Patheos

BuddhistCatholicContemplativeEvangelicalGeneral ChristianHinduJewishLatter-day SaintMuslimNew VisionsProgressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Patheos

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Sacred Illuminations

Sacred Wisdom Stones

Last updated on: October 1, 2012 at 1:12 pm   by Dana Reynolds

Sacred Wisdom Stones 2012-10-01T13:12:30-06:00 Dana Reynolds

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Sacred wisdom takes many forms.  There is the ancient sacred wisdom of the early mystics such as; Hildegard of Bingen, the Beguines, St. John of the Cross, and the Desert Fathers and Mothers.  Poetry also yields sacred wisdom and poets like; Rumi, Rilke, LaLa, Mary Oliver, Adrienne Rich, and Jane Kenyon inspire our spirits.  Sacred texts including the Bible and other books of holy wisdom from many traditions provide fuel for our souls and guidance for our lives.

These sources of sacred wisdom nourish seekers in countless ways.  But have you ever considered who the sacred wisdom-keepers in your personal life might be.  Who are the teachers, friends, acquaintances, family members, and others throughout the years who have blessed you with guidance and spiritual sustenance?  Are there people you’ve never met who are either living or deceased that you find inspiring? Historical figures, artists, musicians, spiritual leaders, even fictional characters from your favorite books all of these sources hold the potential as sacred inspirational wisdom-keepers.  Perhaps certain animals, particular seasons of the year, or colors or symbols inspire you.  Who are the muses and mentors for your creative interests? Think of the cast of people who influence you, who guide and support you, who animate and offer you incentive.

Spend some time journaling about this topic.  List the people you’ve known and any others who have had a positive impact on your life’s journey. Additionally, list elements from nature and creation including pets and other creatures that lift your spirit or inspire your soul.  You may want to make a collage expressing your “Circle of Sacred Wisdom-Keepers” using copies of personal photos combined with images torn from magazines.

Another creative form of expression to represent your Circle of Sacred Wisdom-Keepres is to create a set of sacred wisdom stones. See the photo at the top of this page by Amy Betrand as an example. Sacred wisdom stones are small glass stones with a picture depicting what or who offers you wisdom or guidance for your spirit/creativity.

How to create your Sacred Wisdom Stones:

Materials:  You’ll need a bag of glass stones (quarter size or larger).  These are available in the floral department of your local craft store and they’re inexpensive.   You’ll also need liquid glue that will dry crystal clear.  Elmer’s glue works fine but it takes a while to dry.  Diamond Glaze or clear Tacky Glue work well for this project, also available at most craft stores.

You’ll also want to choose an acrylic craft paint in your favorite color (metallic gold, bronze, copper, or silver works nicely for this) and a couple of disposable foam brushes.   The paint will be used to color the back of your stone as a finishing step.

Gather images from magazines and copies of photographs of the people, places, animals, things in nature, etc. you want to represent on your stones.  Don’t cut a portion of the image to fit the stone.  This will be done later.  Leave the whole image intact.

Put one drop of glue on the bottom of a glass stone and place it on the selected portion of your image.  Let the glue dry completely.  This may take several hours.  When the glue has dried place the photo or magazine page with the attached stone on a piece of thick cardboard or a cutting board.  Using an Exacto knife trim away the excess image.  Sharp scissors also work well for this step.

Next, when the glue has dried completely and the image has been trimmed away, you’re ready to paint the back of the stone.  Use a small amount of paint (2 coats works best) to cover the back side of the glued image.  Let your stones dry throughly.

You may keep your stones in a glass jar, a fabric pouch, a basket, a box, or other container.  When you find yourself working through a life question or challenge or beginning a creative project…. look through your stones for the wisdom-keeper(s) whose wisdom will most benefit you.  Meditate on their particular wisdom and draw forth courage, compassion, perseverance, and other qualities that you need to work through a given situation.

Journal with your sacred wisdom stones for inspiration.   There’s no limit to how many stones you can make.  This can be an on-going sacred practice for years of enjoyment.

Sacred wisdom comes in many forms.  Embrace the wisdom-keepers of your life and honor them for the blessings they bring.

 

 

Uncategorized

Previous Post



September 16, 2012

Patterns for Authenticity

Next Post



November 3, 2012 Sacred Circles of Women: From the Cave to Online


Browse Our Archives

Select a Category altars ancestors creativity journaling prayer retreat sacred memories sacred practice sacred wisdom spiritual practice Uncategorized writing

Select a Month May 2018 April 2018 February 2016 March 2015 January 2015 September 2014 August 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 December 2013 July 2013 May 2013 March 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011




TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the Hebrew title for Psalms, "Tehillim," mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Prayers Wisdom Poems Praises

Related posts from Sacred Illuminations

New Visions

Sacred Ancestral Wisdom

Sacred Illuminations

New Visions

The Soulful Scribe

Sacred Illuminations

New Visions

Sisterhood: The Beguines Inspire a Women's Community for...

Sacred Illuminations

New Visions

Spiritual Sisterhood

Sacred Illuminations

TRENDING AT PATHEOS New Visions

Did Prayer Cure His Cancer? Or Was It...

At 4 AM one morning, Joshua W. Brown’s wife awoke to a...

8 Ways a Near-Death Experience Rewires the Soul

Does Consciousness Survive Physical Death? After 50 Years of Research, Dr. Raymond...

Holy Longing: What Our Restlessness Is Telling Us

“One can find so many pains when the rain is falling.” -John...

The Making of a Dumbass

  What this is NOT about.  This blog is definitely not about...

Who Told You That?

Who said the Israelites were God’s chosen? That’s right, they did. Who...

The Spirit World Is the Real World: God...

A Monk’s Wisdom on Body and Spirit I sit with Brother Martin...

view all New Visions blogs

Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Copyright 2008-2026, Patheos. All rights reserved.

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube