After all of our intrepid investigations of the many gemstones the world has to offer it came to our surprise that there are really only two crystals that really affect the brain. That seem to change or at least influence neural activity, instead of simply the information passing through it. ‘Brain Crystals’, for want of a better word (sorry, we couldn’t think of anything else). While almost all crystals really affect our emotions, some to a few our bodies directly, there are even fewer it seems that affect how we think, not just what we’re thinking about. One of these that we have highlighted in our catalogue is Sodalite, which you can read about here. The other, we introduce to you, is Howlite.
Structurally, Howlite is a type of borate, that grows in nodes, or masses, and form in extremely dried out environments. They appear as white marble-like clumps that almost resemble cauliflower heads when they’re mined. In very rare cases they will also form crystal prisms or shards on these masses, but literally all Howlite that is sold across the world is taken from the large white masses that are unearthed.
The crystal was first discovered in 1868 by Henry How (later renamed in his honour) near Windsor, Canada, and is now mined in many countries around the world, including Russia, South Africa, Madagascar, and India. The crystal itself has a nice soft feel to it, almost like a slightly harder form of chalk, and due to it’s ability to be easily dyed as gained the nickname of ‘White Turquoise’.
So Howlite is by its nature a silicate, and these types of crystals do tend to twinkle the mind’s eye (think Labradorite, Moonstone etc.). Howlite is one of those crystals that has a unique effect on the mind, soothing and almost ‘cooling’ it, especially for those with over-active imaginations or that have a hard time staying on planet earth, who drift off and daydream too much and need pulling back down to solid ground. It is a crystal of strong focus, one of the two main ones we recommend for issues revolving around peace for the mind.
The main trick to Howlite is that is appears to help the brain just… shut off. To stop all mental activity in its tracks and let the brain just take a break for a minute. It helps the mind to breathe, so to speak, and find a clarity that may have been momentarily lost. The crystal has an almost immediate effect with creative types of people, or people who tend to latch on to a train of thought - no matter where that takes them - and lose themselves a little in the process. It has an especially strong effect with people who are having a hard time getting to sleep, or who sleep-walk/talk, who just can’t find the power button to their brain.
Howlite is also a bit of an under-appreciated crystal when it comes to finding your own state of spiritual stillness. It has a tender touch to it, Howlite, and pushes you to open your mind a little more and better understand yourself, the people around you, and of life itself basically. The idea that the great beyond, or wherever it is out there we go to when we drift off in our imaginations, is no more or less important than the right here and now. This is something users tend to feel more once they’ve come back ‘down to ground’, and when they land it’s usually followed by a stronger sense of purpose and more freedom to express themselves. With extended use that desire becomes sharper, a motivation to truly let go of unhealthy attachments and start working towards what you really want. Of creating - getting your hands dirty, crafting, and making your ideas real, not just in your (extremely colourful we’re sure) imaginations.
Howlite is a crystal that will not only help you find some peace of mind, but ultimately a much greater form of wisdom. It will help you to stop being self-critical or unreasonable, tangled in your own mind. It’s a soft, pleasant, easy-going companion for your crystal collection, a go-to when you need true understanding. It quietens the noise in your mind so you can remember more of who you really are, what you want to do. It will help you re-find your character, your traits, and ultimately your driving force. And believe us, now more than ever, the world really needs to see the real ‘you’.
