MYSTICAL REALM
CRYSTALS
Crystals, gems, and minerals have been used by man since the beginning. Every culture in all of history has placed value on different stones for both their beauty and their spiritual attributes.
Each stone has a vibrational energy which is specific to that type of stone. To go one step farther, a stone may be available in different varieties. For example, the quartz family consists of many stones including:
optical quartz crystal quartz milky quartz
smoky quartz amethyst citrine
Below is a partial list of stones. This list is by no means all inclusive, nor is this the only possible associations for these stones. If you are going to obtain a stone for spiritual purposes, the proper way to choose a stone is by holding the stone in your hand. Try a number of stones until you find one that feels right, this may not always be the prettiest stone but it will be the one that has the greatest affinity with you.
AGATE
Associated with the planet Mercury. In general this group of stones is associated with prosperity, long life, and health. There are many varieties and colors of agates, and they can be beneficial to you in many ways. You would do well to learn about the influence of each of the more common agates.
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AMETHYST
Associated with the planet Jupiter. Amethyst will aid you in the concerns of health, wealth, happiness, and courage. Good for meditation. You will notice that Amethyst has many of the same virtues as quartz crystal, this is because it carrys similar vibrational energy due to the fact that amethyst is of the quartz family. The difference here lies in the fact that in order for amethyst to be amethyst (that is, purple), there must be different conditions present during it's development. By treating amethyst or citrine with a series of radiation treatments and heat treatments, which are commonly used in the gem industry to enhance appearance, you can cycle between amethyst, citrine, and milky quartz.
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CRYSTAL
Here I am speaking of a natural stone quartz crystal, formed in the Earth over a period of thousands of years... do not confuse this with the pretty Austrian crystal. The quartz crystal is a hexagonal (6 sided) column (usually). The facets and sides of the crystal are not perfectly sized and aligned with each other, although some do come quite close. The Austrian crystal is a man made crystal. This crystal is 32% lead and perhaps the finest ones come from Swarovski. These crystals often have many facets and may be treated with thin, almost invisible metallic coatings which produce spectacular rainbows when placed in a sunny location. You have probably seen many of these hanging inside cars on the rearview mirrors. While the Austrian crystal may be beautiful, it does not contain any of the attributes carried within the quartz crystals. After six years in the retail business and hundreds of conversations with customers, I am all too aware of the necessity to explain the difference between these two crystals. The bottom line here is if you want rainbows dancing around your car, get a nice Austrian crystal to hang on the mirror. If you want a power crystal get the more plain looking quartz crystal. I think you will find these quite nice also once you take the time to really look at it, in it, and through it. Quartz is associated with the Moon. The common quartz crystal is an all around excellent stone. It can be used for meditation, healing, clearing, balancing, and anything else of a spiritual nature. This stone will serve you well alone, and it also adds great benefit when used in conjuction with other stones to enhance their properties.
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DIAMOND
Associated with the Sun. Diamonds are beneficial for reconciliations, love, and strength. They also have many properties which are similar to quartz, because of the physical resemblances and optical clarity. Diamonds also generally have carbon particles in them. These appear as black chunks usually unnoticeable in a stone of decent quality. Carbon is not exactly one the diamonds finer selling points, however, for spiritual work, a nice size piece of carbon that is easily noticeable may be very beneficial. Carbon is our common physical bond to the Earth and to all the wonderful things we see around us.
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EMERALD
Associated with the planet Venus. Venus, of course is the planet of love, beauty, passion, and pleasure, and so these are also the aspects of the emerald. Emeralds are useful for divining the future as well. Like the diamond, the emerald will contain bits of carbon. Carbon serves the same functions in emeralds as it does in diamonds, lowering the retail value while enhancing the spiritual. Carbon is often quite noticeable in emeralds.
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MOLDAVITE
Often referred to as 'Emeralds from Heaven' because of it's deep green color, and the fact that moldavite is actually a meteorite. There was only one meteor shower of moldavite, it landed in what was Chekoslavakia. It is remarkably similar to the finest emeralds in appearance, except that moldavite contains no carbon deposits. Moldavite is fairly expensive and is sold by the carat. It can be obtained in it's natural form as well as in a cut gemstone form. Cutting (faceting) the stone will add to it's cost, however this will take away from the stone's spiritual qualities. Moldavite can be used in all the same ways as quartz, and some people find that they have much better results with the moldavite. Legend has it that when Jesus Christ was born, the Angels bowed their heads and the emeralds fell from their crowns.
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ONYX
Associated with the planet Saturn. Black onyx may well have been the first stone used for scrying. It was typically cut and polished in a disc shape, some were flat and some were domed on top. The most common colors for onyx range from a creamy white to brown and it is usually banded. In general onyx is associated with those things which pertain to the home. It is also beneficial for astral travel and to strengthen one's courage. Onyx can have a variety of uses depending upon it's color.
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OPAL
Associated with the planet Mercury. This stone will bring comfort and help to increase your faith. It will assist you when you are trying to see what lies ahead in your life. Opal can also influence others in your presence in a most positive way. Look deeply into the opal and you will begin to understand it's nature.
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PEARL
Although the pearl is very different from the quartz crystal, due to the pearl's shape and color it is associated with the Moon. The pearl also has many of the same attributes as the quartz in that the pearl is is a good all around stone and may be used for almost anything from balancing your inner energy to astral travel.
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RUBY
Associated with the planet Mars. The ruby represents those things which affect you deeply... deep within your soul. This would include assertion, aggression, strength in body and in spirit, and also courage. Rubies deep red color associates them with blood and the very force of life itself, which means that rubies also represent two of the most compelling forces of nature, love and beauty.
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SAPPHIRE
Associated with the planet Jupiter. The deep blue color suggests calmness, this is where creativity dwells. Sapphire also stands for truth and justice, material gains, and general ambition and success.
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TOPAZ
Associated with the Sun in the case of the imperial topaz which has been commonly relpaced by citrine due to their similarity in color. The topaz is for transformation and inner strength. This is a balancing stone and aids in reassurance. Topaz will also assist with courage. The blue topaz which is the more common topaz seen today is a peaceful stone with a blend of aspects seen in both quartz and sapphire.
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TURQUOISE
Associated with Venus. Turquoise represents those things which are pleasurable in your life. This would include not only physical pleasure, but spiritual pleasures as well such as friendships, love, courage, hope, and dreams. An excellent stone for the positives in life.
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