Category: Crystals/Gems

GARNET (ALMANDINE)

GARNET (ALMANDINE)

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION:  Almandine Garnets are from a group of very
closely related aluminum silicates. The Chemistry for the Almandine
variety is Fe2/3+Al2Si3O12. These Garnets range in color from deep red
to brown and brownish black. The hardness ranges between 6-1/2 and
7-1/2.

ENVIRONMENT: Almandine occurs in diorite of plutonic rocks, and with
andalusite, hornblende, and biotite in hornfels and schist of contact
and regional metamorphic rocks.

OCCURENCE: Well-formed crystals of Almandine have come from Wrangell, SE
Alaska; from Emerald Creek, Benewah Co., Idaho; and from Michigamme,
Michigan.  Gemstone quality material is obtained in large quantities
from Sri Lanka and India, where it is also cut; other sources are Burma,
Brazil, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Australia.

GEMSTONE INFORMATION: Most red garnets come under the name Almandine,
even when their composition is midway between that of Pyrope and
Almandine and similar, in many cases, to that of Rhodolite. The reason
for this is the similarity in their color and absorption spectrum
characteristics. Almandine has a brilliant luster, but its transparency
is frequently marred, even in very clear stones, by excessive depth of
color. The cabochon cut is widely used, often being given a strongly
convex shape and sometimes a concave base, in an effort to lighten
the color by reducing the thickness. Rose cuts have also been used,
particularly in the past. Nowdays, when the material is quite transpare-
nt, faceted cuts are used as well, and sometimes square or rectangular
step cuts.  Gems of several carats are not uncommon. Faceted or even
barely rounded pieces of Almandine, pierced as necklace beads, were very
common in the recent past, but are now considered old-fashioned.

NAME: The name Almandine comes from [carbunculus alabandicus,] after the
city of Alabanda in Asia Minor, where gems were traded at the time of
Pliny theElder.

LEGEND and LORE: All red Garnet has long been associated with love,
passion, sensuality and sexuality. Garnet is considered a birthstone for
those born in January:

“By her in January born
No gem save Garnets should be worn;
They will ensure her constancy,
True friendship, and fidelity.”

MAGICAL PROPERTIES: The darker Garnets are associated with the Will and
the Source of Life Incarnate. This is who and what we are in this
lifetime. This stone is worn for protective purposes, and is thought to
drive off demons and phantoms.

HEALING: Almandine Garnets are used to heal skin conditions associated
with poor circulation. They improve vigor, strength and endurance.

                      ——-bibliography——-
1. Scientific, Environment, Occurence and Name are from (or paraphrased
from) “The Audubon Society field Guide to North American Rocks and
Minerals”.
2. Other scientific information may be from “Simon & Schuester’s Guide
to Gems and Precious Stones”.
3. Precious and semi-precious gemstone information may come from
“Gemstones” by E. H. Rutland.
4. Other precious and semi-precious gemstone information may come from
“Gem Cutting”, sec. ed., by John Sinkankas.
5. Basic Legends, Lore and Magical Properties are from “Cunningham’s
Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic”, by Scott Cunningham.
6. Other Magical and Healing information may come from “ccrystal Wisdom,
Spiritual Properties of Crystals and Gemstones” by Dolfyn.
7. More legends and lore may come from “Stone Power” by Dorothee L.
Mella.
8. Healing information is from “The Women’s Book of Healing”, by Diane
Stein.
9. Additional healing information may be from “The Occult and Curative
Powers of Precious Stones” by William T. Fernie, M.D.

GARNET (PYROPE)

GARNET (PYROPE)

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION: Pyrope Garnets are from a group of very closely
related aluminum silicates. The Chemistry for the Pyrope variety is
Mg3Al2Si3O12. These Garnets range in color from deep red to reddish
black and on rare occasions from purple and rose to pale purplish red
(sometimes called [rhodolite].) The hardness ranges between 6-1/2 and
7-1/2.

ENVIRONMENT: Pyrope occurs with olivine and hypersthene in peridotite of
plutonic rocks.

OCCURENCE: Pyrope Garnets occur in peridotite in Kentucky, Arkansas,
Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. In the latter half of the nineteenth
century, most Pyrope came from Bohemia, where it is still found today.
The main sources nowadays, however, are South Africa, Zimbabwe,
Tanzania, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Australia.

GEMSTONE INFORMATION: The garnet species with red or purple varieties,
including Pyrope are considered gemstones. Usually bright red, Pyrope
can be a much less attractive brick or dark red. It can be perfectly
transparent, but this feature is less visible in dark specimens. It is
either made into fairly convex cabochons, or faceted, with an oval or
round mixed cut or, more rarely, a step cut. The faceted gems have good
luster, rather less obvious in cabochons. The most valuable types are,
of course, the transparent ones with the brightest red color. Pyrope is
relatively common, although less so than almandine. Very large stones,
up to several hundred carats have been found; but these are rare and are
found in museums and famous collections.

NAME: The name comes from the Greek [pyropos,] meaning “fiery.” The name
“Garnet” comes from the Latin [granatus,] meaning “seed-like”.

LEGEND and LORE: Pyrope Garnet has long been associated with love,
passion, sensuality and sexuality. Some Asiatic tribes used red garnets
as bullets for sling bows because they pierced their victims quickly,
and could not be seen well in the body when they mingled with the blood.
2612

Throughout the ages, Pyrope has been used as a curative for all types of
ailments dealing with blood.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES: Pyrope is directly linked with the Will. As such, it
is a strong stone for the Magician and Shaman. It is associated with
Fire and Mars, Strength and Protection. It will help the practitioner
tap into extra energy for ritualistic purposes.

