Many gemstones over the years have found their way into the cultural zeitgeist, but none in the way that Moonstone has. From an entire art period in the late 1800's where it adorned interior design (think Art Nouveau), to nowadays where characters either wear them in movies (think Twilight) or use pieces of it in books (think Harry Potter). Outside the world of art & literature you find Moonstone in the wearables of many royal families around the world, from the serpent brooch of Queen Victoria, to the necklace & earring set often worn by Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, and to the stunning work done in pendants by Carl Fabergé for the Russian Royal Court. And when it's not in pop-culture or worn by aristocracy it has been used as one of the OG 'travellers stones', used by sailors in western parts of Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly for night-time voyages. If you look further back through history or into the mythology, Moonstone appears in Ancient Greece, given the name Aphroselene, named so after the goddesses of love (Aphrodite) and the moon (Selene). However most of the spiritual information comes from Hindu (or rather Vedic) history, where Moonstone was worn by Ganesh (by far my favourite of all the various deities) right on their third eye, an enhancement for filtering all wisdom from the outside cosmos.
Moonstone is a crystal that is seemingly everywhere, in almost every continent amidst every lore, garnered for its visual appeal, and studied for it mysterious magnetism. And yet, to us here at The Ornate Oracle at least, Moonstone is slept on, so often overlooked as one of - if not the - most powerful tools for insight the planet has to offer. We're hoping to rectify that today.
On a physical level, Moonstone is primarily a feldspar, interspersed with the usual minerals you would come to expect from similar silicates - aluminium, sodium, potassium etc. It is unique though, in that it typically forms with multiple other forms of feldspars, all interlapping with one another. Additionally, this process can happen in a variety of environments, it's not just restricted to igneous, but can happen in metamorphic or sedimentary locations. The end result is a gemstone with a very specific kind of adularescence, or shimmer, that is almost one of a kind. Samples are found literally all over the world, from Switzerland to Australia, from Mexico to Madagascar, but the specimens of the highest quality are found in Sri Lanka (sadly the purest, most transparent versions with extra shimmers of colour that were only found in Myanmar have all since been mined out).
There are also many versions of Moonstone.... Black Moonstone, found only in Madagascar.... Blue Moonstone, as well as Peach Moonstone.... Rainbow Moonstone, which is really a white form of Labradorite.... but today we're focusing on White Moonstone, the Moonstone.
On an energetic level, explaining Moonstone is like trying to describe what's it's like to be hit by lightning. Time stops, you're burning but not sure where from, and there's a rush of information flooding you that you can't process all at once.
To clarify that a little, Moonstone is most definitely and undeniably connected in a big way to the upper Chakras, to the Third Eye and the Crown. This I experienced for myself, when I took my first ever piece home, sat down on the edge of my bed, closed my eyes to concentrate, and felt a giant bolt of light burst through me, shooting upwards and out from the top of my head. It almost knocked me out, and to be honest was a little much. I felt quite light-headed and had to stop using it. It hasn't stopped me from manifesting, but it's not something you can just pick up and run with. It's taken patience and practice to use it every day since, step by step, and with each use the mind becomes a little bit more clearer.
This kind of sensation is one I've only ever felt from one other crystal, albeit to a lesser degree - Labradorite (and if you haven't caught our most recent write-up for Labradorite, head on over here). Which is ironic, since Labradorite is also a unique feldspar, and one that has helped many men awaken the light within. You might say that Labradorite is the dark male version, and Moonstone the lighter female variant. Or better yet, if Labradorite is for Kings, then Moonstone is most definitely for Queens, and it's little wonder why it is considered a crystal to help tap in to the divine feminine energy.
The key to Moonstone is its effect on energy flow - it pushes you to look inward in a very holistic way. To see fully, completely and clearly what's really going on inside. Focusing with Moonstone gives this sensation that the 'outside' has fallen away - your body, your job, your house, all the material things - and that all your focus is very much on the inner, the real 'you' sitting in there somewhere. With continued use Moonstone adds great emotional stability and the ability to be more logical, more simplistic in a way. To see things for what they are, without the coloured lenses of emotion but also without being emotion-less.
As a side effect you tend to find that Moonstone really helps when you're feeling lost, or not sure of what your purpose is on this earth, or what you're even capable of. It has a reputation as a 'stone of destiny', and this seems fair, as regular use of Moonstone reminds you of the feeling of having a positive nurturing parent over your shoulder, encouraging you to do what you're meant to do. It can have a very soft, soothing effect on the soul when you're generally in a bit of emotional unrest.
Moonstone is a crystal that has been requested so many times at our store in recent years, and we suspect it is because of its ability to help find the answers to the big questions. And people have questions. People it would seem also need more, more of a sense of.... authenticity would be the word, of the things that are real, that truly nourish us and keep us growing and evolving. Moonstone definitely helps to feel spiritually nourished, to give a sense of being complete, or on your way to being complete. It's a must-have tool for meditation, bringing a deep and comforting sense of tranquility, pushing aside the negative, to shut off the outside world. If Moonstone has been popping up on your radar, then it means it's time, time to drop the trivial and re-focus on the most important thing you can be - yourself.
