Conference hydra::dejavu

	Crystal Power is turning into a popular fad.  I got into it for a
while but never had any real concrete results.  One book I read referred to
the culture of Atlantis and their use of crystals in devices such as an 
"Atlantin Power Rod" (Transfers psychic energy into a beam of energy),
"Crystal staff" (supposedly Moses used one to part the Red Sea), "communica-
tion head band" (head band with crystal in center to communicate telepathically)
.  The explanation of it's power was to do with it's uniform molecular lattice
structure made it a perfect transducer in which it would become a focal point
of any energy channeled through it.  I know of a police woman who has a crystal
embedded in the butt of her billy-club and claims that she can subdue a criminal
without even hitting him with it.  (I took it with a grain of salt!)

	I did read of one scientific group who discover that by passing a
certain wavelength of light through a particular width of quartz crystal it
actually altered the frequency to a lower range.  I can dig up the article
if your interested.  I have it somewhere in my account.

						Jorge'

re .1:

Anything that uses Atlantis as a source of information should be taken
other than seriously.  It is fairly clear that the model for the Platonic
Atlantis myth was the Minoan island of Thera.  Most everybody else uses
the Donnelly books as the basis for their Atlantean stuff (even Gareth
Knight, whom I respect in most ways, has fallen for that); even Edgar
Cayce took from it, either deliberately or unconsciously.

Another problem is that "crystal" has more than one meaning.  If you mean
something like pure quartz, that's one thing; but some fine glasses  are
sold as "crystal" (even though they have no crystal structure) and some
folk sell pieces of glass "crystal" as something that can be used mystic-
ally.

In some philosophies, there's a correspondence between certain gemstones
and certain results (the Amethyst, for instance, is supposed to prevent
drunkenness by anybody who wears it).  That goes back to a variation of the
Principle of Signatures, however.

Normally, the lattice structure of a natural crystal isn't perfect, but
contains occlusions.  Crystals are often used in electronic circuits as
frequency standards since they mcan be made to oscillate at specific
frequencies (on the norder of moleculasr tuning forks), and the first
pulsed lasers used ruby crystals.

Can they be used in paranormal applications?  It's worth investigating.

Steve Kallis, Jr.

P.S.:  According to Alburtis Magnus, you could use lodestone (magnetite)
       to check a mate's chastity.

       Galens crystals can be used to detect radio waves.

       Make of these what you will  -s

 re .0

I've got a book (the title of which I can't remember right now, but will
enter later) containing information on the spiritual power of gemstones.
The authors write about the different ways the gemstones enhance healing,
spiritual growth, etc.  I have found it quite interesting.

More details later.

Alison

Re .3:

There are several.  One, _Healing Stoned_ is rather unreliable, but there are
several, such as _The Occult and Curative Powers of Gemstones_ that are
very interesting.  If people desire, I'll supply a detailed list.

Steve Kallis, Jr.

re: .3 .4

Any titles on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

		Dave

The one I mentioned before is titled:

Spiritual Value of Gem Stones   by: Wally and Jenny Richardson and Lenora
					Huett
published by DeVorss and Company

The information in the book has been channeled from "beyond the veil" of
human consciousness. (book's quotes)  

If you don't accept the concept of channeling information into our current
perceived reality from other parts of the bigger reality, then you may
have problems with accepting the content of the book.  It is interesting
reading though, however credible you find it.

Alison

You could also try:

_Magical Jewels of the Middle Ages_ by Joan Evans [Dover Press]

_Book of Talismans, Amulets, and Zodiacal Gems_ by William Pavitt [Wilshire
   Books]

_Psychic Value of Gemstones_ by Elizabeth Finch [Esoteric Press]

_The Magic of Precious Stones_ by Mellie Uyldert [Turnstone Press]

and the topper,

_Occult and Curative Powers of Precious Stones_ by William T. Fernnie, M.D.
 [Harper & Row]

This last book was written in 1907 and reprinted relatively recently.  Like many
booka written near the turn of the Century, it's gor a rambling and often turgid
style that might put you off.  But if you can wade through it, it's rather inter-
esting.

The first two books are more magic-oriented, but all touch on the alleged abil-
ity of stones to be used medicinally.

Steve Kallis, Jr.

            Reading  the entries in this note file on crystals has reaffirmed my
        belief that crystals are not for everybody.  As crystals effect  the
        energy  fields of our bodies and this effect can be very subtle, not
        everybody will consciouly be aware of these effects and  will  think
        that  the crystals are not doing anything at all.  Crystals do effect
        dreaming.  Try sleeping with a crystal under your pillow or  holding
        one  in  your hand while sleeping.  Even those who consciously have
        little sensitivity to crystals should notice a change in dreams.

        Apparently  there needs to be some clarification about what a crystal
        is.  Crystals are the structure that minerals assume when they  grow.
        Minerals  are  naturally  occuring inorganic solids with a definite
        chemical composition, definite phsyical properties and  an  internal
        lattice structure.  Minerals may not always grow in crystals that have
        a  unmistakeable  external  crystal  form, but it's their internal
        arrangement on the atmomic level that counts.   One  of  the  most
        abundant  minerals  that  grows in well formed crytals is of course
        quartz.  Quartz can come in a varity of  colors  including  purple
        (amethyst),  pink (rose), yellow (citrine), brown (smokey) and clear.
        Trace amounts of iron, magnesium, titanium or other elements are what
        color the quartz.  Other minerals that grow in well formed  crystals
        are  garnet,  topaz,  tourmaline, florite and corundum (rubies and
        saphires are varities of corundum) to name but a few.    Some  that
        usually  do  not  have  an obvious external crystal structure are
        turquoise, lapis lazuli, malachite and azurite.

        There  was  a statement made in an earlier entry  about "occlusions"
        that was senseless to the point of being humorous.  I think a dentist
        may know more about occlusions than a mineralogist.  I believe  what
        the author is referring to is inclusions.  Inclusions are any foreign
        solid, gas or liquid enclosed in a crystal.  Inclusions do disrupt the
        crystal growth, but they have little to do with the perfection of the
        lattice  structure.  Examples of this are the mineral rutile enclosed
        in quartz (rutilated quartz) and tourmaline in  quartz  (tourmalated
        quartz).  It should be noted that is not the normal way crystals grow
        as was implied in the note.

        I  can recommend some books for those that are interested in finding
        out more about crystals:

        Cosmic Crystals by RA Bonewitz - This is the best book I have read so
        far on how the crystals actually work.  It was written by a geologist
        and  it includes some technical information that may not of interest,
        but on the whole the information is very good.

        Crystal Enlightment by Katrina Raphaell - This book goes more into the
        healing properties  and use of the specific minerals and is very good.

        Crystal Power by Michael G. Smith - Not for the non-believer!

        Gemstones,  Crystals,  and  Healing by Thelma Isaacs - Like Crystal
        Enlightment and also good.  Since the author has a PhD in Geology,  a
        little more technical information is included.

        For  those that are wanting to obtain crystals, you may find them at
        rock and mineral shops and also gem and mineral shows.

    Being a Capricorn and therefore a Saturn-ruled type, the idea of
    the healing and mystic use of crystals and precious stones appeals
    to me greatly.  I haven't yet been able to find the best books
    recommended by the people in this note, but I did ask a few how
    they "found" their talismanic and/or protective stones/crystals.
    The response was basically to rely on instinct, shop around and
    have your feelers out.
    
    Saturday I went out and bought a garnet.  It's a pear-cut pendant
    set in simple silver claws, and when I spotted it in the case in
    my favorite "jumble jewelry store" I felt immediately drawn to it,
    even though I had _no_ intention of buying _anything_ when I went
    in.  I didn't even think about the psychic implications until I
    got out of the store, and then thought "this must be it!"  It was
    also the first time in my entire life I ever bought myself jewelry.
    
    Well, I shuffled off to Shambalah and spent the rest of the time
    browsing on what the books they did have said about garnets.  _Healing
    Stoned_ (the book Steve K. didn't think was all that hot) believed
    that garnets resonated to the energies of the Sun, Saturn and Pluto.
    These just happen to be the three most powerful planets in my chart.
    The "garnet exercise" mentioned in the book involved placing the
    garnet over each chakra to revitalise the energy.
    
    Sunday I was under the weather, and after a bath which failed to
    chase off my chills I suddenly thought about this garnet.  So I
    stretched out and placed my new gem over the root chakra.  Immediately,
    a sensation of tingling warmth spread over my hips and legs!  I
    kept moving the gem up through the chakras and at each placement
    was rewarded by the same subtle sensations in the relevant area
    of the spine.  Afterwards, my lower body felt recharged, my upper
    body relaxed and unkinked.  And I feel _great_ today.
    
    Any reactions out there?  To those of you experienced with crystals
    and gems, any precautions about gem combinations, dumb/harmful uses,
    care of talismanic stones?
    
    Marcia

    A month or so ago I bought myself my first quartz crystal.  This
    was also about the time I picked up the book _Tarot For Yourself_
    and it had a whole chapter on crystal work--not only on their use
    in Tarot readings, but also how to care for them, purify them, etc.
    After purifying my new purchase using saltwater and sunlight, I
    finally decided to try dreaming with it.
    
    Now I have extremely good dream recall, so I was interested to see
    what, if any, difference the crystal would make.  First I tried
    just sleeping with it in the pillow case.  Then, as I read more
    from the Tarot book about crystals focusing intent, I began to try
    placing it over the third eye and asking to remember any dreams
    that were really important, _then_ placing it in the pillow case.
    
    The first thing I began noticing was that while dreaming I felt
    "safe", even when the dream was horrid.  I found also that I could
    remember the action, names, numbers, etc., in much greater detail.
    After one ugly dream that I wanted to describe to my therapist/
    astrologer, I decided to try another trick from the book, which
    was to use crystals to emotionally "record" a Tarot reading.  After
    having a crystal present at the reading for this purpose, it was
    supposed to help to recall the reading by holding it in your left
    hand.  So I figured: if a Tarot reading, why not a dream?  So I
    took the crystal to my appointment and held it in my hand as I
    described the dream.  To my great surprise, I was able to reconstruct
    the entire dream succinctly (not like the text of this reply) and
    in great detail.  It had been a long dream and dreams like that
    usually fade out except for the final important moments.  But here
    I was, recounting all the plot twists with no trouble.  _And_ I
    found that I could recount the terrible parts with that same feeling
    of "safety" that I'd noted when dreaming with the crystal.
    
    My astrologer was very impressed and said she thought I was onto
    something that worked very well for me.  She suggested that before
    I purified the crystal again I should hold it and dialogue with
    the important figures in the dream.  (This is a discipline I've
    never been able to get the hang of before--the figures seem to ignore
    me completely or just dissolve.)  I'll let you know how this works.
    
    Marcia

    re: .10
    
    I have a crystal that I keep in my pillow case.  I have never purified
    it.  Could you elaborate on how to purify it and what the purification
    does?
    
    		Dave

    	I too have a crystal I would like to purify.  Please elaborate
    on this procedure.
    					thanks...Jorge'

    The basic crystal cleansing procedure described in _Tarot For Yourself_
    was to soak the crystal overnight in sea water.  Sea salt in spring
    water will do if you don't live at the ocean.  It was also recommended
    to soak the crystal in a sunny window to energize it during the
    cleansing process.  The book also advised that a crystal can be
    soaked for seven days and nights to completely clean it up when
    you first get it.  After cleansing, you can keep it in its own little
    bag (preferable silk) to protect it.
    
    One of the more interesting pieces of advice concerned what to do
    with the salt water you just soaked it in.  The book advised to
    pour it in a place "where nothing can grow".  I'm not sure of the
    reason for that, since one of the more drastic purification methods
    mentioned (if you felt it was especially tainted) was to bury it
    for a week in the dirt.
    
    Marcia

    One of the reasons for the "pour where nothing can grow" is that
    nothing will grow there therreafter.  Salting soil is a well known
    way of destroying the ground's ability to support life.
    
    
    A couple of other points.  Buring the crystal in crystalline salt
    will work as well.  You can also use larger crystals to purify smaller
    ones directly.  7 days is a guideline, but trust your feelings in
    this matter.
    
    Also, be aware that radiation causes the color changes in some stones,
    for instances smokey quartz is dark due to irradiation.  It is rare,
    but sunlight can cause a noticable effect on your stones, given
    enough time.
    
    Dave

  I recently attended a crystal workshop and found out an interesting
  fact on quartz crystals.  There are certain crystals that when
  held to reflex light off one of the pointed faces you can see
  hundreds of tiny-tiny triangles - perfectly aligned. These crystals 
  are used specifically for recalling the past and helping memory.  Out
  of the 40 crystals at the workshop only three had the triangles.
  
  Also at this seminar we learned that after purifying a crystal
  an *intent* should be placed on it. This intent should be a specific
  goal you would like the crystal to bring to you (peach of mind,
  strength, et.).  This is accomplished by meditating on that intent
  with the crystal in hand - it generally can be accomplished in
  a few sittings or whenever you *feel* it. Quartz crystal, being
  clear - the clearer the better - is suppose to be the best 
  medium for picking up your intent and keeping it. When you
  want to change the intent that has been placed on a specific
  crystal just recleanse it.
  
  One of the most interesting people I have meet through working
  with crystals is a Catholic Priest who uses amethyst crystals
  in his work room when doing music imagery - a form of therapy
  he has a practice in. He believes it fills the room with a sense
  of calmness and peace - great isn't it! I wonder if the Pope
  knows......
  
  Gail 

    I have now found that I can dialogue with my dream characters using
    my dreaming stone.  I found that one character from a particularly
    potent dream has appeared in various guises in my whole dream life.
    While talking with the character, I was suddenly inspired to ask
    if he was also the actor who did such-and-such in another dream
    and got an affirmative answer, along with his other roles he'd had
    in recent dreams.  I can now recognise him (an animus figure) in
    his various guises and am learning more about what my psyche has
    internalized for an animus.  And another piece of the puzzle begins
    to fit . . .
    
    Re: intent.  Thanks for the tip on intent.  I received a gift of
    two flourites and was wondering what to do with them (specifically).
    While holding them in my pockets I began experimenting when I noticed
    that if I held them between the thumb and another finger it felt
    like a subtle current had been set up.  I tried it with all fingers,
    and it was interesting to note the differences between the feeling
    of the little-finger-to-thumb current, ring-finger-to-thumb current,
    etc.  "Just like my polarity therapy class" I thought.  (In polarity,
    each finger correlates with one of the four elements, with the thumb
    being ether.)  So now I know what I want them to do.  I will use
    them to "tune" my hands when I want to practice polarity therapy
    or reflexology or other energy exchange healing disciplines.
    
    Marcia

    My wife just got a beautiful amethyst ring that used to belong to
    her grandmother.  What types of things is amethyst good for (healing,
    meditation, etc.) and how does one use it?
    
    		Dave

    Re: .17
    
    Amethyst, from all that I've read, (and through my limited experience)
    helps attune one to higher consciousness energies.  I have a beautiful
    amethyst pendant, made for me by a good friend, that is part of
    my "reading" jewelry.  I wear it to help me see into a chart more
    completely (and speak the truth I see; it fits right in my throat
    chakra).  It's supposed to be a good stone to stimulate the "third
    eye" and enabling one to perceive subtle energies without being
    sucked down and swept away.  I love the stones, personally; I find
    them most beautiful.
    
    -M-

    re .17, .18: 
    
    Amethyst, according to ancient traditions, is an especially effective
    ward against intoxication.  So, an amethyst pendant or signet, if
    worn in contact with the flesh, is a good idea if you're of a partying
    type, particularly in Massachusetts. ;-)
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
    

    I have an Amethyst ring that has the deepest color of purple I have
    ever seen on this kind of crystal ....anywhere.  Of late I have
    noticed that a crack has developed underneath the crystal-the part
    that touches my skin.  Can't figure out how it got there but there
    it is.....an X shapped crack.  Will this crack ruin the effectivity of the
    crystal itself???  What could have caused it to crack underneath
    like that???
    
    Any insight would be appreciated.
    
    Addie

    A cross posting:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                   <<< PYRITE::DRA0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]GEOLOGY.NOTE;1 >>>
                            -< Earthly Discussions >-
================================================================================
Note 56.0                        Gemstone lore                        No replies
TLE::SAVAGE "Neil, @Spit Brook"                      33 lines  18-JUL-1986 17:51
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press Fri 18-JUL-1986 07:39                                 

                                PERIDOT AUGUST
                                BIRTHDAY STONE
    
    DALLAS (AP) - Celebrators of August birthdays can look to Arizona for
    peridot, the special gemstone chosen by the American Gem Trade
    Association (AGTA) to commemorate birthdays in this hot summer month. 
    
    "Much of the peridot available today is mined by native Americans on
    Arizona reservations land," says Ray Zajicek, president of AGTA, with
    headquarters in Dallas. 
    
    Varying in shades of green from avocado to lime, the peridot was called
    "evening emerald" by early Romans, because its spectral colors made it
    livelier under torch light than emeralds of the day. 
    
    In fact, when peridot was originally mined on the island of Zebirget
    off the coast of Egypt, prospectors searched for the stone at night.
    Legend held the peridot glowed in the dark, but was not easily seen by
    day. 
    
    "The finest qualities of peridot are rarely found larger than six to
    eight carats in size," says Zajicek,"but supplies of smaller stones are
    ample. "Peridot is most often found in oval and cushion cuts which
    maximize the beauty of the gem," he adds. "This lovely green gemstone
    should be handled with respect and is better suited for pins and
    pendants than more roughly treated rings." 
    
    The object of much legend and lore, peridot is credited with the power
    to protect its wearer from terrors of the night, fears and bad dreams
    when the gemstone is set in gold. Pliny the Elder is said to have
    ground peridot for potions to cure asthma. 

    What are people's experiences with azurite and crysocolla?  I have
    read what quite a few books have to say about them, but I was wondering
    what actual experiences anyone had with using them.  I recently
    bought three lovely stones that are mixtures of the two minerals.
    I was tremendously attracted to them.
    
    Marcia

    Re: .22
    
    Well, I found an interesting use for my crysocolla.  It helps clear
    up my sinuses.  I now have 4 of the stones, small cabs, that I tried
    placing on the face at the acupressure points above and below the
    eyes (on the bone).  The sensations I felt while resting with the
    stones were akin to being in contact with a subtle electric current,
    not enough to make you jerk, but strong enough to tingle.  (I've
    experienced similar sensations the times my chiropractor has resorted
    to an electrical muscle stimulator to undo a severely cramped muscle;
    the sensations from the stones were not as strong, but definitely
    perceptible).  When I sat up some 10 minutes later my sinuses began
    draining and my headache had diminished considerably.
    
    Interesting, very interesting.
    
    Marcia

    RE: .22
    
    Marcia, could you tell us a synopsis of what you've read concerning
    these two stones? Thanks.
    
    	- Bill

    Re: .24
    
    Here is a rather long-winded synopsis of what I've read about the
    stone.  It is interesting to read books on the various stones and
    minerals, because no two agree precisely on what they should be
    used for.  One very good book, however, (_Cosmic Crystals_) stresses
    that each person responds differently to different stones, rather
    like the way people respond to diet.  Every person is unique--therefore
    it is not good to apply blanket generalizations to every person
    in every situation.  I was following this advice somewhat when I
    experimented with the chrysocolla on the face.
    
    Having said all that, here is what the various books have to say
    about the stone.  It is considered by all the books that I've read
    to be "sister" stone to turquoise.  Being a combination of blue
    and green, some authors believe that it provides a healing bridge
    between the heart and throat centers, and can be used therefore
    on an emotional level to help uncover, loosen and remove blocks,
    to help people verbalize and release emotional congestions that
    bring on ill-health.  Another author believed that it could help
    especially with women's problems, those related to hormonal imbalances.
    
    Two of the authors believe the stone is linked to the planet Venus
    (for those of you who are astrologically interested); a third believed
    it linked to Uranus.  (Certainly Uranus has an astrological reputation
    for breaking up stagnant forms!)  I was thinking of both these linkages
    when I put the stones on my head for my sinuses; I have both Venus
    and Mars (which rules the head) in Aquarius (Uranus' sign), opposed 
    by Pluto and squared by the Moon.  Pluto sits right on my Ascendent
    (rising sign degree), which is also related to the head.  For those 
    of you not familiar with astrology, the configuration I have just 
    described is called a T-Square, and is associated with high levels 
    of internal stress and also achievement.  When it is located on
    the chart angles, (as it is in my case) it can sometimes point out
    common health problems.
    
    Now, both the Moon and Pluto can be said to associated with the
    female reproductive system, and my sinuses do indeed act up most
    reliably at "that time of the month".  So I intend to try my stones
    again _this_ month and see if the results are as good.
    
    Marcia

    This past weekend I wandered in on a lecture on crystals,
    at a psychic fair.  The lecturer invited audience members
    to the podium, to find out what "color" their crystals
    were.  When my turn came, she laid my crystal in the center
    of a color wheel, and help another crystal over it (as a
    pendulum).  She said mine was "green".  It looks light purple
    to me-I assume she meant it "vibrates" at the green level.
    (actually, since I've been wearing it, it seems to be growing
     more purple-any comments?)
    
    First, can anyone explain what she meant, and what does the
    color green signify?
    
