ORE FEATURES
A Monthly publication of Ozark Rock Exchange
VOL 7: Issue 3, November 2, 2006
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Main: >> Start Page >> ORE Features Archives >> 2005>> Smoky Quartz | |
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ORE'S Featured Gemstone: Smoky Quartz Smoky Quartz appears to be a Quartz crystal that has cloaked its clear heart in a shroud of mystery. Even with today's sophisticated technologies a number of different texts offer an equally different number of explanations into what causes the pale to rich dark brown colors of the Smoky Quartz. One point all geologists seem to agree on is that the smoky tinting of a clear Quartz crystal is caused by some form of natural radioactivity. From there opinions begin to divide over whether it is Aluminum, Nitrogen, Lithium, Carbon, organic matter (or none of the above) within the Quartz that has been exposed to radiation. My personal suspicion is that everyone is right. Clear Quartz can be "smoked" manually by hitting it with gamma radiation in a reactor. This manufactured Smoky Quartz is almost a perfect black color. Natural Smoky Quartz can be a very pale topaz to a dark black brown. The darkest natural pieces have a special trade name, Morion. Crystals can be zoned (have areas of different colors), contain phantoms, inclusions, enhydros and terminate into a vast variation of points and twins. All this variety may mean that sometimes plain clear Quartz was naturally radiated into Smoky crystals and sometimes Quartz specimens with minerals like Aluminum, Nitrogen, Lithium, Carbon or even organic matter inside were radiated into Smoky Quartz. The color in a Smoky Quartz crystal is not stable and can be easily altered through heating. Even man-made smoky specimens can be turned clear again simply by exposing the crystals to high temperatures. As a crystal, Smoky Quartz forms in much the same ways as clear Quartz; in pegmatites, vugs and geodes. However Smoky crystals have a few unique tendencies of their own. Two highly sought after examples of these unique terminations are the Smoky Quartz specimens known as an elestial and skeletal. Elestials are a type of mass terminations along the face of a single crystal. The terminations are layered on the surface of the crystal in a sort of stair stepped fashion. While clear and milky Quartz do form elestial crystals, it is much more common among the Smoky relatives. Skeletal Smoky Quartz resembles an elestial crystal on the outside, however on the inside is where the excitement is. The skeletal Crystal is hollow and will frequently contained trapped gases (such as Carbon Dioxide), water and even organic material. In clear, high grade specimens you can actually see the movement of the skeletal's contents. Geologists refer to these type of crystals as enhydros. Various regions of the ancient world developed a distinct fondness for the mysterious Smoky Quartz. In Scotland, where it is the National Gemstone, they gave the crystal their own name, Cairngorm. The Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland are still famous for the beautiful pieces of Smoky Quartz found there. A large point sits on the country's national scepter. The court spiritualist for Queen Elizabeth I was known to use a large Smoky Quartz crystal ball. The Swiss Alps are famous for their large crystals. A small mountain village called Goschenen exhibits one of the giant specimens in their small museum. They tell the story of a local mountaineer that gave his life to bring a 397 pound Smoky Quartz crystal down from the mountains through snow and frigid cold. Though he managed to get the massive Quartz home, he never recovered from his super human effort. Besides Scotland and the Alps, gem quality Smoky Quartz is also found in the US, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Canada and Spain. Early European cultures believed strongly in the Smoky Quartz protective energies. Soldiers were known to carry the gem into battle. Christians in Europe today still cherish crucifixes carved from taupe colored Quartz. All Quartz is effective at creating protective shields, however Smoky Quartz can shield you from both outside and inner harmful energies. Protecting you from yourself. This gem encourages a stable environment allowing you to feel more secure and safe in your surroundings. The crystal is extremely useful in meditation and trance work. It assists in maintaining a grounding point and helps to dissolve away distracting, worrisome thoughts so that you achieve your beta state sooner. Smoky Quartz allows you to accept information received during your work without imposing your own personal will and personality onto it. If you live a high demand lifestyle with a stressful job and an active social life, Smoky Quartz makes a very supportive companion. The crystal builds your resistance to stress so that you are more able to cope and get the job done. It helps you to meet life's challenges with a spirited heart eager to overcome and triumph. This gem gives you the ability to separate what really matters from the junk in your life, allowing you to live more efficiently and with greater joy. Business owners may find carrying a Smoky Quartz on buying trips will improve over all sales. This crystal will help you think more creatively about your business and aid you in perceiving trends sooner, so you buy smarter and sell more. Healers may find that laying a Smoky Quartz crystal on an afflicted area will bring relief from