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The Magic of Rocks and StonesLapis Lazuli Written and compiled by - Patricia Jean MartinLapis
Lazuli (or Lapis for short) is a rock and not a mineral because it is made up of
various other minerals. It is
composed of a mixture of several minerals including mostly Lazurite, Pyrite,
Calcite and Diopside, along with possible inclusions of Sodalite, Huaynite,
Noselite, Mica, Augite or Hornblende in small amounts.
Lapis usually occurs in crystalline limestones as a result of contact
metamorphism. The
name Lapis Lazuli comes from a variety of words meaning "blue" (azure)
or "heaven": the Latin "lazulum", stemming from the Arabic
"lazaward", and the Persian "lazhward" constitute the Lazuli
part. The first part of the name,
Lapis, is of Latin origin meaning simply "stone".
And this stone was named after its likeness to the heavens and of course
because of its color -- a brilliant deep blue (due to the sulfur content in the
Lazurite) which is usually speckled or veined with small flecks of yellow-gold
color from its most common mixture with Pyrite (Fool's Gold) or white streaks
from its mixture with Calcite or other minerals. Lapis
Lazuli is a semi-precious stone valued for its deep blue color and durability.
Though too many white streaks of Calcite will lower the value of the
stone. General
Information:
Chemistry:
(Na, Ca)8 Al6 Si6 (O,S)24 [(SO4),Cl2,(OH)2], Sodium Calcium
Aluminum Silicate Sulfur Sulfate (with usual inclusions of Pyrite and Calcite). Class:
Silicates Subclass:
Tectosilicates Group:
Both the Sodalite and Feldspathoid groups. Color:
Deep brilliant blue or violet-blue with golden flecks or veins, and
occasionally white streaks. Luster:
Dull to greasy. Translucent to opaque. Crystal
System: Isometric; bar 4 3/m Crystal
Habit: Massive as a rock (Lapis
Lazuli) forming mineral, but dodecahedral crystals have been found of Lazurite. Cleavage:
Poor. In six directions, but rarely seen. Fracture:
Uneven. Hardness:
5.0 - 5.5 Specific
Gravity: 2.3 - 2.4 (somewhat below
average, but shows higher with increased Pyrite content). Streak:
Bright Blue. Other
Characteristics: Index of refraction is 1.5. Notable
Occurrences: Kokcha River Valley, Afghanistan; Ovalle, Cordillera, Chile;
Lake Baikal, Russia; Mt. Vesuvius, Italy; Cascade Canyon, San Bernardino
Mountains and Ontario Peak, California and in the Sawatch Mountains, Colorado,
USA. Best
Field Indicators: Violet-blue color, Pyrite inclusions, locality and specific
gravity. Uses:
Jewelry; Ornamental; Pigment; Mineral specimens. Myth
& Lore:
Mines,
in what is known as the Badakshan area of Afghanistan today, were being worked
for Lapis at least six thousand years ago.
This source of Lapis may be the oldest continually worked set of mines in
the world, as the same mines operating today supplied the sought-after stone to
the pharaohs. Believed to have occult powers, Lapis Lazuli was often made
into amulets and talismans. In Ur,
kings were known to sharpen their swords on it, believing from this they would
become invulnerable. The stone was
also used by the Assyrians and Persians for making seals. The
Sumerians believed that Lapis Lazuli contained the spirits of the deities.
In ancient Egypt it was often used as an inscription stone for various
passages from "The Book of the Dead" wherein the 140th chapter it
states that Lapis in the shape of an eye and set in gold was an amulet of great
power. Egyptians regarded it as the
stone of the gods, partly because it reminded them of the starry heavens, but
also because, as shown in the Papyrus Ebers, it had medicinal properties that
improved eyesight when worn in the form of the Eye of Horus amulet or when
powdered around the eyes as many Egyptian did. Lapis
Lazuli was one of the stones in the "Breastplate of Judgement" of
Aaron, as described in the Bible. In
ancient times, Lapis Lazuli was known as Sapphire (not to be confused with
today's blue corundum variety Sapphire). Ancient
writers such as Pliny refer to "sapphirus" as a stone speckled with
flects of gold -- obviously a reference to Lapis Lazuli. Long
ago, Lapis was used to make the pigment called Ultramarine, which literally
meant "beyond the sea". It
was used by medieval artists for the blue cloak of the Virgin Mary.
Due to its rarity and expense, today that color pigment is usually now
synthetically made. Metaphysical
Properties:
Astrological
Sign(s): Sagittarius, Aquarius Chakra(s):
Brow and Crown Opens
the Third Eye. Awakens
the intuition. Enhances
insight and awareness. Brings
knowledge and wisdom. Increases
vibrational level. Connects
to Spirit. Helps
in meditations and dream work. Promote
peace. Harmonizes
and balances. Protective. Blocks
psychic attack. *Gives
physical aid in treating: Fevers. Headaches and migraines.
Alleviates pain. Depression and melancholy. Anxiety. Insomnia. Vision and
hearing problems. Disorders of the
throat, lungs and immune system. *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:
Lapis
Lazuli is my "Awareness" stone. Whenever
I am not quite getting the whole picture on something that is remaining obscure
to me for some reason...that's the time I grab the Lapis.
And I had to make use of this stone just recently for that very reason. Known
for imparting ancient knowledge and (just as important) the wisdom on how to use
that knowledge, Lapis is very helpful in bringing you into that state of
awareness where you can better connect with your Higher Self or communicate with
your Spirit Guides. Rich and highly
stimulating, it's easy to quickly feel the intense and royal powers of the stone
lift you to new heights of thought, consciousness and awareness. I've
used Lapis in ceremonial Ritual...during meditations...and sometimes I'll place
a small piece inside my pillowcase at night if I'm having trouble remembering my
dreams, or if I want to increase the amount of or vibrational level of my
dreams. It is really useful when
seeking particular knowledge in an area in which you feel befuddled or confused.
The crisp, clear, stellar answers come to you like a beacon in the night. Feeling
that the stone was the best of the best when it came to spiritual stones, the
"Sleeping Prophet", Edgar Cayce, recommending carrying a piece of
Lapis Lazuli with you at all times wherever you go.
I used to. And I think it's
time I go back to doing just that. End.Sources:
"The
Illustrated Directory of Healing Crystals" ~ Cassandra Eason http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/lazurite/lazurite.htm http://www.mineralminers.com/html/lapminfo.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapis_lazuli http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/minerals/lapis.htm
© 2006 Patricia J. Martin
Website:
http://www.peacefulpaths.com/
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