Sacred Stones June 2012 Crystal of the Month: Labradorite By Larry Bassett Background: Labradorite is one of the most colorful and beautiful of all crystals. It was first described in the geological literature in 1780, by J. Foster. He named the stone Pierre de Labrador, after he found it on Paul Island, in Labrador, Canada. In 1837, J. D. Dana changed the name to labradorite. Labradorite is also found in abundance in Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greenland, Madagascar, Norway, Russia, UK, Ukraine and the USA. This crystal has an incredible iridescent radiance. The predominant colors range from blue, coppery red, gold, green, peacock blue, purple, reddish orange, and yellow. I believe you can see every color of the spectrum depending upon the intensity of the light and the angle. The sparkling, iridescent, radiance of colors was named labradorescence. The light creates a spectral display of colors due to the interference and reflectance of light rays in the flat layers of labradorite. The light reflecting off the crystalline planes is said to be like flames and this best describes the labradorescence. The iridescent and radiant effects of the labradorescence caused labradorite to be known as the temple of the stars. Eskimo legends speak of light imprisoned in the rocks along the coast of Labrador. The Eskimos repeatedly plunged their spears into the crystals to release most of the trapped light. The released light became the Aurora borealis or northern lights in the sky. The Algonquian Indians used labradorite for healing and in ceremonies for over a thousand years before the white man came to America. Labradorite was one of the first stones to be put in the British Museum in 1777. Labradorite in a white matrix is often called rainbow moonstone. Gem quality labradorite is called spectrolite. Spectrolite is a colorless variety of labradorite with needle like inclusions. Spectrolite is often called black moonstone or falcon's eye. Labradorite is very useful in facilitating communication, meditation and intuition. It was used by shaman to communicate and travel inter-dimensionally. Labradorite is known to assist one in staying physically and emotionally balanced. It facilitates the 1
understanding of our destiny. Some consider it a stone of magic because it awakens our awareness of our extrasensory powers and our innate divinity. It is useful to help you access your past imprinted in your DNA akashic records. It provides an intuitive communication with your Higher Self, your guides, and protectors. Labradorite is used in divination, psychic readings, and to facilitate travel between dimensional realms. Labradorite is a stone of transformation that assists one through personal change by augmenting our will power, strength and perseverance. It is said to balance the aura because it prevents energy leakages as it deflects discordant energy. Labradorite brings out the best in people. It is an amazing and beautiful crystal. Why I Love This Stone: The physical and metaphysical effects of labradorite are as amazing as the crystal looks. Labradorite transforms the light it receives and emits love as light. It imbues the light with the power to heal and illuminate. This stone increases intuition and invokes mystical states. It is as protective as it is beautiful. The whole point of using crystals and essential oils is to take advantage of their healing properties. The first healers and shaman used crystals and herbs. Essential oils were used by the ancient Egyptians and many others to heal. Labradorite quickly became the power and healing stone of choice because of the radiant iridescent labradorescence. Healers discovered how it dispelled negativity, and allowed the body to heal, as it put them and their clients into highly mystical spiritual states. Labradorite instills a sense of adventure. It increases creativity as it awakens and stimulates the imagination, yet it is calming for the overactive mind. Labradorite is said to be symbolic of the moon because it represents the cycles of our growth. It is also symbolic of the sun, because it shines with our Higher Self in our cycles of transitions into higher states of consciousness. It helps one to understand the truth behind the situations we experience. Labradorite works on the brain to harmonize intellectual thoughts with intuitive wisdom. This provides the discernment we need to help us make the best possible choice. Labradorite removes fears and insecurities which strengthens your faith in yourself. Labradorite allows one to again trust yourself and others. Labradorite works on an unconscious level and it is priceless because it dispels illusions and delusions. Labradorite is a stone that invokes highly spiritual and mystical states of being. This is a stone for transformation and awakening. Composition: Labradorite is a plagioclase feldspar. This means it is a common crystalline formation of triclinic (three unequal angles) feldspars. Feldspars are composed of sodium and calcium silicates. Labradorite is in the class of tektosilicates. Labradorite has a chemical formula of (Ca,Na) (Si,Al) 4 O 8. The empirical formula is Na 0.5 Ca 0.5 Si 3 AlO 8. The composition is 2