HEALING: While all Garnets are associated with the Root Chakra, Pyrope
is particularly symbolic. It is used for healing when the subject
involved has “lost the will to live”, since it is directly related to
the desire to live and achieve in this lifetime. This stone warms and
aids blood circulation, rouses sexuality and heals the reproductive
system and the heart.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: If you are already a strong willed individual or
have a fiery temper that you need to learn to control, I suggest that
you work with the Alamandine Garnets, rather than the Pyropes. This is
a good stone to use for treating depression. Very often, when I’ve
“worked” on an individual who has suffered a heart attack, I find that
the individual is rather severely depressed (which I think is a side
effect of the medication) and has lost the will to continue in this
lifetime. I’ve found that fiery red Pyrope Garnets are a great help in
this situation.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: The Latin name [carbunculus,] (small coal or ember),
is attributed to all red transparent stones. It is more often applied to
Pyropes when they are formed into cabochons than any other stone.

——-bibliography——-
1. Scientific, Environment, Occurence and Name are from (or paraphrased
from) “The Audubon Society field Guide to North American Rocks and
Minerals”.
2. Other scientific information may be from “Simon & Schuester’s Guide
to Gems and Precious Stones”.
3. Precious and semi-precious gemstone information may come from
“Gemstones” by E. H. Rutland.
4. Other precious and semi-precious gemstone information may come from
“Gem Cutting”, sec. ed., by John Sinkankas.
5. Basic Legends, Lore and Magical Properties are from “Cunningham’s
Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic”, by Scott Cunningham.
6. Other Magical and Healing information may come from “ccrystal Wisdom,
Spiritual Properties of Crystals and Gemstones” by Dolfyn.
7. More legends and lore may come from “Stone Power” by Dorothee L.
Mella.
8. Healing information is from “The Women’s Book of Healing”, by Diane
Stein.
9. Additional healing information may be from “The Occult and Curative
Powers of Precious Stones” by William T. Fernie, M.D.

EMERALD

EMERALD

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION:Emerald is a type of Beryl, Beryllium aluminum
silicate, frequently with some sodium, lithium and cesium.It’s chemistry
is Be3Al2Si6O18. Beryls range in color from Bright green (emerald),
blue, greenish blue (aquamarine), yellow (golden beryl), red, pink
(morganite) to white. The streak is colorless. It’s hardness is 7-1/2 to
8. The crystals are Hexagonal and they are common. Fine emeralds have
velvety body appearance; their value lies in their even distribution of
color. Inclusions are common in emerald, but other stones of this group
are usually most valuable when free of flaws.

ENVIRONMENT: Beryl develops in pegmatites and certain metamorphic rocks.
It occurs with quartz, microcline, and muscovite in pegmatites, and with
quartz, muscovite, and almandine in schist of regional metamorphic
rocks.

OCCURENCE: Best emerald comes from Colombia.(NOTE: it is not necessary
to spend thousands of dollars for a tiny chip of emerald to add to your
healing/ magical collection. If you look around in rock shops, you may
be able to come across some “less than perfect” stones that aren’t
faceted. I’ve found 4 of them, slightly larger than my fingernail and
they were about $3.00 each.)

NAME: The name is from the Greek [beryllos] indicating any green
gemstone.

LEGEND and LORE: Emerald is considered a birthstone for the month of
May.

    “Who first beholds the light of day,
    In spring’s sweet flowery month of May,
    And wears an Emerald all her life,
    Shall be a loved, and happy wife.” (4)

MAGICAL PROPERTIES: “If you wish to bring a love into your life, buy an
emerald and charge it with your magical need through your visualization,
perhaps while placing it near a green candle. After this ritual, wear or
carry the emerald somewhere near your heart. Do this in such a way that
it cannot be seen by others. When you meet a future love, you’ll know it
wasn’t the visible jewel that attracted him or her.” (3) The Greeks
associated this stone with the Goddess Venus. It has come to represent,
for many people, the security of love.  Emerald, like allmost all of the
green stones, is also advantageous for business/money ventures.

HEALING: Emerald is said to aid perception and inner clarity. Because of
this, they are also associated with healing diseases of the eye, and
problems affecting eyesight. It was believed that emeralds could
counteract poisons and cure disentary.

……………………………………………………………………..

1. Scientific, Environment, Occurance and Name are from (or paraphrased
from) “The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and
Minerals”.

2. Legends and Lore, Magical Properties are from “Cunningham’s En-
cyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic”, by Scott Cunningham.

3. Some of the healing information may come from “Color and Crystals, A
Journey Through the Chakras” by Joy Gardner. Other sources may be “Stone
Power” by Dorothee L. Mella.

4. Birthstone poem from “The Occult and Curative Powers of Precious
Stones” by William T. Fernie, M.D.

Crystal Ball

Crystal Ball

The crystal should be without flaw-no scratches on its surface or bubbles within (the new acrylicplexiglass “crystals” work quite well, but scratch very easily). Rest the ball on a background of black. A black velvet cloth is ideal. This can, in turn, rest on a table in front of you or can cover your hand(s) if you wish to hold the crystal. This black background is to ensure that you see nothing around the ball to distract you as you gaze into it. Initially you should work alone, in a room that is quiet and dark. Your temple, of course, is the ideal place. Have just one small light, preferably a candle. Place the light so that you do not see it reflected directly in the crystal. Burn a pleasant-smelling incense, since it will help you concentrate. Work in a consecraed circle, at least to begin with. Later, if you should want to use the crystal elsewhere, you can simply imagine yourself surrounded by, and completely encompassed in, white light; though even then I would strongly advise casting a small circle about yourself with you athame. Start by saying some protective prayer, then ask the Lord and Lady for their guidance and their protection.

