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Smoky Quartz is another macrocrystalline variety
of Quartz. Another name for this variety is Cairngorm, named
after the Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland where its crystals were once
found and once prevalent. The very dark brown and black opaque specimens are
called "Morion", and the ones containing alternating bands of black
and gray are called "Coon Tail Quartz". The transparent brown,
gray or black color makes Smoky Quartz easily recognizable. The
range of "smoky" colors found in this crystal come from
clear Rock Crystal Quartz which contains traces of aluminum and where the
crystal has been subjected to natural radiation over long periods of time.
Sometimes specimens are artificially irradiated and collectors who prefer
natural occurrence should be wary of this when purchasing. Faceted
specimens placed in jewelry have been misleadingly called Smoky Topaz.
Smoky Quartz most often occurs in Quartz veins
where it forms inside rock cavities called "vugs". It is also
commonly found in the cores of pregmatites, and more rarely as a secondary
crystal within geodes. It is not unusual to find small cavities inside a
Smoky Quartz crystal which contain carbon dioxide or water and sometimes both.
These are called enhydros. When movement of the gas and liquid
inclusions within a cavity can be seen with the naked eye, they are called
elestial enhydros. When a substantial number of fluid inclusions occur in
abundance, the Quartz becomes opaque and is called Milky Quartz. You will
find that most Smoky Quartz crystals will form on a bed of Milky Quartz, one
grading into the other. Other common mineral inclusions that may be found
in Smoky Quartz are Hematite, Chlorite or Goethite.
Another interesting and relatively common formation
that may be found in all the Quartz varieties, including Smoky Quartz, is when a
separate shape - called a "phantom" - is noticeable in the
interior of the crystal, and subsequently has been named "Phantom
Quartz". These "phantoms" are most often comprised of
another mineral such as Chlorite, Milky or Rock Crystal, but also occur
through simply containing a lighter or darker shade of its own
mineral...for instance, Smoky Quartz within Smoky Quartz. The latter
happens when an interruption or cessation of growth in the crystal occurs.
Then, when the crystal resumes its growth and if the conditions of its
environment have now changed, the outer crystal will grow differently and
will appear separate from the inner one which often takes on a ghostly
look; hence the name Phantom.
Smoky Quartz has also been called "Champagne on
Ice". It is the national gem of Scotland, and their national
scepter contains a large Smoky Quartz crystal on top.
Chemistry: SiO2,
Silicon Dioxide.
Class: Tectosilicates.
Group:
Quartz
Color: Brown
to gray to black.
Luster: Vitreous.
Crystal System:
Hexagonal-Rhombohedral; 32 (trigonal-trapezohedral).
Crystal Habit:
Macroscopic crystals that form six-sided pyramids at termination. Trigonal
trapezoheldral faces can occur in upper right or left of alternating prism faces
which identify right or left-handed crystals respectively. Twinning is possible.
Cleavage: None.
Fracture: Conchoidal.
Hardness: 7
Specific Gravity: 2.65
Streak: White
Other Characteristics:
Transparent with refraction index of 1.54-1.55.
Notable Occurrences: Brazil,
Pikes Peak area in Colorado, Switzerland.
Best Field Indicators: Color,
hardness, crystal habit.
Uses:
Gemstones; ornamental; collector specimens.
Much of the geological information for Smoky
Quartz is the same as clear Quartz [see Quartz (Rock Crystal)], but I will list
any differences here.
Smoky Quartz was, and remains, sacred to the Druids.
It is also associated with the goddess Hecate, as are many of the darker
crystals and stones. The crystal has also been associated with Samhain
due to its smoky and sometimes ghostly effects in appearance.
There is a sphere of Smoky Quartz, now displayed in the British Museum, which
is reputed to be the famous "Shew-stone" of Dr. Dee, the court diviner
to Queen Elizabeth I of England. Dr. Dee alleged the Shew-stone
was brought to him by angels. Through scrying with the Shew-stone,
Sir Edwar Kelly obtained a series of diagrams reportedly containing the
"Keys to all the mysteries of the Universe".
