| |
|
|
ORE'S FEATURED GEMSTONE: Jasper
by Stephanie Pflumm
Jasper belongs to that nearly infinite Quartz family called Chalcedony. The Jasper family itself is rather extensive, sparkling in every color available in Mother's spectrum. Members have wonderful names like Picture Jasper, Ivory Jasper, Picasso Jasper, Fancy Jasper, Royal Plume Jasper. Some members are unique to certain places like the Mook or Mookite Jaspers from Australia.
Jasper is a crypto crystalline Quartz. Simply put, the crystals in Jasper gemstones are so dense and so tightly compacted that they are invisible to the naked eye. The biggest difference between a Red Jasper and a Citrine is that there is probably 20 to 30% more Iron in the Jasper. One of my geological references termed it a "dirty Quartz", I like to think of them as crystallized Earth.
Jaspers are found all over Mother Earth, in a stunning variety of colors and multicolor. All gemstones in this family are form in massive chunks. Most develop close to the surface under cooler temperatures (which is why the crystals are so compact) and much lower pressures. Some form as hydrothermal replacements (hot water interacting with local minerals) others as sediment crystallized over the millions of years it took Earth to reach this current state.
The name Jasper comes to us from the Greek language. Jaspis or the ancient spelling Iaspis was the name of a mythical stone found in the head of the adder snake.
Early shamans from both European and the North American First Nations viewed the Jasper was a very sacred stone. Blue colored Jaspers were used to travel safely back and forth to the Spirit World. Red Jasper represented the blood of the Great Mother and was used to connect with the Earth in healing ceremonies. Greek warriors carried one to give them courage in battle.
Green Jaspers were used to call the rain (though I've had great success using the Brecciated variety for this purpose). Early christians also used the Heliotrope (green Jasper with red, yellow and blue colorings, aka Bloodstone) for carving crucifixes and martyr scenes. There is a legend that the red spots formed when the blood of Jesus dripped on the the plain green stone beneath his crucifix. In some texts it is referred to as the Martyr's stone.
An Egyptian king named Nechepsus had a Dragon carved onto a green Jasper then set in a ring to help with his infamous digestive problems. It is also one of the stones in Aaron's high priest breastplate.
Damigeron and other authors during the 11th and 12th centuries wrote volumes about the protective powers of the Jasper. It was written that the gemstone could drive away evil spirits and protect the wearer from the bites of poisonous snakes and spiders. Texts recommended placing the stone over the bite and it would draw the poison out of the wound. The porous quality of some Jaspers would make them slightly absorbent which would give them the ability to draw in some liquids (like venom).
Even if you don't have to worry about snake or spider bites, you will find Jasper makes a marvelous companion. Its Quartz energies will allow you to use your Jasper in an infinite number of ways.
You can utilize its rainbow spectrum of colors to help improve the flow of energy through your different Chakra. You'll can easily find the right hued Jasper to correspond with each Chakra. It also is a great gemstone to use in combination with other crystals. The microcrystalline structure can serve as a mini-charger, much like a large Quartz cluster can charge stones. It assists other stones in fulfilling their intentions by sharing its strong vibrations.
If you find yourself in many dangerous situations (driving the back roads of the Ozark hills can be quite dangerous - no one seems to understand what that center yellow line is for), this is an important stone for you. It will improve your insight to help you keep out of trouble. When trouble is unavoidable, it will increase courage and heighten senses so that you can think and react quickly and correctly.
Is your work environment unhealthy, either mentally or physically? If you are surrounded by negative co-workers, or those political types that are always trying to thwart your efforts, place a Jasper on your desk. It will protect you from the harmful intentions of others, plus keep you from reacting in ways that will ultimately do you harm (like trying to take revenge).
Green and Red Jaspers are especially helpful in toxic work environments. Their absorbent quality will help draw toxins away from you. Plus they will make you smarter, aiding in preventing accidents and being able to act intelligently when things do go awry.
Social workers, counselors and other who provide guidance will find this an excellent companion. It aids in building nurturing energies, giving your knowledge, strength and insight in helping others to break restraints and habits that are holding them back. It can make you a "bringer of joy".
If you are preparing to become a mother soon, the Jasper is believed to protect both the mother and the child during labor. It should also relieve some of the pain associated with labor.
A Jasper can help you keep your energy up during long illnesses or stays in the hospital. Those practicing fasting may also take advantage of this stone's energy boosts.
Other health benefits include rejuvenating worn or deteriorating organs like the kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver and stomach. It also calms and relaxes, providing a healthy release of stress (which can cause much physical damage). Jaspers will also balance your body's essential minerals like iron, zinc and manganese.
In the November issue we'll examine some of the energies of specific Jaspers. You'll also find articles on Bloodstone and Jasper in the ORE FEATURES archives. http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/ore_features/alpha.shtml
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL: FREE small Red Jasper!
