Lapis Lazuli, by Stephanie Pflumm ©Copyright 2008

[Guest guest]

Lapis Lazuli

by Stephanie Pflumm ©Copyright 2008

 

Look deep into the midnight blue sky and delight at the flash of distant

stars. It is no wonder that so many traditions have attached the power

of gods

and heaven to the Lapis Lazuli gemstone. To gaze upon this rich blue stone

with its mesmerizing flecks of Pyrite, is to set your eyes on the

depths of

the Universe.

 

Lapis Lazuli is almost as complex as the Universe. It forms from the

mineral

Lazurite in contact zones when it meets with Sodium and Aluminum.

Traces of

Calcium, Sulfur, Silicon and Oxygen are also found in the gem along with

embedded Pyrite crystals. It is the bright gold flecks of Pyrite

reflecting

from the stone's dark blue surface that creates its heavenly mystic.

 

Unlike other crystals and gems (which can appear in a whole rainbow of

colors), Lapis Lazuli only comes in shades of blue to bluish green.

Its name

comes from a combination of Arabic and Latin words meaning blue stone.

Pliny

the Elder, the Old Testament, and other ancient texts refer to the

gemstone as

Sapphire, because of its deep blue hues.

 

In Rome it was called Arminaqun, because it traveled through Armenia

to reach

the Roman citizens. Assyrians referred to the gem as Uknu. It was one

of the

stones set in a medallion to be worn upon their king's breast.

 

Considering its reasonable prices, Lapis Lazuli is pretty rare. There

are only

a few locations where the gem is available. The richest and oldest

resource is

Afghanistan. It is also found in Chile, the US, Myanmar and Russia.

The mines

in Afghanistan have been worked for over 6000 years and are believed

to be the

source for much of the ancient world's Lapis Lazuli.

 

Deep in the Valley of Kokcha in Northeast Afghanistan lies some of the

finest

Lapis Lazuli in the world. It is not an easy region to get to, the last

stretch must be covered on horseback and still takes a full day of

travel. In

1837 a British Lieutenant (John Wood) made the trek and wrote in his

journal

" If you do not wish to die, avoid the Valley of Kokcha " .

 

Afghanistan's geological history is riddled with tectonic collisions,

orogeny

(mountain building) and magmatic activity. This violent combination of

events

provides the perfect formula for the creation of Lapis Lazuli, along

with 1400

different minerals. Gold, Copper, Iron, Talc, Halite, Garnet, Calcite,

Sodalite, Apatite and Diopside are just a few of the hundreds of

unique and

often rare minerals created in this hyper-active geological zone.

 

From our very first glimpse of Lapis Lazuli we could see and

appreciate its

power and divine connections. Quickly the gemstone became an important

part of

many different religious and spiritual traditions.

 

Egyptians especially revere the heaven struck Lapis Lazuli. Various

chapters

of their Book Of The Dead were carved on stones. Prayers and incantations

within the chapters provided safe passage for those traveling into the

next

life. Amulets such as the heart and the tet (a hieroglyph representing

stability and preservation) are needed for this journey as well. The book

recommends Lapis Lazuli, Carnelian and Jet as some of the gems for this

purpose.

 

Two entire chapters from the book are inscribed onto Lapis Lazuli. The

26th

and 140th chapters. The 140th is carved on the reverse of a Lapis

Lazuli eye,

outlined and highlighted with gold. The high priest is expected to

wear Mat's

image (Goddess of Truth) carved from the gem.

 

Women in Egypt crushed the gem into a powder to wear as eye shadow.

Probably

something of a health hazard, considering its Aluminum content.

 

The breast plate of the Hebrew High Priest is also adorned with Lapis

Lazuli.

It is one of twelve stones (representing each of the twelve months)

prescribed

in the old testament. The Assyrian Kings wore a breast amulet

decorated with

seven stones, Lapis was the fifth.

 

In the tombs of Sumerian kings near the Euphrates River, over 6000

carvings,

beads, dishes and seals made from Lapis Lazuli were discovered. Roman

soldiers

sharpened their swords on the stone believing it would make them

invisible.

Catherine the Great lined the walls of one of her palaces with the gem.

 

During the middle ages, artists used Lapis Lazuli powder as the

pigment for a

rich blue paint called ultramarine. It was used to adorn holy paintings of

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the saints and angels. Consistently reinforcing

the gem's

divine connection.

 

Lapis Lazuli is recognized across many early shamanic traditions as a

home for

the gods and goddesses. Possessing the gem, also meant that you

possessed the

favors and blessings of the deities.

 

Today you can still use your Lapis Lazuli to reinforce your divine

connections. Use it to see deep into the Universal All. Allow your

heart to

discover the truth among the stars, and finally understand with complete

knowing how everything comes from the same bright stardust. All comes from

that starlit sparkle and the connection is unbreakable.