3.38% sodium, 8.85% calcium, 15.88% aluminum, 24.8% silicon, and 47.9% oxygen. 53.05% is found as quartz (SiO 2 ), 30.01% Al 2 O 3, 12.38% CaO and 4.56% Na 2 O. It has a molecular weight of 271.81 grams. It has a refractive index of 1.555 to 1.575. It is found in magmatic and metamorphic rock. The plagioclase family of crystals begins with albite, ends with anorthite, and labradorite is midway between them. Labradorite has been found in some meteorites. We have also found labradorite in more than one piece of sodalite and this combination is stunningly beautiful. Physical Properties: Labradorite is rated with a hardness of 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale. Some mineralogical references say it has a harness of 7 because most of it is quartz. It has a specific gravity of 2.5 to 2.9 grams per cubic centiliter. It is translucent to transparent. It will fracture unevenly and there is no fluorescence. If you scratch labradorite, it will scratch white. Labradorite has a vitreous or glassy luster. The crystalline system is triclinic. Triclinic means it has three directions of cleavage and these will be uneven angles. Labradorescence is also known as the Schiller Effect. The labradorescence is due to an optical interference on what is called the Boggild exsolution lamellae. What that means is labradorite captures light and the light is reflected and bounces back and forth between the parallel crystalline layers. It reflects within the layers and when it exits the wavelength has slowed considerably. The thickness of the layers and the speed of light exiting after reflecting between the layers will determine the colors you see. Experiences: Labradorite is one of the crystals all of our students love. The colors, the radiant iridescent labradorescence, the energy, intrigues and fascinates them. Many will turn the crystal over and over, to observe the colors and the flashes of the labradorescence. Labradorite is excellent for depression and we have a friend wears it constantly. Labradorite is one of the crystals that speak to people. We have another friend who gravitated to labradorite after the crystal spoke to her. We usually have one student and sometimes more in a class who hear the crystals speak or sing to them. Crystals speak the words they need to hear. They speak powerful, yet comforting words the students need to hear and there are usually tears of gratitude as they relate what the crystal told them. We looked into putting labradorite in our kitchen. The quality of the 4 by 8 foot sheets of labradorite was poor because there was little labradorescence. You also needed to buy 2 to 3 times more stone than you would expect because of the triclinic issues when you cut the slab. The stone worker told us that while cutting, the labradorescent pieces (which are harder than the matrix) will separate from the matrix, necessitating another cut. Each 4 by 8 sheet of labradorite retailed for $3,200. 3
Recommended Uses: We find labradorite placed anywhere touching the skin is highly effective. It is extremely useful to have the client hold and observe the labradorescence the light creates. One moment they are looking at a dark crystal and in the next they are looking at iridescent colors. The flashes of iridescence calms the client as it removes stress. In the flashes of light, the client relaxes and opens to the work of crystals and the therapist. Anxiety and stress are diminished or gone. Clients will often go into a dream state or have other spiritual experiences on the table. The session will increase the client's optimism and self-esteem so they will feel wonderful at the end of the session. Essential Oils: Essential oils are powerful, many require dilution, some are photosensitive, and there are possible dangerous contraindications. A listing of safety issues possible contraindications can be found at our web site: www.kalasgems.com/safety.html. The properties of labradorite to balance, calm, harmonize, promote healing, illuminate, protect, stabilize, as well as to increase awareness, business sense, compassion, discernment, intuition, communication, low self-esteem, optimism, understanding and will power, works well with the essential oils of: Angelica, basil, bergamot, birch, black pepper, blue