May 18th, 2017

Apophyllite

Physical Characteristics: Apophyllite refers to a specific group of phyllosilicates (sheet silicates formed in parallel layers). All phyllosilicates are hydrated minerals, Apophyllite being a variety which contains water in its chemical structure.

There are technically three varieties of Apophyllite, each varying slightly in chemical composition: Fluorapophyllite (white, colorless, yellow, green, or violet specimens), Hydroxyapophyllite (white or colorless specimens), and Natroapophyllite (brown, yellow, or colorless specimens). Heating the crystal causes water loss, which in turn can cause it to flake apart.

In Nature: This crystal is typically found in vesicles of Basalt or other volcanic rocks.

Chemical Composition: (K, Na)Ca4Si8O20(F, OH)•8H2O

Mohs Scale Hardness: 4.5-5 (medium)

Can be Found: India, Germany, Canada, Norway, Scotland, Ireland, Brazil, Japan, United States

Healing Properties*: Placed on the eyelids, Apophyllite is thought to reduce eye strain. It relieves anxiety and stress, and can also reduce allergy symptoms. Apophyllite is a common tool in Reiki healing.

Magickal Properties: Apophyllite is perhaps best-known for being a high-vibration crystal. The stone's energy is uplifting, and is often used for removing energy blockages and for helping its bearer grow spiritually. It opens the Third Eye, and in so doing furthers psychic development; use it to enhance clairvoyance, for dream work, for astral travel/projection, meditation, and similar exercises. The stone is ideal for scrying, in part because many specimens contain prismatic defects that help the mind relax. It also opens the Crown Chakra, making it easier to contact spiritual guides, angels, and other higher powers.

The water content of the stone improves its energy-conducting capacity, which may be further enhanced by the shape of the crystal (e.g. a pyramidal form). To cleanse and empower a room with Apophyllite, create a crystal grid by placing one stone in each corner of the room and another in the room's center.

Generally speaking, it is inadvisable to cleanse hydrated crystals with water. As heat can damage the stone, it is likewise inadvisable to cleanse Apophyllite in direct sunlight.

Chakra Association: Third Eye (Sixth) and Crown (Seventh) chakras

Element: Air

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Mercury

*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!

April 9th, 2017

Bismuth

Physical Characteristics: Bismuth is a brittle white metal, but when oxidized will display iridescent colors ranging from red to yellow to blue. Its iconic stair-stepped shape results from a higher growth rate along its outside edges than on its interior. The metal is also strongly diamagnetic, meaning that it is repelled by magnetic fields, and is one of the principal components of MagLev train systems.

In Nature*: One of the periodic chemical elements, Bismuth is written with the symbol Bi, and has an atomic number of 83. It is chemically similar to arsenic, antimony, tin, and lead, but curiously has a much lower toxicity. It also has a very low thermal conductivity, and is weakly radioactive, though given that its half-life is a billion times the estimated age of the universe, it is considered stable in virtually all scientific scenarios and is harmless to humans.

*Note: Bismuth's crystal-lattice structure is rarely found in nature. As such, the Bismuth crystals on the market are lab-grown specimens. This does not decrease their metaphysical value, but it is something to be aware of. Websites claiming to sell natural Bismuth crystals are likely running a scam.

Chemical Composition: Bi

Mohs Scale Hardness: 2.25 (very low)

Can be Found: Australia, Bolivia, China, Vietnam, Mexico

Healing Properties*: Bismuth may be used to slow degenerative muscular conditions.

Magickal Properties: With a unique combination of chemical properties and a long, convoluted history of use, Bismuth is a very odd, not to mention fascinating, metal.

It was commonly utilized in alchemical practices, and even had its own designated symbol (see right image) which crops up in the work of such notable scientist-alchemists as Sir Isaac Newton, but records of how or why it was used do not appear to have survived. Modern-day scientists, including Glenn T. Seaborg, continued this ancient tradition by using nuclear collisions to transform Bismuth into Gold as recently as 1980. This website provides an interesting overview of the major alchemical metals, and provides a good background of the associated semiotics and history, but even there Bismuth is not mentioned except in passing.

As with many multicolored or iridescent crystals, Bismuth can be used as a point of focus in shamanic journeying, astral projection, etc. It could act as a focusing crystal in other areas of life as well, and may be beneficial to people with ADHD or other neurotypes characterized by poor executive function. It also enhances visualization, and may improve meditation experiences.

