Sacred Stones March 2011 Crystal of the Month: Lithium Quartz By Larry Bassett Background: The historical name of Lithium quartz is abracite. Today it is sometimes called Li-quartz. Li or lithium is the 3 rd element in the periodic table of elements. When earth formed there was no lithium here. All lithium on earth came from space so lithium is essentially a tektite since it falls to earth as space dust. There are over 140 known crystals containing lithium, primarily amblygonite, petalite and spudomene. Lithium quartz is clear or colorless, lavender, magenta, purple, whitish to pink, mauve, rose or pinkish gray. It is often said to be found only in Bahia Brazil. We have purchased lithium quartz from Minas Gerias, Brazil and Afghanistan. It is found in Canada, China, Madagascar and other countries. We have lithium blue chalcedony quartz wands from Madagascar. I believe lithium quartz can be found anywhere there is quartz. Medically, lithium is used as an antidepressant and it is extracted from volcanic rock, brine, amblygonite, petalite, spudomene and other crystals. I believe the best source of lithium is when someone carries lithium quartz because quartz amplifies energy such as intention and thoughts. Lithium is a negatively charged particle, an ion, in or coated on quartz. Lithium is found worldwide and we find it in appreciable quantities in the nightshade family of plants and vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and tobacco. It makes sense shaman, Native American and other holy men consider tobacco a sacred plant and necessary for their work and sacred ceremonies. Lithium is believed by some to be the bridge between energy and the lavender ray of life force. Lithium quartz is said to reduce panic or anxiety attacks as it relieves stress and reduces tension. It is also believed to heal repressed anger and grief. It activates and balances all of the chakras. It facilitates deep, restful meditations. 1
Lithium quartz is said to resonate with every note on the musical scale. This is so rare since most crystals only vibrate to one and rarely two notes. This is another indication of the magical effects of Lithium quartz. Lithium quartz is said to purify water, cleanse plants and animals. There is much metaphysical ado about lithium and lithium quartz. The effects of lithium quartz are magical in facilitating change and allowing the body to heal. This is why the word abracadabra derived from the crystal abracite, today known as lithium quartz. It is considered a master healer and in our classroom experience it is a magical crystal. Why I Love This Stone: The physical properties and metaphysical effects of lithium quartz are amazing. Lithium quartz is ideal for use in bodywork sessions because it creates a state of physical equilibrium and emotional peace. Lithium quartz is a crystal of transformation believed to have transcendental powers. It provides clarity, allowing one to see their emotional baggage. It is gently balancing for the chakras and the body. Some believe it supplements areas of low energy in the body. Lithium is a natural antidepressant. It helps provide emotional stability as uplifts the spirit. It facilitates a smooth transition for the dying and helps alleviate issues of grief. It gives comfort to those who hold the crystal as it raises awareness and consciousness. Lithium quartz creates a deep state of relaxation. It is an ideal crystal to hold while meditating. It is used to help people overcome addiction and withdrawal symptoms. It brings emotional peace as it releases anxiety and stress. It is a most amazing crystal and many feel the powerful gentle and soothing energy when they first hold it. This magical crystal requires no cleansing. Lithium quartz is said to be a stone of enlightenment. Composition: The composition of lithium quartz is quartz (silicon with two oxygen atoms) with inclusions or a coating of lithium ions. It has all the properties of quartz such as piezoelectric, pyroelectric and programmability. I will save the discussion of these properties for the quartz newsletter. There are reports of phantoms of lithium in quartz. Phantoms form as the crystal grows and new layers are added to increase the size of the crystal. It appears as a crystal inside a crystal. I have seen some phantom crystals with 15 to 20 layers, one over the other. Physical Properties: Lithium quartz is rated at a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. The energy of lithium quartz is gentle and soothing. Crystals magnify intention and thoughts which is why working from the heart center is the most effective. The heat of the hands will create a slight electric charge due to the pyroelectric effect of quartz. This creates a polarization which facilitates the 2