    Second-I purchased my crystal during a difficult time in my
    life.  I feel I was "led" to it, but want to make sure I am
    using (wearing) it correctly.  That is, she mentioned to 
    several people that theirs was red, and they should not wear
    their crystals when they are feeling hyperactive or nervous.
    
    So-is there some knowledge required?  Silly me, I just assumed
    I could put it on and reap whatever benefits are available.
    
    

    If she's into chakras, she might mean it's attuned to your heart.
    Many quartzes are purplish (I assume yours is quartz), so that's
    not surprising.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
    

    Re: .26
    
    My own "work" with crystals has not been of the conscious, directed
    variety, but more on the level you describe--that I am drawn or
    led to certain stones at certain times, and wearing or having them
    around is comforting, energizing, calming, focusing, etc.
    
    I now have several quartz crystals of various sizes, as well as
    some azurite, crysocolla, tourmaline and flourite.  I have also
    acquired a new respect for my jewelry.  Each morning I now stand
    before all my stones in what most would consider an absent minded
    fashion brought on by sleepiness.  And I see what stones I feel
    a need to have with me that day.  (I also do the same with earrings
    and other jewelry; based on what I let my intuition pick out, I
    then coordinate the rest of my outfit.)  So as long as your stone
    feels good to you, I don't think you can "misuse" it; if you try
    to hang onto it after it has, perhaps, "done its work", you might
    notice that it doesn't feel as nice having it around as it used
    to.
    
    Some things you could try with your stone would be to experiment
    with having it around while engaging in different activities.  Meaning
    that it might feel better while you were socializing, working,
    sleeping, eating, whatever.  I found, for instance, that jade is
    a very soothing stone to have in pillowcase when stress has brought
    on insomnia; my garnets seem to keep me awake all night.
    
    If you bought your stone at a stressful time to help you through
    that time, consider cleaning it regularly.  If I have kept a stone
    with me during a stressful day, I let it "rest" in a sunny window
    in a glass of sea-salt water for a day (this seems particularly
    nice for my smallest stones).  The literature I have read does indicate
    that stones used for healing purposes, either for you or others,
    do best when kept clean.
    
    Hope some of this is useful,
    
    Marcia

    Thank you, Marcia!  I did clean it immediately after purchase
    but will do it again this weekend (sunny window might be hard
    to find these days!  It's been pretty cold and cloudy here
    lately!!)
    
                  Deb
    
    

    Well it's been a while since the last note, but....
    Over the past month I have really been drawn to rubies 
    (can't afford it but...) does anyone have any information
    about the abilities or powers of rubies?? It is really 
    a strange feeling as though I have to buy one...and I'm
    not an impulse shopper!!--:^)
    
    Thanks
    Todd
    

    re .30:
    
    See 155.1
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
    

    Re: .30
    
    I have no rubies myself and am not drawn to them, but I decided
    to do some reading on them.  There were remarkably few variations in
    the major point of view concerning rubies.  I should mention that
    the authors I studied are all modern and "work with" gemstones and
    crystals of various types for various purposes, not historical scholars
    documenting past lore.
    
    Almost all the authors seem to agree that the ruby is a very potent
    gem with more than the usual ability to retain "aural fingerprints"
    from its owners.  This makes it, in their opinion, a gem of great
    potential for either healing or harm, the harm not being in and
    of the gem itself, but coming from its being owned, used and handled
    by people whose motives are not the best.  The law of karma being
    multiplied, or amplified, if you will.  They therefore stress that
    a ruby must be cleansed and used with great care.
    
    Physically, rubies are supposed (like other red stones) to help
    heal diseases of the blood, particularly deficiencies.
    
    I guess that some authors might believe that you're drawn to rubies
    because of a possible physical problem that they could help.  Others
    might say you are drawn for spiritual reasons, or because you're
    "coming into your own" in some way and feel the need of a potent
    tool to assist this process.  Many authors believe in the use of
    the stones as a kind of color therapy for the chakras, with red
    stones being associated with the first or second chakra.  Those
    chakras the basic physical energies; perhaps some would even 
    believe that the Kundalini energy was trying to awaken and drawing
    you to a tool of great power to assist it.
    
    Don't know if any of this strikes any chords or makes any sense;
    take it with as many grains of salt as you find tasty.
    
    Marcia

    re  .30
    
    Todd,  it's funny that you should say this because I too have
    recently been attracted to, and now must have, a ring with
    rubies.  The story started like this.  I was down in the Bahamas
    this past September with significant other and we were browsing
    in a jewelry store down there when he called me over to look
    at a particular ring.  We've been tossing around wedding ideas
    and I don't want a traditional gold band but something that
    would be described as an 'anniversary' ring  instead.  This
    particular ring was a beautiful band of alternating rows of
    diamonds and rubies.  It was gorgeous!  I tried it on, it fit
    beautifully of course.  But, we just didn't have the money.
    I was honestly tempted to go back and 'secretly' put it on my
    credit card.  I actually had to 'force' myself not to do this.
    
    Since coming back I have been checking out similar bands and
    have made up my mind that I want a diamond and ruby wedding
    ring, no other gem will do.  Preferably I'd like to find one
    just like the one we saw in the Bahamas because I haven't really
    liked the ones I've seen so far, so perhaps the immediate and
    lasting attraction was simply due to the beauty of this particular
    ring.  Perhaps not.
    
    Donna 
    
    
    
      

    
    This is all foreign to me, but my wife has been into yoga meditation.
    She likes opals. Do they have any special qualities? She does not
    use gems in her meditation. Her yoga center is planning a workshop
    on  crystals at the end of March. She would like to know if opals
    can be used for the same purposes?
    
    						Dave

    re: .34
      >Do they (Opals) have any special qualities?
    
    Your question may have been answered by now through the workshop
    you referenced, but I have just found a good source of info on 
    "characteristics " of minerals.  
    
   "Opal:  Harmony is the accent on the emotional, mental, and psychic
    level. In its red/orange, black, jelly blue  and white/yellow forms
    its impact is accented for different body areas, acting as a tonic
    and regenerator."
    
    Thom

    Many old superstitions also mention "bad luck" properties surrounding
    opals.  In some texts I have read, this is ascribed to an opal's
    supposedly exceptional psychic amplifying capabilities and also
    high absorptive capacity.  In other words, it seems to be a property
    of the stone to magnify both the emotional and ethical state of
    the wearer, and to absorb energies from its wearer.  Like an amplifier,
    which can amplify both noise and music with equal fervor.
    
    Most of the texts therefore say that opals should be worn and used
    by people who are already developing into a "good place" (define
    that for yourself) and ready to enhance growth in that direction.
    One author also believes that if someone is attracted to opals it 
    means that (s)he subconsciously has reached a point in his/her 
    development where this will be possible for him/her.  (If this is 
    true, it certainly says something very nice about your wife.)
    
    Marcia

    I too have read that opals are bad luck, if it is not your birth
    stone.  But.  I have also read that this is not such an old
    superstition, and that it was created by Sir Walter Scott in one
    of the Waverly novels.  My memory is vague, but I recall that
    there was a beautiful but evil woman, and she owned a cursed
    gem that was never named, but that it was clear that it had to
    be an opal.
    							Ann B.

    More adventures with the stones . . .
    
    One of the things I've discovered useful for me is dowsing, using
    a crystal on a chain, holding it still, asking questions for "yes/no"
    style answers.  I had read years ago about pendulum work in a book
    on dream interpretation, of all things.  It was taught as an extra
    tool to help you talk to your subconscious and I played around with
    it some then.  Now I use the technique with one of my stones as
    a pendulum to do much the same thing.
    
    But I have also recently discovered that it seems useful for getting
    information on the stones themselves.  I stumbled on it back at
    Christmastime when I had purchased about 5 stones, intending to
    give them to various friends and family members as gifts.  I used
    my "dowsing stone" to ask the stones which person each one should
    be given to.  First I arranged the stones in a widely spaced semi-
    circle, so that a swing in the direction of any one would be easily
    seen.  I'd vividly imagine the person and how they felt to me, 
    then ask if one of the stones should belong to that person.  I asked
    that the correct stone be indicated by the pendulum swinging in its
    direction.  
    
    I got very definite answers on all of them, including one that 
    wanted to stay with me, rather than be given away.  Of course I
    felt a little foolish doing this, but my doubts were eased by the
    reactions of the friends and family to whom I gave the stones--immense
    joy from all of them.  Even though I feared most of them would laugh
    the gifts off (it was the first time I'd tried that unusual or outre
    a gift) they loved them instead.
    
    I now also try using the pendulum to ask which stones wish to be included
    in certain activities, or are appropriate tools for a certain purpose.
    It seems to work quite well for me, especially since I'm still not
    the kind who receives "messages" from anything in the form of distinct,
    intuitive feelings.
    
    Anyone else out there dowse using crystals or when working with
    crystals?
    
    Marcia

    re: .38
    >...crystal on a chain, holding it still, asking questions for "yes/no"
    style answer.
    
    Crystal Dowsing sounds interesting, could you get more detailed
    on the "how to"?
    
    e.g.  How do you "read" the answer for a "yes/no" question involving
    something that can't be placed under the crystal?
    
    Thanks
    Thom
    

    Re .39:
    
    Well, one way is to hold the crystal suspended over the object.  "Yes/No"
    is _usually_ vertical motion for "no"; horizontal for "yes."  Using
    this, a solid answer has the crystal oscillating in a single plane;
    one with some elliptical path (i.e., mostly one, but a bit of the
    other) shows a degree of uncertainty.  A circle usually is a "maybe"
    in this context.  
    
    You don't necessarily need a cyrstal for this kind of radiasthesic
    "dowsing"; any pendulum can be used.  (I use a metal one, sometimes.)
    
    You can sometimes get middling results, if an object isn't handy,
    using a photograph or other image.  [For mining, possibly even a
    map.]
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.                                                    

    Re: .39
    
    Here was what all 2 books (:-)) I ever read said about dowsing
    technique, and how to get started.  There are two ways you can hold
    a pendulum for dowsing.
    
    Technique #1:  You have your stone, bead, button, whatever, hanging
    from its chain or string.  Holding the chain/string in your hand, 
    rest the elbow of the hand holding the chain on a table, with your 
    hand far enough above the table surface that the pendulum dangles 
    freely, just above the surface of the table.  (You may have to coil 
    some of the chain around your hand to get the length right.)
    
    Technique #2:  Instead of dangling the pendulum above a table surface,
    you dangle it just above the palm of your opposite hand.
    
    Now you're ready to find out how you'll know Yes from No.  For doing
    this, I found that Technique #2 worked best for me, for some reason.
    After getting yourself calm and centered (instead of trying to remember
    what you left off the grocery list) you say to yourself that you
    want to use this pendulum that you hold to ask your Inner Self for
    answers to questions.  Tell your Inner Self that these will be Yes/No
    questions and that you want it to indicate which of two directions
    will indicate Yes, and which will indicate No.  Then swing the pendulum
    decisively in both directions to give your Inner Self the idea.
    
    Then you ask yourself (or, your Self) some simple questions.  Things 
    to which you already know the answer, like "is my name Benjamin 
    Franklin?" or "was I born in Oshkosh?"  Ask a couple of verifiably 
    true and false ones.  Observe which way the pendulum swings in response
    to answer Yes and which way it swings to answer No.  It took me
    a couple of tries before I got my Inner Self (or subconscious) to
    be consistent.  When you know how Yes/No will be indicated to you,
    thank your Self for the help, and promise to talk soon.  I find
    that regular practice seems to help build the relationship between
    your conscious and hidden Selves, much as intending to recall and
    diligiently writing down dreams seems to assist in your remembering
    them.
    
    Now, when I'm asking questions of my Inner Self, I usually dangle
    the pendulum above my other palm (Technique #2).  But when asking
    which of a number of stones might be used for a purpose, or which
    one wants to be given to a friend, I dangle the pendulum above a
    table on which I've arranged the stones.  I try to give clear
    directions, to the effect that I want the pendulum to swing decisively
    toward the stone.  Then I give it a sample swing towards each one,
    asking each time "is it this one?" or something along those lines.
    After doing that for each stone, I quiet myself and the pendulum
    and say "now, show me which one".  Then I wait and see.  
    
    If the pendulum does not swing toward any one stone, or it swings
    indecisively back and forth I do one of two things (sometimes both).
    I take the stones, one at a time, and ask each if it is "the one".
    I ask that the pendulum swing toward "the one" if it is indeed the 
    correct one for my purpose.  If the pendulum swings not toward the
    stone, but from side to side, it's no go.  If I get weird looking
    answers or no answers, then I hold the pendulum above my hand and
    ask questions about the thing I want to accomplish, about proper
    motives and so forth.  If I get what look like negative answers 
    about the whole enterprise, I figure oh well, not at this time or
    dig deeper.  My choice.
    
    This does take a little time.  Not as satisfying, perhaps, as knowing
    in a blinding, intuitive flash, what stone seems right for what
    purpose.  This is my way of accessing my own intuition, which for
    me is a whisper rather than a shout.
    
    Marcia

RE: .41
    
    Most descriptions I have read specifically recommend that you do
    *not* rest your elbow on the table, and furthermore that you keep
    your back unsupported (do not lean back in your chair).  This makes
    sense from the viewpoint that this is a way for your subconscious
    to communicate through small muscle movements.  The difference between
    an unsupported and a supported elbow may explain Marcia's better
    success using her other hand as the "target", although psychological
    and (if we reject the conventional explanation) supernatural reasons
    are plausible.
    
    				Topher

    A couple of years ago, I took a course on Gemology (taught by a
    Geologist who did not believe in their mystical properties).  Here
    are a few facts concerning some of the gems mentioned thus far:
    
    Opals:  They may be considered bad luck because they are soft.  
    They scratch and crack very easily.  For general information, opal
    is fine grained quartz with bits of water included in it.  The 
    "fire" of the opal is caused by light bouncing off these inclusions.  
    Because opals are fairly delicate, you don't want to expose them to 
    harsh substances or, as I have recently heard, to water.  For this 
    reason, I'm not sure that soaking one in salt water would be 
    especially good for it.  Better check with a knowledgeable jeweler.  
    
    Garnets:  There are several different kinds of garnets.  The most
    usual one is a dark brownish red, but they also occur in most other
    colors, including a beautiful (and very expensive) green, and clear.
    The hardness and brilliance (a constant in most gems) varies with
    the type.  Garnets are metamorphic stones - high temperatures and
    pressure cause them to form from pre-existing stones - in this case
    I *think* it's slate.
    
    Topaz:  Watch out with this stone.  It's hard (doesn't scratch easily),
    but it has a very strong cleavage (i.e. it is easy to shatter it
    along a weakened plane).  This is a product of its atomic make-up.
    Also, while blue topaz does exist naturally, almost all of that
    beautiful, brilliant blue topaz you see in stores now is irradiated to 
    induce or enhance the color.  Not that this is necessarily bad, but you
    should know what you're getting.  
    
    [I know, topaz hasn't been mentioned in depth, but I have an irrational
    hate of the stone and think that people should know the above before
    buying one]
    
    
    These are just some random gemology notes that aren't generally
    known (at least they were new to me when I heard them).  If anyone
    has a question about a certain gem, I'll be happy to dig back into
    my notes/books and see what I can find (or any questions about the
    origins of any stones).
    
    Also for general information, minerals are rated along a hardness
    scale.  Here it is:
    
    			Moe's Hardness Scale
    			____________________
    
    			10 - Diamond
    			 9 - Corundum (rubies and sapphires)
    			 8 - Topaz
    			 7 - Quartz
    			 6 - Feldspar
    			 5 - Apatite
    			 4 - Florite
    			 3 - Calcite
    			 2 - Gypsum
    			 1 - Talc       
    
    This can be remembered with the catchy phrase: 
    Ten Green Cows Flew Away, Felt Queer To Come Down.   :-}
    
    Note: the variances in the hardness of these stones are fairly constant
    for 1-9.  If done linearly (correct term?) diamond would be a 42.
    
    Which leads to an interesting question, what are the mystical qualities
    of diamond?
    

    One practice that more than a couple of the books I have on crystal
    work mention is reclining while letting stones rest on the chakra
    points in the body.  One can use single quartz crystals for this
    (many books advocated double-terminated crystals for this) or a
    stone of the same color that is supposed to be related to each chakra.
    
    The latter idea has especially appealed to me and I have spent a
    year or so slowly collecting 7 stones of good quality in the proper
    colors (there are 7 chakras).  The general guide I found most
    frequently relating color of stones to the chakras was:
    
    	Red, dark or black stones	Base chakra (pubic bone)
    	Orange stones			Sacral/navel chakra
    	Yellow stones			Solar plexus
    	Green or pink stones		Heart chakra
    	Light blue stones		Throat chakra
    	Dark blue or violet stones	Third eye
    	Violet or clear quartz stones	Crown chakra
    
    So last weekend I tried lying down with the stones.  The results
    were very interesting.  After 20 minutes or so with the stones resting
    on each point, I felt very much like when I get a massage.  My
    consciousness is definitely not awake, but neither is it asleep.
    My body felt very light and I was extremely relaxed.  I also noticed
    that for the next 24 hours or so I eliminated much more bodily waste
    than usual.  (It wasn't painful, and my system settled back to more
    usual patterns in a day or so.)  Makes me wonder (if crystals indeed
    influence a person's subtle energies) if a detox process was being
    either initiated or assisted.  I'll be interested to try this again
    this weekend and see how I feel--whether I get no reactions, different
    reactions, or the same reactions.  Even if I just recapture the
    "just massaged" feeling, it'll be worth it!  I've been looking for
    a nice, no-cost, detensing method for ages.
    
    Interesting note:  the stones, after I took them off, were
    all hot, even the ones that had rested on my clothing.  I 
    took the ones off my forehead and throat, noting they felt the same
    temperature as my skin.  To my surprise, all the other stones, which
    had been separated from my skin by two layers of clothing, felt
    the same way.
    
    Marcia

    re: .44
    chakra opening and detox process with stones.
    (Also known as the "Ancient art of laying on of stones")
    
    Be sure to cleanse and "recharge" the stones after using them for
    purging or healing.  My wife's Malachite piece (an excellent healing
    stone) required extensive cleansing and charging to bring its lustre
    and color back.  She had it for years before we became aware of
    stones as something other than pretty baubles.  
    
    We are just starting to use crystals/minerals for chakra and healing
    layouts and have both had interesting results.  She has a new Malachite
    with Azurite piece that has had intense psychological/emotional purging
    effects(not all happy but very intense and worthwhile)  when used in a
    layout.  I had an interesting physical purging effect while carrying
    a big chunk of Calcite in my pocket which I had found on a hike.
    When I got home I read that besides properties of energy and thought
    amplified and improving memory and augmenting astral travel, it
    is supposed to stimulate kidneys to remove body toxins.  I'll vouch
    for the latter for certain.
    
    I find it difficult *not* to believe that the electrical properties
    of crystals would effect our bodies and minds which are also
    electrical. Colors are just another form of vibration tied in with
    all this.
    
    Thom
    
    
     

    re: <.44>
             
Marcia, interesting reading - your experiences with your crystals on 
the chakras. Could you answer a few questions please?
             
	- Could you cite which book you got the info on resting the crystals
	  on the chakras. Was it Cosmic Crystals or some other?
             
	- Could you explain what a "double-terminated crystal" is ? 
	                                                            
	- How much do you think it might cost to acquire a similar 
	  collection of 7 similar crystals ? 
             

    Thanks.
    
      - Bill Keefe
  

    Re:  answers to .46
    
    The books I've used as my chief references are:
    
    		_Crystal_Enlightenment_
    		-Crystal_Healing_
    					both by Katrina Raphael
    
    		_Healing_With_Crystals_and_Gemstones_
    
    					by Daya Sarai Cochran
    
    I temper any recommendations with my own intuitive judgement; after
    all, these are individual people (the authors) basing their writings
    on their actual experiences in actual crystal healing practices
    (one reason I like their writings better than either "channelled"
    writings or simple historical lore).  I figure that, individual
    differences being what they are, one stone may affect one person
    slightly differently than another, just as the perfect food and
    vitamin combo for you may be different than for me.  I would read
    the descriptions of what the stones were supposed to be good for
    and see which ones created an internal "click".  Then I went looking
    for those stones.
    
    
    A "normal" crystal grows from its base in the rock to a point; that
    point is called the termination.  So most crystals are
    singe-terminated.  However, some seem to start from the middle,
    and grow terminations at both ends.  I've seen them on clusters.
    Such crystals are called double-terminated, and are supposed to
    be very effective in both taking in and emitting subtle energies.
    They are therefore supposed to be very good for healing practices.
    
    What you'll spend depends both on what stones you wish to buy and
    where you buy them.  My $50 garnet (the most expensive) I bought
    in a standard jewelry store, and you know what kind of markups those
    places have!  My $3 tigereye was a real find in a random gift shop;
    an $8-$10 black tourmaline was also a real find at an esoteric
    bookstore.  I got a gorgeous amethyst point for around $6 in a "rock
    shop".  Looking at the different types of stones that can make a
    difference--raw, tumbled tigereye is cheap; raw aquamarine is not
    ($3 for the one; $46 for the other).  Price can vary with the quality
    of the stone, with stones that are called "gem quality" (very clear,
    transparent, etc. so that they resemble the finest gemstones) being
    of the highest price.  So a collection can cost from $21 to $350.
    Mine has cost me close to $200.  This is partly because I have gotten
    a couple of different kinds of stones for the same chakra, which
    one I use depends on how I feel.
    
