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The Magic of Rocks and StonesLapis Lazuli
Written and compiled by - Patricia Jean Martin Lapis
Lazuli (or Lapis for short) is a rock and not a mineral because it is made up of
various other minerals. It is
composed of a mixture of several minerals including mostly Lazurite, Pyrite,
Calcite and Diopside, along with possible inclusions of Sodalite, Huaynite,
Noselite, Mica, Augite or Hornblende in small amounts.
Lapis usually occurs in crystalline limestones as a result of contact
metamorphism. The
name Lapis Lazuli comes from a variety of words meaning "blue" (azure)
or "heaven": the Latin "lazulum", stemming from the Arabic
"lazaward", and the Persian "lazhward" constitute the Lazuli
part. The first part of the name,
Lapis, is of Latin origin meaning simply "stone".
And this stone was named after its likeness to the heavens and of course
because of its color -- a brilliant deep blue (due to the sulfur content in the
Lazurite) which is usually speckled or veined with small flecks of yellow-gold
color from its most common mixture with Pyrite (Fool's Gold) or white streaks
from its mixture with Calcite or other minerals. Lapis
Lazuli is a semi-precious stone valued for its deep blue color and durability.
Though too many white streaks of Calcite will lower the value of the
stone. General Information: Chemistry:
(Na, Ca)8 Al6 Si6 (O,S)24 [(SO4),Cl2,(OH)2], Sodium Calcium
Aluminum Silicate Sulfur Sulfate (with usual inclusions of Pyrite and Calcite). Class:
Silicates Subclass:
Tectosilicates Group:
Both the Sodalite and Feldspathoid groups. Color:
Deep brilliant blue or violet-blue with golden flecks or veins, and
occasionally white streaks. Luster:
Dull to greasy. Translucent to opaque. Crystal
System: Isometric; bar 4 3/m Crystal
Habit: Massive as a rock (Lapis
Lazuli) forming mineral, but dodecahedral crystals have been found of Lazurite. Cleavage:
Poor. In six directions, but rarely seen. Fracture:
Uneven. Hardness:
5.0 - 5.5 Specific
Gravity: 2.3 - 2.4 (somewhat below
average, but shows higher with increased Pyrite content). Streak:
Bright Blue. Other
Characteristics: Index of refraction is 1.5. Notable
Occurrences: Kokcha River Valley, Afghanistan; Ovalle, Cordillera, Chile;
Lake Baikal, Russia; Mt. Vesuvius, Italy; Cascade Canyon, San Bernardino
Mountains and Ontario Peak, California and in the Sawatch Mountains, Colorado,
USA. Best
Field Indicators: Violet-blue color, Pyrite inclusions, locality and specific
gravity. Uses:
Jewelry; Ornamental; Pigment; Mineral specimens. Myth & Lore: Mines,
in what is known as the Badakshan area of Afghanistan today, were being worked
for Lapis at least six thousand years ago.
This source of Lapis may be the oldest continually worked set of mines in
the world, as the same mines operating today supplied the sought-after stone to
the pharaohs. Believed to have occult powers, Lapis Lazuli was often made
into amulets and talismans. In Ur,
kings were known to sharpen their swords on it, believing from this they would
become invulnerable. The stone was
also used by the Assyrians and Persians for making seals. The
Sumerians believed that Lapis Lazuli contained the spirits of the deities.
In ancient Egypt it was often used as an inscription stone for various
passages from "The Book of the Dead" wherein the 140th chapter it
states that Lapis in the shape of an eye and set in gold was an amulet of great
power. Egyptians regarded it as the
stone of the gods, partly because it reminded them of the starry heavens, but
also because, as shown in the Papyrus Ebers, it had medicinal properties that
improved eyesight when worn in the form of the Eye of Horus amulet or when
powdered around the eyes as many Egyptian did. Lapis
Lazuli was one of the stones in the "Breastplate of Judgement" of
Aaron, as described in the Bible. In
ancient times, Lapis Lazuli was known as Sapphire (not to be confused with
today's blue corundum variety Sapphire). Ancient
writers such as Pliny refer to "sapphirus" as a stone speckled with flecks
of gold -- obviously a reference to Lapis Lazuli. Long
ago, Lapis was used to make the pigment called Ultramarine, which literally
meant "beyond the sea". It
was used by medieval artists for the blue cloak of the Virgin Mary.
