HISTORY OF WIND CHIMES

A Brief History of Wind Chimes

Wind chimes have a long and varied history.  As one of the world's first musical instruments, wind chimes have long been known for their soothing, meditative and sometimes earthly sounds.  As a result of their unique sound, wind chimes have served as a way of shaping the ambience of natural settings.

The wind chime can trace back almost 5000 years.  The first evidence of wind chimes, found at archaeological sites in South East Asia, dates them to about 3000 B.C.  Primitive constructions of bone, wood or bamboo, stone or shells, the earliest wind chimes were used to ward off evil spirits.  By 2000 B.C. the wind chime had been developed independently along the shores of the Mediterranean and was being cast in bronze by the ancient Egyptians.

It wasn't until around 1100 B.C., when the Chinese started casting bells, that the wind chime found its more modern, musical and artistic evolution.  Highly skilled metal workers created the forefather of the wind chime, a clapper-less bell called yong-zhong, which was used as an accompaniment for religious ceremonies.  After that the Chinese developed what is essentially the modern wind bell, called the feng-ling.  This they hung from the eaves of shrines, temples, pagodas and in caves as wind bells are considered religious talismans, to repel evil demons and ghosts and attract benevolent spirits.  This practise was adopted in the secular world and wind chimes became common adornments in the home as a way to protect against spiteful supernatural influences.

 

The use of wind chimes in the home spread from China to Japan and from there to the western world in the 1800's when Asian art, design and philosophy started to show a distinct influence in Europe and America.  The practise of feng-shui helped to spread the knowledge of a wind chimes calming and balancing influence in the home.  An ancient system of using arrangement maximize the flow of life energy, or Chi, feng-shui often uses wind chimes as a means of shaping an environment and influencing chi.  The tones and materials of a particular wind chime can affect energy and change the mood and feeling of a living space. 

From uses in pagodas to ward off evil spirits to their employ by ancient Celtic tribes as a means of tricking their enemies into thinking the woods were haunted, the wind chime has had long and diverse role throughout history.  In its modern incarnation the wind chime is a wonderful accent to any home or garden.  The soothing tones echo the music of the breeze and bring a relaxed, meditative feeling to an environment; creating a place of peace and balance.

Silver Wind Chime with Crystal Ball
Black Wind Chime

CLEANSING GEMS AND CRYSTALS

Cleansing Gems and Crystals of Negative Energies

Gems and crystals come from the earth.  They are alive. They are mined by hand or machine, and are removed from the earth to be used for many different purposes.

When gems, crystals, or rocks of any type are in the earth, they are exposed to earth energies including magnetic energy fields and electric energy fields. 

For example, when lightening strikes the earth, it sends enormous amounts of energy into the earth, and the gems, crystals and rocks within it.  Molten lava pouring out of an active volcano, the heat and minerals within it and how it affects the energy within its range of influence.

All planets, including the Sun, the Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Pluto, Saturn, and all other planets, stars, and energies in the Universe influence the energy of gems and crystals.

It’s important to remember that gems and crystals are alive.  To remain alive and energized once removed from the Earth, gems, crystals, and objects made from elements taken from the earth, need to be cleansed and energized on a regular basis.

Gems and Crystals Attract and Absorb Energy:

Your gems and crystals basically anything around you, or on you, can attract positive and negative energy and hold that energy unless the object is cleansed. 

Suggested Methods for Cleansing Crystals and Gems:

The following are methods for cleansing crystals and gems. These methods can also be used to cleanse other objects.  I try to keep my gems and crystals exposed to the sun and moon on an ongoing basis.

The Sun and Moon:  Place your gems & crystals in a place where they will be fully exposed to the energizing rays of the sun and moon.  Even if the day is cloudy or you cannot see the moon, their rays will energize the stones as long as they are directly exposed to these elements of nature.  They will normally be cleansed within 24 hours of exposure.

However, stones such as black tourmaline which are being used to deflect negative energies or help release negative energies in your physical and energetic bodies, may require up to 48 hours to become fully cleansed and regenerated.

Stones such as aquamarine and amethyst will fade in the sun so you will have to use another method for cleansing and regenerating these gemstones.

The Earth:  Place your gems and crystals in the earth, either directly into the earth or you can place the gems and crystals into a cloth, preferably a natural fabric such as cotton or wool or silk.  Leave the gem or crystal buried for at least 24 hours to ensure that they become fully re-energized.  If possible, find a spot where the soil is not being spread with chemicals through fertilizers or pesticides.  This cleanses all negative energies and re-energizes the stones.

Smudging With White Sage:  Take some white sage and begin to burn it until a good strong smoke is coming from your sage.  Hold the crystal or gem, in this smoke for at least one minute.  This clears all negative energies that have become attached to this stone but does not energize the gem or crystal.  To re-energize the stone, place it in a window so it can be exposed to the rays of the sun and moon.  Remember, they re-energize even when it’s cloudy.

Running Water: If you live where you have access to good clear well water that is guaranteed to be free of chemicals, or running water from a creek or river that you know is not polluted, place your crystals and gems in a small container, and let the water run over them, for at least two hours.  This will cleanse and re-energize your gems and crystals.  Please do not use tap water, since it is full of chemicals.  Be careful though because certain stones will actually dissolve in water, e.g. Red Selenite.

Whatever methods you choose, treat your gems and crystals with tender and loving kindness.  These stones can do so much to heal at all levels including the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual levels.  They are magical gifts from the Universe and we need to treat them with respect and gratitude.  If you no longer want to keep a crystal or gem, take it outside and bury it so it may return to Mother Earth, from whence it came.