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    • Fire Quartz Magic

      by Ember Grant

      (Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

      In the practice of crystal magic, few would argue about the importance of quartz. Since it's one of the most abundant minerals on earth, and it can be found in so many varieties, there's bound to be some confusion when distinguishing among the different types. Fire Quartz is a prime example of this difficulty. It is a reddish-orange quartz, but there are so many variations of color and pattern that many different names have been created to describe it. You may know it as Harlequin Quartz, Red Quartz, Tangerine Quartz, Strawberry Quartz, Hematoid, or Ferruginous Quartz. These are all essentially just slight variations of the same type of quartz—quartz with inclusions (or sometimes coatings) of iron.

      Here's the first point of confusion: which type of iron is included in the quartz? First, there's hematite—the main ore of iron—which ranges in appearance from black to silvery-gray to red. Then there's the mineral goethite, another mineral that contains iron (goethite is a component of rust); it can be formed by the weathering of other minerals. And, to add to the confusion, there's also the mineral limonite. Limonite is actually not a true mineral but a combination of minerals. It can give quartz a yellowish-brown color. Much of what is called limonite is actually goethite. Like goethite, it's a pseudomorph (again, due to environmental changes such as weathering, exposure to water, etc.). Limonite is what gives Golden Healer Quartz its color–inclusions within the crystal make it look yellow (not to be confused with Citrine Quartz). Some sources say there can also be a golden-colored coating on the stone’s surface. And, finally, lepidocrocite is yet another iron oxide mineral, red to reddish-brown. Mindat.org (the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy) says that usually when red is found in clear quartz it's typically goethite or hematite; it's actually rare to find lepidocrocite in clear quartz.

      Now for the name confusion. You may see the word ferric (or ferrous) used to refer to iron in quartz. This term is often used to denote minerals containing iron (the specific distinction of the type of iron is not necessary for the scope of this article). Typically, the classification of the different types of iron refers to the iron's oxidation number, and iron has many states of oxidation (loss of electrons in an atom). The term "hematoid" comes from the name of the mineral hematite. Metaphysical terms like "harlequin," "fire," "red," "tangerine," and "strawberry" have arisen due to the appearance of the stone.

      So, what’s the difference? Since it may be difficult to determine exactly which iron ore inclusions are present in the stone, the name you use may depend on the crystal's appearance.

      Fire Quartz (or Red Fire Quartz) is, quite simply, quartz with inclusions of hematite and/or goethite. (Additionally, amethyst with iron inclusions is typically called "red" amethyst.) Fire Quartz is the name for stones that are almost completely filled with inclusions of red, brown, and orange. If you have a piece of clear quartz with only a few red (and/or silver-gray) blotches, threads, or markings, it is Harlequin Quartz. Strawberry Quartz tends to have a more opaque appearance and actually looks pink in color. Sometimes this term is used to refer to both Fire and Harlequin Quartz, adding to the confusion. And then there's Tangerine Quartz, which is orange to reddish-orange in color and is sometimes called Red Quartz. This type may have a rough coating over all or part of the crystal’s surface.

      Here is how I break it down: Strawberry Quartz is pale red to pink (not to be confused with Rose Quartz), and it is translucent or opaque (not typically transparent). Harlequin Quartz is transparent (or nearly transparent) clear quartz with a few red, reddish brown, gray, or pinkish blotches or thread-like markings. Fire Quartz is so filled with iron inclusions that it has very few transparent areas. It's typically a mixture of very deep red-brown with possibly some orange. Tangerine Quartz ranges in shades of pale to dark orange; when the shade is deeper, tending toward red, then it’s called Red Quartz. Naturally, there will be sources that disagree with my categorization. When in doubt, use your intuition.

