Moqui Marble

Encounter with Moqui Marble (commonly known as the Shaman Stone)

This happened when I stayed for about two weeks in a town called Helper in Utah. It was right in the middle of the desert—very hot, with dry winds blowing through.

One day I stopped by a rock shop in town. In the section for stones from Utah, Moqui Marble stood out with a striking presence. It sat there as if it had been waiting—solid and imposing.

Unexpected charms of a small town

By the way, Helper has a surprisingly enjoyable museum. A man named Tomojirō Asahara came to this town in 1905; he worked as a photographer and was involved in railroad construction. The museum displayed many precious items related to him and lots of artifacts that conveyed the town’s history.

Right in front of the rock shop you can see a “balance stone,” a form uncommon in Utah. While this shape is often seen in Arizona, in Utah it’s a special, beloved landmark called a “balance stone.” You might be able to spot it from the road from Utah to Denver, but it’s easy to miss, so watch for it.

The power of Moqui Marble

Now, on to the Moqui Marble.

When I talked with a staff member inside who was using a pendulum to test something, they said this stone is made from Navajo Sandstone, its surface is covered with hematite, and it’s composed of black, ball-shaped iron oxide. It’s said to have formed from layers more than 220 million years ago.

It is said that various peoples, including Native Americans and the Aztecs, have long used it in rituals and magical practices. It’s not flashy, but when you hold it, it has an unmistakable presence that feels extraordinary.

Following the clerk’s advice, I tried meditating holding the ‘male’ stone in my right hand and the ‘female’ stone in my left.

Deep, deeper, deep… I had the sensation of my consciousness gently sinking. It was as if I briefly understood why Native Americans used this stone in their rituals.

“You need to act more calmly!”

I even felt as if I were being scolded in Tosa dialect (?), in a way. It was strange, but my mind grew calm and I felt a strong grounding, as though my feet were firmly on the ground.

Some practical notes

By the way, Moqui Marbles currently litter Utah’s national parks…taking them without permission is prohibited! Even if you think no one is watching, you must not forget to respect nature.

The one I got this time was 5 cm in diameter and weighed 160 g. It has a solid presence, perfect for deep meditation. Since it’s made of iron, it’s a grounding-type stone like hematite, tourmaline, or onyx.

When you hold it for long periods while meditating, it fits so closely it can transfer the stone’s scent to your hand. You can feel a connection to nature in the palm of your hand—it’s that kind of experience.