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Ammolite Lore
Ammolite ~~ Ammonite ~~ Unearthed ~~ Misc Info ~~ Gem Stones ~~ Lore ~~ Rockhounds
I know there are a lot of beliefs and lore that surround ammolite. The Blackfeet have revered ammolite and included it in their medicine ceremonies. The only well documented lore is that of the buffalo stone.
I did have a conversation with one Blood who said that when he pledged his heart to his life partner that he gave her ammolite to wear near her heart, so they would always be in telepathic communication.
I have also heard that purple ammolite is supposed to ward off nightmares and that ammolite can be used to ward off the reoccurence of illnesses.
If you have more direct knowledge of the various lore that surrounds ammolite and would like to share it here, please send me an email.
Iniskim (Buffalo Stone)
The Blackfeet people include the Blood (Kainai), Pikuni (Peigan), and Blackfoot (Siksika). Various versions of this legend can be found in print and on the web. Versions told by Blackfeet storytellers are of course the most colorful and entertaining to read.
In general, ammolite represents wealth, abundance, good health, and stamina to the Blackfoot Indians. A buffalo stone (iniskim) is a very special and rare piece of ammolite shaped with 4 small bulges that represent front and back legs, such that it can be imagined to represent a buffalo. Its chief purpose is to bring good luck to the owner. It is held in high regard and used in spiritual ceremonies.
In some of the stories, the buffalo stone is said to have been first discovered by a Blackfoot woman searching for firewood through the snow of a particularly harsh winter. It was long before the Indians had horses. The buffalo had disappeared and there was no food. The woman heard beautiful singing and followed it to a stone that resembled a buffalo.
In other of the stories, the woman had a dream, in which she was instructed to go and search for the brilliantly colored, magical stone. After days of perilous travel, she found the stone hidden in the cave. She took the stone back to her people and followed the instructions she was given in the dream.
In either case, the stone claimed powerful medicine and the ability to communicate with the buffalo. It said that it was taking pity on her starving tribe and selected her as a humble person with good thoughts to take its message to her tribe. The stone warned her that its power was always announced by a strong storm that would look like a lone bull buffalo. The lone bull was never to be harmed - the rest of the herd would come after the bull had safely passed through the camp.
The holy men of the tribe allowed the woman to perform the ceremony, as the iniskim had instructed. They instructed their people to prepare for a strong storm and to allow the lone bull to go in peace.
The storm came. Those that did not believe and did not prepare watched as their tipis were blown away. No one dared to harm the lone bull.
In the morning, the storm was over and a large herd of buffalo grazed peaceably next to the camp. The tribe was able to bring down the animals it needed to survive. Everyone brought an offering to place before the sacred Iniskim.
Color, Energy, & . .
I’ve included this section simply because I found it interesting how many "belief systems" (for lack of a better term) incorporate color - most associating it with energy and energy flows stemming from light waves. Some of the Feng Shui sites place importance on the possession of ammolite, calling it the seven color prosperity stone or the Kirin stone. Their reasons may be different from the Blood Indians, but the result is the same. Ammolite represents prosperity & balance - good luck, good health, & abundance - all which I have personally experienced since ammolite came into my life.
I do not know enough about any of these beliefs to tell you much more about them. If you are interested in learning more, I would start with a search topic like "meaning of color" or "seven colors of prosperity" (also try using colours instead of colors). You will find all sorts of sites, talking about Feng Shui, chakras, astrology, metaphysical, spiritual, reflexology, natural healing, holistic healing, alternative health, color therapy, the Bible, etc.
One thing that surprised me was that I have always thought of a rainbow as 6 colors - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, & purple. All of these sites talk of the 7 colors of the rainbow - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (a color between blue and violet, sometimes called a purple blue), and violet. In fact, these 7 spectral colors were the ones listed by Issac Newton in the 1600’s when he described the rainbow produced by a prism. Each of the 7 spectral colors can be represented by a single wavelength of light, ranging from 700 nanometers at the red end of the spectrum to 400 nanometers at the violet end of the spectrum. Purple however is a mix of red and violet and is a combination of other light waves, rather than a single wavelength of light.
