Staurolite Fairy Crosses by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Staurolite Fairy Crosses

Cummingham says "To gain control over the elemental forces, wear a staurolite set in any electrum fashioned as a ring or pendant."

The name is derived from the Greek, stauros for cross and lithos for stone in reference to the common twinning.The State Mineral of Georgia.

It twin accretion of crystals of a mineral staurolite is the most ancient cross on the Earth. It has grown inside of the most ancient layers of the Earth even before occurrence of a life. It is found in the north of Russia(Kola peninsula).

Associations:

* Associated Crystals: Banded agate, mahogany obsidian and petrified wood.

* Candle Color: Burgundy.

* Chakra: Root.

* Element: Air, earth, fire and water.

* Flowers & Plants: Foxglove and primrose.

* Herbs - Incenses - Oils: Ambergris, basil, pine and sagebrush.

* Planet: Pluto.

* Zodiac: Scorpio and Pisces stone. *depending upon sourse*

LEGEND and LORE: Staurolite was considered to be a representative of all four elements: Air, Fire, Earth and Water. It was believed that a person who possessed this talisman could cause the elements to do his/her bidding.

In addition, it was believed that the 90 degree cross represented the crossing of the spiritual and physical planes. and Greek Crosses, while the 60 degree crosses are called St. Andrew's Crosses, both of which are highly prized as luck charms.

After the arrival of Christianity, these stones were popular with those who entered a crusade. Many people now days carry them as a good luck charm.

Legend says the crosses were created by the tears of Fairies when they heard of Christ's Crucifixion. Others say the tears were for themselves, as Christianity signaled the downfall of their shrines.

Staurolite or Fairy Crosses have long been used as good luck charms. President Teddy Roosevelt was said to wear one for luck.Gives the feeling of security.

Assists in the discovery of one's "higher self" and in manifesting it on the earth plane consciously.

Staurolite is a good stone to wear if you would like to successfully quit smoking. It provides support, incentive and initiative. It also provides for the grounding energy similar to consumption of tobacco, (sort-of a substitute).

Staurolite helps overpower depression, feelings of stress, and can also help with addictive personality traits.

Staurolite crystals were worn by Pocahontas, and it is said that she gave Captain John Smith a Staurolite necklace to protect him from harm.

Connects one to the astral and E.T. planes. Many find the Staurolite to be highly personal, to each it may offer a different meaning and understanding. Simply hold it in your hand and ask it to reveal what it means to you.

7th chakra.

Numerology - Vibrates to the number 5. Freedom, love of travel, and adventure. Said to protect children from negative forces, especially disturbed children. Thought to aid anyone battling evil, by giving courage, protectionand the ability to discern truth.

Animals: Staurolite is suitable for use with any beast of burden.

Children: It can be helpful for children suffering from a chronic illness.

Finance & Prosperity: It is a good fortune charm.

Health & Healing: Staurolite is only suitable for personal healing. It will help balance and strengthen your body and system.

Home: Staurolite will help provide a sense of inner peace and security.

Protection: It is a generally protective charm.

Psychic: Use it for channeling elemental wisdom.

It Is The Stone Of: Crusaders - but only those that strive for the greater good of mankind.

Ritual: Use staurolite in any form of elemental magic.

Work: It is a personal power charm.

Other: Staurolite stones are often called fairy crosses.

Healing Properties:Thought to reduce stress, detoxify and stimulate the immune system.On the physical level this stone may be used to heal headaches and diseases of the vegetative nervous system. Staurolite brings its wearer back on earth, with both feet, and therefore it is most suited for those that have the tendency to overdo things in like overactive imagination, phantasma etc.

Scientific Properties:Composed of an Iron Aluminum Silicate, it is found in schists and gneisses, or low-medium grade metamorphic rocks, i.e., Staurolite is grown under regional metamorphic pressure. It is easily identifiable by it's twined crystals (cruciform twins) in metamorphic rocks and by it's hardness (much harder than glass) and glassy luster.

Nice crystals are found in Fanin and Cherokee counties, Georgia. Also found near Taos, New Mexico and in Russia. Staurolite is about 4 times heavier than water. Hardness: 7-7.5 on the Moh's Hardness Scale

Buyer Beware! Genuine Staurolite crosses are quite rare and expensive. True Staurolite easily scratches glass, is often associated with Garnets and Mica. When well cleaned of Mica and Garnets, (which can require some real elbow grease), the gemstone will have a somewhat glassy appearance. Most commercially offered Staurolite crosses are fakes--easily carved or pressed from other stones, such as granite or clay. Some Staurolite crosses are Staurolite ground up and then reshaped (like a Pringles potato chip) into a cross shape--then sold as Staurolite Crosses. While these are Staurolite Crosses, they are not naturally occuring! In general, if the Staurolite Cross is perfect in appearance and inexpensive, you can bet it's not real.

'May we live in peace without weeping. May our joy outline the lives we touch without ceasing. And may our love fill the world, angel wings tenderly beating.'

The Universal Heart Center: http://www.freewebs.com/moshayra