#stone studies

[c-lerae-art-and-design]

Some stone studies without references while I tried out some new oil and gouache brushes. All stones were made using the same exact color palette, and each stone was done using a single brush to experiment and try new things.

Video progress below the cut!

[selfisharm]

Natural Balance Studies

[applicablemagic-blog]

Amethyst: A Personal Study

Ever since the literal week of my life's inception, i've been in the presence of amethyst. If you didn't figure it out by now, Amethyst is my birth stone as defined by the American Jeweler's Association and I suppose prior traditions; assigned to the month of February. I am very comfortable with this stone, and over the years have cultivated a sensitivity to it. It is a stone I incorporate into most of my workings, even if it's by simply wearing it.

Notes 

The energy of this stone is positive-neutral. Though penetrative, it doesn't actively spark out or seek contact. 

Calming, pure energy. Energy that soothes more than excites.

An amplifier of healing energies; not a focus. It's diligent energies provide a great channeling aid for energy healing work, though I personally find Amethyst works better as an amplifier than a pointer. The two are very different in my book, and I find people often confuse the terms, or generalize them into one term. 

 Internet Research has revealed that this stone is great for overcoming addiction in some cases. Sobriety Stones highlights this stone as a focal point in overcoming addiction. I cannot vouch for this, however I can see how it's energies can aid a mind focused on a goal, and sooth someone who's energy is chaos from addiction. 

This stone doesn't push or pull as much as it simply seeps. Drawing energy from this stone is easy, as it seems to constantly near-vibrate with active energy. 

Soothing to social anxiety. A chip in contact with the conscious mind seems to provide a stable enough cycle of energy to calm the holder.

Having this stone near by during sleep has provided aid in sleeping, though when present during too many consecutive rests leaves me feeling dreamy on awakening. This being noted, it is a great stone as a focus for meditation. 

Amethyst, and it's name, have very interesting histories. The name, for example, is derived from the Greek term amethustos, which means "not drunk" or "not intoxicated". Ancient Greeks would  drink from chalices made of amethyst to prevent losing their wits. Of course, there's a tale of Bacchus to go along with the stone. Shinjyu Jewelry Company has the most extensive retelling I can find within the first few pages of google. Here's an excerpt:

Well, wouldn't you know it, at that moment along came the lovely maiden Amethyst, strolling down the path in all of her innocence. Bacchus, with his savage drunken roar, released his snarling tigers. As they snarled, bared their teeth and lunged upon the helpless Amethyst, she had only the briefest of moments to plead to Diana for mercy and protection from the tigers. Diana,you see, was goddess of the hunt.  Unfortunately, there was only the smallest and most delicate of moments between the time that Diana heard Amethyst's plea and the horrible moment when the cruel pets of Bacchus would begin to maul the maiden Amethyst.  Diana had no time at all to use her hunting skills to stave off the monsterous beasts who were, at that very moment, leaping upon Amethyst with fangs drawn. 

Diana, though, was not to be outdone by Bacchus. She immediately used her skills to change Amethyst into a pure, clear crystal just as the tigers were in mid air. Now, of course, the seemingly unstoppable, powerful tigers were unable to turn away and chomped on that crystal with dreadful power. 

Read more to find out how the amethyst got purple

More internet research reveals that amethyst falls under the far-infrared spectrum, meaning it gives off a long wavelength of radiation. Read more about it here. The page also details a bit about how amethyst can emit negative ions, and what health benefits that has for the human.

Amethyst is relevant in mythos all around the globe, and has popped up as a mystical stone throughout history. I recommend everyone have a piece of amethyst that they develop a relationship with, to aid them in their every day life. The stone may not be inherently magic, but the way it's properties interact with us humans is simply phenomenal. 

I am never without a chip near my person, and amethyst has helped me through many a social situation simply by being there to absorb what negativity/anxiety I manage to muster up. Wearing amethyst also, i've noticed, helps me avoid cravings. Not in the strongest sense, but enough that I haven't gotten that chocolate bar I was craving a few minutes ago, and quite frankly, I don't want it anymore.

Source of Image

[applicablemagic-blog]

Moss Stone : A personal study

This stone immediately caught my attention in the store, and held it. Since then, we've been nigh inseperable. It hasn't held many secrets from me, however I can't help but feel it has one very large secret to tell.

Notes 

The energy of this stone is positive, and high. Energy is expelled from the stone and drawn back in a pattern resembling water swirling around a bowl. The undulations work well with the stone's enthusiastic energy, tickling the bearer with bouts of positivity and confidence

The stone istself craves physical contact from other life sources, such as humans animals or plants. Even if it isn't touching a living thing, this stone prefers to be in places of high social energy. The energy of the stone itself is eager and asexual in demeanor, positive and childlike in nature. 

This stone is not very easy to forget about. 

In areas of high energy, the energy emitting from this stone frenzies. Without applied focus, it can be overwhelming in an exhilarating sense, and may trigger stress.

Does not identify with a gender/sex.

This stone is powerful in it's mirth. It almost feels as if it wishes to communicate with the bearer. This is a stone that I look forward to developing a deeper personal connection with.