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The Magic of Rocks and Stones

Aragonite 

Written and compiled by - Patricia Jean Martin

Aragon, Spain is where Aragonite was first discovered and from where the mineral gets its name.  Aragonite, also called Tchazar Crystal, is a common carbonate mineral.  It is unfortunately often thought of as the poor cousin to calcite.  But aragonite is an interesting and attractive mineral in its own right.  It forms interesting habits and can have a soft pretty color.  Its modes of formation and relationship to calcite are both curious and intriguing. 

Aragonite is a polymorph of calcite, which means that it has the same chemistry as Calcite but it has a different structure, and more importantly, different symmetry and crystal shapes.  Aragonite's more compact structure is composed of triangular carbonate ion groups (CO3), with a carbon at the center of the triangle and the three oxygens at each corner.  Unlike in Calcite, the carbonate ions do not lie in a single plane pointing in the same direction.  Instead they lie in two planes that point in opposite directions; destroying the trigonal symmetry that is characteristic of Calcite's structure. 

Aragonite's most famous crystal habit is the twinned pseudo-hexagonal prismatic crystals that it produces.  Twinning is the result of an error during the growth of the crystal.  It occurs when the atomic layer stacking, in a sequence such as ABCABCABCABCABCABC etc, makes a mistake and a C layer instead of a B layer is place next to an A layer.  The result is an ABCABCABCACBACBACBA stacking sequence (can you pick out the mistake?).  Where the mistake occurs, a mirror plane is produced that was not there before (the left side is the mirror image of the right side).  This has the effect of increasing the apparent symmetry of the crystal.  The "error" in Aragonite's structure causes a bend in the crystal of exactly 120 degrees.  If three bends or twins occur, then a 360 degree crystal, called a cyclic twin or trilling, can form.  In this case, Aragonite can appear hexagonal (six sided).  These crystals can be thought of as a "triple siamese twin" where one crystal takes up one third (or 120 degrees) of a hexagon. 

Aragonite is also a constituent of many sea creatures' shell structures; a curious development since Calcite is the more stable form of calcium carbonate.  Most bivalve animals and corals secrete Aragonite for their shells and pearls are composed of mostly Aragonite.  The pearlization and iridescent colors in sea-shells such as Abalone and Mother of Pearl are made possible by several minute layers of Aragonite.  Other environments of formation include hot springs deposits, cavities in volcanic rocks, caves and mines.   

General Information: 

*Chemistry:  CaCO3, Calcium Carbonate 

*Class:  Carbonates 

*Group:  Aragonite 

*Color:  Can be white or colorless or with subdued shades of yellow, orange, gold, brown, green and even blue. 

*Luster:  Vitreous to dull. 

*Crystal System:  Orthorhombic, 2/m 2/m 2/m 

*Crystal Habit:  Columnar or fibrous.  Twinned pseudo-hexagonal prismatic crystals.  Twinning is the result of an "error" during the growth of the crystal.  Instead of a "normal" single crystal, twins will often appear doubled where two appear to be growing out of or into each other.  Can also include a diverse assortment of thin elongated prismatic, curved bladed, steep pyramidal (spiked) and chisel shaped crystals.  A branching tree, coral or worm-like delicate form is called "flos ferri".  Can also be compact, granular, radially fibrous and massive.  Its massive forms can be layered, coralloid, pisolitic, oolitic, globular, stalachtitic and encrusting.  Aragonite is a constituent of many species' shell structures.  A layered sedimentary marble like formation is called Mexican Onyx and is used for carvings and ornamental purposes.   Calcite pseudomorphs of aragonite crystals and formations are common. 

*Cleavage:  Distinct in one direction - pinacoidal. 

