The Iceland Spar/Optical Calcite in magick and healing

“This stone is utilized in spirituality rituals. It’s perfect as a focus of contemplation during meditation”

Cunningham Scott

"Optical calcite amplifies images and helps you to see double meanings hidden in communication."

https://crystal-cure.com/calcite-clear.html

Optical Calcite specimen from
www.crystal-cure.com showing an example
of double  refraction (notice the "double" text )

    The Calcite mineral/crystal is the most stable polymorphous form of the Calcium carbonate (common limestone), and is created from the amorphous precursor, that is poorly arranged CaCO3. It’s most commonly transparent to mildly opaque, but can occur in variety of other colors. It has white streak, hardness number 3 on the Moss’ scale and vitreous to pearly luster.

     The clear Quartz variety (which this article will deal with),  that is the single crystals of Clear Quartz variety known as “Iceland Spar” exhibit a not so common property of birefringence, or double refraction. That is, it can slip the rays of light in two, hence objects observed to it may appear as doubled. [1]

     While not hidrosolubile, like most other Calcium carbonate varieties, it dissolves in acids, even the diluted ones. Some optically active Iceland spars, may if dipped in water for too long, develop certain dull lines in specific spots and thus become more opaque in appearance, as opposed to the usual transparent ones.

     It’s found and mined pretty much worldwide, and is readily available in the crystal shops most of the time.

Optical Calcite may come in other colors, commonly yellow,
sometimes this variety may be called Gold or Yellow Optical Calcite
but such specimens are not Clear Calcite/Iceland Spar
and have properties of the Yellow Calcite and properties of Optical Calcite

 

Use in crystal therapy

     The uses of Calcite in healing, on all the levels of the being (physical, ethereal, mental, emotional according to crystal therapy) are generally uniform for all the varieties of the stone, some having additional uses due to their colour.

     In that sense, for example, the Blue Calcite acts as blood pressure regulator, that is it lowers the heightened blood pressure, releases pain and soothes the nerves, physically and mentally. The Green one is really good in treatment of fevers, inflammations, such as arthritis, cleans the body from the bacteria, treats burns and regulates the activity of the adrenal glands. The red one, for example, is very good for curing the    constipation. The clear calcite is very good for treating eyes, improving eyesight, inspiring growth (both on spiritual and physical level) and clearing the mind. [2]

     All of the Calcites, regardless of the colour, will improve the following physiological processes and treat the following conditions:

·         Helps absorption of Calcium into the bones, dissolves calcifications (pathological ones), strengthens the joints and bones in general. It’s very helpful in securing the healthy and proper development of skeletal tissue/system in kids.

·         Helps cleaning the excretory organs/systems

·         Helps blood coagulation and tissue healing and regeneration

·         Relieves migraine

·         Heals the eyes

·         Removes tension

     The last three are particularly associated with the Clear / Optical Calcite or Iceland Spar, even though that all the Calcite exhibit those properties.

     Crystal essence / elixir made from the Clear Calcite / Iceland Spar, is a considered a cure-all, that is it energizes and cleanses physical and spiritual bodies, kick-starts the healing process, and is excellent to treat the digestive system conditions and skin conditions topically. The Essence made from the Yellow or Golden calcite* is refreshing, energizing and said to broaden the spiritual awareness.

     Mentally, it’s very useful in the studying process, as it strengthens the memory, analytic skills and helps to filter relevant from irrelevant information. It dissolves the stress, replacing it with the serenity. It defeats laziness, and helps one restore faith in themselves. [3]

Use in magick

     Clear Calcite, and particularly the optical variety, is used in magick, to double the strength of spells [4] or otherwise empower magickal and spiritual work. For these purposes it’s either held during ritual and spell work or placed on altars.

     It can also bring clarity of the mind, better understanding of abstract concepts and ideas, such as omens, visions, peculiar dreams and so on. When mediated with or worn, or placed under pillow, it can induce visions, and premonitions, and it will raise spiritual awareness.

     Some people place Optical calcite in over their wallets, or on top of some money to entice it to “to grow” multiplying by two, constantly, in a way.

     It’s believed to be able to “draw the light” into the soul. This use could be associated with the belief that it was a stone that the Vikings used for navigation on cloudy days, due to the stone’s effect of polarization. In that sense, it’s still believe to be helpful in helping the soul find the light, and spirituality, and even curing the “susto” ( “Soul loss” ) by bringing it back to the body, although for the last, the black Calcite is used.

