May 9th, 2013

As of today, I have 8,888 pageviews. You guys make my day! :D
And, since they seem to be at least mildly popular, here's some more exposition on stones that I've bought - oops! Today's topic for discussion isn't a stone, it's a mineral - Copper!

Copper

 

Physical Characteristics: Copper is a metal with the atomic number 29. It is ductile and highly conductive, both of heat and electricity. Though it has an orange coloration to it, Copper corrodes with time and turns a sort of teal (think the Statue of Liberty).

In Nature: This metal is essential to the survival of most organisms on earth, humans included. It is created in giant stars and is found in Earth's crust at a concentration of about 50 ppm (parts per million).

Chemical Composition: Cu

Mohs Scale Hardness: 2.5 (low)

Can be Found: Copper is typically mined in the USA, Mexico, Chile, and the southern portion of Africa

Healing Properties*: As Copper is so important to Earth's biology, it is natural that it should play a significant role in metaphysical healing. Employ it to reduce cramping, smooth the functioning of bodily glands, and help prevent wear and tear on the joints. It is especially known for assisting with arthritis and rheumatic diseases, and is likewise used to improve blood circulation and detoxification, reduce inflammation, and stabilize the metabolism.

Magickal Properties: The first metal to be used extensively by humans, Copper metallurgy developed in Egypt and Sumer around 3900 BCE. The Egyptians also developed Bronze, an alloy of Tin and Copper, ushering in the Bronze Age. Just as it conducts electricity, Copper conducts energy between people, crystals, auras, etc. When working with telepathic communication, Copper can help send and receive messages. Many wands are made of or include Copper, again to aid in the direction of energy. Use Copper to overcome lethargicness, to improve communication, channeling, cleansing, purification, and increasing self-esteem. Copper has long been a metal of the Goddess, dating back to the Astrate of Mesopotamia. Finally, Copper draws good fortune and is easily used in tandem with stones of a similar nature.

Chakra Association: Copper works with all of the chakras, but especially the First (Root) and Fourth (Heart).

Element: Water

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Venus

*Magickal healing should never take the place of seeing a doctor and following any recommended prescriptions, actions, or other advice. Magick works best in tandem with physical efforts, anyway, so don't skimp on those check-ups!

May 7th, 2013

Goldstone

 

 

Physical Characteristics: Goldstone is created when Silica, Copper oxides, and other metals are melted together. A chemical reaction occurs, causing elemental Copper to precipitate out, and the vat of melted material is sealed until it cools. The finished product is one of a sienna-colored glass with glittering copper suspended throughout it. Varieties using Cobalt instead of Copper may appear a dark blue.

In Nature: THIS STONE DOES NOT OCCUR IN NATURE. According to legend, Italian monks practicing alchemy created this stone instead of the gold they were seeking; whether this is true or not, the best-known producer of Goldstone is an Italian family.

Chemical Composition: SiO2 + Cu

Mohs Scale Hardness: 5 - 6 (low - middle)

Can be Found: Anywhere where someone has a mind to make it, but predominately Italy and China

Healing Properties*: Since this stone contains Copper, it can be used to increase bloodflow and reduce inflammation. It also protects one from ulcers and bacterial infections. Called by some a "Master Healer", Goldstone stimulates the flow of healing energy through the hands, and may assist in long-distance healings.

Magickal Properties: In some ways, Goldstone acts like Sunstone, especially in that it alleviates depression. It promotes calm, and channels energy well, such that it may be employed to charge other stones or generate energy for spellwork. The stone deflects negativity, and assists in reaching lofty goals. In addition to the aspects of physical health listed above, Goldstone may also help to heal spiritual crises, enhancing faith and belief. It balances and grounds one's energy, and, in accordance with its alchemical associations, can be used for personal transformation. Associated with Aventurine (indeed, it is sometimes called Aventurine Glass), Goldstone shares its connections to good fortune, especially in gambling and matters of money, and in travel, both astral and physical. 

Chakra Association: Goldstone is associated with the Second (Sacral) chakra.

Element: Water

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Venus

*Magickal healing should never take the place of seeing a doctor and following any recommended prescriptions, actions, or other advice. Magick works best in tandem with physical efforts, anyway, so don't skimp on those check-ups!

May 6th, 2013

Whew! I had my first AP test today, out of the three that I'm taking this year. It was on Environmental Science, and I think it went okay. I got tendinitis or something similar in my right arm a few months ago, though, so as I was doing the extended response, all the writing was making my arm burn. 'Twas not fun. As they say in Japan: "Shikata ga nai" - "It can't be helped".
In addition to visiting a prospective college on Saturday, my family stopped at the Field Museum. True to form, I expanded my now quite extensive collection of rocks. Kindly bear with me as I expound upon a few of their properties over the next few days, yeah?

Amazonite

 

Physical Characteristics: Amazonite is a blue-green variety of Feldspar, named after the Amazon river, though it is not actually found in the Amazon basin. Apparently, the Spanish explorers got even more wrong than we thought.

In Nature: Feldspars are also microlines, types of minerals that are important in the formation of igneous rocks. Microclines like Amazonite are typically rich in Potassium and Sodium.

