Crystals ~ Hematite
by Maria
Crystals are beautiful, and most of us like to wear them, including me. So I decided to join a lapidary club in order to learn about cutting, polishing and setting stones so I could make my own jewellery. But there is more to it than just cutting and polishing etc as each stone needs to be treated differently due to its composition.
As we know, each crystal is different in its metaphysical properties, so the use of individual stones varies. The same applies to working on stones to produce a finished product. You need to take into account the stone's hardness, how it will suit a combined setting with other crystals, its lustre capacity, hardness etc.
In the case of hematite it needs to be burnished to produce a high lustre. Other crystals, mostly those with high iron content like hematite, need this process as well.
I have a few stones finished, meaning they are cut and polished but have not been set as yet. They will tell me what setting they want.
Settings for stones can be produced in a number of ways, for example: casting (using a wax mould); silver/gold setting ready made, or make your own. I tried casting in silver, but my first attempt failed due to too many air bubbles, so I melted the silver down and started again. My attempt at casting has been put on hold for now.
Ready made settings can be bought from a variety of companies. Stones are cut to fit the setting, generally not the other way round. My lapidary club members are very helpful and informative but at present we do not have classes as such. It's all about learning as you go and having access to the equipment which the club provides. Other lapidary clubs, generally larger ones, do have organised classes for their members.
As I said, the crystals tell me what setting they want, which has led me to study how settings are made so I can try to make my own. I did my first 'Silver Jewellery' course which introduced me to tools and techniques needed to work with silver. I learnt how to cut, solder and finally design simple rings cut out from a silver sheet. I am still working on mastering soldering and even the experts say that it takes a lot of practice and they don't always get it right the first time either.
The first course introduced me to silver but did not include the setting of stones. That was in the next course, 'Jewellery Making'. At the beginning of the class we were told what equipment we needed; silver in sheet, wire, solder, and blades etc. I already had files and sand paper (wet and dry) from the previous class. Right, I was ready to go! We were shown ring designs and given a choice of stones and I picked hematite. I absolutely love hematite. It is the only stone that I have more than a few pieces of in my collection. I now have a ring, necklace, earrings and bracelet all with hematite. I'm so happy to have a matching set. I didn't make all the pieces but I am proud that I finished the set off with the ring.
Hematite is a shiny, heavy stone that looks and feels very similar to metal. This is due to the fact that it is mostly made of iron oxide. Although hematite is very heavy, it has a hardness of five.
Its colours range from a brilliant shiny black and steel grey metallic to dark red or reddish brown with a red streak. The name hematite (Greek-blood) is derived from the fact that, when cut, the saw coolant becomes coloured red. In some countries it is also called bloodstone.
It is created from triangles; trigonal crystals radiate energy and are invigorating and protective, rebalancing the bio-magnetic sheath.
Hematite has been used throughout history. The ancient Egyptians used it as a calming agent in cases of hysteria. They also carved hematite into amulets and used it as an inscription stone for parts of the Book of the Dead. Native American folklore states that war paint made from hematite will make one invincible in battle. People in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries wore hematite jewellery during mourning.
Hematite has been considered since ancient Greek and Roman times as a stone that protects the wearer. Its content is iron oxide. Because iron was traditionally associated with Mars, the Roman god of war, warriors used to rub their bodies with it before battle in the belief that it would protect them.
It is said to help heal the anger and hurt felt by those who are warriors in this life as well as those who were in a previous life who are facing karmic battles in their present life.
When polished, hematite has such a high sheen that long ago it was used as mirrors. This would make it a great scrying tool (black mirror) if you could find a piece large enough.
Hematite is very helpful in harmonizing the mind body and spirit and also for grounding. It removes excess psychic energies and is good for increasing intuition.
It is used during out of body journeying. It protects the soul and grounds it back into the body. Hematite is strongly yang in nature and balances meridians by correcting imbalances in the yin. It dissolves negativity and prevents negative energies from entering the aura, restoring peace and harmony to the body.
