Shiva Lingam: Lore and Tradition
The Shiva Lingam stone is a sacred stone in the Hindu culture that is in it's naturally occurring form. They are collected at the banks of the Narmada river once a year. This very rare and powerful stone comes exclusively from the Narmada River in Onkar, Mandhata, one of India's seven sacred holy sites. It is of high significance in the Hindu culture because it's markings symbolize those on the forehead of Lord Shiva. They are formed by a mineral called Cryptocrystalline Quartz, which is said in lore to have been implanted in the riverbed by a meteorite millions of years ago.
Lingams are representations of the Lord Shiva, and in the Tantric tradition this shape embodies pure masculine energy, dynamic expression and knowledge. The markings on them represent the feminine energy, or the yoni, which signifies wisdom and intuition. These are perfect stones for meditation, healing and protection. Shiva Lingams are said to contain the loftiest vibrations of all stones on Earth. They emanate a vibration that will purify your temple or home.
Once a year, after the long dry season and just before the beginning of the monsoon season, when the river is at it's lowest, the villagers, working with oxen and rope, go out into the riverbed and pull the stones from the water. The stones are then hand polished, a large one taking several months to complete. These stones occur in all sizes, from smaller than a dime to larger than a man. About twenty to thirty very large pieces are taken from the river each year.
Down through the ages these stones have been carefully selected from this energy center during the dry season by a few families, trained in the art of collecting, shaping, and polishing the stones to bring out the natural markings called the yoni. The lingams are handled in accordance with the ancient Vedic tradition, and are thus highly blessed.
Lingam's have been allowed to come out of India at this time because of the desperate state of the planet. The Lingams are energy generators of balance, of Soul consciousness and healing. They are impregnated with spiritual light resonating with the 5th Chakra, or Heart Chakra; thus their particular place in healing the planet is through opening the heart, healing the pain in the heart which obscures the harmony and knowingness of the soul residing within.
The actual physical properties of the stone (in both shape and material) are said to give the Narmadeshvara Lingam a supreme ability to hold. The Shiva Lingham Stone is physical body stone. It is also said to nurture the 2nd Chakra, the Third Eye. It is a great metaphysical stone for those who did not receive proper nurturing in childhood. Use Chrysoprase with the Shiva Lingam stone to add courage to see the early experiences of life and how they effect your life. Place the Chrysoprase between the first and second Chakras in a healing session.
It is said according to the Vedic knowledge that the Lingam represents the inner being, the energy shape of the soul, or the essence of a human being. The upright egg shape represents the divine masculine energy, the power of Shiva. The markings, called the yoni, represent the divine female energy. Here is a balance of male/female, Yin/Yang, dark/light, the positive/negative energies unified - the wholeness of the soul, which is neither male nor female.
It is also said that by destiny everyone has their own Lingam. It is as if the signature of one's soul has been alchemically embedded in the stone down the millenia of it's making in the embrace of Mother Earth, and finally in the hands of an esoteric craftsperson. The Lingam draws out our soul qualities. As a result, it is a potent force for healing and meditation.
Spiritual and healing experiences are wide and varied through the Lingams. Some experiences reported have been tingling and heat, rushing energy feelings up and down the body, sudden clarity of mind in the face of confusion, the release of energy where there once was blockage, and very often, activation of the Heart Chakra with the accompanying experiences of self-acceptance, self worth, happiness, contentment, unconditional love, compassion, etc.
Currently, the Indian government is building a dam on the Narmada River and soon, these beautiful stones will be under a hundred of feet of water and therefore, very difficult to harvest. Already in high demand but scarce in quantity, the value of this stone will only continue to grow over time. Some crowds are familiar with the Shiva Lingam because it is the stone that Indiana Jones claimed in the Temple of Doom. Speaking from experience at shows, I have never seen people so attracted to something for reasons they do not understand or realize.
Numerology- Vibrates to the numbers 2 (Master Number), 11 (Lingam), 7 ( Shiva Lingham) and 1 (Narmadeshvara Lingam).
Gemological Properties- A form of Jasper with impurities. The hardness is a 7 on the Moe's Scale.
