shungite

Properties of shungite

Shungite is a very curious stone. Since it is not recognized as a mineral species in its own right by the International Mineralogical Association, the formation of this atypical mineral of organic origin dates back more than two billion years.

The exact circumstances of shungite's formation are shrouded in mystery. Some attribute its formation to the sedimentation of plankton and other primitive microorganisms. Others believe it to be the remains of meteorites originating from a destroyed planet called Phaethon. Furthermore, this planet is thought to have harbored carbon-based life forms. Another, somewhat less fascinating, theory suggests that shungite has a volcanic origin, given that it binds together the structures of magmatic rocks.

Another fact that adds to the mystery of shungite is that it is only found in a single deposit in the world, located in Russia.

Shungite History

The name Shungite comes from the name of a small town in northwestern Russia, on the shores of the White Sea, called Shung'a. The history of the stone begins in the 16th century with a story about the miraculous properties of shungite. Besides the local inhabitants who used the stone for therapeutic purposes for centuries, it seems that a Russian aristocrat of the time, suffering from infertility, conceived a child after a stay near a shungite deposit. The child later founded the Romanov dynasty, which ruled Russia until the Bolshevik Revolution.

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Another story that recounts the virtues of shungite is attributed to Peter I, or Peter the Great, the famous Russian tsar. It is said that the monarch ordered shungite stones to be placed in his soldiers' water to remedy dysentery and other illnesses suffered by his army. Toward the end of his life, the tsar supposedly founded a spa near Petrozavodsk and used this water to treat his epilepsy and uremia.

Benefits of Shungite

Those knowledgeable about stones and lithotherapy attribute many physical benefits to shungite. Applying the stone to a painful area is said to be enough to gradually eliminate the pain.

Thanks to its anti-infective properties, shungite could be a good way to fight certain viral and bacterial diseases and to stimulate the body's natural immune defenses. Furthermore, shungite is believed to promote deep and restorative sleep, particularly due to its effect on brain waves (Delta waves). Another recognized characteristic of shungite is its ability to neutralize harmful radiation emitted by electronic devices.

On a spiritual level, shungite's action on the root chakra facilitates grounding. The stone is also said to have a powerful effect on all the other chakras, thus promoting centering and consequently opening the channel between the earth and the universe.

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Those who practice meditation will find shungite a valuable ally in dispelling negative influences and superfluous thoughts that could hinder spiritual growth. A necklace with a shungite pendant stimulates the heart chakra and strengthens the connection to inner wisdom.

There are differing opinions on whether shungite needs to be purified. Some insist it needs to be purified because of its ability to absorb negative energy. Others, however, believe the stone doesn't need to be purified due to its resistance to negative effects. The only point of agreement seems to be that this stone doesn't need to be recharged.