    Hope that helps,
    
    Marcia

                <<< DMATE2::DUA0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DEJAVU.NOTE;1 >>>
                             -< Psychic Phenomena >-
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Note 374.0                     Article on Crystals                       1 reply
CURIE::TZELLAS                                        5 lines  10-JUN-1987 11:13
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    FYI - There is an interesting article about Crystals in this week's
    (June 8th) issue of People Magazine.
    
     Kathi
    

    re:  .48
    ~ Crystals in People Magazine.
    
    D*mn!-  Up go the prices, down goes the crediblity.
    Its a media death blow!
    
    ;-)
    
    Thom
     

    Thought I would throw my 2 cents worth in.
    
    I have a large amethyst that found me.  I was in my local theosophical
    book shop looking for a book.  As I walked past the crystal stand
    I felt this hum.  When I went over the look there was my amethyst.
    The next day I was again in this shop (it is 200 metres away from
    our office) and a smokey quartz called me over.  Both pulsed in
    my hand immediately and both felt right.  The amethyst automatically
    goes into my left hand and the smokey into my right.  *Always*.
    
    When I meditate I hold both of them and they are boiling for about
    fifteen minutes after.
    
    I also use a pendulum.  At first it was the amethyst, now it is
    a polished wooden pendulum.  I always ask the pendulum which method
    is best for each crystal when cleansing.  There are about six methods
    all found in different books, then also ask how much sun each needs.
    I have found this method excellent.  I guess my attitude at the
    moment is extremely positive because when I pendulum over each to
    see if they need any cleansing, the swing is very wide!
    
    I might also add, the smokey quartz is an earthing type of gem, I
    have no earth in my chart whatsoever, funnily enough this stone is
    my favourite.  I understand the smokey quartz is also one of the
    stones for Scorpio, which is my sun sign.
    
    I also have the need for a red stone (I think).  I know I need a
    third stone and am going to the Crystal shop tomorrow to see what
    there is.
    
    As far as the pendulum goes, I do a colour/chakra check every morning
    and ask what colour I am deficient in - them meditate on that
    particular colour into the appropriate chakra for about five minutes.
    It is the best way to keep myself on an even keel.  Not quite sure
    how accurate this is, but when I used the pendulum on which stone
    to make my third, I kept getting 'beryl'.  In the land downunder
    it is hard to know what we have available.
    
    .....dale

    Marcia,
    
    re: Flourite
    
    I was drawn to this stone, as well as black obsidian and tourmaline.
    Flourite is excellent for past live regression and anything to do
    with the third eye.  I meditated last night with three flourites
    on my third eye - wow!!! 
    
    Am now waiting for my black obsidian ball to arrive, plus my pink
    and black tourmaline.  I have also been told to have a small chip
    of each of smokey quartz, citrine quartz, rose quartz, amethyst,
    and something for the throat chakra.  If anybody has any suggestions
    for the throat chakra I would appreciate it.  I have a small suede
    back to carry all the chips in when needed at work.
    
    When I was buying the crystals yesterday, I was asked by the two
    girls who have this outlet to check out a clear very clear quartz.
    I know it is not my time for the clear yet, but the power in this
    piece was incredible.  I kept getting a buzz from the one hand to
    the other and the third eye.  I asked my two companions to check
    it out also, they also got this incredible energy.  Not one of us
    thought of it for ourselves, but the energy was so strong, I knew
    it was for our healing circle.  You know how the brick hits home!!
    
    I purchased it and put it in my room.  At 2am when I still couldn't
    get to sleep, I realised I still had the quartz in my room, needless
    to say it was removed very quickly and I settled down within half
    an hour.
    
    I haven't cleansed it, we will all do that in the healing group.
    It is really funny sometimes just how the crystals find you and
    for what specific reason.
    
    I am very tempted by the crystal pyramids, but the time is not right
    yet.
    
    See you all in a week.
    
    ....dale

    I am new to crystals as a medium of this sort, but have appreciated
    minerals & gems for a long time.  Some queries as to crystals/rocks
    I possess which may have meaning....
    
    -.1 mentioned pink and black tourmaline - what about Maine's so-called
    "watermelon tourmaline" which is half green, half pink?
    
    -.1 also mentioned clear quartz' power - I have several quartz crystals
    with internal facets/flaws (called Herkimer Diamonds) - they are
     not quite clear but show slight rainbows inside when seen in the
    light.
    
    I also have calcite (clear, when you read through it the text looks
    double), fluorite (purple), pyrite (gold, lge.), chalcopyrite (gold,
    sm.), adamite (clear yellow crystals), hemimorphite (smoky clear crystals
    on black and orange stone), peridot (dark green - olivine), malachite
    (green swirled with black), obsidian (black - "apache tear"), amethyst
    (purple and clear), hematite (silvery black), galena (heavy, silver,
    cubic), sulphur (small yellow crystals), lapis lazuli (dk blue),
    lepidolite (sparkling lavendar stone), vanadanite (crystals of
    "sunstone" - sparkling bronze color), wavellite (radiating green
    fibers in a circular pattern), large (palm size) sheets of clear
    and black mica, and a pink cameo-like stone (with traces of cloudy 
    white at the surface).

    Do any of these ring a bell?  I have left them on the shelf so long
    they've probably forgotten who I am....
    
    -Jody
    

    re: .51
    
    I was introduced by my sister to a method of "finding" crystals
    for the chakras.  The technique is called muscle testing, and is
    used frequently by holistic nutritionists to determine foods that
    both benefit and drag down the body.
    
    Basically, hold the stone in your left hand over the chakra you
    want to use it for.  You'll need a companion for the next part;
    extend your right arm forward, straight out from the shoulder and
    have your companion push down, quickly, gently & firmly on your 
    arm while you try to resist (also gently and firmly).  The stone 
    that allows you to resist most strongly is most likely "the one."
    
    Throat stones are generally thought to be light blue.  You might
    try aquamarine, blue lace agate, turquoise, chrysocolla, celestite.
    One book I have recommends lapis for this area also, but most seem
    to think that lapis is a 3rd eye stone.  My own lapis seems to "fit"
    better with the 3rd eye area.
    
    Marcia

    	Next week I'm going on a vacation (YEAH!!!!!) and a friend is
    coming up to NH to look for crystals. Does anyone know of some good
    places in and around New England for crystal hunting? We're willing
    to go as far as New York (We'll almost certainly hit Herkimer, for
    example), or well North into Maine or Vermont. 
    
    	I've never done it before. Any advice? What tools are good to
    have? How easy are crystals to find?
    
    	Ed

    Too late to do yo any good, but I have rock guides for NH, Vt, and
    Mass.  These are avialable, and list sites by location and cross
    index by mineral type.
    
    If travelling, I suspect they would be available in a local rock
    shop, listed in the yellow pages.  One highly mineralized area,
    though a bit of a trip is the Norway/South Paris area of Maine.
    There is a good rock shop, whose name escapes me ()-:), about
    at the turn off for North Paris,  I believe the area is called
    Trap Corner.
    
    Good Hunting
    
    Dave Pierson

    
                                 SCIENCE NEWS          
    
                      Vol. 131, No. 19      May 9, 1987

          
          Report by Dietrick E. Thomsen from a meeting of the American
          Physical Society at Crystal City, VA.
                                               
          
    
          Astronomers and physicists now have a number of interlocking
          reasons for believing that most of the universe - up to 90
          percent - is made of matter that we can't see and that is most
          likely is much more exotic than the stuff ordinary atoms are
          made of.
          
          A candidate for the dark matter that is receiving a good deal
          of attention now among physicists is the class of hypothetical
          subatomic particles called WIMP's or weakly interacting
          massive particles. Blas Cabrera of Stanford University has
          developed a new class of particle detector that uses the
          acoustical effects of passing WIMPs on solid crystals to
          determine their presence. 
          
          The existance of WIMPs has not yet been directly demonstrated.
          Cabrera's experiment is intended both to demonstrate their
          existance and to show that they inhabit the universe in
          sufficient numbers to do what cosmologists want them to do:
          namely, make the universe close on itself. 
          
          Up to now, detectors for subatomic particles have generally
          used either the particles' optical effects or electrical
          effects to determine their presence. WIMPs, being weakly
          interacting, almost never have these effects. However, WIMPSs
          are massive - 10 or more times as heavy as a proton - so, as
          they pass through a crystal of silicon, they can give an
          electron or an atomic nucleus a bump from which it will
          recoil. The bump becomes a vibration, called a phonon, that
          rattles along the lattice of the crystal. At the face of the
          crystal, the phonon will strike a superconducting aluminum
          tunnel junction, which will record it's presence. 
                     
          
          
    

    re: 52
    
    Are you telling us you have some watermelon tourmaline?  Do you
    realise how hard it is to get a) pink and b) multi coloured tourmaline?
    
    I have four small pieces of green, but would love some wands in
    watermelon and pink.  But, am trying to be patient (for me, not
    easy).  Also very hard to get is some black tourmaline, my friend
    has just received a piece, which I drooled over.
    
    re: 51
    
    So far, I have used my pendulum on what crystals I should get. 
    I am crazy at the moment for Flourite.  A funny thing happend on
    the way to pick up some flourite, the owner of the little shop
    suggested my friend and I look at a piece of clear quartz.  It didn't
    look like the usual quartz and the vibrations were totally different.
    We all picked up on the power and it was very strong, but I knew
    it wasn't my piece of clear quartz.  Suddenly I got a clear message
    to buy it for our circle.  It seemed strong and right that we should
    have that piece.  
    
    When I got home, my Crystal Enlightenment had opened at a page which
    described Tabular crystals.  Guess what - that's what this is, and
    it is perfect for our circle.  
    
    I seem to be going crazy over crystals at the moment, but they are
    appearing in places that I frequent.  In three months my black obsidian
    ball is coming to me, just the right time, and the final thing I
    need is a pyramid.  Not sure if it is clear, amethyst, or flourite,
    but I'll wait.  All my flourites at the moment are (oct..... - you
    know double pyramids!!!).                 
    
    Do you have any suggestions for each chakra, and over here it may
    be a little hard to obtain the right stones.
    
    I have smokey quartz for 1st, some citrine chips will be here next
    week for 2nd and 3rd, rose quartz and green tourmaline, and also
    some kunzite for 4th, I think my supplier is waiting on some aquamarine
    for the 5th, I have amethyst, clear, yellow and purple flourite
    and sodalite for the 6th, and a very small clear for the 7th.  I
    am also looking for a female clear quartz, not at all common here
    in Australia.
    
    I also keep a small (very) tumbled chip of each in a bag near me
    at all times, so I don't have to schlep (sp) my collection with
    me each day.
    
    Now the big question, what do any of you know about morganite. 
    This is yet another gem that is not indigenous to earth.  Those
    that have come across it (it is very very expensive) have said the
    power is incredible.  This one interests me, but like malachite
    I don't think they are mine.  It is interesting to note the power.
    
    ...dale

    
    re: .56 (WIMPs)
    
    Fearless prediction: WIMPs will be discovered by this experiment.
    If they don't exist now, they will be created. That's how the universe
    works (particle physics, particularly).
    
    -Perry
    

    re:.57 
    >looking for a female clear quartz.
    
    How does one distinguish a female quartz? I am in the midst of cleaning
    and sorting a pile of clear quartz "jewelry points" from a recent
    crystal hunting excursion and would be interested to find out. 
    My prize piece, so far, is a double terminated, double sceptered
    somewhat clear piece, which certainly doesn't seem to be female:-)
    
    re:.57
    >what do any of you know about morganite?
    
    According to Jack Frasl, a local crystal person:
    
    Morganite: A pink beryl mineral associated with the heart center
    area.  It provides strengthening for the muscles and nerves of the
    lungs and throat area.
    
    (like all crystal uses, the above is only one *possiblity*)
    
    Incidently, for anybody touring the Seattle area and wanting  unusual
    crystal hunting opportunities, I recommend the Bob Jackson guided
    excursions.  I enjoyed my field trip to his quartz and pyrite mine.
    He also has helicopter trips for those into the really fun and exotic.
    I can send info if there is any interest. Some specimens he has
    found reside in museums, so he knows what he is doing.
    
    Thom
    
      

    re: .59
    
    I am a little confused - (I heard all of those) - at the moment
    Malachite is the flavour of the month!  Unbelievable qualities - 
    is the colour pink?  Because it is so new, the only source is supposed
    to be in Czech...  They are acutally having workshops on this crystal
    and it is expensive - very - 39cents (Aust) per gram. 
    
    I have just found a female quartz crystal - beautiful - looks like
    frozen milk.  Had my name on it too - just have to find the bank
    that uses my name !
    
    Marcia,
    
    I did a 30minute meditation last night with a specific crystal on
    each chakra and it *was* powerful.  Slept like a log for about 5
    hours straight - the longest stretch I've had in years.  Still groggy
    this morning.
    
    This seems to be going on forever - I bought a beautiful piece of
    black tourmaline on Wednesday, set ready for a chain, which I am
    now wearing.  Would you believe (probably already know it) there
    is absolutely no negativity around me at all!!  When we were in
    the shop I asked about watermelon tourmaline (actually it was
    bicoloured) and the owner showed me some.  This is longwinded but
    hang in there.
    
    He was showing me this piece (stunning) for $Aust220 and suddenly
    it fell out of my hand onto the glass counter and snapped.  It must
    have fallen about 2 inches.  The snap occured in the top one third
    and it would still enable it to be sold, probably for more money.
    I was sick and even though the owner told me it was okay, I felt
    ill.  Funnily it didn't seem to be because of the crystal, just
    this feeling of *ughhh*  I didn't relive the moment as often happens
    in situations like that, you know when you break a crystal saladbowl.
    
    My friend rang me that night and he mentioned he was in the same
    arcade as I was at the same time.  He was ringing about a job and
    was told he didn't have it - and he was depressed - at the same
    time I dropped the crystal.  I couldn't shake it until about six
    or seven pm that evening when he was telling me the story.  Now
    we are both very much in tune, even know what the other is thinking
    and are able to pick up on incredible things.  When he was telling
    me, I assumed I was picking up on his depression, because that is
    what it felt like.
    
    Mind you the friend that went to the shop with me was reliving the
    the crystal breaking all night - I in the meantime didn't think
    about it again.  
    
    Here we go, a very long day, meeting for 2/3's - so I hope this
    makes sense.  
    
    Have a wonderful weekend,
    
    ....dale
    
    

RE: All

Just a warning about crystals, note that they increase/amplify the negative
as well as positive effects, so set your intentions clear in your
meditations.

I am not very receptive to the energy from crystals but my wife is.  When
learning about crystals and attempting to channel the energy we were
warned about this.

Dan

    re: .60 re'ing: .59 re'ing .57
    >Malachite... is the colour pink? Because it is so new...
    
    Was "Malachite" in .60 a typo? The previous references were to
    *Morganite*.  Malachite was used extensively by the ancient Egyptians
    for healing etc.(hardly new). It is green and relatively inexpensive.
    Easy availability should not overshadow its importance though and
    it should be cleansed often or it will deteriorate(speaking from
    experience).    
    
    re: .60 re'ing .59
    >...Female quartz crystal -beautiful- looks like frozen milk.
    
    Does this mean that the milky/translucent quartz are "female".
    Most people seem to ignore anything but perfectly clear quartz in
    these parts.  I found a double terminated "frozen milk" crystal
    that I really like but no one else has given a second look because
    it isn't *clear*. (Their loss ;-) )
    
    
    Thom

    re: .62
    
    Love me or leave me - most of the time I answer these notes I am
    off with the fairies!!  :^)....
    
    Yes, you are right, I was referring to *Morganite*.  Could somebody
    tell me more about this rare gem please.  I have absolutely no interest
    in Malachite - leaves me cold.....
    
    As far as female quartz goes, (correct me if I am wrong, I know
    you all will...:-) )
    
    Yes, the milky quartz is female - to get a cluster with both male
    and female is very rare and *please* don't anybody depress me by
    telling me you have one....on the other hand perhaps you ought to
    and encourage me to go forth and find mine!!
    
    Most crystals come in male and female form.  For instance, rose
    quartz is female, amethyst can be either (although I have a female
    amethyst piece - large), but my smokey is male.  If often relates
    to which hand they feel more comfortable in.  The left hand is female
    and the right is male.  
    
    Personally I find clear quartz ugly.....but I have a lot of dark
    stones, obsidian, smokey q, black tourmaline so I need to have a
    few small clear quartz on hand.  But, I know my female q will come.
    I know this sounds like Sleeping Beauty, (you know, someday my prince
    etc.) but I have seen it.
    
    Oh dear, look out when I have had a good night's sleep....
    
    ...dale

     re:.63 
          >*Morganite*. Could somebody tell me more about this rare
            gem please.
           
           I just checked with Star Gazer, the "crystal shop"
           just down the road. (Strange, how I ended up working a
           10 minute bike ride from what is generally
           acknowledged to be the best esoteric crystal shop in
           this area.) 
           
           Their opinion of the properties of Morganite are
           as follows:
           
           -Vibrational link between heart and throat chakra
            opened.   
           -Generally an excellent heart chakra stone.
           -Emotional and mental bodies aligned
           -Soothing effect
           
           Personally, I noticed a calming effect emanating
           from a piece held in my hand, before I heard
           their opinion. This feeling was very different
           than the tingling sensation in my hand that
           I usually get from a quartz crystal. 
           
           You were right, Morganite is fairly rare and
           expensive.  Star Gazer had four pieces in stock
           ranging in price from $70-$120 (US) and in size from
           3cm to 13cm (roughly across widest points). My
           favorite was a $90 approximately 5cm piece with
           aquamarine (they are "companion" minerals) on one
           side. It was a light translucent pink, with a sort of
           layered melted look, and a smooth shiny surface. 
           
           The next time you are in Bellevue Washington, check
           it out:-)
           
           Thom
            
                                       

    Re.63
    
    Hey Dale, please say 'hi' to Tinkerbell for me, along with Mel,
    Paul H. and Sean C.
    
    Patiently waiting for CD and LW II.
    
    Cindy

    RE: .64
    
    Thom,
    
    Many thanks for that info.  My powers are getting stronger, but
    as of today, I am still unable to project myself from the land down
    under to the East coast of USA.  
    
    But I will start saving for some Morganite.  That may come with
    the black obsidian ball and milky quartz.  You never know, I may
    pick it up when I am over there next year!!!!
    
    re: .65
    
    Cindy, Tinker says hi!!  Mentioning Krypt.. made me wonder if this
    rock is really Tourmaline.  Apparently Tourmaline did not originate
    on earth....  Some of it does look a lot like Kryptonite.  Course
    if I ended up looking like Clark or S/man after using it, I would
    be worried...what I need is for one or the other to materialise,
    or any of our favourites.
    
    To all of you I thank you for your responses and I will now keep
    an eye out for some.
    
    ....dale

     re:.67
           ~ $  help the oppressed children of the world. 
           ~  ...more than than buying a rock.
           ~  see Christian Science Monitor.
           
           Just think of how the money spent on publishing
           the Christian Science Monitor and maintaining the
           organization to support it could help out the world.
           
           I find it interesting how religious organizations prey
           upon guilt. Also, why is it always help "over there":-) 
           
           *Opening* the heart chakra is only the beginning and
           I'm sure I am not alone in finding that ways to help
           out "the world" come my way the same as crystals seem
           to. Maybe opening your heart chakra would make you
           aware of how you could help out in your own community
           without requiring a newspaper to enlighten you. 
           
           I'm sure you don't sign your entire check over
           to "good causes"(and send your leftovers:-). Crystals
           are hopefully one type of "frill" that can also
           have the side effect of helping us help the world.
           
           Thom (Who does not believe in religious
           *organizations*)

    re: last two
         Opening up the heart chakra can be accomplishing many things.
    Certainly the love from there is very helpful to all of us.  There
    are many ways of doing so...donating money is one of the easiest.
    Acquiring a crystal to help release or amplify that energy is simply
    another way that can work.  "Don't knock it even if you've tried
    it."  
        I have just place a reference to a Lazaris workshop on crystals
    (available now on audio tape) in 358.87.  Perhaps it can be of value
    to someone.
        Incidentally, for you in Australia, Lazaris tapings are shown
    in Perth and possibly elsewhere, too.  You can contact me or 
    Concept:Synergy should you be interested.  Otherwise, ignore this.
      
    Frederick
    

    re: .70
    
    It's not quite as simple as being overly sensitive in the ego
    department.  Certainly that can be a problem, but my experience
    is that giving does not open the heart, but the desire to give rises
    because the heart is opening.  I had a very sobering experience last 
    year along these lines.  My mother has been a virtual pauper since 
    being widowed in her early forties.  My brother and I, already well
    past much parental resentment, opened an emergency/investment account
    for her, to either use when necessary, or let grow.  My sister,
    who has had a very damaged relationship with our mother, refused
    to contribute, at first on the grounds that she was "irresponsible"
    and would misuse the money.  I called her on this assumption and
    she admitted that she felt lousy both ways; guilty for not giving
    but sick at the thought of giving to someone who she felt had drained
    her and left her empty.  I told her that was a perfectly valid reason
    _not_ to give.  If the idea that intent is of paramount importance
    has any validity, her "gift" would have been poisoned by hatred
    and resentment.  Certainly when we talked I felt the deep pain of
    her resentment, to the point where I felt physically ill for a few
    days after our conversation.
    
