LAPIS LAZULI
(LAZURITE)
Picture 1SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION: Lazurite is a silicate of sodium calcium and aluminum, with some sulfur. It is a member of the sodalite group. It's chemistry is (Na,Ca)8(Al,Si)12O24(S,SO)4. The color ranges in shades of blue from violet blue and azure blue thru greenish-blue. Lazurite is distinguished from sodalite by its deeper color and fine grain. It is also softer and lighter in weight than lazulite. It is dull to greasy and the streak is pale blue. The hardness ranges between 5 and 5-1/2.
ENVIRONMENT: Crystals are rare. It is usually granular, compact, massive. It forms in association with pyrite, calcite, and diopside in hornfels of contact metamorphic rocks. The opaque, vivid blue, light blue, greenish-blue, or violet-blue stone, consisting largely of lazurite but with appreciable amounts of calcite, diopside, and pyrite, is a rock called [lapis lazuli.] The stone is usually veined or spotted. Its value depends largely upon excellence and uniformity of color and absence of pyrite, although some purchasers prefer lapis with pyrite.
OCCURRENCE: Lazurite is a rare mineral in North America, but it does occur on Italian Mt. in the Sawatch Mts. of Colorado; on Ontario Peak in the San Gabriel Mts., Los Angeles Co., and in Cascade Canyon in the San Bernardino Mts., San Bernardino Co., California. The finest lapis lazuli has come from Badakshan in Afghanistan, and less valuable material has come from Russia and Chile.
NAME: The name is from the Arabic [lazaward], "heaven," which was also applied to sky-blue lapis lazuli.
LEGEND and LORE: Lapis Lazuli was a favorite stone of the ancient Egyptians. In the past Lazurite has been burned and ground to form the pigment "ultramarine." It was consider an aid to childbirth, and has long been associated with altered states of consciousness and trance work. Lapis is sometimes designated as a birthstone for December, although turquoise is most common.
MAGICAL PROPERTIES: To quote Cunningham: "This stone is used in rituals designed to attract spiritual love. Take an untumbled piece of lapis with a sharp edge. Empower the stone and a pink candle with your need for love. Then, using the lapis lazuli, carve a heart onto the candle. Place the stone near the candleholder and burn the candle while visualizing a love coming into your life." Actually, the most important magical aspect of lapis is it's ability to strengthen psychic awareness. Cunningham says "Despite its somewhat high price, lapis lazuli is one stone every stone magician should own and utilize."(2)
HEALING: This stone is used at the Ajina, the Brow Chakra. It's related gland is the pituitary. The pituitary gland is also referred to as the "master gland" because it regulates all of the others. This location is also the center for the eyes, ears, nose and brain.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: I don't often use Lapis for physical healing, unless I feel that there is a "link" between what is manifested as disease, and some conflict of the "higher self". I have used it for brain disorders (tumors, inflammation, etc.) More often, I use it in layouts where the client is trying to achieve an altered state of consciousness.
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1. Scientific, Environment, Occurrence and Name are from (or paraphrased from) "The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals".
2. Legends and Lore, Magical Properties are from "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic", by Scott Cunningham.
3. Some of the healing information may come from "Color and Crystals, A Journey Through the Chakras" by Joy Gardner.
4. Personal Experience is from MY personal experience, journals and notebooks, by Tandika Star.
LAPIS LAZULI: Used by ancient healers as an energy stone to strengthen the mind and prepare the body for spiritual awareness. Stimulates inner vision and enhances wisdom, insight, and good judgement in the practical world. Powerful thought amplifier. Opens the chakras, strengthens and balances, and induces psychic experience. It attracts spiritual love, cheers all moods and ills, and is useful in incest recovery. Helps us become more in touch with our essence and play a more active role in the control of our existence. Stimulates creativity, speech, and sincerity.
Compiled by Fern Bouchard
Not to be confused the Ruby in Celtic Mythology or with the Sapphire.
In Egypt, this is the stone for Royalty only. It gave wisdom and psychic experiences and guided the soul into the afterlife. It is thought to represent truth. It strengthens the mind and body through spiritual awareness. It is the stone of truth and also the stone of mystery.
It will aid in meditation and psychic development, it lifts depression and melancholy and brings success in love.
The color is inherently soothing.
It has been used for skin diseases and circulatory problems and against recurrent fevers.
Compiled by Lady Hathor - The Siver Circle - Toronto, Ont.
Lapis Lazuli: Strengthens skeletal system. Activates thyroid gland. Releases tension and anxiety. Energizes throat chakra. Augments strength, vitality, virility. Facilitates opening of chakras. Mental clarity, illumination. Enhances psychic abilities and communication with Higher Self and Spirit Guides. Creative expression. (5,6)
By Legion of Light
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