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The Magic of Rocks and StonesCalcite
Written and compiled by - Patricia Jean MartinFor
Ostara, I've chosen one of the most varied and abundant minerals that Mother
Earth loves to create. It is a mineral found on every one of Her
continents and in almost every color; a veritable Pagan's basket of
decorated Earth "eggs" ~ meet Calcite! Calcite, CaCO3, is a calcium carbonate with a hardness of only 3; it can be scratched with a fingernail. Many varieties are transparent to translucent, and their lusters are vitreous, meaning glassy. This mineral is found in crystal form, usually rhombohedrons, but can also be found in scalenohedrons (a.k.a. "Dogtooth Spar"), hexagonal prism, pinacoidal, fibrous, nodular, stellate, dendritic, granular, or in massive form. In fact, there are well over 300 crystalline forms of Calcite that can produce thousands of variations and in a multitude of colors, indicating a most versatile stone. Calcite
is a Fire stone (although some varieties exhibit a propensity toward
Water), and is highly noted for its purifying, cleansing, rejuvenating and
revitalizing nature - all befitting this rebirthing time of year. Calcites
are superior for assisting us in breaking out of old molds and patterns, burning
off what is no longer needed, and moving us courageously into new worlds.
But, for as much as it is a courage-producing and invigorating stone, Calcite
works with an unmistakable gentleness. Like the soft rains of Spring that
nurture the soils which hold the plant seeds that will finally begin to
emerge, Calcite brings its own gentle waves of renewal and hope.
It is a most refreshing stone. Calcite gets its name from the Greek word "chalix" meaning "lime", for Calcite is the main component of Limestone. Through additional heat, pressure and time, Limestone then becomes Marble or Chalk through recrystallization. But all are basically composed of the Calcite mineral. Even seashells are composed of a layer of Calcite, as is the common egg. Eggs - the long-revered symbol of Ostara and connected to many a creation tale - are more than 90% calcium carbonate, the bulk of the shell being made of small Calcite crystals. Calcite is also a primary component of most cave formations and is found in stalactites and stalagmites, revealing this mineral's ability in connecting the Earth realm to the Spirit realm. As the Spring Equinox begins opening the veil between worlds, and which will culminate at Beltane, Calcite can be a great help for peering into the faerie realm and for connecting with the fey, the elementals, our totem animals or spirit guides. It is excellent for use in faerie magick.
There is a deep connection between this stone and that of the plant and animal kingdoms in Nature. Like the plant life that now once again peeks out of the ground and lusts for the sun after the long cold winter, Calcite helps us view the world with new eyes. It can aid in clairvoyance and intuition and often promotes lucid dreaming, but in its Fire capacity it forces us to take an active part in what we are newly seeing. Calcite releases electrical impulses when placed under pressure, and is, in fact, an energy amplifier. Along with its properties of fluorescence, phosphorescence, thermoluminescence, and even triboluminescence - all affording it the ability to take us to new dimensions, and quickly so - this stone also contains a prismatic energy, in which it takes whatever energy is directed inward, separates it and then returns it outward with double the intensity.
Clear
Calcite
Like
Spring flowers, Calcite comes in a beautiful array of colors and varieties.
The white or clear Calcites are known to bring insight and clarity to any
situation. A common form of the clear variety is called
Iceland Spar which superbly demonstrates the property of double refraction
common in many Calcites, and which was discovered in the stone in 1669 by
Erasmus Bartholinus. Double refraction occurs when light that enters
the stone is split into two beams which bend at different angles and travel
at slightly different speeds. As they do this, they will duplicate
whatever is seen through the stone. For this, Calcite is often used in the
manufacture of various types of lenses. Witches will commonly use this
variety of Calcite in their spellwork, often placing a written spell
under the stone in order to give it strength, focus and double the
power. This ability to double refract can also be related to the Equinox,
when night and day are equally split in two. There
are so many different varieties and colors of Calcite, each with their own
unique metaphysical properties and support, that I will only give a
brief description here on several of the more common colors, and
will end by concentrating mainly on the green crystal mass variety
that is so akin to this Sabbat. Blue
Calcite soothes emotions and brings ease of communication - a must for any
writer or artist struggling to put down that first pen or brushstroke.
It enhances psychic ability and aids in dream recall. Orange
Calcite brings confidence, creativity and innovation, along with
stimulating sexuality. It is known as a "mineral aphrodisiac".
Like a warm ray of sunshine, this color Calcite can help one overcome
depression and shake off those winter blues. The honey-colored variety is
soothing, but brings persistence and determination, and can literally
"teach an old dog new tricks". Pink
Calcite (the opaque kind called "Mangano Calcite") connects the mind
to the heart. It aids in bringing compassion and an empathic
connection to others, and can help with long distance healing and enhancing
one's well-being. It clears emotions and brings a peaceful, loving
energy to its bearer. Red Calcite is, of course, connected to vitality - the iron rich life-giving "blood" of the Earth. It promotes a willingness to experience life and helps one to welcome new experiences as they arrive. It also increases the pathways in which life energy (chi, or qi) can flow, but does it calmly and never scatters energy. It quiets any inner chatter.
Blue, Orange, Pink and Red CalciteBut for this harbinger of springtime, I am thoroughly attracted to Green Calcite, especially the Emerald Green variety. This stone is like taking a plunge into a crystal clear pool of fresh spring water. It gives the feeling of renewal of purpose, and urges the heart to embrace whatever the mind can imagine. Stagnation does not stand a chance with this mineral. It cools emotions and soothes irritability, while gently promoting change and encouraging abundance. And where all Calcites are known to physically help assimilate calcium in the body, (something much needed after the "milking" times of Imbolc), and for helping with problems related to the kidneys, pancreas and spleen, it is the green variety that can also help rid the body of infection and/or foreign microorganisms. Green is the color of health and healing. It is the color of the creative forces of Nature. It is the color of growth.
Green
Calcite
As the light green grasses of the season return and the trees begin to bud, place a piece of Green Calcite near anything you wish to bring fertility, health and abundance to - anything, from your newly-planted garden... to your magick and spellwork... to your Sources:
Peterson
Field Guides: Rocks and Minerals, Frederick
H. Pough The
Book of Stones, Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian Calcite, itself. Article
and Photos © Patricia J. Martin,
February
22, 2009
Website: http://www.peacefulpaths.com/
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