pain. This is especially true for women suffering from menstrual cramps. It may also provide healing for some back injuries, especially muscle spasms. Many believe it will provide protection against the physical effects of radiation and possibly reverse damage done. Smoky Quartz greatest health benefit may come from its ability to promote a stress free approach to life. A healthy, happy mind helps to create a healthier, happier body. Pictures of Smoky Quartz --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL: FREE Quartz Point! Receive a FREE Quartz crystal point 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 November 2, 2005 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 December 6, 2005. Remember you never pay extra for shipping at Ozark Rock Exchange! --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SKY NOTES Ramadan ends, Thursday November 3 -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- Woman Who Walks: The Lonely Fox Woman Who Walks does not own a car. Though she grows many of her own vegetables and usually keeps a few cows and pigs, she still needs to get into town now and then for supplies. Over the years she has been able to hitch a ride as the need came up and therefore never felt the desire to become independently mobile. Besides, she'll tell me "if I did the car thing, well, I wouldn't be able to walk anywhere"! Before I bought my little place on the hill out here, I'm not sure how Woman Who Walks got into to town. Shortly after I moved in, she showed up by the driveway the first morning I had planned to drive into town to check out my new world. And I believe that I've been her ride ever since. Most amazing of all, she always seems to know when I'm going. Since she also does not own a phone, I can't call to ask if she needs anything (which I would). Except there doesn't seem to be a need for one, as her timing has been impeccable since day one. Today is no exception. As I finish up the list of our household needs, I glance out the kitchen window to see her walking the path out of the woods South of my house. I hurry and get my last minute got to's done before she gets to the house so that I can meet her at my car. She can get very impatient with me, as I'm constantly forgetting this or that and running back inside. Today is a busy list. Besides the requisite visit to the grocery store, I've got to run by the critter store for the dogs and cats and get office supplies at the office supply store. We wait at the stop sign for a speeding pickup to zoom past and pull out on the road to town. Woman Who Walks immediately starts playing with my radio, switching from rap, to rock to county and back to rap again. Eminem is singing, and she loves his poetry (she calls it poetry, I tell her the kids would just cringe if they could hear her call it that). As we top the hill and begin crossing the ridge that is the beginning of the forest, Woman Who Walks has Eminem rapping as loud as my radio will go. Loud enough that the screeching that is assaulting my ears is almost imperceptible. Except seconds later I am able to see that the screaming had come from the sudden application of the speeding truck's brakes. It appears that the application is unsuccessful, because just off the side of the road, a beautiful red fox reels forward and falls down beside the pavement. An old logging road turns off into the forest just a few feet ahead, so I pull my car in there. Woman Who Walks is already out of my car and running over to the fox before I can turn off the engine. I get an old blanket from my trunk and rush over to join her, deciding that tomorrow is as good a day to drive to town as today. I kneel down beside the fox and keep quiet. I recognize the Woman Who Walks is talking with the critically injured animal, though I can only understand her side of the conversation. There is a look of sympathy, then anger and finally a sad resignation crossing over Woman Who Walks face as she listens to the fox's reply. "No, no"! she whispers sharply, "I'm sure I can fix what's broken". Again, a wild display of emotions sweep across her face as she listens to the fox. Finally, she says what he must want to hear, but she dreads to say, "if you insist dear gentle man fox, then I will send you onto your mate and children". She takes the blanket from my hands, and very slowly folds it into a pillow and places it over the face of the fox. I shrink back, afraid and in shock. The fox seems to relax and is certainly not afraid. He does not struggle and in seconds his breathing stops completely. And I swear in the last second I hear him shower Woman Who Walks with his gratitude. When she stands up to hand me back the blanket, there is a look of peace on her face. A direct opposite of the look of disbelief on mine. After all, I was under the impression that we had stopped to assist the fox, not finish the job. A quick glance at my eyes tells her that an explanation is necessary. "Come dear, lets get back in your car before some pickup smashes us and allow me to tell you a story". She takes my arm and leads me away from the dead fox and we get back in the car. "Not very many weeks ago, I was walking some of the least traveled trails through our woods", Woman Who Walks begins her story. "I was a few miles deep into the woods when I noticed a bush ahead on the trail moving in a rather unnatural manner. Of course, I had to investigate, and shaking in the bush was a malnourished, dehydrated and exhausted fox. He was too weak to snarl, much to