Of the Birthday March 30th- April 4, At long last!

So, after a few days of being just plain lazy (it was nice outside, no one wants to sit at a computer when they don't have to) and a few days of fighting to get my desk top to open up a browser, or my laptop to start up and not reboot, or my cell app just not letting me type in this box. I finally had to hard reboot the desk top and here we are 6 days behind a blog. 

Good news! Today, I'll be all caught up. 
Bad news. We only have one crystal left in The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall.
Good news! I have The Crystal Bible 2 by Judy Hall!! 

On to the Blog of the day!

Crystals 

Zoisite

Colorless, White, Yellow, Brown, Blue, Green, Red, Pink (Thulite), Lavender-Blue

Solid mass, pleochroic

Obtained from specialist shops, often with Ruby

Austria, Tanzania, India, Madagascar, Russia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Kenya

Zoisite transmutes negative energies into positive ones and connects to the spiritual realms.

Tanzanite (Lavender-Blue) is a heat-amended stone with a high vibration, facilitating altered states and a profoundly deep meditative state.

Actinolite

Green and Black, White

Translucent to transparent, vitreous, bladed crystals, often included in Quartz or compact opaque mass

Easily obtained

US, Brazil, Russia, China, New Zealand, Canada, Taiwan

Useful if you encounter blockages or resistance on your spiritual path, Actinolite dissolves that which is unwanted or inappropriate. 

Black Actinolite cleanses and protects the base chakra

Actinolite Quartz is helpful when you have lost your way and are looking for a new direction.

Witches Finger (pictured) from Zambia, which may have white Actinolite, Tremolite, Rutile or Mica included in Quartz, is a useful stone for shamanic or earth healing 

Adamite

Yellow

Vitreous, transparent crystal or druse

Rare

Mexico, Greece, US

A strongly creative stone, Adamite has little direct spiritual effect other than enhancing metaphysical gifts and communication with those in other dimensions. 

Aegirine

Green-Red, Black

Transparent to opaque, long crystal, sometimes striated or small crystals on a matrix

Easily obtained

Greenland, US, Africa

Focusing energy for personal or environmental healing, Aegirine is a powerful energy generator

Botswana and Grey Banded Agate

Gray, Gray and Pink (Botswana is pinker)

Closely banded opaque stone

Easily obtained

Botswana, US, Morocco, Czech Republic, Brazil, South Africa

Banded Agates stimulate the crown chakra, bringing celestial and earth energy into the subtle bodies and harmonizing them with the physical body. 

Crackled Fire Agate

Orange

Crazed and banded translucent stone

Fairly easily obtained from specialty shops

US, Czech Republic, India, Iceland, Morocco, Brazil

A powerful energy attuned to the vermilion flame of spiritual will and an effective "ass-kicker stone, Crackled Fire Agate emanates life force and joie de vivre.

Herbs

Lady's Slipper (AKA Moccasin Flower)

Parts Used: Root

Collection: Lady's slipper is an incredibly rare plant in the UK and US and so should never be collected if found wild

Lady's slipper is one of the most widely applicable nervines that we posses in the materia medica. It may be used in all stress reactions, emotional tension, and anxiety states. It will help elevate the mood, especially where depression is present. It can help in easing nervous pain, though it is best used in combination with other herbs for this purpose. It is perhaps at its best when treating anxiety that is associated with insomnia. 

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the root and let infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk as required. 

Lavender

Parts Used: Flowers

Collection: The flowers should be gathered just before opening between June and September. They should be dried gently at temperatures not above 95 F

This beautiful herb has many uses, culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal. It is an effective herb for headaches, especially when they are related to stress. Lavender can be quite effective in the clearing of depression, especially if used in conjunction with other remedies. As a gently strengthening tonic of the nervous system, it may be used in states of nervous debility and exhaustion. It can be used to soothe and promote natural sleep. Externally, the oil may be used as a stimulating liniment to help ease rheumatism. 

Infusion: to take internally, pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. This can be drunk 3 times a day. 

External Use: the oil should not be taken internally but can be inhaled, rubbed on the skin, or used in baths. 

