TThey call it rockhounding. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s like a bloodhound sniffing out the good stuff. Or hounding in the relentless pursuit—since most rockhounds are, admittedly, fanatics. But to me, the term feels a little silly. I prefer rock hunting.
There are different kinds of rock hunting, but I’ll save that for another time. For now, in short—some types feel like a treasure hunt. Digging, hammering, smashing. Hard work. But I’m more of a leisurely rock hunter. I prefer the walkabout approach, searching for hidden treasures resting on the surface rather than buried deep. In the rockhounding world, they call these surface stones “float.”
Even though these rocks sit atop the earth, free for the taking, they’ve been weathered by time. Covered in a tough outer crust. Think of the most severe case of eczema—scaly skin hiding the soft, smooth layer beneath. Or, if you prefer a more grotesque image, a thick, bumpy, infected toenail. That’s the rock. Rough, sun-bleached, mud-caked, scarred. But if you know what to look for—a hint of ruddied red, a peek of mustard yellow, a speck of deep green barely visible through the grime—you might just find something extraordinary hidden inside. Sometimes there’s a small chip in the stone, revealing a glimpse of the beauty within. Other times, nothing about it stands out, yet something about it feels different, intriguing. And once it’s cut or tumbled, what’s revealed is often more breathtaking than I could have imagined.
I think about people while hunting for stones. Life has a way of weathering us. Hurt, rejection, criticism, ridicule, trauma, betrayal—each one adding another layer of callous. We toughen, hide our brightest colors, protect what’s underneath. But just like with stones, if you look closely enough, you can often catch a glimmer of light shining through even the most hardened person. And if you acknowledge it, nurture it, give it time and patience, that light can grow. The rough edges can soften. The colors can emerge.
Tumbling a rock to its polished form doesn’t happen overnight. Neither does opening a person.
Appearances can be deceiving. Some of the most breathtaking crystals are hidden inside the plainest, dullest grey stones. I try to remember that when I look at people.
Sacred Totems 