Election 2016

I don't usually get political on this blog. When I do, it's generally embarrassing. Here I go, anyway.

I'll try to keep my thoughts on this brief - I have a lot of them, but much of what I would say has already been said by others. A lot of Americans, myself included (and, I think, a lot of folks from other countries included, as well), have been following this United States election cycle very closely. The choice, as it stands, is clear - a choice between backwards white supremacy and fascism, or the most progressive platform run by any candidate ever in the history of this country.

I am #withHer, plain and simple. I have already cast my vote, having voted by absentee ballot last month. Hillary Clinton is pro-LGBTQA+, supports a reformed and nuanced approach to mental health, supports autistic people and those with other neurodivergences, supports women's rights to health care and to make their own reproductive choices, and has spent decades working across party lines to create compromise and make change.

Tonight, I felt called to action. I don't usually share my spells when they're in progress, but tonight, I would like to.

If you, like me, know how critical it is that Hillary Clinton be the next POTUS, then please, take a second to lend your thoughts to this little spell.

And if you want to do something similar for yourself, I just traced a map of the US (in blue!), and inside it, wrote "Madame President Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton, 2016-2020". I then surrounded it with several stones - Copper in the center, to conduct energy and charge the spell, Spirit Quartz to draw people together in harmony towards a cause, and then Blue Lace Agate, Sodalite, Turquoise, and Emerald to activate all those powers of communication that get people to lend their voice and say, "Today, I am going to vote".

August 6th, 2014

The second stone I bought at Faery Fest is commonly called Peacock Ore, due to its flashy, metallic colors. I should note that this is a stone that is becoming less common - unless you are actively seeking out lapidary stores or vendors, you may never see it. I suspect that this is to do with the Copper content (at least 60% according to one source); with Copper being so highly valued at present, it seems likely that more of this ore is being refined into metal as opposed to being sold to collecting metaphysicians. Also, just for the record, this is post #300! Thank you so much to all my wonderful readers for putting up with my crazy and sticking with this thing I call a blog.

Peacock Ore

Physical Characteristics: This mineral begins as a coppery-red and then tarnishes to beautiful iridescent shades of blue-green and purple. If the sample contains Pyrite, this will be visible as gold flecks on the surface.

In Nature: Also called Bornite (and sometimes incorrectly Chalcopyrite), Peacock Ore is a sulfide and is an important source of commercial Copper. It is found in Copper deposits and as dissemination in magnesium-rich igneous rocks, metamorphic deposits, and sedimentary shales.

Chemical Composition: Cu5FeS4

Mohs Scale Hardness: 3 (low)

Can be Found: USA, England, Austria, Zimbabwe

Healing Properties*: In terms of healing, this stone promotes cellular regeneration and will heal the spiritual and physical causes of most ailments.

Magickal Properties: Peacock Ore is associated mostly with energy work. As a multicolored stone, it opens and balances all chakras, also removing energy blockages. Moreover, its benefits to one's psychic senses and abilities are numerous. Peacock Ore opens the mind to ancient esoteric knowledge and may help one access the Akashic Records. The stone opens new avenues for self growth, and is a valuable meditation aide. It dispels negativity and is generally a mood lifter.

Chakra Association: All

Element: Water

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!

Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla

 

Physical Characteristics: Because of its blue color, this stone may be confused with turquoise.

In Nature: Chrysocolla forms in the oxidation zones of Copper ore and is usually found in masses, not individual crystals. It may also be found as vein fillings.

Chemical Composition: (Cu, Al)2H2Si2O5(OH)4·nH2O

Mohs Scale Hardness: 2 (low)

Can be Found: Worldwide, but especially the USA and Australia

Healing Properties*: The stone raises the metabolism and may assist those seeking to achieve a healthy weight. It provides relief from ulcers and arthritis. Chrysocolla also alleviates cramps, infections of the throat, liver toxicity, and high blood pressure.

Magickal Properties: Chrysocolla is generally associated with peace and tranquility, as well as intuition, patience, and unconditional love. It is a powerful stone of life-force energy and feminine empowerment. Chrysocolla releases feelings of guilt, fear, and tension, building one's inner strength. It releases resentment and helps admit forgiveness. It is extremely helpful to releasing anger and pain related to all forms of abuse. The stone promotes promotes level headedness and clarity of thought. Chrysocolla enhances creativity, female energy, and communication. Lay it on the Third Eye to enhance spirituality. The stone bridges the earth and sky as well as the physical and astral realms.

Chakra Association: Fourth (Heart) chakra, though it lightens the aura and removes blockages from all seven.

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!

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.

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!