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The Magic of Rocks and Stones

Pyrite (Iron Pyrite)

Written and compiled by - Patricia Jean Martin

The name Pyrite comes from the Greek word "pyr" meaning "fire," and was named such because it was found that sparks would fly from it if struck against another mineral (best if Iron or Steel).  In early times, this sparking ability gave man one way of creating fire; in later times, this ability made it popular for use in early firearms devices such as the wheel lock. Today Pyrite also carries the name of "Fool's Gold" for the simple reason that many throughout history have mistaken it for Gold because of its similar visible structure, metallic luster and brassy yellow color.  Ironically, Gold is often found adjacent to Pyrite deposits, and the only thing foolish about finding "Fool's Gold" would be in not searching a bit farther!  Pyrite is easily distinguished from Gold; Pyrite being lighter in color and much harder, whereas it cannot be scratched with a fingernail or knife as Gold can be.  But even though Pyrite is a fairly hard mineral, its crystals are known to break and crumble, as it is brittle. 

Extremely common in the Earth's crust and found in almost every possible geological environment including sedimentary, metamorphic, magmatic and hydrothermal deposits, Pyrite's usual crystal forms are cubic, octahedron and pyritohedron - the latter being a dodecahedron with 5-sided pentagon faces.  When a cube and pyritohedron crystal combine, the face of the cube may appear striated (grooved with lines or ridges).  Many times Pyrite will be found in combinations of all these forms, but may also occur in masses, globular, radiating or reniform.  Pyrite is also commonly found as small nodules.  A flat variety of this nodular form, appropriately called "Pyrite Suns" or "Pyrite Dollars", are popular with collectors.   

Having the same chemical makeup as Marcasite but with different structure, symmetry and shape, Pyrite is thus a polymorph of Marcasite and it can be extremely difficult to distinguish between the two.  The name Marcasite is derived from the Arabic word for Pyrite.  The confusion between the two minerals is amplified as the jewelry trade uses the trade name of Marcasite when in reality what they are selling is Pyrite.  True Marcasite cannot be used in jewelry as it has an even higher tendency than Pyrite to crumble into a powder.  Pyrite also closely resembles Galena, but Galena has a higher symmetry.  Another mineral, Bravoite, is very closely related to Pyrite too, but contains 20% more nickel, although some go so far as to list it a variety of Pyrite. 

Even though Pyrite contains a high percentage of Iron and is abundant, it is not used as a source for Iron (the primary iron ores being the Iron Oxides, Hematite and Magnetite), but it was mined as a source for Sulfur during WWII in order to produce sulfuric acid, an important chemical used in industry.  The Sulfur component of Pyrite was in high demand as a strategic chemical, and a then newly-found deposit in Ducktown, Tennessee, provided what America needed at the time. 

General Information:

Chemistry:  FeS2, Iron Sulfide  

Class:  Sulfides.  

Group:  Pyrite 

Color:  Pale brassy-yellow and gold-like. Crystals are opaque.  

Luster:  Metallic. 

Crystal System:  Isometric, bar 3 /2m. 

Crystal Habit:  Crystal shapes - cube, octahedron, pyritohedron, or combinations of these forms.  Penitrating twin crystals, called "Iron Crosses," may occur but are rare.  Commonly found as nodules, but may be massive or reniform. 

Cleavage:  Poor/Indistinct. 

Fracture:  Conchoidal. 

Hardness:  6 - 6.5. 

Specific Gravity:  Approximately 5.1+ (heavier than average for a metallic mineral). 

Streak:  Greenish-black. 

Other Characteristics:  Striations (grooved vertical lines) on the cubic crystals are caused when cube is crossed with pyritohedron.  Unlike Gold, Pyrite is not malleable. 

Notable Occurrences:  Worldwide but notably Illinois and Missouri in U.S., England, Germany, Peru, Russia, Spain and South Africa. 

Best Field Indicators:  Crystal habit, streak, hardness, luster, color. 

Uses:  As a minor ore of Sulfur for sulfuric acid; jewelry; mineral specimens. 

Myth & Lore:

Pyrite was very often used for scrying.  The Mayans, Aztecs and Incas, at one time, all were known to polish large slabs of Pyrite to a mirror-like finish which they used for this very purpose.  Native Americans believed they could look into one's very soul when peering into a polished piece of Pyrite.  Their shamans used it as "a stone of power," and their medicine men used it in certain healing rituals.  Pyrite has also been labeled the "Healer's Stone". 

