In this article, I’ll be discussing the meaning of petrified wood, including where it came from, how it was formed, and what are its healing properties. I’ll do my best to be as in-depth as possible, given that this stone’s formation was quite unique among others. I’ll also include other info that may be helpful in your crystal journey, such as cleansing and charging it, some stones you might know that are actually Petrified Wood, and the best gemstones to pair it with.
Petrified Wood Meaning
Petrified Wood is essentially fossilized plant material. The word “petrified” comes from Greek petra, which means stone. These types of crystals basically mean wood that turned into stone. It’s also called fossilized wood, Agatized wood, and silicified wood.
Where does petrified wood come from?
Petrified wood can be found all over the world, from the Americas to China, Indonesia, and Africa.
One of the most famous localities where petrified wood can be found in the Petrified Forest National Park, in northeastern Arizona, United States. It’s filled with large log-like objects, which are essentially stones made from ancient wood. This place was believed to be a dense forest a long time ago when trees were enormous and the region was abundant with prehistoric life.
Years passed, and sediment containing volcanic ash buried the fallen trees and preserved them as petrified wood. In this park, the most common petrified wood are silicified logs that came from Araucarioxylon arizonicum, a conifer tree that’s now extinct. It’s also interesting to note that there was evidence of past civilizations have once existed in the Petrified Forest National Park, based on the artifacts collected inside its boundaries.
Besides the one in Arizona, there are also other petrified wood forests in many parts of the world, such as in Italy, Greece, and Argentina.
However, even though this place is abundant with fossilized wood, it’s illegal to collect petrified logs. In fact, in many public parks, collecting petrified wood is prohibited. There might be places though where obtaining these stones is allowed, so know the rules first before taking a piece of these stones. It’s best to ask permission first from the park administrators, or if it’s private property, from the land owner if you can collect fossilized wood specimens.
Petrified Wood Characteristics
Most petrified woods are quite heavy since it’s made of a variety of minerals. And while petrified wood is commonly found all over the world, those that can be used for lapidary purposes are rare. What’s even rarer is gem-quality petrified wood, which is why it’s prized by collectors.
Petrified wood can come in all shapes and sizes. Some, are made from quartz, calcite, chalcedony and agate. The others are filled with opal, hence it’s called “opalized wood”. This is also the reason why the Mohs hardness can vary. Opal is softer than quartz with as low as 5.5 hardness on the Mohs scale. So far, the hardest petrified wood may be around 8 in the Mohs scale, which toughness is comparable to that of a topaz.
Petrified wood can be found in many colors, ranging from yellow, brown, and red, to gray and black. This variety of shades is due to the difference in mineral composition. For example, petrified wood rich in carbon can be usually found in gray and black colors. Meanwhile, other minerals can produce beautiful and more vibrant color patterns, including blue and green.
As a crystal healer, it can be helpful for you to know that petrified wood may have different uses and effects, depending on the color and mineral composition. All types of petrified wood are powerful healers but chose one that speaks to you. Feel its energy so you may know if it is the kind of petrified wood you need.
How does Petrified Wood form?
Hundreds of million years ago, large trees fell down on water and got buried in sediment or volcanic ash. Due to a process called permineralization, the organic matter in these plants was permeated and replaced with silica and minerals. These minerals can be either calcite, chalcedony, quartz, opal, or even a combination of the above.
The extraordinary creation of these stones has allowed a once-living plant to be perfectly preserved in crystals. The woody structures and cross-section of tree bark can still be observed on the stone, sometimes including insect and clam borings.
However, the wood’s organic structure–the cellulose and lignin–were long gone, and all of these are just the minerals that replaced and emulated it during the long process of permineralization.
Not all trees of course get silicified, of course. The process is difficult and takes millions of years. Moreover, there are specific environmental conditions that must be met for wood to get fossilized. And even though it succeeded, it’s still up to time and the earth itself if the stone survives in such a perfect condition. These ancient stones have seen it all, from the dawn of humanity to the rise and fall of many civilizations. For them to still exist in our time is a marvelous thing indeed.
As such, one can say that the formation of these crystals is miraculous, which is the reason people are awed by this crystal for a long time and many believed that it possesses healing properties. Not only to the physical body but to the mind and soul as well.
