VIKINGS, JAREDITES AND NAVIGATION CRYSTALS

Well, copying is the best form of flattery.  This is one from Deila Taylor who is a fan of Hugh Nibley who pointed out that the vikings may have used some form of navigation similar to what the Jaredites had.  If you remember my recent post, a gal talked about her association with her personal seer stone.  Many people run from this topic - I seem to find a complete fascination with it.  Some time in the future, I will share my theory of where diamonds come from - its not where you think.....

Read on:

Friday, February 11, 2011

Vikings and Crystals, Jaredites and Crystals

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Did Vikings use crystals for navigation? 

This is the news. I read it in several places:  The History Channel and Scientific American.

Some researchers have suggested that the crystals of the Viking sagas, the mystical magical stones that were white and translucent, may have had some valid use -- that maybe all this talk was not myth and legend. 

They think it had something to do with navigating the seas when it was an overcast day, without the sun beaming down. These crystals were called sólarsteinns, or sunstones and it is believed that by light polarization they could detect the position of the sun. Researchers have been duplicating this possibility with success. From 900 to 1200 AD these Scandinavians cruised the high seas. 


And may have used magical stones.

The Book of Mormon has a story about crystals and seafaring vessels.

Its one of the favorite Book of Mormon stories -- the brother of Jared goes up to the mountain-top and moltens out of rock, some crystals to take on the barges to cross the waters. He says the crystals were illuminated by the hand of God to give light in the barges. 

Of course, this is not the exact same use of crystal stones that is hypothesized for the Vikings. But the idea that seafaring people used crystals for something--navigation or light is now surfacing in more places than just the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith.

It is funny how much ridicule Joseph Smith received about the shining stones and Hugh Nibley has a great article about this, called Strange Ships and Shining Stones.  Nibley writes that other ancient legends talk of  "a perfectly transparent crystal and called in the Indian sources (which are the fullest) "Moonfriend," and Jalakanta. The last term is significant, for it means "that which causes the waters to part,"

In the Scientific American article, one scientist, "Keller says he is "totally open" to the idea that the Vikings also used sunstones, but is waiting for archaeological evidence. "If we find a shipwreck with a crystal on board, then I would be happy," 

There are believers in the unseen, people of faith. And then there are unbelievers, and unless they actually see, they cannot believe.


I am a believer in the unseen.

... the brother of Jared, (now the number of the vessels which had been prepared was eight) went forth unto the mount, which they called the mount Shelem, because of its exceeding height, and did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass; and he did carry them in his hands upon the top of the mount...And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea. (Ether 3)