August 10th, 2013

Apache Tears

Physical Characteristics: These unique stones are natural spheres of Obsidian that are translucent when held up to the light.

In Nature: From a scientific perspective, Apache Tears form when lava cools in small droplets before hitting the ground. These deposits are usually found in matrices of Perlite. According to legend, however, the stones originated when fewer than 100 Apache Native Americans were cornered by army cavalry on an Arizona cliff. The Natives leaped off the cliff face rather than be captured, and the mourning tears of their families turned into Apache Tear stones.

Chemical Composition: SiO2, with various impurities

Mohs Scale Hardness: 5 - 5.5 (middle)

Can be Found: Mexico and the United States

Healing Properties*: The stone relieves muscle tremors, and can be used to expel bodily toxins. It may help defeat addiction and personality disorders, especially OCD.

Magickal Properties: According to folklore, any who carry an Apache Tear, especially if received as a gift, need never cry of grief, for the Apache have shed enough tears for all people. The stones allow for the release of grief and the healing of emotional and physical problems created by grief improperly expressed. This can be a very difficult process, so if possible, work with an experienced crystal healer or a close, sympathetic friend. Apache Tears give their bearers the strength for close emotional self-examination without becoming overwhelmed by feelings. People may develop a close magickal bond with the stone as it guides them through difficult times. It enhances meditation, spirit journeying, and prophetic dreaming; regular meditation with an Apache Tear develops a sense of inner peace and acceptance. Work the meditations outside to allow the stone to ground excess energy. The crystal balances the intellect, keeping one level-headed. use Apache Tears to to protect against subconscious doubts that manifest as self-defeating behavior. It doesn't sugar-coat things - if you work with Apache Tear for the purpose of self-help or improvement, it will tell you your strengths and weaknesses exactly as they are. This stone is an excellent ward of negativity, totally banishing it from its bearer's presence. It may also be helpful for empaths and psychics who are too sensitive to others' energy.

Chakra Association: First (Root) chakra

Element: Earth and 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!

August 9th, 2013

Howlite

Physical Characteristics: Howlite is a white mineral veined with grey. Rarely forming crystals, the most common form of Howlite is large, cauliflower-like nodules of stone. As it is both soft and white, the stone is easily dyed. The most common dye is a light blue. Given the natural grey veins, this causes the Howlite to look like Turquoise, and it is sold under the name Turquenite. Do not be fooled - Turquoise and Turquenite are not the same stone.

In Nature: This stone occurs in evaporite deposits, and especially around Gypsum-heavy regions. Some Gypsum miners actually consider Howlite a nuisance stone.

Chemical Composition: Ca2B5SiO9(OH)5

Mohs Scale Hardness: 3.5 (low)

Can be Found: Canada and the United States

Healing Properties*: Physically, Howlite releases muscle tension and heals stress-related conditions: ulcers, heart problems, rashes, acne, etc. The stone also assists in balancing the body's calcium level.

Magickal Properties: Howlite is recognized for its associations with self-awareness, creativity, and improving one's attitude. The stone enables character building and dispels anger, resentfulness, and selfishness. It enables one to look within for answers and helps one communicate clearly in the midst of emotional crisis. Students will love this stone, as it is great for beating procrastination (I think everyone at my high school needs a piece!). Meditating with Howlite takes one on journeys outside the body and activates past life recall. Predominantly a calming stone, Howlite eases insomnia and soothes the overactive mind - light sleepers will be especially appreciative of its effects. It relieves stress and bolsters dream recollection.

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

Element: Water

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Moon (Yes, we know it's not technically a planet.)

*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 8th, 2013

Lepidolite

Physical Characteristics: Lepidolite is a form of Mica that appears in a classic mottling of white, lavender, purple, and sometimes pink.

In Nature: The stone is often found in the same rock as Tourmaline and Amblygamite. Its color comes from the presence of Lithium in the stone.

Chemical Composition: K(Li, Al)3(Al, Si)4O10(F, OH)2

Mohs Scale Hardness: 2.5 - 4 (low)

Can be Found: The United States and Brazil

Healing Properties*: With regard to health, Lepidolite helps its bearer to overcome insomnia as well as all kinds of addictions, including anorexia and similar disorders. Placed on the body, Lepidolite finds the source of disease, allegedly giving off a gentle vibration when it locates the problem. It combats a wide range of conditions, from the average (allergies, exhaustion, etc.) to the severe (Alzheimer's and epilepsy). A glass of water in which a chunk of Lepidolite has been soaked is an ideal elixir for dealing with the effects of menopause. The stone is a powerful painkiller and reduces the ill-effects of anaesthetics. Likewise, it may reduce one's dependency on medication.

Magickal Properties: Lepidolite is a stone epitomizing calm, trust, and acceptance, thus enhancing self-love, patience, and optimism. It is extremely useful to those working to reduce stress, depression, and obsessive modes of thought. As a stone of transformation, Lepidolite releases old psychological and behavioral patterns, thus inducing change. It calms the mind in periods of transition and encourages the ability to achieve goals independently. It is a wonderful agent of dream recall, and lends growing energy to gardening endeavors. The stone attracts supportive friends and colleagues, as well as opportunities to succeed. Given its purple color, Lepidolite is a stone of spirituality and grants access to spiritual realms and the Akashic Records. It is reassuring for those new to psychic work, or for those who previously had a bad psychic experience.

Chakra Association: Fourth (Hearth), Fifth (Throat), Sixth (Third Eye), and Seventh (Crown) chakras

Element: Water

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Jupiter and Neptune

*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 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!

