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The Magic of Rocks and StonesSelenite
(Gypsum)
Written and compiled by - Patricia Jean Martin
Selenite is an alternate name for the mineral Gypsum. The
word Selenite comes from the Greek “selenites”, meaning “moon
stone” or “moon rock”, with the root word “Selene” meaning
“Moon”, and for good reason - the mineral Selenite is the near
transparent and colourless crystal form of Gypsum that exudes a pearly
lustre which glows and can very much resemble the moon. Selene is
also the name of the Greek Goddess of the Moon (a.k.a. Artemis or Diana). Gypsum is a common sedimentary mineral - the most common
of all the sulfates - and is usually found in massive beds of tabular or
block crystal form. These sedimentary deposits are formed through a
hastened acceleration of evaporating saline water, and in the process may
retain trapped bubbles of either air or water called “enhydros”. Gypsum
is often found in caves, in evaporated lakes or seabed’s, or salt flats.
It is interesting to note that if the natural conditions become extremely dry
and the Gypsum becomes overly dehydrated, it transforms into the mineral known
as Anhydrite. If water is then reintroduced, it is restored back into
Gypsum. There are five main types of Gypsum, known by the following
names: Selenite, Satin Spar (not to be confused with Iceland Spar which is
a related Calcite), Gypsum Flower, Desert Rose, and Alabaster. The
first four crystalline varieties are commonly known as Selenite even though they
contain some notable differences in appearance. The larger
crystalline form of Selenite, being a clear colourless crystal, is more
rare than the other forms of the mineral. Satin Spar is usually fibrous, translucent
white and satiny. The other forms of Gypsum are readily available in
tabular, rosette or needle-like crystals, with Alabaster being the granular
massive form of the mineral. Selenite crystals can be quite large,
but the mineral itself is very soft and slightly flexible (although not
elastic, meaning it can be bent but will not resume its original shape on its
own). Often fibrous, it can be easily broken or scratched. In fact,
all forms of Gypsum are soft (between 1 1/2 and 2 on the Mohs Scale) and
can be scratched with just a fingernail. As a form of Gypsum, Selenite is a natural insulator and will
appear much warmer to the touch than other crystals. Industrial grades of Gypsum
are used in making sheet rock drywall, concrete, and Plaster of Paris.
Both Selenite and Satin Spar are often vitreous (glassy), pearly and silky to
the touch, and both may exhibit chatoyancy (cat's eye reflections). They
also both contain a fibre optic quality, have the ability to double
refract, and some specimens are fluorescent or phosphorescent. Gypsum
Flowers, Desert Roses, and Alabasters are usually not as lustrous, and
often will have a gritty appearance. In very dry areas, sand becomes
trapped within and on the surface of the forming crystals, and often these
inclusions are seen as shapes, such as the common “hourglass” shape
found on Selenite crystals in the Great Salt Plains Lake bed. The Desert
Rose variety is shaped like a rose as its name suggests, its “petals”
formed by overlapping blades of Selenite. They are often a dusty rose,
reddish or brown colour. With their softness and natural formation
related to water, all of the Gypsum varieties should never be left standing
in any liquid, and all cleansers should be avoided, as the water will degrade
and eventually dissolve the mineral, while soaps and cleansers will affect any
lustre. A famous location for Selenite blades is found in the Naica
Mine in Chihuahua, Mexico and is called the “Cave of Swords”.
Here giant crystals have formed, some measuring over 30 feet long.
A fairly common mineral, Selenite can be found throughout the world. General
Information:
Chemistry: CaSO4.2
(H2O) - Hydrated Calcium Sulphate Class:
Sulphates. Group:
Gypsum. Colour: White
to colourless, and transparent to translucent. In some varieties, shades of
red, brown, green and yellow may be present due to inclusions of other
minerals. Lustre: Vitreous
to Pearly, especially on cleavage surface. Crystal
System: Monoclinic,
2/m Crystal
Habit: Tabular,
bladed or block crystals with a slanted parallelogram form; also needle-like
crystals. May be massive, granular, crusty or fibrous. Tabular
varieties show pinacoidal faces with jutting prismatic edges. In the
long, thin crystal variety, some may exhibit bending where certain
specimens coil into spirals - a variety nicknamed "Ram's Horn
Selenite". Two type of twinning are common, one producing a "spear
head twin" or "swallowtail twin", the other producing a
"fishtail twin". Cleavage:
Good in one direction, distinct in two others. Fracture:
Concoidal and fibrous. Hardness:
2, and can be scratched with a fingernail. Specific
Gravity: 2.3+ Streak:
White. Other
Characteristics: Crystals
are flexible but not elastic. Some specimens exhibit fluorescence or
phosphorescence. Gypsum has a very low thermal conductivity (hence it's
use in drywall as an insulating filler). A crystal will feel noticeably
warmer than a crystal of Quartz or the like. Notable
Occurrences: Mexico;
Italy; Utah and Colorado, US; Australia; Greece; Spain. Best
Field Indicators: Hardness,
flexibility, cleavage, crystal habit. Uses:
Mineral specimens. Other forms of Gypsum are commonly used in plaster and
wallboard, certain cements, paint filler, fertilizers. Myth
& Lore:
Said to be the "Stone of Mental Clarity," Selenite is
thought to be a bringer of light. Associated with the Greek Goddess Selene, Selenite contains
feminine energy and is often used to connect and commune with the Divine,
especially goddess energy. Some use it for angelic or spirit guide
connection, or aid in interacting with the Ancients. Selenite crystals, or polished
wands of Selenite, are often used as magic wands or as aids to help
facilitate transporting one's intentions to the Higher Self and/or the Universe. Often referred to as "scanners," Selenite is said to
have the ability to scan the body for disease or malfunction, pinpointing
what areas may need attention. The stone itself is also thought to have
the ability to clear etheric blockages so one can gain knowledge on how to move
forward toward a cure. It is thought to have been a healing tool in
Atlantis. Selenite can be used for scrying into both the past, present and
future. Past life regressions are assisted with the use of these crystals. They
are also said to be good for dream recall. It is long thought that Selenite helps in procuring
long-lasting relationships, ensuring fidelity and furthering commitments.
