Pressure, Heat, Changes, Catlinite

So what happens when great amounts of heat and pressure are applied? Stress ensues, of course. Crushing, gripping stress. If we don't fall apart from it, but persevere, we can be transformed into something different, something better, something stronger. It is through trials and tribulations that we learn about ourselves and grow a tougher outer skin, but hopefully stay sparkly on the inside.

After all, that is how diamonds are formed. At room temperature, carbon exists as "graphite" — the same substance that is in the middle of a pencil, soft and able to make pretty marks on paper. Intense heat and pressure, however, can compact carbon molecules into an amazing shape that happens to be the hardest substance on the face of the earth: the diamond. ^[source] It's astonishing what such heat and pressure can do!

In much the same way, ordinary clay (a type of soil) that becomes buried deep in the ground can be altered by heat and pressure to form something called mudstone. There are many different types of mudstones, and some of them can undergo metamorphosis into other forms, such as catlinite ^[4], which is relatively easy to carve with a knife. Catlinite has been used by Native American peoples, at least since 1500 B.C.E.^[2], most notably for carving special pipes that are used in religious ceremonies for smoking blends of sacred tobacco. As such, it is sometimes known as pipestone. ^[2]

"As pipestone and pipestone pipes became sacred, many tribes believed that the smoke from these pipes carried one’s prayers to the Great Spirit."  ^[2]

Personally, I see this as no different than the lighting of incense in Buddhist and Hindu temples, the lighting of candles in Christian churches, or the impromptu memorials that are erected at the scene of tragic events. Even without the metaphysical belief in the power of candles, incense, offerings, and sacred tobacco to accelerate prayers to divinity, the setting aside of certain things as 'sacred' seems a characteristic of cultures around the globe.

Catlinite exists in various quarries all over North America. It can be found in several provinces and territories of Canada as well as several states within the United States. One quarry in particular, located in the US state of Minnesota, has been incorporated into a protected parcel of land called Pipestone National Monument. To be able to utilize the quarry, one must be of Native American ancestry and enrolled into a registry to prevent overuse of the mine. ^[4]

Because of the different geology of each region, all the quarries have slightly different versions of catlinite. Some are a little softer while others are harder. Some have the more-common reddish coloring, while other varieties are black or greenish. Some of them look different in 'raw' form –versus– after they've been carved. More information about all of this can be read → here ^[4]

This charming little turtle was carved from catlinite. The artist who carved this piece is Patrick Wallace. He is a rather prolific carver, as I've seen his work online for many years on various sites. I procured this piece perhaps 15 or 20 years ago from an online shop, and a recent check shows that he is still producing carvings for sale alongside other artists from the Zuni Nation.

This piece is beautifully carved from a chunk of pure catlinite. The source of this catlinite specimen was not given in the shop, but I suspect it may have originated from a quarry in Utah (US) since the carver lives in neighboring Arizona (US). There are beautiful etchings on the turtle's back, filled-in with stippling. The turtle's two eyes and one spot on the center of the back were hollowed to accommodate a small inlay of pure turquoise. I think the turquoise inlay adds a lovely touch to the finished carving and makes it even more special!

"The turtle is believed to be the oldest symbol of Mother Earth and longevity."  ^[3]

Since the turtle is a symbol of Mother Earth, then I like to think of the turtle's arms and legs, splayed as they are, represents the cardinal directions east, south, west, and north, which figures heavily into some of the First Nations' spiritual views. ^[1] The colors and significance of the Four Directions (or Six Directions, if 'up' and 'down' are included) varies slightly from culture to culture, but one example is that of The Meaning of the Four Directions in Native American Culture which discusses the Lakota viewpoint.

"The sale of pipestone and pipestone pipes is not without controversy. Some Native Americans believe that selling pipestone in any form to the public disregards the stone’s sanctity. Others believe that selling pipestone is acceptable, and point out that the sacred stone has been traded for centuries."  ^[2]

Although I have no Native American blood in my veins, I hold great respect for the culture, beliefs, and traditions of the First Nations' people. One shop that I frequently visited many years ago sold books pertinent to many different cultures and religions. One book that I examined on two or three subsequent visits to the shop was a compendium of Native American wisdom, with quotes by many Native American leaders through the years. The lady who owned the shop walked past me on one visit, paused, then turned back to me. She gently took the book from my hands, closed it, and held it out to me in a manner of loving presentation, and said, "This was you, once. It is yours." I have often thought of that gesture of kindness over the years, and treasure the gift she gave me that day. So, rest assured, that the catlinite turtle is also safe in my hands and being reverently respected for its multitude of sacred symbolism, same as the book.

Patrick Wallace carved his name onto the bottom of the piece, along with his designation as a member of the "Zuni" Nation. I'm not sure what the little mark beneath "Zuni" means, but perhaps it is a mark to indicate the year in which he carved it, or perhaps it is a dedication of some sort, known only by him.

Anyone interested can see more of his work, and that of other Native artisans at:
http://www.twodogssouthwestgallery.com/artists-represented.asp