====== Holey Stones ======
<div #singlebox>
---- dataentry gem----
latin_names: 
folk_names: Holed stones, holy stones, Odin stones
energy_tags: Receptive
gender_tags: 
planet_tags: 
element_tags: Water
deity_tags: Odin, the Great Mother
effect_tags: Protection, anti-nightmare, health, psychism, eyesight
----
</div>
<ifauth @user>
===== Magical Uses =====
On a windswept day, I went on a long drive out of the city to a point of land jutting out into the Pacific Ocean. Crawling over jagged rocks flecked with sea foam, I reached the fairly isolated beach. I stood on it, huffing, and looked down. There, showing plainly against the brilliant white sand, were dozens of holey stones. I picked one up, thanked the Goddess for this gift, and took it home to place on my altar to represent She who is the Mother of all Creation.

Stones with naturally occurring holes produced by erosion, wind or wave action, sea creatures, and by other means have long been prized as protective objects.

There are numerous folk uses for these stones. They were hung on the bedpost to prevent nightmares. In England, holey stones were tied with red ribbon and hung over the bed for the same purpose within recent years. This seems to be a true survival of ancient magic and may still occur today.

As a magical protectant, holey stones were worn around the neck, placed in the house, or hung from the front door. Hanging one near where a pet sleeps guards it.

To assist the body's healing processes, charge a holey stone to absorb the disease. Place this stone in a tub of warm, salted water, and soak in it for several minutes. Repeat once a day for a week. Cleanse the stone after this and repeat as necessary.

In England, wise women employed holey stones in healing rituals for children. The wise woman rubbed the sick child's body with the stone, magically removing the disease because the stone absorbed it. This curious rite was also performed on adults to maintain their health.

Another power resident within holey stones is the enhancement of psychism. In a wild and lonely place, preferably by moonlight, hold a holey stone up to one eye. Close the other one and peer through the stone. You may see visions, ghosts, or nonphysical entities.

And finally, looking through holey stones-in broad daylight, even at home-is said to improve eyesight.
===== Ritual Lore =====
In the Eddas, Odin transmuted himself into a worm and slipped through a hole in a rock to steal "the mead of poetry." Perhaps because of this myth, holed stones were known as "Odin stones."</ifauth>