      Now that you know the varieties, the next step is usage. This, thankfully, is somewhat simple. For metaphysical purposes, iron means strength. Iron is a very important metal in our world—for human use, biology, and in the environment. The type of strength you seek is where the subtle differences in the crystals' metaphysical properties can be useful. Harlequin Quartz can be used for overcoming difficult situations, achieving balance, and assisting with transitions. It has a gentle, uplifting energy. Red Quartz increases vitality and physical energy, while also promoting action. Strawberry Quartz energizes the heart chakra, assists with balancing, and can foster a euphoric, loving state of mind. Tangerine Quartz can be used for healing and rejuvenation. Fire Quartz promotes strength and physical energy, especially when directed toward one's passions. In a pinch, each of these can probably be used interchangeably, with the possible exception of Strawberry Quartz (which is actually somewhat rare).

      The best feature of these stones is that they all promote change and transformation coupled with strength and stability. These crystals can be magical powerhouses. Here's why. First of all, iron is associated with the Element of Fire, which governs desire, change, and transformation. In addition, iron has a cubic structure, which corresponds to the Earth Element and stability. Iron is a transition metal or transition element (a chemistry term); basically, these elements are special because they can form many different compounds, have high boiling and melting points, and can conduct electricity. If we look at these descriptions as a "personality," it reveals being adaptable, being able to withstand intensity, and the ability to channel or communicate. All valuable qualities! And, to add to the dynamic qualities of this stone, the trigonal structure of quartz corresponds to the tetrahedron Platonic Solid, which is related to the Element of Fire.

      Here's a spell you can use to transform a passion or desire into a tangible reality. It calls for Fire Quartz, but feel free to use Harlequin, Red, or even Tangerine Quartz, if that's all you have available.

      Fire Quartz Manifestation Spell
      To manifest something means to outwardly express it or make it visible. This spell can help you manifest a goal or wish, and bring it into reality. Fire Quartz is used for this spell because it taps into the Element of Fire for transformation, and utilizes the iron content of the stone for strength and stability during the change. Fire is also the Element associated with passion. Make your passion a reality.

      What do you desire? Finding your dream house or dream job? Perhaps you dream of traveling the world, or successfully completing a large project. Just remember: you must be ready for the change as well as the challenges it presents; it could be a dramatic (and unpredictable) process.

      Hold the stone in your projective hand. Visualize yourself having achieved your goal. See it actually happening. Next, state your goal aloud as you write it on a piece of paper; fold the paper and place your Fire Quartz stone on top of it. Create a circle of red (or white) candles around the stone and paper. Alternately, use one large red or white candle and place it near the stone and paper. Light the candle(s) and chant:

      Spark and sparkle, stone and fire,
      Know my truest heart's desire.
      Focus action on my passion,
      Make it real, make it happen.
      For good of all and harm to none,
      As I will, it shall be done.

      Allow the candle(s) to burn out. Carry the stone with you whenever you can, especially when involved in tasks related to your goal; otherwise, place it where you can see it each day.

      Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2016. All rights reserved.

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    • Double Vision: Is My Building a Magnet for Troubled People?
      depressed

      I believe my apartment building is a magnet for people who are really struggling with life. Everyone who lives here seems to be suffering a great deal, and many of us are deeply depressed – some suicidal. This place just feels really depressing, and my neighbors and I tend to avoid contact with each other because we just bring each other down. I am desperate to get out, and am working and praying on it. In the mean time, I am wondering if you think a place can be bad for us on a psychic or emotional level, and if so, how we can keep our sanity while we’re in the process of moving on. Every day when I come home, I start to get upset and agitated. When I first moved in, I tried to make friends and be helpful, but that didn’t work out well – in fact, it put me in some very unpleasant situations. I can’t wait to hear your advice!

      Dreamchaser:

      I do believe that there are places on earth that are vortexes, conduits or keepers of negative energy. On the flip side, I also believe that there are places that are vortexes, conduits and keepers of positive energy.

      I think all of this has to do with ley lines. A ley line is a straight fault line in the earth’s tectonic plates. This is something, by the way, that science fully supports. The part that science will not admit is that magnetic energy is released through these cracks in the earth’s tectonic plates.

