ORE FEATURES
A Monthly publication of Ozark Rock Exchange
VOL 5: Issue 8, May 7, 2004
 |
||||
|
|
Main: >> Start Page >> ORE Features Archives >> 2004>> Obsidian | |
|
ORE's Featured Gemstone: Obsidian Obsidian was one of the gemstones I researched during the first year of ORE FEATURES. During the five years that have passed since starting my crystal studies, I began to discover there was quite a bit I did not know about this darkly beautiful gem. I knew that Obsidian was a member of the volcanic Rhyolite family. Its rich silica formula and quick cooling conditions make it more like a natural glass than a crystal. As my travels and lessons progressed, I met new (to me) members of the Obsidian family that fired my curiosity and imagination. Where do those silver, golden and rainbow sheens that dance along the surface of what appears to be ordinary black Obsidian come from? Why do some have this sheen and others don't? Now is as good a time as any to find out why. Air and gas bubbles are common in magma or lava, it is in these types of cavities that many crystals form as the heated matter slowly cools. These bubbles also form in Obsidian, but the minerals rarely have the opportunity to crystallize because cooling occurs so rapidly. Lava flows that create Obsidian are composed of a wide variety of minerals; Aluminum, Iron, Postash, Silica, Soda, Magnesia, Lime and a few others depending of the location the flow originates from. Sometimes, in bubbles called spherulites (because they are round) and lithophysae (or long) by geologists, minute feldspar and other mineral crystals will form. While too tiny to affect the outward appearance of the gemstone, when the spherulites and lithophysae form along a perfect plane this playful sheen appears along the surface of the stone. In Northern Chile a new form of Obsidian has been found. A light yellow gemstone with three different crystalline inclusions; pleochroic columns of Indialite (a type of morphed Iolite), Sillimanite and Feldspar. I am currently trying to track down pictures and more information on this stone. Snowflake Obsidian is another family member whose appearance is altered by a quick formation of crystals. Quartzy (not a real word) crystals called Cristobalite form in bursts of radiating clusters that are a striking white against the black Obsidian. Apache Tears are nodules of Obsidian (mostly likely formed as droplets and tears as the lava spewed and flew from its source) that are transparent and easily confused with Smoky Quartz. Obsidian can be found anywhere in the world. Geology and mineral references are full of places where cliffs and sometimes whole mountains consist entirely of some form of Rhyolite. Pliny's ancient encyclopedia dubbed this dark stone Obsidian for a Roman named Obsius. The text credits Obsius with first finding the gem in the area currently known as Ethiopia. However, human history with Obsidian is much older than the Greeks early civilization. In the Western hemisphere it has a very old and sacred tradition. In many of the central and Southwestern American cultures it was honored as an important tool (knives and arrowheads) and a powerful divine source (scrying mirrors, balls and masks). The Mayans carved images of their god Tetzcatlipoca (translates as "shining mirror") from the gem. You can still take advantage of Obsidian's depth to connect with the divine, either through meditation or scrying (trying to see the future) with the stone. Sheen Obsidians are the best for meditation. This gemstone has a sharp sense of truth and cuts straight to the source of issues and challenges. Its aggressive nature can be unnerving in a meditation meant to calm. Gold, silver and the rainbow sheen crystals offer a more gentle vibration because of their more crystalline structure which is more conducive to entering desired altered state of mind. However, this sharpness is highly effective when attempting to see past the shadows that guard the future and spirit worlds. Polished black Obsidian mirrors are considered some of the finest scrying tools. Priests of Tetzcatlipoca used them in rituals to determine the affect weather would have on crops, the outcome of battles and other critical unknowns. Queen Elizabeth I employed a magician-alchemist of her time named Dr. Dee. Dr. Dee used a famous black Obsidian mirror while working for the Queen. In 1971 that mirror allegedly was in the collection of a Prince Alexis Soltykoff, but I was unable find any later reference for its location, only its reputation. When you reach the point in your spiritual path that you are ready to face the greatest blocks to your growth, Obsidian is the perfect companion. You will learn to cut through the excuses and see your strengths and flaws in precise clarity. You will learn that what makes you weak will teach you strength and what makes you strong can actually weaken your step. There will be no tolerance for self-delusion once you open yourself to this crystal teacher. Snowflake Obsidian is an equally precise, but somewhat gentler teacher of these same lessons. Again the higher crystal vibrations, provide for a more gentle acceptance of the hard facts. Plus you can use its snowflake patterns to meditate on the destructive patterns in your choices and learn new, more constructive ways to choose. If you work with creative energies or often find yourself in vulnerable situations, Obsidian is a great protector and grounder. Use it as a shield against harmful energies and intentions when you are healing or reading. When you are open to the powerful forces of the great mystery, this gemstone provides a firm anchor in addition to its shielding energies. Obsidian's history in healing is as ancient as its practical and magical legacy. Many traditions have used its dark healing energies to draw pain and illness from the body. Pre-historic and even later, healers on the battlefield used the stone to stop bleedings. Often from wounds caused by the same stone being used for treatment. You can use Obsidian to undo the damage of emotional or physical shock. It brings those images and memories that we