Chiastolite, the stone of transformation and spiritual protection

     Chiastolite is a naturally occurring mineral, a form of Andalusite ( Al₂SiO5 ), and is easily distinguishable by it’s black, cross shaped, inclusions of graphite. Most of the time it’s a brownish-gray in color, sometimes with dark red parts as well, and when cut in halves ( the natural specimens ) once can clearly see the cross pattern inside.

Left: rough, "slabs" of Chiastolite, right polished tumbled stones

     The very name, originates from the Greek “chiastos” which means, “cross marked”, [1] and also “cruciform” or “crosswise”. It’s hardness on the Mohs’ scale is 6.5-7.5 , the strike is white, and the luster is vitreous. It can withstand high temperatures,  without alteration,  and is for this reason used    high-temperature resistant ceramics and refractories. The faceted specimens exhibit the pleichroic effect ( “change” color depending on the angle from which they are observed )  and are for this reason valued among jewelers, and used in the jewelry. [2]

Use in magick

     This auspicious natural talisman, has been used in healing and magick, for hundreds of years, already. It was believed to be a sign, or even gift from G’d, and it was, and still is, reverend as an amulet that negates curses and hexes. Today, it’s  also frequently  used to shield from, and fence off, psychic attacks. So it’s a powerful stone for spiritual protection, or, it’s a protective agent per excellence, especially against harmful magick.

Charming Chiastolite crystal
skull  :) 

     It is also a very spiritual stone, that both, uplifts spiritually, but grounds those that hold it, preventing that the spiritual experience gets the best of them. What more, it’s said to ground a spiritual experience, or insight, making it more understandable and permanent. 

     According to renowned author and crystal-therapist Judy Hall, the stone is a gateway to the mysteries as well. It facilitates astral projection, and helps people understand and explore the immortal   nature of souls. It is related to death, and rebirth, and is believed to ease the transition of the soul form physical to other planes, thus helping those who are passing away. The stone    can provide answers to mysterious events and occurrences. [3]

     It’s an inspirational, and creative stone, which also boosts analytical faculties, and aptness in solving problems, which is connected to its use in crystal therapy.

     It has the power to turn the conflict into harmony, and to dispel negative thoughts, sensations, and energy. That’s the majestic transformation power of the stone, to turn the negative into positive.

     Additionally, it’s said to unite and draws elemental forces, due to the cross pattern, most likely, empowering thus spiritual work, and magickal rituals and spells.  [4] This is why people sometimes place it on their altars.

      It’s also seen as a stone of good luck, and is believed by many to be  an amulet against the  evil eye, or the glance of malice 

     It also has power to turn the  calm confronted people, and turn conflict situations into more productive ones. Hence why it could be useful to carry to  workplace , if the colleagues tend to argue.

     Like any other stone/crystal/mineral  , Chiastolite is also associated with planets, it “vibrates” with certain numerical value, and it channels energy, projecting or drawing it ( in this case, the stone is versatile, so it both receives and projects energies, equally well ), and here are some of the correspondences for the stone:

·        * Planetary ruler: Various, Saturn

·         *Elemental ruler: Various, or all  the 4 classical elements

·         *Numerical correspondence: 7

·        * Energy: receptive and projective

·        * Birthstone of: Libra and Virgo [5]

·        * Time of year* : Samhain and Lammas

·         *Angelic ruler: possibly ( ! )** Sandalphon or Cassiel

Use in crystal therapy

    

     Chiastolite has relatively broad spectrum of “prescriptions” in regards of treating  somatic and psychological aliments, and some of the suggestions are as follow:

     “Healers use chiastolite to lessen fevers, rheumatism, balance the immune system, fortify nerves, and increase lactation in nursing mothers.” [6]

     It’s also said to increase ability to solve problems, find different approaches and solutions to them , or to conquer them using analytical faculties, which the stone greatly enhances. It also dispels fear, illusions, and non-functional, old, thought-patterns. It reduces excess of acid in organism, and is said to be able to repair chromosome damages, and even treat paralysis.  [7]

    It’s empowers any chakra, if laid over it  , and it’s extremely efficient in repairing auric damages, and filling up auric holes etc.

Spells and rituals

Dispel negative elements     

     Create an elixir with spring water and Chiastolite. Add to it few drops of Holy water, and a smallest pinch of salt. A drop of Camphor essential oil may be added as well,  or a pinch of finely powdered / pulverized Vervain, If You feel so inclined, but  it’s certainly not necessary

     Now either put it in a spray bottle, and spray around the place that is disturbed with negative vibration, has “thick” air, or feels extremely “wrong” , or pour it into a ceramic lamp, light a candle and let it diffuse and dispel negative elements, replacing them with creativity and harmony.