Due to its rarity and expense, today that color pigment is usually now
synthetically made. Metaphysical Properties: Astrological Sign's: Sagittarius, Aquarius Chakras:
Brow and Crown Opens
the Third Eye. Awakens
the intuition. Enhances
insight and awareness. Brings
knowledge and wisdom. Increases
vibrational level. Connects
to Spirit. Helps
in meditations and dream work. Promote
peace. Harmonizes
and balances. Protective. Blocks
psychic attack. *Gives
physical aid in treating: Fevers. Headaches and migraines.
Alleviates pain. Depression and melancholy. Anxiety. Insomnia. Vision and
hearing problems. Disorders of the
throat, lungs and immune system. *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: Lapis
Lazuli is my "Awareness" stone. Whenever
I am not quite getting the whole picture on something that is remaining obscure
to me for some reason...that's the time I grab the Lapis.
And I had to make use of this stone just recently for that very reason. Known
for imparting ancient knowledge and (just as important) the wisdom on how to use
that knowledge, Lapis is very helpful in bringing you into that state of
awareness where you can better connect with your Higher Self or communicate with
your Spirit Guides. Rich and highly
stimulating, it's easy to quickly feel the intense and royal powers of the stone
lift you to new heights of thought, consciousness and awareness. I've
used Lapis in ceremonial Ritual...during meditations...and sometimes I'll place
a small piece inside my pillowcase at night if I'm having trouble remembering my
dreams, or if I want to increase the amount of or vibrational level of my
dreams. It is really useful when
seeking particular knowledge in an area in which you feel befuddled or confused.
The crisp, clear, stellar answers come to you like a beacon in the night. Feeling that the stone was the best of the best when it came to spiritual stones, the "Sleeping Prophet", Edgar Cayce, recommending carrying a piece of Lapis Lazuli with you at all times wherever you go. I used to. And I think it's time I go back to doing just that. Sources: "The
Illustrated Directory of Healing Crystals" ~ Cassandra Eason http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/lazurite/lazurite.htm http://www.mineralminers.com/html/lapminfo.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapis_lazuli http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/minerals/lapis.htm © 2006 Patricia J. Martin Best wishes and Blessed Be |
Site Contents - Links to all Pages
A Universal Message:
Let there be peace in the world - Where have all the flowers gone?
About me: My Personal Page / My Place in England / My Family Tree (Ancestry)
Wicca & Witchcraft
Wicca/Witchcraft / What is Wicca / What is Magick
Traditional Writings:
The Wiccan Rede / Charge of the Goddess / Charge of the God / The Three-Fold Law (includes The Law of Power and The Four Powers of the Magus) / The Witches Chant / The Witches Creed / Descent of the Goddess / Drawing Down the Moon / The Great Rite Invocation / Invocation of the Horned God / The 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief / The Witches Rede of Chivalry / A Pledge to Pagan Spirituality
Correspondence Tables:
Incense / Candles / Colours / Magickal Days / Stones and Gems / Elements and Elementals
Traditions:
Traditions Part 1 - Alexandrian Wicca / Aquarian Tabernacle Church (ATC) / Ár Ndraíocht Féin (ADF) / Blue Star Wicca / British Traditional (Druidic Witchcraft) / Celtic Wicca / Ceremonial Magic / Chaos Magic / Church and School of Wicca / Circle Sanctuary / Covenant of the Goddess (COG) / Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) / Cyber Wicca / Dianic Wicca / Eclectic Wicca / Feri Wicca /
Traditions Part 2 - Gardnerian Wicca / Georgian Tradition / Henge of Keltria / Hereditary Witchcraft / Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (H.O.G.D.) / Kitchen Witch (Hedge Witch) / Minoan Brotherhood and Minoan Sisterhood Tradition / Nordic Paganism / Pagan Federation / Pectic-Wita / Seax-Wica / Shamanism / Solitary / Strega / Sylvan Tradition / Vodoun or Voodoo / Witches League of Public Awareness (WLPA) /
Other things of interest:
Gods and Goddesses (Greek
Mythology) / Esbats &
Full Moons / Links
to Personal Friends & Resources / Wicca/Witchcraft
Resources / What's a spell? /
Circle Casting and
Sacred Space / Pentagram
- Pentacle / Marks
of a Witch / The Witches
Power / The Witches Hat
/ An
esoteric guide to visiting London / Satanism
/ Pow-wow
/ The
Unitarian Universalist Association / Numerology: Part 1
/ Part 2 / Part
3 / A
history of the Malleus Maleficarum: includes: Pope
Innocent VIII /
The
papal Bull /
The
Malleus Maleficarum /
An extract from the Malleus Maleficarum
/ The letter of approbation
/ Johann
Nider’s Formicarius /
Jacob
Sprenger /
Heinrich Kramer /
Stefano Infessura
/ Montague Summers /
The Waldenses
/ The Albigenses
/
The Hussites / The
Native American Sun Dance
/ Shielding (Occult
and Psychic Protection) /
Sabbats and Festivals:
The Sabbats in History and Mythology / Samhain (October 31st) / Yule (December 21st) / Imbolc (February 2nd) / Ostara (March 21st) / Beltane (April 30th) / Litha (June 21st) / Lammas/Lughnasadh (August 1st) / Mabon (September 21st)
Rituals contributed by Crone:
Samhain / Yule / Imbolc / Ostara / Beltane / Litha / Lammas / Mabon
Tools:
Tools of a Witch / The Besom (Broom) / Poppets and Dolls / Pendulums / Cauldron Magick / Mirror Gazing
Animals:
Animals in Witchcraft (The Witches Familiar and Totem Animals) / Antelope / Bats / Crow / Fox / Frog and Toads / Goat / Honeybee / Kangaroo / Lion / Owl / Phoenix / Rabbits and Hares / Raven / Robin Redbreast / Sheep / Spider / Squirrel / Swans / Unicorn / Wild Boar / Wolf / Serpent / Pig / Stag / Horse / Mouse / Cat / Rats / Unicorn
Trees:
In Worship of Trees - Myths, Lore and the Celtic Tree Calendar. For descriptions and correspondences of the thirteen sacred trees of Wicca/Witchcraft see the following: Birch / Rowan / Ash / Alder / Willow / Hawthorn / Oak / Holly / Hazel / Vine / Ivy / Reed / Elder
Sacred Sites:
Mystical Sacred Sites - Stonehenge / Glastonbury Tor / Malta - The Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni / Avebury / Cerne Abbas - The Chalk Giant / Ireland - Newgrange /
Rocks and Stones:
Stones - History, Myths and Lore
Articles contributed by Patricia Jean Martin:
Apophyllite / Amber / Amethyst / Aquamarine / Aragonite / Aventurine / Black Tourmaline / Bloodstone / Calcite / Carnelian / Celestite / Citrine / Chrysanthemum Stone / Diamond / Emerald / Fluorite / Garnet / Hematite / Herkimer Diamond / Labradorite / Lapis Lazuli / Malachite / Moonstone / Obsidian / Opal / Pyrite / Quartz (Rock Crystal) / Rose Quartz / Ruby / Selenite / Seraphinite / Silver and Gold / Smoky Quartz / Sodalite / Sunstone / Thunderegg / Tree Agate / Zebra Marble
Wisdom and Inspiration:
Knowledge vs Wisdom by Ardriana Cahill / I Talk to the Trees / Awakening / The Witch in You / A Tale of the Woods / I have a Dream by Martin Luther King /
Articles and Stories about Witchcraft:
Murdered by Witchcraft / The Fairy Witch of Clonmel / A Battleship, U-boat, and a Witch / The Troll-Tear (A story for Children) / Goody Hawkins - The Wise Goodwife / The Story of Jack-O-Lantern / The Murder of the Hammersmith Ghost / Josephine Gray (The Infamous Black Widow) / The Two Brothers - Light and Dark
Old Masters of Academia:
Pliny the Elder / Hesiod / Pythagoras
Biographies
A "Who's Who" of Witches, Pagans and other associated People (Ancient, Past and Present)
(Departed Pagan Pioneers, Founders, Elders and Others)
Pagan
Pioneers: Founders, Elders, Leaders and Others
Abramelin the Mage / Agrippa / Aidan A Kelly / Albertus Magnus - “Albert the Great” / Aleister Crowley - “The Great Beast” / Alex Sanders - “King of the Witches” / Alison Harlow / Allan Bennett - the Ven. Ananda Metteyya / Allan Kardec (Spiritism) / Alphonsus de Spina / Amber K / Ann Moura / Anna Franklin / Anodea Judith / Anton Szandor LaVey / Arnold Crowther / Arthur Edward Waite / Austin Osman Spare / Balthasar Bekker / Biddy Early / Barbara Vickers / Bridget Cleary - The Fairy Witch of Clonmel / Carl " Llewellyn" Weschcke / Cecil Hugh Williamson / Charles Godfrey Leland / Charles Walton / Christopher Penczak / Christina Oakley Harrington / Cornelius Loos / Damh the Bard - "Dave Smith" / Dion Fortune / Dolores Aschroft-Nowicki / Donald Michael Kraig / Doreen Valiente / Dorothy Morrison / Dr. John Dee & Edward Kelly / Dr. Leo Louis Martello / Edain McCoy / Edward Fitch / Eleanor Ray Bone - “Matriarch of British Witchcraft” / Eliphas Levi / Ernest Thompson Seton / Ernest Westlake / Fiona Horne / Frederick McLaren Adams - Feraferia / Friedrich von Spee / Francis Barrett / Gavin and Yvonne Frost and the School and Church of Wicca / Gerald B. Gardner - The father of contemporary Witchcraft / Gwydion Pendderwen / Hans Holzer / Helen Duncan / Herman Slater - Horrible Herman / Heinrich Kramer / Isaac Bonewits / Israel Regardie / Ivo Domínguez Jr. / Jack Whiteside Parsons - Rocket Science and Magick / James "Cunning" Murrell - The Master of Witches / Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone / Jean Bodin / Jessie Wicker Bell - “Lady Sheba” / Johann Weyer / Johannes Junius - "The Burgomaster of Bamberg" / Johann Georg Fuchs von Dornheim - the “Hexenbrenner” (witch burner) / John Belham-Payne / John George Hohman - "Pow-wow" / John Gerard / John Gordon Hargrave and the Kibbo Kith Kindred / John Michael Greer / John Score / Joseph “Bearwalker” Wilson / Joseph John Campbell / Karl von Eckartshausen / Lady Gwen Thompson - and "The Rede of the Wiccae" / Laurie Cabot - "the Official Witch of Salem" / Lewis Spence / Lodovico Maria Sinistrari / Ludwig Lavater / Madeline Montalban and the Order of the Morning Star / Margaret Alice Murray / Margot Adler / Michael Howard and the UK "Cauldron Magazine" / Margaret St. Clair - the “Sign of the Labrys” / Marie Laveau - " the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans" / Marion Weinstein / Martin Antoine Del Rio / Matthew Hopkins - “The Witch-Finder General” / Max Ehrmann and the "Desiderata" / Michael A. Aquino - and The Temple of Set / Monique Wilson / Montague Summers / Nicholas Culpeper / Nicholas Remy / M. R. Sellars / Mrs. Maud Grieve - "A Modern Herbal" / Oberon Zell-Ravenheart and Morning Glory / Old Dorothy Clutterbuck / Old George Pickingill / Olivia Durdin-Robertson - co-founder of the Fellowship of Isis / Paddy Slade / Pamela Colman-Smith / Paracelsus / Patricia Crowther / Patricia Monaghan / Patricia “Trish” Telesco / Paul Foster Case and the “Builders of the Adytum” mystery school / Peter Binsfeld / Philip Heselton / Raven Grimassi / Raymond Buckland / Reginald Scot / Richard Baxter / Robert Cochrane / Robert ‘von Ranke’ Graves and the "The White Goddess" / Rosaleen Norton - “The Witch of Kings Cross” / Rossell Hope Robbins / Ross Nichols and the " Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids" (OBOD) / Rudolf Steiner / Sabrina Underwood - "The Ink Witch" / Scott Cunningham / Selena Fox - founder of "Circle Sanctuary" / Silver Ravenwolf / Sir Francis Dashwood / Sir James George Frazer and the " The Golden Bough" / S.L. MacGregor Mathers and the “Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn” / Starhawk / Stewart Farrar / Sybil Leek / Ted Andrews / The Mather Family - (includes: Richard Mather, Increase Mather and Cotton Mather ) / Thomas Ady / T. Thorn Coyle / Vera Chapman / Victor & Cora Anderson and the " Feri Tradition" / Vivianne Crowley / Walter Brown Gibson / Walter Ernest Butler / William Butler Yeats / Zsuzsanna Budapest /
Many of the above biographies are briefs and far from complete. If you know about any of these individuals and can help with additional information, please contact me privately at my email address below. Many thanks for reading :-)
"FAIR USE NOTICE"While I have taken due care and diligence to credit all sources where possible, this website may contain copyrighted material which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. My use of making such material available here is done so in my efforts to advance our understanding of religious discrimination, the environmental and social justice issues etc. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this website for purposes of your own then you must obtain permission from the relevant copyright owner yourself.Any queries please contact me at email - George@controverscial.comEmail_Witches My online email discussion group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Email_Witches
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