April 8th, 2017

Happy April! School continues to give me the run-around, but I've worked a couple of spiritual events into my schedule. Last weekend, the city put on an 11 Days of Compassion program, which included a morning walk over at the Gaia House labyrinth. I had to get myself up earlier than I prefer for a Sunday, but the walk was really nice.

All the flowers were blooming, including these lovely tulips.

I was standing in the center of the labyrinth, thinking about how nice it would be if the fountain were running, and then it suddenly kicked on.

Then today, a friend from school drove with me over to a local gem and mineral show put on by the regional Earth Science club.

There were so many cool specimens, lots of which were from the area, but many others of which were from around the world. Crystals, fossils - you name it, it was probably there.

I tried to keep my purchases moderate. I got a piece of Bismuth, a Celestite cluster, a big chunk of Bloodstone, a Rhodonite pyramid, an Orthoceras fossil, and some Fluorite chunks (which were actually free from one of the vendors).

June Altars

I never got around to posting a picture of my Litha altar, did I? Allow me to correct that!

I tried to tone down the decorations a little bit this time around so that my altar wasn't totally covered in stuff, but I do still have some pieces here I really like. In the center is my new Selenite candle holder, and dispersed throughout are varying sizes of snail shells. On the left is a big mussel shell that I used to hold water during my ritual, and in the back right you can see a mason jar full of lavender, which I also used during the ritual.

Then I set up this, a mini shrine next to my bed. I didn't want to make it too obviously Pagan (I don't know who I think I'm fooling, but oh well) so it mostly ended up as a repository for my expansive stone collection. I figured, however, that the stones probably preferred being out in the open to sitting in a bag in my dresser. It'll also create a pleasant area for meditations - I need to get back in the habit of doing that!
In the center I've got a new candle and candle holder along with some decorative grapes, silk flowers, and an instrumental shaker. The Birch branch is real; it fell off one of our Birch trees the other day during a storm. In front of the candle and to the left is a large pointed Quartz crystal. To the right of that is a Geode I found years ago, and to the right of that is a chunk of petrified wood from Montana. The Quartz I'm using to symbolize the Goddess, and the Petrified Wood is for the God. I once saw a description of Geode as being symbolic of the World Egg, so I thought it was appropriate to have it in the middle. Just in front of that is an Ammonite resting on top of a clay pentacle I made in seventh grade.
On the right side of the shrine is a box painted with the Japanese symbols for the elements. I'll probably use the box as a place to put petitions and wishes for empowerment. In the same spot on the left of the shrine are three little origami offering boxes. I put pieces of cracker, cake, bread, etc. in these before leaving them outside.
And then, finally, I have the rest of the stones. I tried to arrange them according to their elemental correspondence. They don't balance perfectly, but the distribution is more even than I'd expected. Because I can, I'll go through and name them all for you, moving top down, left to right.
Earth (right side): Malachite, Emerald Calcite, Turquoise, Amazonite, and Moss Agate.
Air (bottom): The only one you can see in this picture is my chunk of Emerald. I also have Sodalite, Aventurine, and Fluorite.
Fire (left side): Citrine, Garnet, Tiger's Eye, Quartz, Hematite, Obsidian, and Bloodstone; there is also a Red Jasper you can't see in this picture.
Fire/Water (top left corner): Unakite*
Water (top): Copper, tumbled Quartz, Moonstone, Rose Quartz, Amethyst, Blue Lace Agate, Goldstone, and two dyed Agates.

*Click the "Unakite" tag for more information about this unique stone.

August 11th, 2012

I'm looking at an exciting upcoming week to round off my summer vacation - tomorrow my mom, Ben, and I are all heading to our grandparents' house for a few days (Nick is there already). Then, rather than just coming home, we'll be with my Aunt C and her friend Leah until Friday. I should still be able to update my blog, though. By way of interest, I will be taking my travel altar, but I'm not sure how much of an opportunity my grandparents are going to give me to use it, as I'm not openly Pagan with them and would like to avoid awkward questions. The stone-o'-the-day is Bloodstone, which is rather appropriate, as I've been working with it today and yesterday.

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 Bloodstone

Physical Characteristics: Bloodstone, or Heliotrope,, as it is sometimes called, is a very dark green stone that may have small white or blue splotches. It is most notable, however, for the flakes of metallic red or yellow layered over the green. Sometimes the color is very noticeable, and sometimes it's a very subtle effect, better seen under direct light.

 

In Nature: Bloodstone is a form of chalcedony. When green chalcedony contains flecks of red jasper or iron oxide, it is know as Bloodstone. When the spots are yellow, it is often given the name "Plasma".

Chemical Composition: SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide)

Mohs Scale Hardness: 6.5 - 7 (middle-high)

Can be Found: India, Brazil, China, Australia, and the USA.

Healing Properties*: The stone helps with cleansing the blood, thus detoxifying the body, and supports all organs that do the same. Bloodstone's most famous use is in halting bleeding, especially small cuts and nose-bleeds. Obviously, the more serious the cut, the more difficult it becomes to heal it quickly. For pregnant mothers, a Bloodstone worn on the arm can prevent miscarriage, while one on the thigh eases childbirth and reduces the risk of hemorrhaging.

Magickal Properties: In addition to its healing potential, Bloodstone gives one protection from negativity. The stone brings adaptability, especially in survival situations, but also in daily life. It is cleansing on all levels, working emotionally to ease sorrow and depression. Bloodstone is also used to bring courage, strength, victory, and wealth, and is an excellent stone to have on hand in business and legal matters. The stone increases the body's energy circulation and removes blockages. Additionally, Bloodstone provides a figurative invisibility when one is looking to blend in with the crowd.

Chakra Association: Bloodstone is tied to the First, or Root Chakra.

Element: Fire

Energy: Projective

Planetary Association: Mars

*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!