    The followup to this story is that through the very recent discovery 
    of crystal work, her heart _is_ opening and she and our mother have 
    begun to repair their damaged relationship; the healing is taking 
    place.  Someday my sister will be strong and feel "full" enough to 
    enable her to give materially.  In the meantime I am happy for this 
    healing experience for our family, even if it has, as yet, no
    "practical", worldly demonstrations of goodness.  I suspect those 
    will follow as emotional healing continues.
    
    Marcia

    WOW!!  Am I glad I got directed to this note!  For some time now
    I have been looking for more info regarding crystals and their healing
    and other powers.  (I took down all the books mentioned in this
    note, and will start reading up.)  I think that this is a facinating
    subject, and I am anxious to get started for myself.  
    
    I'd really appreciate someone's expertise on the following:
    
    *Pyramids--crystal or other, and how to use.
    *Advice on healing circles--I need one NOW and so does a friend.
    *How do you find "your" stone
    *Advice on a good place to buy (I live in Tewksbury, Mass.)
    *What's a good stone for my mom?   She had a very bad bout with
    salmonella, and is still weak from it.  She is very discouraged,
    too, and feels that her medication isn't helping.  Any advice here
    would mean a great deal to me.
    
    Ever since I was a kid, I have been utterly entranced with stones,
    crystals, and ALL kinds of jewelry.  I make some of my own,
    particularly bead necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  One of my
    best pieces is a "treasure necklace" (inspired by the Indian treasure
    necklaces of the Southwest)--it is 5 long strands of all kinds of
    beads of different materials, shapes, sizes, and weights.  In and
    among the beads are all kinds of "treasures"--rings, coins, charms,
    earrings, pins, etc.  It sounds funny-looking, but it is striking,
    and I feel wonderful wearing it--mainly because it is a one-of-a-kind
    creation.  Some of the materials in it are garnet, amythest, agate,
    carnelian, mother-of-pearl, coral, jade, ivory, bone, onyx, sodalite,
    hemitite, and moonstone--to name some.  Could the combination of
    all these diverse stones be attributing to my good feelings?
    
    Looking forward to hearing from you,
    
    Jane 

I'm new to this conference and have not read many of the notes or any of
the replies to this note. I found this note doing a next/unseen after
just having set seen and entering reply 418.5

>    *Advice on healing circles--I need one NOW and so does a friend.
        Try the Healers Resource Center in Cambridge. They have Healing
        circles every Monday nite I believe.

>    *How do you find "your" stone
        I'm of the belief it will find you.

>    *Advice on a good place to buy (I live in Tewksbury, Mass.)
        Heaven & Earth
        196 Washington St
        Gloucester, MA 10930

Jay

    Jade has been a significant occult gem in the Orient for a good
    long time.  I believe it is supposed to generally enhance wisdom
    and well-being.  The different colors it can come in make it possible
    to use for different chakra work.  Green, one of its common colors, 
    is supposed to be good for the heart area.  Being an opaque or semi-
    opaque stone, it is supposedly one of the good ones for grounding
    energies in the body, but jade supposedly does it soothingly, rather
    than landing on you like a ton of bricks.  Since serenity is a prized
    state in many Oriental philosophies and modes of thought, it is
    not surprising that this stone would be highly prized.
    
    One book I have on esoteric properties of gems believes it is a 
    good dreaming stone.  This was a surprise to me when I read it, 
    since most books I'd read recommended quartz for enhancing dream 
    recall and understanding.  But I've discovered that, for myself, 
    having jade in my pillowcase seems to be soothing.  As one who 
    is prone to insomnia from time to time, I like this very much; 
    I have slept better than when I put quartz or any other stones 
    nearby.
    
    Can't claim to know anything about marble, but the vision sounds 
    fascinating.
    
    Marcia

    I bought a beautiful smokey quartz "phantom" crystal yesterday.
    Does anyone know anything about phantoms?  Briefly,.. its a crystal
    that stopped growing and then another crystal formed over it so
    that you can see the "shadow" of the first crystal inside.  I also
    got a beautiful double terminated clear quartz with a rainbow inclusion
    in it...very nice.
    I couldn't find any reference to phantoms in Crystal Enlightenment...
    hope someone can (excuse the pun) enlighten me._:-)

    
    I am looking for input from you noters out there who have
    experience in this.
    
    Is blue topaz considered a crystal?  If so, what chakra does it
    affect most.  I LOVVVVEEEEEE blue topaz and whenever I see it I
    get the "I have to have it" urge.....similar to what some of you
    have expressed in previous notes.
    
    It's a pity that it's so expensive.... :^<   Please let me know.
    i am curious.
    
    -Leigh

    re: .76
       I won't pretend to know a great deal about crystals, however,
    I do have a Madagascar crystal (my "main" crystal) that has such
    a phantom in it.  It is visible as another point when viewed in
    a certain way.  I was told by the man who cuts most of
    Concept:Synergy's crystals (I forget his name, but he is quite
    excellent) that a phantom is capable of being programmed as is the
    rest of the crystal.  He says it is an unusual and often desirable
    occurrence.  He said more, but I didn't "capture" it.
      
    Frederick
    

    re .76
    >I couldn't find any references to phantoms in Crystal Enlightenment...
    
    In case you haven't found it yet the reference to "phantoms" in
    CE starts on page 75.
    
    Its a rather obscure reference I must admit, but basically refers
    to meditation on phantom crystals as being useful for inner-self
    examination or "soul searching".  The book states that they require
    mental discipline and patience to learn to work with them.
    
    Phantoms are relatively rare.  The only one I have is a small (approx
    1.25" long) double terminated (one end a rough, partial termination).
    Its point of interest is that the inner phantom point has a thin
    covering of pyrite.  I haven't "felt" its unique significance yet
    but it keeps grabbing my attention.  A local crystal shop has a
    large crystal ball with a centered phantom - spectacular! but decadent
    beyond words $-)
    
    re .76
    Rainbow crystals
    
    That rainbow crystal sounds like a real gem:-)  Quartz crystal seems
    to be my stone and I am especially drawn to Rainbow crystals.  Crystal
    Enlightenment ( ref page 70) refers to them for meditation and healing.
    The meditation reference seems to tie in well with the discussion
    in the Notes topic dicussing the "August 16th Rainbow people". 
    For healing they are said to work well with the heart chakra for
    people that are experiencing sadness, grief, or depression.  CE
    states that these feelings are replaced with joy, enthusiasm, confidence
    and love.
    
    Thom
    
    

    
    re: blue topaz
    
    I'm not familiar with the specific properties of topaz, but as a
    general rule blue stones are useful in opening the throat chakra.
    I believe that any substance which occurs in crystaline form is
    useful for body-energy work.
    
    Perry
    

    
    Re.-1
    
    Stumbling into unknown territory here...
    
    what is the 'throat chakra', and what is the significance?
    
    Thank you.

     
           re: *Blue* Topaz and throat chakra
              .77 Blue Topaz
              .80 Blue Topaz - throat chakra
              .81 Whats a throat chakra    
    
           I agree with the comment about the blue topaz being
           "good for" the throat chakra.  I have it from at
           least one source that feels that in addition to
           communication "powers" being helped as implied
           through the association with the throat chakra,
           topaz is also thought to help creativity.
           
           So whats a throat chakra you might well ask?  I
           would not presume to give a couple of line proper
           explanation.  I think most crystal books will touch
           on the subject(Crystal Enlightenment-  fer shur)
           or there is probably a Topic that could be SEARCHed
           out.  *Basically* chakras are 'energy flows' that
           allegedly go through points of the body. There
           are 7 chakras that get the major media exposure
           and each one is associated with some property of
           spiritual/human development related to its location
           on the body. 
           
           "Crystal layouts" are made by placing stones(little
           ones:-) on these points (e.g. the throat chakra
           is the hollow at the base of the throat) to strengthen
           change or otherwise manipulate these energy flows.
           Incidentlly, I have found that manipulating the
           chakras using *any* method is a controversial subject
           in the metaphysical world. 
           
           A crystal layout can be as simple as a single stone on
           a single spot, ranging to elaborate combinations of
           networks of different stones with crystals placed
           between chakras ( It begins to look like a pc board:-)
           
           I have noticed interesting *subtle* effects during
           layouts.  I have heard of some fairly dramatic
           interactions between people and crystals though.  I
           guess it shouldn't be suprising that "rocks" could
           effect us since we are basically electrical in nature
           (after all, death is official when all electrical
           output from the brain ceases) and crystals have
           already been proven to have quite a few electrical
           properties.(See "Crystal Power" Topic, set up to
           absorb and counter any arguement on the crystal side
           of this theory.)
           
           On top of all this crystals are purrty, which in
           itself should give you a better appreciation of
           the world. :-)              
            
           Thom
                                  

RE: < Note 69.82 by MIST::IVERSON "There's a seeker born every minute" >
                          -< Blue Topaz and Chakras >-
>           So whats a throat chakra you might well ask?  I
>           would not presume to give a couple of line proper
>           explanation.  I think most crystal books will touch
>           on the subject(Crystal Enlightenment-  fer shur)
>           or there is probably a Topic that could be SEARCHed
>           out.
"Joy's Way" by Brugh Joy describes the chakras and provides a spiral
meditation for use with them.

Dan

    re:50,60,62,63 etc etc
    
    Both Malachite and Morganite didn't sound right, but unlike all
    of you, I don't retain a lot once I am work, it is just work, then
    when I am at home, I don't retain a lot of what I just left.  I
    do try to keep the two seperate.
    
    I was at my local supplier of crystals, The Crystal Pyramid, on
    Saturday just to perk myself up.  And finally she had samples of 
    - wait for it - *Moldavite*, which is what I have been trying to 
    spit out for the past three weeks.  
    
    There isn't anything in any of my Crystal books on this, but the
    Crystal Pyramid had a pamphlet which I will describe briefly later.
    Slightly off the subject the owner mentioned her husband had brought
    back from the States the Volume II of Crytal Enlightenment.....how
    long do we have to wait, I asked, so she is trying to get me a copy.
    
    Apparently there is mention in this and Windows of Light on Moldavite.
    People have picked up a small piece and have been transported off
    to space and others (myself included) picked it up and it pulsed
    nicely in our hands.  The pieces I was looking at were about 3/4
    inch by 1/2 inch and cost $aus65 and up.
    
    This is found so far only in Czechoslavkia - aparently more scarce
    than emeralds and rubies.
    
    So, Moldavite is described as a high vibrational gem-quality meteorite
    that stimulates channelling and heightened psychic-spiritual
    receptivity.                               
    
    So, to all of you who have tried to work out what on earch (!!)
    I am trying to say, the particular stone I am trying to find out
    more about is *Moldavite*.
    
    re: Blue Topaz
    
    The Crystal Pyramid had some green topaz on Saturday.  I loved the
    look of it, but did not need any more green stones, I am after throat
    chakra stones, as I only have two small chips of Beryl.  I can purchase
    some Aquamarine, but what else is there please.
    
    ....dale

                                FREE ADMITTANCE!
     
                           A SEMINAR FOR PERSONAL AND
                             PLANETARY ASCENSION
                       With Randall N.Baer, N.D. Author of
            Windows of Light: Quartz Crystals and Self-Transformation
                     The Crystal Connection: A Guidebook for
                        Personal and Planetary Ascension
     
     An intensive weekend seminar: Learn how to apply crystal energetics
     in your personal and professional life to catalyze for the New World
     ascension process.
     
     Location: Salem State Clooege Auditorium - call for directions
     Times: Saturday & Sunday, September 26 and 27, 9:30a.m. - 5:00p.m.
     Cost: FREE, donation accepted and appreciated, but not required.
     
                          For more information contact:
                          Robert Simmons & Kathy Warner
                                 Heaven & Earth
                                 (617) 281-3536
     
     Note: RULES established by Heaven & Earth;
     1) All events start on time, late comers will be admitted at the
     first break.
     2) NO cassette records or cameras.
     3) NO infants or children (sorry!)
     4) NO selling or commercialism (this is NOT an expo or fair)
     5) Other activities NOT allowed include explicit 'metaphysical and
     healing' activities of ALL varities
     6) NO exceptions to the above
     7) The above rules were established to create an optimal enviornment
     with minimal distraction for the truly interested person to receive
     the most knowledge and light possible. It is for these persons ONLY
     that the seminar is given FREELY.
     
     disclaimer: I am not connected in any way to Heaven & Earth and
     receive no gains, monetary or otherwise, by posting this notice.
     
     

          re: .84
           Moldavite
           
           Isn't that the penicillin brand name targeted for
           health food stores? :-)
           
           � Seriously ? Your reference to Moldavite seems
           to correspond with the few references I have been
           able to find. 
           
           According to the the Earthlight series by Jack
           Frasl ( a local crystal person):
           
           Moldavite Tektite:  The deep green ray present
           in this meteorite is best accessed when cut to
           shapes or faceted.  The stone is  then gem quality
           and opens communications with the higher light
           worlds when placed on the third eye during meditation.
           
           From the "experts" at Star Gazer:
           �Enhance psychic abilities and spiritual attunement.
           �Contain strong nuturing energy.
           �Promote prosperity, health, and spiritual joy.
           
           I received an interesting impression from a quick
           meditation with it on the third eye.(A test
           drive?!:-)) Someone else there liked the feel of
           it over the heart chakra.
           
           Remember though, that nothing about rocks is written
           in stone:-)
           
           By the way, are you trying to find *the most*
           expensive rock to get attracted to:-). The shards
           I saw were uncut and looked uncuttable and were
           going for $20-$100U.S. for pieces in the 1cm-2.5cm
           size.  
           
           Incidently, this translucent green meteoric material
           from Czechoslovakia looks like what I always imagined
           Kryptonite to look like. hmmm....   :-)
           
           Thom
           
            

    Thom,
    
    Many thanks for your reply.
    
    Actually, one of the reasons I keep away from this gem (but am drawn
    back to it) is because of the cost.  Cost is double over here for
    the same size as you mentioned.
    
    Check out emerald green tourmaline and see if it seems to be more
    like Kryptonite (as in SII and SIII).
    
    Most of the crystals I have, have found me under incredible
    circumstances and I imagine that is how all the others will find
    me.
    
    Ta heaps :^)
    
    ...dale

No scientific rigor here.  Merely relating personal experiences.
Hit your <next unseen> key if this is not what you are looking for
today.

Introduction:

Perhaps the rocks serve as a focusing agent for the curative power of
our selves.  (This has been said before in this conference somewhere)
Perhaps I, as a member of the high-tech New England U.S. culture, who
is used to taking a pill to make a head-ache go away, turning a key to
get from here to there, pressing a button to make music (only when I 
don't have time, I'm a musician too,) perhaps I need a physical object 
to focus power I have within myself because my experiences in this society 
provide me with very few (if any) models of humans focusing raw human power.  

Or perhaps the rocks have power of their own.  I don't know.  And I 
don't much care.  My experience shows me for whatever reason that
I get positive results from incorporating certain crystals into
the patterns of my life.  (I've even gotten a negative result once,
but that's another story.)  So here are some of my experiences with
my crystals, no experiments, just experiences.

Experiences:

I have found that my amethyst cluster on the headboard of my bed
is good for a good night's sleep.  I'm an intense sort of person
and usually get wound up at bedtime if I'm stressed out.  Before
I got the rock I spent a lot of sleepless nights.  Now I sleep.

I have found that standing in the corner of the Westford rock shop
surrounded by a large quantity of large quartz crystals leaves me
feeling quite refreshed.

I have found that wearing a necklace of malachite chips helps me
to fight off germs which used to lay me out.  I have also found
that a solid lump (the doctor couldn't aspirate it) has disappeared
since I started wearing the malachite.  I think this is really
quiet wierd, because my lumps usually don't disappear without the
help of minor surgery.  (Which is not to say, btw, that if another lump
appears I'm going to toss my trusty doctor into the trash bin in
favor of my rocks.)  I was just very surprized.

I have also found that I feel 'vibrations' (sorry rationalists) when
I hold certain of my crystals or certain combinations of them.
The 'vibrations' (for lack of a better word) feel very much like my
hands feel after having held a running chain saw for awhile.  Of course
if your hands don't feel like they're vibrating after you hold a running
chain saw and then put it down, then the image is meaningless.  Anyway
that's how it feels to me.

I haven't tried crystal layouts yet, but I'll let you know what happens
when I do.

That's enough for now I guess.

alison

    re: -.1
       After so much of what I consider negative in these notes lately
    it is certainly quite nice to read what you had to write.  What
    a wonderful "testimonial!"
      
    Frederick
    

    Tell me more...What rock shop in Westford???
    
    I'm in LJO2 is it near me?
    
    Thnaks...MaggieT

I believe the rock shop in question is New England International Gem Co Inc.

There address is 137 Littleton RD, Westford MA. The phone is 617-692-8266.
It's a great place, even you are just a rock hound like me. :-)

To get there from LJO take 495 to the Boston RD exit, turn right at
the bottom of the exit, at the next intersection (RT 110) turn left,
it will be about 1/2 mile up on your left in a little collection of 
shops in a clump of red wooden houses.

-vicki

Oh, it takes about 10 minutes to get there from LJO...

    Thanks for the information.  I'll make a trip there soon I'm sure.
    
    MaggieT

>    After so much of what I consider negative in these notes lately it is
>    certainly quite nice to read what you had to write.  What a wonderful
>    "testimonial!" 


    I agree. Thanks for sharing, Alison.  
    
    
    			Lance (Who_dosen't_think_reason_goes_everywhere)
 
    

    I also patronize the N.E. Internat'l Gem Co--it's only a mile from
    my house!  They have literally a _ton_ of smokey quartz in there
    just now, so if you're looking for some (and some are really huge
    chunks) skip right over.
    
    I also have that "vibrational" feeling, much like Alison described,
    except that to me it feels like touching something that has a subtle
    electric current running through it, not enough to shock, but enough
    to notice.
    
    When selecting stones I also bring some of my Polarity Therapy
    knowledge into play.  Depending on what I'm looking for (grounding
    stone, communication enhancer, emotional release, etc.) I extend
    the finger on the left hand (purportedly the "receptive" hand) that
    corresponds to the 'element' (fire, earth, air, water, ether) I 
    want to have enhanced.  For those of you who wonder which finer
    corresponds with which element:
    
    		Pinky		=	Earth (when looking for 
    					       grounding stones)
    		Ring Finger	=	Water (when looking for
    					       enhancers for emotional
    					       expression/release)
    		Middle Finger	=	Fire  (when looking for vitality
    					       enhancers)
    		Index		=	Air   (when looking for communi-
    					       cation/mental clarity
    					       enhancers)
    		Thumb		=	Ether (when looking for medi-
    					       tation/visualisation/
    					       calming stones)

    This is my own idiosyncratic method and works for me.  If anyone
    else has good results with it, let me know.
    
    Marcia

    I visited the House of Zodiac bookstore recently to purchase an
    astrology book and also to buy some crystals for myself (...I decided
    to go for it!).  Instead of selecting the ones that 'captured my
    attention,' I bought the ones that I thought would 'be good for
    me' based on what their specific healing properties were -- much
    like as what was described in .47.
    
    The woman behind the counter seemed to be very knowledgeable about
    crystals.  She was also a good guide as far as telling me exactly
    _how_ I should go about 'clearing' (cleansing) them.  This is what
    she told me - yes, in fact, seawater is the #1 method, but you can
    also use kosher pickle juice (!!).  Also, if you're in a hurry to
    program your crystals then you could clear them by running them
    under 'cool' water (...about the same water temperature you'd use
    on your plants -- not warm, but not cold either.) for about 5-10
    minutes, if they were small.
    
    Not only does a crystal act as a 'receiver' when programmed in the
    left hand, but it also acts as a 'transmitter' when programmed in
    the right hand (i.e., say you wanted 'protection' from all of the
    *crazy* drivers out there, you'd place that intent in mind while
    holding the crystal in your right hand.)  Lastly, I was told to
    slowly exhale on the stone for about 10 seconds after you're finished
    programming it.  This is suppose to act as the 'breath of life'
    for the stone.  (Maybe you already knew this so you'll have to forgive
    my naivety here!)                                              
    
                                                                             
          Question:  Can a person clear and program a stone to
                     work *for* another person??
    
    I would be interested in reading anyone's comments - thank-you!
    
    
    -D.
    
    

    Re ,95:
    
    >she told me - yes, in fact, seawater is the #1 method, but you can
    >also use kosher pickle juice (!!).  ...
    
    Sounds like my old friend, Sandy [Levine].  If you see her again
    before I do, say "Hi."
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    re .-1:
    
    >          Question:  Can a person clear and program a stone to
    >                 work *for* another person??
    
    No, you have to do it yourself.  The cleansing is attuning it to
    you, and getting rid of any other influences that are on it, such
    as it at one time belonged to another person.
    
    However, you can get some interesting results by taking a stone
    belonging to another person and using it to communicate with its
    original owner.  But be *very careful* about who you do this with
    - if you wouldn't loan them your life savings, don't think about
    it!
    
    Elizabeth

    
   Re: .96
    
   >Sounds like my old friend, Sandy [Levine].  If you see her again
   >before I do, say "Hi."
    
