Obelisk — Red jasper · 5 cm

An obelisk with even faces, polished along every edge — a form inherited from Egyptian architecture, where it marked the passage of the sun.

A dense, entirely opaque brick red, sometimes veined with brown or cream.

What tradition says. The builders' stone in tradition, it is credited with endurance and grounding; it is associated with the root chakra.

Use & care. It sits as well on a bookshelf as on a ritual tray; its verticality alone creates a visual anchor. Dust with a dry cloth. Sharp edges mark if knocked.

• Jasper is a siliceous rock whose color comes from hematite; it can contain up to 20% foreign material.
• Indicative size: 5 cm
• A natural piece: shade, veining and dimensions vary from one example to the next

A decorative object for personal practice. It is no substitute for medical advice or treatment.