nature spirits and geodes

[asakiyume]

In the past in Timor-Leste, and perhaps still now (I didn't have the ability or opportunity to talk to anyone about these sorts of things, during my visit there), it was said that geodes are often homes to nature spirits. Such geodes are called foho matan--stone mountain eyes.

If a person finds a geode in the wilderness, they can expect a nature spirit to visit them in a dream and offer them a special relationship--benefits and blessings in return for service. If the arrangement suits the person, then they take the stone to the place it asks the to take it and build an altar there. The spirit, in turn, becomes the person's guardian.

Sometimes, though, the spirit in the geode won't be interested in establishing a relationship. One village told the ethnographer:

If I take home a stone that is [sacred], when I dream that night, the spirt comes to me and says, "My name is Miguel [or whatever name it claims to have]. I am a [sacred] stone. You must put me back!" In the morning when I awake, I return the stone to its original place."
--David Hicks, Tetum Ghosts & Kin: Fertility and Gender in East Timor (Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, 2004 [originally published 1976]), 40.

Whenever I've seen geodes in the past, I've always thought of the crystal caves that imprisoned Merlin--the geodes seemed like miniature versions of those caves. Now, if I see a geode, I'll wonder if it's the home of a nature spirit.

Comments

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love that. Geodes are so awesome and filled with beauty. It's only natural that they contain a spirit, don't you think?

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I do!

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Much better to think of them as homes than prisons!

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

*Very* good point.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Both homes and prisons are residences, right?

Also, this lovely post reminded me of this image:

[athenais.livejournal.com]

I totally believe spirits would make a home in a geode. Such a lovely palace.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

I think that's an image that will stay with me too now. But how exactly does one find a geode anyway?

[amaebi.livejournal.com]

Antique air, at the very least.

[amaebi.livejournal.com]

...were it not for dreams.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

That is *magnificent*! It's like outer space, like the night sky all glittering with stars!

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Yes, sparkling eggs, that hatch something very remarkable.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I don't know how one tells what sort of rocks will be geodes! Apparently there are lots of them in Timor-Leste, though.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Yes, what a cool thought!