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Controverscial.Com
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For
Beltane, I chose to concentrate on two very precious metals with which
we have had an ongoing love affair throughout time. And while they each
compliment the other, each are entwined in our most ancient psyche as true
representations of the masculine and feminine ~ Gold and Silver. It is
no wonder our ancestors chose these two long-lasting, valuable and highly-prized
precious metals to associate with the Lord and Lady. They are
the Lord and Lady of the metallic mineral kingdom!
As I unmask and entwine these two even further within this text, for
their full effect please allow their essences to permeate and meld with your
own, for this is merely a glimpse into their world.
Yes, Gold has long been associated with the projective solar masculine
and its properties connected to the attributes of the God and the life-giving
Sun. Its Element is Fire, and it is connected to the astrological sign
of Leo. Chemically, Gold is a Native Element - meaning it is one
of the 118 found in the Periodic Table of Elements where its symbol is
"Au", and one of only a very few solid minerals found in
a native state - making it highly attractive, valuable and the most prized
of all metals. A rich, golden-yellow color, these dazzlers occur in
nugget, grain, flake, massive, or occasionally octahedral or
dodecahedral form, but often in veins within Quartz. Gold is
extremely soft and malleable (registering only 2.5 on the Mohs Scale)
and is remarkably pure, along with being remarkably inert; this means it
does not react nor bond with most other chemicals and thus will not tarnish or
rust. Because of this, in alchemy, Gold is called a "noble"
metal. But to increase Gold's hardness, it is alloyed with
Silver (transforming Gold to White Gold), Copper (to Pink or Rose Gold) or
other metals so that it may become the adornments we so desire. Here, the
percentage of alloy is measured in karats (K, Kt); 24 karats equals 100%
gold (no jewelry is made of 24 K gold), whereas 14 karat gold is 14
parts out of 24 (or 58%) pure gold.
Also a Native Element and highly prized, Silver occurs in wiry, curvy form, or dendritic, scaly or massive habits and occasionally, but rarely, in octahedrals or dodecahedrals. It is also a very soft metal, registering only 2.5-3.0 on the Mohs Scale - and like Gold, too soft to be able to be worn well so it too enjoys commingling with another. (Sterling Silver is 92.5% Silver with the other 7.5 usually Copper.) As a beautiful silvery-white metal, Silver has long been associated with the Moon and the sacred receptive lunar feminine, its properties connected with the same attributes of the Goddess - divine inner wisdom, magick, mystery, insight, psychic powers and perception, and of course, connection with Deity. Its Element is Water, and it is associated to the astrological sign of Cancer. Silver's symbol "Ag" derives from the Latin word "argentum" which in turn derives from the Sanskrit word meaning "white and shining". But when oxidized, Silver will tarnish.
Both Gold and Silver stand for purify and have the ability to purify, and
both provide a direct channel to Deity. Hot, fiery Gold is known to attract
wealth, success and power, so much so that it also comes with a warning against
greed. The term "gold
fever" did not enter our vocabulary for no reason and is indicative of just
how much power Gold has and of how much feverish fire it can bestow.
Those working with Gold do best by adding Silver to their studies and use
for its Water Element essence, for Silver's greatest role is in its gifts of
insight, intuition and wisdom which will balance and bring awareness to the
strength of Gold and counteract any ensuing leanings toward greed.
Silver opens a strong connection to the spirit world, from deity to the
elementals to the fae, and promotes all things spiritual. It is a mirror to the
soul. It enhances Astral travel or
tapping into the subconscious along with offering its protection.
Many believe there is a "silver cord" or "life
thread" that is connected to the etheric and physical body that guides us
back from dream state and ethereal journeys.
Who first discovered Gold remains a mystery, as there
is much myth and legend surrounding this royal metal.
What we do know is that Gold has been mined for at least 6000 years.
Ancient sources of Gold were in the Upper Nile region of Egypt and Nubia
("Nub" being the Egyptian word for "gold") and the lands of
ancient Mesopotamia, but during the Middle Ages the main sources were the mines
of Saxony and Austria. Today, half
the world's Gold comes out of South Africa, with other notable sources being
Australia, Russia, Canada and the U.S.. Rare small crystals of Gold have been
found in California, U.S., while giant nuggets over 200 pounds have been
discovered in Australia. In the
past, most Gold was recovered from river and stream gravels, called "placer
deposits" where small flakes or particles of the mineral concentrated after
being weathered away from its host rock. The
ancients also mined veins of Gold by using tools of the day - bone picks, stone
hammers, wooden trowels, and some say even a melting process where they would
set the vein aflame. Later in time
came the use of special pans for panning for Gold near alluvial deposits, a
process where extraneous gravels are slowly washed away through the swirling and
shaking of the pan in the water, leaving the gold flakes, scales or nuggets in
the bottom of the pan since Gold is heavier than most other minerals.
Other forms of mining include dredging, sluicing and the typical hard
rock mining where Gold is extracted from hydrothermal veins within Quartz or
even Pyrite. Pyrite has being
nicknamed "Fool's Gold" because of its similar color and for the fact
that it's been often mistaken for Gold even though Pyrite is generally a more
silvery-gold hue.
