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Controverscial.Com
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For
Ostara, I've chosen one of the most varied and abundant minerals that Mother
Earth loves to create. It is a mineral found on every one of Her
continents and in almost every color; a veritable Pagan's basket of
decorated Earth "eggs" ~ meet Calcite!
Calcite, CaCO3, is a calcium carbonate with a hardness of only 3; it can be scratched with a fingernail. Many varieties are transparent to translucent, and their lusters are vitreous, meaning glassy. This mineral is found in crystal form, usually rhombohedrons, but can also be found in scalenohedrons (a.k.a. "Dogtooth Spar"), hexagonal prism, pinacoidal, fibrous, nodular, stellate, dendritic, granular, or in massive form. In fact, there are well over 300 crystalline forms of Calcite that can produce thousands of variations and in a multitude of colors, indicating a most versatile stone.
Calcite
is a Fire stone (although some varieties exhibit a propensity toward
Water), and is highly noted for its purifying, cleansing, rejuvenating and
revitalizing nature - all befitting this rebirthing time of year. Calcites
are superior for assisting us in breaking out of old molds and patterns, burning
off what is no longer needed, and moving us courageously into new worlds.
But, for as much as it is a courage-producing and invigorating stone, Calcite
works with an unmistakable gentleness. Like the soft rains of Spring that
nurture the soils which hold the plant seeds that will finally begin to
emerge, Calcite brings its own gentle waves of renewal and hope.
It is a most refreshing stone.
Calcite gets its name from the Greek word "chalix" meaning "lime", for Calcite is the main component of Limestone. Through additional heat, pressure and time, Limestone then becomes Marble or Chalk through recrystallization. But all are basically composed of the Calcite mineral. Even seashells are composed of a layer of Calcite, as is the common egg. Eggs - the long-revered symbol of Ostara and connected to many a creation tale - are more than 90% calcium carbonate, the bulk of the shell being made of small Calcite crystals. Calcite is also a primary component of most cave formations and is found in stalactites and stalagmites, revealing this mineral's ability in connecting the Earth realm to the Spirit realm. As the Spring Equinox begins opening the veil between worlds, and which will culminate at Beltane, Calcite can be a great help for peering into the faerie realm and for connecting with the fey, the elementals, our totem animals or spirit guides. It is excellent for use in faerie magick.
There is a deep connection between this stone and that of the plant and animal kingdoms in Nature. Like the plant life that now once again peeks out of the ground and lusts for the sun after the long cold winter, Calcite helps us view the world with new eyes. It can aid in clairvoyance and intuition and often promotes lucid dreaming, but in its Fire capacity it forces us to take an active part in what we are newly seeing. Calcite releases electrical impulses when placed under pressure, and is, in fact, an energy amplifier. Along with its properties of fluorescence, phosphorescence, thermoluminescence, and even triboluminescence - all affording it the ability to take us to new dimensions, and quickly so - this stone also contains a prismatic energy, in which it takes whatever energy is directed inward, separates it and then returns it outward with double the intensity.
Like
Spring flowers, Calcite comes in a beautiful array of colors and varieties.
The white or clear Calcites are known to bring insight and clarity to any
situation. A common form of the clear variety is called
Iceland Spar which superbly demonstrates the property of double refraction
common in many Calcites, and which was discovered in the stone in 1669 by
Erasmus Bartholinus. Double refraction occurs when light that enters
the stone is split into two beams which bend at different angles and travel
at slightly different speeds. As they do this, they will duplicate
whatever is seen through the stone. For this, Calcite is often used in the
manufacture of various types of lenses. Witches will commonly use this
variety of Calcite in their spellwork, often placing a written spell
under the stone in order to give it strength, focus and double the
power. This ability to double refract can also be related to the Equinox,
when night and day are equally split in two.
There
are so many different varieties and colors of Calcite, each with their own
unique metaphysical properties and support, that I will only give a
brief description here on several of the more common colors, and
will end by concentrating mainly on the green crystal mass variety
that is so akin to this Sabbat.
Blue
Calcite soothes emotions and brings ease of communication - a must for any
writer or artist struggling to put down that first pen or brushstroke.
It enhances psychic ability and aids in dream recall.
Orange
Calcite brings confidence, creativity and innovation, along with
stimulating sexuality. It is known as a "mineral aphrodisiac".
Like a warm ray of sunshine, this color Calcite can help one overcome
depression and shake off those winter blues. The honey-colored variety is
soothing, but brings persistence and determination, and can literally
"teach an old dog new tricks".