 

You will find the dark blues of this gem to be one of the most powerful

psychic tools you can utilize. If you are going to work with Lapis

Lazuli as a

psychic companion, it is important that you take time to get to know

your gem.

Spend time with it daily for a week or two before engaging it

completely. Make

sure you know each other well, and you will be greatly rewarded for your

patience. Always approach with love and respect when working with this

divine

relation, especially in the psychic realms.

 

If you are in need of the Truth, Lapis Lazuli has a reputation for

seeking it

out. But, be aware. Once you start working with this crystal, it will no

longer allow you to hide the truth from yourself. It seeks out all

truths. It

will also work with you toward healing and facilitating the growth and

strength that comes with knowing the truth.

 

Looking for a little extra inspiration in making your dreams come

true? Adding

Lapis Lazuli to your craft will provide an extra fire and charge to

manifesting your intentions. Pyrite is a Fire stone that motivates,

inspires

and energizes. Set against the midnight blues in Lapis it makes a

perfect tool

for working dreams into every day life.

 

Friends and lovers may wish to exchange Lapis Lazuli gems. It is said to

promote loyalty and deepen bonds.

 

Healers have used this blue crystal to reduce fevers since the Middle

Ages. It

was once prescribed for quartern fever (a recurring fever that

returned very

few days). Greeks physicians used it as an antidote for snake bites.

 

If you suffer from asthma or other breathing issues, wearing the gem

between

your heart and your throat may bring some relief. Meditating with

Lapis Lazuli

may help in lowering blood pressure. It is also very helpful in

boosting self

healing visualizations. The gem helps to release anger, especially

repressed

anger that may cause physical harm.

 

Abundant blessings,

Stephanie

 

o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o

Power To Change! Discover the power to change your life with gemstones and

crystals in the free monthly ezine ORE FEATURES from Ozark Rock Exchange.

http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/ore_features/.shtml

<http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/ore_features/.shtml

o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Wow, this article has inspired me to take trip to the crystal store

tomorrow!

 

 

, rosequartz

<rosequartz wrote:

>

> Lapis Lazuli

> by Stephanie Pflumm ©Copyright 2008

>

> Look deep into the midnight blue sky and delight at the flash of

distant

> stars. It is no wonder that so many traditions have attached the

power

> of gods

> and heaven to the Lapis Lazuli gemstone. To gaze upon this rich

blue stone

> with its mesmerizing flecks of Pyrite, is to set your eyes on the

> depths of

> the Universe.

>

> Lapis Lazuli is almost as complex as the Universe. It forms from

the

> mineral

> Lazurite in contact zones when it meets with Sodium and Aluminum.

> Traces of

> Calcium, Sulfur, Silicon and Oxygen are also found in the gem

along with

> embedded Pyrite crystals. It is the bright gold flecks of Pyrite

> reflecting

> from the stone's dark blue surface that creates its heavenly

mystic.

>

> Unlike other crystals and gems (which can appear in a whole

rainbow of

> colors), Lapis Lazuli only comes in shades of blue to bluish

green.

> Its name

> comes from a combination of Arabic and Latin words meaning blue

stone.

> Pliny

> the Elder, the Old Testament, and other ancient texts refer to the

> gemstone as

> Sapphire, because of its deep blue hues.

>

> In Rome it was called Arminaqun, because it traveled through

Armenia

> to reach

> the Roman citizens. Assyrians referred to the gem as Uknu. It was

one

> of the

> stones set in a medallion to be worn upon their king's breast.

>

> Considering its reasonable prices, Lapis Lazuli is pretty rare.

There

> are only

> a few locations where the gem is available. The richest and oldest

> resource is

> Afghanistan. It is also found in Chile, the US, Myanmar and

Russia.

> The mines

> in Afghanistan have been worked for over 6000 years and are

believed

> to be the

> source for much of the ancient world's Lapis Lazuli.

>

> Deep in the Valley of Kokcha in Northeast Afghanistan lies some

of the

> finest

> Lapis Lazuli in the world. It is not an easy region to get to,

the last

> stretch must be covered on horseback and still takes a full day of

> travel. In

> 1837 a British Lieutenant (John Wood) made the trek and wrote in

his

> journal

> " If you do not wish to die, avoid the Valley of Kokcha " .

>

> Afghanistan's geological history is riddled with tectonic

collisions,

> orogeny

> (mountain building) and magmatic activity. This violent

combination of

> events

> provides the perfect formula for the creation of Lapis Lazuli,

along

> with 1400

> different minerals. Gold, Copper, Iron, Talc, Halite, Garnet,

Calcite,

> Sodalite, Apatite and Diopside are just a few of the hundreds of

> unique and

> often rare minerals created in this hyper-active geological zone.

