Gemstones of Pagan Wiccan Witchcraft II

Chalcopyrite (Peacock Ore) - Enhances perception; strengthens contact with ancient cultures of the universe by acting as a connective agent. Considered a "stone of the mystic" ... bringing information relevant to the etheric energies; opens and activates the crown chakra. Excellent for use in "no-mind meditations"

	Aragonite Cluster - promote a sense of balance while cleansing the surrounding energy. Said to fortify strength and confidence and to open new visions.
	Rainbow Andalusite - Faery Cross Stone Andalusite tumbled and polished crystal, also known as The Faery Cross Stone. It is stunning in its fire (opalescence). In the center is a cross... a natural part of its crystalline structure and a symbol of protection and balance. Absolutely unique from any other gemstone in the crystal world. Used as a powerful protection stone, it also stimulates self enhancement, self realization and memory. When used in channeling work, it magnifies past lives.

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Amber Copal - A fossilized tree resin - allows the body to heal itself by absorbing and transmuting negative energy into positive energy. It stimulates the intellect and opens the crown chakra. It also transmutes the energy of physical vitality toward the activation of unconditional love. It aligns the ethereal energies to the physical, mental, and emotional bodies, providing for an even flow of perfect order to the requirements of the Earth plane while balancing the electro-magnetics of the physical body.

Crocodile Jasper - said to sustain and support through times of stress, and bring tranquility and wholeness. Jasper provides protection and absorbs negative energy. It balances yin and yang. Jasper clears electromagnetic and environmental pollution. It supports during prolonged illness and re-energises the body.

Spirit Quartz is a crystal of harmony and alignment. It takes all the crystal energies of the main stone and amplifies them over and over again in all the tiny points, each reflecting light back and forth to one another so all can bathe in the combined radiance of the whole. In the Book of Stones, Naisha Ahsian describes this crystal as "a hundred-voice choir singing in harmony." Its resonance is spiritually uplifting, radiating high-vibrational energy in all directions, and is a perfect ally in aligning the aura, chakras, meridians and the physical body, as well as carrying the gifts of Spirit out into the world.

Gemstones of Pagan Wiccan Witchcraft I

	Pyrite Cluster - The resemblance of pyrite to gold has made it a traditional symbol for money and good luck. It's sunny golden color associates it with the sun, and with fortification and strengthening of the mind. The name comes from the Greek word meaning "a stone which strikes fire". Iron Pyrite makes an energy shield, blocking out negativity from various sources.
	Rainbow Fluorite - Fluorite helps to ground excessive energy, particularly mental, emotional and nervous energy. It is a healer, it affects all the chakras as well as mental attitudes. It is excellent for use in cleansing the aura ... it is known to ride the aura of cording (unwanted attached energy lines from other people). Fluorite aids in channeling ... for connecting with the Akashic records for answer to your past lives. It is particularly helpful in aiding inter-dimensional communications, particularly with Nature spirits, faeries, elves and other fae folk.

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	Hematite is used to improve relationships. The name comes from the Greek word for blood. It has been used as an amulet against bleeding, and so is known as the "blood stone". When arranged like the petals of a flower, it is referred to as the "iron rose". Native American folklore states that war paint made from hematite will make one invincible in battle. People in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries wore hematite jewelry during mourning.
	Titanium Quartz Cluster - quartz crystal bonded with titanium. The titanium coating is permanent will never scratch or come off. It is bonded on the molecule level. Stone for creativity, both removing blockages to creativity and enhancing creative powers. Promoting clairvoyance and all forms of "seeing". They are used in meditation and yogic practice, where it appears to stimulate the upward movement of the kundalini. Carrying the mineral is said to assist in "reading" people." Stimulates the third-eye intensely. Wonderful for healing dysfunction in relationships.
	Citrine Druzy Cluster - Citrine is related to the sun. Like the sun, its vibrations are positive, uplifting, and energizing. This makes citrine a good choice for people that could use a little extra motivation. Citrine's energies have an energizing effect that can also lead to greater physical activity, and thus improve overall health. Citrine also help to develop a feeling of security and inner calm.

Cool Gemstones III

Anglesite from Ouida, Morocco Kunzite from Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Aquamarine in feldspar. Skardu, Pakistan. Spinel from Mogok, Burma.

Calcite from Chihuahua, Mexico. Heliodor from Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine.

Dioptase from Tsumeb, Nambia. Peridot from Indus River, Pakistan.

Rosasite from Durango, Mexico. Tarbuttite from Karas Region, Nambia.

Fire Agate - Only found in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Fire Opal - From the state of Querétaro, Mexico.

Black Opal

In the first century A.D. Pliny wrote of the opal, "... For in them you shall see the living fire of the ruby, the glorious purple of the amethyst, the sea green of the emerald, all glittering together in an incredible mixture of light", and later Shakespeare was to describe it as the "Queen of Gems". Due to its unique colour play and its "life", the opal has been subjected to many superstitions and myth . Opal was said to ward off diseases and for this reason was worn in amulets. In Roman times it was included in the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor.

Opal, from the Greek, "Opallos", meaning 'to see a change (of colour)', is a formation of non-crystalline silica gel. Millions of years ago, this gel seeped into crevices and cracks in the sedimentary strata. Through eons of time and through nature's heating and moulding processes, the gel hardened and can today be found in the form of opals.

Black opal is the rarest and most valuable type. It is generally found as a bar (or bars) of various colours forming natural water horizontals in dark grey to black "potch nobbies" or "nodules". The unique patterns are as complex as an artist's imagination.

99.9% of the world's supply of this radiant, dark lustrous gem is mined at only two tiny pinpoints on the globe - Lightning Ridge and Mintabie, Australia.

The world famous black opal field of Lightning Ridge, N.SW. was discovered in 1903 and is still producing many beautiful gems. The discovery of light opal in 1915 made famous the name of one of the most hostile and remote places on the Australian continent - Coober Pedy, S.A., the largest opal producing centre on earth.

Coober Pedy, an Aboriginal name meaning "White man in a hole", adequately describes the mines and miners' dwellings - burrows dug into the scarp, in order to escape the soaring temperatures of the day and the freezing winds at night.

Australia's Oldest Mammal. - STEROPODON GALMANI new genus and species. Age and Formation: Early Cretaceous Griman Formation. 100 - 146 million years ago. Locality: Lightning Ridge, northern New South Wales. Derivation of name: Steropodon comes from the Greek words meaning 'Flash of lightning' and 'Tooth"; the other name, galmani, acknowledges the contribution made by Dave and Alan Galman in saving this unique Australian fossil for science. Description: Part of right lower jaw with three molar teeth in place. The original bone and tooth material has disappeared and been completely replaced by silica (opal), preserving every detail.

Interpretation: The presence of several cusps on the teeth show that they belong to a mammal. The cusp pattern indicates that Steropodon is related to Australia's living Monotremes, the egg laying Platypus and the Echidnas. Australia's opal fields have produced many interesting examples of opalised fossils and remains of long extinct animals and plants. Opalised fossils are often, unfortunately, cut up for their opal content, jewelry or sold as curio's to tourists and any scientific information they contain is irretrievably lost.