The Story of Monte Cristo
At the Turquoise Museum in Albuquerque, N.M., a large sphere of stone from the Monte Cristo Mine in Nevada sits under glass. Windowed by the museum’s executive director Jacob “Joe Dan” Lowry, the stone features a large splash of turquoise that formed within the host rock.
In 2021, a Zuni tribal member and Rain Priest named Sybert Nastacio visited the museum and was drawn to the “Monte Cristo,” as it was dubbed. Nastacio recognized the round stone as a “thunderball,” a rock considered a relic from the time of evolution of the Zuni people.
Thunderballs are considered to be reincarnated Zuni Rain priests.
“Almost instinctively, I wanted to hold the stone in my hands,” wrote Nastacio. “I asked half-jokingly, but somewhat earnestly, if Joe Dan would let me have it, or at least hold the treasured turquoise orb.”
After discussing the stone’s value in Zuni religious significance, Nastacio was elated when Joe Dan agreed to let him borrow it for use in ceremony.
“Joe Dan agreed to let the Monte Cristo sit among the other stones similar in shape when
we Rain Priests go into isolation for prayers in hopes of resonating precipitation for all walks of life on Mother Earth,” wrote Nastacio. Nastacio later returned to the museum and borrowed Monte Cristo, planning to take the stone to the Zuni Pueblo for the prayer ceremony. “As Joe Dan placed Monte in my hands, I could feel a great sensation of the power of the stone as the energy flowed from the crown of my head to the tip of my toes,” wrote Nastacio. “As my whole body was taken in goosebumps, the energy seemed to go through the floor as if becoming rooted Mother Earth and becoming one.” After the shrines had been set up, at the pueblo, it was time for four days of prayers and isolation. Monte was placed in a special place and remained there for the days and nights while prayers were said. “On the third day, I noticed the energy and presence of our late grandfather, knowing and understanding that he was in approval of Monte sitting with our forefathers,” wrote Nastacio. “This was such an awesome armation. The last four days of fasting period, we received blessings in the form of rain, thus our prayers were answered.”