Aragonite
Named after the Spanish village, Molina de Aragon, were it was first identified, aragonite has the same chemical composition as calcite, but with a different crystal structure that makes it harder and heavier. This striking crystal conjures up all manner of associations: a futuristic alien space city;an intrusion from an alternate reality; or the pristine expansion of order into space. Its ability to hold the imaginative mind in a form of creative trance makes aragonite a useful crystal for lateral thinking.
Identification and Care
- Crystals form long intergrown six-sided prisms around a common centre. These clusters are called “sputniks.”
- Tumbled stones often resemble solidified honey.
- Varieties of aragonite include iron flower, a fine dendritic aggregate; peastone, a mass of pea-sized lumps in a matrix; and sprudelstein, which has different coloured bands like agate.
Magick
- Pulls disparate elements together
- Provides a safe base from which to explore new possibilities.
Cubic
A cube-shaped lattice. Most crystals of this type consist of a number of interpenetrating cubes, rather than single cubes. Examples: garnet, pyrite, sodalite, diamond, halite, fluorite and copper. Qualities: releasing tension and encouraging creativity
Tetragonal
This lattice is shaped like two pyramids joined base to base, with elongated upper and lower points. Examples: apophyllite pyramid, zircon, rutile and chalcopyrite Qualities: balancing and harmonizing
Orthorhombic
Shaped like a small squashed matchbox, with all sides unequal in length. Examples: danburite blade, peridot, topaz and celestite. Qualities: linking, aiding, the flow of information.
Trigonal
This lattice is shaped like a diamond or a barrel-shaped lozenge. Examples: sapphire, alpha quartz, tourmaline and ruby. Qualities: energizing and anchoring
Monoclinic
Shaped like an elongated squashed matchbox. Examples: selenite wand and kunzite Qualities: affects movement and perception.
Hexagonal
Shaped like a hexagonal prism. Examples: aquamarine, beta quartz, emerald and apatite. Qualities: organizing and supporting.
Triclinic
This lattice is the most variable, having no set angles or lengths. Examples: kyanite blade, labradorite and ulexite Qualities: opening and protective.
Witches always have crystals somewhere on their person, and if you stroll around their gardens you will often find a piece of amethyst twinkling out at you from a cabbage patch, or perhaps there will be a sliver of quartz nestled somewhere under a bush. Because crystals possess unique properties of conductivity and electrical frequency, they are used in everything from radios to watches to computers. Wiccans value crystals because they are wonderful for changing auras from negative to positive and they help clear destructive energies from our homes and gardens. There are so many types of crystals in the world that it is impossible to list them all here. if you want to learn more about crystals, there are countless books and websites out there, but for now we are going to explore some of the more popular crystals in use today. These are not just worn as jewelry, but often place on our altars to support a spell. You can use any size crystal or stone in a spell, the results will be the same.
Witches Of The Craft® 