Bismuth reduces feelings of isolation, and can improve connections with other people. Its rainbow colors make it ideal for energy work, and it can be instrumental in cleansing the aura.

Chakra Association: All, but especially the Crown (Seventh) Chakra

Element: Air

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Saturn

*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!

SIPA Imbolc

Since SIPA always has a potluck with their rituals, I borrowed a pot and made up some soup this evening; it wasn't anything fancy, just a mix from the convenience store and some tomato puree, but it turned out pretty decent.

I've hardly ever used the dorm's communal kitchen, but this seemed like as good a reason as any. I even got a bonus view of the sunset.

This little framed painting was, I think, unrelated to the ritual, but it was sitting out in Gaia House, and I liked it. "But still, like air, we rise. ~Maya Angelou"

The main altar; I love the cloth, I need to see about getting one for myself sometime.

I wish I would have gotten a picture of the Air elemental altar. All the elemental altars were nice, but the one for Air was just so pretty - it had a bunch of crystals, including a gorgeous Quartz cluster, a drawing of a deity who I think was Hermes, and a Pegasus statue. A very elegant set-up.

Ritual fire in the fireplace; I took this right after it had been lit, so it hadn't quite caught yet.

The main portion of the ritual was spent chanting while making Brighid's Crosses. They came out looking more like God's Eyes, but it was a lot simpler for a large group to do than trying to teach everyone to weave straw the traditional Celtic way, so it worked out.

My Brighid's candle, which I lit in the last part of the ritual.

The potluck was afterwards, with lots of good food, and then I headed back to my dorm room. Great night!

October 30th, 2016

Yesterday was a wonderful, busy day. After volunteering at Habitat for Humanity in the morning, I got changed and ready to go to SIPA's Samhain ritual. Tara met me outside my dorm around 2:45, and we drove over to Crab Orchard Campground for the event.

The ritual had originally been going to be at Devil's Kitchen Lake like Mabon, but apparently that area is now undergoing construction, so the parks department gave us the Crab Orchard spot instead. Quite honestly, it was probably a better site, anyway - for one thing, the peninsula was huge, and we had the whole thing to ourselves. There was no designated shelter, which, granted, would have been less fun had it been raining like last year, but fortunately, the weather was perfect. The sky was clear, and it was 80 degrees in the afternoon.

I explored the site a bit, and found this strawberry plant growing a baby strawberry! It seemed a little late in the season, but as warm as it was, I suppose the plants didn't mind.

Because the area was so large, we had a lot of options for where we held ritual. Tara originally wanted to use this spot, right on the lake, which had a cool, star-shaped tree stump in the ground. However, it was quite windy, and there was some concern about whether or not things would blow over, so she decided instead to use an area further back in the trees, but which still had a view of the lake.

As always, there was a potluck. I brought soda, since there hadn't been enough drinks at the last ritual, and enjoyed pizza, vegetables, pasta, cupcakes, and cookies. There was also a home-grown watermelon which I had some of later - very tasty - and apple cider.

Look at these cool Samhain cupcakes! They were filled with raspberry sauce, too, mmmm....

I hadn't been expecting to get to use my construction skills at all at the ritual, but as it would turn out, there were some pieces to construct for the Circle setup. Sean designed these elemental doorways, built out of 2x2s and fabric, which we put together using his battery-powered staple gun. This was Air, in the East.

A close-up of the elemental altar beyond the Air doorway; people had the opportunity to banish from their lives anything relating to the element Air by writing it down and then tying the paper to the wreath like a dreamcatcher.

The Fire doorway; problems relating to the element Fire were written down and the papers burned in the cauldron.

The Water doorway; problems relating to the element Water were written down and drowned in the water inside the vase.

The Earth doorway; problems relating to the element Earth were buried in the tray of potting soil.

There was also a central bonfire for burning any problems related to Spirit, or to issues not clearly covered by one of the other elements.

These were the items I brought for the ancestor altar; we've had some deaths in the family this year, so I had quite a bit more to bring than I did last Samhain.

We held the ritual after the sun went down. It was windy enough that it was impossible to keep the candles lit, but I saw a shooting star right after everyone had finished honoring their ancestors, and it was a really good, contemplative ceremony. There were also some reporters from a local newspaper who came to talk and photograph, so I may be in the newspaper sometime this week!

