In preparation for this summer’s solstice, my pagan nature inspired me to visit Charlie's Rock Shop at Abbey Mills in Colliers Wood which is a must for those in search of unusual rocks, minerals and fossils and crystals, the prices are reasonable too.
It’s pure therapy just running your fingers through the baskets of tumble stones, old favourites such as rose quartz, amethyst and moonstone are mixed in with the latest finds such as ruby in fuchsite, a stunning combination which encourages the heart energy and the head energy to merge; yes please to more of that particular vibration entering our lives!
Charlie’s Rock Shop came into being 18 years ago when Charlie combined his retail skills with the desire to trade something that would be beneficial to others. His background is scientific rather than spiritual but his respect and fascination for nature’s stones is obvious. Grinning, he admitted to keeping a smokey quartz close by whilst undergoing comprehensive surgery some years ago. His recovery is complete, thankfully. Interestingly, my crystal reference book states that one particular value of this stone provides a barrier of energy around the user, blocking negative frequencies. Who knows how the aura is affected by anaesthetic, I think Charlie did the right thing.
Carved angels, crystal buddhas and skulls fill the shelves along side recently discovered stones. Charlie explained that certain newly discovered stones are only available for short periods, until their seam has been exhausted. I did not know that the crystal world is cyclical, perhaps Mother Nature is one step ahead of us and releases new stones with particular energies when they are most needed.
After touching and feeling nature’s gems for at least half an hour, I still dithered about which stone to choose for this year’s solstice gift. For years friends and I have travelled to a small stone circle near Oxford to welcome the solstice sunrise, a ritual of mine is to leave a small stone for mother nature, call me crazy but this ritual makes me feel connected and happy.
Somewhat spaced out by all the delicious stones, Charlie’s assistant Theresa came to the rescue and offered me a huge bowl of strawberries, I needed something to bring me back to earth. Theresa’s timing was perfect, smiling she empathised with my spaced out state admitting that at times she felt the same way. Charlie grows strawberries at home for his family, no doubt Mother Nature has bestowed green fingers upon him as a reward for creating the Rock Shop.
Charlie and his staff (they have all been with him forever!) have created something special, ok it’s a business that offers good quality stones some of which are unusual but this column is about the Alternative View. Charlie provides a service whereby crystal lovers have access to a huge variety of stones, he strives towards making the most recent finds and the unusual pieces available to us all. When you buy a stone at Charlie’s, it’s more sacred than making some common purchase. It’s bartering the legal tender for a piece of Mother Earth. Thank you Charlie!
A trip to Abbey Mills is a child friendly, easy parking day out offering an arts and crafts market, gift shops and cafes. Nearby the River Wandle has a working watermill which runs a potters wheel. In summer, lazy Friday evenings can be spent listening to live jazz. The author and broadcaster Cassandra Eason is available 4 times a year for private readings which can be booked through Charlie.
Charlie's Rock Shop
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A Piece of Mother Earth
This page was last updated: 5/11/2008