The ancient Chinese viewed the earth as a golden cube, a vision well emulated by Pyrite.  They also believed that Pyrite would guard against crocodile attacks.    

Pyrite is thought to create a better balance and flow between right and left brain function.  This helps transform the intuitive and creative (right brain) thought into logical and well-reasoned (left brain) action. 

These metallic crystals are often used to attract money and good fortune.  It is also widely used to protect against infections and viral attacks, and to help one attain a more ideal state of health. 

An interesting parallel...Edgar Cayce, commonly known as "The Sleeping Prophet", recommended that "to carry a piece of Carbon Steel in one's pocket (preferably a groin pocket) would inhibit one from catching a cold or infection".  Carbon Steel is a mixture of Iron and Carbon, to which Pyrite is similar and claims the same health benefit. 

The ancient Greeks used polished Pyrite in various types of jewelry and amulets.   During the Victorian Age in England, jewelry made with Pyrite was extremely popular. 

Cleanse and recharge Pyrite under the rays of the Sun. 

Metaphysical Properties of Pyrite:

Astrological Sign's:  Leo 

Element's:  Fire

Chakras:  Solar Plexus, Third Eye (Brow) 

Defense. 

Shielding. 

Protection. 

Deflects and disperses negativity. 

Grounding. 

Stimulates intellect. 

Harmonizes dualities. 

Psychic development. 

Enhances memory. 

Increases energy and stamina. 

Determination. 

Promotes self-confidence. 

Attracts wealth and good fortune. 

Gives physical aid in treating: Infections, viruses and fevers; blood disorders; increases blood flow to the brain and improves circulatory system; increases memory; bone and cellular formation; helps repair DNA/RNA damage; fatigue, lung problems; digestive tract problems; relieves anxiety and stress. 

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:

If you like sparkling reflective stones as I do, then you are going to love Pyrite! 

Like Gold, Pyrite is a solar stone—strong, projective, masculine, direct, and to the point—although I can't help feel that the stone's crystals hold a few fairly strong feminine qualities too, such as receptiveness and attraction.  Other than these perceived properties, maybe another reason I feel this way is because Pyrite's color appears to be almost a mixture of both gold and silver.  It does have a very brassy look, and the old colloquial statement of, "That girl has a lot of brass!," is exactly what Pyrite offers to me. :-)  Confidence abounds with Pyrite, as does a take charge attitude.  People that believe they are already too aggressive should probably avoid this stone. 

Another useful-for-the-meek property that Pyrite willingly bestows is that it will also help prevent you from being duped or taken advantage of, as it gives you a crystal clear idea of what is truly being said.  It fosters a reading between the lines and promotes quick dissolving of facades.  There are no pretenses with Pyrite, and it will inhibit its user from having any either. 

This magickally gifted stone is also useful for manifestation of ideas.  All thought and no action?  Then Pyrite's the stone for you...AND me.  I have so many creative ideas rolling around in my head that I would need several lifetimes to accomplish them all!  Luckily, though, (and for anyone else who suffers from the following), when that myriad of ideas gets so overwhelming that they tend to create a muddy, stymying effect that keeps you from focus and productive movement, you can just reach for Pyrite to help you put the proverbial fire under your buttocks.  Not only will this fiery stone get you moving, but will have handed you a very practical application to go forth with. 

In its mimic of Gold, Pyrite can be carried to attract wealth and is used in many money spells.  On the other side of Pyrite's spectrum, it can also be used as a shield in either a hands-on or visualized manner.  Carry some to shield yourself from negative energies or use its essence and color in imagining a golden protective sphere around yourself or your loved ones.  In either case, don't be surprised if, while surrounded in its radiant glow, you suddenly come up with one or two more brilliant and creative ideas!  No worries, though, Pyrite will help you see them through to completion.

Sources:

"Love Is In the Earth" ~ Melody

"The Crystal Bible" ~ Judy Hall

"Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic" ~ Scott Cunningham

http://www.galleries.com/minerals/sulfides/pyrite/pyrite.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrite

The A.R.E. (Association for Research & Enlightenment, Inc. - Edgar Cayce Foundation)

Photo by Patricia J. Martin 

 

© 2006 Patricia J. Martin

Best wishes and Blessed Be

 

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Correspondence Tables:

 

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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 SatanismPow-wowThe Unitarian Universalist Association /  Numerology:  Part 1  Part 2  /  Part 3A 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 DanceShielding (Occult and Psychic Protection)  The History of ThanksgivingAuras  - Part 1 and Part 2 Doreen Valiente Witch” (A Book Review) /   

 

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 DollsPendulums / Cauldron Magick Mirror Gazing