Petrified Wood Meaning
As I’ve mentioned in the early parts of this article, petrified wood symbolizes time and change. It can also mean resilience during moments of tribulation and trouble. Likewise, it’s also a stone of transformation. It can guide and heal you when there are upheavals and disruptive changes that are happening in your life.
Petrified wood is the universe’s way of saying that though things may change, others–the ones that matter the most–will remain constant. It means that amidst the turbulence, you will weather through the storm and be reborn anew.
Petrified Wood Uses and Benefits
Petrified wood has innumerable uses and benefits. Because of its high versatility, it can be used as jewelry and ornament. Decorative pieces from petrified wood range from clockfaces to tabletops. Having one sitting on your shelf, table, or kitchen counter is also a great choice.
More importantly perhaps is that petrified wood is believed to have many benefits for the body, mind, and soul.
It’s said to be helpful for people who are stuck in time, who have a hard time letting go of the past, or self-restriction that no longer serves them. If you limit yourself to the rules of the past, then it may impede your growth. Similarly, if there are traumatic experiences that caused you to fear change and progress, this crystal can be a gentle reminder that all things will come to pass. Old things will be replaced by new, and yet these are necessary for our spiritual evolution.
As jewelry, it can be worn to stabilize emotions and bring calmness to your mind. Vexations to the mind are an everyday occurrence, and this crystal can act as a support to keep our inner peace.
As an ornament, it can be placed inside the house as a decoration to bring harmony to your home. It can quell disputes, calm anger, and relieve anxiety.
Outside the house, it can also serve to attract vibrations from earth and nature. As a stone that has lived through the ages, it reminds us of the past when nature reigns all. It helps us remember that there are things larger than ourselves, our worries and fears. If you feel disconnected from nature and the environment, this stone can help you reconnect and replenish your soul.
As healing crystals, it has benefits for the bones, the cells, and other systems of our body. It also can heal deep emotional and spiritual wounds that we may have carried over from our past lives. Moreover, it’s a great grounding stone that can be of enormous help to you during meditation and even when trying to access higher realms.
Below, I’ve listed the benefits of this marvelous crystal. Petrified wood is easily obtainable, and with its number of uses, it will be a great addition to your crystal collection.
Crystal Health Disclaimer
While crystals have been used throughout time to heal medical and emotional ailments, the information in this blog is not to be taken as medical advice. Additionally, you should always follow the advice of medical professionals per their diagnoses. Crystal healing should only be seen as supplemental.
Petrified Wood Physical Benefits
Petrified wood is believed to aid in relieving pain related to the bones and muscles. It’s also helpful in healing inflammation and detoxifying the organs in our body. Furthermore, it can slow down the aging process.
Remember though that crystals should only serve as a complementary form of healing. Always prioritize seeking medical attention first for any signs and symptoms of an illness.
Here are the benefits of keeping a petrified wood with you:
Petrified Wood Emotional Benefits
Petrified wood brings tranquility and harmony not only to oneself but to everyone around you. This is why petrified wood isn’t only good as a meditation stone or worn as jewelry, but it can also serve as a beautiful and beneficial ornament around the house. It calms down chaotic energy, diffuses anger, and promotes peace in the home.
Here’s the list of the emotional benefits that can come from petrified wood:
Petrified Wood Metaphysical Properties
Petrified wood is also known for its metaphysical uses. It can help heal traumas and wounds we have carried over from our past lives. If there are unresolved issues that we had during our previous existence in this world, this ancient stone can help us face them bravely and resolve them with wisdom. It’s also believed to facilitate a connection to the higher realms, and may even help you open the Akashic records, which might prove helpful if you are trying to resolve past life issues. Here are the best spiritual uses of this stone:
Petrified Wood Meditation and Grounding
With its high vibrational energy, petrified wood is an excellent stone to use during meditation. It helps you feel more grounded to the Earth.
To meditate with this stone, find a tranquil place to sit or lie down in your home. You can wear this stone as a necklace or bracelet. You may also hold it while you meditate. As long as you are near this stone and it’s in a favorable position for you, feel its loving and calm energy as it speaks to you. You may meditate with this stone for as long as you like.
This crystal also works great on grids.