Receive a FREE small Red Jasper with any purchase from Ozark Rock Exchange. You can shop on line at http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/catalog.shtml You can also place your order by email ( stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com ), or send your telephone number for a phone appointment. Discount will be taken at the time of purchase. You must be a subscriber as of October 1, 2003 to be eligible for the Subscriber's Special; the Subscriber Special is not valid with other offers (unless otherwise stated). Only one special per subscriber, please. The Subscriber's Special will expire November 5, 2003. Remember you never pay extra for shipping at Ozark Rock Exchange!
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
SKY NOTES
Second Quarter Moon, Thursday October 2 2:09 pm
Yom Kippur, Monday October 6
Full Moon, Friday October 10 2:27 am
Sukkot begins, Saturday October 11
Fourth Quarter Moon, Saturday October 18 7:31 am
New Moon, Saturday October 25 7:50 am
Ramadan begins, Monday October 27
Halloween/Samhahain, Friday October 31
Second Quarter Moon, Friday October 31 11:25 pm
All Saints Day, Saturday November 1
-+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
Woman Who Walks: Coyote and Cat
by Stephanie Pflumm
August was hot this year. After several days in a row of sweltering temperatures and humidity, I was not surprised to see Woman Who Walks coming out of the forest on the morning of another uncomfortable day.
As I invited her into my cool air-conditioned home, she presented me with two plastic grocery sacks. One was full of plump home-grown tomatoes that were the most inviting red. The other contained corn that smelled of sweet morning dew, couldn't wait to taste them both. I offered to make some sandwiches to go with the corn and Woman Who Walks went into my living room.
Two picture windows look out over the hills and valleys that surround me. It is a wonderful view, especially in the cool comfort of my couches on that heated August afternoon. We both were staring quietly out those windows as we finished our sandwiches and corn. But it was me that jumped up, sending my corn cob rolling across the floor, trying to comprehend what had come into our view.
A coyote, and a very large cat that seemed to resemble Woman Who Walks lost kitten, Queen Camilla were sitting side by side in my front yard. Cats and coyotes do not run together, let alone sit together in the front yards of strange two-leggeds. When I finally was able to muster a voice to call out this bizarre site to Woman Who Walks, the Cat and Coyote stood up and calmly strolled away into the woods across the road.
Not quite speechless, I was able to ask "did you see that"?
"I did not have to" replied Woman Who Walks. "They came to see me the other night, when Grandmother Moon was void. It is Queen Cammie, my sweet little kitten, all grown up".
Yes, I had been thinking the cat could be Queen Cammie, but the Coyote was jumbling my circuits. While I was trying to form my thoughts into a coherent question, Woman Who Walks began to answer.
"Queen Camilla was just a little over a year old when she disappeared on a Summer night during a dark Moon. She had wandered far into the woods chasing small critters, loosing track of time and distance. This was not her intention, as she knew the coyote liked to run and hunt on the darkest of nights. While she was one of the fastest, she probably could not out run an entire pack.
"Already it had been too late. Just as the little Queen had turned her attention to moving closer to home, the sound of a coyote pack was chillingly close. Realizing that the sound stood between her, and the safety of home, she whirled to run in the opposite direction, hoping to circle back around later. Instead she almost ran straight into the jaws of a lone Coyote. With the quickest of instincts the Queen hurled herself backwards and thought she heard the predator's jaws clamp down on nothing.
"There was no waiting to see what might happen next, the almost grown kitten ran with her fastest speed towards the first tree, nearly flying up the bark. Below, the Coyote had already caught up and seeming to lick his lips in anticipation of a meal.
" 'You are wasting you time on a meal like me' the Queen called to the Coyote below. 'I'm all muscle and stringy sinew, no flavor at all. You'd be much happier with a fat baby racoon from the creek just down the hill'.
"The Coyote's eyes glittered in the dark Moon-less night. 'Actually I am not all that hungry madam. Please allow me to introduce myself, I am Moon Brother, son of Silver Wind and Moon Singer, scout for the Bear Creek Pack'.
"Queen Camilla had never heard a formal introduction before and was unsure how to respond to this interesting conversation. 'I am called Queen Camilla, friend of the two-leggeds, Woman Who Walks and The Gardener'. But she remained firmly planted several feet above Moon Brother, well aware of the coyote's reputation as a trickster.
" 'Many in the forest of the Little Mountains have noticed your hunting skills and speed. It is unusual for a friend of two-leggeds to be so skillful. Usually they are fat and lazy. Someone familiar with the ways of the two-leggeds, yet skilled enough to survive in the forest could prove valuable to the new Forest Council.
" 'So I was sent to test you Queen Camilla'. Moon Brother continued, as the cat listened warily. 'And to invite you to join us'."
Woman Who Walks paused, and asked for another glass of tea. I ran from the room, hastily refilled our glasses, grabbed some cookies my partner had just made and rushed back into my front room. Half hoping to see the coyote Moon Brother and Queen Camilla in my front yard again.
