Sam - our crystal skull
This page introduces you to Sam, our clear quartz crystal skull, who was the catalyst for the grounding, connection and awakening of the artwork, known as "The Stranger" (see link to separate page). You will also find some of my thoughts on the purposes for which modern skulls are being created today, and the reasons behind their making.
This particular crystal skull was purchased in the autumn of 2008 along with other items, including two more skulls - one in rose quartz, another in silver jet - for our Inner Light Crystal Sales site just two months before the awakening occurred (pictures at end of this page). On a factual level he is 6" long x 4.5" wide and tall and is carved from Brazilian Clear Quartz. He has some internal fractures and inclusions, including some of iron and some of chlorite. Although fascinated by carved skulls and their esoteric history, on a personal level I had never felt particularly drawn to keep one (finding them rather macabre, if I am honest!) but had been asked to look for some by customers who wished to work with them. The jet skull now has an excellent home with a friend who is a skilled shamanic practitioner and crystal light-worker. The rose quartz skull has been claimed by a strong Feminine presence and is now working with another friend who is a dedicated Earth-keeper and healer.
As a bit of a joke (luckily he seems to have a sense of humour) I nicknamed him "Duggery" (skull-duggery - get it?) when he first came home. However following Alison's temporary bonding session with him he came out of his shell and I feel now that he will stay with us, at least for the foreseeable future. Again, it may be that he will wish to work with the painting and people that come to see it. As a temporary measure he told me that he is "Samadhi"* and that I can call him Sam! I feel that at some point his true name and purpose will be revealed.
*Following his words to me, I then researched the word "Samadhi" and found that it is a Sanskrit word - literally meaning "putting together" or "uniting". In Hinduism samadhi is seen as a state of profound concentration or absorption resulting in perfect Union with God. In Buddhism samadhis are numerous modes of concentration believed to ultimately result in higher spiritual powers and the attainment of enlightenment, or Nirvana. In view of how he worked with Alison and the work to which he will now be put, I think he has given a very appropriate name.......
Some Observations on Modern Crystal Skulls:
At first thought, carving a crystal into the form of a skull might seem somewhat at odds with the positive esoteric purposes to which crystals are usually put. Perhaps the skulls might be regarded as rather "creepy" or macabre - perhaps they remind us of dark magic, horror, death or decadent rites. However when we step beyond our initial impressions we might see that the shape that the crystal has chosen to be made manifest in simply and literally shows humanity stripped back to the "bare bones" of who we are. It is as if we look into a mirror and are confronted with our mortality - yet we are also reminded of what we are as physical beings and of our innate capacity for exploring the nature of our reality through learning and understanding. Our physical body is simply a temporary housing - a vehicle through which our consciousness is given the opportunity to learn and grow, and as such our physical skull is primarily a container for our brain, which is the centre for our reasoning, functioning and direction. Here are seated our eyes, ears, nose and mouth - our most important sensory organs and the means through which we make sense of the world around us and communicate our thoughts and feelings. In turn, I feel that each crystal skull that is carved today also has the potential to be a receptacle - a place wherein a Being, energy or consciousness may choose to place themselves in order to work with or through its human Keeper.
Traditionally the Ancient crystal skulls were formed from quartz - usually clear quartz - yet the new skulls carved today may be found in a huge range of materials, perhaps reflecting the current varied and wide-ranging needs of humanity. I believe that at some level each mineral or crystalline material that is selected to be shaped into the form of a skull will have chosen to do so as a part of its destiny and its work with and for humanity and our planet. It is rare for modern skulls to be carved from a terminated crystal, being usually shaped from large blocks of massive or crystalline material - the size of the block required as a starting point being nearly twice the mass of the finished product. The nature of the material from which the skull is carved as well as its size (although size is not always important!) will need to have a resonance with the Being or consciousness that will choose to connect with it, and likewise with the person who is drawn to claim it as its Keeper, whose inner self and purpose at that time will also need to resonate with or be reflected in the properties and vibration of that mineral or crystal.
Each crystal skull is a profound amplifier of intent and as such, once awoken, their nature and the nature of their work will depend greatly upon their Keeper - what that person has to offer to the world; what their pathway is; what the main thrust of their work is at that time; the level of Power and vibration they are capable of working with; and also how they live their life, whether righteous or not. I believe that this means that each skull forms a deep bond or energetic link with its Keeper and the resonance and direction of its energies will therefore reflect those of the person with whom it has formed that link. This places a huge responsibility upon all those who have stepped up to be a Keeper or guardian for one of these skulls, as it is equally possible for the focus of a skull to be directed towards a positive OR negative purpose - minerals and crystals having an innate consciousness, but not a conscience. I further feel that the Being, energy or consciousness generally enters the skull AFTER the Keeper has stepped forwards to claim it, having formed a decision to do so dependant on the appropriateness of the Keeper to work with that particular Being, energy or consciousness.
It seems to me that the Being, energy or consciousness does not permanently occupy the skull, or "live" within it - rather that the skull makes its connections and then acts as a relay station between the Being, energy or consciousness and the Keeper or user. To draw an analogy we may see that the skulls perform a function similar to that of a radio set that is tuned to a specific frequency and - just as with a radio - the "sound" (information etc.) comes THROUGH the skull, which is not in itself the source of the "sound". This may mean that the energies working through the skull might change as the Keeper changes their energy or vibration, or that at some time it will be appropriate for the Keeper to pass guardianship of the skull and its energies to a new Keeper. Whatever the case, all those who are contemplating acquiring a crystal skull should know that in doing so they will be asked to take on the duty of being a skull Keeper and will need to fully appreciate and understand the commitment they are making, which should include working with the skull and the energies it channels in a positive and respectful manner.
