September 15th, 2014

So after buying a boat-load of crystals this last weekend, I've been trying to sit down and identify them and realized that I've never done a post about Amethyst. Really? But 'tis so. I don't even have an entry in my notebook about it yet. If that isn't a glaring oversight, I don't know what is. Allow me, then, to remedy this egregious error on my part with this:

Amethyst

Physical Characteristics: Amethyst occurs in colors ranging from pink to deep purple. It may also posses red and/or blue hues. These colors are products of iron and other trace elements in the silica structure, as well as natural irradiation. Artificial irradiation may be used to turn Amethyst into false Citrine.

In Nature: This crystal can be found in numerous forms, but most typically as clusters or geodes. Some underground caverns have been opened which are totally filled with Amethyst points.

Chemical Composition: SiO2

Mohs Scale Hardness: 7 (middle-high)

Can be Found: Brazil, Uruguay, South Korea, Austria, Zambia, USA

Healing Properties*: This stone may be employed as a pain reliever for conditions like arthritis. It also addresses diabetes, circulation, and fatigue, as well as asthma. Pregnant mothers may wear it to ensure a safe childbirth and to prevent miscarriage. Those who suffer strong premenstrual symptoms can get relief from an Amethyst. Although Amethyst can be used to accelerate the healing of illness and injury, its primary powers are focused on substance abuse. In fact, the name "Amethyst" comes from the Greek "Amethustos", "a-" being a prefix used still in modern English to mean "not" and "methustos" being "intoxicated". One myth describes how the titan Rhea gave Dionysus (Greek god of wine, theatre, and revelry) an Amethyst to preserve the wine drinker's sanity. In the 1500s, a French poet expanded on this theme by describing how Bacchus (the Roman version of Dionysus) pursued a woman named Amethyste, who refused his advances. The girl prayed for chastity, and Diana answered her, turning her into a beautiful white crystal, because this was how the Greek and Roman deities dealt with mortal problems. Remorseful, Bacchus poured an offering of wine over the stone, staining it purple. Whatever the origin of the crystal's association with liquor, it is a significant one which went so far as to influence some Christians - Western bishops may wear a ring set with Amethyst, alluding to Acts 2:15 wherein the Apostals manage to be sober at 9:00 in the morning for Pentacost. If overcoming alcoholism is one's goal, Amethyst is a tool which will work to your benefit. 

Magickal Properties: When I think "Amethyst", I think "calming". This stone is one of the most powerful emotional soothers in the mineral kingdom. Practically sedative in nature, it promotes calm, happiness, and contentment, easing anxiety and fear. It builds inner fortitude as well as flexibility, changing how its bearer responds to mental and geopathic stressors. With its extremely high vibration, expect Amethyst to clear negativity from the aura. A cluster set in a room will affect the energy of the entire space (I never put mine away!). Not only does this crystal soothe, but it also guards against danger, helping its bearer feel even more at-ease. Worn by travelers, it wards off those who may seek to take them at their advantage, while soldiers wear it to remain clear-headed in the heat of battle. If psychic attack in any form is a concern, Amethyst will divert the negativity. Powerful also in other psychic endeavors, use the stone to open the Third Eye, to meditate, and to lucid dream. Further prescribed uses include telepathy, past-life regression, clairaudience, and communing with spirits, angels in particular. The stone prevents insomnia, and is one of the best stones with which to banish nightmares, especially those which are recurrent. Dionysus was not just the god of alcohol - he was also the patron of the theatre and other visual and performance arts. His connection to the Amethyst therefore makes it an artist's stone, engendering creativity. 

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

Element: Water

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!

A side note:
There are other forms of Amethyst. For one example, check out Ametrine. Another kind, which came in the box of assorted crystals I just purchased, is called Chevron Amethyst.

• Physical: Alternating bands of white Quartz and Amethyst in a chevron (V) pattern.
• Magickal: A powerful spiritual stone, and one of the best for working with the Third Eye. It deepens meditative states and opens access to higher realms. Any psychic venture will benefit from a Chevron Amethyst.