Now sit and gaze into the crystal trying to keep your mind blank. This is not easy and will take some practice. Do not stare at the ball unblinking; this will just cause eyestrain! Gaze-blinking your eyes naturally, as necessary. Do not try to imagine anything in the ball. Just try to keep your mind blank. After a while (anywhere from two to ten minutes) it will seem that the ball is filling with white mist or smoke. It will gradually grow more and more dense until the ball seems full of it. Then, again gradually, the smoke will thin and fade, leaving behind a picture- almost like a miniature television picture. It might be in black-and-white but it more likely to be in color. It might be still or it might be moving. It might be from the past, present or future. Also, it is very likely to be a symbolic picture, requiring some interpretation-much like a dream.

Initially you have no great control over what you see. You must just take what comes. As you become more adept, you may meditate for a few moments before gazing on what you wish to see. Then, when you start to gaze, clear your mind and try to keep it blank. Most people seem capable of success at scrying. If you get nothing the first time you try, then try again the next night, and then the next. It may take a week or more before you get anything, but keep trying. Do not, however, try for more than about ten minutes or so at each attempt.

If you can’t obtain a crystal, it is possible to use a regular convex magnigying glass lens. Polished carefully and laid on the black velvet, it will work almost as well as the ball. Whichever you use, ball or lens, keep it purely for your scrying. Let no one else use it or even handle it. Keep it wrapped in a cloth (its black velvet or a piece of black silk) and do not permit sunlight to strike it. It is traditional to “charge” the crystal by holding it up to be struck by the light of the full moon, once a month.

If you can’t obtain a crystal, it is possible to use a regular convex magnigying glass lens. Polished carefully and laid on the black velvet, it will work almost as well as the ball. Whichever you use, ball or lens, keep it purely for your scrying. Let no one else use it or even handle it. Keep it wrapped in a cloth (its black velvet or a piece of black silk) and do not permit sunlight to strike it. It is traditional to “charge” the crystal by holding it up to be struck by the light of the full moon, once a month.
 
Buckland’s Complete Book Of Witchcraft
Raymond Buckland
ISBN 0-87542-050-8

YOUR BIRTHSTONE

 

YOUR BIRTHSTONE

January…. Garnet is known as the stone of health. Use this stone to ensure stability and encourage success.

 

February…. Amethyst is known as the happy stone. Wearing this stone will bring you peace and harmony.

 

March…. Aquamarine was originally given to sailors to ensure a safe voyage at sea. This stone brings courage to the wearer.

 

April…. The Diamond represents life, joy and innocence. Wearing this stone enhances confidence, trust, and love.

 

May…. Emerald is known as the nature stone. This stone brings serenity and peace of mind.

 

June…. The Pearl represents youth. Wear pearls for truth.

 

July…. The Ruby represents wealth. It is said the wearer of the ruby will never have to want for money & will always be content.

 

August…. Peridot is the stone of Understanding. This stone will help shed light on a situation. Wearing this stone will help keep you ‘right on track.’

 

September…. Sapphire is the stone of purity. Wearing this stone will help balance the physical and emotional parts of your life.

 

October…. Tourmaline is the stone of Truth. Wear this stone to dispel fear and to enhance insights.

 

November…. Topaz is the stone of goodness & faith. This stone increases creativity and feelings of joy. To inspire bright ideas, wearing the Topaz would be perfect.

 

December…. Turquoise is known as the “magical stone” for the stone changes color over a period of time. This stone brings hope and victory to the wearer.

 

　

 

Coral

CORAL

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION: CaCo3, or calcium carbonate in the form of
calcite, is the main constituent of calcareous corals; minor con-
stituents are MgCo3, or magnesium carbonate and proteinaceous organic
substances, which act as binding agents. At 2.5 to 4, the hardness is
slightly higher than that of calcite. The skeletons of corals vary in
color: from bright to dark red, slightly orange-red, pink and white.

ENVIRONMENT: In all cases, coral consists of the branching skeletons of
animals which live in colonies planted on the seabed at depths varying
from tens to hundreds of meters. They are typical of warmish to very
warm seas.

OCCURENCE: The most famous of these organisms is Corallium rubrum, which
lives in the waters of the Mediterranean and, despite its name,provides
not only red, but orange, pink, and white coral. Similar to this are
Corallium elatius, C. japonicum, and C. secundum, which maily live off
the coasts of Japan, China, Indochina, the Philippines, and other
archipelagos of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Coral colonies occupy
large areas especially in the Pacific, but also near the coast of South
Africa, in the Red Sea, and to the east of Australia.  These latter
colonies, however, consist of madrepore, which has little in common with
the corals used as ornaments.

GEMSTONE INFORMATION: Most of the coral used since antiquity as an
ornamental material comes from the calcareous skeletons of colonies of
marine organisms of the phylum Cnidaria, order Corgonacea, genus
Corallium. Corals take a good polish. They also have a certain degree of
elasticity and can be heated and bent into bangles. Thin brancehes were
and still are polished, pierced, and threaded, unaltered, into neck-
laces. Larger pieces are cut into spherical or faceted necklace beads,
pear shapes for pendant jewelry, or cabochons. It is also used for
carved pieces and small figurines, in both oriental and western
art styles. The most highly prized varities of coral are those that are
a uniform, strong bright red.