weak to fight and light enough for me to carry all the way back to my house. "After a couple of days of food, water and some love, the fox was feeling well enough and I asked him how he came to be in such a horrid condition. "He said his name was Grass Stalker, that for many seasons he had been the mate of Meadow Dancer and together they had raised some beautiful kits. In fact, he had told me, until the beginning of this growing season, he and Meadow Dancer had led perfect lives just outside of the city. "Unfortunately, he had not appreciated just how dangerous the two-leggeds could be. For more seasons than any of his clan could count they had lived within smelling distance of the two-leggeds, thinking they would never pose a threat, as long as the fox clans could remain invisible. In fact they had developed many sly techniques at staying just outside the view of the humans. "At the beginning of this growing season, strange things began happening. Huge, destructive machines began eating up land and tearing out trees in the areas where the fox clans had been living. Many councils had been held with the elders and pack leaders to decide how best to deal with these developments and to determine what danger they might be in. "While the planning and talking was going on, Grass Stalker and Meadow Dancer were busy caring for their newest litter of kits. On one particular morning, Grass Stalker learned too quickly just how much danger the two-leggeds presence had put him and his family in. "He and Meadow Dancer always rose early to get out and hunt breakfast before the babies would wake up. That way, they could be safe in the den while mom and dad were away on business. "This particular morning, the two-leggeds arrived early as well. They had special plans for their new building project and they wanted to place and set off the dynamite charges before the busy human work day began. "When the huge explosion rang through the air, a deadly fear gripped Grass Stalker and Meadow Dancer's motherly instincts were instantly on high alert. Without a thought, she bolted out of the small woods, rushing to cross the road that now stood between her and her babies. Of course, she was moving rapidly and blindly and never saw the car that never saw her. "When Grass Stalker caught up with his mate mere moments later, she was already dead. Through his tears, he saw a monstrous hole in the hill that had once held his den and his family. He just put his head down and began walking until he ended up in our woods." "At first, Grass Stalker tried to find a new clan", she picks her story back up. "Except a man fox of his age should already have a mate and an established position within a clan, so he is viewed with suspicion and is constantly chased out. Eventually depression and exhaustion almost drove him to death, and that is when I found him. He often told me he wished I had let him die. Living was just too painful without his beloved Meadow Dancer. "So, today, I did not try to save him. Today I helped him join his mate and children." We take the blanket and walk back over to where Grass Stalker is laying. Together we wrap him gently in it and place him in my back seat. There is silence now, driving back to Woman Who Walks home. Which gives me time to ask this one favor of you dear reader. For the memories of Grass Stalker, his beloved mate Meadow Dancer and their children, I ask you that when you get ready to build your home, please make sure you are not destroying someone else's in the process, -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: ORE FEATURES ANNIVERSARY CONTEST! Congratulations to Jeremy H. of Minnesota, winner of the ORE FEATURES Anniversary Contest! Jeremy will be receiving a custom Stone Power Prayer Pouch, designed for his own personal powers. Thanks to everyone that participated in the contest - I thoroughly enjoyed reading about all of your dreams and wishes. Watch for Ozark Rock Exchange's next contest, coming in December!! -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- What's Happening At Ozark Rock Exchange? AVALANCHE OF AGATES: Thousands of new Agates have arrived at Ozark Rock Exchange - over 35 pounds of different varieties, including some new species like Blue Moss Agate, White Agate, and some exceptionally priced Agate Collection. Check out this Agate Avalanche at: PREHNITE AND SMOKY QUARTZ are among some of the newest gemstones now available at Ozark Rock Exchange. In addition I've also added a bright white Chalcedony from California called Snowy Quartz and a Yellow Quartz from India. Check out the newest arrivals at: WITCHVOX AND BY REGION HEALERS: A very special, ongoing thank you goes out to both these websites. By Region Healers newsletter has been featuring ORE articles for almost a year now ( http://www.omplace.com ). Witchvox has been posting my articles for about six months now and allowing me to post my poetry quite freely. PLUS, for the last two months, Witchvox has donated 100% of their paid membership fees to Katrina's victims. It is a great website to support, if you've not ever visited them, please do so: http://www.witchvox.com WOMAN WHO WALKS: The complete collection of the Woman Who Walks stories are now available in a printed booklet. Order yours now or set one aside for a special holiday gift! WHAT'S HAPPENING AT OZARK ROCK EXCHANGE? The answer is at STONE POWER CIRCLE --+--+--+-- ©Copyright 2005, 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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