Whole of earth held
between finger & thumb,
rubbed well as if to show
what offering of relief
the world has to offer
if only we get close
enough to feel.Jacqueline Suskin
Worry stones are perhaps incorrectly named as they are not meant to bring worry but rather take it away. When or where someone realized that our worries could be lessened by the simple act of rubbing on a small stone has been lost but the practice may have started in ancient Greece where small stones, polished by the sea, were believed to alleviate fear and anxiety.
The use of small stones in meditation, prayer or stress relief has been a part of many cultures. Native Americans believed stones were the “first people” and “the primal source of all things.” They often carried small stones in pouches and passed them from one generation to another as a symbolic link to their ancestors.
Prayer beads or “worry beads” are common in many cultures.
Also known as palm stones, worry stones are small enough to hold comfortably between your thumb and index finger or in the palm of your hand. Rubbing the stone and focusing on staying calm is believed to decrease stress.
Worry stones are also used in cognitive behavior therapy in an effort to replace more harmful self-comforting habits, such as nail biting.
During the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages, similar stones, known as ‘thunderstones’ were thought to protect people and homes from being struck by lightning and preventing ships from sinking.
Lower Paleolithic bifaces (Thunderstorms)
They are made from a variety of stones, from river rocks to semi-precious gemstones. Some are carved with mantras and positive messages, while others are plain. Commercial worry stones tend to be uniformly sized and shaped, but any stone that is small enough to be held in your hand will work.
Making your own worry stones can be just as therapeutic as using them. Find yourself a stone you like, then get creative! Below are just a few examples you can use for inspiration. (Click on images to enlarge).
“Little do the keepers of these worry stones realize they are practicing the ancient tradition of transferring their problems to an inanimate object. The recognition of stones as objects of power continues uninterrupted from the dawn of humankind into the 21st century.”
Gary R. Varner
Sources: The New Age Source
Grove and Grotto, All About Worry Stones
The Folk-Nature of Sacred Stones, Gary R. Varner