NAME: The name is derived from the Latin [corallium,] related to the
Greek [korallion].

LEGEND and LORE: The oldest known findings of red coral date from the
Mesopotamian civilization, i.e. from about 3000 BC. For centuries, this
was the coral par excellence, and at the time of Pliny the Elder it was
apparently much appreciated in India, even more than in Europe.Red coral
has traditionally been used as a protection from the “evil eye” and as
a cure for sterility.  One of the Greek names for Coral was Gorgeia,
from the tradition that blood dripped from the Head of Medea, which
Perseus had deposited on some branches near the sea-shore; which blood,
becoming hard, was taken by the Sea Nymps, and planted in the sea. (8)

MAGICAL PROPERTIES: Coral is associated with Venus, Isis and Water. It
has been used as a form of protective magic for children for hundreds of
years.  Cunningham recommends it as a luck-attractor for living
areas.Sailors use it as a protection from bad weather while at sea.
Red-orange coral is one of the four element gemstones of the Pueblo
Indians. It is one of the four colors used for the directions in the
Hopi/Zuni Road of Life. Coral is considered a representative of the warm
energy of the Sun, and the southern direction.

HEALING: Coral’s healing properties are mostly associated with Women,
young children and the elderly. For women it is said to increase
fertility and regulate menstration. For young children, it is recom-
mended to ease teething and to prevent epilepsy. For the elderly, it is
used as a cure for arthritis.

                      ——-bibliography——-

1. Scientific, Environment, Occurence and Name are from (or paraphrased
from) “Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Gems and Precious Stones”.

2. Precious and semi-precious gemstone information may come from
“Gemstones” by E. H. Rutland.

3. Other Precious and semi-precious gemstone information may come from
“Gem Cutting”, sec. ed., by John Sinkankas.

4. Legends and Lore, Magical Properties are from “Cunningham’s En-
cyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic”, by Scott Cunningham.

5. Some of the healing information may come from “Color and Crystals, A
Journey Through the Chakras” by Joy Gardner.

6. Some of the healing information may come from “A Journey Through the
Chakras” by Joy Gardner.

7. Some occult lore is from “The Occult and Curative Powers of Precious
Stones” by William T. Fernie, M.D.

Carnelian

CARNELIAN

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION:Carnelian is the clear red to brownish red member
of the Chalcedony family. It is a microcrystalline variety of Quartz(Si-
licone Dioxide) and may contain small amounts of iron oxides. The
hardness is 7, and the streak is white.

ENVIRONMENT: Chalcedony is formed in several environments, generally
near the surface of the earth where temperatures and pressures are
relatively low. It commonly forms in the zone of alteration of lode and
massive hydrothermal replacement deposits and as bodies of chert in
chemical sedimentary rocks.

OCCURENCE: Fine carnelian comes from India and South America.

GEMSTONE INFORMATION:Carnelian is used as an alternate birthstone for
the month of May.It is normally cut into cabochons, engraved, or made
into seal stones or rounded, polished, and pierced for necklaces and
other items of jewelry.

NAME: The name means “flesh-colored”, from [caro], meaning “genitive”
and [carnis], meaning “flesh”.

LEGEND and LORE: Carnelian has long been associated with courage and
cleansing of the blood. It was beleived that the stone would improve
one’s outlook, making the individual cheerful and expelling fears.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES: Katrina Raphaell says that Carnelian can be used to
“see into the past”. The “Crystal Oracle” says that Carnelian referrs to
the Self, and Current Conditions. It is a grounding stone, and associ-
ated with the Earth.  As such, it is considered practical, sensible and
balanced. Cunningham associates the stone with the element of Fire. He
suggests it as a talisman against Telepathic invasion.

HEALING: It is recommended for infertility or impotency. In addition it
is used for purification of the blood. It has also been suggested that
this stone will stop nosebleeding.

                      ——-bibliography——-

1. Scientific, Environment, Occurence and Name are from (or paraphrased
from) “The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and
Minerals”.

2. Precious and semi-precious gemstone information may come from
“Gemstones” by E. H. Rutland.

3. Other Precious and semi-precious gemstone information may come from
“Gem Cutting”, sec. ed., by John Sinkankas.

4. Legends and Lore, Magical Properties are from “Cunningham’s
Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic”, by Scott Cunningham.

5. Some of the healing information may come from “Color and Crystals, A
Journey Through the Chakras” by Joy Gardner.

6. Some of the healing information may come from “A Journey Through the
Chakras” by Joy Gardner.

Brown Jasper

BROWN JASPER

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION: Brown Jasper, sometimes called “picture” Jasper
because of the beautiful variations in coloring, is a type of Chal-
cedony. It is closely related to Quartz, with the chemistry of SiO2. The
color variations are from trace amounts of other minerals, usually iron
and aluminum. The hardness is 7.

ENVIRONMENT: Chalcedony is formed in several environments, generally
near the surface of the earth where temperatures and pressures are
relatively low. It commonly forms in the zone of alteration of lode and
massive hydrothermal replacement deposits and as bodies of chert in
chemical sedimentary rocks.

OCCURENCE: Montana, Utah and Wyoming are prolific locations for Brown
Jasper in the U.S. In addition, fine specimens have come from Brazil,
Uruguay and Egypt.  Other colors and forms of Jasper are abundant in
California, Texas and Arkansas.

NAME: The name Chalcedony is from Chalcedon, an ancient Greek city of
Asia Minor.

