ORE FEATURES: Oil

This gooey yellow to black blood that oozes from our Mother's deepest heart does not sparkle or inspire like a brilliant gemstone. In spite of this glaring difference, more death results from the greedy pursuit of this precious fluid than from any rare, priceless gem.

Oil shares a sort of ancient lineage with crystals and gemstones. Many of the same forces and pressures that are required to spark the growth of crystals are also critical to the formation of this illuminating liquid.

There are two theories trying to define how Oil forms. The most popular theory is the Fossil Fuel story, known to geologists as biogenics. Biogenics describes a complex organic process that produces fuels from the decayed remains of primal life forms.

During the Carboniferous Period much of the planet is covered in giant trees and luxuriant plant life. This rich plant life feeds off a myriad of lakes, swamps and oceans as well as drinking in rich, unfiltered sunshine. Powerful stores of hydrogen and carbon are reserved in these titan plants from their unrestrained photosynthesis.

As leaves fall and plants die, they inevitably sink to the bottom of the surrounding waters. Slowly, over the next 360 million years their decay is cut off from oxygen, succumbing to greater pressures as silt and sediment build over the top of it. In addition, bacteria is introduced that adds heat to the pressure, literally cooking the goo in the Universe's slowest crock pot.

The final recipe yields a chain of hydrogen and carbon molecules bursting with energy called Hydrocarbons. Pressure works on the energetic liquid until it comes to rest against an impenetrable rock bed, usually called a "cap stone". Faults and internal pressures frequently allow the Oil to flow freely back to Mother's surface.

There are three energy sources that geologists call Fossil Fuels; Oil, Coal and Natural Gas. While it is popular to attribute these resources to the dinosaurs, the Fossils responsible for them are millions of years older. Reserves of the liquid gem were already forming by the time dinosaurs began roaming the Earth.

Another theory states that Oil is abiotic, or does not come from organic decay. This newer thought theorizes that Oil is one of the by-products of magma (melted rock from the Earth's center). Heat and pressures from the core push the Oil towards Mother's surface.

Many of the proponents of this theory hope to use it to lull us into believing that Oil is a renewable resource, not finite. The lack of molecular connections between magma and Oil along with the overwhelming evidence of molecular connections between plants and Oil, keep the abiotic group a minority.

Our greed and exploitive abuse of this liquid gem is fairly recent. In the beginning, it was respected as a tool for healing and making our lives safer. It was used in salves to heal wounds and soothe sensitive skin. We also used it to seal roofs or prevent boats from leaking. For those first five thousand years we simply skimmed what Oil we needed from what had seeped through to the surface.

Things began to change for Oil around the mid 1800's. Yale Chemist Benjamin Silliman Jr. discovered a method for distilling raw crude Oil into various lighter fuels. At the time, the group of investors backing Silliman were only interested in Kerosene for lamps. Because Whale Oil was becoming expensive, these investors were hoping to exploit the growing demand for light by harvesting this cheaper resource.

By the time Edwin Drake's famous well struck Oil in August of 1859 the world's appetite for this liquid jewel was already growing. Within a few short years the quiet Pennsylvania creek where Seneca Indians had first gathered the resource for healing, became a noisy, muddy, over-run ecological disaster. Foreshadowing our future irresponsibility in our unquenchable search for Oil.

Even worse, many of the early so-called by-products like gasoline were thrown back into the environment. Until the dawn of the automobile, the money men only exploited Oil for the kerosene. Eventually they would learn to get something from every drop in a 42 gallon barrel.

It is no wonder that Earth and Sky are finally getting angry with our shameful abuse of this magical gift left for us by our most ancient ancestors.