Pink
Calcite (the opaque kind called "Mangano Calcite") connects the mind
to the heart. It aids in bringing compassion and an empathic
connection to others, and can help with long distance healing and enhancing
one's well-being. It clears emotions and brings a peaceful, loving
energy to its bearer.
Red Calcite is, of course, connected to vitality - the iron rich life-giving "blood" of the Earth. It promotes a willingness to experience life and helps one to welcome new experiences as they arrive. It also increases the pathways in which life energy (chi, or qi) can flow, but does it calmly and never scatters energy. It quiets any inner chatter.
But for this harbinger of springtime, I am thoroughly attracted to Green Calcite, especially the Emerald Green variety. This stone is like taking a plunge into a crystal clear pool of fresh spring water. It gives the feeling of renewal of purpose, and urges the heart to embrace whatever the mind can imagine. Stagnation does not stand a chance with this mineral. It cools emotions and soothes irritability, while gently promoting change and encouraging abundance. And where all Calcites are known to physically help assimilate calcium in the body, (something much needed after the "milking" times of Imbolc), and for helping with problems related to the kidneys, pancreas and spleen, it is the green variety that can also help rid the body of infection and/or foreign microorganisms. Green is the color of health and healing. It is the color of the creative forces of Nature. It is the color of growth.
As the light green grasses of the season return and the trees begin to bud, place a piece of Green Calcite near anything you wish to bring fertility, health and abundance to - anything, from your newly-planted garden... to your magick and spellwork... to your
Peterson
Field Guides: Rocks and Minerals, Frederick
H. Pough
The
Book of Stones, Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian
Calcite, itself.
Website: http://www.peacefulpaths.com/
Let there be peace in the world - Where have all the flowers gone?
My Personal Page / My Place in England, UK / My Family Tree (Ancestry)
Wicca/Witchcraft / What is Wicca / What is Magick
Traditional Writings:
Wiccan Rede / Charge of the Goddess / Charge of the God / The Three-Fold Law (includes The Law of Power and The Four Powers of the Magus) / The Witches Chant / The Witches Creed / Descent of the Goddess / Drawing Down the Moon / The Great Rite Invocation / Invocation of the Horned God / The 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief / The Witches Rede of Chivalry / A Pledge to Pagan Spirituality
Correspondence Tables:
Incense / Candles / Colours / Magickal Days / Stones and Gems / Elements and Elementals
Traditions Part 1 - Alexandrian Wicca / Aquarian Tabernacle Church (ATC) / Ár Ndraíocht Féin (ADF) / Blue Star Wicca / British Traditional (Druidic Witchcraft) / Celtic Wicca / Ceremonial Magic / Chaos Magic / Church and School of Wicca / Circle Sanctuary / Covenant of the Goddess (COG) / Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) / Cyber Wicca / Dianic Wicca / Eclectic Wicca / Feri Wicca /
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) /
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Resources / What's a spell? /
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- Pentacle / Marks
of a Witch / The Witches
Power / The Witches Hat
/ An
esoteric guide to visiting London / Satanism
/ Pow-wow
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Unitarian Universalist Association / Numerology: Part 1
/ Part 2 / Part
3 / A
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 Dance
/ Shielding (Occult
and Psychic Protection) /
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 / Yule / Imbolc / Ostara / Beltane / Litha / Lammas / Mabon
Tools of a Witch / The Besom (Broom) / Poppets and Dolls / Pendulums / Cauldron Magick / Mirror Gazing
Animals in Witchcraft (The Witches Familiar) / Antelope / Bats / Crow / Fox / Frog and Toads / Goat / Honeybee / Kangaroo / Lion / Owl / Phoenix / Rabbits and Hares / Raven / Robin Redbreast / Sheep / Spider / Squirrel / Swans / Wild Boar / Wolf / Serpent / Pig / Stag / Horse / Mouse / Cat
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 / Elder. Also see: The Willow Tree (Folk Music)
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 / Amethyst / Aquamarine / Aragonite / Aventurine / Black Tourmaline / Bloodstone / Calcite / Carnelian / Celestite / Citrine / Chrysanthemum Stone / Diamond / Emerald / Fluorite / Garnet / Hematite / Herkimer Diamond / Labradorite / Lapis Lazuli / Malachite / Moonstone / Obsidian / Opal / Pyrite / Quartz (Rock Crystal) / Rose Quartz / Ruby / Selenite / Seraphinite / Silver and Gold / Smoky Quartz / Sodalite / Sunstone / Thunderegg / Tree Agate / Zebra Marble
