Mineralogy of Mars Soil is Similar to Soils of Volcanic Origin in Hawaii

This graphic shows results of the first analysis of Martian soil by the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) experiment on NASA’s Curiosity rover. The image reveals the presence of crystalline feldspar, pyroxenes and olivine mixed with some amorphous (non-crystalline) material. The soil sample, taken from a wind-blown deposit within Gale Crater, where the rover landed, is similar to volcanic soils in Hawaii. Curiosity scooped the soil on Oct. 15, 2012, the 69th sol, or Martian day, of operations. It was delivered to CheMin for X-ray diffraction analysis on October 17, 2012, the 71st sol. By directing an X-ray beam at a sample and recording how X-rays are scattered by the sample at an atomic level, the instrument can definitively identify and quantify minerals on Mars for the first time. Each mineral has a unique pattern of rings, or “fingerprint,” revealing its presence. The colors in the graphic represent the intensity of the X-rays, with red being the most intense. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Ames

The minerals were identified in the first sample of Martian soil ingested recently by the rover. Curiosity used its Chemistry and Mineralogy instrument (CheMin) to obtain the results, which are filling gaps and adding confidence to earlier estimates of the mineralogical makeup of the dust and fine soil widespread on the Red Planet.

The identification of minerals in rocks and soil is crucial for the mission’s goal to assess past environmental conditions. Each mineral records the conditions under which it formed. The chemical composition of a rock provides only ambiguous mineralogical information, as in the textbook example of the minerals diamond and graphite, which have the same chemical composition, but strikingly different structures and properties.
CheMin uses X-ray diffraction, the standard practice for geologists on Earth using much larger laboratory instruments. This method provides more accurate identifications of minerals than any method previously used on Mars. X-ray diffraction reads minerals’ internal structure by recording how their crystals distinctively interact with X-rays.

These NASA technological advances have resulted in other applications on Earth, including compact and portable X-ray diffraction equipment for oil and gas exploration, analysis of archaeological objects and screening of counterfeit pharmaceuticals, among other uses.


Source:
SciTechDaily

Light Source

Understanding light..  made it possible to understand why the shadow edge from a beam of light is slightly blurred. It made it possible to understand that the colors of a beam split by a prism, or by a diffraction grating, are the result of waves being bent more than others. It made it possible to understand other phenomena.

Light at a shorter "wavelength" (depending on the thickness) is set at its reflectance from the surface. Expamples of such include the scales of butterfly wings, the layered feathers of bird wings, and even the oily film on the surface of a rain puddle.

Bloth plants and animals use light to orient themselves in a spatial environment. Single-cell algae with eyespots swim toward the light. Various plant parts respond, to the direction of light, and growing toward it.

Even color in minerals is the result of the selective absorption of parts of the spectrum of white light. The optical properties depend on the interaction of light with minerals. The most obvious property is whether it is transparent, translucent or opaque. This is a function of the structure of the mineral and the kind of bonds that bind atom to atom. It is a measure of the amount of light absorbed by the mineral. And the amount of light reflected also produces different intensities.

What is named Earthy Luster in minerology is in effect a lack of luster produced by surfaces that scatter the light. The observed color being due to the reflections of light that are absorbed. There is no single cause of color. Sometimes it is a direct result of the presence of certain elements.


As sedentary creatures of light, plants have evolved their amazing biochemistry. The foliage surface supplies the light energy that they use to fix carbon dioxide and make sugars. The root surfaces provide a comparable surface for absorbing elements and water.

The dietary needs of plants are quite simple and have some similarities to ours. Althought they may not need any vitamins, only a few elements. They obtain carbon (C) and oxygen (O) from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere when the tiny pores in their leaves, the stomata, are open.

They obtain hydrogen (H) from the water that they split apart in photosynthesis. In lesser amounts, they assimilate nitrogen (N) from the dissolved ions of ammonium or nitrate in the soil water, or from backteria in their roots. They also obtain smaller amounts of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) as ions in the soil water solution, and they assimilate sulfur (S) as sulfate from the soin water as well.

The rest of their nutrition requirements are metallic elements dissolved at low concentrations in the soil water (iron, magnesium, calcium, manganese, zinc, and molybdenum), as well as a bit of chlorine. Being creatures of light with their biochemical capabilities makes them sophisticated in their own natural environment for complete contro of their development.