Charm of spiritual aid

     When someone is in dire need of spiritual assistance, of the benevolent spirits, due to some misfortune, trauma or illness, combine in a purple mojo bag:

·       *   Chiastolite

·       *   Aquamarine

·       *  Altaea roots, or Star Anise seeds

     And dress the bag with “Spirit guide” or “Healing” condition oils. Any of the spiritual colognes, such as Florida water, or Kanaga water will also do just fine. Hold the bag in hands, light a white, purple or beeswax candle and pray, and ask the spirits to help. Leave the bag, alongside candle, glass of water and some fresh mint leaves on the altar until the candle burns all the way down.

     Then the candle can be given to the person in  question, or even slipped underneath their   mattress, to draw help of kind spirits.

NOTE:  This article was written and composed by myself, so If You wish to use any part of it elsewhere online, feel free, but add credits; Shadow of the Shadows magick place, Shadow-333@hotmail.com    or a direct link to this  post

*While  it’s only natural that certain gemstones take  special place in certain   magickal times, certain periods of the year, be it even a single day , it should be obvious that  this does not imply that these stones can be used only  in/on these  given  times.   Crystals themselves  are pretty much equally powerful all year long, If properly maintained ( cleaned and charged ), of course

** My own suggestion, I have not been able to found any association of the Cross stone, with any of the Angels or Archangels in the sources available to me. But the colors, shapes, properties of the Stone resonate with the two mentioned Archangels, strongly.

CREDITS AND REFERENCES:

[1] According to:   https://crystal-cure.com/chiastolite.html

[2] More here:  http://geology.com/minerals/andalusite.shtml 

[3] “Crystal Bible; a definitive guide to crystals” by Judy Hall, 2005^th edition

[4] According to the   “Encyclopedia of crystal, gem and metal magic” by  Scott Cunningham; pg. 87^th Llewellyn publications

[5] Sources disagree; for example Gerina Dunwich, in her “Dunwich’s guide to gemstone sorcery” states it’s a Virgo birthstone, whereas http://www.healing-crystals-for-you.com/chiastolite.html ties it to the Libra

[6] Retrieved / quoted / cited from :  https://crystal-cure.com/chiastolite.html  for educational, explanatory and discussion purposes, without any ill will

[7] According to the source listed under  [3]

IMAGE CREDITS:

Slabs  of Chiastolite ( first image ) from

http://www.fossili.it/immaginiprodotti/andalusitegrezzo.JPG  used here for illustrative and explanatory pruposes without any ill will

Thumbed Chiastolite from Crystal cure http://crystal-cure.com/pics/chiastolite-tum.jpg used here for illustrative and explanatory purposes without any ill will

The skull made from Chiastolite is from,    http://www.skullis.com/ProductImage/4100124/Chiastolite-Crystal-Skull-03.jpg     and is once again used for illustrative and     explanatory purposes without any kind of ill will 

The power and symbolism of the Red Egg, and Paschal origins and mysteries

     As I am writing this the Easter, according to Orthodox Christian denominations that follow the Julian calendar ( old ) approaches. In fact,  the Easter is tomorrow ( 12^th April 2015^th ). 

     So I decided to write a little something about the tradition of dying/coloring  eggs, in Christian tradition, and hopefully to help dispel that silly, urban myth;  how it’s a Pagan tradition. Not because I have anything against Pagans, for the record; I have Pagan friends, but because I loathe the New- Age trend of watering down the tradition, and mixing up and confusing facts. On top of all New Agers and Neo-pagans then proceed to insist how it’s The (!!!) Truth, when in fact is just their own misinterpretation. In a very belligerent, and I must add spamming fashion, parroting their nonsense ad nauseum, in hope that a thousand times repeated lie will become just like the truth.

     One of the bluntest examples is related to the tradition of egg dying around Easter. Claiming that it’s related to old Germanic deity Eostre, or Ostara and Spring Equinox, they are in fact trying to appropriate, and claim authorship over such archetypical symbols such as spring, egg, rebirth, red color etc. It’s beyond reductive, absurd, and unfounded.

     Egg symbolism, and dying eggs traditions

     First off, egg is not a Pagan symbol, because as a symbol, it predates any organized religion. Monotheistic and polytheistic. Dyed eggs have been found in prehistorical graves, alluding most likely to early perception even among the prehistoric human, of egg, as a symbol of life, and vitality.

     The unearthed shells were often dyed with either red ochre, or blood, in the territory of what it’s now modern Ukraine, for example. [1]

     Eggs have reportedly been decorated ( usually Ostrich eggs  ) in Africa since the dawn of human, there.

     Egyptians have been dying eggs, mostly for use in their funerary rites, as early as 5000 years BC.

