ORE FEATURES: Favorites 2007

I have a Quartz crystal...that actually cracked one time when being worked with. We were in a circle and was asking for healing for a friend...the crystal was on the table and each of us touched it at the same time, it became so hot we had to take our fingers off of it, and it had a crack and small chip in the bottom after the circle was closed, and we looked at it....I still have it but it has never gotten that hot again....btw, the friend said that they got very warm in the spot that was not healing, and it healed in 3 days, much to the doctors surprise. Their doctor was going to go in and rim it out and pack it, but did not have to....Blessings, Thunder

My favorite crystal is Rose Quartz. This one fits nicely into the palm of your hand. The back of it is rounded nicely and it is very smooth. It has a window, although I don't think you would know that by the picture. I scanned it, but the real thing is so much prettier. It is so peaceful to look into. Pink is not usually my color, but there is just something about rose quartz that gives off a warm, calm and loving feeling.

My favorite crystal is my personal large quartz crystal point. When I first got it & had to do a meditation with it as part of my crystal therapy course, amongst other things it told me it's name is Stephen! He's gorgeous......The name Stephen comes from the greek stephano meaning crown which is appropriate considering clear quartz is used at the crown chakra

I wear a rose quartz crystal to work every day. I helps me to love myself, the public, and the people I work with.

I have to say amethyst is my favorite. I get great energy from them. I once tried on an amethyst ring and immediately got an instant energy while putting it on. Blessings~

My favorite crystal is Selenite, which is wonderful for meditation, calming, and opening to intuitive energies.

Hawk and Deer: The Rainbow Bridge
By Stephanie Pflumm

The young deer watches the Sun fall behind the Pine Trees surrounding the small meadow where she lays beside her mother. She feels the darkening light fill her whole being. It is sad enough that there is no celebrating today, on her Natal Day. She knows that the even sadder truth is that her mother still has not eaten nor drank any of her water yet this day.

A normal yearling would be celebrating her first full turn of the seasons with the whole clan. There would be dancing, competitions, games, fancy grains and fruits to eat. Grass Whisper does not have a clan to celebrate with. And the mother that once taught her to jump fallen tree trunks and how to use the light to hide, was barely with her on this noteworthy day. As the yearling's heart grows dark in her thoughts, she almost misses the arrival of her only other companion.

"Happy Natal Day Grass Whisper"! An elder Hawk swoops from the fading sky and drops a ripe red apple beside the yearling. She perks up and eagerly snacks on the gift (her absolute favorite treat!) Winds Seeker has brought.

"Thank you" she manages between her happy munching of the juicy fruit. The older Hawk watches a glimpse of joy return to the fawn's eyes with his own bittersweet delight. In just one short cycle of light, the Hawk lost everything and gained something he thought was impossible to have again.

Yesterday begins as so many do for Winds Seeker and his mate of nine years, Feather Singer. He leaves in search of the day's first meal, while she stays to begin their newest hatchling's flying lessons. Winds Singer pesters her parents persistently to let her try her wings. Reluctantly they give into her request. The Hawk knows he is wise to be cautious, though, today he is sad that he is not more stubborn.

Following the creek that runs below their hill, Winds Seeker sees a rabbit getting a drink. As he dives toward their breakfast, a sound strikes him cold. It is the scream of tires against asphalt and a thud that carries a mortal twang. Fears drives his wings into strong sweeps that carry him quickly back up the hill. He crests the rise to see his daughter kiting frantically above her mother's shattered body. Winds from another rushing machine disturb the air beneath him, leaving no time to call out to Wings Singer.

It was just a moment, barely a breath in time, and the life of the aging Hawk's changes completely. He will learn how completely.

The rest of yesterday's light, Winds Seeker spent in the empty nest. Oblivious to his hunger or anything but the the bodies of his wife and daughter. Watching as the passing traffic scatters the feathers and remains of his life across the roadway below.

Winds Seeker still does not really remember seeing the young fawn. It was more of an awareness that something is about to happen. Removing his gaze from the pavement below, he notices a movement in the bushes and grasses that lay between some of the two-legged's structures.

As the Hawk's attention becomes fully focused on the movement, a young fawn carrying an array of flowers and grasses in her mouth emerges from the over growth. She approaches the paved pathway of the two-leggeds with the intention of crossing.

Winds Seeker alights from his nest and begins soaring above the road. Trying to determine what this deer child is doing. Unfortunately the mouthful obstructs Grass Whisper's vision and she cannot see clearly. Which is why she starts to cross the paved path while a vehicle is approaching.