Lesser Celandine AKA Pilewort

Parts Used: Root

Collection: The root should be unearthed during May and June

As one would expect from its other name, Pilewort is almost a specific for the treatment fo hemorrhoids, or piles. For this end, it can be taken internally or made into a very effective ointment. It may also be used wherever an astringent is called for. 

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Ointment: The ointment is best made in Vaseline

Licorice

Parts Used: Dried Root

Collection: The roots are unearthed in the late fall. Clean thoroughly and dry.

Licorice is one of the group of plants that have a marked effect upon the endocrine system. They glycosides present have a structure that is similar to the natural steroids of the body. Licorice has a beneficial action in the treatment of adrenal gland problems such as Addison's disease. It has a wide usage in bronchial problems such as catarrh, bronchitis, and coughs in general. Licorice is used in allopathic medicine as a treatment for peptic ulceration, a similar use to its herbal use in gastritis and ulcers. It can be used in the relief of abdominal colic. 

Decoction: Pur 1/2 - 1 teaspoonful of the root in a cup of water, bring to boil, and simmer for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.

Lily of the Valley

Parts Used: Dried Leaves

Collection: The leaves are gathered at the time of flowering in May and June.

Lily of the Valley is perhaps the most valuable heart remedy that the medicinal herbalist uses today. This herb has an action equivalent to Foxglove (Digitalis) without its potential toxic effects. Lily of the Valley may be used in the treatment of heart failure and water retention where this is associated with the heart. It will aid the body where there is difficulty with breathing due to congestive conditions of the heart. 

Lily of the Valley should only be used under qualified supervision. (That's it?! So, I can have the instructions on tea that causes a miscarriage and flowers that if you took just a tad to much can poison you to death but nope no directions on this flower. Oddball!)

Lime Blossom

Common Name: Linden
Parts Used: Dried Flowers
Collection: The flowers should be gathered immediately after flowering in the midsummer. They should be collected on a dry day and dried carefully in the shade.

Lime Blossom is well known as a relaxing remedy for use in nervous tension. It has a reputation as a prophylactic against the development of arteriosclerosis and hypertension. It is considered to be a specific in the treatment of raised blood pressure associated with arteriosclerosis and nervous tension. Its relaxing action combined with a general effect upon the circulatory system give Lime Blossom a role in the treatment of some forms of migraine. The diaphoresis combined with the relaxation explain its value in feverish colds and flu.

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoonful of the blossoms and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. For a diphoretic effect in fever, use 2-3 teaspoonfuls

Birthdays

Aries ( March 21 - April 19)

Element: Fire

Ruling Planets: Mars, the warrior

Symbol: The Ram

Tarot card: The Emperor (authority)

Number: 9

Favorable colors: Red and White

Key phrase: I am born to lead 

Love Matches: Leo, Libra, and Sagittarius

March 30

"Tomorrow is another Day"

The birthday of irresistible conviction

Your greatest challenge is learning how to bide your time.

On the Dark Side: Antisocial, impatient, selfish

At Your Best: Dynamic, innovative, driven

March 31

Happy Birthday Zach Hill!!!

"I radiate warmth and the love I project onto others is returned"

The Birthday of the commanding presence.

Your greatest challenge is learning to control your temper

On the Dark Side: Unambitious, repressed, argumentative

At Your Best: Commanding, energetic, tenacious

Birthstone

April 1

"I choose to be self-sufficient in loving, joyous ways"

The birthday of the quiet confidence

Your greatest challenge is coping with work and the requests of others

On the Dark Side: Shy, workaholic, isolated

At Your Best: Focused, responsible, genuine

April 2

"It is easy for me to adapt to the ebb and flow of my life"

The birthday of utopia

Your greatest challenge is listening to different viewpoints

On the Dark Side: Naive, insecure, vulnerable

At Your Best: Idealistic, generous, pure

April 3

"I have full faith in my inner resources"

The birthday of the keynote.

Your greatest challenge is to learn to work independently.

On the Dark Side: Naive, moody, spoiled

At Your Best: Outgoing, generous, warm

April 4

Happy Birthday Matt Orwig!!! 

"I can achieve anything if I truly want to"

The birthday of the catalyst.

Your greatest challenge is learning to persevere

On the Dark Side: Changeable, impulsive, unreliable

At Your Best: Original, creative, energetic.

Birthstone