July 17th, 2016

I've had some research on Aventurine written up for a long time now, but I apparently never typed it out. Since I've been posting about the stones I acquired while on vacation, of which a rough piece of Aventurine was one, this seems like as good a time as any to publish this.

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Aventurine

Physical Characteristics: Aventurine is most commonly found as a green, lustrous stone, although orange and brown varieties also exist.

In Nature: This stone's characteristic shine comes from the inclusion of Fuschite, a Muscovite-bearing Mica. The effect is referred to as "aventurescence". Aventurine may be confused with Sunstone or Malachite, while Goldstone, also known as Aventurine Glass, may be sold as imitation Aventurine.

Chemical Composition: K(Al, Cr)2AlSi3O10(OH)2

Mohs Scale Hardness: 7 (high)

Can be Found: Primarily India, Chile, and east of the American Rockies; also Brazil, Russia, Spain, Austria, and Tanzania

Healing Properties*: Green Aventurine is a helpful partner in psychotherapy, treating heart and lung disorders, and increasing muscle flexibility. It also improves eyesight. The stone treats skin disease, such as eczema and other rashes, and eliminates warts. It improves metabolism and the digestive system.

Magickal Properties: Aventurine is a lucky stone, especially the green variety. It brings opportunity, and is most often noted as a stone for gamblers. Additionally, Aventurine strengthens one's sense of self and helps to reinforce a positive outlook. Relieving anxiety, Aventurine soothes the emotions. It enhances a healthy sense of humor and cheerfulness, and may also draw unexpected adventure or luck in love. Aventurine provides balance and can aid in dreaming. It clears the aura, and helps one to find independence. Moreover, the stone encourages creativity, and brings success to artists.

Chakra Association: Sixth (Third Eye) and Seventh (Crown) chakras

Element: Air

Energy: Projective

Planetary Association: Mercury

*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!

August 9th, 2015

My piece of Aragonite I was able to identify from flipping through some crystal books, but this stone I had to take with me to Fairy Fest and ask around at some of the vendors to learn the name of. It turned out to be synthetic, which I had already guessed at, but here's what information the internet had on it.

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Carborundum

Physical Characteristics: A black crystal that sparkles like a rainbow in the light. Carborundum is water insoluble and does not fade in sunlight, so the more popular modes of cleansing are appropriate for this crystal. As it is synthetic, cleansing it of other people's energy is vital. Do exercise some caution, as pieces may be brittle and break with rough handling.

In Nature: Carborundum only occurs very rarely on Earth; when it does, it is called Moissanite and is generally found in meteorites. The crystal was first developed for mass production in 1890 when Edward Acheson attempted to create artificial diamonds with clay and powdered Carbon. It quickly became popular as an industrial abrasive.

Chemical Composition: SiC

Mohs Scale Hardness: 9.5 (very high)

Can be Found: Rarely in meteorite or Corundum deposits, but is commonly produced in laboratories 

Healing Properties*: The stone can help to clear the mind of chaotic thoughts and stress, while clearing stress' physical symptoms from the body. It can also assist in the treatment of depression or more general melancholy. Carborundum heals eye strain, headaches, and computer-related injuries. Back and neck pain may also be lessened with the stone, as can the severity of problems with the skeletal system.

Magickal Properties: Carborundum is a meditative crystal, inspiring serenity and peacefulness. It strengthens the bond with one's "inner child", or perhaps more accurately with the part of one which is playful and curious before such behaviors are socialized out of our personality. 
It is a purifying stone, and encourages intuition. As a conductor of electricity, Carborundum will amplify energy in any sort of working, but especially in healing efforts.

Chakra Association: All

Element: Air/fire

Energy: Projective/receptive

Planetary Association: Earth

*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!

Kyanite

Kyanite

Physical Characteristics: A metamorphic rock which forms under high pressure, it is rich in aluminum, while the presence of manganese can turn it orange. It is most commonly blue, although black varieties also exist.

In Nature: Kyanite may display chatoyancy in the manner of Cat's Eye. Its presence is used to predict the temperature, depth, and pressure at which its host rock formed.

Chemical Composition: Al2SiO5

Mohs Scale Hardness: 4.5 - 5 (middle-low - middle)

Can be Found: Worldwide, wherever Gneiss, Schist, Pegmatite, and Quartz are put under high pressure

Healing Properties*: This stone may assist one with breaking addiction of any kind, or with healing diseases of the throat or larynx.

