crystal exploration: caribbean calcite

Each morning, I take care of the wild beings in the ways I can. I add fresh water to the bird bath, the fountain, a couple of bowls. (We're already playing in 100 degree temps here in Oklahoma with no rain around, making this feel even more important to me.) I add black oil sunflower seeds and peanuts to the feeders, along with carrots and kale closer to the earth.

After doing so this morning, I glanced out my kitchen window. A squirrel was having drinks of water from one of the bowls, then pancaked himself onto the still-wet surface of the patio, flattening himself to absorb the most moisture and soothe that he could, a minute of whole relief. It was pragmatic and survival, but also incredibly adorable and inspiring.   

Caribbean calcite is a trade name, and trade names can be tricky things to untangle. To the best of my understanding, this stone is a combination of blue calcite and blue / white / brown aragonite. 

Like all crystals, these have a multitude of properties and possibilities. According to Judy Hall's The Encyclopedia of Crystals, blue calcite is good for filtering and returning energy to the sender in a way that benefits them, but also has all the classic blue attributes: calming the mind and nerves, allowing clarity, releasing heavier emotions. Blue aragonite adds layers of positivity while understanding the root cause of any issues, and brown aragonite adds a touch of pragmatic earthiness. 

When I hold it, the energy of Caribbean calcite is all about flow. I receive this crystal today as a reminder of the healing and value demonstrated by the squirrel's antics: to lean into healing and soothe in easy ways that feel good. It doesn't all have to be hard, hard work, not all the steps anyway. Sometimes the necessary work can feel good, and sometimes it can be the best kind of soothe.

other water forms, other aliveness

As our ocean trip approached, I was keeping an eye on the weather. I ultimately had to release my ocean adventuring to later into the year due to what would become Tropical Storm Alberto the exact days we were to be on the beach. I was disappointed, but after sitting with that and feeling like a toddler who wanted to throw a wild water tantrum of my own, I regrouped and created another adventure pathway. While it wasn't quite what we originally anticipated, it was oh!so!lovely!

Murals of faces full of strength and blooms that swallowed buildings. Bookstores with book covers and words that echoed the sometimes-known world while creating new ones, a large wooden owl at the door for greeting, a Mary Oliver quote that reminded, It is a serious thing just o be alive. A dreamy pool and hot tub, for dancing and laughing and soaking, with nobody around except goats climbing trees and horses grazing through fields of wildflowers. A Texas state park with big skies, lush vegetation, endless stone stairs, river that flowed and flowed, lizards who were cautious and ones who were curious. Little towns, armadillo sculpture, cold drinks, quirks imbedded into the walls and spirit. Twilight paths with itty bitty toads, a family of deer, owls that called and guided. Cold streams with small waterfalls to lie down in, merging and existing in a space of flow and light. Museum, zoo, and giggles, podcasts and music, conversation and stillness, miles and miles. Plenty of kisses. Plenty of moments that felt soulfully like Yes.     

ocean dreaming

I have a strong connection to the land of my birth, my continued home. Prairie that dances with the wind, soil that stains the clothes red, mountains that look like ancient gods threw massive boulders everywhere, cold springs that contrast steamy heat, skies full of mood and drama. 

But, then, the ocean calls. 
Whispers, whispers, yells. 

She tangles into my thoughts, she visits in dreams, she crashes against me, weaves saltwater into my hair, leaves me full of ache. Then I want to step out away from the sun-soaked land that cocoons me daily and drive toward this: 

And, gleefully, it will happen soon enough. I will dance in her waves, and she'll dance in mine. ♡

crystal exploration: trolleite + golden mica (soothe and expansion)

I've had several days of going and doing. An array of life things, from pragmatic to fun, from life necessities to the feel and texture of nature, to family gathering around, to sorting through relationships and values. Some has been tricky; much has been warming. 

But. I feel almost overstimulated energetically, like something extra is happening beneath my skin. This can happen when I don't have days that allow me to fully settle in. I have quite a bit of (dreamy) adventure next week, so my goal this week is to move toward feeling energetically just right. I have the space for that settling. 

For me, this involves a blend of soothe and (inner) expansion. It's sitting outside absorbing birdsong and breeze while thoughts drift and stitch together. It's simple meditative deep breathing and visualization. It's writing and reading. It's not having a lot of musts jotted into my planner. It's also shaking all that stillness in a way that gets me back out of my head and into my body, traveling a path that allows the peace to be in motion, through dance.   

When I was intuiting which crystals would help guide me this week, I picked up two that are quite different, yet aligned with my needs. Trolleite and golden mica. 

When I look at trolleite, I see a blend of hopeful blue and moodiness, shimmer embedded throughout. Maybe I'm drawn to this stone because that's one of my favorite skyscapes too: all the mood and mystery, the tunnels to more, but with bright bursts of light and immediate wonder, both aspects needing the other for the most beautiful and powerful impact.

While it has many properties, that's the one I'm leaning into: the balancing. The mood and the soothe. And, nestled in that soothe is a really deep, yet bright, sort of peace.

Trolleite is my anchor to peace this week, to whatever stillness I need to scoop up and collect, to whatever insights might very well surface as I dive deeper just by being. 

Golden mica is a good companion to trolleite. It is also known for its calming energy, but there's a different vibe to it for me than the blue stones. It's the energy of dance, the full connection and integration into the self, the ability to beam out and be part of the world while still having that calm center. It's the adventure that whispers my name. It's the full circle. 

Wishing for you whatever blend of soothe and adventure that fills you up. ♡  

crystal exploration: ocean jasper (nature connection)

I've spent time outside today with the damp earth and wild-dancing wind. I've said hello (again) to what was planted years ago, what was planted last month, then added some new herbs and flowers to this space. Hello, thank you, enjoy your stay.  

Being in nature, whether it's my little space amidst the urban landscape or vast places without trails, fills me with wonder and a sense of groundedness. It's a reminder that I, too, am nature, woven into the complex web, flowing and changing, in motion even as I'm still, still even as I'm in motion. I can breathe, I can experience, I can exist. And! I can feel held.

There's a lot of science backing spending time in nature, lists of studies touting the benefits. I don't think we need to know those studies to innately understand that it feels good. That it is good. 

But, hey, let's look at one. The National Library of Medicine (NIH) has a study in their database from Frontiers in Psychology. These researchers looked at 14 papers / studies that explore the impact of nature on the stress levels and overall wellbeing of college students, physiologically and psychologically. Both things that can be objectively measured and the resulting feelings / experiences. Even 10 minutes in nature had a positive effect on the individuals, with more time even better. The study is here (with the interesting parts toward the end). 

All crystals come from the earth, yet some have an earthier energetic feel and purpose. I'm not suggesting we replace time outside with crystals, but they can be companions in this journey. It's like seeing a loved one across the room versus being wrapped in their embrace. Sometimes we can't be outside. Sometimes even if we're outside, we'd benefit from a little something extra. Maybe we need nature to cocoon us in embrace, hold our hand, remain present in a tactile way.  

Ocean jasper is all about that. It is one of my favorite stones, and will likely be featured here much, much more. It's a form of chalcedony that often (but not always) has little orbs. GeoScienceWorld states that the orbs are formed from "a process of alteration and silicification of volcanic tuff and rhyolite flows."  

Ocean jasper, among other attributes, provides deep earth comfort. Earthy soothe and love. In my pocket, under my pillow, on my lap or in my hands as I lounge, I melt into that sweet, sweet cocoon. 

happy pride ♡