LEGEND and LORE: Beautiful Jasper, with light and dark brown markings
was referred to as “Egyptian Marble”. Various Native American tribes
used Jasper as a rubbing stone and some called it “the rain bringer”.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES: Brown Jasper is balancing and grounding. This stone,
carved into an arrowhead, is worn to attract luck. It is a good stone to
use after completing a ritual to help you regain your center and become
grounded.

HEALING: Jasper is stabilizing. It will help to reduce insecurity, fear
and guilt.

NOTES: Agate, Jasper, Flint, Sardonyx, and onyx are all forms of
Chalcedony. In addition, particular colors of Chalcedony have specific
names, such as Heliotrope, Bloodstone, Chrysophrase and Moss Agate.

                      ——-bibliography——-
1. Scientific, Environment, Occurence and Name are from (or paraphrased
from) “The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and
Minerals”.

2. Legends and Lore, Magical Properties are from “Cunningham’s En-
cyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic”, by Scott Cunningham.

3. Some of the healing information may come from “Color and Crystals, A
Journey Through the Chakras” by Joy Gardner.

Bloodstone

BLOODSTONE

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION: Bloodstone is a member of the Chalcedony
family.It is a variety of quartz (silicon dioxide) often with some iron
and aluminum. The chemistry is SiO2. It is dark, bright green spotted
with red inclusions. The streak is white. This is considered a microcry-
stalline variety of quartz and is not found in crystal form.

ENVIRONMENT: Chalcedony is formed in several environments, generally
near the surface of the earth where temperatures and pressures are
relatively low. It commonly forms in the zone of alteration of lode and
massive hydrothermal replacement deposits and as bodies of chert in
chemical sedimentary rocks.

OCCURENCE: India, Germany.

NAME: This stone is also referred to as “heliotrope,” which is derived
from two Greek words which signify “sun-turning”. It was given this name
because of a notion that when immersed in water it would turn the sun
red. Chalcedony is derived from Chalcedon, an ancient Greek city of Asia
Minor.

LEGEND and LORE: This is one of the birthstones for March.

    “Who in this world of ours, her eyes
    In March first opens, shall be wise.
    In days of peril, firm and brave,
    And wear a Bloodstone to her grave.” (5)

Ancient warriors often carried an amulet of bloodstone which was
intended to stop bleeding when applied to a wound.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES: Because it is green, it can be used for “money
spells”. It is also considered a “lucky” stone for atheletes because it
imparts courage and stamina.

HEALING: Heliotrope is used today in conjunction with anything having to
do with blood.

NOTE: Chrysoprase, carnelian, jasper and agate are all forms of
Chalcedony.

——-bibliography——-

1. Scientific, Environment, Occurance and Name are from (or paraphrased
from) “The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and
Minerals”.

2. Legends and Lore, Magical Properties are from “Cunningham’s En-
cyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic”, by Scott Cunningham.

3. Some of the healing information may come from “Color and Crystals, A
Journey Through the Chakras” by Joy Gardner.

4. Personal Experience is from MY personal experience, journals and
notebooks, by <grin> Tandika Star.

5. Birthstone poem from “The Occult and Curative Powers of Precious
Stones” by William T. Fernie, M.D. an interesting experiment (BLOODSTONE cont.)

Making Gemstone water

Making Gemstone water

Making gemstone water is actually very simple, you will need the following ‘ingredients’ for this:
* a glass vessel
* a gemstone
* bottled spring water or boiled (and cooled) tapwater
* a windowsill

Before you start making gemstone water you will have to make the choice whether you wish to use the energies of the sun or the energies of the moon. The sun will charge your gemstone water with soothing, soft and warm energies while the various moon phases will give a different result.

The Moon phases:
Waxing Moon: The energies of the waxing moon are suited for new projects, new relations and to plant new ‘seeds’.
Full Moon: The Full Moon is the symbol of positive magick, blessing, creativity, healing and reinforcement.
Waning Moon: The energies of the waning moon are connected to get rid of bad habits, negative thoughts and to build down things, to purge yourself from all negativity from the outside world, but also from within yourself.
New Moon: The New Moon is the time of death, a time to stop and look inside yourself and to realize that you can always start again, no matter what happened to you. It is the time to halt an illness or a pattern of thoughts and give it a positive spin.


It is therefore important to ask yourself for which purpose you wish to use the gemstone water before you start.

Put the stone in the glass vessel and fill it up to 3/4 with spring water or the cooled down tapwater. Put the vessel with the stone in it on your windowsill for 12 hours and leave it to ‘charge’ there without interruption. If you have decided to make use of the energies of the sun, you should take into account that certain stones may discolour in direct sunlight.

You can enhance your immune system by drinking a few glasses of gemstone water every day, but you may also use it to wash your face and/or hands, especially for skin disorders it is advisable to use Aventurine water to wash yourself. Next to that it is also possible to give your plants this water, the stones that are highly suited for this are Jade and Moss Agate.

…
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CHANNELING CRYSTALS

CHANNELING CRYSTALS

These crystals have seven edges surrounding the largest sloping face. These crystals are especially useful for obtaining information from deep within yourself or from sources that are outside of your normal realm. They can help you draw on the knowledge and information that is provided by the universe, and can aid you in getting help from a higher source. A channeling crystal
can be used anytime you are seeking answers or help from outside of yourself.

 

You must`listen’ very carefully when using this crystal and realize that answers can come from many sources. Meditation is used with these crystals to get knowledge from the universe, and to communicate with your spirit guide. It can only be used by the person holding the crystal.

