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The Magic of Rocks and StonesCelestite
Written and compiled by - Patricia Jean MartinCelestite
(also known as Celestine), from the Latin "caelestis" meaning
"celestial" or "heavenly", was aptly named, for these dusky
sky blue crystals have a very ethereal appearance.
Found in sedimentary rock and mostly in crystal form, the best Celestite
specimens are found in cavities in Sandstone or Limestone (often as geodes) and
are in high demand by collectors. It
can also be found as tabular or granular crystals or in fibrous veins of
sedimentary rock. Gypsum, Fluorite,
Calcite, Dolomite and Galena are other minerals often found near Celestite
deposits. The first Celestite was
discovered in 1791 near Frankstown, Pennsylvania, by the German mineralogist
A.G. Werner, and in February of this year was adopted as Pennsylvania's official
state mineral. Celestite
closely resembles Barite, but should not be confused, as it is a mineral of its
own. Less dense and less abundant
than Barite, Celestite, however, is more soluble and frequently occurs in
mineral waters. One way to ensure knowing the difference is through a flame
test, where Barite under flame shows a pale green and Celestite will show red.
Celestite crystals can be found in more than their usual light blue
color, many times appearing as colorless to white or gray, but sometimes yellow
to orange-red, green or brown. The
hue of blue Celestite is attributed to the presence of minute traces of gold
and, in some cases, to a naturally occurring irradiation.
A somewhat soft and brittle crystal, Celestite is the most common natural
sulfate of Strontium and is an important source of the mineral and some of its
compounds, such as Strontium Hydroxide which is used in refining beet sugar, or
the Strontium Nitrate used in red signal flares or fireworks. It
is best to keep Celestite out of the sun as it may fade with frequent exposure. General
Information:
Chemistry:
SrSO4, Strontium Sulfate. Class:
Sulfates. Subclass:
Anhydrous Sulfates. Group:
Barite. Color:
Most often light sky blue to steel-blue, but also found colorless, gray,
yellow with tints of red, green or brown. Luster:
Vitreous (glassy); transparent to translucent. Crystal
System: Orthorhombic; 2/m 2/m 2/m Crystal
Habit: Crystalline; prismatic or
tabular crystals are most common. Crystals are dominated by two large pinacoid
(parallel planes to two of the crystalline axes) faces at the top and bottom
along with small prism faces which form a jutting angle on every side.
Also occurs in nodular form, dense aggregates, fibrous veins, granular,
or in geodes. Cleavage:
Perfect in one direction, less so parallel to the prism. Fracture:
Conchoidal, brittle. Hardness:
3.0 - 3.5 Specific
Gravity: Approximately 3.9+ (above
average for translucent minerals). Streak:
White Other
Characteristics: Produces a red color in flame test; some specimens fluoresce
under UV light; sometimes thermoluminescent. Notable
Occurrences: U.S. (Lake Erie region of Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania or New
York; Colorado; Texas), Canada, Madagascar, Sicily,
Germany, England. Best
Field Indicators: Crystal habit, color, flame test. Uses:
Source of Strontium used in fireworks and flares (Strontium Nitrate);
refining beet sugar (Strontium Hydroxide); collectors specimens. Myth
& Lore:
Called
the "Stone of Heaven" partly due to its soft celestial color,
Celestite was once believed to have been created by "angel song from the
celestial choirs". Even today it is thought that one may access the angelic
realms through communing with Celestite, and that the stone has beneficial
"stories to tell" through channeling angelic wisdom.
Some even say it originally came from the cluster of stars known as the
Pleiades (commonly called the "Seven Sisters") and that it holds
celestial wisdom. Known
to expand creativity and the expression of such through initiating ease of
communication with the higher realms, Celestite has often been used by those in
the arts. It is believed that the
stone decreased negativity by putting an end to stress, anxiety, worry and fear,
while helping to put a focus on the spiritual, thus attracting goodness and
purity. It has been known to
accelerate spiritual development, stimulate clairvoyant communication, aid in
dream recall and astral travel, and to bring one a general sense of peace. Metaphysical
Properties of Celestite:
Astrological
Sign(s): Gemini. Element(s):
Air. Chakra(s):
Throat, Brow, Crown. Mental
clarity. Harmony. Communication. Creativity. Calming. Cooling. Balancing. Promotes
peacefulness. Dream
recall. Astral
travel. Angelic
or celestial communications. Meditative. *Gives
physical aid in treating: Tension and stress. Improves disposition. Hearing
disorders. Thyroid or throat problems. Eliminates
toxins. *NOTE:
Stone therapy should NOT take the place of medical evaluation and procedures,
and should be used merely to enhance one's health and well-being. My
own thoughts and experiences:
For
one, such as myself, who is not known for having much of a fondness for the
color blue (aside from indigo, blue-violet and aquamarine), I have to say that
this was the very thing that drew me to my first piece of Celestite.
This mineral's color and crystal form are exquisite! It possesses a very high frequency and is a very spiritual
stone that can help open portals to your Higher Self. Aside
from its obvious beauty, Celestite is a delicate and soothing crystal which
brings with it an immediate sense of inner peace.
Although its energies may seem subtle because of it's tranquil steely
blue color having a strong calming effect -- this does not mean that the stone
is subtle in any way. On the
contrary, Celestite can be very forceful in helping one to break bad habits and
negative patterns or to simply break through life's little roadblocks, while at
the same time promoting creativity. For
me, this stone – and especially a cluster -- accomplishes this by first
momentarily taking my breath away. It
makes me suddenly stop whatever I am doing, wherein I first focus on the sudden
calm which feels like a time-standing-still moment.
Next it places the spotlight on the crux of something I need to know.
This can be likened to the feeling you get when all of a sudden you seem
to be able to hone in on the chirp of a single cricket beyond all the thunderous
noise in your mind or in your surroundings; noise which fades during the focus.
And it is here at this point that the stone can (and will) begin to
impart its wisdom. It is very
reminiscent of the abilities of Black Tourmaline, but where Black Tourmaline has
a very rooted and grounding quality when it 'speaks' to you, Celestite 'sings'
its message from a much higher vibration. I've
experienced Celestite having that soft whispering ability, and what it says to
you can be very uplifting...but how it says it can be very deliberate and
striking. The best part about it
all is that you will receive and accept this striking news while wrapped in a
lofty, peaceful calm. With
or without Celestite, you should always allow for those few moments of peace for
yourself...for you and you alone. And
it always best at those times to just...listen. End.Sources:
"Love
Is In the Earth" ~ Melody "The
Illustrated Directory of Healing Crystals" ~ Cassandra Eason http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/sulfates/celestit/celestit.htm http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/BT/2005/0/HB2460P3572.HTM <photos>
http://www.mineralminers.com/html/celmins.stm © 2006 Patricia J. Martin
Website:
http://www.peacefulpaths.com/
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