ORE FEATURES
A biweekly publication of Ozark Rock Exchange
VOL 2: Issue 20, July 28, 2001
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Main: >> Start Page >> ORE Features Archives >> 2001 >> Ledidolite | |
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ORE'S FEATURED GEMSTONE: Lepidolite by Stephanie Pflumm Lepidolite is an important industrial gemstone. Two elements that play significant roles in modern technology, Lithium and Rubidium are found in this stone. In fact, if it weren't for the discovery of these elements in Lepidolite during the 1800's, it's possible you would never have heard about this stone. Lepidolite is a Mica crystal, so its flaky nature meant it was rarely used as an ornamental stone, especially not in jewelry. When you are able to find carvings in Lepidolite, the sparkling nature of the Mica crystals seem to light the object from within. The most common (and popular) colors for Lepidolite are the pink to violet specimens. Occasionally it is found in white and more rarely as a yellow or gray stone. Lepidolite is a complicated mixture of elements; Potassium, Lithium, Aluminum, Silicate, Fluoride, Hydroxide and Rubidium. When the stone forms as a crystal, it is often shaped like a book with tapered sides. This is called a pseudo-hexagonal crystal. It has been found as monoclinic, tabular, and rarely as prismatic crystals with pinacoid terminations as well. Lepidolite forms in Granite pegmatites or igneous Granite matrixes. Incredible specimens have been found with luscious rosy red to pink Tourmaline (Tourmaline also contains Lithium) crystals growing from them. I am always on the look out for this particular combination, it is an amazingly soothing energy. Industrial applications for Lithium and Rubidium are the main reason Lepidolite is mined. Lithium was first discovered in 1817 by a scientist named Arfvedson. Almost half a century later, Bunsen (the Bunsen burner inventor) and another scientist, Kirchoff invented a device called a Spectroscope. With this instrument, they discovered that about 1.5% of Lepidolite consists of what was then an extremely rare element, Rubidium. Since their discovery, Rubidium has become the 16th most plentiful element on the planet. Both elements have extreme resistance to heat and are used in heat transfer and insulation applications. They have also been used in special lenses (the telescope on Mt. Palomar has minor amounts of Lithium in the lens), dry cell batteries and as a high temperature lubricant. The stone is found in the Czech Republic, Ural Mountains in Russia, Madagascar, Italy, Canada, Australia, Norway, USA and Finland. Along with Tourmaline, Lepidolite is often found with Muscovite, Beryl, Topaz, Albite and Spodumene. When Lepidolite was first discovered in the 1700's, it was given the name Lilalite, for its Lavender color. The name did not stick. Perhaps it's because the original namer, Abbe Poda, also choose the name for its Hindu meaning, play game, as a sort of "play on words". Scientist, normally lacking a sense of humor, at least about science, eventually renamed the stone Lepidolite, which means scale stone. History is just beginning to write Lepidolite's magical story. Its soothing energies were quickly recognized, and it rapidly became a popular tool for both easing stress and facilitating meditation. Do you have trouble turning off distractions (especially in your conscious mind) when you try to meditate? Lepidolite will help you connect easily with your subconscious, shielding out distracting noises, movements and thought patterns. The stone will activate your Third Eye Chakra and open your Crown Chakra, allowing for an easy flow of energy through your top four Chakra. In everyday life, business or relationships, it assists you in making choices that are for your higher good. Lepidolite gives reality to your spiritual aspects, gently guiding you to walk your talk. Its a wonderful tool for bringing about positive changes through self affirmation. Use it to strengthen your intent and give power to the words you speak to yourself. If major changes are coming your way (new house, new partner, new job), Lepidolite can ease you through these potentially traumatic times by smoothing the transition. Cushioning the impact from abrupt shifts life in your life. You can also use this stone's energy to bring change on an internal level. Use it to recognize destructive life patterns, and then evolve those living processes into more productive ones. Remove the doubt clouds that keep your true light from shining through. New couples may want to keep this stone with them as their relationship blossoms. Lepidolite helps diffuse the pain honest words can sometimes cause. Creating a more loving atmosphere to exchange differences of opinion and keeping hearts open for reconciliation, if the difference gets too deep. Children recovering from trauma can use Lepidolite to ease the nightmares that come with their experiences. It provides a calm, loving atmosphere, that allow youngsters to be open and honest about their feelings. Feelings they often don't understand, making it difficult for them to release their pain and heal. Adults suffering blockages from past events can use the crystal to remove their own trapped pain. The crystal is so sensitive to these types of blocks, that when placed over an affected area, it is suppose to resonate immediately. I tried testing this with my Chakra. Did not feel anything as I moved up from the Base, until I got to my throat. Instantly I got that awful choked feeling when angry words get lodged in there. I have a terrible time expressing anger, and the Lepidolite certainly reacted at that Chakra point. Try your own test. Just lay the Lepidolite on each Chakra, I began with the Root, but it doesn't matter where you start. What do you feel as you touch each point? Discomfort, calm, fear? Test it on an old injury or scar that also caused emotional pain when it occurred. What happens? I'd love to hear the results of your test. Specimens of Lepidolite with embedded Tourmaline crystals are especially excellent for this type of work. The combination of these two stones creates an almost perfect self love, allowing for an easier release of your