Hematite enhances survival capabilities, supporting timid women, boosting self-esteem, enhances willpower, reliability and imparts confidence. It deflects negativity and dispels fears.
Hematite reduces painful emotions and eases our reaction to stress. Its reflective quality symbolizes its ability to help deflect the emotions of others. It is calming and soothing. It can help those at a point of nervous exhaustion to find restful sleep.
Hematite boosts personal magnetism, so these stones are often worn in jewellery, making them very effective.
Known sometimes as the lawyer's stone, hematite will help with all legal wrangles or matters of injustice and is especially good for neighbourhood or boundary deputes. Bury hematite at the corners of your land or in pots at the four corners of your house to keep out all forms of malice, to guard against fire and reflect negativity back to the sender. Hematite helps you to come to terms with mistakes and to accept them as learning experiences rather than disasters. As mentioned, the stones help in legal situations. I have used it for this, and without a doubt in my mind it was very effective.
A "stone for the mind", Hematite stimulates concentration and focus, enhancing memory and original thought. It is a useful stone for overcoming compulsions and addictions.
Hematite restores, strengthens and regulates the blood supply, aiding blood conditions such as anaemia. It supports the kidneys and regenerates tissue. It stimulates the absorption of iron and formation of red blood cells. Treats leg cramps, anxiety and insomnia. Hematite aids spinal alignment and fractures. It can draw heat for the body. Use as an elixir for fevers.
Hematite should not be used where inflammation is present or for long periods of time.
Deities:
Hecate: Greek goddess of the three paths, guardian of the household, protector of everything newly born, and the goddess of witchcraft.
Mars: the Roman god of war. The month March (Martius) is named after him. As the god of war, many of his festivals were held in the spring, the beginning of the campaign season. He was a god of spring, growth in nature, and fertility, and the protector of cattle.
Hebe: In Greek mythology, Hebe is the goddess of youth (Roman equivalent: Juventas). Hebe was the cupbearer for the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus.
Kali: An Indian deity often regarded as a dark, black and fierce goddess of death, and as the destructive "Power of Eternal Time". However, to her worshippers in both Hinduism and Tantra she is much more, and represents a multi-faceted Great Goddess responsible for all of life from conception to death.
Magical Use: Hematite is used to improve relationships. If you need your personal relationship to be better, carry a hematite with you always.
Hematite is said to be powerful in drawing illness from the body. As with all stones it is held in the hands while visualising, and then placed on the skin directly over the afflicted area. Hematite is worn for grounding and stabilizing purposes and to focus the attention on the physical plane.
Scrying: in a darkened room light a red candle. Settle before it and hold a large piece of hematite so that the candle's flame is reflected on it. Gaze at the reflection and visualise a question. The answer will come to you.
Hematite is good to counter fears of flying and to prevent jet lag.
Note: some books classify hematite as black stone others as silver/gray stone. Silver is the colour of the moon and the Moon Goddess, of mysticism, magick and clairvoyance. Use silver in spells for establishing natural cycles for fertility, for all moon, star and night magick, for increased financial good fortune, for bringing the unexpected into your life, for discovering the truth about a matter, for increased intuition and for women's magick of all kinds.
Use black in spells for endings, for banishing sorrow, guilt, destructive influences and or acceptance of what cannot be changed, for working within limitations and restriction, for mourning, for rebirth and for reducing chronic pain; also for blocking a negative or harmful force. Black is a ceremonial colour and is a strong symbol of transformation and rebirth as well as psychic protection. Black stones are extremely protective and are thought to entrap negative energies and neutralize them. They are also extremely efficient when it comes to detoxifying your body. Black and gray stones are linked to the planet Saturn while silver crystals are associated with the moon and the planet Mercury.
Chakra: Hematite, linked to the Earth, Base and Past life Chakras.
Element: Fire - inspiration and courage, willpower with stability, endurance and perseverance to see it through. (Earth element -Base Chakra).
Planet: Saturn, Mars, Mercury.
Zodiac: Aries and Aquarius
Numerical Vibration: 9
Depending on source associations do differ.