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 5th, 2013

Whoo hoo! The World of Faeries Festival was AWESOME!
I went over to Hazelnut’s house on Friday night. We were up Saturday morning at 6:30 to get into costume and buy our lunch for the day at Subway. Since we were volunteering, we had to be at the festival grounds by 8:30; she and I helped set things up and got an early look around at the vendors.

Here's me as a Time Faery named Amser.

And here's Hazelnut as a Fox Faery named Corra.

The grounds were beautiful - we had perfect weather both Saturday and Sunday. It was warm but not hot, and there was always a gentle breeze going.

New this year to the Fest was this gorgeous Andalusian Unicorn. His rider performed a bit of dressage, and all the little fairy girls and boys got to pet his (very soft) nose.

There were a lot of other great costumes, including Nautica, the Water Faery.

There was also the ever-popular "statue lady" and her pet dove, Noah.

Then, completely by surprise, we ran into Raincloud and her recently acquired boyfriend, Fox. It was wonderful to see them again!

In addition to all the wonderful people, the Faery Fest always includes wonderful things to purchase. I spent a boatload of cash, but I haven't even the tiniest of regrets. What all did I get? Let us see...

 

The final count includes:

• Beaded pentacle necklace
• Beaded Goddess necklace
• Tumbled Howlite
• Tumbled Angelite
• Tumbled Celestite
• Tumbled Lapis Lazuli
• Tumbled Lepidolite
• Tumbled Apache Tear
• Tumbled Fairy Cross
• Tumbled Jade
• Tumbled Serpentine, carved with a Goddess figure
• De-Stress medicine pouch including seven additional stones
• Clock and key necklace
• Fairy dust necklace
• Nectarine-Guava lip balm
• Spearmint-Eucalyptus soap
• Mini steampunk top hat (see following picture)
• Celtic cross earrings and matching Snowflake Obsidian necklace (not pictured)

See? It has little elastic bands on the bottom for sliding onto headbands.

My legs will be stiff for a week, but I couldn't have had more fun with my friend. Can't wait for next year!

July 26th, 2013

It's been a busy week. I've had physical therapy for my wrist, hours spent finishing up my summer homework, cleaning in preparation for relatives coming to visit tomorrow, and two brothers wanting to be played with. I'm also going to be spending time this afternoon with a friend whom I haven't gotten to see in years. In light of all this company, I'll do a cleansing of my room today, and possibly of the whole house if I get the chance. A while back, I made up a pouch of cleansing herbs; I'll take these and dip them in holy water, and then sprinkle it around the room. I'd like to open the windows too, but it's raining and I don't think my mom would be very happy with me. Ah well, c'est la vie. Maybe later if it clears up.

July 20th, 2013

In the midst of all the things I've had going on, I have managed to maintain some semblance of a social life. Hazelnut is coming to sleep over tonight (whoo hoo!), and I'm sure we will have many exciting discussions on metaphysical topics. I know she recently learned some new things about Therians she wanted to share with me. I haven't gotten to see her in weeks, so I'm really looking forward to it!
Also, it's just a couple of weeks until this year's World of Faeries festival! The Faery Fest is steampunk-themed this year, so I put together a Time Faery costume, complete with watches, a Time-Turner (complements of Harry Potter), and eventually a couple of my dad's pocket watches.

This is just a preliminary picture; adjustments to the costume will still be made. You cannot see them in this image, but I am wearing pale green faery wings in the back.

Playing Catch-up...

Hello, ladies and gentleman! I'm back! It's been a crazy month here, so let me fill you in on everything.
My family, grandpa, and Aunt C all went camping in Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for a week. We left home on June 29th, and returned July 7th.

Here's a pretty sunset - isn't it gorgeous? We saw a plethora of wildlife, including turtles, toads, snakes, eagles, and a mink or a weasel.

We stayed in tents, of course. Aunt C and I were in this one, grandpa was in his own, and everyone else slept in a larger tent. I was asked upon my return what it's like to sleep outdoors. I was rather dumbfounded by the question; it' hard to describe. For readers who have never had the experience, it is hot and muggy, even when it's cool outside the tent, and if it rains, it's damp. You can also hear everything through the canvas, so you get woken up by the birds in the morning, and you go to sleep hearing the drone of the mosquitoes.

Our street had a block party last weekend, which was a lot of fun. A fire truck and police car stopped by to visit and give demonstrations; the little kids (and some of the bigger ones) all got to spray the fire hose. We grilled out, got to know each other, and the dozen or so younger kids raced each other on tricycles and played on the water slide.

I got dragooned into helping with my mom's church's annual Vacation Bible School, but luckily, I got to avoid all the religious drama by volunteering in the Arts and Crafts department. Over the course of a week, the kids made swords, shields, tunics, catapults, and more, in accordance with this year's Medieval theme. I've been doing art with VBS for years now, and usually I'll make a couple of the crafts for myself. This year, however, I didn't really care for a lot of the designs. Yesterday, though, they made lanterns, complete with little electric candles. I thought it'd make a nice altar addition, especially because I'm not allowed to burn my real candles, and since there were extra kits, I made one.

Last but not least, our town puts on an event called Summer Celebration at the end of July every year. Among other things, one major attraction is the town parade, in which different clubs and companies enter floats. My mom and I are members of our local choral society, and have been working on the society's parade float. Since the parade's theme this year is Broadway, it was right up our alley. I can't post pictures of the completed float yet, but here's me with the topper for the giant Tony award we're using as the proverbial icing on the cake. I drew the design on both sides and painted it. Quite the production.
You can also see in this picture that my arm is in a splint. I've had tendinitis since March, and am now seeing an Occupational Therapist to get my wrist healed up. Send positive energy, please; I want to get back to having full use of my thumb ASAP!
Whew! I think that's about everything. On with the regularly scheduled program!

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.