Thunderegg
By
Patricia J. Martin
In the true
tradition of Ostara where the fertility of rabbits and eggs prevail and where
the Goddess Eostre bursts forth from her hidden abode to begin
renewing the earth and fulfilling the promise of Spring, I found some very
interesting connections within the physicality and essence of a most
interesting stone called ~ the Thunderegg!
An often drab and uninteresting egg-shaped or spherical
stone with a matrix shell comprised of silica birthed within volcanic ash,
it's what is encapsulated inside of these natural wonders that
has captured the minds and hearts of collectors over the years and throughout
the world. When cracked open, the inside of the Thunderegg (called the
lens or window) is most often comprised of a beautifully banded,
moss or plume Agate, but can alternately contain Jasper or occasionally
Common Opal. When the two inner surfaces are polished, the
glorious configurations spring forth and truly come to life, usually in the
shape of a star or flower-like pattern - the most famous of the
"flowers" being the Priday Plume variety which were mined many years
ago on the Priday ranch in Madras, Oregon.
Star
Thunderegg
Priday Plume
Different from a Geode which is simply a hollow rock containing
crystal druse, the Thunderegg is a specific geological departure from the
norm and is filled solid with its inner mineral beauty.
They can range in size from less than an inch to four feet in diameter, with weight
ranging from less than an ounce to over a ton. Most of those
collected, though, are approximately the size of a baseball and weigh
between one to two pounds.
Oregon
Thundereggs
In myth, the Thunderegg was believed by the Pacific Northwest Native
Americans to be thunderous rock eggs thrown across the valley between two
mountains (specifically Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson in Oregon) by the warring Thunder
Gods whenever they became angry with or jealous of each other. Hence,
the English version of the Indian name "thunder eggs". Or,
as another story goes, they were thrown from the mountains by the angry
gods who were displeased with the humans there. Thundereggs are also associated
with the Norse god, Thor (known as Donner in German), the god of thunder.
Donner (Thor) calling upon the storm clouds, by Arthur Rackham to
Wagner's Das Rheingold
Found extensively in northeastern Australia, but also very
prolific in Oregon in the U.S. where they adopted it as their
state rock in 1965, Thundereggs are also found in Germany, Mexico, Canada,
France and various regions in Africa. These uniquely
constructed nodules were formed millions of years ago following volcanic
eruptions. As lava poured forth and began to cool, certain pools of it
became "frothy" and developed gas pockets. As this bubbling
brew was hardening, minute amounts of mineral-rich water seeped inside
each cavity where, later, as it slowly evaporated, it left behind traces
of silica or other minerals. These trace minerals then began growing
within the shell and, over time, filled the "egg"
solid with the Agate, Jasper or Common Opal we find there
now. It is commonly thought that through the growth process, the expansion
and contraction of the gases (that, or the drying out process) is
what created ruptures or cracks in the matrix which eventually became the
reason for the unique "star" patterns of internal mineral
growth.
Because the Thunderegg's beauty is held hidden within
until we crack them open, this aspect of the stone resonates with the
astrological Sign of Scorpio. Its stellar Agate insides work well with
Virgo and Gemini, both of which share Agate as one of their birthstones.
And because the Thunderegg is most often highly-collected in its duo form - the
two pieces of the split stone having its inside faces polished and where those two
facial designs appear identically mirrored to each other - it becomes an
excellent representation of the Equinox, the time of equal day and
night...a time of balance...and thus finds its connection with Libra and
its ruler Venus, the goddess of love. These two mirrored pieces
of one stone may be used in love spells or as a bonding talisman
between two lovers or friends. And therein lies yet another
connection with Ostara - a time of budding love, fertility and joyous renewal.
Thundereggs, by their very own surprise insides,
teach us how better to look within ourselves and appreciate our own
inner light and beauty, which it then prompts us to unleash and share with
the world. They push us to recognize that all creatures possess
this same inner beauty and light and that, though we may need
to search for it, it is always there. This makes the Thunderegg a
perfect catalyst stone for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, pushing us to jump
into Spring and to activate our Winter musings, insisting we now
bring out and release our very best! For those in the Southern
Hemisphere at this time, it will pull you inside yourself to bask in the beauty
there as you enter the Mabon harvest and prepare for Winter.
These marvelous "eggs" can also help ease stressful situations
and will aid us in finding joy and peace no matter where we are in the world.
Metaphysically, the Thunderegg is known to quell anger and
hostility in those who work with it. It also acts as a glue,
enhancing community cooperation and bringing people together to work for a
common cause. It brings stable progress and helps us put the right
thought together with the right action in order to manifest our intentions
properly and in the best manner.
Thundereggs are excellent for helping us reach and work with
the Other Realms and for providing a link to them, along with facilitating a
greater awareness for what we will gather there.
With the main lore connected to Thundereggs revolving
around the mythos of being a weapon of the gods or being attached to the thunder
of Thor, we can connect this hearty stone to clairaudience - its own
"thunder" creating an attention-grabbing way for us to hear and
discern what messages we are receiving from practically anything around us.
If you have trouble hearing or noticing opportunistic mystical guidance, a
Thunderegg can be a very helpful aid. If you feel your mind is very active
already and that you have no problem in receiving subtle messages, then I would
suggest saving Thunderegg medicine for another time. I personally haven't
used Thunderegg medicine very often, but I do own one that has helped me in
receiving Totemic messages, as I find the designs within the egg
often mimic the shape of whatever is trying to get our attention. For
example, I noticed years ago that my smallest Thunderegg contains the image of
not only the initial Squirrel I saw there, but also one of a Dolphin and a
Dove...each viewable as you turn the stone deosil. It is my "Work +
Play = Rejuvenation" stone.
The three sides of my egg ~"Squirrel" "Dolphin"
"Dove"
Thundereggs collected from Mt. Hay in Queensland, Australia,
have earned the nickname "Amulet Stones" and when polished on the
outer surface and placed under a UV light, often exhibit a shimmering
Spring green glow. They are carried for good luck and
protection. For other myth and lore connected to Thundereggs we can look
to the essence of its center, be it Agate, Jasper, Opal or other mineral.
Finding out what your "egg" contains will give you strong hint of
its additional powers. Since the majority of Thundereggs contain Agate in
some form, we can expect those to help us in the following ways: For eloquence
of truths, enhancement of perceptions, analytical prowess, and strength of
protection. For creative dreams, increased concentration, enhancement of
memory, and communication with all others. And for good
health in skin, bones, liver, spleen and stomach areas, along with balance to
the Nervous and Endocrine Systems.
But for however you use the versatile powers of your Thunder"egg"...may
the fertility and abundance of Spring and the hand of Eostre knock loudly
on your door!
Sources:
Love Is In the Earth, Melody
Cash & Treasures
with Kirsten Gum, Travel Channel
http://www.theearthstreasure.com/Thundereggs.htm
http://www.azbluerockers.com/catalog/Priday_Agate-26-1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor
Thunderegg, itself.
©
2010 Patricia J. Martin
Website: http://www.peacefulpaths.com/
Best wishes and Blessed Be
