The Mica stone is known for its shimmery or sparkly look, which makes them attractive for ornamental applications. In fact, the name "mica" is derived from "micare," the Latin word for “shine."
There are 37 different mica minerals. The most common include: purple lepidolite, black biotite, brown phlogopite, clear muscovite, while other varieties include anandite and fuchsite. Mica is a mineral name given to a group of minerals that are physically and chemically similar. They are all silicate minerals, known as sheet silicates because they form in distinct layers. Micas are fairly light and relatively soft, and the sheets and flakes of mica are flexible. Mica is heat-resistant and does not conduct electricity.
History
Mica has long been a useful stone, and its use dates back to ancient times. Egyptians, Greeks, Indians, and Romans were all known to leverage mica, as well as ancient Chinese civilization, Aztecs, and many others.
There's even evidence of mica in cave paints created during the Upper Paleolithic period. The earliest hues discovered were red and black, and there are some examples of white drawings, including mica.
In the Southwestern United States, mica played a role in indigenous pottery, and the Picuris Pueblos and Taos continue using mica for that purpose today. Mayans added it to clay and stucco to make templates shine in the sun.
In Pakistan, mica added a glittery quality to women's clothing, particularly during the summer. There – along with in Bangladesh and India – mica powder also decorated pottery to make it sparkle.
Mica powder is also present in Japanese woodblock prints, primarily to make the image glitter. There are also examples of it being used in pottery.
There are also ancient medicinal practices that involve mica. One example comes from Ayurveda, where mica was said to assist with treating respiratory or digestive diseases or issues.
Over time, mica has continued to be used in various industries, including electronics, construction, and even as an insulator in some electrical appliances. Today, mica remains a popular choice for its aesthetic appeal and its association with healing and spiritual properties.
While mica has been found in various places around the world throughout history, it wasn't until the 19th century the gem was given its name and was mined for export.
Mineralogy
Mica is found worldwide, but most mined mica comes from India, particularly from Bihar and Madras. Along with being prevalent in those regions, low labour costs make the country ideal for managing the cost of the related operations. However, there are a few other notable producers of mica. Belgium, Brazil, China, and Madagascar also mine mica regularly, though the mica from those nations is less present in the broader market. Additionally, many other countries are known to have mica. The trick is that they may not have sources that are large or accessible enough to justify mining or may only maintain smaller mining operations when compared to the nations above. Still, just because a mica gemstone comes from a country other than those listed doesn't mean it isn't authentic.
Mica Healing Properties:
Mica is said to have many beneficial properties, including amplifying energy, protecting from negative energy, and grounding oneself. It is also said to be helpful in reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Some people use mica in crystal healing practices, believing it can help balance the body’s energy fields and promote healing.
Physical Healing Benefits
Natural Mica has been used for centuries to aid the healing of many physical ailments. That being said, you should never replace professional medical treatment with crystal healing. Instead, see these reactive element metals as supplemental healing.
That being said, here are some of the physical uses attributed to the Mica group:
Insomnia - If you have a hard time settling down at night, place a Mica plate under your pillow to encourage restful sleep.
Muscles - Place a piece of Mica on any areas of the body that are experiencing pain or cramping.
Skin - Because of its natural anti-inflammatory properties, Mica can be used to soothe rashes, eczema, and other skin conditions.
Cells - Placing Mica on the body is said to encourage healthy cell growth and regeneration.
Emotional Healing Benefits
The Mica group is also said to have many benefits for mental and emotional wellbeing. Some of these include the following:
Calming - If you are feeling anxious or stressed, Mica can help to calm and ground you.
Focus - If you are struggling with concentration or focus, Mica can help to clear your mind and promote mental clarity.
Creativity - If you are feeling blocked creatively, Mica can help to open up your creativity and encourage new ideas.
Eating Disorders - Mica is said to be helpful in treating eating disorders by promoting a healthy relationship with food.
Metaphysical Healing Properties
In addition to the above healing properties, Mica can also be used for many spiritual powers as well. These include the following:
Electronic Smog - Mica is said to help protect against electromagnetic smog from computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.
Energy - Mica can be used to amplify the energy of other stones and crystals.
Grounding - If you feel scattered or ungrounded, Mica can help bring you back down to earth.
Protection - Mica is said to be a protective stone, helping to shield you from negative energy.
Psychic Ability - Mica is said to enhance psychic abilities and promote clairvoyance.
Mica Chakras
Mica can open the crown, third eye, and heart chakras. When aligned and fully engaged, you may be able to experience the following on your own:
Crown Chakra The crown chakra is located at the top of the head. It is associated with spirituality, unity, and oneness. Opening the crown chakra can help you connect with your higher self and promote spiritual growth and understanding.
Third-Eye Chakra The third eye chakra is located in the center of the forehead. It is associated with intuition, insight, and psychic ability. Opening the third eye chakra can help you to connect with your intuition and develop your psychic abilities.
Heart Chakra
The heart chakra is located in the center of the chest. It is associated with love, compassion, and empathy. Opening the heart chakra can help you connect with your heart and feel more compassion for others.
To open your chakras, sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and hold the mica in your hand. Focus on your breath, and breathe slowly and deeply. As you breathe, visualize the mica opening up your chakras.
Meditating and Grounding
Mica is a great crystal for meditation. It can help to ground you and focus your mind. Mica can also help to release negative energy and emotions. Meditating with mica can help you find peace and calmness, and can benefit your mental and emotional health.
To meditate with Mica, sit or lie down in a comfortable position and hold the crystal in your hand. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Breathe in and out slowly and deeply. As you breathe, visualize the mica helping to ground you and release any negative energy or emotions. Continue to breathe slowly and deeply, and focus on the mica until you feel calm and relaxed.
Charging and Cleansing
You will need to charge and cleanse your Mica when you initially bring them into your home. After that, you should cleanse them every 2-4 weeks depending on how often you use them to keep negative energies at bay.
Here are a few ways you can charge and cleanse your crystal:
Full Moon Cleansing your stones with the full moon is an excellent way to remove negativity. At twilight, place your crystals on a windowsill or a place where they will be able to absorb the light of the moon (and its vibrations). Remove the stone the following morning before the sun gets too high into the sky. You can also place several stones on a grid to charge with a specific intention.
Sound If you have large stones or a number of crystals, using sound may allow you to charge all of them at once. You can use Tibetan bells, a singing bowl, or tuning forks to create a vibrational tone that will fill the stone and renew them again. Play the sound for about 10 minutes to charge your crystals.
Visualization Visualization is a safe and powerful way of charging any of your crystals. Take time to center your energy and ground yourself, then pick up the sone in your hands. Focus on filling your hands with a radiant light through visualization for a minute or two. Focus on removing the negativity from the stone, allowing it to be cleansed and recharged with purpose. You should be able to feel the energy within the stone shift into positivity.
Smudging Smudging your stones will immediately remove negative energies, so it is important to open a window for them to leave if you are cleansing your crystals indoors. Simply light either used bundled or loose sage with a match then blow out the flame to produce smoke. Wave the stone through the smoke for 30 to 60 seconds to clear bad vibrations. Ensure you use a fire-safe bowl or plate for safety.
Charging Stones Placing your crystal on a Selenite wand, inside an Amethyst or Quartz geode, or placing it near other charging crystals (such as Carnelian) can safely charge any stone. While smaller stones could charge in a matter of minutes, it is a good idea to keep them with the charging stones for at least 24 hours. The cleansing stones will remove negative vibrations that your crystal may have absorbed.
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