 

Animals:

 

Animals in Witchcraft (The Witches Familiar and Totem Animals) /  AntelopeBatsCrow Fox Frog and Toads Goat / HoneybeeKangarooLion OwlPhoenix Rabbits and HaresRaven Robin RedbreastSheep Spider SquirrelSwansUnicornWild 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 StoneDiamond  /  Emerald / Fluorite Garnet /  Hematite Herkimer Diamond Labradorite Lapis Lazuli Malachite Moonstone Obsidian Opal Pyrite Quartz (Rock Crystal) Rose Quartz Ruby Selenite Seraphinite  /  Silver and GoldSmoky QuartzSodalite Sunstone ThundereggTree AgateZebra Marble

 

Wisdom and Inspiration:

 

Knowledge vs Wisdom by Ardriana Cahill I Talk to the TreesAwakening The Witch in YouA 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 ElderHesiodPythagoras

 

 

Biographies

 

A "Who's Who" of Witches, Pagans and other associated People

(Ancient, Past and Present)

 

Remembered at Samhain

(Departed Pagan Pioneers, Founders, Elders and Others)

 

Pagan Pioneers:  Founders, Elders, Leaders and Others

 

Abramelin the Mage /  Agrippa Aidan A KellyAlbertus Magnus - “Albert the Great” Aleister Crowley - “The Great Beast” /  Alex Sanders - “King of the Witches” /  Alison Harlow /   Allan Bennett - the Ven. Ananda MetteyyaAllan Kardec (Spiritism) /  Alphonsus de SpinaAmber KAnn Moura /  Anna FranklinAnodea JudithAnton Szandor LaVey /  Arnold CrowtherArthur Edward Waite /  Austin Osman SpareBalthasar Bekker /  Biddy EarlyBarbara Vickers /  Bridget Cleary - The Fairy Witch of Clonmel /  Carl " Llewellyn" Weschcke Cecil Hugh WilliamsonCharles Godfrey Leland /   Charles WaltonChristopher PenczakChristina Oakley Harrington Cornelius Loos /  Damh the Bard - "Dave Smith" /  Dion Fortune /  Dolores Aschroft-NowickiDonald Michael Kraig Doreen ValienteDorothy MorrisonDr. John Dee & Edward Kelly /  Dr. Leo Louis Martello /  Edain McCoy /  Edward FitchEleanor 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 HolzerHelen Duncan /   Herman Slater - Horrible Herman /  Heinrich KramerIsaac Bonewits Israel RegardieIvo Domínguez Jr. /  Jack Whiteside Parsons - Rocket Science and Magick /  James "Cunning" Murrell - The Master of Witches /  Janet Farrar and Gavin BoneJean 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 SpenceLodovico Maria Sinistrari Ludwig LavaterMadeline Montalban and the Order of the Morning Star /  Margaret Alice MurrayMargot AdlerMichael Howard and the UK "Cauldron Magazine" /  Margaret St. Clair - the “Sign of the Labrys” /  Marie Laveau - " the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans" /  Marion WeinsteinMartin Antoine Del Rio Matthew Hopkins - “The Witch-Finder General” /   Max Ehrmann and the "Desiderata" /  Michael A. Aquino - and The Temple of Set /  Monique WilsonMontague Summers /  Nicholas CulpeperNicholas RemyM. R. SellarsMrs. Maud Grieve - "A Modern Herbal" /  Oberon Zell-Ravenheart and Morning GloryOld Dorothy Clutterbuck /  Old George PickingillOlivia Durdin-Robertson - co-founder of the Fellowship of Isis /  Paddy SladePamela Colman-SmithParacelsus /  Patricia CrowtherPatricia Monaghan /  Patricia “Trish” TelescoPaul Foster Case and the “Builders of the Adytum” mystery school /  Peter Binsfeld /  Philip HeseltonRaven GrimassiRaymond Buckland /  Reginald Scot /  Richard BaxterRobert CochraneRobert ‘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 SteinerSabrina Underwood - "The Ink Witch" /  Scott CunninghamSelena Fox - founder of "Circle Sanctuary" /  Silver RavenwolfSir 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 LeekTed Andrews The Mather Family - (includes:  Richard Mather, Increase Mather and Cotton Mather ) /   Thomas AdyT. Thorn CoyleVera ChapmanVictor & Cora Anderson and the " Feri Tradition" /  Vivianne CrowleyWalter Brown GibsonWalter Ernest ButlerWilliam Butler YeatsZsuzsanna 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  :-)

 

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