*Fracture:  Subconchoidal 

*Hardness:  3.5 - 4 

*Specific Gravity:  2.9+ (average for non-metallic minerals) 

*Streak:  White 

*Other Characteristics:  Transparent to translucent. Aragonite effervesces easily in cold dilute hydrochloric acid, is strongly birefringent, is fluorescent and its refractive index is 1.7  

*Notable Occurrences:  Aragon, Spain (its type locality and from where it gets its name); Karlsbad, Czechoslovakia; Morocco; Bastennes, France; Girgenti, Sicily; Alston Moor and Cleator Moor, Cumberland, England; Baja California, Mexico (Mexican Onyx); Tsumeb, Namibia; Carinthia, Austria; Leadhills, Scotland; Harz Mountains, Germany and in several localities in the Southwestern United States.   

*Best Field Indicators:  Crystal habits, single plane of cleavage and reaction to acid. 

*Uses:  Minor constituent of Limestone which is used in cement and in steel production, ornamental carvings and as mineral specimens.

Myths and Lore: 

Aragonite enhances ones patience and helps one to "maintain" comfortably during conditions requiring the acceptance of an abundance of responsibilities.  When consciously directed, it can help one to achieve a stricter discipline, strengthening reliability and practicality.  It can provide insight into the basis of a problem on the physical plane along with stimulating communication on the higher planes.  Aragonite centers and is popular in its use for meditation. 

A reliable earth-healer, Aragonite is attuned to Gaia.  This stone transforms geopathic stress and clears blockages even at a distance.  It stabilizes the Sacral and Solar Plexus Chakras, deepening the connection between Earth and Self. 

Metaphysical Properties: 

Astrological Sign: Capricorn, Cancer. 

Sacral, Solar Plexus, Brow Chakras. 

Astral Travel. 

Meditation. 

Centering. 

Energy enhancing. 

Uplifting. 

Spiritual growth. 

Self worth. 

Calms and soothes. 

*Gives physical aid in treating:  Depression.  Chronic fatigue.  Hair loss; skin disorders.  Helps with deficiencies in Vitamins A and D.  Combats chills and outer limb aches and pains. 

*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: 

When I'm feeling any sort of stress or anxiety, one of my favorite stone pendants to reach for is my heart-shaped Aragonite.  A soft, light creamy yellow stone (actually one of my very favorite colors) that lends its ability to calm whatever is bothering you and inevitably tempers your mood.  Reminiscent of that soft yet bright morning glow in the East when all is still quiet and yet on the verge of awakening, Aragonite brings that same bright and vivid glow into the pit of your being.  It also, within moments of use, will bring that very soft, quiet smile. 

Using the darker orange-brown hexagonal crystal variety of Aragonite, you may find that it raises your vibration, making you more physically aware of your Higher Self, while at the same time helping you to stay in tune with the Earth Spirits so that you may better connect the two.  Use this form of the stone to bring encounters with the Fey, especially those of woodland type. 

While sitting in a favorite spot of the garden or walking gently through the woods in an area that seems especially quiet and somehow more vivid to you, hold your Aragonite crystal in the palm of your projective hand and chant these words (or words of your own), letting your breath sweep through and past the stone's facets: 

Good faerie, sprite and woodland gnome,

I beckon you come from your home,

Come dance for me and show your face,

In this fair serene protected space.

End.

 Sources: 

"Stones Alive!" ~ Marilyn & Tohmas Twintreess 

"Love Is In the Earth" ~ Melody 

http://www.mineralminers.com/html/aquminfo.htm - physprop 

http://www.galleries.com/minerals/gemstone/aquamari/aquamari.htm 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquamarine

© 2006 Patricia J. Martin 

Website:  http://www.peacefulpaths.com/   

 

Best wishes and Blessed Be

 

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Traditions:

 

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Traditions Part 2 Gardnerian Wicca /  Georgian Tradition /  Henge of Keltria /  Hereditary Witchcraft /  Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (H.O.G.D.) /  Kitchen Witch (Hedge Witch) /  Minoan Brotherhood and Minoan Sisterhood Tradition /  Nordic Paganism /  Pagan Federation /  Pectic-Wita /  Seax-Wica /  Shamanism /  Solitary /  Strega /  Sylvan Tradition /  Vodoun or Voodoo /  Witches League of Public Awareness (WLPA) /

