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The Magic of Rocks and StonesHerkimer Diamond
by
Patricia J. Martin
As clear as a bright summer day - as lofty as the Sun sits above
us - and as energized as a bonfire burning strong - for Litha, I
introduce you to a Quartz crystal at the peak of its strength... Herkimer
Diamond! Herkimer Diamond is the name given to the beautiful, rare and widely sought after, naturally double-terminated Quartz crystals that were named after the place they were first formally discovered in the late 1700s - a small town called Little Falls in Herkimer County, New York. For this, they are sometimes also called Little Falls Diamonds or Middleville Diamonds after the towns from which they are now copiously mined. Though rare throughout the world, Herkimer Diamonds can be found abundantly all across the Mohawk River Valley in upstate New York. Some fine places to go where you can find and/or mine your own Herkimer "Diamonds" are at places called, what other than, "Ace of Diamonds Mine" and Herkimer Diamond Mine", both in Middleville, town of Newport, Herkimer County, NY, or "Diamond Acres" (Hastings Farm), Fonda, Mohawk Township, Montgomery County, NY. Although predominantly found in the northeast U.S., this unique form of Quartz has also been found in Arizona in the U.S., Afghanistan, Tibet, China, Norway and a few other places throughout the world.
Mined at the Ace of Diamonds mine - A
typical vug (or pocket) filled with Herkimers
Commonly called simply Herkimers for short, these hexagonal (6-sided, 18 facets) brilliantly clear Quartz crystals formed in cavities within the dull gray sedimentary form of Dolomite, called Dolostone - a relative of Limestone - approximately 500 million years ago during the Cambrian Age. At that time, a shallow sea whose waters lapped against the shores of the ancestral Adirondack Mountains, deposited the sediments which under years of weight and pressure became Dolostone. While still under the sea, water seeped into the forming rock, dissolving part of it and creating cavities within - cavities, called "vugs", that ranged anywhere from pea size to several feet across. Like most geode style crystals, Herkimer Diamonds began their journey of growth when a tiny amount of that mineral rich water stayed trapped within the cavity. The double termination of the Herkimer occurs because they were allowed to grow with virtually little or no contact with the host stone while nestled inside the vug. On the hardness scale, and as with all Quartz crystals, they register a 7. They can be found clear, cloudy or with impurities - the clearest specimens coming out of the NY locations - and can also be found in Quartz's various forms and styles, such as clusters, scepters, twins, phantoms, enhydros, etc. I prefer the single crystals and am amazed at their clarity. In fact, it was their crystal clear appearance that led the founders to liken them to, and almost mistake them for, real Diamonds. But Quartz crystals they are. And like the water from which they are birthed, these sparkling natural wonders do carry the attributes of the Element, Water - the feminine qualities of intuition, psychic ability, the knowledge and wisdom of the mystical and the magickal, etc., but as a Quartz, they contain the attributes and metaphysical properties of all four Elements - Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Most of the Herkimers that I own and work with lean strongly toward Fire and Air, lending them the ability to create the spark of action to my thoughts and inspirations. (In other words, they light a fire under my... um, intentions.. hehehe.)
Herkimer
in matrix
On top of the many fine attributes of Quartz, Herkimer Diamonds
come with an added punch. Their clarity and dual-points give them what
I call "the laser effect" - the ability to pinpoint and hone in
on what's relevant. They are also known to create balance. And,
being a Quartz, they will amplify everything. Called the "Stone of Attunement", I find it to also be the "Stone of Total Awareness". Herkimer Diamonds can be used to attune oneself to another person, place or thing. They are excellent in aiding us in getting to know something or someone more intimately and fully. They can be used by two people who are not physically together, to keep in 'touch' and to help bind themselves further to one another, as the crystal enhances their knowledge and awareness of each other. This works well for groups too, helping them work together harmoniously so that what they are working to accomplish will manifest in the most cohesive manner and with the best results. In another aspect, Herkimers may be used to garner information as well as give it, as they possess an uncanny 'give & take' ability, meaning they are exceptionally adept and handy at simultaneously sending and receiving. They are a very nice bridging stone. There is no problem in programming a Herkimer; they quickly deliver messages or work to manifest whatever they are programmed for. When working with the Herkimer Diamond you can expect stimulated
clairvoyance and clairaudience. You will better see and hear things
that are beyond the normal perceptions, as your ability to read between the
lines is amplified. Herkimers help you hear the truth, whether verbalized
out loud or not. They create a clear channel and you will better hear
what is truly being said when words or actions are muddied or not freely given.
