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The Magic of Rocks and StonesSmoky Quartz
Written and compiled by - Patricia Jean Martin Smoky Quartz is another macrocrystalline variety
of Quartz. Another name for this variety is Cairngorm, named
after the Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland where its crystals were once
found and once prevalent. The very dark brown and black opaque specimens are
called "Morion", and the ones containing alternating bands of black
and gray are called "Coon Tail Quartz". The transparent brown,
gray or black color makes Smoky Quartz easily recognizable. The
range of "smoky" colors found in this crystal come from
clear Rock Crystal Quartz which contains traces of aluminum and where the
crystal has been subjected to natural radiation over long periods of time.
Sometimes specimens are artificially irradiated and collectors who prefer
natural occurrence should be wary of this when purchasing. Faceted
specimens placed in jewelry have been misleadingly called Smoky Topaz. Smoky Quartz most often occurs in Quartz veins
where it forms inside rock cavities called "vugs". It is also
commonly found in the cores of pregmatites, and more rarely as a secondary
crystal within geodes. It is not unusual to find small cavities inside a
Smoky Quartz crystal which contain carbon dioxide or water and sometimes both.
These are called enhydros. When movement of the gas and liquid
inclusions within a cavity can be seen with the naked eye, they are called
elestial enhydros. When a substantial number of fluid inclusions occur in
abundance, the Quartz becomes opaque and is called Milky Quartz. You will
find that most Smoky Quartz crystals will form on a bed of Milky Quartz, one
grading into the other. Other common mineral inclusions that may be found
in Smoky Quartz are Hematite, Chlorite or Goethite. Another interesting and relatively common formation
that may be found in all the Quartz varieties, including Smoky Quartz, is when a
separate shape - called a "phantom" - is noticeable in the
interior of the crystal, and subsequently has been named "Phantom
Quartz". These "phantoms" are most often comprised of
another mineral such as Chlorite, Milky or Rock Crystal, but also occur
through simply containing a lighter or darker shade of its own
mineral...for instance, Smoky Quartz within Smoky Quartz. The latter
happens when an interruption or cessation of growth in the crystal occurs.
Then, when the crystal resumes its growth and if the conditions of its
environment have now changed, the outer crystal will grow differently and
will appear separate from the inner one which often takes on a ghostly
look; hence the name Phantom. Smoky Quartz has also been called "Champagne on
Ice". It is the national gem of Scotland, and their national
scepter contains a large Smoky Quartz crystal on top. General Information: Chemistry:
SiO2,
Silicon Dioxide. Class:
Tectosilicates. Group:
Quartz Color: Brown
to gray to black. Luster:
Vitreous. Crystal System:
Hexagonal-Rhombohedral; 32 (trigonal-trapezohedral). Crystal Habit:
Macroscopic crystals that form six-sided pyramids at termination. Trigonal
trapezoheldral faces can occur in upper right or left of alternating prism faces
which identify right or left-handed crystals respectively. Twinning is possible. Cleavage:
None. Fracture:
Conchoidal. Hardness:
7 Specific Gravity:
2.65 Streak:
White Other Characteristics:
Transparent with refraction index of 1.54-1.55. Notable Occurrences:
Brazil,
Pikes Peak area in Colorado, Switzerland. Best Field Indicators:
Color,
hardness, crystal habit. Uses:
Gemstones; ornamental; collector specimens. Much of the geological information for Smoky
Quartz is the same as clear Quartz [see Quartz (Rock Crystal)], but I will list
any differences here. Myths and Lore: Smoky Quartz was, and remains, sacred to the Druids.
It is also associated with the goddess Hecate, as are many of the darker
crystals and stones. The crystal has also been associated with Samhain
due to its smoky and sometimes ghostly effects in appearance.
