Natural History
Smoky quartz is a type of clear quartz that is stained brown or black. The dark color occurs when free silicon within the stone is irradiated. This occurs naturally in the environment though it can be reproduced artificially in a laboratory. Lab-darkened quartz is often exceptionally dark and uniform in color. Smoky quartz is most commonly found in in Brazil, Madagascar, and the Southwestern USA. A yellowish to greyish form called Cairngorm is found in the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland.
Very dark, opaque smoky quarts is called morion.
Smoky quartz may also be spelled smokey quartz. It may also be called Smokey topaz or smoky citrine.
History and Folklore
In China during the 12th century, smoky quartz was used to make sunglasses. It was also used in China to make snuff bottles. The Romans and Sumerians used smoky quartz to make seals.
Smoky quartz is the national gem of Scotland where it is often called cairngorm because it was found in the Cairngorm Mountains. It is used there for jewelry and to decorate kilt pins and knife handles.
Smoky quartz is a birthstone for Scorpio.
Smoky Quartz Correspondences
Angel(s): Torquaret
Gods/Goddesses: Hecate
Chakra: Root
Element: earth
Astrological Sign: Sagittarius, Capricorn, Scorpio
Planet: Saturn
Sabbat: Samhain
Smokey Quartz in Healing and Magic
Smoky quartz is used to protect against all forms of bad luck and to enhance energy flow through the hands. It increases creativity and intuition and transforms depression and pessimistic thought into joy and optimism.
Body: Smokey quartz is useful for removing toxins and excess fluids in the body and for stimulating the digestive system to absorb minerals and eliminate waste and toxins. Smoky quartz may be used to ease muscle spasms and cramps, especially in the abdomen, hips and legs. It is also helpful for headaches and all nervous disorders, hyperactivity, stress, anxiety and depression. Place a smoky quartz under your mattress to help ease back pain and stiffness while you sleep. It can also be worn as jewelry on or near any body part that experiences pain and stiffness. It is also recommended for people receiving radiation treatment to improve their outcomes.
Mind: Smoky quartz is soothing, grounding and relaxing and is a good focal point for meditation. Smoky quartz spheres are available from many sources and are great for this. Meditating with smoky quartz helps increase optimism and encourages creative solutions to problems, especially in relation to business.
Magick: Smoky quartz hung or placed near the bed will banish nightmares and night terrors. Meditating with smoky quartz will help you make good financial decisions and wearing it will help draw money to you. Keeping it in your wallet or near your check book will help you hold onto your money.
Place a smokey quartz point on each of the four corners of your bed with the points facing inward to help with communication problems in your marriage.
To banish negativity: Stand with your bare feet on the earth and hold a smoky quartz with the tip down. Release negative energy into the Earth and visualize it decaying into fertilizer to nourish plants and trees.
Care and Cleansing
Smoky quartz absorbs a great deal of negative energy and should be cleansed often. Rinse it with salt water and then cleanse thoroughly with smoke and don't forget to cleanse yourself afterward. Your smoky quartz can be recharged in bright sunlight afterward.
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*Image Credit*
Image by MAURO CATEB @Flickr Creative Commons Some Rights Reserved
See Also
Please note: None of the information provided on the Witchipedia is intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or disorder and is provided for the purposes of folkloric interest only. If you are suffering from any sort of malaise, you are encouraged to seek personal advice from a qualified practitioner.
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