Communication with Guide: A channeling crystal is a line of communication with sources outside yourself. Generally, the main source is your guide. A guide is a non-physical entity whose primary job is to look after you. Every human being has a guide. Guides are sometimes called other things, such as conscience, or angels, but they are always with us. We must learn to listen to what they have to say. Your guide will never tell you what to do, or interfere
in other ways with what you want to do, but your guide is there to help you find answers for yourself. And you can use your channeling crystal to let your guide be your conscience.
A channeling crystal can only be used by the person holding it. In other words, you can’t send the energy to someone else in order to let him receive the information directly. However, since guides communicate readily with each other, you can become good at getting information to people by asking your guide to give you the needed information for someone else, and then relaying it to the person. This is how you channel information for others.
Channeling crystals amplify the quiet inner voice of your guide, and can be a big help in learning how to channel information, both for yourself and for others.

SELECTING A CRYSTAL

SELECTING A CRYSTAL

To select a crystal, first put yourself in a calm space. Hold the crystal in your right hand with the point towards you. Feel it physically. Be open to sensations like tingling, or change in temperature. Also feel the crystal emotionally. Think of the purpose you want it for, and see if you feel attracted to it. Be more concerned with how it feels than how it looks.
Allow the crystal to pick you by interacting with it in this way. And remember to go with your initial feeling.

WHAT CRYSTALS DO

WHAT CRYSTALS DO

Quartz crystals are a gift from the earth. They have the ability to amplify or strengthen the things in you that are positive, and can help you put away things that cause you fear or anger. They can strengthen your ability to be a loving person, and can enhance your abilities to enjoy life and accomplish the things you want in life. They can amplify intention, reduce stress, help with centering (balancing or calming), strengthen healing abilities, and surround you with protection by amplifying white light. Any healthy quartz crystal point can strengthen these things and help produce personal growth by amplifying the subtle energies that flow inside you.

HOW CRYSTALS GROW

HOW CRYSTALS GROW

Generally, quartz crystals grow in a hexagonal (six sided) structure, with additional faces sloping towards a point at one end. A crystal with these characteristics is itself also called a POINT. Points may be totally clear and transparent, or they may contain streaks, lines, rainbows, water bubbles or other inclusions. They may also appear cloudy if they have grown in a place where it freezes in the winter. Optical clarity usually has little to do with
a crystal’s quality and its ability to amplify the subtle energies.

Magickal Properties of Stones

Magickal Properties of Stones

 

Here is a small list of stones and some of their magical uses.

Astral projection: quartz crystal, opal and tourmalated quartz

Success in business: bloodstone, malachite, green tourmaline and yellow zircon

Centering and grounding: calcite, brown zircon, hematite, kunzite, moonstone,
obsidian and black tourmaline

Courage: agate, amethyst, aquamarine, bloodstone, carnelian, diamond, lapis
lazuli, sardonyx, tiger eye, red tourmaline and turquoise

Divination: azurite, flint, hematite, jet, mica, moonstone, obsidian and tiger
eye

Dreams: amethyst and azurite.

Friendship: chrysoprase, pink tourmaline and turquoise

Gardening: agate, jade, malachite and brown zircon

Happiness: amethyst, chrysoprase and yellow zircon

Healing and Health: agate, amber, amethyst, aventurine, azurite, bloodstone,
calcite, carnelian, cat’s eye, celestite, chrysoprase, coral, quartz, diamond,
flint, garnet, hematite, jade, jasper, jet, lapis lazuli, peridot, petrified
wood, sapphire, sodalite, staurolite, sugilite, sulfur, sunstone, topaz,
turquoise and red zircon.

Love: agate, alexandrite, amber, amethyst, beryl, calcite, chrysocolla, emerald,
jade, lapis lazuli, lepidolite, malachite, moonstone, olivine, pearl,
rhodocrosite, sapphire, shard topaz, pink tourmaline and turquoise

Money, wealth and prosperity: aventurine, bloodstone, calcite, cat’s eye,
chrysoprase, coal, emerald, jade, mother-of-pearl, olvine, opal, pearl, peridot,
ruby, salt, sapphire, spinel, staurolite, tiger eye, topaz, green tourmaline and
brown, green or red zircon

Purification: aquamarine and calcite

Travel: chalcedony and orange zircon

Wisdom: chrysocolla, coral, jade, sodalite and sugilite.

Pick the stones you feel most comfortable with. They can be used in spell work
or carried on your person. I have found either way effective. You don’t need to
be rich and to buy emeralds, rubies or sapphires to use in spell work. You don’t
need to have the most expensive or largest stones to work with; in fact the
ruby, emerald and sapphire I work with are not polished or cut. I think the most
I paid for them was a few dollars each. They all work wonderfully! One more
stone I use regularly is rose quartz. It is terrific for healing, finding love
and keeping the peace (all three of my children have one). It is a good stone
for finding comfort and peace of mind. I keep extra rose quartz on hand to give
to friends and family when they are in need.

How To Make Home Grown Crystals

How To Make Home Grown Crystals

By Kelly Sundstrom, eHow Contributor

When children learn about geology and crystal formation, you can make the lessons more exciting by providing the kids with a hands-on project that will demonstrate how crystals form in nature. You can make homegrown crystals using a few basic ingredients that can be purchased in any grocery store. By adding a few drops of food coloring into the crystal forming solution, you can even make the crystal grow in beautiful colors.

 

Difficulty:
Moderately Easy

Instructions

 

 

Things You’ll Need

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup salt
  • 3 cups water
  • Food coloring
  • Pot
  • Glass mason jar
  • Bamboo skewer
  1. Combine 2 cups of granulated sugar and 1 cup of salt in a pot.
  2. Pour 3 cups of water into the pot.
  3. Heat the solution until it boils, then remove it from the heat.
  4. Add in five drops of food coloring, your choice of color.
  5. Pour the solution into a glass mason jar.
  6. Insert a bamboo skewer into the glass jar and leave it there for two days. The colorful crystals will form on the skewer.