     Zoroastrian religious people have dyed eggs, on their New Year, Nowruz, which falls around Spring Equinox [2]  . Another practice of egg dying that predates Eostre cult. In fact, it’s noteworthy to mention that the first written records about Eostre, date back to the eight century AC ( Bede ) [3] while the Christians have been celebrating the Easter as early as from the 2^nd century AC. Hence, all the, extremely spurious symbolism and egg myths associated with Eostre, at least in written records form, came much later.

     To sum up, symbolism of the egg is universal, so the egg is no more pagan in origin than the wheel or fire.

     Egg is a universal symbol of creation, sometimes the thing from which the life emerged; vegetative, Divine, or chthonic. Worldwide, it’s a symbol of affection, happiness, opulence, health, birth and resurrection.  It’s also associated with the springtime. In the Hebrew tradition, it’s a symbol of promise. [4]

     Finally, it’s also a symbol of Cosmic Egg, or Brahamanda ( in Vedic mythology ) and Orphis egg ( in Greek mythology ), from which, respectively, the very universe hatched and expanded, or the primordial, hermaphroditic  deity had.

     Ovoid shape, the egg shape, is a traditional shape used in occultism and talismanic to represent Akasha, the Ether, or the fifth element which is the Spirit. [5]

    

The Term misconception

     The only thing that, albeit very loosely, correlates celebration of Christian Easter with Eostre is the name.  And that’s only the case in Anglo-Saxon and Germanic counties and diaspora (!!). In fact, Christians will often use the term “Pascha” instead, or “Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord”.

     However to the many English speakers, Easter is a mundane word, with no connotation to Pagan’s month name, or fertility festivities;

“Some Orthodox Christians discourage the use of the word Easter, believing that the term has roots in pagan rites of the spring equinox and overtones of fertility. Most English speakers are unaware of the etymological origins of Easter, however, and use it without any sense of pagan connotations, and so Easter is also used by many Orthodox English speakers.

The origin of the term Easter comes from the Germanic name for the month in which the Christian feast usually fell, and so, just as the American civic holiday of the Fourth of July has nothing to do with Julius Caesar for whom July was named, neither does Easter have anything to do with the pagan goddess Eostre, the namesake of the month in which Pascha fell. “ [6]

     Christian symbolism of the Egg

   

     For the Christians, egg has additional symbolism, aside the universal attributes. It symbolizes and empty tomb, or the tomb of Lord Jesus, whereby the hard, shell exterior symbolizes the stone which was used to cover the entrance to the Christ’s gravesite. Breaking the eggs on Pascha symbolically represents breaking off the stone on Christ’s grave, and just as the little chicken hatches from the egg, so does a new life, Christ rises from grave, defeating thus death. Hence to the Christians, egg is not merely some fertility symbol, nor is associated with the rabbits, those are things of popular culture, and commercialism.

    Traditionally Christians would abstain from eating meat (least the fish on certain days), eggs, milk, or any animal byproducts during the Lent period ( 40 days prior to Pascha ), and the eggs were thus something that was tabooed during the period, in order   to stress out the Divine symbolism embodied in them. This is still a living tradition among Eastern Orthodox Christians, as well as some Eastern Catholic Christians. [7] Hence, the first thing the pious taste, after the communion that is, on the Pascha is an hardboiled egg. Not the chocolate one lol.  

     Christians have been dying eggs in Europe from the XII century, and in Slavic countries ever since the XVI century, which was done to commemorate the miraculous and joyful resurrection of our Lord Christ, who thus saved human souls from perdition, and ensured them eternal life. This is why, the eggs are traditionally dyed in red color, even though in modern times, eggs are being dyed all sort of colors or even decorated with intricate, and meticulously created art, such as is the case of Ukrainian “pysanky” or “pisanki”.

     The oldest technique for this complex method of art decorations    is so called “batik” technique where the special tool, having a quill top pen attached to it, was used to    dispense the melted beeswax over the eggshell, creating decorative, and symbolic patterns, ranging from phytmorphic, over eternity knots to Christian symbolism and inscriptions, such as the Paschal Christian greeting: “God has risen!!!” [8]

    But the red dyed eggs still remain the most favorable, and most traditional kind for Christians. The red color on them symbolizes Blood shed by Lord Christ, life, resurrection, and vitality, also rebirth and health. The first egg dyed red, during particular Paschal season, usually whole red, or decorated with a Cross, or words “God has risen!”  is set aside and kept in home during  the  whole ( following ) year, as a powerful talisman to protect the house from lighting, thieves, misfortune, sickness and epidemics and evil spirits and spells. In Serbia and Montenegro, such eggs is referred to as “Cuvarkuca” (lit. House-guardian), and is kept in some special place in home, often on display, to protect it. After a year has passed, it’s either buried in the ground, or tossed into a running water, and then replaced by a new one. [9]     

     Eggs dyed red are also associated with the miraculous event associated with Mary Magdalene that took place when the Christ resurrected according to Christian legend. The Legend comes in a few variations, in one of them Mary Magdalene came to the tomb of Christ on the third day   after the Crucifixion, only to find and empty tomb. Upon seeing the risen Christ, the eggs she was carrying in basket turned red.