On the Miscellaneous Information page, I noted the difference between diffraction and refraction, which I found interesting based on the number of people that say they feel energy or vibrations from ammolite. I also find interesting the number of sites that caution that too much of a good thing becomes a bad thing - for example, red stimulates whereas an overabundance of red over stimulates, leading to rage and anger.
The sites/beliefs vary quite a bit on what they attribute to each color. Besides general emotions, many go into which colors are associated to which chakras, which planets, which ailments, etc. Most do seem to attribute these basic qualities to the various spectral colors -
Red - stimulates energy & passion
Orange - generates creativity
Yellow - stimulates wisdom & intellect
Green - stimulates growth & abundance
Blue - promotes peace, health, & harmony
Indigo - promotes dignity & integrity
Violet - promotes spirituality & meditation
If you would like more detailed information about these seven rainbow colors, you might start with Emily Gems Seven Rays of the Rainbow or Color Meaning, which looks at additional colors.
Note - some Feng Shui sites describe the seven colors slight differently - ruby crimson, fiery orange, amber yellow, emerald green, jade, azure and mauve. For Feng Shui, the combination of Red (especially Crimson), Green (especially Emerald) and Yellow (especially Amber) appear to be considered one of the most meaningful for ammolite.
So, -
~ Colors have different traditional meanings, depending on culture and other belief systems.
~ Colors impact on our emotions - exciting, calming, etc.
~ Colors are specific wavelengths of energy, except for purple, which is a mix.
~ Colors can be used to balance Qi (Chi)(life energy).
~ Colors can be used to balance nature’s elements - fire, earth, metal, water, and wood.
~ Colors are associated to chakras.
~ Colors are associated to planets.
~ Colors can be used in alternative treatments for ailments.
~ Colors can . . .
And colors can be just plain pretty!
Regardless of exactly why you like a color, you can find a vibrant representative of it in ammolite.
Ammolite ~~ Ammonite ~~ Unearthed ~~ Misc Info ~~ Gem Stones ~~ Lore ~~ Rockhounds
I know there are a lot of beliefs and lore that surround ammolite. The Blackfeet have revered ammolite and included it in their medicine ceremonies. The only well documented lore is that of the buffalo stone.
I did have a conversation with one Blood who said that when he pledged his heart to his life partner that he gave her ammolite to wear near her heart, so they would always be in telepathic communication.
I have also heard that purple ammolite is supposed to ward off nightmares and that ammolite can be used to ward off the reoccurence of illnesses.
If you have more direct knowledge of the various lore that surrounds ammolite and would like to share it here, please send me an email.
Iniskim (Buffalo Stone)
The Blackfeet people include the Blood (Kainai), Pikuni (Peigan), and Blackfoot (Siksika). Various versions of this legend can be found in print and on the web. Versions told by Blackfeet storytellers are of course the most colorful and entertaining to read.
In general, ammolite represents wealth, abundance, good health, and stamina to the Blackfoot Indians. A buffalo stone (iniskim) is a very special and rare piece of ammolite shaped with 4 small bulges that represent front and back legs, such that it can be imagined to represent a buffalo. Its chief purpose is to bring good luck to the owner. It is held in high regard and used in spiritual ceremonies.
In some of the stories, the buffalo stone is said to have been first discovered by a Blackfoot woman searching for firewood through the snow of a particularly harsh winter. It was long before the Indians had horses. The buffalo had disappeared and there was no food. The woman heard beautiful singing and followed it to a stone that resembled a buffalo.
In other of the stories, the woman had a dream, in which she was instructed to go and search for the brilliantly colored, magical stone. After days of perilous travel, she found the stone hidden in the cave. She took the stone back to her people and followed the instructions she was given in the dream.
In either case, the stone claimed powerful medicine and the ability to communicate with the buffalo. It said that it was taking pity on her starving tribe and selected her as a humble person with good thoughts to take its message to her tribe. The stone warned her that its power was always announced by a strong storm that would look like a lone bull buffalo. The lone bull was never to be harmed - the rest of the herd would come after the bull had safely passed through the camp.
