ORE FEATURES
A biweekly publication of Ozark Rock Exchange
VOL 2: Issue 9, February 24, 2001
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Main: >> Start Page >> ORE Features Archives >> 2001 >> Aquamarine | |
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ORE'S FEATURED GEMSTONE: Aquamarine by Stephanie Pflumm Aqua and marina are Latin words for water and sea. The colors in an Aquamarine crystal certainly reflect the sparkling greens and blues of the ocean. No wonder, we instantly associated this beautiful crystal with elemental powers of water. Aquamarine, Emerald and other beryl crystals are composed of beryllium, aluminum and silicate. The blues and greens in Aquamarine come from minute inclusions of iron, usually less than 2%. The crystals form in druzey cavities, normally in Granite and are found world wide. Perfect, translucent Aquamarine crystals are far more abundant than its cousin, the Emerald. Crystals tend to be long and thin, sometimes prismatic, more often striated. The bluer the crystal, the higher its value as a gemstone. Greener stones are often heat treated to bring out the blue. Large, quality specimens of Aquamarine are not that rare. The largest ever found was a 243 pouch crystal from Brazil. A pebble weighing 15 pounds and a cut gemstone weighing 2,594 carats also came from that country. A cut specimen mined in India ended up with a final weight of 900 carats. Besides Brazil and India, Aquamarine is found in Africa, Sri Lanka, the Ural Mountains in Russia, Australia, Ireland, Pakistan, Madagascar, Canada and the US. Crystals found in Massachusetts are a unique sapphire blue. Some say it is the most beautiful Aquamarine anywhere, but specimens tend to be smaller and more difficult to use in jewelry. With its name and color Aquamarine was destined to be immersed in stories about the sea. Old legends claim the gem to be the treasure of mermaids, charmed with the power to keep sailors safe. When the stone became wet, its strength would double, just when you needed it most. According to another tradition, if your Aquamarine changed colors, it meant a friend was about to betray you. The stone has been exchanged as a gesture of loyalty or an expression of honesty. A gift of Aquamarine earrings is thought to bring love and affection to the wearer. You can utilize Aquamarine's water energies in a purification meditation. Hold an Aquamarine in each hand, and take a deep, cleansing breathe. As you slowly release your breathe, imagine those negative emotions that have built up during the day, flowing out of you through the crystal in your non-dominant hand. Breathe in and imagine a refreshing wave of peace coming through the crystal in your dominant hand and washing over you. Repeat the process, bringing calm through your dominant crystal as you breathe in and releasing chaotic energy through the other crystal as you breathe out, until you feel relaxed and refreshed. Your dominant hand is the one you write with. Through the centuries the crystal has been a popular divination tool. It will help open your conscious mind to psychic impressions. Aquamarine can aid in your spiritual evolution, helping clear cluttered thoughts, giving you deeper understanding of balance. The stone will motivate you to bring order to your emotional and physical worlds. Beryl crystals are excellent Chakra tools. The Aquamarine is especially powerful in activating, clearing or balancing your Throat Chakra. If you have trouble communicating, the stone can assist you in finding the most effective words. Aquamarine gives you strength to take responsibility for yourself. Assists you in maintaining a persistent path towards your goals, helping to guarantee your success. Couples in long relationships and marriages can use an Aquamarine to keep their love and passion fresh. Historically, the stone was believed to help couples work through differences, keep their communication friendly and their union happy for many years. Ancient healing traditions recommended Aquamarine Elixirs for vision problems, trouble breathing and even hiccups. It was used in baths to calm nerves, heal emotional trauma and promote sleep. The crystal has a healthy effect on the pituitary and thyroid glands, stimulating hormonal balance. It strengthens the immune system and may bring some relief for allergies. Doctors may want to carry an Aquamarine crystal. It can help you access stored information about our bodies ability to achieve perfect health. Teach you how to put that knowledge to practical use. A few final notes about caring for your Aquamarine. If you are using a piece of jewelry with the crystal mounted, you need to clean it every third or fourth time you wear it. Use a liquid detergent and warm water, don't attempt to clean your Aquamarine with an ultrasonic cleaner. Sunlight will fade the color in an Aquamarine, so protect your crystal from prolonged exposure. Pictures of Aquamarine --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL: FREE Aquamarine! -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SKY NOTES --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- STONES ON MY ALTAR My altar is a honored space that I keep in my home. It is there to remind me of my sacred connection to you, to my four-legged and root-bound brothers and sisters. To help me remember the unending Wheel of Life, the beginning, ending and rebirthing of all the Creator's children. It is only natural for me to use stones in honoring the incredible perfection of the Universe. Perhaps sharing my choices, uses and reasons will help you find ways to create your personal sacred space. In the center of my altar is a large raw Rose Quartz. The stone is triangular in shape with the point aimed at the direction the Medicine Wheel is in. For instance, I associate Winter with the North quarter of the Wheel, so the Rose Quartz currently points North. This is to help keep me moving in the right direction. Circling the Rose Quartz are two strands; one of Rose Quartz, the other of Amethyst. These are for protection, especially against evil and harm. Personal tools that I use for guidance along my path are also inside that protective ring. Around the outside of the two strands, is another circle of stones that are constantly changing. To represent the ceaseless metamorphosis that is Life. This outside circle consists of eight stones. Four of the stones sit at the four cardinal points of the compass; North, East, South and West. Every Spring, four new stones are chosen to sit at these points on the altar. Stones from the previous year are used in a giveaway ceremony to welcome Spring, which I recognize as the beginning of the Medicine Wheel. The other four stones are placed at the quarters between the cardinal points. These four stones change every season. Giving me a chance to focus and meditate on controlling my reactions to immediate challenges I am faced with. Stones from passing seasons have been used in several ways. Prayer sticks, gifts for friends, giveaway ceremonies, and sometimes, I just give them back to Mother. In the Northeast corner of the altar, circling the stone that sits in that position, are 12 Hematite stones. This is my Healing Circle. When I am asked to join in a healing effort, or I have a friend in need, I visualize that person, safely in the circle surrounded by a healing light. I see their illness being drawn into the Hematite, down into Mother Earth and released as healthy energy into Father Sky. Do you keep a personal sacred space in your home? I'd love to hear about it. Send your comments and ideas to stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- ARRIVING --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! --+--+--+-- MOBILE ORE STORE Schedule --+--+--+-- If you have a special announcement for the next issue of ORE FEATURES, please send it to stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com for consideration. |
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