Because of the similar elements are essential to the maintenance of such living systems, to ensure the constant supply and the understanding of such energy source is needed.

Nature Synthesis

Most of a plant's surface area contributing to the photosynthetic process occurs in the leaves. Hundreds of millions of years of natural selection have shaped leaves into efficient structures that maximize their exposure to light, control their gas exchange, minimize water loss, and help move water, minerals, and carbohydrates up from the roots and to other parts of the plant.

About 10 percent of all the photosynthesis that occurs is the product of higher plants, those that we regularly see around us, and the other 90 percent is the product of algae, most of which occur ini the ocean.


Homeostasis - Environment of the Earliest Cell

All life forms are thought to share a marine origin because the fluids found in cells have a salt concentration comparable to that of salt water. The majority of freshwater environments, the ocean presents a stable environment with regard to salt concentration, pH, and temperature.


Most organisms are very sensitive to even slight changes in their external environment, and are unable to survive seemingly minor changes in their surrounding medium.

Chemistry of Minerals

Nearly all rocks are composed of minerals, but fine specimens are rare and tend to occur in what is called fissures and other cavities where the crystals have been unobstructed during their growth.

Many are obtained from the mineral veins. High temperature fluids deposit minerals in cracks and fissures in rocks and many of these veins, often called hydrothermal veins, are worked as sorces of ore. They frequently contain colorful specimens and good crystals, not only of the commercially valuable ore minerals, but also of the accompanying and economically valueless gangue minerals as well.

It is not always necessary to examine or collect from the veins themselves - in many instances, it is dangerous or impossible to do so - for mining activity usually results in dumps of discarded material which, if carefully searched, will often yield good specimens.

Good crystals can often be found lining cavities in rocks of virtually every kind, though particular minerals tend to occur in certain environments. Sometimes wearthered-out cavity linings, called geodes, are lined with well shaped crystals, and many fine crystals of amethyst occur in such associations.

Pegmatites, which crystallize from relatively low temperature, volatile rich magma (fluids), are another source of crystals and rare minerals that frequently grow to large sizes.

Collectors will find some crystals and minerals that are difficult to identify. They are urged to become acquainted with minerals that are displayed in many national and other museums. Time spent in this way will be amply repaid, not only in terms of identification of specimens, but also in becoming more deeply involved in the study of natural history.

Earth Healing Meditation

Meditation is a focusing or concentration of your mental energy until you have reached a perfect stillness of mind. With practice, meditation will allow you to realize your true self. Meditation should always be done for the self. It is a wonderful tool to allow you to fully explore your inner consciousness. It is an opportunity to recapitulate your experiences and to learn and to grow from them (on a subconscious level).

Meditation should be done with a full surrender to the stillness it creates. Routine meditation (over time) has the ability to completely transform your outlook on life. Meditation, combined with the proper intention, can aid you in a complete spiritual evolution. Meditation will allow you to become the pure, perfect, being of the universe that you were meant to become. There are several steps you can take to promote a successful meditation.

First, you should create a sacred space in which you are comfortable. Your environment can greatly influence your success in meditation. “Sacred Space” may mean a different thing to each and every person. Typically, creating some sort of routine or ritual to perform prior to meditation can help to enhance it. The repetition of ritual will eventually send subtle cues to the brain that can help to prepare it for the meditative process. The brain and the subconscious will begin to learn from the experience that after you have gone through the motions of the ritual, there is an expected thing to follow. In this case, this thing is meditation-a clearing and stilling of the mind.

Correct posture can also significantly contribute to your meditative practice. You should sit in the posture that is most comfortable to yourself. When you are not comfortable, the discomfort can become distracting to the mind and can disrupt your focus. You may prefer to sit on the floor with your legs crossed (Lotus position). However, this is not necessary. You can sit on the ground, in a chair, or however you feel most at ease in your body.

Next, you should begin focused breathing. You should focus on slow, even breathing and begin to relax. The circular breathing technique is very effective for focus and relaxation (this technique is discussed further inthe following exercise). Once relaxation and focused breathing have been achieved, you can begin concentration. You should attempt to hold your attention on the present, transitory, moment. When the attention is held and stillness is achieved, you should retain it as long as possible until the end of the meditation session (at least 10 to 15 minutes). If you find yourself becoming distracted while attempting to maintain the stillness, you should return your attention to the breath. You can always return to the focus onthe breath to return the concentration to the meditative practice.

