A main attraction in the Byron Shire is the Crystal Castle. Our Airbnb was just down the road from it and visiting this Shambhala Garden was on the top my list of things to do. I’ve already addressed our trip in my Day Trips from Byron Bay post, but here is further look inside!
After you pay your entrance fee you are first greeted by this small castle. There are all different kinds of crystals in the spaces and top of this small structure.
As you first enter the Shambhala Gardens you will see a Peace Stupa lined with Tibetan Prayer Flags. To protect against negative energies, you are to walk clockwise around the stupa 3 times and spin the barrels 3. This releases good karma, compassion & kindness.
Past the Stupa you enter the Reflexology Walk by passing two large feet sculptures.
You then take off your shoes and walk around “Rosie,” a 4 ton mini-mountain of rose quartz. The Oregon Research Institute recently found that walking barefoot on cobblestone surfaces reduces blood pressure and improves balance along with overall physical performance!
After the reflexology walk you head into the Rainforest Walk. As you head up the hill you come to the Damanhur Spiral, which is a path lined with crystals and a clear quartz seat in the middle. You set an intention before entering and start going around path. It is meant to awaken your divine essence and bring us each closer to our deeper soul.
After that walk you find yourself at the Enchanted Cave. You must enter a dark room which might be pretty crowded.
You can sign up for a special meditation inside the cave if you would like to sit inside of it!
This is the world’s largest amethyst geode cave. It was created about 120 million years ago when a giant bubble formed inside a molten lava flow. As the lava cooled & hardened, mineral rich water seeped through the rock exterior. The water then evaporated leaving behind tiny mineral deposits. As the years passed by the millions, the iron rich deposits grew into lavender amethyst.
Across from the Enchanted Cave is a labyrinth. By walking to the center of the Labyrinth via one way in and one way out, it activates both the left & right side of your brain. This path is designed after one of the most famous labyrinths designed in Chartres Cathedral near Paris in 1200 AD.
Labyrinths are designed as a form of medication inquiry or an entrance into sacred time & space to seek insight or inspiration. Do take your time to walk along the Labyrinth.
Weighing 20 tons, the Crystal Guardians came from Uruguay and are the world’s tallest crystal geodes. At 5 and a half meters tall, inside are smoky quartz with delicate sprinklings of amethyst and calcite crystal flowers, clear quartz and agate.
Located behind the cafe these geodes have amazing energy when standing between them. They can charge you are you gaze out into the hills of Hinterland.
This mural features a smaller amethyst geode at 3.4 meters tall and 1.12 tones. It was sourced from Brazil and features a mural by local artists.
This is located by the gift shop and across from the Peace Experience Room. I attended a mediation there with sound bowls and it was very moving. Be sure to check times via the website before you arrive. There is also a Music of Plants and the Crystal Experience.
Behind the Crystal Guardian’s is the start of the Buddha walk. One of the first Hindu gods you will find on this walk it Lakshmi. As the goddess of fortune and prosperity, wisdom, generosity, courage and fertility, people leave flowers by her feet. She is the embodiment of beauty, grace, charm and serves to remind us of the abundances of life’s blessings.
Ganesh, surrounded by rose quartz, is the lord of Joy & remover of obstacles. He is also known as the god of education, literature, knowledge, wisdom and wealth. If you honor him before a new undertaking you will get riches and assured success.
You end the Buddha walk by going thru another rose quartz spiral in front of the biggest blessing Buddha in Australia. It is 4 meters tall and 14 tons!
For some fun there are 3 Wings of Eternity in the middle of the Buddha Walk.
Although you must schedule and pay to sit inside the Enchanted Cave, sitting in the Dragon’s Egg is included in your ticket!
Weighing 10 tons, this egg is known to bless you when you sit inside.
One final thing to do on your visit to the Crystal Castle is to get a photo of your aura. In the Matrix Showroom, via the gift shop & cafe, you sit in an aura throne and put your hands on a electromagnetic pulse device.
You sit in the throne for about 5 minutes while the photo is being exposed to our outer vibrations. As you wait for the photo to develop you get to choose a stone. I chose a blue sodalite and the interrupter thought my aura would have lots of purple & blues; and it did!
Tip: As much as I champion reusable Nalgene bottles, these crystal infused glass bottles are even better for you!
Have you been to any place similar to the Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens?