Metaphysical A to Z: X is for....chiastolite!

Gotcha!  :-)

OK, so X words are really hard to come by!  Especially in a metaphysical A to Z challenge. So I am using some creative license here. 

So what is chiastolite and why did I choose it for my X post?  Excellent question!  Wonder no more!

Chiastolite is a stone that just so happens to be found in the town in which I live!  It's often called an "x" or cross stone because it has a distinctive x in it when cut.

It has strongly protective properties. It's often thought of as a stone of power as well. Some associate it with prosperity and love.  I like to think of it as  a stone of balance.  Like the 'x' in tic-tac-toe, it is it's own yin-yang.  The balance of the black cross mark against the brown stone is grounding to me.  The natural markings are often remarkably balanced and evenly spaced.  I think it can help us to recognize the need for balance in our lives.  The 4 quadrants remind us of all our bodies, the physical, the mental, the emotional and the spiritual and the need to nurture and balance all of them equally. 

It is associated with the sacral and root chakras most strongly.  I think it is a great stone to help connect to both earth and spirit, and by doing so, really taps into all of our chakras, again, bringing balance.   It grounds us and allows us to truly bridge the gap between earth and spirit. 

Some cultures associate the cross marking of the stone as a sign from God or assign religious significance to it.  It can be worn as jewelry like may other stones and crystals are, carried as a tumbled stone or displayed as a raw stone. 

If you don't have chiastolite as part of your crystal collection, perhaps you should consider adding it to see what it has to teach you.  Besides, it's a pretty cool stone since it makes an "x" every time! 

A to Z Challenge: O is for Obsidian

Obsidian is a crystal that I've always loved.  It's birthed from volcanoes, literally coughed up by Mother Earth.

Black obsidian is a wonderful grounding stone associated with the root chakra and one that can transmute grief and trauma.  How appropriate I am behind on my A to Z challenge, but because I took a few days off to care for my dying grandmother.  If you were wondering, I have an obsidian heart with me.

Obsidian is also a wonderful stone of truth.  It is highly protective as a shield against negativity and can help you release negative patterns and habits.

Snowflake obsidian is a variation and it literally looks like snowflakes on the black glossy stone.  It is a stone of peace and healing.  It can be used to clear energy blockages and keep focused during times of chaos and stress.

Obsidian can be found raw or tumbled.  In Hawaii, there is a belief that you upset Pele, the Goddess of the Volcano, if you take anything from her.  It's an interesting conundrum.

Rainbow obsidian is a black obsidian that when polished takes on a rainbow appearance of color.  One of my favorite pocket stones is a small heart shaped rainbow obsidian.  It is said to be a powerful meditative stone and one good for transmuting fears and releasing blockages and protecting you from depression. Some say it was a stone used by Nostradamus.

If any of this resonates with you, you might want to head to a metaphysical book store and check out their crystals and stones and pick up an obsidian.

Although I could do an entire A to Z on crystals alone (perhaps my next challenge?), this one will be brief.  If you really want an in depth explanation of crystals and their spiritual properties, my favorite book is called Love is in the Earth.