Howlite is a beautiful white stone that represents the spiritual qualities of stillness, tenderness, and open-mindedness.
It is named after Henry How, the scientist who brought this crystal to academic awareness in 1868 after finding deposits of the crystal in Nova Scotia.
However, the stone has received other names as well, most recently Snow Leopard Stone, for its resemblance to the fur of the beautiful large cat of Central and South Asia – and likely because these beautiful creatures also make a striking howl.
As with all white sacred gemstones, Howlite can bring peace and clarity of mind – its black lines, however, signify that the mind is still at work, focused, not shut off.
Its relation to snow makes it a crystal of the winter months when the bodies of mammals enter into either full or partial hibernation. This process is integral spiritually; it provides the soul and spirit the energy they need to continue their important transformative works.
Let Howlite guide you in the process of slowing down physically while maintaining full spiritual and mental awareness.
It is in these times where your inner snow leopard can complete the hunts it needs to, not of prey, but negative habits, thought patterns, and energies.
Howlite is a crystal of compassion, as well. Its texture is soft and reminds us that in all things that we do, to do so with gentleness. This includes actions we take with others, but more importantly, the actions we take with ourselves.
As you are undergoing your spiritual transformation, no matter what stage of your process you are in, Howlite provides the example of the snow leopard with its strength and focus, but also of the soft, white fur that it carries with it wherever he or she goes.
Similarly, each of us can carry the softness of the spirit when making transformations in our life, remembering to treat ourselves gently because significant changes take time and do not happen overnight.
Finally, Howlite contains the spiritual quality of open-mindedness.
This functions perfectly with compassion, as open-mindedness allows all ideas and thoughts to come together inside of us without judgment. As you encounter new challenges, arguments, ideas, persuasions, you can consult your Howlite crystal, which gently asks you to investigate each of these with gentle, loving paws.
Not all ideas and thoughts that come to us are beneficial, but if we approach these without open-mindedness, we produce the poison of judgment inside of ourselves, which can only bring further pain and discomfort.
Instead, treat every day and every challenge as a new guest who has come to stay with you in your life for a little while. Entertain them and ask them questions. If they are favorable for your life, they are more than welcome to stay, but if they prove not to be positive for you, then kindly escort them out.
Properties of Howlite
It’s usually a white or light grey opaque and porous stone with grey, black, or brown veining that looks much like a spider web. It’s often dyed green or blue to resemble a Turquoise, or red to look like a Coral.
Howlite is also known by the names White Buffalo, Sacred Buffalo, Lapis Howlite, White Turquoise, Silico Boro Calcite, and Kaolinite.
Howlite can most notably be found in Canada, specifically in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick. But it can also be found in the USA, Russia, Germany, Mexico, Namibia, Pakistan, and Turkey.
How To Care For Howlite
Howlite is a soft stone that can easily be scratched. It’s very vulnerable to chemical cleaners, and even acidic perspiration.
Always use lukewarm and soapy water to clean your Howlite jewelry. Dry it with a soft cloth or a piece of cotton to remove any soap or water residue.
If you have a dyed Howlite, don’t immerse it in soapy water. Make sure that you wrap your Howlite jewelry in a soft cloth and store it in a box or pouch where it will not get scratched, bumped, or crushed.