August 6th, 2013

You all had to know this was coming. After buying nine new stones at the Faery Fest, I'm set in terms of blog posts for over a week. Let's start with a classic...

Jade

Physical Characteristics: Jade comes in a variety of colors, including green, lavender, orange, black, and white. Imperial Jade, the most valuable variety, is a very deep, almost emerald-toned green. Given its degree of hardness, Jade has been a popular carving stone since the Neolithic period, being a choice material for ornamentation and for more practical hardware, like weaponry.

In Nature: The term Jade actually applies to two different metamorphic stones: Nephrite and Jadeite. This distinction was not discovered until the 19th century. While it is an important difference to scientists and others working with stones for mundane purposes, the metaphysical value of Nephrite and Jadeite are more or less identical.

Chemical Composition: Ca2(Mg, Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2

Mohs Scale Hardness: 6 - 7 (middle - high)

Can be Found: Guatemala, Myanmar, Canada, China, New Zealand, India, Korea

Healing Properties*: Jade strengthens the heart and kidneys as well as the nervous and immune systems. In tandem with this, the stone purifies the blood and boosts the organs that do the same. Green Jade is especially useful in counteracting depression. Other colors of Jade may posess additional healing properties.

Magickal Properties: On occasion referred to as the "Dream Stone", Jade is notable for its ability to assist the bearer in reaching non-physical realms. It is also protective, warding off negative energy. Employ it to banish negative spirits. Jade assists in moving past self-imposed restrictions and bestows resourcefulness. Its energy manifests one's wishes on the material plane. Considered lucky, this stone facilitates peace and harmony between the mental, spiritual, and physical parts of the body. Furthermore, Jade encourages the development of courage, compassion, justice, generosity, humility, wealth, and longevity in its bearer. Green Jade in particular is known for bestowing prophetic dreams, should such dreams be one's desire. Jade is likewise renown for its ability to draw love, especially when coupled with butterfly imagery. One can also use it in all matters relating to physical love: childbirth, sexual dysfunction, and even in protecting against sexual abuse and harassment. Given its association both with money and inspiration, it is an ideal stone for businessmen and artists, particularly of the musical variety. The stone empowers one to be oneself, even in the face of peer pressure, dogmatic restrictions, exaggerated militarism, etc.

Chakra Association: Fourth (Heart) 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!

August 18th, 2012

I just finished cleansing the house! After the events of yesterday, and the passing of one of my dad's good friends, I thought the energy really needed to be cleared, and it already feels way better in here! Energy cleansing is an important part of regulating the health of a household, and should be done after a bad fight, break-up, divorce, death, or other negative occurrence. It can also be done even when nothing bad has occurred, to keep the positive energy fresh and flowing. All you need is some salt, water, and a bell (but you don't even need that if you can clap your hands). Bless and cleanse the first two. Put three pinches of salt into the water and stir, while consecrating the mixture as holy water. Then walk into the room where the most negative energy is clinging (if, for instance, you are cleansing after an argument, go first to the room where the argument took place). Dip your fingers into the holy water and draw a banishing pentagram in the air. Say something along the lines of:

"I cleanse this space of all negativity, in this world and in the astral. Nothing evil or nasty, real or imagined, can ever abide here. So mote it be." 

Then sprinkle some of the water three times in a counter-clockwise circle. Ring the bell or clap your hands until the energy in the room has been raised to a normal, positive level. Repeat the procedure in every room of the home. Note: energy should always be cleansed after a new home, apartment, dorm, etc. is purchased. Old negativity from the previous owners can hang around otherwise.
Now that I'm home, and have some time to do so, I can finally finish off my running gemstone presentations with today's final stone (for now), Unakite.

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Unakite

Physical Characteristics: Unakite appears as a pink stone mottled with an  olive green. It may look almost mossy, and have little pink showing. If there is no pink, however, the stone may not be Unakite, but green Epidote.

In Nature: Unakite is an altered granite composed of pink feldspar and green Epidote, mixed with clear quartz.