    
    ...I surely will.
    
     D.
    
  

    Article from Colorado Springs Telegraph
    
    		Amethyst find near Fort Collins called a real gem
    
    Associated Press
        FORT COLLINS--They are deep purple,doubly terminated--meaning
    they are pointed at both ends--and as amethysts go,are regarded
    as world class.
        And Nick Finnell,a partner in a mining operation near Red Feather
    Lakes northwest of Fort Collins,believes the find could be the most
    important in North American history because of the size of the crystals
    and the formation they are in.
        Finnell said some of the crystals are as long as 11 1/2 inches,
    and it's the deep purple tint that makes the stones desirable among
    gem fanciers.
        Finnell said the Colorado amethyst deposit was discovered in
    1932 and the claim was bought in 1934 by King Koenig,who died recently.
    A preliminary dig on the site in the 1930's showed there was amethyst
    present,but not much was done then.
        Koenig's widow,Joy,and Bohn Dunbar of Akron are his partners
    in the venture.
        Finnell said he and Koenig did some exploring that showed there
    was considerable potential on the claim,and seismic exploration
    gave an idea where the vein runs.
        "As far as what's quartz and what's amethyst,it's hard to know,"
    he said.
    
        Even if the digging finds only a limited quantity, the quality
    of the amethyst makes it an important discovery,he noted.
    
        He said one cluster at the claim yeilded 230 pounds at one shot.
    

    yea!!

    re .99
    
    Since I am a pisces and read along the lines somewhere in a book
    that the amethyst is good for that sign...hmmmmmmm.
    
    .....I womder if one of my paychecks would cover it!!  ;^>
    (very big wink on that one!)
    
    Leigh

    The amethyst remained in the mine for many years before it was dug
    out, and miners must have passed it hundreds of time beore it was
    finally removed.
    
    I wonder if the miners felt any sort of vibrations each time they
    passed the vein? (Dynamite blasts excluded, of course.) 
                                                      
    -bs

    RE.102
    
    I am buying directly from Nick Finnell for my crystal business and
    I have seen photos of the mine dig. It's not a regular mine, but
    an open pit type mine on a very small scale.  They had to dam and
    reroute a stream around the mining area as the vein was under 4'
    of water in the middle of the stream and underground about 15'.
    When they were working the crystal, they could feel a resonance
    from the vein.
    
    
 RE.101
       
    The crystals I am getting from Nick vary from 3" long X 1.250" dia.
    to 5" long X 3.500" dia. They are ALL double terminated and are
    the deep rich purple, not pale lavender like most other Colorado
    amethyst. The crystals all have a wonderful energy to them,
    especially the ones with a single point on one end and multiple
    points on the other. Retail prices range from $75.00 for the small
    ones to $200.00 for the large ones. But that still varies on the
    quality of the amethyst stone itself(color, chips, shapes of points,
    and size).
    

    John

    I remember reading a while ago about a prediction of large crystal
    discoveries in the "future".  Does anyone else remember this?
    (Yes, this is a very simple prediction to make)
    
    How can you get in touch with someone to buy one of these?
     

    RE.104
    
    If someone is interested in these amethyst crystals, send me mail
    or call. 
    
    I think that the large crystal discoveries were predicted in the
    article on crystals in "People" magazine not too long ago.
    
    John 
    
    CXO 548-3667
    CXCAD::WILLIAMS

    In the Auburn Mall in Auburn, MA, from September 24-27 they are
    having a gem and mineral show.  Some are very fairly priced.
    
    there are several dealers to choose from and although some are hawking
    cheap jewelry, some have exceedingly nice specimens.
    
    The Auburn Mall is off of I290 at the exit marked "Shopping Mall":
    and "Auburn Street, Auburn".  It is also within sight of route 12.
    
    -Jody
    

re: .85

Did any other DEJAVUers from the New England area attend the Randall Baer
seminar in Salem last weekend??

Jay

    Visited Heaven and Earth Crystal Shop this past weekend. Loved it.
    I'd recommend it if you're gonna be on Cape Ann (it's in Gloucester,
    MA) for an "ocean fix", a "seafood fix", or whatever.
    
    Spent much more time looking around in H&E, (and spent more $$)
    than I had planned. They also have Lazaris tapes for rent, New Age
    type audio cassettes, and some books. Nice folks.
    
    --DE
    

    I was there, too, on Saturday!  Did you notice the beautiful green-
    and-purple flourite wands in one case?  I had gone in there with
    the notion of putting a down payment on one of the green flourite
    spheres and having them put it on layaway for me.  But none of the
    spheres felt right, so I abandoned that plan and was feeling sad
    that it hadn't worked out.  Then I found the sculpted wands!
    Beautiful!  They were _much_ less expensive than the spheres and
    one of them felt just right.  Don't know what it's for yet, but
    that's no problem . . .
    
    Marcia

    Yes! I saw them and was quite taken with them. I'll definitely
    have to go back and look at them again.
    
    There was a beautiful crystal/garnet(I think) with-silver-wings
    pendant which I was very attracted to, and which, I am told, I will
    receive upon my graduation from massage therapy school.
    
    I really don't want to wait, but guess I'll have to...:-(
    
    The energy in that shop is soooo good!
    
    Dawn
    

    
                          ROCK, GEM and MINERAL SHOW
    
    
    
    	Where:		Sheraton Boxborough
    
    	When:		Oct. 30      11:00 - 7:00
                        Oct. 31      10:00 - 7:00
                        Nov.  1      11:00 - 6:00
    
    	Cost:		Admission is $5.00
                                          
    
    
    I attended this show last year and found it very interesting. It's a
    whole convention-size area packed with all types of rocks, gems,
    crystals, etc. Mineral specimens, faceted unset gemstones *by the
    trayfull*, cabochons...the whole thing! Their prices were good too. I
    think this is the type of event where dealers do some of their buying
    (If you buy any quantity at all of something, try for a discount!).

    They had several people selling quartz crystals, and some of the
    massage tools were the best I've ever seen. I'm sure prices for these
    will be much higher now then last year,  :^(   but such is the law of
    supply and demand.  Enjoy! 
                        
    
    				Lance
      
                                           

    Thanks Lance.

    	Is the energy given off by the crystal measureable by any
    objective instrumentation?
    
    	Or is it like energy that will not show up because we can't
    yet measure it correctly with today's instruments?
    
    	I've heard a lot about crystals lately. And a lot of talk
    about postive and negative energies.  What do you look for when
    you touch one?  Where do you put it?  How long does it take?
    What does it feel like (the energy)?

    -mike z

.113  -mike z

>    	Is the energy given off by the crystal measureable by any
>    objective instrumentation?

Not to my knowledge.

>    	Or is it like energy that will not show up because we can't
>    yet measure it correctly with today's instruments?

I'm not sure it will ever be measured. It's termed 'subtle' enegry. I
don't think it is enegry as we know it.

>    ....................................  What do you look for when
>    you touch one?  Where do you put it?  How long does it take?
>    What does it feel like (the energy)?

I look for a feeling, like you would get from a friend. It is usually
held in your hand. Sometimes you get a strong feeling right away.
Sometimes, if your mind is on other things, you may hold it a while
before you get any feeling from it. Sometimes, you will feel nothing. I
would guess the energy feels different to everyone. For me it is
sometimes a slight warmth, or most often a slight vibration.

Jay

    By The Way, the Shambalah bookstore is now called Sagada, and has
    several displays of crystals.
    
    							Ann B.

    if you take a crystal that has a good "feeling" and encase it in
    a gargoyle/dragon/demon does it change its feel ?

    re .113
    
     >	Is the energy given off by the crystal measureable by any
    >objective instrumentation?
           
    The september 1987 issue of "Rock and Gem" magazine has a schematic
    and rough description of how to make a gadget that can measure
    piezoelectric energy from a crystal. Whether or not there is any
    relationship between this energy and the "psychic" energy of a crystal
    is anybodies' guess.
    
    Thom
      
    

    re .116
    
>        if you take a crystal that has a good "feeling" and encase it in
>    a gargoyle/dragon/demon does it change its feel ?
 
    My understanding of the way crystals work, is that they will pick
    up *any* kind of energy/feelings floating about. This is the reason
    there is so much emphasis on "cleansing" crystals and using them
    for positive work.   Like a computer its a case of Garbage in =
    GARBAGE out.
    
    Hints on positive use of crystals and cleansing techniques can be
    found by browsing through this topic.
    
    Thom 

    Maybe this is a good place to ask this question.
    
    I bought a "smudge stick" I think it's called... but I don't know
    how to use it, and thought it might be prudent to ask here, cuz
    I don't really want to - well, set the house on fire, for one
    thing...;-} 
    
    Can anybody help??
    
    --Dawn
    

    I've seen different ways of smudging.  Some people light the stick
    itself,... and wave the smoke over the object being cleansed.. others
    shake part of the smudge stick into a shell or container and burn
    that... using a feather to direction the smoke.  Either way, smudge
    sticks are used by American Indians and by others to cleanse.. I
    believe them to be quite effective.
    Mary

re; .119 
As .120 said, you can just lite the end and let it smolder or break of
some pieces and lite them in a shell. The most commen shell is the
alabaster(?) shell, I think, because of its thickness. Regular sea
shells tend to get too hot to hold. Have some sand or dirt handy, to
extinguish the stick if you choose to lite the end and let it smolder.

In addition to what .120 said I would add, be barefoot when smudging, and
smudge yourself and all participants before smudging any objects.
Smudging yourself consists of 'washing' your aura and chakra centers with
the smoke. Take the smoke to your heart, and over your head with cupped
hands. Also, push the smoke down your arms and down the front of your
body. Picture yourself dispensing negative energy away from you and other
participants.

There are some that hold the belief (I'm not sure I agree with this) that
when smudging a house, you should have a window or door open through which
the negativity can pass, lest the energy 'blow out' a window.

Jay

    
    I received a quartz crystal growing kit as a Xmas gift and wondered
    if anyone has had any prior experience with such things.
    
    Cindy

    RE: crystal-growing kit.
    
    I have some questions, too....is this the "real thing"? I remember
    when I was a kid, this kind of thing was around, but it wasn't
    really crystals, as dug from the earth. 
    
    ??
    
    BTW - thanks for the advice on smudging...
    
    Dawn
    

    re:.122
    >   I received a quartz crystal growing kit...
    
    No previous experience, but I have seen several variations available in
    catalogs.  They appear to be a large jump up in quality from the ones
    "we had as kids". BTW  I doubt it is actually a *quartz* growing kit.
    You will probably notice some wording saying "quartz *like*" (or
    similar.  
    
    I would like to hear how they turn out, and how close they are to
    actual quartz. i.e. hardness, stablility in water(do they dissolve?)
    Do they give any hints as to what mineral you actually end up with?
    i.e. what solution do you work with. (Otherwise how can we tell
    you what their metaphysical properties are ;-)
    
    Keep us posted.
    
    Thom
    

    
    Thom,
    
    From what I can remember from reading through the literature last
    night, a couple of things come to mind.
    
    - The instructions say that when the end product is finally produced, 
      one should take care *not* to wash it in water because it is still 
      water-soluble. 
    
    - There are many different crystal growing kits (6 in all) listed on 
      the box, and I have the one which produces clear quartz (or whatever...).
        
    Will keep you informed.  
    
    Cindy

    Re .last_few:
    
    If it can be dissolved in water, it's not quartz.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    to grow quartz-like crystals, allowing as how it's dissolved in
    water and grown at room temperature, you may be using alum.
    
    quartz has to be grown in a special furnace, like man-made gems...but
    I like the ones you find in nature...
    
    -Jody
    

    
    Oh, you mean the rocks with alum-in-um?
    
    ;^)
    

    
    The following is from the same Tabloid containing such headlines
    as:  CAT EATS PARROT-NOW IT TALKS,  UFO ALIEN SANG LOVE ME TENDER,
    and COPPER CORSET HELPS TO EASE ARTHRITIS PAIN.  While the explanation
    is laughable, it is no more so than what you'll find in many popular
    books on "crystal power."
    
        From Vol. 6  No. 6 of _The Sun_ 
    
    
                       GEMSTONES' MAGIC CAN HELP YOU
                           (Condensed by John M.)                    
    
    Gemstones, particularly quartz and agate, have mysterious powers that
    gemologists have known for years;  They can heal illnesses, help you
    lose weight, lift depression and even prevent drunkenness. 
    
    Healing is one of the most useful qualities of the stones, according
    to gemologist Marlena Heidt.  "They radiate an electromagnetic field
    that couples with the aura of the human body and helps the human
    form go into a more harmonious alignment," she explains.
    
    "When you are ill or physically injured, your body discharges positive
    ions.  When these stones are moved through that field, they gather
    the positive ions and actually realign the body's aura."
                                    
                             
    John M.                                                 

    Why I Love Crystals
    			by John Mitchell
    
    Crystals have long been my nemesis.  The gem stones have a special
    affinity for me.  When lost they somehow attune themselves to me
    and I hear them.  Crystals have a subtle beauty and charm.  They
    are comforting to play with and soothing to hold.  They seem to
    amplify my confidence and natural talent.  My logical, concious
    mind particularly resents the relationship I've developed with
    crystals and constantly gives me a hard time.  At least they have
    helped me retain my sense of humor.  
    	Crystals are our friends,... Just say "NO" to crystal bashers.
    
    ;-)_John

    RE: .131
    
    Ohmygosh...  I think I've just been channeled!
    
    
    
    John M.

    Re .131 (Mary/John):
    
    >	Crystals are our friends,... Just say "NO" to crystal bashers.
    
    Crystal bashers leave shards.
    
    Re .132 (John):
    
    >Ohmygosh...  I think I've just been channeled!
    
    Did it feel good?
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    yes_:-)

    RE:.9
    
    I've seen in this conference several people mention "CHAKRA". Is
    this some sort of energy point or something??
    

    re: -.1
      
         There was a note entered a couple of months ago (641) that
    has some pretty good information in it (for a good start, anyway.)
    
    Frederick
    

       For a nifty, short piece on crystals, see the NEW AGE CATALOGUE
    (mentioned in notes 494.8 and 711) p. 19-23.
    
    
    
    Frederick
    

                         

           Much appreciated!! Could you give me some title(s) that I
    might look for? Something maybe a novice beginner like me could
    understand.
    
    -renee.
    

    Hi!  Is anyone familiar with the Boji stone?  It's a really neat
    little thing, kind of ugly but cute.
    
    Karen

NPOGRP::STOLOS                                       28 lines  15-AUG-1988 20:35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   			-< more crystal questions >-                  

    ok gang i've speed read the whole file on crystals and have a few
    more questions.
    1. synthetics crystals powers. are there effects with manmade crystals?
    "a testimony" i gave a friend a faulty silcon ic wafer ( it had
    a greek othrodox cross look) he worships isis, he placed it on 
    his altar to isis. within 3 months a real technophobe learns
    to program his vcr and is not afraid of computer terminals.   
    2.crystals in icons            
    also a small question have you noticed that normal icons christian
    and otherwise are crystaline (ever common items like roserybeads,
    hey there's the female aspect of deity again...hmm)
    do crystals have more in common with the female aspects of deity,
    can you name some male crystal icons?
    3. my class ring has a blue synthetic stone, the ring is chrome
    steel. what should the stone be used for, especially since inscribed
    on the ring is lux, veritas, virtus.( yes you don't have to be
    telepatic to read the cynitics minds. a life of crime;'))
    4. did you ever ponder last years superconductive breakthroughs
    being an aspect of crystal enlightenment?
    5. in the crystal file it was mentioned that a weak interaction
    particle, would bump an electron and shake the crystal latice creating
    a "phonon" (a quatum of sound), is the inverse possible? can
    a vibrating crystal create such exotic particles? and if that true
    could a crystal convert phonons into an antimatter particles...
    hmm shades of dilithum crystals.
    pete
    p.s. i've read the file here on scientfic methodology and really
    enjoyed it. pat yourselves on the back the particants.

    re .139
    >    Hi!  Is anyone familiar with the Boji stone?  It's a really neat
    >little thing, kind of ugly but cute.
     
    
    I finally took a closer look at the Boji stone at the local rock
    shop. I tend to agree with the above comments :^). A suprising number
    of people seem attracted to it though.
    
    Its metaphysical properities are supposed to pertain to healing
    by balancing energy. The key term in connection with the Boji stone
    is balance.
    
    Physical properties are that it comes from a smelly slate matrix.
    Weathers out and decomposes if left out in nature. (DO NOT "cleanse"
    by the burying technique :^) Supposedly no more are being made
    geologically.  If you bash two together in the dark you will see
    sparks and they explode in fire (hollow??). Why you would want to
    try the last two items with $35 stones, I don't have the foggiest
    notion.:^)
    
    They are sort of intriguing.
    
    Thom

>$35 stones, 

WO!  Windows of Light Bookstore in Manitou Springs is selling them for $18 per 
pair; pairs there are considered to be "male and female"; the males are the 
ones with the really rough projectile surfaces, and the females are the ones 
with smoother surfaces.  I bought a couple and started working with the 
energies until I felt that I was doing productive healing.  They do balance; 
they are especially good for GROUNDING.  I couldn't buy the stones the first 
day I went shopping for them; I'd been carrying around a quartz crystal phantom 
(I don't know what the phantom was; starts with C or CH and is a light 
green-blue color) that really puts me in to the astral, and when I picked up 
the boji stones, the grounding effect was so intense that I found myself doing 
the Alice-in-Wonderland trip, where object sizes go whacko.  My feet got really 
heavy.  I balanced out later by holding a smokey quartz in one hand and the 
phantom in the other.  (Both are double-terminated).  The next day, I went 
after work and was able to pick a set right out.

    Still around but far behind in reading.  See you all in a few days.
                                                                      
    Thanks Topher and Beth for a wonderful party!  And the house tour.
    
    Cindy
    
    ==================================================================
    
 Photorefractive Crystals - Studied for a wide variety of uses
   Once merely a diverting puzzle for physicists, the photorefractive effect of
 crystals is being studied for possible applications in communications,
 computers, and even crime prevention. The effect is a peculiar reaction of
 certain crystals to laser light that was discovered in the 1960s. A
 photorefractive crystal can, among other things, gather light from lasers
 shown on it and beam the light toward any nearby shiny object. If the object
 is moved, the beam tracks it like a human-operated spotlight. The crystals
 also can fuse two laser beams or, like photographic film, record holograms,
 simulated three-dimensional images. Scientists found that damage occurs when
 light waves rearrange charged particles inside the crystals. That warps the
 crystal's lattice of atoms, distorting the light. In the spotlight trick, for
 example, a shiny object, say a piece of tin foil, reflects laser light into a
 photorefractive crystal. That alters the crystal's lattice, causing more of
 the light entering the crystal to be deflected toward the foil. The light, in
 turn, is reflected right back to the crystal to further alter its structure,
 causing yet more light to be deflected to the foil. The process snowballs,
 quickly building up a beam of light between crystal and foil. When the foil is
 moved, light from it induces a new crystal pattern that re-establishes the
 beam within a few seconds.
	{The Wall Street Journal, 26-Oct-88, p. B6}

    
    A hobby of mine is making jewelry.  I buy stones for both meditating 
    and for setting.  Going to the local jewelry store or the local meta-
    phycial specialty store gets expensive.  Some good sources I have come 
    across are the local foundries/jewelers, supply houses.  I've listed 
    below two places where I purchase my materials.  Check around your area
    for the local foundry/jewelry supplier.
    
    
    
    New England International Gem, Inc., 188 Pollard Street, N. Billerica,
    Ma  01862 - tel # (508) 667-7394.  Call and get their hours.
    
    They were once called the Crystal Cave and do specialize in crystals.
    They have their own mines in Brazil.  You can find crystal spheres,
    faceted crystal pendants, etc.  They have a large selection of precious
    and semi-precious stones, rocks, and minerals.  If you're looking
    for large obsidian spheres, this is where you should go.  I have
    purchased bloodstone, picture jasper, what I call gem rose quartz
    (faceted clear rose quartz with a silvery hue and no white streaks),
    rhodonite, and semi-precious stone scarabs to name a few of the
    great finds there.
    
                                   *  *  *
                                 
    
    Bond Unlimited, 47R Waltham Street, Lexington, MA - tel # (6l7)
    862-8256.
    
    They have supplies for jewlers and carry many cabs, faceted stones,
    and beads for stringing.  I have purchased a faceted natural blue 
    topaz (most blue topaz are treated to get the deep color, natural 
    is very light) probably a little over a carat for $9.  I also 
    purchased a faceted natural citrine (again another stone that is
    usually treated - I believe they use amethyst and treat it to get 
    what we purchase as citrine) which was just under a carat for $7.
    I got a 5mm (slightly smaller than a carat), 6 pointed star Rhodo-
    lite garnet for about $16 and a snap in sterling pendant for about 
    $3 and had a gift that would have cost much more had it been pur-
    chased from a regular jeweler.  It's scarce, but they do have some
    sugulite jewelry once in awhile.
    
    A word of warning:  Don't learn about turquoise or Native American
    jewelry.  They have a large selection and you can go broke there.
    