The true benefit of meditation is found in the stillness that it provides to your body, mind, and spirit. This stillness alters your conscious awareness and connects it with the divine. This altered state of consciousness benefits your higher spiritual self. In this state, guidance is often received (consciously or unconsciously). This is a gift from the divine to your higher self (your own divine nature). Most importantly, you should release all expectations you have of the meditative process and outcome. You should be completely open to the experiences of the meditation, but not expect more than what is. You should be open to any guidance or messages that may come from the stillness. However, you should not be discouraged if this does not happen. Instead, you should search for the benefit in the tranquility of the meditation.

Crystals can be used in meditation to help you to more clearly concentrate and to focus your mind’s energy and to enhance the quality of the meditation. Crystals amplify your intentions and thoughts which raise yourenergy vibration, promoting conscious awareness. Your thoughts become more pure through meditation with crystals., they become filled with love and light for the good of all beings. This clear, pure thinking helps you to remain in the moment and focus on the stillness at hand.

The following meditation was developed to send healing energy to the earth. When done with proper intent, it can combat the effects of pollution, global warming, and other negative environmental conditions in order help to return Mother Earth to a more wholesome state of being. This meditation is most effective when utilizing a Chrysocolla stone or one Azurite stone and one Malachite stone.


Earth Healing Meditation

Sit or stand in a comfortable position with the soles of your feet flat on the ground (no shoes please). Center yourself; begin to attune yourself to the earth’s energy (you may wish to use a picture or some other symbol).

Begin circular breathing. Breathe in healing white universal light through your root chakra. See the light traveling up your chakras to the crown chakra. Exhale the light through your tcrown chakra back down to the basal chakra and breathe in the light again. Imagine the light like a wave. Imagine this wave of light moving in and out of your body like the tide. Now, expand the light so that it is a continuous loop of healing energy moving through your ethereal and physical bodies.

Imagine your chakras opening. Begin at the base chakra and picture a red swirling vortex of energy. Focus your attention on making this red energy very bright. Next, move up to the sacral chakra and imagine an orange energy vortex. Proceed through the chakras in this manner using yellow light at the solar plexus, green and pink at the heart, blue at the throat, indigo at the third eye, and violet at the crown. Pick up your stone(s) (or place them in front of you) and begin to focus your energy on earth-healing.

Imagine the earth being covered with trees and flowers, with beautiful, flowing rivers, and being in a great state of health. Imagine it surrounded by white, healing light. Begin to further connect yourself to the earth by focusing on the two crystals.

Start to pull in white healing light energy through your crown chakra. Next, imagine your legs and feet turning into roots and growing deep into the earth. Begin to transfer the white light from your crown, down through the chakras, and through your legs, out the roots, and into the earth.

Focus your attention on energizing the earth and on sending it love and healing light. Thank the earth if you wish. Spend some time sending these healing energies while continuing your circular breathing.

When you feel you are ready, imagine the roots loosening from the earth and resuming being your legs. Slowly come back to conscious awareness.

*Crystal Healing is not meant to replace conventional medicine, but rather to complement and enhance it. The information within this guide is purely metaphysical in nature and is by no means medical. Crystal Healing should only be used with the understanding that it is not an independent therapy, but one that is a part of a holistic healing approach.



Copyright © 2008 Ashley Leavy crystalhealer1@gmail.com

Ashley has been drawn to work with crystals and stones since childhood.After years of self-study, she began earning a number of professionalcertifications in crystal healing. Ashley Leavy is a Master of Crystology andis Certified and accredited in Melody’s Level I & Level II Love is in theEarth Workshops. She has also studied with Master Crystal Teacher DaElWalker of the Crystal Awareness Institute. Ashley has earned many othercertifications over the years and considers continuing education on thesubject to be a top priority. Ashley is also a member of the Global Spiritual& Holistic Association, which strives to support a professional approach anda high standard of practice for ethical and conscientious holistictherapists. In addition to offering healing sessions, Ashley loves to teachand presents a number of in-person workshops as well as correspondencescourses on crystal healing. She is also an accomplished, published author andis currently writing a book on crystal healing.