Magickal Properties: Like Citrine, Kyanite is a stone which recycles and and cleanses energy so thoroughly that it never needs to be cleansed itself. It has a calming effect on the entire body, neutralizing stress and fear. It also keeps one from feeling drained; for instance, an introvert might wear a piece to a party.
When meditating, Kyanite opens the mind to psychic abilities, heightening intuition. It can assist one in connecting to higher spirits, or in improving one's dream recall. Meditate with Kyanite to deepen your understanding of your identity. A balancing stone, it brings the chakras into alignment and nurtures trust and respect. 
As a stone of blue energy, Kyanite is a master of communication. Whether one is a diplomat, a thespian. or a public speaker, the stone can help to improve one's skills. Also, it assists in developing a solution or a compromise rather than arguing over the issue, and in bridging the gap between very different beliefs. 

Chakra Association: Fifth (Throat) and Sixth (Third Eye) chakras

Element: Air, water

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Neptune

*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!

August 6th, 2015

It's been a pretty productive day today. I got quite a bit of cleaning done, first with a load of laundry, and then by pulling out the bottom drawers of my dresser and removing all the accumulated junk. While I was at it, I found my little pewter hummingbird stone which I'd never been able to locate after it fell back there a year or two ago.

I have it sitting as part of a miniature shrine to the element Air on top of my dresser. With it is a yellow candle and matching knit bunny, as well as a replica arrowhead and a watercolor painting of an owl I did. I have similar mini shrines for the other elements as well. This one probably gets the most use, since I stand in front of it to do my hair.

Camp Log: 16/18/15

(From Hummingbird’s logs, edited and transcribed 6/23/15)

We had some excitement this morning!

I woke up periodically through the night, first to a sound like rain which I realized eventually was the waves whipping the shoreline, and then to the wind lashing the tent. Then around 6:30, I became concerned that the whole tent was going to blow over. The boys and I piled out and with grandpa's help were able to shift it to a more sheltered location, but as we did so, one of the hooks slid off the pole and caught on a nail which some dolt had nailed into a cedar tree. It punched a big hole in the rainfly. We were lucky, though; the hole was only in the part which became an awning over the door, not in the part actually covering the top of the tent. It still got blown around a little after that, but it was pretty clearly an improvement. Dad and grandpa took an extra rainfly and hung it up in front of the tent to divert even more of the wind.

Then, as if we hasn't damaged enough equipment already, mom discovered that a mouse or some other small rodent had chewed a hole in our red food pack. We hadn't bothered to hang the bags last night, as there were pretty clearly no bears on our small island, but in retrospect, maybe we ought to have anyway.

Not long after, the boys and I explored some more of the island, looking at all the neat mosses and lichens, and Nick pointed out some big red and black shelf fungi. I helped grandpa pull some water off the lakeshore (it was far too rough to go out on the lake) and we got the water bottles filled up. 

Grandpa moved the camp stove out of the wind and put the water on for breakfast. I had hot chocolate, raisin-date-walnut oatmeal, and some freeze dried berries. While we ate, Ben pointed out a big dragonfly nymph pupating on a log. 

After breakfast, I volunteered to wash the dishes so I could stick my hands in the hot water. Then I went to huddle for warmth in the tent (the wind was cold), and ended up napping for an hour or so. When I woke up, the boys and I played Quiddler, and dad and grandpa took an extra rainfly and hung it up in front of the tent to divert even more of the wind. The sun decided to come out circa 11:00, so I went out to lay instead on a flat, sunny spot near the fire grate.

I napped outside until lunch, when we had peanuts, crackers, summer sausage, bagels with peanut butter, granola bars, fruit strips, dried mango and coconut, strong cheese, and Twizzlers. I drank most of a quart of Tang.

After lunch, I moved to a different sunny rock to lay on for a while as the others went out on the lake to look around and fish. Eventually, the rotation of the earth moved my patch of sun, so I went down to the mini beach where there was sun and pretty rocks to look at. Ben found a leech, and I saw another Tiger Swallowtail and a teeny tiny dragonfly nymph in the lake. Later, I too was talked into going canoeing on the windy lake, so I went and paddled around with Nick for a bit, until I got nervous and wanted to get back to shore (windy lakes are dangerous in canoes).

