The Ranting Raven

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Comment by Arachneh 7 hours ago

Hi Witch of the North! I finally got that ambrette seed powder and storax essential oil I ordered, so I can try your Chakra balm (with an herbal sub for the musk).

MM everybody (hi Mon & CelticShamanGirl). Very cool group. :)

Comment by Witch of the North 1 day ago

Comment by Witch of the North on December 1, 2008 at 1:59pm

I will not be here Tuesday Dec 2nd So there will be no post. If you all want to cover for me and post some things so others have things to read would be great.
Blessings to you all
Your Sister in Circle,
Witch of the North )O(

Comment by Witch of the North on November 30, 2008 at 5:30pm

Clay what kind of info are you looking for on Quartz crystals and Amethyst?



In Greek mythology
Dionysus, the god of wine and song, was angry and vowed to slay the first mortal who crossed his path. That unlucky mortal was Amethyst, a beautiful maiden.
However, Artemis (goddess of virginity and the hunt) intervened and transformed Amethyst into white stone. When Dionysus saw what had happened, he repented and poured wine over the stone, staining the top of it purple. That is why the top of amethyst is purple and the bottom is white.
Though the story has other variations such as: The Goddess Diana transformed a beautiful young maiden, Amethyst, into a statue of pure quartz in an effort to protect her from vicious tigers created by the vengeful God, Dionysus. Dionysus having looked upon the results of his actions wept remorseful tears of wine upon the statue endowing the stone with the rich purple hue we know today. Dionysus as it happens was the God of Intoxication
In folklore and mythology
amethyst has many supernatural powers.
Amethyst purportedly Brings luck, Ensures constancy, Protects against magic, Prevents home-sickness, Protects against drunkenness, (the Greek word amethustos means "not drunk")
Leonardo da Vinci wrote that the gem dissipates evil thoughts and quickens the intelligence -- high praise indeed.


Amethyst is a variety of quartz with purple coloration which is caused by impurities of iron or manganese.
Color: Amethyst occurs in a wide range of purple shades. Index of refraction: 1.544-1.553 Birefringence: 0.009. The purple color can be throughout or can be in bands with white quartz.
Its color and beauty are without rival, even from other much more expensive purple gems. Purple is the color of royalty. The rich and powerful have worn it as a mark of rank for hundreds of years. Even today as an affordable gem available in a wide selection of cut stones it has a regal air.
Amethyst is found in many areas around the world, including Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Africa, and Russia. In the United States, Amethyst can be found in Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Maine, and New Jersey.
In Canada, Amethyst is found near Thunder Bay and in Nova Scotia. One typical feature of Amethyst from Thunder Bay is its reddish coloration, caused by an internal coating of red hematite (iron).
Russian stones ( form the Urals) are very clear and dark. They are cut for fine expensive gemstones and gave rise to the term Siberian to indicate the very best Amethyst. Uruguayan and Bahain represent high medium and low grades, regardless of the source.
Amethyst crystals are hexagonal and can occur as tall prismatic crystals or short stubby ones (Crystal system: trigonal). The crystals often have horizontal striations on their sides or faces. Hardness: 7 Cleavage: none
Amethyst is often cut as brilliant round and/or oval stones to maximize the color. Other cuts are used when the crystal shape would not yield a fine oval or round.
Amethyst is one of several gem quartz varieties. The others are :
Citrine. A yellow to orange variety, rare in nature but often created by heating Amethyst.
Rock crystal, a clear stone, occasionaly used as a gem.
Rose quartz, a pink stone, sometimes cut as a cabochon.
Smoky quartz, the brown to gray quartz stones, sometimes in error called smoky topaz.

Comment by CelticShamangirl on November 30, 2008 at 3:46pm

It's in her discussion on "Metaphysical Properties of Stones, Gemstones, & Crystals". :)

*that's a great page, by the way--now I just have to find some pics, and I'll be all set! I recently purchased some stones and I forgot what kind they are; I meant to get a copy of the correspondence sheet that went with it, and it's way too snowy and slick to go there today; they haven't saleted the roads out here yet!

~CSgirl

Comment by Clay on November 30, 2008 at 3:20pm

Do you have any information on Quartz crystals or amethyst?

Comment by Witch of the North on November 29, 2008 at 2:57pm

I have not been able to post anything today I have tryed a few times but Paganspace is not letting me it is way to slow it is taking over 9 min's to load one thing. So maybe this after noon I will try again.
Blessings to all..

Comment by janie Allen on November 29, 2008 at 1:39am

Hi Nice to meet you all. To add to the variety of time zones, I am in the Rocky mountains of Colorado. Finding the Pagan space has been a blessing. I am a
part of a local group, mountain pagans, the being a part of these pagan groups has been absolutely wonderful. Glad to meet all of you. Happy left overs janie

Comment by Witch of the North on November 28, 2008 at 3:14pm

I have a Idea I need help with if anyone would like to volunteer helping me. I want to start up another group just for Sabats and Esbbats. But I will need help I want others to be involved in it as well so we get lots of ideas and different cultures involved. If any of you want to help IM me..

Comment by Witch of the North on November 28, 2008 at 1:27am

Hope you all had a Great Thanksgiving!!
Blessings )O(

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