Chemical Composition: SiO2 + Ca2(Fe,Al)Al2

Mohs Scale Hardness: 6.5 (middle)

Can be Found: South Africa, the USA, Brazil, and China

Healing Properties*: By releasing emotional trauma, the whole body is impacted, with healthier organs, muscles, and other tissues. Unakite is important to a safe pregnancy, aiding healthy growth of the infant, and, if one is underweight, can help one reach a safe body mass.

Magickal Properties: Unakite provides balance between the mundane and spiritual lives. It helps remove obstacles to personal growth, allowing one to let go of pain and anger. The stone builds self-confidence, strengthens courage, and allows one to really take control of one's life. Additionally, Unakite can be taken into difficult situations, to retain one's personal power. Unakite also has associations with finding lost objects, gardening, and attracting spirit guides.

Chakra Association: Unakite is best synchronised with the Third, or Solar Plexus Chakra, and the Fourth, or Heart Chakra.

Element: Fire, Water

Energy: Projective, Receptive

Planetary Association: Mars, 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!

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!

August 9th, 2012

Getting ready to go back to school, and seeking ways to get the most out of the year? I know I am, and I've been rooting through my BOS, other books, and of course, the internet, looking for simple spells to enhance my learning. If you have a suggestion for me, I'd love to hear it! So far, all I've settled on definitively is that I'll be taking my Fluorite and Calcite and will empower them for memory. These I shall add to a pouch, along with a sprig of Rosemary, that I will wear on the first day of school, and at other times when I feel I need that extra boost.

If you would like to try the same, but don't have the stones, you could, of course, buy them, or substitute in other stones that have the ability to boost intelligence. A Clear Quartz is a good universal crystal that will work beautifully if you don't have any other options. Crystals not your thing? Try rolling the Rosemary in a tube of yellow paper, and perhaps adding a feather. Both of these are symbols of the Element Air, and it is these elementals that bring intelligence and wisdom. I'll keep you posted as I come up with other spells and ideas.

Today's stone, for those interested in my running saga, is Malachite.

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Malachite

Physical Characteristics: Malachite is a stone coming in a deep green with banding in a bright, almost lime, shade. It may be tumbled or raw. It is also available in polished clumps.

In Nature: Often results from the weathering of copper ores, and is typically found with Azurite. Associated with limestone deposits around the copper.

Chemical Composition: Cu2CO3(OH)2 (Copper Carbonate Hydroxide)

Mohs Scale Hardness: 4 (low-middle)

Can be Found: Worldwide, especially Russia, West Europe, the USA, Israel, Zambia, and Namibia

Healing Properties*: The stone wards off heart pains and cardiac asthma, and a daily bathing of the eyes in Malachite water strengthens the optic nerves. It decreases susceptibility to radiation illness, asthma, arthritis, and tumors, and aids in the function of the pancreas and spleen.

Magickal Properties: Malachite reminds us to renew our connection with the All. It improves one's outlook and releases stress to create new beginnings. It builds one's strength, and is the stone of pregnant women. The copper in the stone gives it a steady, pulsing electrical field, absorbing negative energies from the aura and protecting against outside negativity. Used with the Third Chakra, Malachite clears static or repressed emotion. The stone counteracts negative ideas about love and relationships, attracting positive love. Additionally, it is good for emotional stability and balance. Malachite can detect danger; legend says that the stone will break apart in warning of an immanent calamity. The stone lends its protective magick especially well to children, keeping away nightmares, the "evil eye", and other negative influences. Use in magickal rites to build power, as well as to increase control over where the energy is sent. It is a great stone for actors and public speakers, as it draws attention to one's person. According to Roman belief, use of Malachite can enable communion with animals and their spirits. Worn during business meetings, or placed in the cash register, Malachite increases one's sales and prosperity.

Chakra Association: Malachite works with all seven chakras, but has a special affinity for the Third, or Solar Plexus Chakra, and the Fourth, or Heart Chakra.

Element: Earth

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!