Sulfur: The Indispensable Mineral
After having read a number of posts/comments made on my use of sulphur – often to the extent of, “Where does one obtain sulphur?” and “Is it safe to use?” – I decided to make a post answering these questions and more in regards to everyone’s favorite smelly, yellow mineral.
It should first be noted that sulphur is an extremely important mineral to the body (it’s the 3rd most abundant) – ensuring proper physiological function, it can be found in muscles, skin, bones, it can soften hardened arteries, it is needed for insulin production, and to the body it is truly indispensable. With that being said, in its raw form, there are a number of hazards that can be easily remedied with proper handling.
As with any mineral powder, there is a hazard in breathing large quantities of sulfur “dust” – if this is a big worry to you, I recommend simply wearing a mask or spritzing the dry powder with a bit of water so as to eliminate the possibility of airborne particulates. The only time I ever had a problem with this was when I was grinding my own sulfur – which not only threw powder everywhere, but the purity of the powder wasn’t great. Buying it in a chemically pure, powdered form cuts this out entirely and I highly recommend it, as there is little price difference between the activated sulphur (which required further processing) and the pure, powder.
The other notable health risk comes with the burning of sulphur. Sulphur in its natural state is relatively stable and unreactive – it pretty much won’t dissolve in anything any layman can get their hands on, but it can be burned, at which point it reacts with oxygen to create sulphur dioxide, a poison gas, wherefrom its reputation of “stinking” comes from. As a powder it doesn’t smell at all, but the minute you light it on fire, noxious, choking fumes will ensue. If you must burn it, do so outdoors and stand upwind – though burning is still not recommended.
Sulphur also has a relatively low melting point, and when melted it turns into what looks like magma – very cool to see! So long as you do not over heat it to its flame point, it is still relatively safe to work with (minus that whole, it’s “very hot” thing)
So to answer the question “Is it safe?”: As safe, or safer, than most common, household cleaning products
Sulphur – by nature – is a “hot” mineral, ruled by the sun (undoubtedly due its bright, yellow color) and fire. Paired with its biblical connotations as “brimstone,” it’s developed a bad rap (which I find makes it perfectly befitting the Craft). In combination, these constructions paint a rather diabolical picture – one of hellfire and those “hot” demons – and it’s no wonder it is prized by Exu and Pomba Gira. I could also argue that it is well-suited for work with the Pet(w/r)o Loa – specifically Kalfou or perhaps the more volatile aspects of Ezili Danto (Erzulie Dantor).
Alchemically, sulphur and mercury serve as two, base elements – wherein sulphur is regarded as the masculine, driving change, a source of power, whereas mercury (as the feminine) directs and focuses this raw, untamed power of sulphur (interesting this dichotomy is reversed in Quimbanda, wherein Pomba Gira acts as the sulphur force and Exu shapes and constrains her electric energy). I think it best not to assign gender to plants or minerals, but simply refer to them as active or receptive/passive – in which case, sulphur is very much an active element. As such, I find it brings a raw, unadulterated fire to my rituals. It possess a very unique, almost electric energy (much like PG, herself), that I would never want to go without. True, it can be wild and unpredictable, but so long as you match it with a mercurial set of ingredients to direct its flame, you will be astounded at the powder it can bring to even the smallest ritual.
Being ruled by the sun and possessing and creative, fiery force, many deities could be honored through its use, but I think Apollo(n) would be very well suited, especially when you apply the male-female, sun-moon, sulphur-mercury dichotomies to he and Artemis.
Given its nature, I find it best used for offensive magics – hexing/cursing/etc., love magic (to add that pivotal spark), and aggressive protection rituals – in that “disregard the barrier and your ass is grass.” Admittedly, though, I add a pinch of sulphur to most rituals just to give it that extra zing.
I also like using it as a circle when great force and power is needed for a ritual.
Where you buy any oddity – the internet. I go through a dealer on Amazon (Alpha Chemicals) which offers a guaranteed 99.9% lab-grade purity, but there are other listings depending on what grade, how much you want and how much you’re willing to spend. Overall, it’s a relatively cheap product – especially when compared to its vastly more dangerous sister, mercury.
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