Fairy Stones? Just what are Fairy Stones?

Stone crystals composed of iron, aluminum and silicate, known as Staurolite, when formed become two basic shapes. The Hexagonal, or six sided stones are known as single crystals. When two single crystals intersect they form the shape of a cross, either at right angles as in the Roman or Maltese Cross or at a forty-five degree angle to form an X shape known as the St. Andrews.

An exact combination of heat and pressure caused the formation of the staurolite crystals during the formation of the Appalachian Mountains. Mineral deposits surrounding the crystals is known as schist. The Staurolite is harder than the shist and less easily weathered causing the more resistant crystal to become uncovered. These stones are found in many places of the world, but only in pockets. One of these pockets is located in Stuart, Virginia and are call Fairy Stones following a Cherokee legend.

“The Cherokee lived in what is now called Southwest Virginia and considered this pocket of land sacred and the legend of “Fairy Stones” is thought to be over 2,00 years old. It involves “The Little People” what we know as Fairies or Brownies. The Little People lived in caves and in the forests. They were about two feet tall, long black hair and spoke the language of the Native Americans. It was told it was they that taught the Indians about medicine and brought messages to the people. They were friendly, lively, and most helpful, though could be mischievous. This is the Cherokee Legend of Stone Crosses:

Early one day long ago form time out of memory the people of a Cherokee village awoke and faced east to say their morning prayers to the creator in heaven (Ga-lun-la-ti). In the distance could be heard the cry of an owl, a sign of possible death and bad luck. The eastern sky began turning many colors and looked as if a storm was coming. Indians from other villages joined them and there was a feeling of sadness. Soon, the Little People (Yun-wi T-suns-di) appeared. They spoke first to the Tribal Elders and then to all who had assembled.

They told the story of both greatness and sadness. Many years ago, a new star (No-t-lu-si) had appeared in the eastern sky beyond the big salt water. A special child had been born to a tribe chosen by the creator. He had grown into a man of wisdom and taught his people the ways of the creator. He was a man of kindness and brought strong medicine (Nu-wa-ti) to his people. Although he taught purity and harmony with the creator, he had many enemies who would not hear his message of peace. They would not believe his medicine made sick people well. Thus, on this day, they would torture and kill this wise man and he would walk towards the night land (death).

As the sky grew dark, the Indians sang a death song to honor this beloved man of peace when they called the son of the creator. The animal nations of the forests soon came and stood by them. Because of their great sorrow, the Cherokee began to cry. Their tears soon covered the ground. When their weeping had ended, they looked down and their tears had been changed into small stone crosses. For the Indians, the cross design had always represented the cardinal points or the four directions. Now, it had a new religious meaning. The creator (E-do-da) had heard their prayers and songs and had given them a sacred gift. The Cherokee kept these stone crosses and always honoring them. The place of the stones becoming a place of tears and prayers.”

In 1768, the Cherokee were forced under the Treaty Of Hard Labor to give up their lands for the settlement of white man. The Little People are said to still be there though few see them as they hide from most.  The land of the Fairy Stones eventual became as it is known today, Fairy Stone State Park. If you go there, to the place of the Fairy Stones, listen carefully and you may just hear to voices of long ago. 

This is but one version of the Legend Of Fairy Stones, preserved by the Chiltoskey family of Cherokee, NC. The park offers this and and a more abbreviated version. Regardless of how one feels about the legend it is a lot of fun to go and hunt Fairy Stones. Unbroken ones are getting harder and harder to find and we were fortunate to find the pieces we did. Below are examples of the different type stones.

2 singles, broken St Andrew, broken Roman, and a Maltese.
These are among the many we were fortunate to find.