August 29th, 2015

I'm super excited! Today, the Gaia House was having what they called an "Omni Sale" - basically a rummage sale with books, clothes, art, household goods, and more. They are fundraising so they can do some much-needed renovations, and let's face it, I'm a sucker for a good bargain.

To start off with, I got several books. They were all only $1 each!

I first picked up this, The Fifth Sacred Thing, by Starhawk. I read her The Spiral Dance several years ago and really liked it, so I'm interested to see what this one is like. The back synopsis made it sound like it's a work of fiction. I guess we'll see!

Then I got Kundalini Experience, by Lee Sannella, M.D.. I've not read extensively into kundalini energy, and I am interested to see what this has to say.

I also picked up Being-in-Dreaming: An Initiation into the Sorcerers' World. My understanding is that this one is an autobiography of a woman, Florinda Donner, who participated in a Mexican variant of sorcery. Once again, it looked neat! I'll report back with reviews, eventually. 

While I was there I also got a vegetarian cookbook; I think that'll be a Yule gift for my Aunt C.

The last thing I picked up was this fine gentleman:

This dragon is actually an incense burner! One sits a tea light in the receptacle between his wings and then pours essential oil, liquid incense, or etc. in the glass dish above; wax melts would also work. Then one lights the candle, which heats the dish, and causes the scent to be released! I probably won't be using him in this fashion anytime soon, but in the meantime, I think he's going to be a little room guardian. He seemed to like that idea! 

August 7th, 2013

Serpentine

Physical Characteristics: Up to 20 different minerals are classified as belonging to the Serpentine group, but given their difficulty in individualizing, distinctions are not usually made. Serpentine is a green stone, thought to resemble the skin of a snake, hence its name.

In Nature: There are three major varieties of this mineral: Antigorite (formed by the geologic metamorphosis of wet ultramafic rock), Chrysotile (in which the same minerals form a variety of crystal structures), and lizardite. Antigorite Serpentine is most commonly a decorative stone.

Chemical Composition: (Mg, Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4

Mohs Scale Hardness: 2.5 - 5.5 (low - middle)

Can be Found: Canada, the USA, Afghanistan, Britain, Greece, China, France, Korea, Austria, India, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Italy

Healing Properties*: Serpentine is used to treat a wide range of physical disorders, including cardiac irregularity, stomach and bowel issues, kidney disorders, menstrual problems (particularly cramps), and sexual dysfunction in women. It is an excellent stone for those in need of cellular regeneration, may aid those struggling with diabetes, and can help eliminate parasites.

Magickal Properties: An excellent meditation stone, Serpentine assists in finding inner peace as well as clearing the mind. This is especially effective when paired with Jade. For those seeking to awaken Kundalini energies, Serpentine may provide any needed assistance. Also, the stone is a draw for both elemental beings and angelic guides. In ancient Assyria, the stone was carried to request blessings of the Gods and Goddesses; there is no reason to believe that this is an invalid use today. Furthermore, the stone is good for the mind, keeping its bearer calm in hectic and/or stressful situations. It protects against snakebite, and could theoretically be charged to ward off animal bites in general. The stone's protective power extends to banishing poisons, malicious spirits, and negative magick. In the Far East, Serpentine is often incorporated into altars and temple decorations to create a peaceful atmosphere.

Chakra Association: Fourth (Heart) Chakra, though it can clear blockages from any of the seven.

Element: Fire

Energy: Projective

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!