Once back on shore, I went over to the fire grate. By this time, the dragonfly had pupated, and was drying off next to his old skin. I sat watching him while grandpa told Nick and I some stories from other countries he's visited. The dragonfly spread his wings eventually, but couldn't vibrate them fully without poking himself on a sharp piece of wood, so I helped him onto a nearby rock. He sat there a moment longer before taking off. A big flock of geese passed overhead, as did a bald eagle, which Nick saw swoop right over camp.

Not long later, we boiled water for three-cheese soup, which we ate with crackers, carrot chips, dried pineapple, and banana chips. We had banana cream pudding for dessert. While we were eating, we heard a seagull cawing loudly, and then we saw it was chasing a bald eagle across the lake. They turned and came back past our campsite, diving toward the lake, and we could see that the eagle was carrying a big fish, maybe a bass. The seagull was very obviously after the fish, and they flew all the way across the lake pecking at  the eagle's feet before they gave up.

After dinner, dad lit a fire and we did dishes. A tiny little caterpillar was hanging down from a tree on some silk until dad ran into it and dragged him off somewhere. I hope the little guy is okay. We all sat around poking the fire for a while. The wind finally just died down, and I'm going to bed.

June 4th, 2015

It's been a quiet day of crafting for me. I made a birthday gift for my mom, and then decided I could finish up an older project (by "older", I mean "abandoned for two or three years"). I made three of these little knitted bunnies ages ago and started on the green one, but then lost motivation halfway through. Later it occurred to me that the colors I had picked at random were actually elemental colors. 

I went ahead and finished the green one today, and now I have them situated around my room according to their corresponding direction.

Green, of course, is earth and North, yellow is air and East, red is fire and South, and blue is water and West. 

If anyone else is interested in making their own elemental bunnies (they also make great herb satchets, cat toys, etc.), the pattern is available for free download here.

April 20th, 2015

I thought you all might like to see this beautiful Polyphemus moth my friends discovered outside during our rehearsal yesterday:

Moths and butterflies are associated with the element air, and with the fairy folk. This guy was so soft and fluffy that I was joking around saying he was a sky cat (by way of interest, you can tell this one is a boy by how fluffy his antenna are). 

In attempting to identify his species, I learned something rather interesting - the name, Polyphemus, actually derives from Greek mythology. Polyphemus, as you may or may not recall, was the cyclops with whom Odysseus had a run-in, leading to the infamous "Nobody" conversation. The moth's eye-spots inspired the name.

According to Wikipedia, this is also the species of moth through which Gandalf communicates with the eagles in The Lord of the Rings. The more you know. 

As such, someone who enjoys lepidoptery might call upon the Polyphemus moth to navigate tricky situations, to improve one's sight, or to assist communication.

April 6th, 2015

I ended up going back over to the spiral garden yesterday to add some paintings to the stakes around the outside. I also stopped by the labyrinth out back on my way to grab the hose and water the plants.

Some of the architecture students built a geodesic dome around the labyrinth, which was kind of interesting, and then it was surrounded by lots of spring flowers.

I chose a sort of elemental color scheme for my paintings, and also tried to note the cardinal directions. Not only does it have elemental connotations that way, but it will also help planters figure out which side of the garden will be getting sun at which time of day.

North:

East:

South:

West:

It really seemed to brighten things up - I hope other people like them as much as I do!

If you have a garden of your own, you can of course add painted stakes like I've done here, but other decorating options include adding lengths of colored ribbon to stakes or fences, hanging bells or wind chimes nearby, and adding rocks or paving stones decorated with meaningful words or symbols. Just try to make sure that the supplies you use are environmentally friendly!

July 12th, 2014

Desert Rose

Physical Characteristics: These rose-like crystal formations have "petals" of crystal flattened along the "C Crystallographic" axis, fanning open in radiating clusters. Ambient sand is incorporated into the crystal, which affects the overall color.

In Nature: Desert Rose is formed of Gypsum, Barite, or Selenite. These clusters form in arid, sandy regions such as shallow salt basins where evaporation occurs. Celestine and other evaporites may also form Desert Rose.

(Some websites have tried to tell me that this is a stone formed at lightning strikes or by some other equally improbable means. Sorry, but I'm trusting Wikipedia on this one.)

Chemical Composition: CaSO4・H2O

 

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Desert Rose already contains water. DO NOT cleanse it in liquid, as it will dissolve. Some websites talk about making "Desert Rose Water", but I strongly advise against it.