Silver is widely distributed throughout the world and yet is considered rare compared to other metals. Most Silver comes from Mexico, U.S., Canada, Australia, Peru and Russia, and while native Silver can be found, most of it is mined as a byproduct in the refining of lead, copper and zinc. And oddly, or maybe not so oddly, Silver and Gold are often found nestled together within certain deposits. As if added proof of Silver and Gold's love for each other, a naturally occurring gold-silver alloy called "Electrum" exists, and it is thought that the earliest coins in history were made from this amalgam in the ancient kingdom of Lydia (modern day Turkey) c. 600 BC. The lands of Lydia and nearby Ionia were rich and prosperous and noted for their wealth which could be attributed to Lydia's King Alyattes' minting of these Electrum coins. They are often considered the first true commercial currency whose earliest issues featured a roaring lion.
Throughout history in both fact and legend, a whole host of sacred images, icons, amulets, jewelry, adornments and artifacts were fashioned out of either Gold or Silver and many an altar has been adorned with them. There are so many beautiful and interesting things these precious metals were used for, that I will only name a few of the most notable here - for instance, the burial effigy mask and coffin of the Egyptian child-king Tutankhamen. Early Egyptians were enamored of Gold and the royal blue stone Lapis Lazuli and emerald green Malachite. They constructed elaborate burial adornments with these minerals to signify wealth or to denote the nobility of the deceased. The ancient Mayans and Aztecs prized Silver as highly as they did Gold and used it to mold images of their gods. In legend, it is said the Druids collected mistletoe with sickles made of Gold. And in Irish myth, when King Nuada lost his arm in battle, the god of healing, Dian Cécht, made him an artificial arm of Silver so that he would be able to return to his throne. Within Hinduism, the ancient Vedas expound upon the virtues of Silver and other pure metals for healing. Tibetan Bonpo shamanism tell of the waters of "a river filled with silver sands that will make anyone who drinks from it as lovely as a peacock". Yes, the love affair goes on and on. And as Gold is indestructible, it is a fact that all the Gold ever mined is nearly equal to all the Gold in use today, so it is not inconceivable that what Gold we wear today may have once belonged to some ancient King, Queen or nobleman...perhaps even our own ancestors!
Gold has been nicknamed "The Master Healer" and is noted for
its aid in purification of the physical body, whereas Silver is our
"Master Conductor" and opens the channels of our mind and spirit.
Silver's conductivity of heat and electricity is second to none; it is used
extensively in electrical applications. The largest single use of Silver
was in the pre-digital photographic industry, and without which it would
have made early photography impossible. Silver is highly
reactive to light. And with Gold as the Sun, need I say more? ;)
In
the realm of healing, Silver and Gold can be very helpful.
Use Gold as an aid in purification of all forms, for added vitality, in
combating depression, rejuvenating the Nervous System, enhancing mental
faculties, improving digestion, circulation or heart disease...just to name a
few. It truly is a versatile
mineral. And use Silver as an aid
for emotional distress, anxiety, sleep disorders, to eliminate toxins at a
cellular level, reduce fevers, balance hormones, or help rectify poor vision.
A fine elixir can be made from either of our sparkling beauties.
To make the elixir, take 3 Gold or Silver coins, cleanse them well and
then place them into a lidded glass container to which you have added fresh
spring water. Place it in full
sunlight and moonlight for a full 24-72 hours (the longer the stronger) and the
resulting mineral water may then be consumed.
For additional amplification, surround the glass container with 7 Quartz crystal points - the terminated ends facing the water and coins
throughout the process. Gold has a
warming and rejuvenating tendency, whereas Silver has a cooling and soothing
tendency. Together they create a
balancing effect. In magick, both Gold and Silver can be used with great
accuracy in money spells. But no
matter what you use them for, they both assist greatly in the bending of
energies and the directing of magick's flow.
Silver is excellent for use in any Moon magick; Gold is excellent for use
in any Sun magick. Combine the two
and you have a dynamite powerhouse effect!
Although there is much, much more to say about Gold and Silver, and even
though I could go on and on about these two lofty lovers - more than I could
ever put down within this small article - I cannot close without simply adding a
few words about two other all-important aspects of Gold and Silver - their
intense sexuality and sensuality. With
Gold projective and Silver receptive, we have both virile strength and tender
submission. We have passionate
movement and sensuous abandon. We
have assertive love and inserted sentience.
Our own love of Gold and Silver has transcended Time.
From Mount Olympus to modern day Olympics, they are the metals of the
gods and the medals of our heroes, both signifying royalty, honor, success,
spirituality, life and love.
Happy Beltane!
Smithsonian
Rock & Gem, R.L.
Bonewitz. 2005.
Cunningham's
Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic, Scott
Cunningham. 1988.
Love
Is In the Earth, Melody.
2008
http://www.galleries.com/minerals/elements/class.htm
http://rjohara.net/coins/lydia-electrum
http://rg.ancients.info/lion/article.html
http://www.silvermedicine.org/history.html
Gold himself & Silver herself.
© Patricia J. Martin (a.k.a. Pari), April, 2010
Pari lives in the northeast, USA, and is a Shamanic Witch. She has been a member of EW since 2002.
Let there be peace in the world - Where have all the flowers gone?
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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
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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 :-)
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