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The Crystal Man
John Burchard
Blue Lace Agate
Blue lace agate, like most agates, is a microcrystalline form of chalcedony. The presence of titanium gives it its beautiful blue color, and the layering process gives the lacy bands. It's hardness of 6.5, though less than quartz, is still suitable for jewelry and such.
Metaphysically, it is known as the "serenity stone" or sometimes the "harmony stone." In either case, both its color and its wavy bands call to mind the energies of the Water Element. Perseverance begets serenity begets harmony? Either name is acceptable.
Blue lace agate is on of my favorite stones because it works with the blue, or throat, chakrum. This chakrum deals with communication, self-confidence and command (of us, not others). It is how we talk to and feel about ourselves—this is where everything starts within each of us.
Remember that these are my perceptions of gems and crystals. If you feel differently about any or all of them, go with your feelings.
Till next time, go with the wisdom of the stones.
Ask the Crystal Man
I'd like to answer a letter I received from a lovely lady in Patterson, NJ. She asked if I had written a book on crystals. The short answer is no, but one is in the works.
The long answer is that there are several that I often recommend. You need at least two—a good metaphysical book and a good geological reference. The latter is easy: Simon and Schuster's Rocks and Minerals. The former requires a little study. I suggest The Crystal Sourcebook as a start because it has 27 authors, offering 27 different perspectives to choose from. After that, it should be fairly simple. I do have a personal favorite, Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Gem and Metal Magic, but don't afraid to choose your own.
If you have a question for the Crystal Man, send it to him, care of New Moon Rising, 8818 Troy St., Spring Valley, CA 92077. | 