Wisdom:
Knowledge vs Wisdom by Ardriana Cahill / I Talk to the Trees / Awakening / The Witch in You / A Tale of the Woods
Articles and Stories about Witchcraft:
Murder by Witchcraft / The Fairy Witch of Clonmel / A Battleship, U-boat, and a Witch / The Troll-Tear (A story for Children) / Goody Hawkins - The Wise Goodwife / The Story of Jack-O-Lantern / The Murder of the Hammersmith Ghost / Josephine Gray (The Infamous Black Widow) / The Two Brothers - Light and Dark
Old Masters of Academia:
Pliny the Elder / Hesiod / Pythagoras
Abramelin the Mage / Agrippa / Aidan A. Kelly / Albertus Magnus “Albert the Great” / Aleister Crowley “The Great Beast” / Alex Sanders "the King of the Witches” / Alison Harlow / Amber K / Anna Franklin / Anodea Judith / Anton Szandor LaVey / Arnold Crowther / Arthur Edward Waite / Austin Osman Spare / Biddy Early / Bridget Cleary / Carl Llewellyn Weschcke / Cecil Hugh Williamson / Charles Godfrey Leland / Charles Walton / Christina Oakley Harrington / Damh the Bard (Dave Smith) / Dion Fortune / Dolores Aschroft-Nowicki / Dorothy Morrison / Doreen Valiente / Edward Fitch / Eleanor Ray Bone “Matriarch of British Witchcraft” / Dr. John Dee and Edward Kelly / Dr. Leo Louis Martello / Eliphas Levi / Ernest Thompson Seton / Ernest Westlake and the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry / Fiona Horne / Friedrich von Spee / Francis Barrett / Gerald B. Gardner / Gavin and Yvonne Frost and the School and Church of Wicca / Gwydion Pendderwen / Hans Holzer / Helen Duncan / Herman Slater "Horrible Herman" / Israel Regardie / James "Cunning" Murrell / Janet Farrar & Gavin Bone / Jessie Wicker Bell “Lady Sheba” / John Belham-Payne / John George Hohman / John Gerard / John Gordon Hargrave (the White Fox) / John Michael Greer / John Score / Johannes Junius the Burgomaster of Bamberg / Joseph John Campbell / Karl von Eckartshausen / Laurie Cabot "the Official Witch of Salem" / Lewis Spence / Margaret Alice Murray / Margot Adler / Marie Laveau the " Voodoo Queen of New Orleans" / Marion Weinstein / Matthew Hopkins “The Witch-Finder General” / Max Ehrmann and the Desiderata / Monique Wilson the “Queen of the Witches” / Montague Summers / Nicholas Culpeper / Nicholas Remy / M. R. Sellers / Mrs. Grieve "A Modern Herbal" / Oberon and Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart / Old Dorothy Clutterbuck / Old George Pickingill / Paddy Slade / Pamela Colman-Smith / Paracelsus / Patricia Crowther / Patricia Monaghan / Patricia “Trish” Telesco / Philip Emmons Isaac Bonewits / Philip Heselton / Raymond Buckland / Reginald Scot / Robert Cochrane / Robert ‘von Ranke’ Graves and "The White Goddess" /
Rudolf Steiner / Rosaleen Norton “The Witch of Kings Cross” / Ross Nichols and The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids / Sabrina - The Ink Witch / Scott Cunningham / Selena Fox / Silver Ravenwolf / Sir Francis Dashwood / Sir James George Frazer / S.L. MacGregor Mathers and the “Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn” / Starhawk / Stewart Farrar / Sybil Leek / Ted Andrews / The Mather Family - includes: Richard Mather, Increase Mather, Cotton Mather / Thomas Ady / Vera Chapman / Victor Henry Anderson / Vivianne Crowley / Walter Brown Gibson / William Butler Yeats / Zsuzsanna 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 :-)
While I have taken due care and dilligence to credit all sources where possible, this website may contain copyrighted material which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. My use of making such material available here is done so in my efforts to advance our understanding of religious discrimination, the environmental and social justice issues etc. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this wedsite for purposes of your own then you must obtain permission from the relevant copyright owner yourself.
My online email discussion group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Email_Witches
Help send a message of peace around the world! The Dove of Peace flies from site to site, through as many countries as possible. It does not belong to ANY belief system. Please help make a line around the globe by taking it with you to your site, by giving it to someone for their site, by passing it on to another continent or to the conflict areas of the world. May trouble and strife be vanquished in it's path.
mailto:George@controverscial.com
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