Today I’m going to open a discussion about sacred stones and the seeming importance of stones especially used in rituals from the very ancient to the modern day. All the major religions have stones that they revere – one day I’m going to do a series and discussion about that - but for now we’re going to look at one the most notorious of artefacts: The Stone of Scone or as it’s also known as The Coronation Stone or The Stone of Destiny or the Tanist Stone, and in Scottish Gaelic, clach-na-cinneamhain.
The Stone has been used in coronation rituals specifically for Kings of Tara in Ireland, monarchs in Scotland at Scone Abbey and monarchs of England in Westminster Abbey most recently at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953.
The Stone is an oblong block of red sandstone which is 660mm by 425mm and 270mm in height and weighs 152 kilograms. It has a roughly incised cross on its surface and an iron ring at each end aids with transport.
You can see Queen Elizabeth sitting on top of it at her Coronation in 1953 at 'The Crowning Ceremony' moment on this historical video.
Here is a documentary about the Stone which says that it's an elaborate and extremely dangerous hoax concerning the British people but whatever the truth is about the Stone it is revered by occultists and could have mystical powers as some believe it does.
Below is a chart of the history of the stone and explains its significance.
While it’s true history is uncertain the Blarney Stone, like Jacobs Stone, is said to have been one and the same with, or at least related to, the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny or Coronation Stone. The infamous rock is thought to have been used by the Kings of Tara in Ireland, and as a coronation stone of the monarchs of Scotland in Scone Abbey, and later, by the monarchs of England, in Westminster Abbey. Blarney Castle’s claim that it’s stone is related to the Stone of Destiny remains to be confirmed, yet one thing is certain; it is one of a long tradition of sacred stones that were said to bring prosperity to those who encountered it.
- Andrew Gough
Coronation Chair and Stone of Scone. Anonymous Engraver. Published in A History of England 1855
References
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_of_Scone
Image - https://tudorbrasil.com/2015/08/26/o-trono-de-coroacao/
Quote- http://andrewgough.co.uk/stones/
Image chair stone - https://www.quora.com/what-is-the-name-of-famous-stone-or-rock-time-possessed-by-royal-family-allegedly-kept-near-the-throne-or-elsewhere-by-the-royal-family
Stone close up - http://www.redicecreations.com/winterwonderland/stoneofscone.html
Stones Historic Line Image - http://asis.com/users/stag/stone.html
YouTube Video from user Pedrcymro29 -
YouTube Video from user Acolyte Morningstar -