But whatever information is garnered will always hold the essence of spirituality
filtered through from our Higher Self, making the knowledge received the
purest it can be, and the mind focused on the best intent.
Herkimers help keep things on the up and up. This is because the Herkimer
Diamond's vibration is closer to (and thus works well with) the
Brow (Third Eye) and Crown Chakras - the intuitive, higher vibration and
spiritually attuned Chakras. Herkimers promote divine grace. In their crystal-clear visions, Herkimers are powerful for tapping
into hidden knowledge. There are no secrets kept from these scrutinizing
crystals. They are both sleuth and messenger, as they laser in on the
hidden and unearth what you need to know. I call them one of the great
spies of the mineral world...your own personal private detective...but always
helping to keep your intent pure. In this viewing and being viewed
capacity, these little gems are most helpful for Astral Travel, psychic insight and,
of course, for such telling revelations. Like the Sun, Herkimer Diamonds contain a sparkling brilliance. This brilliance not only is used for clarification of things, but also is useful for elevating the spirits. Depression, melancholy and the general blues are dispelled and replaced with a sunnier outlook. Stress and tensions are alleviated. For aid in physical health, Herkimers can be used to disseminate and help remove toxins from the body and for correcting and realigning imbalances in any capacity. They bring about a greater clarity - a helpful clearing of dis-ease, along with a crisp and clear flow of thoughts and ideas on how best to help oneself. As the Protector that Quartz is, Herkimer Diamonds can aid in dispersing and diluting radioactivity from our surroundings or during medical procedures. They are also well-known for helping with the Immune System.
Various sizes of Herkimer
Diamonds
For aid with the mystical, the magickal uses of Herkimer Diamonds are many. Astrologically, this stone resonates with Libra, Aries and Sagittarius. Its planet is the Sun. Its Element is all four, but with a propensity toward Fire and Air - thus, masculine and projective. In ceremonial ritual, along with in Feng Shui, Herkimers are used to clear and purify space, and will remove any stagnant energies that happen to reside there. Herkimers are good to hold during past-life regressions, as they help open the telepathic channel and maintain the bridge between what we perceive as then and now. And they are excellent in crystal grids or for energizing and amplifying and keeping the connectivity of any spell, chant, ritual or magickal endeavor. They are a good magickal substitute for actual Diamonds.
Herkimer
Diamond & Amethyst Pendant
And last but not least, another fine quality of the Herkimer Diamond
is its strong ability to promote and enhance dreams, lucid dreams and
to aid us in dream recall. Place a Herkimer inside your
pillowcase and then record what dreams you have. I guarantee
you, your dreams will be prolific, although possibly just a bit
strange at first as the crystal aligns itself with how best to transfer the
information to your psyche. (I can readily attest to this..lol) In
meditation, and for enhanced visualization, hold two Herkimers, one in each
hand, and with one of its points facing inward toward your body while the
other faces outward. Place your receptive hand on your brow
(Third Eye) and your dominant projective hand on your Solar
Plexus area. This will help arc your gathered insights from the Brow to
your area of personal power at the Solar Plexus. What you envision or what
spark of wisdom comes to you will immediately be bridged to your reaction and
actions. Herkimers work with an unrestrained enthusiasm and possess
the power to bring those sudden flashes of inspiration, knowledge or
wisdom. When working with these crystals, be prepared for many an
"ah ha!" moment... not much unlike the feeling you get when you
actually take your hammer and chisel to a piece of Dolostone, crack it open and
have it suddenly reveal a pristine Herkimer Diamond surprise
inside! Breathtaking. Here's
to your Litha celebrations (or Yule in the Southern Hemisphere) being equally as
breathtaking!
Sources:
Love Is In the Earth: The Crystal and Mineral Encyclopedia - The Liite
Fantastic and the Last Testament, Melody The Book of Stones: Who They Are & What They Teach, Robert
Simmons & Naisha Ahsian http://geology.com/articles/herkimer-diamonds.shtml http://www.herkimerdiamond.com/mining.html Herkimer
Diamond, itself. Photos
by: Patricia J. Martin http://www.thecrystalhealer.co.uk
© Patricia J. Martin, August 22, 2008Website: http://www.peacefulpaths.com/
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