 

Other things of interest:

 

Gods and Goddesses (Greek Mythology)Esbats & Full MoonsLinks to Personal Friends & ResourcesWicca/Witchcraft ResourcesWhat's a spell?Circle Casting and Sacred Space /  Pentagram - PentacleMarks of a WitchThe Witches PowerThe Witches HatAn esoteric guide to visiting LondonSatanismPow-wowThe Unitarian Universalist Association /  Numerology:  Part 1  /  Part 2 Part 3A history of the Malleus Maleficarum:  includes:  Pope Innocent VIII  /  The papal Bull  /   The Malleus Maleficarum  /  An extract from the Malleus Maleficarum  /  The letter of approbation  /  Johann Nider’s Formicarius  /  Jacob Sprenger  /  Heinrich Kramer  /  Stefano Infessura  /  Montague Summers  /  The Waldenses  /  The Albigenses  /  The Hussites /  The Sun DanceShielding (Occult and Psychic Protection) /  The History of ThanksgivingI have a Dream, the 1963 speach by civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King /  Auras by Graham Furnell - Part 1 and Part 2 /

 

Sabbats and Rituals:

 

Sabbats in History and Mythology /  Samhain (October 31st)  /  Yule (December 21st)  /  Imbolc (February 2nd)  /  Ostara (March 21st)  /  Beltane (April 30th)  /  Litha (June 21st)  /  Lughnasadh (August 1st)  /  Mabon (September 21st)

 

Rituals contributed by Crone:  Samhain / YuleImbolcOstara /  BeltaneLithaLammasMabon

 

Tools:

 

Tools of a Witch  /  The Besom (Broom) /  Poppets and DollsPendulums / Cauldron MagickMirror Gazing

 

Animals:

 

Animals in Witchcraft (The Witches Familiar) /  AntelopeBatsCrowFoxFrog and ToadsGoat / HoneybeeKangarooLionOwlPhoenixRabbits and HaresRavenRobin RedbreastSheep SpiderSquirrelSwansWild Boar /  Wolf /  Serpent /  Pig /  Stag /  Horse /  Mouse /  Cat

 

Trees:

 

In Worship of Trees - Myths, Lore and the Celtic Tree Calendar.  For descriptions and correspondences of the thirteen sacred trees of Wicca/Witchcraft see the following:  Birch /  Rowan / Ash /  Alder /  Willow /  Hawthorn /  Oak /  Holly /  Hazel /  Vine /  Ivy /  Reed /  ElderAlso see:  The Willow Tree (Folk Music)

 

Sacred Sites:

 

Mystical Sacred Sites  -  Stonehenge /  Glastonbury Tor /  Malta - The Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni /  Avebury /  Cerne Abbas - The Chalk Giant /  Ireland - Newgrange /

 

Rocks and Stones:

 

Stones - History, Myths and Lore

 

 Articles contributed by Patricia Jean Martin:   / Apophyllite  / Amber AmethystAquamarineAragoniteAventurineBlack TourmalineBloodstoneCalciteCarnelianCelestiteCitrineChrysanthemum StoneDiamond  /  Emerald / FluoriteGarnet /  Hematite Herkimer DiamondLabradoriteLapis LazuliMalachiteMoonstoneObsidianOpalPyriteQuartz (Rock Crystal)Rose QuartzRubySeleniteSeraphinite  /  Silver and GoldSmoky QuartzSodaliteSunstoneThundereggTree AgateZebra Marble

 

Wisdom:

 

Knowledge vs Wisdom by Ardriana Cahill I Talk to the TreesAwakeningThe Witch in YouA Tale of the Woods

 

Articles and Stories about Witchcraft:

 

