SELENITE

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SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION: Selenite is the name given to colorless, transparent Gypsum. It is a Hydrous calcium sulfate with the chemistry of CaSO4.2H2O. The hardness is 1- 1/2 to 2.

ENVIRONMENT: Gypsum is a very common sulfate mineral. Although it may be found in several rock types, it develops principally in sedimentary rocks of chemical origin, where it roms rock gypsum deposits in beds that may be 10m (30') in thickness. It also occurs associated with dolomite and barite in hydrothermal replacement deposits.

OCCURRENCE: At Lockport, Niagra Co., New York, beautiful transparent crystals occur lining cavity walls in dolomite. Large crystals have been found at South Was, Wayne Co., Utah. Crystals up to 1.2 m (4') long have been found in the Maravilla Mine, Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico.

NAME: The name comes from the Greek [selenites], meaning "moon stone".

LEGEND and LORE: I was unable to find anything listed for "ancient" uses of this version of Gypsum.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES: Cunningham states "...it is exchanged between lovers for reconciliation."

HEALING: Stein mentions a case of using the stone, in a "lump" form for increasing milk flow in a nursing mother. Katrina Raphaell is the only other healer that I can reference that uses Selenite. She refers to it as a healer of the psyche, rather than of the physical dimension.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: Selenite can calm a confused mind. Because of it is Gypsum, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for any calcium deficiency diseases or for healing broken bones (although I haven't had an opportunity to try it on bones yet.) My Selenite wand is relatively new, and I have not yet fully explored it's potential.

NOTES: In the past, crystalline Selenite has been used to make eyeglass lenses. Long Selenite "wands" can be found. But caution is advised with this stone: because it is so soft and has a high water content, it "bends" quite easily. Even the heat from your hand, while holding it can cause it to bend and curl.

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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. Precious and semi-precious gemstone information may come from "Gemstones" by E. H. Rutland.

3. Other Precious and semi-precious gemstone information may come from "Gem Cutting", sec. ed., by John Sinkankas.

4. Legends and Lore, Magical Properties are from "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic", by Scott Cunningham.

5. Some of the healing information may come from "Color and Crystals, A Journey Through the Chakras" by Joy Gardner.

6. Some of the healing information may come from "A Journey Through the Chakras" by Joy Gardner.

7. Personal Experience is from MY personal experience, journals and notebooks, by Tandika Star.

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Selenite: Strengthens bones, teeth. Soothes nerves. Has positive effect on brain, aiding power of concentration. Enhances willpower. Grounded white light. (7)

By Legion of Light