tansy, cajeput, cardamon, carrot seed, cedarwood, cinnamon bark, cistus, citronella, clary sage, clove, copaiba, coriander, cumin, cypress (all), eucalyptus (all), fennel, fir (all), fleabane, frankincense, galbanum, geranium, German chamomile, ginger, goldenrod, grapefruit, helichrysum, hyssop, Idaho tansy, jasmine, juniper, laurel, lavender, ledum, lemon, lemongrass, lime, mandarin, marjoram, melaleuca (all), melissa, Mixta chamomile, mountain savory, myrrh, myrtle, neroli, nutmeg, orange, oregano, palmarosa, patchouli, peppermint, pine (all), ravensara, Roman chamomile, rose, rosehip, rosemary (all), rosewood, sage, sandalwood, spearmint, spikenard, spruce, tangerine, tarragon, tsuga, valerian, vetiver, wintergreen, yarrow, and Ylang ylang Meditations: Kathy began her meditation with two labradorite wands. When she took them from my hands she heard the words, Yeah, Yeah! As Kathy held a wand in each hand, she felt her brain relax. This was a welcome change after two weeks of preparing for a new class she was to teach. She next put one piece of labradorite on her heart and felt her heart being energized. She put the other piece over her intestinal area and felt some relief after a substandard meal in a restaurant the day before. Kathy soon left her body while her heart and intestinal area were being balanced. Kathy returned to her body after I got up from my meditation. I began my meditation with two tumbled labradorite roundish pieces. As I held a piece in each hand I felt my hands getting cold. I began to relive the moments in my life where I was saved from death. I was seeing the 4
experience and the unseen souls who saved me. I saw I was sometimes encapsulated in energy to protect me and at other times I saw the angels intervening to protect me. It was a wonderful experience of divine love, protecting me, to keep me alive and as unhurt as possible. Near the end I heard a long beautiful sound that was like a horn blowing outside. It was a clear, gentle, and beautiful tone that sounded for about a minute. Then I was hearing the wind chimes move with a gentle breeze and the gentle tones were a beautiful music. As the chimes sounded, I saw they were emitting a beautiful light that we hear as sound. The labradorite pieces in my palms were freezing cold. They were removing the cellular memories of my near death experiences. This included the memories of the sounds I heard of the people who were part of my experiences. We were in our favorite spot in the remote desert. Kathy began with two tumbled labradorite pieces. She felt the energy in her feet and then she was gone. Kathy was seeing visions and she came back after about an hour. She was in an altered state of consciousness after the meditation. Kathy felt as if she were taken apart and reassembled while she was out of her body. I began with two labradorite wands. That morning I awoke after a very deep sleep. I am uncertain if I even moved during the night. I slept deeply for ten hours. As I ate my breakfast it was if I were half in my body. I was somewhat disoriented and absent minded. Kathy remarked how I was somewhere else. In the beautiful desert, I was comfortably on a recliner in the strong, warm wind as I felt the energy in my hands. The energy increased as I continued to relax and balance. Soon I was traveling, and having numerous visions. When I returned, I again felt whole and wonderful. I got up from the recliner and my first two steps were a little shaky as I returned into my body. In a minute or two, I felt wonderful and rested. Kathy said my meditation lasted for over two hours. I also felt as if I were taken apart and reassembled. Miscellaneous: Labradorite is easy to find in good quality. The best labradorite, in our experience, comes from Madagascar. Labradorite is for the zodiac sign of Sagittarius, Scorpio, and Leo. Labradorite is associated with the planet Uranus and the moon. Labradorite vibrates to the numbers 6 and 7. Labradorite is associated with the wind and some say the water element. Labradorite is believed to bring good luck. Labradorite is associated with the crown, heart, solar plexus and throat chakras. Labradorite, as an elixir, purges negativity as it alleviates pain. Labradorite is said to resonate with Archangel Raphael, the archangel of love and healing. 5
Labradorite was historically used for correcting issues with addictions, anxiety, arthritis, blood pressure, bones, cold, blood pressure, brain, depression, digestion, elimination, eye, fever, gout, hopelessness, hormones, joints, menstruation, metabolism, night vision, rheumatism, selfesteem, spinal column, stress, throat, weight, warts, and spiritual transformation. 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. 6