pain. Gardeners and farmers may find a Lepidolite in the garden helps promote a more abundant crop. Because of Lepidolite's ability to promote the healing of emotional wounds, it is also very helpful at preventing disease caused by harmful or blocked feelings. The soothing energies also aid in relieving stress related illness, especially those to the heart and muscles. Use it to relax leg cramps, tendonitis or stressed-out shoulders. An elixir of the stone is suppose to help ease wrinkles when applied topically. Some references did recommend the elixir for helping with circulation and stabilizing blood flow through the body. Please be aware, that if you do make an elixir from Lepidolite, that it also contains traces of metallic elements (Lithium and Rubidium). Personally, I would not recommend ingesting this mineral. I would love to hear about your experiences with this relatively unexplored stone. Please share them with stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com Pictures of Lepidolite --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL: FREE Lepidolite -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR: On Line PARTY With The Mythical Palace! -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SKY NOTES -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- Touching Earth I am blessed, I never doubt this. Each day begins with Grandfather's first pink light coloring the mists that were trapped between the hills over night. Each day closes with similar colors fading into a blue blackness in the Western Sky, I am never far from the rhythms of nature and Mother's voice. Frequent visits from Heron, Dragonfly, Lynx, Turkey, Deer, Hummingbird, Owl and even Bear bring me assurances and reminders of the infinite relationships we all share. When I leave my small mountain to visit you at shows and fairs, I am reminded how Mother's voice and the messages of our relations can be easily drowned out by the roar of civilization. So I want to remind you, that even if you live in Washington DC, St Louis, Detroit, or New York City, no matter how concrete and steel your world may seem, if you listen carefully, you can still hear the rhythms of nature. Take the major elements of a city, steel and concrete. Steel is made of Iron, Iron is Mother Earth. Touch a steel beam, or the steel on your vehicle, see if you can hear the distant memory of an ore long buried in Mother's embrace. Find the memory and feel the rush of Earth energies that binds your relationship to the entity of the building, or vehicle. Do you really believe the vehicle that holds and transports you has no energy, no heart? Every item on your vehicle originated as a gift from Mother, even the plastic knobs are fashioned from oil that came from Her. Concrete, too is elemental in its beginnings. Not much more than crushed Limestone mixed with Water. Limestone has high Quartz, Calcite and other crystalline inclusions. Stop for a moment and think about what you might really be walking on as you make your way through a crowd. Water is one of our most magical, and critical elements. On a cool day, take your shoes off, and stand on the concrete, know that Mother is beneath you, just the same as climbing over stones in the Mountains or walking across a Stream. Your Plant Relations are all around you, even in a city. Every hotel I have ever stayed at has a Tree reaching for life from the middle of an asphalt meadow. One of my favorite places to leave a small stone Medicine Circle is with one of these Trees. To thank them for their gift of hope and the endless possibilities that determined life offers. No matter what metropolitan area you reside in, there is some Plant Brother or Sister surviving against all odds to bring this message into your life. Find one to be your mentor. Learn the art of graceful survival under the harshest of conditions. Trust the Universe will provide to meet your growth and reach for the stars. When I lived in Kansas City, (I wasn't always a hillbilly), I loved to go down to old Union Station and watch the Peregrine Falcons hunt. It was inspirational to watch, both their aeronautic acrobatics, and the fact that Falcons were playing among skyscrapers. What wildlife exists within your urban boundaries? Mouse, Possum, Hawk, Squirrel and even Fox are frequent urban dwellers. Every city has some green pocket that for whatever reason, was impossible to develop. Abandoned lots and homes become sanctuaries for an assortment of Animal Relations. Fixing a bird feeder outside your home, even if it is an apartment, will attract a variety of flying friends. During the migratory months, you might even find some bright and unusual visitors. These travelers are often desperate for meals during their journey. So much of the habitat that once marked their flyways is now shopping malls and four lanes. Providing food and water for their trip is a chance to give back. The city will never block out Father Sky, His gentle touch is always within your reach. Grandmother Moon and Grandfather Sun also light your everyday path, regardless of where it winds. The rhythm of the Creator's Universe beats perfectly, loud and clear in every thing. Scientists now believe that the Universe started as a single atom (Time Magazine "How The Universe Will End", June 25, 2001 - fascinating article). All that exists now, the Stars, Planets, Suns and us, were contained within that atom. That beginning Heartbeat is all around you, and no matter how hard Humans attempt to cover it up, Its song will be heard. -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- **NEW** Jewelry Now Available In The Gift Shoppe! --+--+--+-- MOBILE ORE STORE Schedule --+--+--+-- STONE POWER Volume 1 Now Available --+--+--+-- If you have a special announcement for the next issue of ORE FEATURES, please send it to stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com for considerations. -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- ©Copyright 2001, Stephanie Pflumm, All Rights Reserved Worldwide. No portion of this newsletter may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor/founder, Stephanie Pflumm. Please feel free to share with a friend. |
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