Metaphysic of Septarian, Physical properties of Septarian

 

SEPTARIAN

Septarian Concretion or Septarians nodule were formed during the Cretaceous Period, around 50 to 70 million years ago. Sea levels were much higher then and the Gulf of Mexico reached inland to Southern Utah where many of the septarian nodules are found. They are also found in Madagascar where conditions were similar.

Periodic volcanic eruptions killed the smaller sea life which sank to the sea bed and started decomposing. The minerals in the shells and carcasses attracted sea floor sediments which accumulated around the carcasses and formed nodules or mud balls. When the ocean eventually receded, the mud balls dried out and began to shrink and crack into the beautiful patterns that you see inside the septarian nodules.

Septarian concretions or septarian nodules, are concretions containing angular cavities or cracks, which are called "septaria". The word comes from the Latin word septum; "partition", and refers to the cracks/separations in this kind of rock. There is an incorrect explanation that it comes from the Latin word for "seven", septem, referring to the number of cracks that commonly occur. Cracks are highly variable in shape and volume, as well as the degree of shrinkage they indicate. Although it has commonly been assumed that concretions grew incrementally from the inside outwards, the fact that radially oriented cracks taper towards the margins of septarian concretions is taken as evidence that in these cases the periphery was stiffer while the inside was softer, presumably due to a gradient in the amount of cement precipitated.

The process that created the septaria, which characterize septarian concretions, remains a mystery. A number of mechanisms, i.e. the dehydration of clay-rich, gel-rich, or organic-rich cores; shrinkage of the concretion's center; expansion of gases produced by the decay of organic matter; brittle fracturing or shrinkage of the concretion interior by either earthquakes or compaction; and others, have been proposed for the formation of septaria (Pratt 2001). At this time, it is uncertain, which, if any, of these and other proposed mechanisms is responsible for the formation of septaria in septarian concretions (McBride et al. 2003). Septaria usually contain crystals precipitated from circulating solutions, usually of calcite. Siderite or pyrite coatings are also occasionally observed on the wall of the cavities present in the septaria, giving rise respectively to a panoply of bright reddish and golden colors. Some septaria may also contain small calcite stalagtites and well-shaped millimetric pyrite single crystals.

Spectacular examples of septarian concretions, which are as much as 3 meters (9 ft) in diameter, are the Moeraki Boulders. These concretions are found eroding out of Paleocene mudstone of the Moeraki Formation exposed along the coast near Moeraki, South Island, New Zealand. They are composed of calcite-cemented mud with septarian veins of calcite and rare late-stage quartz and ferrous dolomite (Boles et al. 1985, Thyne and Boles 1989). Very similar concretions, which are as much as 3 meter (9 ft) in diameter and called "Koutu Boulders", litter the beach between Koutu and Kauwhare points along the south shore of the Hokianga Harbour of Hokianga, North Island, New Zealand. The much smaller septarian concretions found in the Kimmeridge Clay exposed in cliffs along the Wessex Coast of England are more typical examples of septarian concretions (Scotchman 1991).

Over the eons, calcite leeched down into the cracks and formed calcite crystals which grew to fill the cracks, the interface between the calcite and the bentonite clay transformed into aragonite which is the dark brown crystal layer. The bentonite mud was eventually replaced with limestone which completed the transformation of the entire nodule to stone. This is truly a magificent piece of artwork from Mother Nature.

There is an important distinction to draw between concretions and nodules. Concretions are formed from mineral precipitation around some kind of nucleus while a nodule is a replacement body.

 

Physical properties of Septarian:

Septarian is a geode that is a combination of yellow calcite, brown aragonite, grey limestone and white/clear barite, thus it has properties of each of its component minerals.
Rock Family: Sedimentary Rock
Major Minerals: Betonite (Volcanic Ash), Brown Aragonite, Yellow Calcite
Minor Minerals: Bartite
Color: Yellow, brown, white, clear
Gravity: Varies, 2.60-2.94
Hardness: Varies, 1.5-4
Luminescence: Pink and Yellowish-white (long wave) / Blue and Blueish-white (short wave)
Texture: Concretion
Transparency: Opaque


Metaphysical guide of Septarian:

Septarian is a healing stone beneficial to overall health and well being.
Opens psychic abilities
Gives relief for muscle spasms
Nurtures and grounds
Chakra: Root Chakra
Energies: Healing

Septarian brings calming energies which have a nurturing feel to them, and can bring feelings of joy and spiritual uplifting. Septarian is used to enhance and nurture communication with groups, making it much easier to speak clearly and kindly in group settings. Septarian is also used to assist with communication with Mother Earth. It is said to bring unconscious foreknowledge needed by the user to help him or her always be prepared for what is coming up. In crystal healing folklore, Septarian is used for healing of the blood and kidneys. Septarian is related to the lower chakras, root, sacral and solar plexus.

Septarian is a "concretion" stone. Concretions are protective stones, providing both grounding and shielding of the physical, mental, and emotional bodies. It is a stone for regulation of spiritual, mental, and physical prowess. It promotes both calming and understanding on the emotional level. Septarian enhances feelings and the condition of well-being and provides for a merging with and amplifying of ones energies. It is also quite useful in determining the direction in which to progress. Septarian loves to be held, emanating a loving, kind, and sincere energy pattern. It is said to be a speaking stone and enhances communication on multiple levels.

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Sources:

Crystalsandjewelry.com - Resonantenergies.com - Crystal-cure.com - Wikipedia - Moonrisecrystals.com