There is a sphere of Smoky Quartz, now displayed in the British Museum, which
is reputed to be the famous "Shew-stone" of Dr. Dee, the court diviner
to Queen Elizabeth I of England. Dr. Dee alleged the Shew-stone
was brought to him by angels. Through scrying with the Shew-stone,
Sir Edwar Kelly obtained a series of diagrams reportedly containing the
"Keys to all the mysteries of the Universe". While there is little else to be found in myth
and lore concerning Smoky Quartz, the crystal of course is linked closely to
Clear Quartz (Rock Crystal) and thus it can be said to also share in that wealth
of myth and lore. Metaphysical Properties: Astrological
Sign's: Capricorn and
Sagittarius. Element's: All, with a preponderance toward Earth
and Fire. Chakras: Root, with a Root to Crown connection. Meditation. Mental clarity. Calming. Grounding. Centering. Stabilizing. Organizing and prioritizing. Uplifting. Filtering and clearing. Protection. Assists in achieving goals. Transforms negative emotion to positive energy. Gives physical aid in treating: Kidneys,
pancreas, adrenals, sex organs. Alleviates disturbances of the nervous
system. Helps remove toxins from the body; counters negative effects of
radiation. 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: This earthy crystal has a very cool, calm and
collected feeling to it, but is by no means sedate in its gift-giving. What
warms this stone up is that it carries an inner spark of fire (and even
dips toward water at times), as its dark rich tones and often multiple inclusions,
rainbows and mists lend themselves to gentle but deep stimulation of
your own innate qualities. The crystal also acts as a bridge
between you and whatever ancestral communications have been trying to make
their way through to you. Seeing Smoky Quartz has been recommended as a tool
for meditation and as a "companion for Nature workings", I decided to
try it in both areas, as well as letting it open me up to whatever areas it
wished to reveal to me. In meditating, I found it helped me to
relax and clear as the meditation began. To start, it very
noticeably acts as a facilitator—lending it's clarifying and
calming energies to wave aside anxieties, stress and pressure, while
at the same time firing one up to prioritize and focus on a
single task at a time and to achieve it with the least amount of angst.
These are very important aspects to attain and hold while attempting
meditation, and the Smoky Quartz works well here. But it was during meditation that I found one
of the dark, soothing crystal's greatest strengths. As it
acted to clear the mind of extraneous clutter, set priorities straight and
encourage strength and determination to get the job done, it then
began to allow for a better and more direct connection between the
ethereal to the physical self. It seemingly bypasses all other
Chakras as it opens a direct channel from Root to Crown... the emphasis on the
Root (physical life-force energy) which receives and filters that
which comes from the Crown (essence of spiritual self). Expression becomes
clearer and more to the point, allowing for better integration of the
physical body to remain in focus when communicating with the Higher Self. As
an added bonus, it also brings with it a feeling of safety and
security while contemplation and analysis of any situation takes
place. For me, this crystal performed best in its
"Nature work" capacity, leaving me more in tune and attracted to all
things natural. In its promotion of the physical aspects of Nature (and
that includes one's own nature), I've found Smoky Quartz to be a
get-back-to-the-basics stone. It pushes one to move and act in very basic
and natural ways. Smoky Quartz can also show you what is hidden - be it through anywhere from scrying for something lost to journeying into your inner sanctum. It does this by way of its natural inclination toward directing intrinsic focus and cutting to the sacred chase. In this way, it mimics Bear medicine. Yet, this versatile stone can act as a shield too, as it can hide you just as well by creating a natural cloak of invisibility for its bearer. Like a beacon through the smoky mists, this strong crystal easily becomes what I now dub it...The Facilitator and The Protector. Sources: "The Book of Stones - Who They Are & What
They Teach" ~ Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian "Love Is In the Earth ~ Melody http://www.mineralminers.com/html/smqminfo.htm http://www.thaigem.com/infocenter/buyer_guides/a-z_gemstones/quartz.asp Photo by: Patricia J. Martin © 2006 Patricia J. Martin Best wishes and Blessed Be |
Site Contents - Links to all Pages
A Universal Message:
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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 :-)
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