flow of current (energy) to or from the crystal surface. This is why touch is so important when working with crystals. Experiences: After a crystal class a few years ago a student told us about her cousin. His life was challenging and depressing. Addicted to drugs and alcohol, unable to keep a job, in and out of hospitals or care facilities his life was a mess. Apparently the old behaviors were entrenched after years of abuse and numerous failed attempts to change. She asked if there was any crystal that could help him. I really had no idea of a crystal that could work on that magnitude. Listening to the crystals, I heard the lithium quartz speak. I had no direct experience with lithium quartz. I gave her a piece and suggested she have him constantly carry it. I asked her to do this without telling him anything about the crystal and lets see what happens. We heard nothing for over 6 months. We finally saw her at a gathering and I asked about her cousin. She said she forgot to tell us of the remarkable changes in his life. The craving for drugs and alcohol must have decreased because he no longer uses them. He straightened his life out, has a job, and is again a productive member of society. Lithium quartz was the great facilitator of change in his life. Lithium quartz works gently and slowly which is probably its greatest asset. Some crystals have energy so intense, they are only used occasionally so the changes may be temporary. I think the high pure energy of lithium quartz heals the heart first and then the rest is easy. Love can heal anything. One spa worker uses lithium quartz in every session. Many of her clients ask if they can keep the lithium quartz after a powerful session. Our friend has seen amazing healings with emotional and physical releases during a session which allow her clients to deeply heal themselves. Recommended Uses: We find lithium quartz placed in the palm of each hand during a bodywork session is very powerful and the most effective placement. Other placements were effective and yet the feedback when the lithium quartz was placed in their palms show this is the most efficacious. When a crystal is placed in the palm of a client, their focus is the stone in their palms. The client generally drops their barriers and they relax. The gentle energy of lithium quartz helps relax the client, align the chakras and open the client to a deeper bodywork session. Meditations: Kathy often meditates with two pieces of lithium quartz because the effects are impressive. In the first meditation Kathy deeply relaxed and she saw what appeared to be a scissors cutting away the baggage from her heart. This included memories of feeling guilt, remorse, anger, fear and other lower frequency emotions. She felt a deep sense of relief and a gift of renewal. The second meditation she felt a lightness in her 3
chest, centered at the sternum. Kathy was cleansing or removing the effects of a prolonged stay with a friend with dementia. Kathy felt the lithium quartz pulse in her palms. Many have the same sensations when they hold crystals. She often places it on her thyroid or other areas of the body requiring attention. Kathy always feels deep peacefulness and a balancing of her energy. She often feels the lifting of emotions or other issues while holding the lithium quartz. Kathy meditates with lithium quartz almost every day. I held a lithium quartz in each hand. I immediately felt the warm energy and a pulsing or throbbing from each stone in my palms. The pulsing was a little out of sync. The lithium quartz were like little heaters slowly warming my palms, hands and forearms. Soon my arms were filled with their warm energy. I got the insight to touch the lithium quartz together and when they touched the pulsing became synchronized. Soon I felt a swirling energy in my feet. The energy in other areas of my body was moving and as the energy of the lithium quartz penetrated these areas the energy became balanced. Within twenty minutes most of my body was filled with the energy of lithium quartz. My heart and the lithium quartz were beating and pulsating at a perfectly synchronous rate. When the energy of the lithium quartz permeated my heart I left my body. I found myself in a small cave without an entrance. It was a crystalline womb filled with large and small, beautiful crystals. I was nurtured, renewed and I felt loved and comforted. I was back in the same crystalline womb I experienced 20 years ago. I have no idea what really happened except the experience was profound and there were subtle changes in all aspects of my being. When I came back to my body it felt as if I were holding my heart in my hand. That was a moving experience as I felt the love and compassion of creation in my hands. I soon heard the clock chime 5:30 and I came out of my meditation. Essential Oils: We always use essential oils when we work with crystals. The synergy of two conscious energies is incredible. All essential oils work well with lithium quartz. This is because lithium quartz amazingly vibrates with every note on the musical scale. It is the magical crystal to work with any essential oil applied neat or diluted with a carrier oil. Miscellaneous: Lithium quartz is sometimes a challenge to find in good quality and quantity. It is said the mine in Bahia Brazil produces only 650 pounds a year. We have a good supplier of lithium quartz and only a few crystal dealers carry it. Everyone has heard of lithium as a component in batteries. There is a host of research with another lithium crystal, lithium tantalate (LiTaO3). It possesses unique optical, piezoelectric and pyroelectric effects making it valuable for optics, passive infrared sensors, terahertz generation 4
and detection, surface acoustic wave applications, cell phones and possibly pyroelectric nuclear fusion. Lithium quartz is said to work on every chakra in the body. It will align, balance, and adjust the spin of each chakra. It raises the energy and elevates the moods of the body. Disclaimer: The information in this paper regarding the physical and metaphysical properties of crystals is intuitively derived. It is in no way intended to diagnose or treat any form of medical, physical, emotional, mental, psychological, spiritual or other issues. Readers are advised to view this material as speculative in nature. We recommend you determine through personal experience the power of crystals. 5