      Many people claim to feel this magnetic energy surge up in their bodies when they are close to ley lines. In fact, people have built entire communities on ley lines. It has long been thought that Sedona, Arizona, and other spiritual places like Stonehenge were built where they were because of the ley lines. Some even claim that ley lines cause strange phenomena like the Bermuda Triangle and crop circles, to name a few.

      I have traveled extensively and have always found it fascinating to feel the energy coming from different places on Earth. Your body can actually FEEL the differences. I think your body is reacting to the negative energy of the ley lines where your building is geographically located.

      I also believe that buildings hold energy from the people who live there. It has been scientifically proven that our thoughts can create things around us. Quantum physics is exploring lots of fascinating ideas related to this truth.

      So if there is a whole building of really sad, negative and depressed people, it will be like a smoke cloud moving down the halls. Imagine if you had an actual smoke cloud pouring out your apartment door. Other people would walk through this “smoke cloud” and smell like smoke, and they’d have trouble breathing while walking through it. The negative energy you describe is very much like that smoke cloud.

      You will be able to move out as soon as YOU believe you can. In the mean time, I need for you to buy some sage bundles and sage YOUR place. Start on one end and sage every single corner, every closet, every wall and every space. Do not forget shower stalls and the kitchen.

      Light the sage, get it burning really well, and then blow out the flame so that the end of the sage is smoldering, then use the smoke to clear out the negativity. Also, pour a line of either regular table salt or white chalk outside your front door across the outside of the doorstep.

      I would also suggest you buy some obsidian stones, for obsidian absorbs negative energy. Place them around your house and carry a small piece of obsidian with you wherever you go.

      I wish you tranquility.

      Astrea:

      Not long ago, Dream and I had a letter from a woman whose daughter was in school in Germany and living in a dormitory that had been a Nazi hospital during WWII. Of course she didn’t know this prior to moving into her dorm room, but when she went to the cafeteria in that building, she read a plaque on the wall that proudly stated the purpose for which that old building had been built. (Hitler slept here – hooray!?)

      Soon she began to see illness, depression and negativity all around her. She couldn’t study well there. She began to flunk her courses, as did her roommate and some of the other girls staying there. Her mother asked what she could do to make the space livable until she could get out of there.

      I think probably the best thing is to ask St. Uncumber to “clear” that building, or at least the apartment where you live. The story of St. Uncumber goes like this:

      In the fifteenth century there was a beautiful princess named Uncumber who was to be married to an ugly old man. While wanting to obey her parents’ wishes, she just couldn’t get into the right mindset to spend the rest of her life with that stinky old guy.

      The night before her wedding, she prayed God would do something so that she wouldn’t have to marry him, and when she woke up the next morning, she had grown a FULL BEARD! Needless to say, the wedding was called off. Since then, her ritual has been used to get rid of everything from sadistic boyfriends to sugar ants, and I’ve never heard of it failing.

      First, draw a picture of a girl on a white sheet of paper and add a full beard. Roll it into a tube and tie it with a black ribbon bow. Light a white candle and singe the ends of the paper roll while you say, “St. Uncumber, lift the dark vibrations from this place. Clear the negative energy from my space and let us all live in peace. Send the dark energy to the dark place forever.”

      Pass the tube over the candle in three clockwise circles, then put it away in a dark place, at the back of a drawer or closet that is rarely used. You can also fill a baggie with water and freeze the paper in that. Either way, it will block out some or all of that energy until you can move to another home.

      Repeat this at least once a month while you’re living there, and when you move, leave that paper behind you in the apartment, for it may have some residual protection for the next occupant.

      You’re right that this building draws negativity to it. It could be doing that for many different reasons, but it does bring out the worst in people’s hearts, minds and spirits.

      Do what you can to make it livable, but get out of there as soon as you can!

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