Receive a FREE choice Fossil with any purchase from Ozark Rock Exchange. Choose from Petrified Wood, Fossil Jasper, Amber or Brachiopod. 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 an ORE FEATURES subscriber as of November 7, 2007 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. This Subscriber Special expires December 5, 2007

New Moon, Friday November 9 6:03 pm (ET)
Second Quarter Moon, Saturday November 17 5:32 pm (ET)
Thanksgiving (US), Thursday November 23
Full Moon, Saturday November 24 9:30 am (ET)
Fourth Quarter Moon, Saturday November 1 7:44 am (ET)
Hanukkah begins, Wednesday December 5

Thank You
(and holiday gift ideas) from Stephanie Pflumm

Last month I sent you a note regarding my concerns and conflicting emotions over Ozark Rock Exchange. I asked for help on what to do next with the business. I just want to take this time to express how grateful I am for all the wonderful support, wise words and love that was shared as a result of my cry for help.

One of the lessons I am suppose to learn in this walk is to reach out, ask for help, learn to lean. As a stubborn old goat (aka Capricorn), this has been a rather difficult lesson for me. Your responses to my letter have turned out to be a very important chapter in this study course for me.

As a result of your heartfelt replies, my meditations and possible signs from the Universe I have decided not to decide anything at this time. I am simply asking the Universe to be very clear and precise in directing me on my next step. One thing I am absolutely certain of is that I will not stop writing, nor will I stop my stone studies. I am allowing everything else to flow from that desire.

So, with these thoughts and your generous friendship I will keep on keeping on, as we use to say in the 60's. And in the spirit of asking for assistance, I want to take a quick moment to share some great holiday gift ideas with you from Ozark Rock Exchange. Remember, you only have to buy the gift, I'll buy the shipping!!

STONE POWER PRAYER POUCHES: Choose from a collection of crystals that will assist with Happiness, Health, Love, Abundance or Protection. Or allow me to put together a personal power pouch custom designed just for you.
https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=3_10

NATURAL CRYSTAL PENDANTS: A gift of crystal power that you can carry anywhere. These simply beautiful pendants are natural crystals that have been capped with Silver. Their beauty and power have not been altered in any way. Choose from Rose Quartz, Emerald, Ruby, Aquamarine, Kunzite, Kyanite or Imperial Topaz.
https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=2_18

PERSONAL POWER SPIRAL: Allow me to hand select power crystals for that perfectly unique gift only you can present. Each Personal Spiral will come with an explanation for the gemstones chosen.
https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/product_info.php?cPath=2_19&products_id=723

STONE POWER CIRCLE: Share a gift that will surprise and delight every month - membership in the Stone Power Circle! Each month members receive a large crystal, a meditation for that crystal written by Stephanie, a printed copy of the ORE FEATURES newsletter and special discounts. Treat your best friend or your inner child to a monthly treat!
https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/product_info.php?products_id=991

Thanks again for all you have done to help lift me back up over the last few weeks. This issue of ORE FEATURES would not have happened without you and your support. May I send you wishes for a holiday season filled with joy and the company of those you love most.

Congratulations to Susan H. of Denver and her friend Elizabeth L. from Pueblo, they are the winners in the Birthday Subscription Contest. Susan invited Elizabeth to subscribe to ORE FEATURES and now they both will receive a free one month membership in the Stone Power Circle.

Thanks to everyone that invited friends to subscribe. Watch for the next contest coming in December!

Watch for our next contest in December http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/highlights/events/index.shtml

BACK IN STOCK: Black Tourmaline Pendants, Aquamarine Pendants, Hematite, raw Labradorite (now available in small) and Ametrine gemstones.
https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart

COMING SOON: New! Blue Calcite, red Calcite Dogtooth crystals and some awesome Premium Picks in labradorite, Green and Blue Calcite and Ocean Jasper!

DEACON LOVE'S JOURNEY STICKS: I just finished taking pictures of the most wonderful sticks prepared by Memphis' own Deacon Love. Love collects these sticks along the Mississippi and lovingly finishes them, honoring their natural beauty and shape. Pictures of these and all other new arrivals should be here soon:
http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=23

DISCOVER CARDS: Ozark Rock Exchange can now accept Discover cards, along with American Express, Mastercard and Visa credit cards. Money order and check payment options are also available.

©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.