     There is a somewhat old belief (the stone’s use in magick is relatively young, compared to many of the stones used in magickal work) that it can cast illusions. For such purposes the stone had to undergo specific ritual preparations, such to be left in the graveyard during the night of the Full Moon, and be rubbed with juice of the Belladonna, among other.

    Being that it’s a good stone for communication and understanding notions with double meaning, it’s suitable for Truth spells as well. Finally, it’s held to me magickally curative as well, hence why it’s essence is believed to be a sort of a cure all.

     Here are some of the magickal correspondences for the Clear (and Optical) Calcite:

·         Planetary ruler: Moon

·         Elemental ruler: Water

·         Numerical correspondence: 8

·         Energy: receptive

·         Birthstone of: Cancer

·         Time of the Year: Imbolc, Blue moon* 

·         Angelic ruler: Gabriel the Archangel

To empower spells, and gain spiritual power

     Place a piece of Optical Calcite on your altar during your spiritual work. For this purpose it really goes well with the Amber and Spectrolite, so you can combine them. You can arrange them in an auspicious pattern, such as pentagram, if using more stones, or you can place a piece on a plate alongside a purple or white candle, dressed with the “Master key” oil, and an old skeleton key, and a piece of your own hair, nail,  or drop of your own blood, and burn daily and pray for increased spiritual powers.

Physical body change spell

     There is a spell,  prominently circulating on the internet, used to help change body  part, or the shape of the body in general. While some may struggle with the notion of it being even possible, the spell is basically programing a crystal, to do a specific magickal work. Being that the crystal atoms are organized in a uniform patter, making nearly perfect, symmetric geometrical figures as they grow, this makes perfect sense. It’s a matter of transfer magick. The original spell uses Quartz  Crystal, but being that Iceland Spar work on bones, muscles and helps growth where needed, I think that the Iceland Spar, particularly those cut into cubes or rhombs are ideal for this type of spell. I’d also suggest burning an orange candle when performing the spell for the first time, and each day afterwards, a bit until it’s burnt all the way down.

     The spell instructions are as follow, just replace Quartz with the Iceland Spar:

“Procedure: Take the small piece of paper and write your name on it. Draw on it what body or body part you want changed and what you want it to look like. The picture could show the entire body or just the part.

Now hold the paper in your hands and imagine the body/part changing from what it looks like now to what you want it to look like.

Then fold it up any way you like and tie it to the crystal. Then once more visualize the body part changing.

Put it away and every evening until the body is changed take it out and visualize it changing again.

When the change is done tear the paper up and scatter it to the wind.

This spell is very good for changing aspects you don't like. It took a few days to see results so don't expect an over nighter” [6]

 

The White essence

     My personal formula for a cure-all type of potion with Clear Calcite**

     Using spring water, create an essence with the Clear Quartz and the clear Calcite Crystals. Strain. Add some Holy Water. Read the Psalm 142^nd over it. Drink some to heal, remove pain and restore health and energy.

Happy Imbolc/Candlemas, and Many Blessings to all my readers
Shadow!

 

NOTE: This article was written and composed by myself, hence 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

**Clear Calcite in tumbled form, or that which is not necessarily an optical variety is preferred for usage her, as the Optical Iceland Spar, may contain the “hooks” inside, which can absorb water and give crystal a sort of “dull”, more opaque appearance.

CREDITS AND REFERENCES:

[1] According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcite  

[2] Judy Hall, “Crystal Bible; A definitive guide to  crystals”  pg. 90^th, 91^st , 92^nd
[3] As under [2] pg.  89^th
[4] According to:  Cunningham, Scott “Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of crystal, gem and metal magick” pg 79^th and 80^th
[5] Various sources, but mostly “Dunwich’s guide to Gemstone Sorcery” by Dunwich, Gerina , pg 183^rd, and www.archangels-and-angels.com website information

[6] Retrieved from: http://www.spellsofmagic.com/spells/beauty_spells/body_spells/5708/page.html for illustrative and  explanatory purposes without any ill will.

IMAGE CREDITS:  Image 1. http://crystal-cure.com/pics/calcite-optical-b.jpg

Image 2. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/70/53/98/7053987dd58384b50160b306d07c13a6.jpg  Both are used here for   illustrative and explanatory purposes without any ill will