 
Mohs Scale Hardness: 2 - 3.5 (low)

Can be Found: Tunisia, Algeria, Canada, Saudi Arabia, the USA (Barite Desert Rose is the state mineral of Oklahoma)

Healing Properties*: Use Desert Rose to shield against X-rays, radioactivity, and UV rays. Further applied, this stone will treat sunburn and similar skin conditions, or ease geopathic stress caused by nearby power lines or computers. It may treat acne or eczema.

 
Magickal Properties: There is a lot of BS on the internet about this crystal, and very little that is actually useful. For example, a couple of websites recommend it for warding off "redundancy". What? How is that useful to anybody? The irony of this particular "property" being listed in multiple places is not lost on me. Even my crystal books are markedly unhelpful. However, where minerals are concerned, let it not be said that I have no enthusiasm for research. 

I dug around a bit, and found some information that actually looked credible. Right off the bat, if you have a Selenite Desert Rose, all the properties of Selenite apply. The same goes for stones formed out of Gypsum or Barite. Moreover, Desert Rose clarifies thinking and calms the mind, making it ideal for use in meditation. It is a stabilizing stone, and is considered a helpmate in business transactions because it removes obstacles from one's path and assists in financial growth. Native Americans believed that spirits of the deceased carved these "roses", and so they are ideal for psychic magicks, communing with the Otherworld, and remembering one's ancestors. The stone has generally protective qualities, and will link the Sixth and Seventh chakras to initiate psychic experiences tempered by sensory experience. Meditating on Desert Rose may make multi-layered situations plainer to understand, and has a marked effect on one's dream state. If lucid dreaming, astral travel, or astral projection is desired, working with Desert Rose may ease the process.

Chakra Association: Sixth (Third Eye) chakra

Element: Air (This is my own association, owing to the stone's airy texture coupled with it's associations with the mind and receiving information. Those few sources that even list an elemental correspondence put it down as Fire, which to me doesn't make a lot of sense.)

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Mercury (Also my own association, for most of the same reasons as above.)

*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!

Dumortierite

Dumortierite

 

Physical Characteristics: Dumortierite ranges in color, and may be found in brown, blue, green, pink, or violet.

In Nature: This stone occurs in metamorphic rocks rich in aluminium and is used the manufacture of high grade porcelain.

Chemical Composition: Al7BO3(SiO4)3(O, OH)3

 
Mohs Scale Hardness: 7 - 8.5 (medium - high)

Can be Found: Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, Madagascar, Namibia, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sri Lanka, and the United States

Healing Properties*: This Blue Quartz disinflames the throat and thyroid, and provides a bodily detox. The stone is beneficial to the spleen, endocrine system, and blood.

Magickal Properties: Dumortierite assists communication between the upper and lower chakras and balances one's spiritual energy with one's physical. Clean your aura with the stone to speed up the process. It is a student's crystal, boosting mental discipline by keeping the mind focused and also by boosting the speed at which one accumulates data. It enhances organization and determination, as well as enhancing creativity and self-expression. The stone lifts depression and stubbornness and eases emotional tension. Dumortierite stimulates the verbalization of spiritual ideas, opens the psychic centers, and enhances contact with spirit guides and angels. Use it provide stamina both in unyielding situations and times of illness, and creates patience in its bearer. 

Chakra Association: Fifth (Throat) and Sixth (Third Eye) chakras

Element: Air

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Neptune

*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!

August 14th, 2013

Celestite

 

Physical Characteristics: This crystal is the primary source of Strontium, used in both fireworks and many metal alloys.

In Nature: Celestite occurs as crystals and en masse; it is also a common geode stone, and is found primarily in sedimentary rock deposits.

Chemical Composition: SrSO4

Mohs Scale Hardness: 3 - 3.5 (low)

Can be Found: Worldwide, but especially the United States and Madagascar

Healing Properties*: Celestite is known to ease stress on the physical body, thus preventing stress-induced disease. It improves eyesight and hearing, and also alleviates conditions of the throat. The stone both aids in the functioning of the thyroid gland and detoxifies the body.

Magickal Properties: Celestite is excellent for fostering communications with angelic beings and spirit guides. It opens a channel to the Universe's pure, positive energy, and enables a better understanding of the energetic ebbs and flows in one's life. The stone assists greatly in dream recall, and may also induce lucid dreaming. Astral travelers can use the crystal to improve accuracy in reaching a pre-determined location. Its blue color links the crystal to the throat; as such, it boosts eloquence and demands truth from its bearer - use it if you think you're being lied to, but don't be the liar. Celsetite only needs occasional recharging, and ought not be left in direct sunlight, as this can cause discoloration.