The holy men of the tribe allowed the woman to perform the ceremony, as the iniskim had instructed. They instructed their people to prepare for a strong storm and to allow the lone bull to go in peace.
The storm came. Those that did not believe and did not prepare watched as their tipis were blown away. No one dared to harm the lone bull.
In the morning, the storm was over and a large herd of buffalo grazed peaceably next to the camp. The tribe was able to bring down the animals it needed to survive. Everyone brought an offering to place before the sacred Iniskim.
Color, Energy, & . .
I’ve included this section simply because I found it interesting how many "belief systems" (for lack of a better term) incorporate color - most associating it with energy and energy flows stemming from light waves. Some of the Feng Shui sites place importance on the possession of ammolite, calling it the seven color prosperity stone or the Kirin stone. Their reasons may be different from the Blood Indians, but the result is the same. Ammolite represents prosperity & balance - good luck, good health, & abundance - all which I have personally experienced since ammolite came into my life.
I do not know enough about any of these beliefs to tell you much more about them. If you are interested in learning more, I would start with a search topic like "meaning of color" or "seven colors of prosperity" (also try using colours instead of colors). You will find all sorts of sites, talking about Feng Shui, chakras, astrology, metaphysical, spiritual, reflexology, natural healing, holistic healing, alternative health, color therapy, the Bible, etc.
One thing that surprised me was that I have always thought of a rainbow as 6 colors - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, & purple. All of these sites talk of the 7 colors of the rainbow - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (a color between blue and violet, sometimes called a purple blue), and violet. In fact, these 7 spectral colors were the ones listed by Issac Newton in the 1600’s when he described the rainbow produced by a prism. Each of the 7 spectral colors can be represented by a single wavelength of light, ranging from 700 nanometers at the red end of the spectrum to 400 nanometers at the violet end of the spectrum. Purple however is a mix of red and violet and is a combination of other light waves, rather than a single wavelength of light.
On the Miscellaneous Information page, I noted the difference between diffraction and refraction, which I found interesting based on the number of people that say they feel energy or vibrations from ammolite. I also find interesting the number of sites that caution that too much of a good thing becomes a bad thing - for example, red stimulates whereas an overabundance of red over stimulates, leading to rage and anger.
The sites/beliefs vary quite a bit on what they attribute to each color. Besides general emotions, many go into which colors are associated to which chakras, which planets, which ailments, etc. Most do seem to attribute these basic qualities to the various spectral colors -
Red - stimulates energy & passion
Orange - generates creativity
Yellow - stimulates wisdom & intellect
Green - stimulates growth & abundance
Blue - promotes peace, health, & harmony
Indigo - promotes dignity & integrity
Violet - promotes spirituality & meditation
If you would like more detailed information about these seven rainbow colors, you might start with Emily Gems Seven Rays of the Rainbow or Color Meaning, which looks at additional colors.
Note - some Feng Shui sites describe the seven colors slight differently - ruby crimson, fiery orange, amber yellow, emerald green, jade, azure and mauve. For Feng Shui, the combination of Red (especially Crimson), Green (especially Emerald) and Yellow (especially Amber) appear to be considered one of the most meaningful for ammolite.
So, -
~ Colors have different traditional meanings, depending on culture and other belief systems.
~ Colors impact on our emotions - exciting, calming, etc.
~ Colors are specific wavelengths of energy, except for purple, which is a mix.
~ Colors can be used to balance Qi (Chi)(life energy).
~ Colors can be used to balance nature’s elements - fire, earth, metal, water, and wood.
~ Colors are associated to chakras.
~ Colors are associated to planets.
~ Colors can be used in alternative treatments for ailments.
~ Colors can . . .
And colors can be just plain pretty!
Regardless of exactly why you like a color, you can find a vibrant representative of it in ammolite.
Ammolite ~~ Ammonite ~~ Unearthed ~~ Misc Info ~~ Gem Stones ~~ Lore ~~ Rockhounds