fear into the light where they can be cleansed from our spirit. It may be useful in overcoming the effects of obsessive compulsive disorder, helping you to cut through the confusion that causes your thoughts to get stuck in useless patterns. Apache tears are excellent for working through grief. Their compact, yet complete size makes them easy companions. Obsidian's insistent truthful energies will keep you from falling into grieve driven guilt traps and guide you correctly through the grieving process. These volcanic tears are part of a Native American legend that you can read about in my first article on Obsidian. Click HERE to read my original article on Obsidian. Pictures of Obsidian --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL: FREE Small Snowflake Obsidian! Receive a small Snowflake Obsidian with any purchase from Ozark Rock Exchange. You can shop on line at https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart You can also place your order by email at 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 May 7, 2004 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 June 1, 2004. Remember you never pay extra for shipping at Ozark Rock Exchange! --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SKY NOTES Beltane Crossquarter day, Wednesday May 5 -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+- Woman Who Walks: Goddess Eyes' Story (part 2) Goddess Eyes paused, which was good, I need a moment to catch my breath and collect my thoughts. A Deer that sees the future, how wonderfully unreal. "Mother slept through the sunrise and sunset that day, fully absorbed in her dreamless sleep. When White Eyes finally woke from her first restful sleep in several Moon cycles, it was still a few hours before the sunrise of the second day. Her body and spirit were completely revived and the albino deer felt as new as a fresh born fawn. "For the next few cycles of the Moon, White Eyes slept peacefully, dreamless just like her relations in the forest were use to sleeping. When the dreams did return, they were not filled with the violence, dreadful noises and mutilated bodies of her first dreams. In these dreams she saw herself choosing various plants that grew around the forests where she traveled. Sometimes she saw herself chewing the plant and feeding the mush to an infant or elder. Other times she was mashing roots with her hooves, sometimes mixing two or more plants together. "Always in the dreams she was feeding these concoctions to sickly four-leggeds throughout the forest. During her waking hours, she began to note the plants that she was using in her dreams and where they grew in the forest. "That following Spring White Eyes had decided to celebrate the annual Spring Rites with a clan of Deer that lived along Beaver Creek. She had not seen them for two full measures of seasons, having kept to herself when the dreams had been their worse. "When she arrived at the Beaver Creek Deer clan's gathering spot, she was dismayed at the site she saw. There was not a single fawn in site, and the faces of the does standing around told a sad story. "Greetings dear friends, I have come to celebrate Earth Mother's new season with you!" White Eyes spoke out her most cheery welcome. "We have nothing to celebrate". It was Wind Dancer, the eldest of the Beaver Creek's does. "All of our mothers have lost their children to a Winter fever. Only one fawn remains, and he is deathly ill, getting weaker and sicker everyday. His mother, Laughing Eyes, will not leave his side and may be catching the fever as well." Despair, anger and fear were thick in the old doe's voice. "Come walk with me Wind Dancer," White Eyes said to the elder, "I think I may be able to help". "Mother led Wind Dancer away from the clan to share what she had been seeing in her dreams. She did not want the others to hear, in case her dreams meant nothing, but White Eyes was confident that her dreams were meant to save this young fawn. It was the same confidence she felt when she watched the young man leave Harry and Mary's farm a few years back. "Do you think that Laughing Eyes will allow me to help her son". White Eyes asked when she finished explaining the dreams. "We must try, regardless of what the mother says". Wind Dancer responded. "We must learn if what your dreams are telling you is true. It will have great meaning for all the four-legged clans if we can learn to use our rooted relations to heal". "White Eyes left the Beaver Creek Deer clans gathering spot to hunt for the plant in her dreams. It did not take her long, but the plants were barely shoots out of the ground in the early Spring. Still, mother only needed a bit of the root. "Using her hoof, she carefully dug one of the root masses out, trying not to damage the other plants around it. As she worked with her feet and mouth to work out the root, she explained to her rooted relation what her intent was and asked if it would be willing to help. The plant responded with a strong affirmative energy. "When my mother returned to the gathering spot, Wind Dancer had moved the mother and sick fawn to a more private area. She did not want any other members of the clan to see what was happening until she could be sure of success. Deer frighten easily, and if White Eyes has found a way to learn the medicine of the plants, then this knowledge must be introduced in a positive light, so as not to scare the clan. "Wind Dancer watched carefully as my mother chewed the root into an almost liquid mush in her mouth and then fed it to the weak fawn. Laughing Eyes' first instinct was to protect her child from the strange deer's action, but she was weak from fatigue and the beginnings of the fever herself. "Within a few minutes, the fawn's labored breathing eased, his mother could hear his congested lungs starting to clear of fluid. Soon he was sleeping and breathing in a much healthier manner. "'Now for you, you must be healthy to care for your son.' White Eyes addressed the mother. After seeing its effect on her son, she eagerly drank the mushy liquid from the albino's mouth. "The next day the light was back in