Ouro Verde Quartz

Ouro Verde Quartz is an enhanced Metamorphosis Quartz from Brazil, with the name meaning "gold green" in Portugese. The Metamorphosis Quartz is exposed to gamma radiation which creates the gold-green tint. This brings additional metaphysical properties to those which were displayed by the Metamorphosis Quartz. This mineral never needs cleansing.

It is said to provide a sense of protection to those who are near, and also to help one shine in whatever they pursue. There is no residual radiation in this mineral, so there is no need of special caution when handling it. Sensitive people may have an adverse reaction.

Quartz crystals are natural modulators, transmitters, and containers of the Universal Life Force. As they are grown within the earth, they take unique shape and often gather inclusions of other minerals that affect their abilities to modify, store, and transmit the Life Force.

The metaphysical properties of the shapes are those based on the shape of the crystals, their relationships to other crystals, the properties of their inclusions, or the commonly accepted uses by crystal healers and practitioners. Be aware however, that the metaphysical properties are not necessarily consistent with every book or article you might read. Keep an open mind.

There are many viewpoints in the world, and you must sift through them to find your truth. What is right for one person, is not necessarily what is best for another. Also, be aware that a crystal formation may well be good for something for most people, but others may have discovered new energies and uses.

Never requiring cleansing or energizing, Ouro Verde Quartz provids a strength of protection to the user. Ouro Verde assists in helping one understand the deeper meaning of life and in gaining information about the future. It’s a stone which brings and sustains spiritual prosperity.

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Boekenhout Jasper with Spirit Quartz

Boekenhout Jasper with Spirit Quartz.

Common Names:

Faery Quartz, Pineapple Quartz, Cactus Quartz

Use this powerful crystal combination at the 3^rd Chakra (Solar Plexus Chakra), 6^thChakra (Third Eye Chakra/Brow Chakra), or at the 7^thChakra (Crown Chakra)

To facilitate a connection with ones guides, Totem Animals, or to center the self more within meditation practices, to promote feelings of safety and security (especially after physical or emotional abuse), to aid in recovery from addictions, to connect you with your inner child, to facilitate spiritual ascension, to aid in meditation, to promote psychic phenomena, and to open you to accepting the universal healing white light.

This crystal may be composed of Amethyst, Citrine, Clear Quartz or all three, so the properties of these stones may also apply. Typically, the Boekenhout Jasper can be seen within the Spirit Quartz Crystals (as in the photo above). Even if the Boekenhout Jasper is not visible, it still works energetically to enhance this powerful crystal combination.

Buy Boekenhout Jasper with Spirit Quartz Here

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Live (or Recorded) Online Basic Crystal Healing Certification Class:
Wed. March 14 @ 6pm (CST) & Thurs. March 15 @ 6pm (CST)

This class will feature a webinar-style presentation along with live video presentation and chat options; registered students will also have unlimited access to a recording of the course.

The fee for this class is $59 and includes both parts 1 and 2.

This class acts as a foundation of knowledge for your journey with healing crystals and stones. Topics covered in the course will include how crystals work for healing, a brief history of crystal healing, an introduction to crystal healing terminology (including basic geological terms), an introduction to crystal systems, a description of crystal shapes and formations, an explanation of the benefits of crystal healing, a brief discussion of traditional color healing properties, guidance on selecting crystals, how to clear and cleanse stones, how to activate/awaken crystals, crystal charging, programming your stones, how to dedicate/bless your crystals for healing, techniques for crystal attunement, proper methods of storing crystals, a brief discussion on respecting and honoring crystal beings, an introduction to grounding and centering using stones, an introduction to common stones and their associated properties (as well as astrological, numerological, and elemental correspondences), and a brief discussion on combining crystal healing with other therapeutic techniques.

After attending both parts of this class, you will have the option to take an exam for certification. Upon passing the exam, you will receive an email certificate of attendance and understanding of theoretical knowledge of Crystal Healing Basics.

http://crystalhealer1.webs.com/apps/webstore/products/show/2977270

Raising Your Vibration

Many people in the new age are constantly preoccupied with raising their vibrations. Most have no idea of the real purpose behind doing so. They have bought into the bogus Ascension doctrines and think they have to have their personal vibrations elevated so they can escape to the Ascension nirvana.

