Fossils can be found in nearly every part of the earth, though for some reason, they’re often overlooked by crystal healers who are perhaps lacking the knowledge of all the fossil stone benefits they’re missing out on! Perhaps it’s because they often lack the bright colors and glittering, gemmy appearance of many crystals…or perhaps it’s because many crystal workers are unsure of how to work with them. Whatever the reason, it’s time to change that, because incorporating fossils into your crystal work can be deeply rewarding and fulfilling.

Though the types of fossils vary, they do share a set of energetic qualities whether they’re plant or animal fossils, no matter the mineral type. Individual fossil types have added properties, but all fossils share the following qualities:

Common Healing Properties of Fossils:

• Enhances your connection with nature and its flora and fauna
• Promotes journey work
• Facilitates access to your past life memories
• Enhances communication with your guides
• Promotes energetic protection
• Connects you to your ancestors (familial, spiritual, land spirits, etc.)
• Facilitates grounding
• Connects you with the energy of the Earth element

If you’re interested in developing a relationship with fossils, here are a few of my favorites to explore…

Top 5 Fossils for Crystal Healing:

#1 – Ammonite Fossils for Crystal Healing

Of all the fossils I’ve worked with, Ammonites may be my favorite. They’re a type of cephalopod and their spiral formation evokes a mystical quality that humans have been attracted to for thousands of years. Ammonite fossils are particularly beautiful, and the best are found in Madagascar, England, and Peru. There are various legends and folklore surrounding Ammonite fossils. For example, in England, people referred to Ammonites as “snake stones.”

The story behind this is that St. Hilda of Whitby (614-680) prayed for dangerous snakes to be turned to coiled stones, in order to clear the land for a convent (other versions of the lore say St. Hilda turned the snakes to stone to protect the nuns at Whitby Abbey). People believed these “snake stones” to be holy, or at least lucky, and wore them as charms, often with a snake head carved at the end. One genus of ammonites is still known as Hildoceras in the saint’s honor.

Properties of Ammonite Fossils:

• Promotes acceptance
• Facilitates spiritual journey work and inner work
• Enhances your connection with Goddess energy
• Facilitates past life recall
• Enhances your present moment awareness
• Facilitates animal communication
• Assists with receiving guidance from your ancestors
• Promotes grounding
• Enhances your connection to Earth energy and nature
• Aids in recalling your dreams or uncovering past life memories
• Assists in developing a regular meditation practice

Learn more about Ammonite Fossils here.

#2 – Belemnite Fossils for Crystal Healing

Also known as Thunderstones, Belemnite Fossils are records of a type of squid-like Cephalopod that inhabited the earth from the Triassic period until the Cretaceous period. The “cone” is the most common fossilized portion of the creature, and they’re often found in a sort of bullet- or horn-shaped fossil.

Properties of Belemnite Fossils:

• Aids in decision-making
• Encourages you to take action
• Promotes mental clarity
• Assists with enhancing focus
• Enhances your connection to your inner voice
• Facilitates the process of receiving intuitive guidance

#3 – Echinoid Fossils for Crystal Healing

Echinoids are fossilized Sea Urchins that go by many colloquial names depending on their specific shape. According to Kenneth McNamara, some of the names used to describe them include Thunderstones, Shepherd’s Crowns, Sheep’s Hearts, Bishop’s Knees, Fairy Heads, Fairy Loaves, Chedworth Buns, and Snake’s Eggs. My favorite name for them is “Fairy Loaf” because they really do look like tiny little loaves of bread. In rural England, Echinoid Fossils were used as protective talismans, good luck charms, and magical wards.

Properties of Echinoid Fossils:

• Promotes nurturing and care
• Facilitates connection with your spirituality
• Enhances feelings of peace and calming
• Promote a feeling of lightness when you’re surrounded by heavy or negative energies
• Facilitates a connection to the energy of the Water Element…

Elemental energies shape the world and guide our spiritual practice. By working with fossils, you can access these ancient forces and bring balance, empowerment, and connection into your life. That’s why I created the Fossils for Elemental Magic Course—a beginner-friendly journey into the magic of Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Spirit.

In this course, you’ll explore how fossils act as conduits for elemental energy, empowering you to align with nature’s forces in your rituals, divination, and healing work. Perfect for those seeking to deepen their connection to the natural world, this class offers both practical techniques and spiritual insight.

Course Materials Include:

• A 30-minute video on fossils and elemental magic.
• Printable slideshow notes with key teachings and techniques.