Laughing Eyes and her fawn, while still weak, was obviously recovering from the Winter fever. After their morning graze and the males had wandered off, Wind Dancer gathered all of the does together. She explained about the plant medicine that White Eyes had used and that she was going to share her knowledge with the does of the clan. "Mother led the women into the woods and showed them the plant she had used. She described its appearance during the various cycles of its life, from Spring shoots to Summer flowers to Fall's withered foilage. She showed them how to chew the root and explained how to feed it to their children. "The Beaver Creek Deer clan does spent several hours in the forest that afternoon as White Eyes showed them all the plants she had seen in her dreams. It would be several Winters before a fever would take away that many children again. "As word of White Eyes plant knowledge spread, mother's status grew significantly within the different four-legged clans. Instead of being shunned and feared because of her unusual coat, she was welcomed with open arms and open hearths. "Those years were some of her happiest, they passed quickly, so fast mother barely noticed that she was nearing her fortieth cycles of seasons. While she did not feel old in the least, she knew that her end must be coming soon. Very few deer live to their 40th cycle, and legend only spoke of one or two elders that had lived past 50 cycles. "Realizing how old she was, also brought to mind a fact that made her sad. That she would never have her own fawn, her own clan, her own place to call home. However, these sad thoughts soon gave way to a new round of violent dreams. "These new dreams were very different from the first. The dreams began with a blinding flash of light that suddenly turned the whole world into a negative image of itself. Following this intense flash was a hot wind that burned to ashes anything it touched. When the light and wind were gone, so were the mothers, fathers, children and all the relations of two whole cities. All that was left were poisonous scars that would never stop their killing. "White Eyes was haunted by the new dreams for five cycles of the seasons. Some nights it was replaced by a quieter, but no less heart wrenching dream. In the second dream, two-leggeds walked into a long dark factory building and their spirits, torn from their bodies would exit out the other end. The factory showed no mercy for infant or elder, it separated the spirit from the body of every two-legged that entered it. "Once again, mother began to avoid sleep to stay out of her dreams. She was quite sure that these new ones, with their heavy hopelessness would be the death of her. When the dreams finally ended, White Eyes was still very much alive and only in need of a few good nights sleep. "While the dreams did stop, the hopelessness that had come with them lingered in White Eyes heart. Something had changed in the world, and while mother would never really know what it was, she did know that the two-leggeds had taken a step in a direction that they could not turn back from. She was confident this much was true. "Over the next ten cycles of seasons, mother stayed away from the clans. She traveled the forests alone, trying to unravel the mystery she felt she had been charged with. What had the two-leggeds' unleashed, what were the consequences to the Earth Mother and all the relations who depend on her? "Attempting to understand the deeds of two-leggeds were not the only thoughts that followed White Eyes during these later years. A great loneliness had crept into her from spending some 50 cycles without a home, clan or any place to call her own. "Lost in thought and loneliness, mother did not notice a male deer that had begun to follow her around. He kept himself hid, out of fear. Fear that he would frighten the beautiful creature that had captured his heart and send her running away into the forest. Fear that if he did not frighten her, he would repulse her. Either way, he was quite certain that all he dare do was watch and wait and hope. to be continued . . . -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Anniversary Subscription Contest Winner! Congratulations to Corey and Chelle, winners in the Anniversary Subscription Contest. Chelle invited Corey to subscribe to ORE FEATURES and when Corey's name was drawn, they both won a Rhyolite Collection that includes: • 36" Leopardskin gemstone strand Thanks to everyone that invited friends and family to subscribe to ORE FEATURES. Watch for our next contest coming in June! -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- What's Happening At Ozark Rock Exchange? ON LINE PARTY!: A Potpourri of Shops (a great group of handcrafters) is hosting an online party on Friday May 21st. Party hosts include Earthly Herbs, Primitive and Country painting, Moonlight Creations Jewelry, Crochet Addict, Mostly Twigs, The Book Faerie, you can see the complete list at: STILL COMING: There are still some awesome raw Labradorites and gorgeous Ocean Jaspers I need to add to the catalog. You can watch for them at: https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=23 BACK IN THE CATALOG: Kissing Dolphin sphere pendants, Aquamarine and Ametrine pendants, but some other new pendants! https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart NICKEL DEALS: Ozark Rock Exchange is celebrating our Fifth Anniversary all year long with Nickel Deals! This month's nickel deals are purchase five small gemstones and get the 6th one for five cents (equal or less value) and get any Stone Power Prayer Pouch for a nickel with any $50 purchase: https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=34 HEARTLAND PAGAN FESTIVAL: Ozark Rock Exchange will be at the Heartland Pagan Festival for the very first time this year! This wonderful annual event is held at Camp Gaea every Memorial Weekend, in Western Kansas about an hour outside of Kansas City, MO. GEMSTONE BULLETIN BOARD: Is temporarily closed. |
||||
| << Top >> | ||||
 |
Copyright © 1999-2008, Ozark Rock Exchange Memphis, TN 38118 Phone: 901-496-2434 |