How To Make Glowing Crystals

How To Make Glowing Crystals

By Joan Collins, eHow Contributor

“Crystals are solids that form by a regular repeated pattern of molecules connecting together,” according to the website, Kiwi Web. Creating crystals, J. Bohm writes in his paper, “The History of Crystal Growth,” dates back to prehistoric time when man crystallized salt from the sea. Among the earliest written accounts, early Roman historian Phinius mentions the crystallization of salt. Creating crystals can be simple and fun. Glowing crystals will grow when you follow these steps.

 

Difficulty:
Easy

Instructions

 

 

Things You’ll Need

  • Alum
  • Bowl
  • Water
  • Pencil
  • Stir stick
  • Petri dish
  • Plastic gloves
  • Glass jar with lid
  • Hot distilled water
  • Thin cotton gloves
  • 2 fluorescent markers

 

 

  • Put on your gloves. Cut two fluorescent markers in half. Remove the felt inserts and place them in a bowl with 3 1/3 ounces of water. Let them soak for 15 minutes. Squeeze any remaining ink from the felt into the water.
  • Pour the mixture into a glass jar. Add two grams of alum to the fluorescent water. Stir it until the alum dissolves.
  • Pour a small amount of the saturated solution into a Petri dish. Put the lid on the jar. Allow the jar to sit in a warm place overnight. The solution will form crystals. Choose the largest crystal to be your “seed.” Tie the seed crystal to a thin piece of cotton thread.
  • Pour the rest of the solution into a clean jar. Tie the other end of the string to a pencil. Without touching the sides or bottom of the new jar, lower the string with your seed crystal into the solution. Rest the pencil on top of the jar. Set the jar aside for several days. As the solution evaporates, you will see more crystals forming. The seed crystal will grow larger.
  • Grow a giant alum crystal. Leave the crystal in the solution for an extended period of time. Replenish the alum solution as it evaporates.
  • Check your crystals. Set them under a black light. A successful experiment produces glowing crystals.

 

Tips & Warnings

  • Color the crystals with a fluorescent marker if the color fades or is not bright enough.
  • Not all fluorescent markers glow well. Check them under a black light before you choose one.

 

CRYSTAL WANDS – The Making & Using

CRYSTAL WANDS

Crystal Wands are one of the most powerful forms of ‘light tools’ presently known to mankind.

The wand itself consists of a hollow copper tube of about one foot in length. The copper tube should be around three-quarters of an inch in diameter.

A quartz crystal of at least three inches in length and around three-quarter of an inch wide, clear and with reasonably unchipped facets, should be affixed to one end of the copper tube. At the other end of the copper tube is either a copper cap or another quartz crystal.

Either single – or double terminated quartz crystals may be used. The whole copper tube is insulated by a leather strip wound completely around the wand.

The very best way to discover exactly how a crystal wand functions – and its tremendous potentialities as an ‘energizer’ – is to make one for yourself. By
constructing your very own crystal wand you will soon find that it then becomes much easier to merge your own vibrations with that of your wand………

To make your own personal crystal wand first take your hollow copper tube and, with a hacksaw, cut two lengthwise strips at one end of the tube, about three inches deep. Then, with a pair of pliers, bend the sides outwards so as to allow your quartz crystal to slide into place.

Before doing so, however, you must glue the sides of your quartz crystal and then gently slide the crystal into its place within the copper tube. You must now bend the sides back into place and ensure that at least one inch of your crystal protrudes at the end.

At the other end of the copper tube, either glue the copper cap into position or affix another quartz crystal.

Finally, take your leather strip (any color will do) which needs to be about three feet in length and place a small amount of glue at intervals along one side. Then tightly wrap the leather, in spiral fashion, around the copper
tubing. Your crystal wand is now ready to be used!

When your crystal wand is lying by itself without you holding it, it is in what I would describe as the ‘passive’ mode but as soon as you pick up your crystal wand it becomes operational and is in an ‘active’ mode.

Crystal wands are extremely simple to operate. All that you need to do is to pick up your wand, focus the crystalline energy by visualizing a blue/white
light of energy radiating from the apex of the quartz crystal in your wand, and you have now created your own powerful ray of energy and power.

You must, however, be very sure that you use your new ‘tool’ and crystal friend very wisely!

At my very first crystal healing workshop, when I had only just constructed my very first crystal wand, I was holding my wand in my right hand whilst I was
talking and, without thinking, I must have directed the wand at the third eye chakra of one of the students present.

With a ‘yell’ the student nearly toppled back on his chair. Apparently he had experienced a tremendous burst of energy and power emanating from my wand which
had almost thrown him back into his seat!

It is therefore very important that you are extremely careful where you point your crystal wand when you are holding it.

For ordinary crystal healing purposes I use my wand in much the same way as if I were using a normal quartz crystal. I take my wand in my right hand and I move
the wand around the perimeter of the patient’s body, in a clock-wise direction – for a few moments.

I then focus the crystalline energies of my wand through the apex of the quartz crystal and direct these energies into the body of the person whom I am treating. I find that about fifteen minutes is sufficient at any one treatment session.

After directing the crystal healing energy into the patient I finish the treatment session by once again moving the wand around the perimeter of the patient’s body, again in a clock-wise direction, for a few moments.