Chemical Composition: KAlSi3O8

Mohs Scale Hardness: 6 (middle)

Can be Found: The USA (especially Colorado), Brazil, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Russia, and Zimbabwe

Healing Properties*: This stone assists in stopping self-destructive behavior, both physical and emotional, and alleviates stress and exhaustion. Additionally, Amazonite soothes the nervous system and supports the processing of information. It also improves posture and may protect against snakebite, though in modern times, unless you own a grumpy pet snake, you're probably better off working with your stone to protect against bites from other types of animals.

Magickal Properties: Allegedly, the deeper the color of the stone, the more powerful it is; though this is usually true, there's also no need to blow your food budget to get a gigantic piece of gem-quality crystal. Work with what you can get, and the stone will respond to the energy you put into it. Amazonite is a stone of self-respect, confidence, grace, and self-assuredness. Use it to increase understanding and smooth cooperation with others. Another application is to heal emotional trauma and to balance the male and female (or yin and yang) energies in the body. Furthermore, Amazonite draws forth the motivation to reach your goals, and can be used in matters relating to the truth, trust, and integrity. Due to its blue-green color, the stone brings monetary success, while opening the psychic centers. Those performing rune or tarot readings may find the stone's assistance helpful.

Chakra Association: As it deals with emotions and communication, Amazonite is connected to the Fourth (Heart) and Fifth (Throat) chakras.

Element: Earth

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Uranus

*Magickal healing should never take the place of seeing a doctor and following any recommended prescriptions, actions, or other advice. Magick works best in tandem with physical efforts, anyway, so don't skimp on those check-ups!

May 5th, 2013

I took my first college visit yesterday to the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago. I really want to go to school in the city, and I liked what I saw. Besides, being the "Windy City", what better place is there to connect with the element air, and its associations with intellect? Seems like a good place to go to school, don't you think? It seems an interesting challenge to find ways to connect with nature in a major city like that. There is, of course, Lake Michigan and the Chicago River for water, the aforementioned wind for air, for earth there is an abundance of parks, the zoo, conservatories, etc., and for fire, there is a seemingly endless number of city lights - electricity, after all, is part of the fire element.
While walking, I found a most intriguing feather. Perhaps it belongs to one of the fabled parrots of Parrot Park - I've never seen a pigeon with yellow feathers.

I took it as a good omen - yellow, like air, is well-connected with schooling.

May 3rd, 2013

I'm usually not too excited about walking in the rain with my school things - I don't want all those carefully-taken notes getting ruined! - but as I was coming home from the bus stop today it started sprinkling, and I was loving it. It was cold and windy and wet, but I had some awesome tunes playing, and the air smelled like spring. <3

May 2nd, 2013

I'd like to take a moment to commemorate all those who fell at the May 2nd, 1998 Battle of Hogwarts... Oh wait, this isn't that kind of blog, is it? Nuts.

All joking aside, I discovered more fully yesterday the extent to which childhood (and even teenage) fantasies and my love of magical books correlated to my connection with Paganism.
In youth, I had an imaginary friend. Actually, that's an understatement: I had many imaginary friends. Part of this was likely as not due to my lack of actual friends, but the individual of which I will specifically write today went quite a bit beyond a simple psychological need for company.
Envision, if you will, a blonde-haired girl wearing all blue - a blue dress, cape, gloves, mask, etc. She also happens to wear boots emblazoned with a lightning bolt. This is Polaris, named for the North Star, and she was, in many ways, more real to me in childhood than my family or classmates. I recall a six-year-old me describing her as "a superhero who can do anything", though she has a certain affinity for lightning, and she flew around the universe in a small red spaceship rescuing the innocent from less wholesome alien creatures. Now hold that thought.
Flash forward about ten years, and take a look at my sketchbooks - Polaris is
gone, but not gone, just morphed: now she is an older girl, still blonde, and still in a blue dress, only she's lost the mask, the gloves, and the boots. Her name is Aurora, and her powers are somewhat more limited than Polaris', dealing solely with the elements, lightning still being her favorite. Was this intentional on my part? Not in the slightest. Only yesterday, in the middle of the meditation I was doing for my Beltane ritual, did this occur to me.
This was, by itself, an intriguing personal insight into my psychology, but perhaps more significant was the realization that came immediately after this: Polaris was the manifestation of Goddess in my life as a little one. Think about it - an all-powerful Maiden who uses her magical powers for the benefit of others. I know for a fact that I connected more with my imaginary friend than I did with the vague, unknowable god that was discussed at church. It's hard to describe the emotional impact of this insight in words, but as I was meditating and realized this, I was physically stunned. To think that even as a tiny little girl, the Lady was reaching out to me? I mean, that's just incredible.
As for Aurora, I created her after my introduction to Paganism, so perhaps it's less surprising that her character is elementally inclined and whatnot, but still it was interesting to examine because I found she was sort of the personification of the way that I see Goddess in myself. After all, I see all people as having some piece of the Divine in them, and Aurora, I suppose, is how I might draw that energy appearing.
Has anyone else had an experience like that? I'd love to hear about it!

May 1st, 2013

A very blessed Beltane to everyone! I just finished up the most empowering ritual I've done in some time - it was wonderful! My youngest brother went out giving May baskets, which I think is hilarious, since it's a total Pagan tradition, and between the fresh air wafting through my window and some great music, I was getting really into it.
How is everyone else enjoying the sabbat?