Immediately the Hawk swoops down and startles the little Deer, causing her to step backwards. The two-legged's machine zooms past. Winds Seeker is sure the Deer will drop the arrangement she's holding in her mouth, but Grass Whisper holds tightly to her treasures.

"What are you doing"? the elder Hawk screeches at the young Deer.

"I have to get to my mother" the stubborn child proclaims as she tries to move past the Hawk. He maintains a flight pattern that prevents the Deer from moving forward.

"You'll have an easier and safer time of getting across the two-legged path if you drop your flowers" Hawk replies.

"My mother needs these"! There is a panicked determination in her voice that softens the Hawk's anger. He holds his blocking position a moment longer, then considers a solution.

"If you will watch me, I will help you cross the pathway safely", the Hawk watches for the child's reply.

Grass Whisper tries to look both ways down the hard pathway, but the grasses are in her way. She must get them to the other side of the path. She looks up at the Hawk and nods an agreement to his offer.

Winds Seeker positions himself above the road, high enough to be safe from even the largest two-legged machine, but within the Deer's sight. The unlikely companions wait as two more vehicle pass, the Hawk peers carefully in every direction to be absolutely positive. Confident, he finally signals the young Deer to cross.

Safely across, the Deer leaps with a grace beyond her small age to disappear through more bushes and tall Pines. Hawk knows there is a tiny meadow behind the Pine Trees. Curiosity allows him to forget his grief and anger as he follows to see where this child might be going and just what is she doing.

Circling above the hidden meadow, Winds Seeker watches the Deer child approach an older deer laying in the tall Summer grass.

Grass Whisper takes quiet, gentle steps as she gets closer to her mother. She lays the grasses and flowers she carried with such tenacity across the road beside the older Deer's mouth. She nudges the pile closer, hoping to encourage her mother to eat.

The older Deer raises her head, acknowledging her daughter with a weak greeting. She forces herself to chew a few of the grasses, hoping to see her daughter smile. After just a few simple bites, the effort makes her weary. Once again the mother deer surrenders to sleep. It is now the only refuge she has left from the illness raging through her body.

"No mother"! Grass Whisper's heart shatters with her desperate fear. "You must eat. Please. Mother"! Only the Hawk hears the child's pleas.

This is what happened yesterday, and it is how Winds Seeker met Grass Whisper.

(to be continued)

WARNING-PRICE INCREASE: For just the third time in eight years, Ozark Rock Exchange will be raising prices. While postage costs have increased twice since the last time prices went up at ORE, shipping costs (to get stuff here from other parts of the world) have gone up dramatically. The cost of some gemstones seems to be on the rise as well; I've seen a significant increase in the cost of Amethyst, especially in Jewelry and Amber as well. New prices will go into effect August 1, 2007, when the next issue of ORE FEATURES comes out. So, shop this month and save.

NEW ARRIVALS: I've just finished sorting through over 50 pounds of new arrivals. There are two dozen new Premium Pick Gemstones and crystals to choose from, plus Iron Roses, Picasso Jasper and Citrine points have been added to the individual stone selections. Gorgeous Agate slabs, Agatized Coral and large Rose Quartz stones have been added to the unique mineral selections. Here are some links to the new arrivals:

Citrine points, Iron Roses, Picasso Jasper: https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=23_27
Rose Quartz, Agatized Coral: https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=23_28
Extra thick Agate slabs:
https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=23_30
Kyanite crystal pendants:
https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=23_29

TENNESSEE PAGAN PRIDE EVENTS: In September I will be taking the Mobile ORE Store to two different Pagan Pride events in Tennessee. The weekend of September 15 I will be in Nashville and September 29 at Memphis Pagan Pride Day. I will be teaching a workshop at both events, as well as setting up booths. Hope I get to see you at one of these days!!

ORE FEATURES ARCHIVES: The next generation of ORE FEATURES Archives are live and available for reading. While my solution was rather simplistic, it does solve the problem of making more room for new issues without having to take down any of the past issues. I hope to be updating pictures for the new archive index over the next few years. If I like the look, I may go back and take some photos for the older archives as well. You can view the 2007 ORE FEATURES archives here: http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/ore_features/index2.shtml

NEW ARRIVALS: I've just finished sorting through over 50 pounds of new arrivals. There are two dozen new Premium Pick Gemstones and crystals to choose from, plus Iron Roses, Picasso Jasper and Citrine points have been added to the individual stone selections. Gorgeous Agate slabs, Agatized Coral and large Rose Quartz stones have been added to the unique mineral selections. Here are some links to the new arrivals:

©Copyright 2007, 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.