It can help reconcile differences by going to the root of any issue. It is believed that Selenite is one of two minerals (the other being Apophyllite) that are strong enough to clear negative energies from Quartz. It's also believed that it has the ability to help program (charge), or reprogram (recharge), a Quartz crystal. It is good for charging all one's magickal tools. To cleanse and recharge your Selenite, place it under the light of the Moon. Metaphysical
Properties:
Astrological Sign(s): Cancer Element(s): Water Chakra(s): Crown Greater insight. Increases sensitivity. Psychic development. Awareness, sheds light. Mental clarity. Flexibility. Concentration. Visualization. Meditative. Access to subconscious. Decision making. Transmits energies. Connects Spiritual and Physical bodies. Channelling. Angelic and Spirit world contact. Access to past lives. *Gives physical aid in treating: Spinal column, skeletal
system, cellular structure, skin, bones and teeth. Calcium deficiencies. Epilepsy
and seizures. Soothes nerves. Removes blockages. Improves libido. Fertility. *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:
I love Selenite, especially in its clear crystal form, but I
think even more so in it's Satin Spar form. I also find it interesting
that I had trouble finishing this text *until* today...the feast day of Selene.
:) Working with Selenite, I find it does bring the clarity of mind that it's metaphysically famous for, but tends to bring it more swiftly when actually asked to. Even though it's satiny lustre seems to project and transmit light, it is more of a receptive stone than anything else. It is peaceful... ethereal... and can be quite hypnotizing -- a good crystal to work with when attempting to access guidance from entities on the other side and from Higher Self. It will open your mind's eye to greater potential. An excellent stone to use in meditation, it enhances intuition and clairvoyance, allowing you to receive what knowledge you may have had trouble in the past deciphering or seeing clearly. Anything that was once obscure or cloudy in your mind will suddenly clear as if a fog has been lifted, and messages and/or alternative solutions will be gently recognized and at hand, usually in a kind of soft "aha" moment. What I found more amazing about the crystal is that even though
it works softly as it slowly clears a pathway for you through the mists and
sheds light on the very root cause of any issue... it is actually a very healing
stone. With the insight it brings into the very nature of
something, it allows you to intuit what is needed in order to help heal
thyself. Selenite is an excellent crystal to use for problem
solving and for help in communing with Deity, as the crystal itself
seems to keep a foot in both worlds -- the earthly and the ethereal,
connecting matter and Spirit. Looking up and meditating on the Moon is what it feels like
when working with Selenite. It calms, yet can be exciting and awe-inspiring.
It soothes, yet can bring epiphany. It envelops you in its soft ethereal
glow, yet can bring a powerful flash of insightful light into your being.
There is an unmistakable flow of energy that traverses a crystal wand or blade of
Selenite. At times it almost appears to be lit up from within -- a
good physical symbolic demonstration on how it will metaphysically
work for you. And like the Moon, it absorbs light with remarkable speed
and reflects it back to you with a very soft voice of revelation.
I find it is a perfect conduit, a transmitter if you will, for accessing
ancient knowledge that leads to long sought after steps into wisdom. I feel that my workings with Selenite over the past few weeks
has helped me to align myself and open up a more vital and significant channel
between me and the gods. I believe it even prompted me to ask about
them, but aside from that, it definitely set me on a much clearer path
to a greater understanding of some things that were enigmatic and cloaked in
uncertainty for some time now. To this key-bearing crystal I say, “Yes!
Let the lunar magick of Selenite be your guide”. End.
Sources:
“Rocks and Minerals”
~ Frederick H. Pough “The Book of Stones -
Who They Are and What They Teach” ~ Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/sulfates/gypsum/gypsum.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selenite Photo by Patricia J.
Martin ©
Patricia J. Martin, April 8, 2008
Website: http://www.peacefulpaths.com/
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