The Magic of Rocks and Stones

Celestite

Written and compiled by - Patricia Jean Martin

Celestite (also known as Celestine), from the Latin "caelestis" meaning "celestial" or "heavenly", was aptly named, for these dusky sky blue crystals have a very ethereal appearance.  Found in sedimentary rock and mostly in crystal form, the best Celestite specimens are found in cavities in Sandstone or Limestone (often as geodes) and are in high demand by collectors.  It can also be found as tabular or granular crystals or in fibrous veins of sedimentary rock.  Gypsum, Fluorite, Calcite, Dolomite and Galena are other minerals often found near Celestite deposits.  The first Celestite was discovered in 1791 near Frankstown, Pennsylvania, by the German mineralogist A.G. Werner, and in February of this year was adopted as Pennsylvania's official state mineral. 

Celestite closely resembles Barite, but should not be confused, as it is a mineral of its own.  Less dense and less abundant than Barite, Celestite, however, is more soluble and frequently occurs in mineral waters.  One way to ensure knowing the difference is through a flame test, where Barite under flame shows a pale green and Celestite will show red.  Celestite crystals can be found in more than their usual light blue color, many times appearing as colorless to white or gray, but sometimes yellow to orange-red, green or brown.  The hue of blue Celestite is attributed to the presence of minute traces of gold and, in some cases, to a naturally occurring irradiation.  A somewhat soft and brittle crystal, Celestite is the most common natural sulfate of Strontium and is an important source of the mineral and some of its compounds, such as Strontium Hydroxide which is used in refining beet sugar, or the Strontium Nitrate used in red signal flares or fireworks. 

It is best to keep Celestite out of the sun as it may fade with frequent exposure. 

General Information: 

Chemistry:  SrSO4, Strontium Sulfate.

Class:  Sulfates.

Subclass:  Anhydrous Sulfates.

Group:  Barite.

Color:  Most often light sky blue to steel-blue, but also found colorless, gray, yellow with tints of red, green or brown.

Luster:  Vitreous (glassy); transparent to translucent.

Crystal System:  Orthorhombic; 2/m 2/m 2/m

Crystal Habit:  Crystalline; prismatic or tabular crystals are most common. Crystals are dominated by two large pinacoid (parallel planes to two of the crystalline axes) faces at the top and bottom along with small prism faces which form a jutting angle on every side.  Also occurs in nodular form, dense aggregates, fibrous veins, granular, or in geodes.

Cleavage:  Perfect in one direction, less so parallel to the prism.

Fracture:  Conchoidal, brittle.

Hardness:  3.0 - 3.5

Specific Gravity:  Approximately 3.9+ (above average for translucent minerals).

Streak:  White

Other Characteristics:  Produces a red color in flame test; some specimens fluoresce under UV light; sometimes thermoluminescent.

Notable Occurrences:  U.S. (Lake Erie region of Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania or New York; Colorado; Texas), Canada, Madagascar,

Sicily, Germany, England.

Best Field Indicators:  Crystal habit, color, flame test.

Uses:  Source of Strontium used in fireworks and flares (Strontium Nitrate); refining beet sugar (Strontium Hydroxide); collectors specimens. 

Myth & Lore: 

Called the "Stone of Heaven" partly due to its soft celestial color, Celestite was once believed to have been created by "angel song from the celestial choirs".  Even today it is thought that one may access the angelic realms through communing with Celestite, and that the stone has beneficial "stories to tell" through channeling angelic wisdom.  Some even say it originally came from the cluster of stars known as the Pleiades (commonly called the "Seven Sisters") and that it holds celestial wisdom. 

Known to expand creativity and the expression of such through initiating ease of communication with the higher realms, Celestite has often been used by those in the arts.  It is believed that the stone decreased negativity by putting an end to stress, anxiety, worry and fear, while helping to put a focus on the spiritual, thus attracting goodness and purity.  It has been known to accelerate spiritual development, stimulate clairvoyant communication, aid in dream recall and astral travel, and to bring one a general sense of peace. 

Metaphysical Properties of Celestite: 

Astrological Sign(s): Gemini.

Element(s): Air.

Chakra(s): Throat, Brow, Crown.

Mental clarity.

Harmony.

Communication.

Creativity.

Calming.

Cooling.

Balancing.

Promotes peacefulness.

Dream recall.

Astral travel.

Angelic or celestial communications.

Meditative.

*Gives physical aid in treating: Tension and stress. Improves disposition. Hearing disorders. Thyroid or throat problems.  Eliminates toxins. 

*NOTE: Stone therapy should NOT take the place of medical evaluation and procedures, and should be used merely to enhance one's health and well-being. 

My own thoughts and experiences: 

For one, such as myself, who is not known for having much of a fondness for the color blue (aside from indigo, blue-violet and aquamarine), I have to say that this was the very thing that drew me to my first piece of Celestite.  This mineral's color and crystal form are exquisite!  It possesses a very high frequency and is a very spiritual stone that can help open portals to your Higher Self. 

Aside from its obvious beauty, Celestite is a delicate and soothing crystal which brings with it an immediate sense of inner peace.  Although its energies may seem subtle because of it's tranquil steely blue color having a strong calming effect -- this does not mean that the stone is subtle in any way.  On the contrary, Celestite can be very forceful in helping one to break bad habits and negative patterns or to simply break through life's little roadblocks, while at the same time promoting creativity.  For me, this stone – and especially a cluster -- accomplishes this by first momentarily taking my breath away.  It makes me suddenly stop whatever I am doing, wherein I first focus on the sudden calm which feels like a time-standing-still moment.  Next it places the spotlight on the crux of something I need to know.  This can be likened to the feeling you get when all of a sudden you seem to be able to hone in on the chirp of a single cricket beyond all the thunderous noise in your mind or in your surroundings; noise which fades during the focus.  And it is here at this point that the stone can (and will) begin to impart its wisdom.  It is very reminiscent of the abilities of Black Tourmaline, but where Black Tourmaline has a very rooted and grounding quality when it 'speaks' to you, Celestite 'sings' its message from a much higher vibration. 

I've experienced Celestite having that soft whispering ability, and what it says to you can be very uplifting...but how it says it can be very deliberate and striking.  The best part about it all is that you will receive and accept this striking news while wrapped in a lofty, peaceful calm. 

With or without Celestite, you should always allow for those few moments of peace for yourself...for you and you alone.  And it always best at those times to just...listen. 

End.

Sources: 

"Love Is In the Earth" ~ Melody 

"The Illustrated Directory of Healing Crystals" ~ Cassandra Eason 

http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/sulfates/celestit/celestit.htm 

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/BT/2005/0/HB2460P3572.HTM 

<photos>  http://www.mineralminers.com/html/celmins.stm 

© 2006 Patricia J. Martin 

Website:  http://www.peacefulpaths.com/   

Best wishes and Blessed Be

 

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