Another misdirected aspect of raising vibration can be found in the people who claim to be starseeds. Many of these people have either vague or specific remembrances of incarnations on other worlds (a lot are just full of nonsense when they make this claim). In a lot of cases, I hear these people sit and sigh and say all they want to do is 'go home'. They don't understand their purpose on earth incarnated as humans, so all they can do is bellyache about going home to whatever world they may have incarnated in sometime in the past. Many of these people think if they raise their vibration they can magically oobe out from being human and go back to that life.

Neither case above, or any variant to them, explains what raising your vibration is about.
Everything is energy in one form or another. Even your human body is only compacted energy. We each have a higher self, or oversoul (for want of a better term). This oversoul is a being of pure intelligence and energy. The purpose of raising your vibration is for the human body to be able take in as much as the energy of the oversoul as possible, thereby bringing more conscious awareness into the human form.

At this time, the human body is much like a low voltage containment device. It is nowhere near handling the power of the energy that is our oversoul. If all the energy of our oversoul were to suddenly move into the human form, it would blow the circuits. The human body at present is not designed to house these kinds of powerful energies. What has happened in the past few decades in particular is that many energies from the cosmos have been bombarding this planet and the people who live here in order to alter us energetically so we can achieve this specific purpose. A lot of people are aware of these energies and can easily feel them. Many others, although they can't feel them, are still subject to their input. These energies are slowly boosting the human form energetically to eventually be able to house the energies of their oversouls.


This slow acclimation process is what raising your vibration is really all about. The energies are coming in to elevate our human form to a point at which we can house more of the energies of our higher selves. That is the only purpose of raising your vibration. Our energy levels are not being heightened so we can Ascend and go meet god, nor are they being elevated so the starseeds can ultimately return to a former home.

The focus on planet Earth at this time is because humans here are the lowest frequency beings in incarnate existence. Their continual operating at the lowest of the 3D frequencies is impeding the growth of the rest of the universe. This is why the energies are being focused here at this time, so as a species we can elevate ourselves into a higher vibrational operating frequency that can house the greater intelligence and energies of our oversouls. Once that is achieved, even on the minimal level, then a door of opportunity will open for earth humans that has never before been available or perceived. It will create a potential for development and understanding that few have ever perceived.

This is what the spirit path is all about, making yourself more powerful energetically so you can grow into your full potential. Your path is designed to ultimately connect you with the greater part of yourself, not chase phantoms of gods and aliens, or try to escape from an incarnation you are living in order to achieve this purpose.

Many people on their paths want to know what their 'purpose' is during this earthly incarnation. What is related above is everybody's primary purpose - to connect with and be energetically able to house the intelligence and energies of their oversouls. This is what all the varieties of paths are leading to - to realizing and becoming your fullest potential.

One mistake a lot of people make when they feel these heightened energies is that they feel they have to 'ground'. I don't know where this idea of grounding originated, but it is the last thing one wants to do when receiving these energies. The purpose of receiving the energies is to elevate your vibration. One needs to assimilate these energies, not ground when they feel them. Grounding only serves to pass the energy through you and you are not elevating at all.
Admittedly, some of the energies can be physically uncomfortable, but to raise your vibration, one needs to accept and assimilate these energies, not pass them off by grounding. If you feel the energies, tell your cell system to assimilate the energy. By doing this you will be elevating your vibration as your body assimilates them and makes them part of you. If you are grounding every time you feel these energies, or when they make you physically uncomfortable, you are only giving the energies away without elevating your vibration.

One will not move forward so long as they continue to give up their own power, or fail to claim it. Claiming your power is a conscious decision. When one clams their power, they are also taking responsibility to act in integrity as their power increases. Most people, I have found, fear claiming this power because with power comes responsibility, and most people avoid responsibility. That is why they believe some god or angel is going to do everything for them. They do not want the responsibility of doing for themselves. So long as one is giving up their power to a god or Source or whatever, they are avoiding responsibility for themselves and they will not gain the ultimate power that freedom for self brings with it.

All the starseed people that are here at this time (there are some real ones) are here to help guide their human form into heightened vibrations so they can connect to their own oversouls. They volunteered to be on this planet at this time to achieve that specific purpose, if no other. They are here to hew a path to the oversoul so others can follow. This is a great part of what the reconnecting idea is about. In the case of earth humans, it's not about reconnecting so much as getting connected for the first time. The connection is with your oversoul. That is what the shift is about - increasing the energies so everyone can be aware of their higher being and connect with it consciously.


Blessings Abundant
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