Murder by WitchcraftThe Fairy Witch of ClonmelA Battleship, U-boat, and a WitchThe Troll-Tear (A story for Children)Goody Hawkins - The Wise Goodwife /  The Story of Jack-O-LanternThe Murder of the Hammersmith Ghost Josephine Gray (The Infamous Black Widow) /  The Two Brothers - Light and Dark

 

Old Masters of Academia:

 

Pliny the ElderHesiodPythagoras

 

Biographies

 

Witches, Pagans and other associated People

(Ancient, Past and Present)

 

Remembered at Samhain

(Departed Pagan Pioneers, Founders, Elders and Others)

 

Abramelin the MageAgrippaAidan A. KellyAlbertus Magnus “Albert the Great”Aleister Crowley “The Great Beast” Alex Sanders "the King of the Witches” Alison HarlowAmber KAnna Franklin /  Anodea JudithAnton Szandor LaVey  / Arnold CrowtherArthur Edward Waite Austin Osman SpareBiddy EarlyBridget ClearyCarl Llewellyn WeschckeCecil Hugh WilliamsonCharles Godfrey LelandCharles Walton /  Christina Oakley Harrington /  Damh the Bard (Dave Smith) /   Dion FortuneDolores Aschroft-NowickiDorothy MorrisonDoreen ValienteEdward FitchEleanor Ray Bone “Matriarch of British Witchcraft” /  Dr. John Dee and Edward KellyDr. Leo Louis Martello /  Eliphas LeviErnest Thompson Seton /  Ernest Westlake and the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry /  Fiona Horne /  Friedrich von SpeeFrancis Barrett /  Gerald B. GardnerGavin and Yvonne Frost and the School and Church of Wicca /  Gwydion PendderwenHans Holzer /  Helen DuncanHerman Slater "Horrible Herman" /  Israel RegardieJames "Cunning" MurrellJanet Farrar & Gavin BoneJessie Wicker Bell “Lady Sheba” / John Belham-Payne John George Hohman /  John GerardJohn Gordon Hargrave (the White Fox) /  John Michael Greer /  John ScoreJohannes Junius the Burgomaster of Bamberg /  Joseph John Campbell /  Karl von EckartshausenLaurie Cabot "the Official Witch of Salem" /  Lewis Spence /  Margaret Alice MurrayMargot AdlerMarie Laveau the " Voodoo Queen of New Orleans" /  Marion WeinsteinMatthew Hopkins “The Witch-Finder General”Max Ehrmann and the Desiderata /  Monique Wilson the “Queen of the WitchesMontague SummersNicholas CulpeperNicholas RemyM. R. SellersMrs. Grieve "A Modern Herbal" /  Oberon and Morning Glory Zell-RavenheartOld Dorothy ClutterbuckOld George Pickingill /   Paddy SladePamela Colman-SmithParacelsusPatricia CrowtherPatricia Monaghan /  Patricia “Trish” TelescoPhilip Emmons Isaac Bonewits Philip HeseltonRaymond BucklandReginald ScotRobert CochraneRobert ‘von Ranke’ Graves and "The White Goddess" /  Rudolf Steiner /  Rosaleen Norton “The Witch of Kings Cross” /  Ross Nichols and The Order of Bards, Ovates & DruidsSabrina - The Ink WitchScott CunninghamSelena FoxSilver Ravenwolf /  Sir Francis DashwoodSir James George FrazerS.L. MacGregor Mathers and the “Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn” /  StarhawkStewart FarrarSybil LeekTed AndrewsThe Mather Family - includes: Richard Mather, Increase Mather, Cotton Mather /  Thomas AdyVera Chapman /  Victor Henry AndersonVivianne CrowleyWalter Brown GibsonWilliam Butler YeatsZsuzsanna Budapest

 

 

Many of the above biographies are brief and far from complete.  If you know about any of these individuals and can help with aditional information, please cantact me privately at my email address below.  Many thanks for reading  :-)

 

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