May 17th, 2017

I don't believe I ever shared a photo of it, but one of my birthday gifts this year was a piece of Polychrome Jasper from Rebekka's store carved in the shape of a heart. Now that I've had a little free time over my summer vacation, I finally got around to researching its properties.

~~~~~
Polychrome Jasper 

(aka Desert Jasper)

Physical Characteristics: Polychrome Jasper is so named for the myriad colors it can contain, the list of which includes red, brown, purple, yellow, grey, and teal. These colors are the product of mineral admixtures, usually iron oxides.

In Nature: Jaspers are micro-crystalline, fine-grained, and opaque stones. They are comprised of massive (i.e. formed in a mass) formations of Chalcedony Quartz.

Chemical Composition: SiO2

Mohs Scale Hardness: 7 (medium-high)

Can be Found: Madagascar

Healing Properties*: Use Polychrome Jasper to boost your energy; it may be helpful for managing chronic fatigue, exhaustion as a result of a mental illness, or similar conditions.

Magickal Properties: Polychrome or Desert Jasper is a figure stone, which is to say that certain specimens may appear to show images of people, animals, landscapes, or symbols, and one's associations with that image can impact the properties of the stone. The properties can also vary based on what colors are present (see below). 

Generally, Polychrome Jasper is a stone with fiery energy, associated with action, passion, and liveliness. It can be a powerful tool for transforming one's life trajectory into something more desirable; it can be used similarly for new relationships. Additionally, use Polychrome Jasper for grounding, and for finding peace and self-worth during difficult times.

Color properties:

• Red/Red-orange: Enthusiasm, physical and spiritual vitality
• Rose: New love, romance, and/or relationships
• Purple: Awe, mystery, dream interpretation, renewal
• Teal: Temperance, restoring calm, relieving stress, overcoming conflict, protection in the face of cruelty
• Yellow: Happiness, cheerfulness, contentment

Chakra Association: Root (First), Solar Plexus (Third) chakras

Element: Fire

Energy: Projective

Planetary Association: Earth, 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!

January 28th, 2016

I thought I would share a photo of the pendant I picked up at Gaia House on Wednesday. I'm not certain what kind of stone it is; my original guess was Rhodonite, but it doesn't seem pink enough for that. Instead, it's a very brick-red color, with some black and grey inclusions. My second guess is that it's a kind of Jasper, but I really don't have much of an idea. 

A friend of mine proposed that it looks like an eggplant, which between its shape and its leafy little fitting, it does. "Eggplant-looking rock" doesn't tell me too much else about it, though.

I'm going to keep looking. I'd really like to identify it! If I haven't figured it out by Saturday, maybe I'll take it to the Imbolg ritual. Perhaps the person who donated it to Freecycle will be there and know what it is, or, failing that, possibly one of my other Pagan acquaintances might have an idea.

April 25th, 2014

Yes, I have an excuse for not posting. No, that doesn't make it okay. But between my last senior musical, directing a one-act play, and preping for graduation, perhaps you can understand why I haven't done much blogging lately. (Fanfiction might also have something to do with this, but you didn't hear that from me.) We went to the zoo a month (or two) ago, and I bought me a piece of Dalmatian Jasper, so I thought it might make a good apology to blog about that today.

 

Dalmatian Jasper

Physical Characteristics: Jaspers appear in a multitude of colors according to the content of the sediment they form in, and are also affected by the presence of other minerals, volcanic ash, etc. Dalmatian Jasper, because of its coloration, is often dyed and may be sold as fake Turquoise or other spotted stones.

In Nature: Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony, and is likewise an impure silica (that makes it a Network Solid, for all you AP Chem students!). In this particular variety, my research on the internet suggests that the black spotted inclusions are actually pieces of Black Tourmaline, but I do not know that for a fact. If anyone has more information, please feel free to comment.

Chemical Composition: SiO2

 
Mohs Scale Hardness: 6 - 7 (middle)

Can be Found: America, India, and Mexico are the only sources I found cited on the internet, but I'm sure it's more common than that. Again, there seems to be rather a dearth of information.

Healing Properties*: In healing magick, this is a stone to boost the immune system and clear toxins from the body. It is said to aide disorders of the bowels, benefit the muscles, and prevent sprains. Because of its tendency to improve the mood, it may help those suffering depression or those trying to quit smoking.

Magickal Properties: A subspecies of Brown Jasper, this is a nurturing, protective stone. It is also a stone that assists in the manifestation of one's ideas and goals, and could feasibly be useful to an entrepreneur, a student, or even a first-time home buyer. The stone grounds, absorbs atmospheric negativity, and inspires tranquility while reducing geopathic and environmental stressors. The stone's spotted pattern associates it with the animal kingdom, especially the dogs for which it is named, and may be particularly useful when working with your pet or helping children overcome a fear of animals. In the home, Dalmatian Jasper strengthens family ties, encouraging fidelity and emotional harmony. Children may be additionally aided by it as a ward against nightmares. This crystal breaks illusions and is an all around "pick-me-up" stone. Interestingly, Ancient Europeans and Native Americans alike used it to summon rain.

Chakra Association: First (Root) Chakra

Element: Earth

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Earth, according to what I've read. I've never heard of an Earth planetary association before; usually, it's only elemental. Nevertheless, that's the impression I have at this time. Brown Jasper has a Saturn association, so that could also be appropriate.

*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, 2012

It's a beautiful day at grandma's house! I'm seated on their porch as I write this, enjoying the smell of fresh-cut grass, and keeping an eye out for the Hummingbirds who visit my grandma's feeder. We went for another walk today along a shadier path next to the creek and saw a very silly squirrel loudly chewing on a nut.
Having caught a bit of a respite, I finally have time to add information on a new stone, Red Jasper.

 ~~~~~~~~~~

 Red Jasper

Physical Characteristics: Red Jasper is, as one might expect, a scarlet red. It is typically striated with brown and/or dark red stripes. Jasper comes in many other colors, and that affects their uses, so the following may not be true of all Jaspers.

In Nature: Jasper is a form of chalcedony, like Bloodstone. It is opaque and colored due to iron oxide in the stone.

Chemical Composition: SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide)

Mohs Scale Hardness: 7 (middle-high)

Can be Found: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, India, Kazakstan, Madagascar, Russia, Uruguay, and the USA.

Healing Properties*: Therapeutically, Red Jasper stimulates sexuality and fertility. It is beneficial in treating the liver, spleen, and pancreas. Drinking Jasper water before every meal promotes weight loss. On the other hand, the stone helps battle anorexia and bulimia, as well other stomach disorders. Jasper water is further beneficial in easing constipation.

Magickal Properties: As a decorative stone, Jasper combats exhaustion. It aligns the chakras, balancing yin and yang energies, and may be used to bring rain. In the past, Jasper warded off snake and spider bite. Although not a great concern today, these ancient associations imply that Jasper can protect against modern dangers, from car crashes to harassment. Jasper promotes mental processes and restrains dangerous whims. Worn by young women, it promotes beauty and grace. This is another lucky stone for actors, and it gives one the courage to speak out. It is a stone of stability and strength. Red Jasper enhances dream recall and dream work, and assists in unjust situations.

Chakra Association: Red Jasper aligns all the chakras, but is especially helpful to the First, or Root Chakra, and the Second, or Sacral 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!