    “A different, but not necessarily conflicting legend concerns Mary Magdalene's efforts to spread the Gospel. According to this tradition, after the Ascension of Jesus, Mary went to the Emperor of Rome and greeted him with "Christ has risen," whereupon he pointed to an egg on his table and stated, "Christ has no more risen than that egg is red."

After making this statement it is said the egg immediately turned blood red” [10]

    In a third legend Mary Magdalene  encounters some Roman soldiers, and greets them with “Christ has risen!” to which they mockingly replay that Christ is risen as much as eggs are red, which results in rain of red eggs falling down on them, striking them with awe and terror, in front of the revelation.

     The power of the red egg, folklore and beliefs among the Christian folk

     Following are some beliefs associated with the Paschal dyed egges, particularly red ones, prevalent among the pious Christian folk

·         The First egg boiled and dyed red for Pascha is set aside to guard home from thunder, thieves,  evil spirits, spells, and misery and illness  ( Serbia and Montenegro, Peninsula ) Several “pisanki” are   saved for the same purpose in Ukraine and Russia

·         The same egg is dipped inside a vessel with water and freshly plucked flowers, blossom and Rosemary twigs, on Palm Sunday, overnight. The next day, the household members, and children wash their face with this water to ensure health, beauty and longevity.

·         Among the Czech and Slovak people, young men hit young women ( lightly ) with birch or willow twigs, and sprinkle them with water, and in return the girls give them red dyed eggs. This is said to confer to the girls beauty and good   health.

·         In Germany and England people dance around hard boiled, dyed eggs on Easter, taking care not to break them. This is sometimes referred to as Egg-dance, or hop-dance in England.

·         Pysanky or pisanki, with spiral motifs can be used to trap demons. A blessed Pysanky can be used to find demons hiding in dark corners of someone’s house ( Ukraine )

·         Cloth that was used ( or a napkin ) first dyed egg on Pascha ( in Balkans ), or the “Cuvarkuca” ( in Serbia and Montenegro ), or  the first “pysanky” in Ukraine, was believed to retain healing powers for the  time of year, and was used in healing rituals.

Benediction of the eggs

     The Paschal, or the Easter eggs, are traditionally blessed by Christian priest, in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and are then exchanged among the pious, and given as alms to the poor, believing to bring blessings and health when eaten.

     In Serbia and Montenegro, an old European custom survives, and  lives even nowadays, and consists of egg  knocking contest, where the two parties knock eggs, which will result in one being broken and other remaining whole. The owner of the “whole” egg is considered a winner, and also gets the other party’s broken   egg, as a  reward, and moves on  onto the next opponent, doing so as long as his egg remains whole.

     In any case, eggs, most often chicken, boiled and blessed on Pasha, or the  Feast of the resurrection of the Lord are held in belief as powerful blessing and healing tool, as long as You don’t eat too much that is J That would merely give one   a stomachache  and possibly constipation J

    Here is an old prayer, fro the Latin Rite Romanum, used to benedict the  Easter eggs:

“Lord, let the grace of your blessing + come upon these eggs, that they be healthful food for your faithful who eat them in thanksgiving for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever! “ [11]

NOTES: This article was written/created by myself, so If You wish to use any part of it  elsewhere online, feel free but  add credits: Shadow of Shadows magick place , Shadow-333@hotmail.com or a direct link to this post

CREDITS AND REFERENCES:  

[1] more about Ukranian tradition of dying and decorating eggs ; http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CE%5CA%5CEasteregg.htm

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowruz

[3] Acc. To  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%92ostre  

[4] According to “Illustrated Encyclopedia of signs and symbols” by Marc O’ Connell and Raje Airey

[5] As stated in: “How to make and use talismans”   by Israel Regardie

[6] Quoted from: http://orthodoxwiki.org/Pascha  ,  used here for educational and explanatory purposes without any ill  will

[7] More about it here: https://melkite.org/faith/faith-worship/holy-week-traditions

[8] According to:  https://melkite.org/faith/faith-worship/holy-week-traditions

[9] According to  Dr. Vesna Marjanovic, from the Ethnographic museum of Belgrade; more here:  http://www.blic.rs/Vesti/Dodatak/183594/Jaje-je-simbol-zivota translated and paraphrased here by myself, for educational ,  explanatory and discussion  purposes, without any ill will

[10] Retrieved from:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_egg , used here for educational and explanatory    purposes without    any ill will

[11] Retrieved from   same source   listed under [10]  , for educational and illustrative purposes, posted here without any ill will

IMAGE CREDITS: Image used was taken, and edited by myself