Using this technique the patient’s body becomes surrounded by a ‘sea’ of crystalline energy and this energy penetrates every fiber of the patient’s inner and outer being; and, in most cases, deep, lasting, healing occurs.

As soon as I pick up my crystal wand I can feel the whole wand begin to vibrate and pulsate. My hands start to tingle and I feel alive with crystalline energy and power. I channel my own healing energies into the wand which then becomes even more powerful and thus by the time the healing rays are projected through the quartz crystal at the end of the wand I can sense that I have managed to create a wonderful source of power and energy.

I am often asked at my workshops and seminars why it is necessary to insulate the wand with leather. Insulation is essential for your own personal protection as I have found out myself from painful experience.

When you are working with your crystal wand for any length of time a great many subatomic particles accumulate within the copper tube and, on occasions, if you were to touch the actual copper you may receive an electrical type shock. This has happened to me on more than one occasion in my experimental work. So be
warned!

The results that you are able to obtain by using a crystal wand depend very much upon your own ability in being able to attune yourself at a high enough level with all the vibrational energies at your disposal. Like everything else in our earthly life, the more you practice, the more you achieve!

As your energies become stronger, your wand will grow more potent too! Crystal wands never ever breakdown, never need an external power source (eg batteries or
electricity) and may be used twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

The possibilities are unlimited. Experiment with your crystal wand. Stretch your imagination and inventiveness beyond their normal range. Allow yourself to become at one with your crystal wand. Establish a complete rapport and empathy with it.

Crystal wands may, from time to time, be used for purposes other than for healing. For example, one evening I had to give a talk at a town some 50 miles
from where I live. I was running late!! I had been unavoidably delayed and I knew that time was short. I came off the motorway and found myself engulfed in
traffic being delayed by a continuous stream of red traffic lights.

By a strange coincidence my crystal wand was lying on the front passenger seat next to me. Without really thinking about what I was doing I idly picked the wand up with my left hand and focused it on the next red traffic light that I came across. It turned to green immediately!

And so it went on. Every red traffic light, virtually instantaneously, turned to green as soon as I directed the crystal wand in its direction. I thus managed to
arrive at my meeting dead on time. Strange, but true!

Why not construct your very own crystal wand now – and discover for yourself all that it can do?

Methods of Cleansing

As with any method of cleansing, intention is the key–before you begin, you need to be focused on the process of cleansing. So as you cleanse your crystal, think about what you are doing and how this action is releasing unwanted energies.

BRUSHING:  A soft brush such as a makeup brush or a paint brush is good for removing dust that can build up on surface and delicate crevices of the stone.

PHYSICAL CLEANSING:  A little mild detergent mixed with water in a bowl, followed by a thorough rinse in clear water, will make crystals sparkle. (Don’t use water if they are water-soluble crystals!)

RUNNING WATER:  Hold your crystal under running water for a few minutes. It may need longer if it’s been working hard or hasn’t been cleansed for a long time. If you feel that it needs a lot of time, place the crystal in a bowl of water in your sink and let the water run into the bowl for as long as necessary.

MOONLIGHT:  Leave the crystal in moonlight, especially in a full moon, or leave it out during a new moon.

BURNING INCENSE OR SMUDGE STICK:  The smoke from frankincense, sandalwood, and sage is cleansing. You can burn either incense or a smudge stick (A small bunch of dried herbs burned during Native American cleansing rituals.

EARTH:  Bury the crystal in the earth–when you unearth it a week or more later, it will be born anew. Different traditions round the world apply this technique in varying ways. One method is to bury it during a Full Moon and unearth it on a New Moon.

CRYSTALLINE ENERGIES:  Place the crystal on an amethyst bed, on a quartz cluster, or inside a geode and allow the crystalline energies to cleanse and clear it. A large amethyst bed can be like a vacation for your crystals.

The question of how long you should leave them is a little open-ended. Crystals are like people–how long do you usually need to refresh and revitalize yourself? To know when a crystal is ready to work again, use your intuition–also, look for brightness and color returning to the crystal, which should no longer feel “clammy.” Once you are used to working with crystals, you will find it easy to know when they are ready to go back to work.

SOUNDS:  Chanting, drumming, or playing Tibetan bells or cymbals can clear unhelpful vibrations.

SUNLIGHT:  You can cleanse your crystal by leaving it in sunlight and also dry your crystals in the sun after washing them (Caution: Quartz crystals, especially crystal balls, will focus the sun’s rays and so can be a fire risk take appropriate precautions.)

BREATH, LIGHT OR REIKI:  Breathing over your crystal helps to cleanse it –focus your mind, heart, and being through your breath, connecting your inner being to the outside. Reiki an also be practiced on crystals, and a meditation technique involving a visualization of light can be used, too. Still your mind and picture a bright light flowing from your brow chakra to the crystal in your hand, washing over it then filling the crystal. When it completely glows with light, slowly bring your focus away from the crystal and back to our surroundings.

Cleansing Crystals

You can see when a crystal needs cleansing–it loses its sparkle, brightness and even color, and may feel sticky in your hand. Dust is drawn to crystals because of their electric properties, adhering to them through an electrostatic charge. This alters their natural healing abilities, reducing the number of photons of light reaching the crystal. Regular cleansing prevents a buildup of dust.

The other reason crystals have to be cleansed is that they pick up energy when we are working with them, either from ourselves or from others. They will even pick up energy from people in a shop and, in fact, may have been handled by any customers before you. There is nothing wrong with these energies–they’re not “good” or “bad”–it’s just that they’re not yours, and it’s your energy the crystal will be working on or with to achieve its healing effects.