For centuries, many cultures have incorporated the use of holey stones in rituals and ceremonies, believing them to carry sacred powers. What are these beliefs?
Throughout history, many cultures have believed holey stones, stones that have holes carved completely through them by the power of nature, have healing and magical properties. They are believed to carry the wisdom of the ages, and are thought to offer protection if worn or carried.
Large, hand-carved holey stones, called men-an-tols, were used in ancient ceremonies. Representing the doorway between the physical and spiritual world, they were often placed at the entrance to tombs and cairns. In some cultures, the belief was held that they also represented rebirth and transition.
Ancient Celts would hold marriage ceremonies where the new couple would join hands through the stone to symbolize and bless the union. Another example claimed that after a year of marriage, the couple could choose to return to the stone and renounce their union.
Mystical Powers
Healing was another power attributed to the stones, and sick children would be passed through the stone three times to cure rickets or tuberculosis. Adults could crawl through the stone nine times to cure rheumatism and spinal problems. In the absence of large stones, small stones would be rubbed on the afflicted area.
The most powerful attribute of a holey stone is its protective power. Worn or carried, it would ward off evil spirits and protect the wearer from harm. Stones were hung from bedposts to prevent nightmares. If a stone broke, it was thought to have used its power to protect a life.
These powerful stones are also reputed to bestow the gift of psychic sight upon anyone looking through the stone. It is said that if one looks through the stone during the light of the full moon, the realm of faerie can be seen, along with ghosts, visions, and the "other world."
A Stone of Many Names
Holey stones are known by a variety of names; men-an-tol, an-cloc consanta (drilled stones), crick stones (a modern name), fairy stones, hag stones, and Odin stones, deriving from the Viking myth that the god Odin transformed himself into a worm and crawled through a hole in a stone to steal the "mead of poetry."
The native people’s traditions in America, although it is not a holey stone they speak of, believe that special stones called watai, are inhabited by the Inyan, the Stone People. These stones are used in healing ceremonies and medicine wheels to remove sickness and grant protection.
It should also be noted that in the early days of exploration, native peoples would often drill stones to create beads for jewelry that was then traded to explorers for blankets, and other goods.
Finding Stones
Finding holey stones requires a sharp eye and a lot of patience. The best places are along streambeds or in pebble-strewn driveways. Drilled stones may find their way onto a few retail shelves, but the common belief is that hand-made stones do not carry the same powers as the natural ones.
Proper care of holey stones consists of cleansing them in the same manner as most other gems, which is usually achieved by soaking them in salt water or recharging them through sun or moonlight.
Happy rock-hounding!
Sources: Cunningham, Scott (1988), Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, & Metal Magic
Wolf, Grey with Andy Baggott, and MorningStar (1998) Earth Signs
Hill, Beverly (2002) Gaia’s Glade