    
                                   *  *  *
    
    
    Other ways to obtain stones is from cataloges.  The two that are
    listed here have a good variety of stones (cabs, faceted, and beads).
    They are suppliers to jewelers and to students.  You can call and
    request the cataloges (I believe they are free).  Much less ex-
    pensive way of going than purchasing stones from a regular jeweler.
    I have not used them as of yet, but others I know have without any
    problems.
    
    
    Rio Grande Jewlers Supply, 6901 Washington N.E., Albuquerque, NM
    87109 - tel # (800) 545-6566 or (505) 345-8511
    
    Grieger's, Inc., P.O. Bin 41, Pasadena, CA  19106 - tel # (800)
    423-4181 or (213) 795-9775
    
                                                   
    

    
    
    I have read the note and all the replies and have not seen my favorite
    stone mentioned.  It's sugilite, also know as luvulite or royal
    lazel.  Sources say it's a healing stone that has surfaced on this
    planet in the last decade. 
    
    I love purple and this stone is a deep purple.  It's difficult to
    find and quite expensive.
    
    Has anyone had any experience with the stone?  I'd love to hear
    your personal feelings regarding it.
    
    Joanne
    

  The trade name is lavulite and the person who risked his money and
    brought the rock over to America (from S. Africa) before anyone
    knew it existed lives across the street from me. He has been battling
    with his partners (legal issues) for over 5 years. I don't know
    the whole story but I did read the his (and the rocks) complete
    story in two magazines that he has.
    
    His name is Randy, he owns at least half of all the lavulite that
    is available (its only been found in this one vein in one mine in
    S. Africa) and he is sure that sometime in the future the rock
    will become very expensive and well known.
    
    I can get accurate detailed info for you if you wish. If you ask
    here, I will post here. Or send mail direct to PNO::KELLOGG .
    
    
    

    A Boston-area store that has oodles of sugilite in stock, (tumbled
    pieces, raw pieces, little polished pyramids, and polished cabs of
    various sizes set as pendants & earrings) is Heaven & Earth in
    Gloucester, Mass.
    
    Marcia

        Though this isn't exactly about the kind of crystals that are
    usually talked about here, it is relevant in several ways, so, herewith
    is an article out of WEST magazine from the San Jose Mercury News
    of Dec. 4, 1988.
    
                               * * * * * *
                              
    {Incidentally, the cover article was about Tom Shane, owner of the
    Shane Company -- jewelry stores.  Not overwhelmingly flattering}
    
    
                        "A Girl's Best Friend"
    
                        
         There are some nasty facts about diamonds.  Jewelry dealers
    aren't the only ones who don't want to mention them; anyone with
    a diamond ring would rather not hear them, either.
         The price of diamonds is artificially set, and set well over
    any intrinsic value.  De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. controls
    diamond production, distribution and price.  The cartel is the only
    reason diamonds have much value at all.  Rubies, for example, are
    60 times rarer than diamonds, and the price of a ruby isn't threatened
    by millions of hoarded carats or technology that can artificially
    produce unlimited amounts of the mineral.  The balance between
    diamond supply and demand has been so precarious several times this
    century, that in the 1930s De Beers considered dumping tons of their
    stones into the Atlantic to prevent a glut. (The problem was solved
    that decade by the invention of the diamond grinding wheel, which
    used diamond dust for cutting and honing machine tools.)
        In the early 1980s the price of a one carat D-flawless (investment
    grade) diamond fell from $63,000 to $23,000 when panicked diamond
    merchants dumped excess stones on the market.  There are an estimated
    800 million carats of gem diamonds in the world, and nearly 20 million
    carats on new ones are mined each year.  De Beers is in a constant
    struggle to limit production.  And don't believe any boiler-room
    telephone pitches about "trouble in Africa" reducing production.
    Not only does the De Beers organization supersede political
    considerations, but a large percentage of its diamond supply comes
    from Australian and Soviet Union mines.
    
         Cecil Rhodes, who founded the cartel in the 1800s, decided
    the demand for diamonds would be set by "licit relationships,"
    his term for marriage engagements.  And he set out to make it so.
    The "tradition" of diamond engagement rings in America is less
    than a century old, and De Beers advertising created a similar
    "instant tradition" in Japan after World War II.
         "We are dealing with a problem in mass psychology," said a
    1947 memo to De Beers from its American ad agency, N.W. Ayers.
    "We seek to...strengthen the tradition of the diamond engagement
    ring to make it a psychological necessity."
         In 1948, an Ayers copywriter came up with the slogan: "A
    diamond is forever."  It isn't, of course.  A diamond can be broken,
    cracked, chipped or shattered.  What diamond dealers would like
    to be forever is the emotion that is supposed to go with the gem,
    because if even a small percentage of people with diamonds tried
    to sell them, the bottom would fall out of the market.
          Anyone who has tried to sell a diamond soon realizes that
    it's difficult to recoup even half the cost.  Most jewelry stores
    will not buy diamonds (although many will "trade up" stones), and
    firmly refer people to wholesale buyers.  To begin with, jewelry
    stores have a "keystone," a markup of 100 to 200 percent, and they're
    not about to give it away.  Wholesale buyers will at most offer
    50 percent of retail price, and then subtract for a margin of error
    in the evaluation.  The difference between appraised value and resale
    value is so great that most people trying to sell a diamond decide
    to just keep it.
          Waiting for inflation won't help much, either.  In 1970, a
    British consumer magazine bought two half-carat diamonds for 400
    pounds ($1000) and then waited nine years before trying to sell
    them.  It was a period of rampant inflation in Britain, running
    up to 25 percent a year.  When the magazine editor set out to sell
    the stones, the most he was offered was 500 pounds, an increase
    of less than 3 percent a year at compound interest.
          When a person buys a diamond, it should be because he or she
    wants it and can afford it.  Any other rationale is a mistake
    in judgment.
    
                     -L.S.
    
                                    * * * * *
    (printed without permission, of course.)
    
    Frederick
    

    To which might be added that the Soviet Union and South Africa
    are both near the top of the list of repressive states.
    
    (OK, MY list....)

    Both are becoming less repressive, apparently.

    thanks
    dave pierson
    (who doesn't usully flame publically about Apartheid, but since
    the news article missed it...)

re: .148

Thanks, Fred, that was a real eye-opener!
						paul

    
    I see this topic hasn't been active for a while but need to ask
    a few questions.  I've always been attracted to crytals and gemstones
    but until just recently have begun to seek further knowledge of
    the attributes and properties. Yes, I just thought they were purty
    and like the way I felt when I was around certain pieces.
    
    The other day I wandered into a *neat* store called The Nature Company
    which has a large array of crystals (raw, tumbled, pyramids, etc.),
    dinasaur's, books, etc. I was walking past this HUGE piece of amethyst
    and below it was a big basket of geodes. I pooked through it, got
    a few sensations, walked away but returned.  I ended up getting
    four geodes.  Each vibrated in a different way but they all seemed
    to be for me (ie-I picked them up, put them down, shuffled through
    the basket but the same ones kept coming into my hand.
    
    My questions are: 1) How can I tell what kind of quartz it is? I
    only know that they were all quartz, with some amethyst, rose quartz,
    smokey, clear and the rest unknown.  I pretty sure I know I have
    a rose quartz but the rest ...?  2) Should I cleanse them?  3) Can
    they be used like any other crystals or just for decoration?
    
    I have them with me at work.  They are all very different.  I did
    notice one of them has sort of *moldy* looking patches on it (very
    tiny and black) while another has tiny, fragile, blackish spikes
    sort of like mechanical pencil lead growing in it.  This particular
    stone has VERY strong vibrations and a large terminated crystal
    within it.
    
    I have two crystal books so far and couldn't find anything pertaining
    to geodes.  I also read EVERY response in this topic but haven't
    found a thing.  Can anyone help?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Roslyn

    I, too, have seen no references in any books to the "esoteric" value of
    geodes.  But I also like them.  I developed my affection for them
    during a time when I felt particularly empty and hollow; the fact that
    they start out hollow and empty and "fill themselves up" via the whole
    crystallization process (and create beautiful internal sculptures in
    the process) was an important symbol for me.  
    
    One of the geodes you describe that looks like it has black
    pencil leads through the quartz sounds very much like what is known as
    tourmalinated quartz.  Sometimes, quartz will be found with the long,
    6-sided needles of tourmaline growing through it.  I have a pendant
    made of such quartz, and I find it both grounding and energizing.
    The most frequently occurring color tourmaline I've seen is black. 
    However, the finest specimen of tourmalinated quartz I ever saw was in
    Geoclassics in Faneuil Hall Marketplace: a chunk of quartz half as big
    as my head with needles of green (verdilite) to blue (indicolite) and
    watermelon (pink and green) tourmaline growing through it.  These
    "needles" were the size of whole pencils, and a good 6 - 8 inches long.
    
    Most texts I've read speak highly of tourmalinated quartz, especially
    the black tourmaline.  Black tourmaline is believed by most of the
    authors I've read to protect one against negative energy by deflection
    rather than absorption (as something like obsidian is believed to do). 
    They all speak of the black tourmaline quartz as a powerful protectant
    against negativity, combining as it does both extreme ends of the color
    spectrum, which are both thought to be protective.  I admit I wear my
    pendant when I expect the going to get rough.  The roughnesses do not
    smooth out, but I find I withstand them and work through them with
    better grace, skill and endurance.
    
    I find I'm most curious about your pieces; I'd love to see them.
    
    Marcia

                      
    RE:  .151
    
    I've been researching the vibrations/properties of stones for almost 
    3 years now and have never found a book on or that discusses geodes.  
    The way most people deal with them is to find out what they are made 
    of and find out the properties associated with that stone.
    
    Geodes aren't always hollow.  Many are solid.  Ask anyone who has
    purchased a whole geode at a rock show and had it cut :^)  Besides
    quartz, rose quartz, amethyst, and citrine (most popular quartz
    geodes found for sale), agate is found in them.  I have seen some 
    pieces of agate with the black striations thru the stone.  This 
    isn't tourmaline but a coloration.  Some agates even have black 
    splatter type markings.  The agates I've seen with this type of 
    pattern have been rather milky in color and tend to have spots  
    that are translucant.  The tourmalated quartz that I have seen has
    been clear quartz with the black slivers of tourmaline.  Your
    description does seem to suggest tourmalated quartz.
    
    If you're in doubt about the geodes you purchased, ask someone at
    the store.  They should be knowledgeable about the geodes they sell.
    
    If you do find a book on geodes, post it.  Would love to have one.
    Besides that, I'd love a book that defines various types of agates
    and jaspers.  There are numerous types of each and I'd like to be
    able to verify what I think I have.  If anyone knows of a good
    reference book, let me know.
              
    
    RE:  .152
    
    I enjoyed your description about being hollow inside and the sculpture.
    It does seem appropriate.  One thing that the crystal formations
    in a geode or cluster suggests is living in harmony.  Having clusters
    of crystals in the home is said to bring harmony to that househole.
    
      
    Enjoy the geodes,
    Joanne                      
                              
    

    Came across some information on Geodes and wanted to pass it along.
    The information is copied from 3 different sources without permission.

Enjoy,

Joanne

                             * * *

From:  Stone Power by Dorothee L. Mella

These rocks are often called "thunder eggs" and are found as stone
balls with a crystal, topaz, or amethyst center.  Geodes sometimes have
bands of jasper or agate surrounding their crystalline centers.  Tiny
or immense, they are found in all colors, as stones of great beauty. 
When sliced open, they reveal an unparalleled crystal universe within.
The ones we prize the most are the geodes that contain amethyst.

Geodes are usually found in deposits where two massive land forms have
come together.  In formation, water between two rock bodies was unable
to be released during the movement of the rocks.  Eventually, a formed
thunder egg was spit out and usually found rolling down the side of a 
mountain, like a rolling marble.  Friction or rubbing created the shape
of the stone ball geode similar to the way a mollusk forms a pearl.  The
legends of thunder eggs are like that of the onyx, a gift of the gods.  
Because of their supposed divine orgin, a creation of the god of the 
elements, Thunder, geodes many times were used for prophecy readings
by ancient tribes.  These wonder stones are found abundantly in Mexico
and in the southwestern US.  More often found in the Western Hemisphere,
they have rearely been noted in the folklore of the Eastern world.

Geodes can be supportive for those of you who want to assert your in-
dependence.  Like a friend, they can aid by stimulating independent 
thinking and freedom of spirit.  Due to their crystalline nature, geodes
also are energy generators and can stimulate good working habits.  When 
you carry a small geode you are holding your world as you see it, and
they can remind you of what image you want your world to be.

Be a free spirit, wear your tiny gode close to your heart and create an
image of yourself in charge of your entire universe.  Put your thunder
egg on your desk and make your universe productive.

                               * * *

From:  Cunningham's Encylopedia of CRYSTAL, GEM & METAL MAGIC

FOLK NAMES:  Aetites, Echites, Aquileus, Eagle Stone, Thunderegg
ENERGY:  Receptive
ELEMENT:  Water
DIETY:  The Great Mother
POWERS:  Meditation, Fertility, Childbirth
MAGICAL/RITUAL LORE:  In the Middle Ages geodes were thought to be
      favored by eagles, who placed them in their nests.
      		Round and containing crystals, godes are egg symbols.  
      They are related to the Great Mother Goddess.
MAGICAL USES:  Geodes are hollow concretions containing crystals.  All
      quartz crystals, for example, form within geodes, which may be a
      quartermile long or small enough to fit in your palm.  Other geodes
      don't contain separate crystals but, when sliced, reveal intricate 
      patterns of minerals.
      		Amethyst geodes are some of the most beautiful objects on
      Earth.  When sliced or broken open, they reveal a mass of purple
      crystals growing in towards the center.  Sunlight shining on them
      is dazzling.  Elongated geodes, sometimes called "amethyst logs,"
      are often available and are well worth the three- to four-figure
      priced asked.  They recall Merlin's cave as populized in Mary
      Stewart's excellent Arthurian novel "The Crystal Cave."
      		An amethyst geode, or any geode containing isolated
      crystals, can be held and used in meditation as a contemplative
      object.
      		Placed on the altar or held, geodes can be utilized to
      concentrate the powers of the specific type of stone contained
      within them.  During magic, use your visualization to release these
      powers toward the magical goal.
      		They can be placed in the bedroom and charged with energy
      to increase fertility and to promote conception.
      		The pseudo-Albertus Magnus recommended carrying or wearing
      geodes to attract love and to avoid untimely birth (miscarriage).

                                     * * *

From:  Michael's Gemstone Dictionary, channeled by JP Van Hulle and written
       by Judithann H. David, PH.D.

Observation.  Each thunder egg represents a different observation about 
something that's so:  i.e., reminds you of a particular observation that
you've made.  You will be attracted to the Geode that represents the
observation you wish to stay aware of.  For example, one might remind you
that you need to exercise since you have observed that you need to exercise.
Tends to encapsulate a certain observation for a certain person.

    I would like to thank you all for your responses to my geode questions.
    I got the replies off-line as well as in the note but alas I forgot
    to thank you in notes.
    
    And I just thought they were _pretty rocks_.  ;^)
    
    Roslyn
    

    
    Does anyone have information on the following stones:  Augetite,
    Variscite, Ulexite, Apophyllite, Lorimar, Charoite, Prenite, or
    Spaharolite.  Can't find them or there is very little written 
    up about them.
    
    Thanks,
    Joanne
    

Joanne,

Try Petersen's Guide to Rocks and Minerals, you should find it in the Nature
section of most bookstores.

Prehnite is a green silicate and it is usually found as clumps of small
crystals in a botryoidal mass, in cavities in volcanic rock.  It looks
rather convoluted, as if one were looking at a glass model of the brain.
It is precipitated from minerals in hot water leaching through stone.  It's
not at all common.  I happen to know about it because I was born not far
from a quarry that is of the two principal sources for it on the planet,
and I learned of this when I joined the local geological society.

Pat

        This is just a note to thank John Williams of Colorado Springs
    for showing my girlfriend and myself some of his wares the weekend
    before last.  (He's a DECcie living in Colorado Springs who passed
    through the area.) He really has some nice things (well, he *did*
    have some nice things until we bought them! :-) ) and those of
    you who are interested might make a note of it for whenever your
    paths might cross.
         
    Frederick
    (who met my first out-of-state DEJAVUer.)
    

    Re: .151 and .152
    
    Hi,
    
    I'm new to all of this but think it's great to have these topics
    on the system.  
    
    Roslyn,
    
    About your crystal with the blackish spikes, I've heard this rock
    referred to as routillated quartz with tourmaline.  I have one and
    the best use I have found for it is to hold the "yucky rock" as
    my daughter calls it in my sending hand (right).  This rock receives
    negative energy.  Holding it in your sending hand allows you to
    send all the negative energy into the rock.  If you have a rose
    quartz, place your yucky rock next to it because the yucky rock
    converts negative energy into positive energy.  The rose quartz
    can then absorb the positive energy.  Hold the rose quartz in your
    left hand (receiving hand) to take in all the positive energy.
    
    kc
    
    

    Hi,
    
    This is KC again, I'm borrowing my boss' account until I get one.
    
    Just thought it might be nice to mention that.
    
    In answer to Joanne's inquiry of where to find those rocks or
    information on them, I've visited a store in Westford (can't remember
    the name just yet).  Anyway, it's on Rt. 110.  If you know where
    they hold the flea market every Sunday, you can't miss it.  If you
    need more specific instructions, let me know.  
    
    Bye for now!!
    
    
    kc
    

    Hi KC!
    
    The crystal with the black spikes I was referring to is actually
    a geode.  I do believe you're right that the spikes are tourmaline.
    When I pick up this geode, I can feel a lot of energy coming from
    it.  I usually keep it near the window with another geode that is
    pinkish-white in color.  I used to have them at work but I found
    that they were very distracting.  Thanks for pointing out which
    hand to use it in.  It's funny, I pick up better vibrations when
    I hold this geode in my right as opposed to my left.
    
    The store that you are referring to in Westford is the New England
    International Gem Co.  They also have another one in Billerica on
    Pollard St.  I KNOW that Joanne is very familiar with this store.
    Aren't you Joanne?!?  8^D
    
    
    Roslyn

    My main source of rocks apart from my head.
    
    Joanne
    

    
    Hello crystal lovers,
                        This is a great subject of immense interest
    to me.I have an extensive? collection of crystals that i use for
    various purposes.I find my Quartz crys.are very good ampliphiers
    of energy.try rubbing your palms together till they are warm,this
    activates the chakras in your hands.Put a small point between your
    fingers,you can visualize colors or white light curculating between
    hands.Then maybe have a friend put their hand between yours.Feel
    the time it takes for the energy to disipitate. You can also make
    jem elixers this way.Put your hands over a glass of water with the
    particular jem in the water{or just visualize it} after activating
    your palms place them over the glass and vis.the color or energy
    entering the water.Keep the hands in place till energy runs out.
    you can tell success by bubbles on the side of the glass and a slight
    metalic taste.The water will hold this energy for about 24 hrs.
    BLUE SKIES,HOWARD
    

    
    When I was down in Sydney, I went to the Australian Museum and one of
    the Aboriginal exhibits featured hunters.  On the floor was a 8" quartz
    crystal with a placard next to it which said that crystals were often
    carried by the hunters as good luck charms.
    
    Cindy

       I started a crystal-cutting class last night taught by Glenn Lehrer
    at his home/studio.  It was quite interesting to me and I got to
    discover just how difficult it really is (I started with a crystal
    the size of a very large pear and though it's unfinished yet, it
    already resembles something a little larger than a magic marker!  ;-) )
    (Glenn has a world-wide reputation including the cutting of
    the 45 pound clear crystal generator known as the Empress of Lemuria.)
        What blew me away, though, was a wooden box sitting outside...
    inside it was a generator (not completely clear) approximately
    4 feet long and maybe 18 inches thick!  YOW!  Glenn said he had
    it brought in from Brazil and that it weighs 400 pounds.  He is
    trying to sell it ($12,000) but that if he polishes it it would
    sell for about $60,000.  (Someone originally wanted it to carve
    the shape of a horse out of it!)  So, if anyone out there wants
    it real bad, get your bid in quick!
        
    Frederick
    

    Re: .166
    
    Or was that a rock to _be_ your coffee table?
    
    Marcia-who-wishes-she-had-the-kilobucks -- sigh...

re: .166 (Frederick)

    400 pounds!  What would one do with a crystal that large?  Not something
    you could carry around in your pocket.

    Wouldn't Mae West love it, "Is that your crystal or are you just happy
    to see me?"  ;-)

    Terry

    re: .168 (Terry)
    
         Well, if they gave it to me to polish for them, I could probably
    make a nice pendant out of it (you have to appreciate my present
    cutting/polishing skills to believe me.)
    
    Frederick
    ;-) :-)  8-)
    
    

    Does anyone have any enlightenment to offer regarding the use of 
    round spheres of crystals vs. points or such? One book(Gemstone Guardians)
    suggests that it is much better for people to wear 6 - 10mm spheres, 
    rather than the raw crystaline forms such as quartz points, claiming 
    that the points can actually deplete the body's energy if worn the  
    wrong way. Further, does this apply to all crystals or just some?
    
    	- Bill         

    re .170:
    
    That sounds to me to be exactly what you'd expect to hear from someone
    who has gotten a good deal on a bunch of 6-10mm crystal spheres.
    
