Calcite
by Stephanie Pflumm
Calcium makes beautiful crystals in all sorts of environments and
conditions. From the roofs of caves to the cracks in igneous stones, Calcium
is not too picky about where or when to crystallize into Calcite.
Calcite primarily forms as a result of Calcium being weathered by elements
or precipitated through hot, hydrothermal solutions. The best examples of
Calcite precipitation are the stalactites found on the ceiling of caves.
This Calcium Carbonate crystal is found everywhere, but is not always
obvious in its appearance. Many of the fine veins, grains and streaks found
in rocks like Limestone, Granite and Brownstone are Calcite. These minute
crystal formations are critical for construction products like concrete and
mortars.
Not all Calcite crystals are merely small parts of a bigger whole, some grow
into beautiful, colorful crystals with their own strengths. Most true
Calcite crystals grow into what is commonly called a "dogtooth". This is a
spike shape that resembles the canine or incisor tooth, which is where the
name comes from. Some crystals appear to have a rhombohedral growth pattern
(a sort of warped rectangle). However, this is actually a result of a
portion of the crystal being naturally separated from the main crystal. It
would be more accurate to say that the gem has a rhombohedral cleavage
(breaking point).
A member of the large Feldspar family, Calcite is a sibling in a sub-group
called Satin Spar. It's two closest siblings are Aragonite and Vaterite.
There are other Calcium Carbonate crystals, but these become unstable once
they reach the surface of the planet. The strongest Calcite crystal in the
family is Marble, which is almost a "petrified" or "fossilized" Calcite.
Like Silica (Quartz), Calcite is widely distributed around the planet. It
makes up about 4% of the crust's weight. You can probably find Calcite in
your own backyard. Chances are high that any igneous stone you pick up is
going to have some grains of the crystal in it.
Calcite found in sedimentary rocks like Limestone and Granite is formed as a
result of the decay of ancient sea organisms. This decay is one of the
sources for Carbon in the gemstone. Instances where the crystal forms from
precipitation the Carbon comes from the atmosphere.
Colors in Calcite crystals are rich and vibrant. They form a nice rainbow
that includes red, yellow, orange, pink, green, blue and clear.
Icelandic Spar is the clear member of this crystal family. As the name
implies, the gem was originally found in Iceland where crystals are known to
grow as large as a male human head. This clear Calcite has a unique (and
potentially powerful) physical property called double refraction. Lay a
clear Calcite crystal over a straight line or a group of letters. When you
look through the crystal you will see the letters offset and two lines
instead of one.
Calcite has a long list of mundane uses, some dating back to our earliest
construction efforts. In addition to adding its strength to cement and
mortar, is it also used in the production of steel, glass, ornamental stone
(the man-made kind), optical applications and as a whitener in paints.
The crystal also has a long history as a healer. Ancient traditions and
folklore medicine recommend poultices from the crystal for clearing up skin
conditions like warts, ulcers, acme and rashes. It has also been used for
drawing infections from wounds and speed up their healing.
You will find Calcite a powerful ally for drawing out festering self doubt.
As a companion, the crystal will teach you to trust in your own ability.
You'll learn to understand the strength of self-assurance, knowing that you
will never act in a way that is not for your highest good. If you are
needing a little extra motivation to overcome a lazy streak or
procrastination, carry an Orange or Yellow companion.
If you are currently in school, learning a new career or skill, or simply
trying to expand your personal knowledge, this is a great crystal companion.
Calcite assists you in translating new knowledge and ideas into actual
actions and events. It will help you turn ideas into realities.
Do you work in communications or have to deal with many unique situations
and people. Carrying a clear Calcite will help you in seeing through the
"double meaning" in many people's words. It will help you see through what
they are saying, so you understand what they mean. Blue and clear Calcite
are especially beneficial with communication issues.
Calcite encourages healthy, and rapid growth. In every area of your life;
health, wealth, spiritually. Use blue to expand your spiritual horizons;
green is excellent for encouraging material growth and the orange or yellow
are prefect to increase your health.
The energetic gem is a great tool for using in creative workings. It is said
to double the power of your work or intention. Plus the crystal itself has a
fluid nature. It accepts and releases a charge very easily. Which means same
crystal can be utilized over and over again with any variety of intent.
Healers will find this unique energy pattern especially helpful. It will
allow you to charge a single crystal for a number of different health issues
and individuals. Incorporating the various colors to correspond with the
appropriate Chakra means you can assign a different Calcite crystal to deal
with area of the body. Below is a quick reference for which colors go best
with each Chakra.
For patients recovering from long-term, exhaustive illness will find Calcite
a great companion. It helps the body to remember the state of perfect health
and work towards returning to that level of health. It will also promote the
faster healing of bones and sores.
Here is a brief list of the various tasks you can assign the individual
colors to:
Clear - Crown Chakra or all seven Chakra, communication, improving spiritual
growth
Blue - Throat Chakra, communication, spiritual growth, knowledge
Green - Heart Chakra, wealth, health, physical growth
Orange - Solar Plexus Chakra, health, knowledge
Pink - Heart Chakra, love, communications
Yellow - Stomach Chakra, health, physical growth
Red - Base Chakra, knowledge, all growth, creative workings |
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