages/Gems/Ebay%20gems/sunstone%208.5×6.5mm_4.00.jpg
one cab sunstone beautiful
sierragems.cn
faceted sunstone
http://www.thebeadedfish.com/user/cimage/Sun-stone-nugget-tumbles.jpg
nugget and tumbled on bead string
http://higherspirits.co.uk/images/sunstone.jpg
sunstone rough from UK
http://www.djraregems.com/gems2008/05/15074-Sunstone.jpg
sunstone oval faceted
http://nevada-outback-gems.com/Rockhound/sunstone_pit.jpg
Nevada pit digging for sunstone
http://www.crystalstargazer.com/sunstoneSphere66mm1.0.JPG
sunstone crystal ball
REFERENCE:
http://www.oregongeology.org/sub/learnmore/sunstones2.htm
http://www.doubleeaglemine.com/HistoryOregonSunstone.html