>

> From our very first glimpse of Lapis Lazuli we could see and

> appreciate its

> power and divine connections. Quickly the gemstone became an

important

> part of

> many different religious and spiritual traditions.

>

> Egyptians especially revere the heaven struck Lapis Lazuli.

Various

> chapters

> of their Book Of The Dead were carved on stones. Prayers and

incantations

> within the chapters provided safe passage for those traveling

into the

> next

> life. Amulets such as the heart and the tet (a hieroglyph

representing

> stability and preservation) are needed for this journey as well.

The book

> recommends Lapis Lazuli, Carnelian and Jet as some of the gems

for this

> purpose.

>

> Two entire chapters from the book are inscribed onto Lapis

Lazuli. The

> 26th

> and 140th chapters. The 140th is carved on the reverse of a Lapis

> Lazuli eye,

> outlined and highlighted with gold. The high priest is expected to

> wear Mat's

> image (Goddess of Truth) carved from the gem.

>

> Women in Egypt crushed the gem into a powder to wear as eye

shadow.

> Probably

> something of a health hazard, considering its Aluminum content.

>

> The breast plate of the Hebrew High Priest is also adorned with

Lapis

> Lazuli.

> It is one of twelve stones (representing each of the twelve

months)

> prescribed

> in the old testament. The Assyrian Kings wore a breast amulet

> decorated with

> seven stones, Lapis was the fifth.

>

> In the tombs of Sumerian kings near the Euphrates River, over 6000

> carvings,

> beads, dishes and seals made from Lapis Lazuli were discovered.

Roman

> soldiers

> sharpened their swords on the stone believing it would make them

> invisible.

> Catherine the Great lined the walls of one of her palaces with

the gem.

>

> During the middle ages, artists used Lapis Lazuli powder as the

> pigment for a

> rich blue paint called ultramarine. It was used to adorn holy

paintings of

> Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the saints and angels. Consistently

reinforcing

> the gem's

> divine connection.

>

> Lapis Lazuli is recognized across many early shamanic traditions

as a

> home for

> the gods and goddesses. Possessing the gem, also meant that you

> possessed the

> favors and blessings of the deities.

>

> Today you can still use your Lapis Lazuli to reinforce your divine

> connections. Use it to see deep into the Universal All. Allow your

> heart to

> discover the truth among the stars, and finally understand with

complete

> knowing how everything comes from the same bright stardust. All

comes from

> that starlit sparkle and the connection is unbreakable.

>

> You will find the dark blues of this gem to be one of the most

powerful

> psychic tools you can utilize. If you are going to work with Lapis

> Lazuli as a

> psychic companion, it is important that you take time to get to

know

> your gem.

> Spend time with it daily for a week or two before engaging it

> completely. Make

> sure you know each other well, and you will be greatly rewarded

for your

> patience. Always approach with love and respect when working with

this

> divine

> relation, especially in the psychic realms.

>

> If you are in need of the Truth, Lapis Lazuli has a reputation for

> seeking it

> out. But, be aware. Once you start working with this crystal, it

will no

> longer allow you to hide the truth from yourself. It seeks out all

> truths. It

> will also work with you toward healing and facilitating the

growth and

> strength that comes with knowing the truth.

>

> Looking for a little extra inspiration in making your dreams come

> true? Adding

> Lapis Lazuli to your craft will provide an extra fire and charge

to

> manifesting your intentions. Pyrite is a Fire stone that

motivates,

> inspires

> and energizes. Set against the midnight blues in Lapis it makes a

> perfect tool

> for working dreams into every day life.

>

> Friends and lovers may wish to exchange Lapis Lazuli gems. It is

said to

> promote loyalty and deepen bonds.

>

> Healers have used this blue crystal to reduce fevers since the

Middle

> Ages. It

> was once prescribed for quartern fever (a recurring fever that

> returned very

> few days). Greeks physicians used it as an antidote for snake

bites.

>

> If you suffer from asthma or other breathing issues, wearing the

gem

> between

> your heart and your throat may bring some relief. Meditating with

> Lapis Lazuli

> may help in lowering blood pressure. It is also very helpful in

> boosting self

> healing visualizations. The gem helps to release anger, especially

> repressed

> anger that may cause physical harm.

>

> Abundant blessings,

> Stephanie

>

> o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o

> Power To Change! Discover the power to change your life with

gemstones and

> crystals in the free monthly ezine ORE FEATURES from Ozark Rock

Exchange.

> http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/ore_features/.shtml

> <http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/ore_features/.shtml

> o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o<o~~~^*^~~~o

>

>

>

>

>