While there is little else to be found in myth
and lore concerning Smoky Quartz, the crystal of course is linked closely to
Clear Quartz (Rock Crystal) and thus it can be said to also share in that wealth
of myth and lore.
Astrological Sign(s): Capricorn and
Sagittarius.
Element(s): All, with a preponderance toward Earth
and Fire.
Chakra(s): Root, with a Root to Crown connection.
Meditation.
Mental clarity.
Calming.
Grounding.
Centering.
Stabilizing.
Organizing and prioritizing.
Uplifting.
Filtering and clearing.
Protection.
Assists in achieving goals.
Transforms negative emotion to positive energy.
Gives physical aid in treating: Kidneys,
pancreas, adrenals, sex organs. Alleviates disturbances of the nervous
system. Helps remove toxins from the body; counters negative effects of
radiation.
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.
This earthy crystal has a very cool, calm and
collected feeling to it, but is by no means sedate in its gift-giving. What
warms this stone up is that it carries an inner spark of fire (and even
dips toward water at times), as its dark rich tones and often multiple inclusions,
rainbows and mists lend themselves to gentle but deep stimulation of
your own innate qualities. The crystal also acts as a bridge
between you and whatever ancestral communications have been trying to make
their way through to you.
Seeing Smoky Quartz has been recommended as a tool
for meditation and as a "companion for Nature workings", I decided to
try it in both areas, as well as letting it open me up to whatever areas it
wished to reveal to me. In meditating, I found it helped me to
relax and clear as the meditation began. To start, it very
noticeably acts as a facilitator—lending it's clarifying and
calming energies to wave aside anxieties, stress and pressure, while
at the same time firing one up to prioritize and focus on a
single task at a time and to achieve it with the least amount of angst.
These are very important aspects to attain and hold while attempting
meditation, and the Smoky Quartz works well here.
But it was during meditation that I found one
of the dark, soothing crystal's greatest strengths. As it
acted to clear the mind of extraneous clutter, set priorities straight and
encourage strength and determination to get the job done, it then
began to allow for a better and more direct connection between the
ethereal to the physical self. It seemingly bypasses all other
Chakras as it opens a direct channel from Root to Crown... the emphasis on the
Root (physical life-force energy) which receives and filters that
which comes from the Crown (essence of spiritual self). Expression becomes
clearer and more to the point, allowing for better integration of the
physical body to remain in focus when communicating with the Higher Self. As
an added bonus, it also brings with it a feeling of safety and
security while contemplation and analysis of any situation takes
place.
For me, this crystal performed best in its
"Nature work" capacity, leaving me more in tune and attracted to all
things natural. In its promotion of the physical aspects of Nature (and
that includes one's own nature), I've found Smoky Quartz to be a
get-back-to-the-basics stone. It pushes one to move and act in very basic
and natural ways.
Smoky Quartz can also show you what is hidden -
be it through anywhere from scrying for something lost to journeying
into your inner sanctum. It does this by way of its natural
inclination toward directing intrinsic focus and cutting to the sacred chase.
In this way, it mimics Bear medicine. Yet, this versatile stone can
act as a shield too, as it can hide you just as well by creating a natural
cloak of invisibility for its bearer. Like a beacon through the
smoky mists, this strong crystal easily becomes what I now dub it...The
Facilitator and The Protector.
"The Book of Stones - Who They Are & What
They Teach" ~ Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian
"Love Is In the Earth ~ Melody
http://www.mineralminers.com/html/smqminfo.htm
http://www.thaigem.com/infocenter/buyer_guides/a-z_gemstones/quartz.asp
Photo by: Patricia J. Martin
Website: http://www.peacefulpaths.com/
Let there be peace in the world - Where have all the flowers gone?
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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)
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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
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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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