"Of course my little Queen was curious. What could a coyote want a cat to join? In two weeks, during the next full Moon there was to be a meeting of many of the forest and valley clans. Moon Brother asked the cat if she would join in this council meeting. Her knowledge of the two-leggeds could prove very helpful with the problem they were planning to discuss.
" 'What problem'? Queen Camilla asked?
" 'Come, live with my pack and other relations for the next few weeks. I can guarantee your safety, and you can see first hand what we are fighting'.
"Queen Camilla went to live with Moon Brother's pack for the next few weeks. She saw first hand the damage the two-leggeds were doing to the forest, destroying so many homes and killing tree after tree without any remorse or sorrow.
"By the time the meeting took place under the full Moon in a small clearing, the cat had seen truck load after truck load of trees being taken out of the forest. She helped all her new relations devise a plan to foil the two-leggeds work. Though they could do little more than stop the tree killing and home destruction for a day, their efforts gave them hope that they could do more.
"This Fall, during October's full Moon, many leaders from forest clans all over the Ozarks will be gathering to discuss the two-leggeds. They have asked me to attend as an interpreter, and they are asking you to attend as a liaison for the two-leggeds. This is why Moon Brother and Queen Camilla came to visit you today. To bring your invitation".
"Me"? This was making me nervous.
"Who else? They want you to share the words of their council with other two-leggeds. I think they were very smart to invite you". Woman Who Walks sent a rather stern look my way. As if I had just tried to shirk an important duty.
The idea of spending a cool October night in the Mark Twain National Forest with coyotes and other wild creatures was intimidating. However, if a kitten, just barely a year old could find the courage to run with coyotes, then I certainly could muster enough bravado to sit in on their upcoming council.
"I'll be there" I promised.
(to be continued)
-+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Subscription Invitation Contest!
ORE FEATURES, the free newsletter celebrates its fourth birthday with this issue. As part of our Birthday Celebration, ORE is hosting a Subscription Contest. Invite your friends, family, acquaintances and other rockhounds to subscribe to this free online ezine.
At the end of October, one of the new subscribers will be drawn and the new subscriber, along with the individual that invited them will both win a Unique Specimen Contest:
• Red Calcite Dogtooth crystals
• Prehnite clusters
• rare Azurite Geodes
• Blue Quartz Geode halves
Two winners, two prizes! Be sure your new subscribers tell me that you are the one that invited them. Have them send their subscription requests to subscribe@ozarkrockexchange.com or they may subscribe from any page of the website, http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com
Subscribers must send in their subscription requests by Midnight Tuesday November 4th, 2003. The winner will be drawn shortly after Midnight and announced in the November issue of ORE FEATURES and on the website. Please do not invite anyone to subscribe without their permission. New subscribers will receive a confirmation, bouncing addresses or unconfirmed subscription requests will not be entered in the contest.
You can find pictures of the prizes and more information on the contest at http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/highlights/events/index.shtml
-+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
What's Happening At Ozark Rock Exchange?
JUST ARRIVED! Astounding Apophyllites and stunning Stilbites from India. These new shipments also included some delicate green Prehnites. Pictures of these new darlings are available at http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/catalog/new_arrivals.shtml
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! ORE FEATURES the ezine is four years old and we are celebrating with a brand new contest and giving away gifts with every purchase! Free Rose Quartz Buffalo beads, Prayer Pouches, Gemstone strands, Gemstone spirals or the Stone Power eBook. Check out the Birthday sale at http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/catalog/special_offerings.shtml
BOX SALE Still In progress! Weird rocks at great prices! You won't believe some of the beauties I found in this blind shipment from a miner in the Southwest. And I got them at a great price, so you can too! http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/catalog/special_offerings.shtml
MOBILE ORE STORE will be in Springfield Missouri Saturday October 10 & 11 for the Mind, Body and Soul Expo. It will be in the Lamplight Inn North at Glenstone & I-44.
OZARK ROCK EXCHANGE is now live on chat with Yahoo Messenger. Would love to have you try and catch me sometime, I'm on line quite a bit. Just type in ozarkrockexchange and knock - feel free to add me to your friends list if you'd like and I'll add you to mine.
ROCK ROOM - Is open by appointment. Located just 13 miles East of the Oldfield, Missouri Post Office on State Road T. You can email stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com to arrange an appointment or for more precise directions.
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT OZARK ROCK EXCHANGE? The answer is at http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/highlights/events/index.shtml
Post your comments, questions or share your favorite crystals at the ORE Gemstone Bulletin Board: http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/highlights/bbs/index.shtml
--+--+--+--
MOBILE ORE STORE
Goddess Gathering
September 11 - 14
Gaea Retreat Center McCluth, KS
Pagan Pride Day
September 20
Fassnight Park, Springfield, MO
Check our online listing for Mobile ORE Store dates at
http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/highlights/mobile_ore_store.shtml
|
|