Chakra Association: Fifth (Throat), Sixth (Third Eye), and Seventh (Crown) chakras

Element: Air

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Neptune

*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!

August 11th, 2013

Lapis Lazuli

Physical Characteristics: Lapis Lazuli is a stone containing Lazurite, Calcite, Sodalite, and Pyrite.

In Nature: This conglomeration forms when weathered rock undergoes a chemical transformation to become Lazurite, an essential component of Lapis Lazuli. The Lazurite must then bond with Calcite and Sodalite to become the final stone. The presence of Pyrite is not required, but makes a beautiful and unique element.

Chemical Composition: (Na, Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S, SO4, Cl)1-2

Mohs Scale Hardness: 5.5 (middle)

Can be Found: Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, Siberia, Angola, Argentina, Burma, Pakistan, Canada, India, the United States

Healing Properties*: This stone balances the function of the thyroid gland while strengthening the neck and vocal cords. Use it to soothe sore throats and inflammation of the neck and head.

Magickal Properties: Lapis Lazuli enhances one's awareness, insight, and intellect. It imparts ancient wisdom to its bearer, bringing with it peacefulness, self-acceptance, and objectivity. Lapis expands one's tendency toward leadership while lending aid in legal matters. The stone was carried by Egyptian judges and was dedicated to Ma'at, Goddess of Truth. Use during a court case when you need the truth to come out. Lapis Lazuli shields its bearer from psychic attack, relieves insomnia, and releases anxiety. As an elixir, the stone aligns the energy bodies. Lapis Lazuli has a very high vibration - it is a stone of Deity, and will encourage its bearer to raise his/her own vibratory level to match it. Finally, Lapis Lazuli is a draw for both love and fidelity.

Chakra Association: Fifth (Throat) chakra

Element: Water, Air

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Venus, Jupiter

*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.

February 3rd, 2013

As part of a birthday present for my brother, my family went to the zoo yesterday. We had a ton of fun seeing all the animals, and since it's February, there was hardly anyone else there - no lines! A lot of the animals were really active, too. A wolf was running around his enclosure looking for a place to bury a bone and came right up to the glass twice.

The penguins were also right next to the glass, as was a lion and lioness - the lioness actually sat up on her hind legs and batted at the glass for a good ten minutes, "playing" with my brother. I've never seen them do that before!

Just a note - the gentleman in the picture is not my brother, he was just another zoo patron who happened to be in one of my not-blurry pictures. In related news, I was able to purchase a piece of uncut emerald from a zoo giftshop for just $3.50! It's not gem quality or anything, but that certainly doesn't matter for magickal applications.It's a stone I've been wanting for some time, so I'm super psyched.

Emerald

Physical Characteristics: Emerald is a stone that can range from a yellow-green to a sea-foam color (like mine) to a very dark, almost-black shade of green.

In Nature: A type of Beryl, Emerald is colored green because of traces of chromium and vanadium in the crystal. Although Emerald comes in many shades, the essential component is that it is green. If it doesn't have a green hue, it isn't Emerald, even if it is Beryl - a blue Beryl is also known as Aquamarine, for instance, not Emerald.

Chemical Composition: Be3Al2(SiO3)6

Mohs Scale Hardness: 7 - 8 (middle-high to high)

Can be Found: Egypt, India, Austria, Colombia, and Zambia

Healing Properties*: Emerald is useful for healing ailments of the physical heart and also supports the back, eyes, nervous system, and immune system. The Emerald was used in the ancient world as an antidote to snake venom (anyone who has read Emily Rodda's Deltora Quest may recall this). The stone can also prevent or alleviate insomnia.  

Magickal Properties: A stone of love and romance, Emerald enhances joy, clairvoyance, memory, and faith. Being the sacred stone of Venus, it is most associated with relationships. Still, the stone supplements intuition and communication, relaxes a troubled mind, enhances prophetic abilities, and brings both wisdom and reason. Emerald wards off negativity and strengthens spiritual insight. It can be used for scrying, and works best when paired with copper or silver. This stone is allegedly most powerful during the spring season. To charge an Emerald, burn a green candle while holding the stone and focusing on your intent.

Chakra Association: Emerald is connected with the Third (Solar Plexus) and Fourth (Heart) chakras.

Element: Air

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury

*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!