I've pulled out the crate and revealed the small room by the stairs. Everything I read says to flip the switch. Well, I'd love to, but I've got one of those "turn the dials and line up the symbols correctly" puzzles. I've searched, but can't seem to find the clue to the order for the puzzle. What am I missing??

I take it you're playing on the Wii?

This is from Stella's Anniversary Walkthrough

In the Nintendo Wii game, instead of the switch, there's a cryptex puzzle. Pull the crate away from the alcove and about halfway along the wall beside the stairs. Climb onto the crate to reach the carving with the clue to the puzzle. Press Interact to examine it, use the brush to clean away the dust and the charcoal to make a rubbing of the clue. The three symbols, from top to bottom are: Psi (Y), Pi (P) and Omega (W). Hop down, go into the alcove that the crate had been blocking and access the puzzle. Turn the bottom cylinder once to the left. Then turn the top cylinder three times to the right. (The middle cylinder moves when you turn the top one.) This should align the symbols correctly, opening the gate at the top of the stairs.

Yes, I'm on a Wii. I think I know what you're talking about. Thank you so much!!!!!!

You're welcome. Good luck!