    	Jon

From:    Ian Kesser 
To:      All                                      Msg #362, 09-Sep-89 12:17am
Subject: Metaphysical
 
Well, folks, I've received a few replies about this in the Magicknet
echo, so I thought I'd put it all in an easy-to-use Article form. 
 
                          Charging Crystals
                                  by
                              Ian Kesser
 
    Crystals, as many of you know, are extremely useful for
practicioners of the Magickal arts. They can be used to channel power,
to store power, to heal, and many other ways. Due to space
considerations, I have chosen to limit myself to the charging aspect
in this article.
    The first and most important part of charging a crystal is
choosing the crystal itself. For most general uses, Quartz is the best
one. For specific use, there are many others. I have found that
Diamonds are useful in storing Good energy, and Zircons (my
birthstone!!) for Evil energy. If you have a specific purpose in mind,
please consult one of the many fine tables of cyrstal affinities.
    The next step, and also important, especially the first few times,
is to prepare yourself for the actual channeling of energy. In my
case, music helps, as well as pranayama and other forms of breath
control. The first one I used is simple.
    Pranayama, simply, is control of breath. Most forms amount to
hyperventilation or subventilation. The one I used first, and still
use, is this: take four quick inhalations, filling the lungs. This
should be over the space of about one and a half seconds. Then exhale
in four short bursts, again over one and a half seconds. Repeat as
necessary. The first few times this is done, I recommend you desist
after about one minute. Over the course of time, this can and should
be increased, but until you are used to the effect this gives, a
shorter time is suggested.
    Now that you're in the mood, take the crystal in your right hand (
left hand for those of you who are lefties). Visualize a door within
the heart of the crystal. Until this visualization is firm and steady,
wait. Then open the door. Behind it you should see a store of diffuse
energy, which varies with the type of the crystal. Some crystals,
usually the inferior ones, have little or nothing back here. These are
generally not good to use.
    Close the door, but keep it in mind. That was just to check on its
energy. Decide which energy you wish it to house. Usually only one
will be needed, such as for talismans and storage of energy for later
use, but in some cases, such as a divination tool, more is
suggested/required. DO NOT TRY THIS ON YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT! YOU WILL
FAIL! The energy you will be handling is powerful, and trying to
handle more than one world at a time is strenuous. Trying to handle
all three, plus personal and other energies, is straining to the
limit. As with all other bodily systems, an ability used beyond its
capacity will overload and break or refuse to perfom, as with a man
trying to lift 300lb barbells on his first try at weightlifting.
    For general use, I find nature's energy is best for multi-purpose
storage. Those in the Church of Set would probably find differently,
as would those in the Church of Christ. Use what you feel comfortable
with. 
 
    (Continued Next Message)
 
--- ConfMail V4.00
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From:    Ian Kesser 
To:      All                                      Msg #363, 09-Sep-89 12:17am
Subject: Continued....
 
    Now, the fun part. For the three major energies, I find there are
certain ways of drawing them that are easiest on the practitioner. For
Good energy, try it like this: Form a cone with the base connecting to
your skull in the region just between and above your eyebrows. "suck"
the energy (visualize it as you will, I use a light, golden yellow)
into the cone, then through a tube into your brain. The visualization
on this is a bit tricky, but it can be done.
    For Nature's energy, visualize a "hose" going down into the Earth
from the base of your spine. This hose should ideally connect with the
center of the Earth, but some people simply cannot conceive the
distance involved with that, and can therefore not visualize it. Go as
deep as you can, with time, you should improve. I "see" this energy as
a ruddy, glowing red, as with magma. Use what works. Draw this energy
up the tube, then through your spinal column into the brain. 
    Now, the Evil energy. This is tricky for me, but here's how I do
it. Place the feet togeter (if they already are, so much the better!
It means this isn't uncomfortable for you, as it is for me.) and
visualize a siphon, with the hose connecting to a cone connecting to
your feet, about two inches in diameter, one inch on either foot.
Then, on the other end, a hose entering a black, inky void(or whatever
color you percive evil energy to be). One last connection: another
hose running from that area of your feet to the previously mentioned
area in the skull. This aligns nicely with the Chakra theory, to which
I subscribe, in that a Chakral spinal-type column connects all the
major power centers of ones body. If you know this system, so much the
better! Draw the energy through the siphon(sometimes visualizing the
bulb on the siphon squeezing helps) into the feet, then into the
skull, then into the brain.
    Other objects you wish to draw energy from, use the door
analogy/visualization given above( for powerful things such as the
Tarot, I see it as a gate more than a door. Again, whatever works for
you), and draw from your use-hand. If you plan on using that object
again, take only a token amount of energy, and DON"T FORGET TO CLOSE
THE DOOR!
    Personal energy: This varies so much with the individual! Some
people draw from their auras, some from the Chakras, some from the
Astral Body. Just use the method you feel most comfortable with. For
those of you who have no prefference, or no knowledge of such things,
I use the Astral approach. I draw a bit of the substance of the Astal
body, generally the feet, into the brain. After I finish all else, I
"spread out" the Astral body to make up for this loss. Astral bodies
DO heal.
    Well, that's most of it. Draw the energy you need, then draw from
the crystal. Take it in your use hand again, open that door, and take
out the energy, and bring it to the brain. Generally, I use the hose
again, connecting to that spot in the skull, but this one generally
runs INSIDE y body, such as along the arm bones, then up the neck
bone. Mix the energy up. If it helps, visualize a cosmic quisinart or
whatever. If it won't mix, like oil and water, you have failed. This
crystal will not hold this energy. Give up, put back the crystals
power, ground yourself(later...), and try again later with another
energy.
 
     (Continued Next Message)
 
--- ConfMail V4.00
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From:    Ian Kesser 
To:      All                                      Msg #364, 09-Sep-89 12:18am
Subject: Continued again...
 
    Once you've acheived the mix, refill the crystal. Sometimes, the
energy won't go back in. This usally means you've put too much of the
energy you're using in, and not enough of the crystal's own energy.
Bring it back to the brain, and remix. How do you refill the crystal,
you ask? Switch hands on the crystal, then visualize that handy hose
again, but this time flow backwards, through the door. There will come
a point, especially early on in your practice, that the crystal is
full when you have energy left over. Slam that door and ground
yourself(later...), don't overfill it! Doors have their bursting
point, and that's a wonderful way to destroy a good crystal.
    Ok, it's later. You've finished the job at hand (Applause, you've
earned it!) but have all this energy left! There are many ways of
grounding energy, use the one you are comfortable with(I know I keep
saying that, but it bears repeating. Don't do anything against your
Will). The one I use is simply grounding it. Take that handy-dandy
all-purpose hose again, connect it to the base of the spine, and
thence into the Earth. Flip the switch to reverse, and push that
energy out! Be careful not to let out yourself as well!
    That's it. I hope you find this helpful to you. 
 
     this is to be considered for posting in Metaphysical. All
comments are welcome on form and content, although I beleive the
content to be correct(or at least what works for me).
     With Love,
          Ian K.
 
--- ConfMail V4.00
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    Re.172 (Morgan)
    
    Mikie,
    
    It always strikes me that these kinds of things are very complicated
    and I wonder why.  ???  Somehow it just doesn't seem like it's worth
    the bother of having to do 'this' and 'that' and 'be careful of THAT!'
    and so on.     
    
    Comments?
    
    Cindy  

    Reply to .173, Cindy,
    
    That was a FYI article. I'm not a lover of crystals. But others might
    get something out of it. To me a rock is a rock, except when INXS
    or DEPESHE MODE plays. B^)
    
    Geeze, you'd think these things are worth worshipping... B^)

    Re.174                                      
    
    Mikie et al,
    
    Best clarify - I have at least 3 crystals, and thanks to Carole and 
    Marcia, I have indeed felt their energy.  One crystal is attached to 
    a magnet and is above my terminal at work, another one is on a table 
    in my bedroom and the last one is standing upright (one pointer) in 
    a bowl of salt.  Oops - have a cluster under my stonecarved bird too,
    and I've only used soap and water to clean that one.  It's about the 
    best I can do with my schedule.
    
    On the other hand, I *do* live in a condo (read no lawn work and snow
    shovelling, etc.).  (;^)  But I can't drink instant coffee...oh well.  
    Guess it is what is important to each person.
    
    Cindy

    I just recieved this list of some of the benifits that rocks/crystals can 
    offer the user along with the rocks themselves. I thought I would share
    them with everyone.
    
    
    Amethyst: Violet- Enhances mental clarity. Promotes healing and
              strengthens will power to break bad habits. Improves memory.
    
    Aventurine: Blue-green with mica- Brings joy and happiness. 8')
                Helps alleviate psychosomatic illnesses and anxiety.
    
    Carnellian: Red-orange- Gives feeling of well-being, creativity and
                prosperity.
    
    Fluorite: Pale green- Balances positive and negative of the mind,
              directs energy for highest efficiency.
    
    Jade: Forest green- Peace, wisdom and tranquility. Promotes long life
          and universal attunement.
    
    Jasper: Reddish-brown- Opens mind to new thinking. Balances emotions.
    
    Obsidian: (Apache Tears) - Translicent black- Alleviates tension and
              stress. Awakens potential.
    
    Petrified Wood: Beige and brown- Stabilizer for those under mental and
                    emotional stress. Good for back problems.
    
    Rhodocrosite: Rose pink with white wisps- Heals emotions. Strengthens
                  self-identity and ability to function better.
    
    Rose Quartz: Pink- Develops more love in your love life. Inner peace and
                 beauty. Skin rejuvenation.
    
    Snow Quartz: White- Helps cleanse and purify physically and emotionally.
    
    Tiger Eye: Brown and Gold- Protective. Separates false desire from need.
               helps stop bad habits that disorient the body. (smoking, 
               drinking etc.)
    
    Sodalite: Blue- Helps resolve inner conflicts. Courage and endurance are
              stimulated. 
    
    Rhodonite: Pink and black- Protects upper respiratory systems and
               lungs.
    
    Unakite: Green and pink- Strengthens the heart.
    
    Rock Crystal: Transparent- Ability to store and transmit energy-
                 Excellent for meditation.  
    
    
    
    SLAM
    

    Does anyone know what Bonji does?
    
    Thanks
    Marilyn

    I think he barks and makes cute movies! ;')
    
    Sorry!
    
    

    Ha!
    	I like that!

    Marilyn .177:
    
    Have never heard of Bonji, but know of Boji stones.  
    
    Bojis are purported to have strong healing powers.  They are supposed
    to be useful in helping to heal "holes" in a person's aura, caused by
    trauma or upsets.
    
    I have a few in my possession, one being on my desk at work.  My boss
    who doesn't really know much about stones picked up my boji one day and
    held in the palm of his hand for about ten minutes.  When he returned
    it to me, it was one HOT rock!  He came in the next day and said he
    still felt the impression of the rock in his hand - it felt like he was
    still holding it.  
    
    Another woman who views rocks and crystals as having healing 
    properties, held it for a few minutes.  It did not get as hot,
    but she also came in the next day and said she could still feel the
    impression of the boji in her hand.  (Without me telling her that this
    was the same reaction my boss had.)
    
    Bojis don't affect me either way as described above.  I just like to
    hold them as a kind of "thinking" stone.
    
    Karen
     

    The Worcester Mineral Club is sponsoring a rock and mineral show next
    weekend, November 18 & 19, at the Yankee Drummer Inn in Auburn Mass..
    The show last weekend was pretty good, I managed to part with a lot of
    money and added many new healing stones to my collection.  I also found
    some beautiful tourmaline wands to make into pendants. The prices were
    quite good, especially when compared to the many new-age crystal shops
    in the area.   
    
    Directions:
    	mass pike to auburn, exit 10 to route 12 north
    
    	290 to auburn, exit 8 to route 12 south
    
    Times:
    	I don't know, probably 10 - 6 saturday, 11-5 sunday, will try to
    	find out.
    

    Thanks Karen,
    	That might be it, although I thought it was Bonji.
    I think they are real heavy as far as weight goes, and they are
    dark brownish color with little with bumps all over, they remind
    me of rusted iron or metal. I've only seen them once in Heaven
    and earth in gloucester ma. none of my books list them. I'm hoping
    they'll have some at the whole health expo next weeekend.
    
    Marilyn 

    Hi Marilyn,
    
    Yes, what you describe are boji stones.  I got my first one at Heaven
    and Earth, the place you first saw them.  Their prices are fairly
    expensive though.  $12 for one slightly larger than the diameter of 
    a quarter.  I picked up two others at the gem & crystal show at
    the Sheraton in Boxboro two weeks ago and I got them for half the
    price.  So you may want to use that as a guide in considering how good
    a deal you are about to get.  
    
    I recently found out that they come in male and female versions.  The
    females have a fairly smooth surface and the males are marked much more
    by those bumps and what looks like petrified debris.  The males seem to
    run about 25% higher in price too.  
    
    You may find some at the Whole Life Expo.  There is also a gem show
    this weekend in Auburn, MA that I just saw a note about in here.  I
    don't know where you live, but Seven Stars, a holistic shop in Harvard
    Square carries some (about the same price as H & E), and if you live
    near North Conway, the shop I bought my recent bojis from at the
    Boxboro gem show, is located up there.  My recommendation is to follow
    some of the gem & crystal shows for the best selections and deals.
    
    If I can find the write up H & E gave me on them I will be glad to
    enter it for you.
    
    Good luck boji hunting Marilyn!  I'd like to know how you make out.
    
    Karen
         

    
    Thanks again Karen I'll let you know. I had a friend look them up,
    and yes she said it was Boji's. I didn't know about male and female.
    My freind also said, that they were excellent for agriculture, and
    growing plants especially grains, and that if you cut them open,
    the inside resembles the roots of plants. The also are good for
    animals and increasing Pyschic sensitivity and channeling around
    animals. Thanks for the price guide, I know they are expensive
    I've only found one for $30.00 in the Unique Boutique on Newbury
    st. I wished I had known about the boxboro show. I'd be interested
    if you find teh write up from H&E.
    Thanks again
    Marilyn

    RE: Spherical Stones vs. points (69.170)
    
    Spherical stones are preferable for you to carry and wear as they give
    off a spiral energy pattern that is more compatible with spiral pattern
    that your body eminates....points (if single) generate energy only in 
    the direction that the point is pointing....(if double terminated) they
    balance energy running in the vertical position (up and down) or
    horizontal position (side to side) depending how they are worn.
    
    Points are preferable for grid work although while your grid is setting
    its matrix (during the first 20-30 minutes it is set up) you may wish
    to put a sphere in the very center to add another dimension to the
    matrix.
    
    RE: Boji Stones.....
    
    Bojis are tektites (of the meteorite family) and balance the electro-
    magnetic field around the body as well as close holes in the aura.
    They are extremely powerful. Elixir made from boji stones will make
    any crop flourish and about 3-5 drops from a stock bottle will be 
    sufficient for approximately 8-10 acres. So if you want to use boji
    water for your houseplants I would suggest diluting the stock bottle
    one drop to at least a gallon of water.
    
    In Love and Light I AM
    Zeffel
    
    

    re. 181
    
    Worcester Mineral Club's Jewelry, Gem & Mineral Show - Yankee Drummer
    Inn, Auburn MA
    
    times:  Saturday 11/18 10-6
    	    Sunday   11/19 10-5
    
    $2.00
    
    lectures, slide shows, door prizes
    directions:  see note 69.181

    Boji Stones (from a pamphlet):
    
    Boji Stones were created as our earth was being created, and thus are
    as old as the earth itself.  The balanced energy joins with the
    elements and powers that formed the earth also formed the Boji.  Thus,
    the Boji became a container for the energies of balance.
    
    The Bojis are found around the bottom of a natural earth pyramid
    several stories high.  They are uncovered as the earth erodes from
    them, and are found growing on stems.  Geologists say this pyramid is
    on the heart of the United States.  Bojis are a total blend of fossil. 
    They are 7.4 hardness.
    
    Unlike any other stone, they are held together by the energy within. 
    If the energy in a Boji is depleted or destroyed, the stone changes
    molecule structure from 7.4 to dust.  Geologists find that this is a
    most unusual aspect of the Boji stone.
    
    One geologist said the Boji reminided him of the human or animal body
    that is held together by a life energy - when that energy leaves, the
    rock decays and chemical and mineral elements turn to dust.
    
    The greatest benefit from the Boji is gained in keeping it within your
    energy field, for its balanced energy will intercept the messages from
    nerves to cells with messages of balance.  This benefits the cells of
    the body in ways of healing and rejuvenating.  In wearing the Boji, ask
    the spirit within yourself:  release all fears and begin to allow
    yourself to believe in your physical and non-physical properties being
    in balance.  This will activate the energies of the Boji.  Then allow
    time for the body to show you the effects of joining and believing in
    balance.
    
    ~~~ 
                                                                      

    Do we know where the heart of America is?
    (how's this for a leading ?)
    
    Seriously....where is this *pyramid* suppose to be?
    
    ray k.

    Sorry ray .188,
    
    The pamphlet doesn't give the location of the pyramid;  perhaps
    because someone is duly afraid of attracting environmental rapists.
    
    Karen                                                  

    
    Are there people out there selling fake Boji stones and how can you
    tell it's a fake.
    

    .190 - {are there fakes?}
    
    I don't know if there are people selling fake Bojis.  The name Boji is,
    believe it or not, a trademark name (since 1972).  Apparently if you
    get your boji from a "company" called Boji, Inc. you are getting an
    authentic boji.  The two I just picked up came with a Certificate of
    Authenticity, but appears to be the exact same type of boji stones that
    I picked up at Heaven & Earth, sans certificate.  
    
    Did I pick up a "fake" at H & E?  I don't know.  Energetically they
    "feel" the same to me, and by outward appearance are composed of the 
    same physical material, and have similar densities (weights).
    
    But since bojis are expensive, I wouldn't be surprised if some people
    try to pass off some other kind of stones as bojis.  Best to shop and
    compare and get educated, before investing any money, I guess.
    
    By the way, on the pamphlet I have from Boji, Inc. it says:  "It is a
    Boji only if it comes from Boji, Inc.  From Boji, Inc. you are getting
    a living Boji with the energy activated."
    
    I'm not sure how much I believe of that, but for what it's worth...
    
    Karen                                                              

RE: .187 (Karen)

    > Boji Stones were created as our earth was being created, and thus are
    > as old as the earth itself.  
   
    Karen, other than meteorite's what on/in the earth isn't as old as the 
    earth (her)self?  

    Terry

    So what if it's off the topic, I just had to ask ;-)...

    Re: <<< Note 69.192 by USAT05::KASPER "All life can be a ritual" >>>
        
   
   > Karen, other than meteorite's what on/in the earth isn't as old as the 
   > earth (her)self?  
    
    Nothing. Everything is as old as the atoms which make up the elements
    of its composition. We're all as old as the Universe. And the Universe
    as we know it is about halfway through its lifecycle.

    maybe if you want the most ROCK for your $ you should look for
    a Tektite (of the meteorite family) as stated in Zeffel's response
    (#.185). This way you may possibly avoid the inevitable mark-up that
    comes with marketing (and NEW-AGE products are VERY marketable
    nowadays!) plus be assured of getting the real thing.
    
    Is there a rock hound out there that can substantiate this line of
    thinking?
    
    ray k.

    Terry .192,
    
    > Karen, other than meteorite's what on/in the earth isn't as old as
    > the earth (her)self?
    
    Of course you are right Terry, it seems like kind of a silly statement.  
    I was typing in word for word the information on a pamphlet, and as I 
    was, I felt in *many* places, had I been the original author, I would 
    have conveyed some of the information much differently.  I guess 
    I should have mentioned some kind of personal disclaimer, around certain 
    parts of the info, but I didn't...  
    
    ray .194
    
    For the same reason as noted above, could not all rock be considered as
    tektite or of the meteorite family?  Isn't the earth a conglomeration of 
    "space rock"?  Just wondering.  Personally, I don't know what makes a
    tektite a tektite.  Maybe it had to fall to earth well after the earth
    was formed.... But, I believe that tektites come in many different
    varieties.  If someone is interested in a boji, I don't believe they
    should go around asking for a tektite...  although, I don't *think* this
    is what you were implying.
    
    Yes, if there is anyone who knows about tektites, please clarify. 
    Zeffel...?
    
    Thanks,
    Karen

    
    OK...memories of geology lectures from some time ago:
    
    tektite is glassy, supposedly meteoric material that's quite often
    rounded in shape. There are three places in the world in which tektites
    are found in some quantity: Australia, Czechoslovakia, and the USA.
    
    No, not all rocks on earth are tektites if we accept the definition of 
    tektite as meteoric, since only those particles of matter that make it 
    through the earth's atmosphere to the surface of the planet are 
    considered meteorites. Besides, using the Greek root of the word, 
    tekein (to melt) tektites are partially melted space-drops, actually.
    
    I'll check this with a dictionary or some other reference source when I
    get home but this is from memory, soooo.....
    
    
    Gloria 

    Re .192 (Terry):
    
    >Karen, other than meteorite's what on/in the earth isn't as old as the 
    >earth (her)self?  
     
    It depends upon what you mean by "new."  For instance, there are
    different kinds of rock.  Vegetable matter can become coal, after
    heat and compression for enough years, and coal can become diamonds.
    A stone "created as our earth was being created" would imply that
    whatever it was some five billion years ago, it'd still be, effectively
    unchanged.  Possibly, but it's a l_o_n_g time we're talking about
    for that ....
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

RE .195 (Karen)

>    ...... Isn't the earth a conglomeration of 
>    "space rock"?

