Photo: Obsidian, or volcanic glass, found in Lake County, Oregon, Wikimedia Commons
To live is to discover. To be whole is to break apart over and over again until every piece fits like a glove. The dangers of the “oh so common” 9-5 are many, but perhaps the least thought about is this—we become limited in our capacity for the uncharted and unplanned. When we can’t be surprised without being triggered into anger, anxiety, or complacency, it’s time to stop and embrace a little chaos.
Our ancestors made space for chaos. There were herbs and rituals and wards for such things. Additionally many minerals were used to protect wearers from unbalanced chaos. Turquoise was a very popular protection stone as far back as 5000 BC. Something about that soothing tranquil blue still translates to this day. Turquoise was also believed to transform bad luck into abundance. No wonder it’s still highly sought after.
Obsidian in its glassy depth remains a popular protection article. Obsidian mirrors were incredibly powerful tools for seeing and setting free the darkness within. It’s uncanny how beautiful and different a reflection can look in these mirrors.
Larimar, the stone of the Caribbean, was revered for its ability to heal and to calm the sea and the heart. Its grounded softness makes it perfect for helping people learn to go with the flow.
The idea that stones protect from or have a hand in creating chaos is as ancient as humanity. Modern humans have also created our fair share of beliefs around stones just as our ancestors did. In 2020 thousands of people purchased Moldavite, a glass formed by the impact of meteor and found in one small area in the Czech Republic. The belief was that Moldavite had the power to change lives. Either you were ready to embrace the chaotic energy and move forward or you weren’t and the mineral would simply disappear. Years and many testimonies later, it seems this little green alien glass did indeed live up to its reputation.
There’s nowhere you can go to escape chaos. It exists in order to move us forward. The same way that every relationship and breakup leave us slightly more and slightly less than we were; how else would we grow? When stagnant and tired energy leave you in shadow, perhaps it’s time to ask yourself what chaos you’re hiding from and embrace it. Maybe before you do that, put a little turquoise in your pocket, just in case.