Are you ready to uncover the timeless wisdom of fossils and the elements? Enhance your spiritual practice and unlock elemental energy with the Fossils for Elemental Magic Course!

#4 – Fossil Coral for Crystal Healing

Fossilized Coral is one of the most diverse fossil types you’ll see. Coming in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, these fossils represent a huge group of different organisms. Some of these Corals are millions of years old and are visually fascinating. Some of my personal favorite fossilized Corals are from Michigan in the USA and are known as Petoskey Stones.

Properties of Coral Fossils:

• Promotes vitality and life force energy
• Facilitates community connection
• Enhances creativity
• Encourages love
• Enhances your connection with nature
• Promotes feelings of relaxation
• Assists you in gathering wisdom and drawing on life lessons
• Instills courage and bravery (especially when facing new and unfamiliar things)
• Facilitates a connection to your ancestors (familial, spiritual, land spirits, etc.)

#5 – Petrified Wood for Crystal Healing

Petrified Wood is created when minerals replace the organic molecules in the plant material, capturing its structure in stone (typically Agate or Opal). This fossil is incredibly grounding and helps you with your emotions. Petrified Wood also supports you as you work to create more stability in your life with things like your career and home life to your spiritual practice and your connection with nature.

Petrified Wood facilitates the development of persistence and assists you in overcoming obstacles that may be blocking your path. This stone helps you accomplish things by reminding you to take things one step at a time.

Properties of Petrified Wood:

• Enhances grounding and stability
• Promotes motivation
• Enhances energetic shielding and protection
• Facilitates a connection with the Earth Element
• Promotes creative problem-solving skills
• Encourages you to take responsibility for your actions
• Assists with past life work
• Helps you establish a connection with the nature spirits (especially tree spirits)
• Facilitates access to ancient wisdom and ancestral guidance
• Helps you get focused and set a balanced pace for your day
• Instills patience
• Facilitates transformation and growth
• Strengthens feelings of willpower

Learn more about Petrified Wood fossil stone benefits here!

Home is where the heart—and magic—live. By tapping into the energy of the hearth and the ancient wisdom of fossils, you can infuse your kitchen and home with sacred warmth, protection, and intention. That’s why I created the Fossils for Hearth Magic & Kitchen Witchery Course—a journey into the enchanting traditions of hearth magic and culinary spellcraft.

This course teaches you how to turn your kitchen into a magical sanctuary, using fossils as powerful tools to ground and protect your space. From creating a kitchen altar to charging your tools with intention, you’ll learn how to weave magic into everyday life.

Course Materials Include:

• An hour-long video on hearth magic and fossils.
• Printable slideshow notes with comprehensive class teachings.

Highlights: Learn the mystical properties of fossils, transform your cooking into sacred rituals, and create an environment of abundance, warmth, and protection in your home.

Want to bring ancient magic and hearth energy into your spiritual and domestic practice? Start your journey with the Fossils for Hearth Magic & Kitchen Witchery Course today!

Sources & Further Reading:

• Cadbury, T. (2021, April). Collecting English Magic: Materiality, Modernity, Museums. https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/277365951/PGR_submission_Cadbury_Tabitha_1155090_combined.pdf 
• McNamara, Kenneth J. The Star-Crossed Stone: The Secret Life, Myths, and History of a Fascinating Fossil. The University of Chicago Press, 2011.
• National Museums Scotland. (n.d.). Snakestones. https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/natural-sciences/fossil-tales/fossil-tales-menu/snakestones/ 
• Saint Hilda’s College (Oxford). (2020, February 14). St. Hilda’s college: A history. Issuu. https://issuu.com/sthildascollege8/docs/st_hilda_s_history 
• Wikimedia Foundation. (2024a, May 12). Belemnitida. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belemnitida 
• Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, May 18). Hilda of Whitby. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilda_of_Whitby 
• Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, November 25). Petoskey Stone. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petoskey_stone

Tune into the Crystal Confab Podcast Episode #29, all about Ammonite & Fossils!

Join Adam Barralet, Kyle Perez , Ashley Leavy and Nicholas Pearson in Episode #29 of the Crystal Confab Podcast as they do a deep dive into Ammonite & Fossils meaning, including:

• Kitchen witchery & Fossils
• Opal and Fossils combining to make Ammolite
• Horns of Ammon, Avalon connection and Ammonite

Listen now for a deeper look at Ammonite & Fossils meaning!

Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!