Hey, sounds good! Could you give me some names of groups, please???
:-):-)

Arie

RE: .187
    
    Just wanted to make it clear that whether or not what the pamphlet is
    true, little of it corresponds to current geological theory.  All
    stones (and all other matter on earth) is held together by its internal
    energy (the manifestation of electromagnetic force called "chemical
    binding" or, in the case of the earth itself, by the force called
    gravity).  No other forces are known which hold rocks together (which
    doesn't mean they don't).  Any geologist who could demonstrate what
    was claimed here would instantly be at the head of her profession.
    
    The only reasonable interpretation that I can think of for the "created
    as our earth was being created", is as Steve says -- that they are
    in essentially the same form as when the earth was created.  Since they
    come on stems they are obviously not meteors.  There are no known
    rocks as old as the Earth.  Last month there was quite a splash in
    geology because a field of rocks only a billion years or so younger
    than the Earth had been found.  The Boji stones might be older, but if
    so no geologist knows it.
    
    Personally, I would take the whole thing with a grain of salt (a
    natural one in the form of pyramid "several stories high" :-).  Ad
    hype is ad hype whether it is about sugared cerial or New Age stones.
    If you like the stones or find them useful great, buy them in good
    health -- but I wouldn't trust this double-talk, its seems designed
    to impress rather than inform you.
    
    						Topher

    Once did some research on tektites -- interesting objects.
    
    The ones from the USA are found in three sub-fields: Texas, Georgia
    and Mass.  (no I don't know where, I think mostly offshore).
    
    Describing them from "Australia" is a bit deceptive, since the
    "Australian" or "Austrasian" strewn-field also covers part of china,
    all of Indochina, Indonesian, part of the Philipines and a hugh
    chunk of ocean stretching almost to Madagascar.  There is also a
    major strewn field on the Ivory coast of Africa.
    
    They come in four varieties: 1) Microtektites -- these are small,
    less than 2mm, and are not associated particuarly with a particular
    region.  They are found in the deep ocean basins.  They probably
    can be found almost everywhere but are hard to distinguish from
    grit of surface origin.  They are mostly in the form of tiny glassy
    spheres, some of which are flattened or distorted into teardrops, rough
    cylindars, or barbells.  2) The splash-form tektites are similar in
    form to the microtektites but are much bigger: up to an inch, if I
    remember, but generally a bit smaller.  3) Some of the tektites from
    the Australian splash-field are lens shaped, looking a bit like
    minature "flying saucers".  4) The last kind is named after a place in
    China whose name I can't remember.  These are the biggest ranging
    roughly from an inch to a foot in size.  They are blocky or tablet
    shaped and frequently have a fine layered structure.
    
    There is no firm theory as to the origin of tektites.  They are
    probably meteoric in origin, but *not* in material.  They were probably
    created mostly or entirely from material at the site of large meteor
    or comet impact.  The big question is whether the impact occured on
    the Moon (in which case they are "meteorites" but not of meteoric
    substance in the usual sense) or on Earth.  Both theories have
    problems, but not as severe as the theory (not completely ruled out)
    that they are of pieces of a true meteor.
    
    					Topher

    Forgot to mention that the "splash-form" tektites are almost all
    pitted and groved with frequently interesting looking errosional
    markings.
    
    					Topher

                                 
    I went to Arizona over the holidays (yes, I made it to Sedona...(;^).  
    BEAUTIFUL scenery there, and visited 3 of the power vortexes with 
    definite feelings of the first one (the church on the hill to the right 
    of the altar). The second two were far weaker, and I wasn't in top form 
    to experience them by the end of the day either. 
    
    Went to the Mineral Museum in Phoenix and saw a 116lb. crystal from
    Brazil.  It was behind glass so I couldn't touch it (rats).  It was
    about 17" high and 12" wide, single terminator.  Nothing sensation-wise
    to report on that particular crystal, and had a general overall positive 
    feeling from the place and picked up some vibes from several other
    rocks including an amethyst geode cluster.
    
    And a crystal managed to find me at a flea market - 4"x1" single
    terminator with a smaller one nestled in the side (kind of like the
    space shuttle in a way).  It's really pretty.
    
    Cindy 
                     

    Has anyone ever heard of or know about "GEO" stones?
    
    Does it have healing qualities or does it aid in expanding your
    psychic abilities?  I was given a GEO and told that it would grant
    me wishes.  I have a little problem with that explanation!
    
    Can anyone help me out?  Just what is a GEO and what does it do?
    
    
    Confused, but not that gullible,
    
    Heida
    

    I was in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History yesterday and did
    I see some crystals!  The one that grabbed me the most was a flawless
    18" diameter, 160 pound clear quartz crystal sphere.  Incredible!  
    There was also a 23,000 carat hunk of topaz that was something to see.

    Terry

    re .203 (Heida):
               
    >Has anyone ever heard of or know about "GEO" stones?
    
    Could that be "geode" satones?  Geodes are stones that are hollow,
    and are usually inner-lined with [quartz_variant] crystals.
    
    If we presume that crystals are energy interceptors/directors, than
    the interior of a geode could act either as a cavity resonator or
    as an accumulator. 
    
    A split-open geode can look very pretty.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    
    Can anyone tell me a good place in the Southern N.H or Mass. area to
    purchase Crystals?
    
    Jerry

    ;-}

I like to go to New England International Gem in Westford, Mass.  The phone 
number is (508)-692-8266.

		Dave

    Thank you, Steve.  I apologize for the error.  My stone is a "geode."
    And thank you Pierson!  Replies beginning at .151 were very
    enlightening.
    
    
    heida
    

    Jerry .206,
    
    Not exactly in 'southern' NH, but a good place to buy crystals
    (price, quality & selection) is:
    
     The Soaring Crystal
     P.O. Box 1770
     Kearsarge Street
     North Conway, NH  03860
     (603) 356-7733
    
    Two other favorite places:
    
     Seven Stars
     on JFK Street in Harvard Square
    
    and:
    
     Horai Son
     close to the intersection of 
     Harvard Street and Rt 9 in Brookline
    
    and of course:
    
     Heaven & Earth
     in Gloucester Ma.
    
    Pick up the bi/monthly New Age publication Earth Star - usually on 
    the back cover Heaven & Earth advertises what's on sale and provides
    'coupons'...otherwise it tends to be a bit 'pricey', but lotsa fun
    to browse for *hours*.
    
    Enjoy,
    Karen 

    re .200 tektites
    
    Recalled, (clearly, i think) from a Scientific American article
    "a while back".  Exactly ONE found in New England, on one of the
    Mass islands, Martha's Vinyard or Nantucket.  It was speculated that
    it might have been dropped by a "stone age" tourist, been trade
    goods or whatever...
    
    thanks
    dwp

    re: .204 (Terry)
    
         If you liked that topaz, you'd like the one Glenn Lehrer
    (the crystal expert I've been taking classes from) has...it is
    just about finished (final polish coming up) and will be mounted
    on a white marble base (which isn't finished yet.)  This topaz
    (football-sized) is (or was before some cuts and polishing a couple
    of weeks ago) about 34,000 carats, and clear, pale blue.
         I don't know who the owner is or where it's going to end
    up.
    
    
    Fredercik
    

    
    Re.213 (Wardfr)
    
    Hi Fredercik,  (;^)hahaha!
             ---
    I've always been attracted to blue topaz.  Does this signify anything
    special metaphysically, or does it mean simply that I have a champagne 
    taste on a beer budget?
    
    Condy-roo

    Cindy - 
    
    I've always been attracted to the blue topaz too.  In fact I recently
    bought one in Cozumel, Mexico.  If you ever get down to the Yucatan
    peninsula check them out.  They are relatively inexpensive there.  (Of
    course you do have to pay for the travel expenses to get there but with
    all the fringe benefits  - snorkling, sight-seeing at the ruins, etc. -
    it's worth it!)
    
    Nanci

    There is an International Gem and Jewelry Show at the Shriners
    Auditorium in Wilmington, MA on March 2,3,and 4.  There will be
    a variety of stones, jewelry, and other items.  It's a great
    show and open to the public.  There is a wholesale section too,
    but the Shriners usually let everyone in there with a wish of
    an excuse.  It's not better than retail though.  Just make sure
    that you ask for show prices in the retail section.  Some of the 
    merchandise is from stores and have the store price on them.  You 
    can get up to 70% off.  Some good deals to be found.
    
    Good place to look for Blue Topaz too.  Saw some nice ones there
    in a sterling setting and good size too for under $20 at the last
    show.  Of course, when you get into the London Blue Topaz the 
    price goes up.  Takes a long time to radiate them.
    
    Joanne
    
    Please note, I am not connected to the International Gem and Jewelry
    Show host or to the Shriners.  This information was put in for the
    conference readers info only.
    

    EarthSong Crystals in Merrimack, NH is holding a free crystal workshop
    on March 11 from 2-3:30.  They're located in Pennichuck Square on
    Route 101A.
    
    They bring in a couple guys who are part owners in an Arkansas mine
    which produces very clear quartz crystal points and clusters.  The
    workshop they do covers some scientific/geological info on crystals
    as well as metaphysical information.  They bring in boxes and boxes
    of crystals in all sizes from tiny finger points to huge points and
    clusters.  They specialize in double terminated.  They'll sell to
    the audience at wholesale prices at the workshop only.
    
    If interested, call the shop at 603-886-0076 to reserve a seat.
    
    In addition, the owners Linda Goodman and Paula Schofield, are 
    quite friendly and interesting.  Besides the crystals, they carry
    some crystal books, crystal and gemstone jewelry, and some Native
    American pieces.  They run workshops on crystal healing, Reiki,
    crystal wire wrapping, gemstone bead stringing, Bach flower 
    remedies.....  They keep adding to their repertoire.
    
    Also for anyone interested, the last Friday of the month, they
    offer a free Reiki clinic to members of the community.  Call
    ahead to reserve a time.
    
    (Usual disclaimer--I have no financial interest in this shop,
    etc.--this is for your info only--there isn't much in the way
    of these kinds of shops in southern New Hampshire, so thought
    I'd pass it along.)
    

    I'm building a guitar and thought of setting a crytal in the head.
    Another guitar I own has some petrification in the wood. This guitar
    is mostly mahogany and the rest maple, made up of many peices of wood,
    like a clay sculpture. 
     CAn somebaody express an opinion or ask one of thier crystals what
    kind of crystal this thing could use? I'm looking for an alive sound.
    
    CT

    Ct,
    
    I love your idea of building a guitar and setting a crystal in the
    head.  Instead of recommending a particular crystal to you, I would
    encourage you to do some brief visualizations/meditations where you 
    envision the guitar completed and you playing it.  In your mind, create
    and hear the music you will play, and who you will be playing it for. 
    
    During the visualizations, look at the head of the guitar and see if 
    you can discern the crystal that is there.  See if you notice a color 
    or any other distinguishing features that it may have.  Then begin to 
    match up any observations you make during those visualizations with
    crystals you may come across.
    
    Another approach is to look around through a few stores and see what
    if there is a crystal you feel intuitively drawn to.  Even if this seems 
    difficult I would heartily encourage you to try.  As best you can
    trust yourself that a part of you *already knows* what crystal would be
    best and that the crystal does too, and that the two of you will 
    find a way for you to find each other.
    
    Have fun,
    
    Karen.*  

    After reading -1 I think I should also put a crystal in each of 2 large
    speaker cabs I also built. Those has oak as well, and some floral
    carvings.  I'll bring some wood samples and see if I can find an
    acceptable piece. I almost bought a crystal before I started, but am
    mostly finised now. At first it seemed , looking over the rocks, to be
    not the thing to do. 

    
    I received a jewelry catalogue in the mail the other day and was really
    impressed with what they have to offer - unique designs, crystals,
    pewter, art deco, oriental, southwest US, plumage, silver and shell,
    hematite and fresh water pearls, gold chains...along with very reasonable 
    prices.  As a sample price, a 36" dark amethyst chip necklace is $19.00.
    
    Here are the details:
    
    		Nature's Jewelry 
                27 Industrial Avenue
    		Chelmsford, MA  01824-3692
    		1-800-333-3235 (M-F 8:30am to 9pm, Sat. 9am to 5pm EST)
    
    They also have a 1-pager dedicated to saving the rainforests, along
    with donating a percentage of their sales of their Tropical Forest
    Collection to the Rainforest Action Network.
    
    Cindy
    
    PS. Usual disclaimer applies.

    Cindy,
    
    I wonder if they have an outlet or sell to the public through that
    address.  Where it is local, it might be fun to stop in there in
    person and check it out.
    
    Ro
    

    
    Hi Ro,
    
    I just called them and they only take orders and ship.
    
    Cindy

    They have a little shop in the [Sears] Natick Mall.
    
    						Ann B.

    Does anybody know if and when the Sunapee NH
    Crystal fair will be held this year? I've heard
    that in years past it's been a real success. I
    guess they have it outdoors and it's quite an 
    exhibit. I also heard that it's the place to
    go if you want to buy crystals. I guess the
    selection is great and the prices are low.
    
    Ron

    
    I think they're a seasonal type vendor...in the past few years they've
    had displays in the mall aisles...they are very reasonable and they
    will guarantee everything they sell (if this is the same Nature's
    Jewelry that I've seen)...my wife has brought back bracelets with
    broken clasps or that tarnished up to two years later and had them
    fixed or replaced at NO charge...
    
    Chris

    
    re: .225
    
    This may be the fair you're looking for - listed in the August 1990
    issue of "Soo Nipi" magazine:  "August 25-26, 27th Annual Gem & Min-
    eral Festival, Mt. Sunapee State Park, Newbury.  Gems, minerals,
    equip., dealers, jewelry and demos. Tel: 485-5334."  ("Soo Nipi" -
    meaning "The Landing Place of the Wild Goose" was the Indian name
    for Sunapee.)
    
    Also check out note 1297 and replies in the CNOTES::NEW_HAMPSHIRE
    conference.
    
    Virginia
    

    Thankyou to .227! That's what I'm looking for.

    
    A week or so ago Patrick Swayze (sp?) the actor, was on the Tonight Show.
    Two very interesting things happened.  First, they were talking about
    his movie - GHOST - in which he plays a ghost of a guy who is murdered
    and is trying to reach his girlfriend (I haven't seen the movie, I 
    cry at the commercials for it.)  Anyway, they showed a clip.  It was
    very moving.  So much so that when they cut back to Johhny Carson he
    was momentarily speechless - something that doesn't happen very often.
    
    But, more importantly, for me anyway, was that as they were talking
    Patrick Swayze said "Oh yeah, I wear this crystal all the time, it's
    really great!"  and they cut to a commercial.  Anyway,  just
    wanted to mention it.
    
    alison
    

Magnetic Theory Of Crystals May Be Key to Future Computers

  By John J. Keller

  PRINCETON, N.J. -- As computer and telecommunications companies race to cram
more data into smaller devices, a theoretical physicist at NEC Corp. is taking
this quest to the atomic level.

  Premala Chandra is investigating whether observations on the changing state
of electrons in crystals can yield a theory of magnetism that may someday be
turned into a new more powerful kind of computer code.

  At the least, Dr. Chandra's efforts should tell NEC something about how to
build and program information systems and the devices that will power them
well into the next century. Running on electricity or light, these systems
will be the basis for everything from medical supercomputers to
high-definition televisions and virtual-reality training machines.

  Tokyo-based NEC's enlistment of Chandra is part of a broad trend in Japanese
science to attack these problems through basic scientific inquiry. At the same
time U.S. technological giants are prodding their laboratories for more
commercially relevant research.

  On a recent morning the flashing arrows on Chandra's Silicon Graphics
workstation represent its mathematical analysis of experimental data on the
changing magnetic field in a crystal of the magnetoplumbite formation. Chandra
is trying to write a new theory for disordered or "glassy" states of magnetism
in the crystal. "Glassy" alludes to the fact that glass, which seems solid, is
actually a viscous liquid of disordered molecules when observed at the
molecular level.

  Constructing a "glassy" or complex new information code may unleash
tremendous new processing power, Chandra says. "If one could develop a system
with this disordered property, you could have the basis for memory devices
that are many times more powerful than current ones," regardless of the
temperatures in which they operate, she says.

  Such systems may need a revolutionary programming code, Chandra says. Rather
than the ones and zeros of today's computer language, Chandra envisions a
future machinespeak using different combinations of perhaps three or more
numbers. But this would require a far more complex design than today's
systems, grounded in a new theory. Current computer and memory storage
designs, she explains, are built on theories of magnetism going back to the
1930s.

  Those theories hold that electrons react to forces among the atoms in solids
as if they were little magnets whose axes point up or down-"spin" in theorists
jargon. Computer scientists long ago transcribed groups of these magnetic ups
and downs into the ones and zeros of computer code. Information storage works
by electrically manipulating these electrons each time data is written
magnetically onto a tape or disk. The tape head then detects reverse movement
of the electrons to play back the information in ones and zeros.

  But certain crystals exhibit a different type of magnetism that may vastly
improve information storage. In the magnetoplumbite crystal Chandra is
studying, the chromium atoms are woven or arranged in "Kagome" lattices. The
magnetism of these lattices seems to have an exotic symmetry or complex
correlation not seen in other crystals, she explains.

  Chandra's computer translates data on the magnetism of these crystals into
flashing arrows showing the movement of the crystal's electrons. Then she
concentrates on the arrows on her computer screen to discern new patterns of
magnetism. The secrets to the crystal's Kagome lattices "could mean that
rather than two states of magnetism, up and down, you'll someday have systems
which use multiple states, possibly up, down and sideways," she says. "From
this theory you could form a new kind of digital code" for computers using
several numbers instead of just zero and one.

   8 51 AM


Thanks for that info, Cindy.

I'd just like to mention that the use of the word "crystal" in this
context has very little to do with the sort of very specific crystals
being discussed in this topic. "Crystal", as used in its scientific
meaning, refers to a class of solids with certain regular geometric
properties. Well over half of the solid matter on the surface of our
planet is crystalline, this being the natural way these compounds
organize. Your coffee cup is crystalline. The laminate on the surface
of your desk is crystalline. The plastic in your keyboard is partially
crystalline. I rarely hear about people getting excited about these
objects having any special spiritual properties, and I doubt the
crystals which are the subject of Dr Chandra's would even be recognized
as crystals by most of us.

Just so people don't get too excited about some new vindication of
their fondness of and hope for special properties of crystals.

    The electronics industry, which includes the computer industry, has been
    using crystals in a big way since the invention of the transistor in
    the 50s.

    Jamie.

    I remember building a crystal radio when I was eight.  Was my device
    chanelling Credence Clearwater Revival ?  :-) 

       
       re: .233
    
                  In a word - yes. Unless, of course, you built the radio
    before 1970; then it was most likely channeling Woody Guthrie :-)  .
    
                         Later,
                          Mark
    
    

         
    A reader of this file has a question about a quartz/amethyst crystal
    she has.
    
    To make it shine more, she used jewelry cleaner on it, however it
    dulled the quartz part.  I suggested soaking it in sea salt dissolved
    in bottled mineral water, and putting it out in the sun.  
    
    Does anybody who works with stones and jewelry cleaner have any other
    suggestions?
    
    Cindy

    Does anyone have any information about Apophyllite?  I bought a
    beautiful pinkish cluster over the weekend, and I wasn't sure if it
    was Apophyllite or not.  What do they look like? 
    
    Thanks,
    :), danielle
    

    I don't know anything about the appearance, but the list I have states
    the following:
    
    "APAPHYLLITE: It is a communication crystal with the higher realms of
    conciousness. Puts on in tune with the angelic kingdom as well as
    master teachers. It amplifies most signals of a positive nature and
    draws the message to the user, especially during sleep or meditation.
    It helps reduce depression, increases spiritual upliftment from
    negative forces and calms dry coughs and sore throats. Helps one to
    recognize truth and to act upon it. Has been used to facilitate astral
    travel. Helps one to recognize and correct deficiencies and assists in
    providing energy during this period."
    
    I vouch for none of the above. Use it as you will and always with
    caution, especially if using for medicinal purposes.
    
    PJ 

    Thanks for entering that PJ....I have the same definition but I wasn't
    sure if this cluster is apophyllite or not...
    
    :), danielle

    Hi Danielle, 
    
    	Going from memory, I think that this is usually a clear or green
    cubed crystal fromtion.  I haven't heard of it being pink, but I 
    can look in my reference book.  
    
    Candi7

    Thank you Candi!
    
    :), danielle

         I have worked with Reiki Healing for the past two years, 
         I'm new to crystals and try to get information about 
         "stones" in general, but mostly interesting in their 
         healing powers. Does anyone know if the size of the 
         "stones" has anything to do with how much "power" each 
         stone provides/has? What I mean is - does it make any 
         difference whether I use a small one or a large one in a 
         crystal layout?
         
         I have among others a large Rosa quarts at the size of a 
         normal wallbrick, which I obvious cannot use in a 
         crystal layout ;>
         
         How often should I "clean" them if they only are placed 
         in the window (in the sun) through all hours of 
         daylight?  Speaking of which, I found out, that Reiki is 
         a greate way of cleaning and renewing them - has anyone 
         had the same experience?
         
         :) Anne