Petrified Wood Chakras
Petrified wood connects strongly with the third-eye chakra and the root chakra. Here are what you may experience when you meditate with this crystal:
Types of Petrified Wood
Because petrified wood can differ according to how they were made, one can assume that each crystal is somehow unique. The plant it came from can vary from tall, coniferous trees such as ancient pines to grass-like ones like palm trees. The environment where it was formed and the minerals it has can also lead to varying results. Thus, even though people have tried to classify petrified wood in the past, doing it would be quite difficult. Similarly, petrified woods may have a different energy from one another.
However, identifying their characteristics is still doable. It may help you to know which petrified wood can assist you in your crystal healing. So, here’s a quick guide to differentiating petrified wood:
According to its mineral composition
Petrified wood can be classified based on the mineral that it contains. These are the most common crystals in a petrified wood:
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Opal
Opals are highly colorful, vibrant stones that are said to promote vision, intuition, and insight.
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Quartz
Quartz is an extremely versatile crystal. It amplifies the energy of other stones as well as helps in healing ailments on the body, soul, and mind.
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Agate
Agate is also highly versatile. It has many uses, including promoting inner calmness as well as balancing the mind, body, and spirit.
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Chalcedony
Chalcedony brings balance and harmony to oneself. It promotes inner tranquility and absorbs negative vibrations.
According to color
Below is the list of the most common petrified wood colors and a little description about each of them:
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Yellow-Red-Brown
Petrified woods of this kind mostly contain iron oxides.
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Pink-Orange
Petrified wood of this kind usually has manganese in them. If the stone’s color is closer to orange, it has manganese oxides.
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Green-Blue
Petrified wood of this kind may have chromium, cobalt, and copper.
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Gray-Black
Petrified wood of this kind is carbon-rich, at other times it may also have manganese oxides.
There are very rare petrified wood that has quartz clusters inside them. Inside these special petrified wood, minerals like amethyst and citrine have crystalized to form a beautiful gem within a gem.
Some crystals are actually a kind of petrified wood. Here are some of them:
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Louisiana Palm Wood
This type of petrified wood is unique because it’s actually not made from “wood” but actually from palm trees. Palm trees aren’t exactly trees because their trunks are made up of fibrous material with a plant’s vascular system. If you find a Louisiana Palm Wood stone, you may notice etchings that mark the vascular system of the palm tree.
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Peanut Wood
This type of petrified wood is mostly found in Australia. It’s been called such because of the lens-shaped marks that cover the stone. This is due to the holes bored by clams which got preserved in the crystal. This stone can help you feel safer, grounded, and at home on this planet, rather than just a spirit trapped in the material realm.
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This enigmatic-black brown stone is also another type of petrified wood. It’s said to be helpful to people dealing with grief and depression.
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Wood Opal
Since this type of petrified wood was petrified with opal, it has a distinct sheen and vibrance. At first glance, it may appear like wood, due to the perfectly preserved swirls and patterns of the tree to it once belonged to. With the help of opal, the stone becomes brighter and aesthetically pleasing.
Petrified Wood Crystal Combinations
Petrified wood works well with other stones that energetically connect with nature. It may also be paired with other grounding stones or crystals that help in past-life healing. Here are some of them:
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Chiastolite is a highly protective stone that can deflect negative energies. It can also act as support in times of transition and whenever you are facing difficulties in life.
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Moldavite also works great in healing past life traumas. It also helps you adapt quickly and may even help in slowing down the aging process.
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Moss Agate balances our emotions and brings calmness to our inner world. It’s also strongly connected to the Earth, which is excellent for grounding and meditation.
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Peridot is associated with nature, rest, and tranquility. It may also act as a shield against harmful energies.
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Malachite can shield you from harmful toxins and pollutants. It’s also a healing stone that is deeply connected to nature. It’s also a stone of transformation.
Charging and Cleansing
Cleansing your petrified wood is essential to keep it free from negative energy. In cleansing your crystal, avoid using soap because it might damage the stone. Here are some of the most effective ways to purify your petrified stone and charge it:
Conclusion
Petrified stone is a testament to how powerful time can be. Just as this crystal changed with the course of time, so is everyone and everything on this planet. Yet, despite the difficulties we face in dealing with spiritual and physical transitions, this stone can help us welcome these energy shifts more easily. This stone will act as our mentor.
Likewise, you may also want to pay a visit to a petrified wood forest as part of your spiritual healing. There are many petrified forests in the world. However, a piece of this crystal is also more than enough. I hope this in-depth guide about petrified wood will help in your journey.
