Malachite Magic

Some of you will be aware that I spent four years of my childhood in Kenya during the early 1970s – I know, for the millennial reading this, that may seem like last century. But it was these four magical years among pineapple fields, lakes, waterfalls, and national parks that endeared me to wide open spaces and wildlife. Elephants, flamingos, lions, cheetahs roaming free are a natural concept, because I experienced them first hand. I remember collecting flamingo feathers on the shores of Lake Nakuru, fascinated by the sea of pink in front of me and then watched as the flock transformed the blue skies into pink with their flight. Tsavo National Park is where my father taught me the value of patience in photography, while we sat in the car waiting for a pride of lions to wake up from their nap after they had feasted on wildebeest. We lived in Thika, where the Thika Falls (now called the 14 Falls) and the Chania Falls were a regular part of the family weekends. So yes, I have stepped where the original Tarzan movie of the 1960s was filmed and the legendary cry of Johnny Weissmuller was immortalized!

Kenya is also the place where Mommy taught me all about precious and semi-precious stones. Back in the 70s, big clunky jewellery was in fashion, and stones were cheap, dirt cheap and big. She picked up a few items here and there, but more often than not, Mommy ended up buying the stones in Kenya for friends then had them mounted in Hong Kong due to the exquisite craftsmanship there. Mommy herself was not that into fancy high-end jewellery, so whatever I inherited from her, I had re-set in India over the years. One such peculiar piece was this string of malachite stones. Truth be told, although I had them re-strung almost 20 years ago, I only learned to appreciate them quite recently.

Malachite, as it turns out, is referred to as The Transformer among the healing crystals. Its energy and properties include personal growth and abundance of the spirit. “With the wisdom of the Malachite crystal, progress isn’t measured in material riches but with spiritual treasures found deep within the heart.” Representative of transformation, courage, malachite “offers you the gift of wisdom to know the difference between abundance of the spirit and monetary wealth.” (source: Energy Muse)

It is also a protection stone with the capacity to absorb negative energies as well as pollutants. “Malachite clears and activates the chakras and attunes to spiritual guidance.  It opens the heart to unconditional love.  Encourages risk-taking and change, breaks unwanted ties and outworn patterns, and teaches how to take responsibility for one’s actions, thoughts and feelings.  Malachite releases inhibitions and develops empathy with others.  It alleviates mental disturbances and combats dyslexia.  Enables you to absorb and process information.  Releases negative experiences and old traumas.” (source: Charms of Light). Girl, I told myself this morning, forget diamonds and just wear malachite!

The ring in the photograph is not from Kenya, that found its way to Berlin via Brazil. I pause for you to scratch your head in bewilderment… there is a small stand in the weekly market here in Wittenbergplatz that sets up every Tuesday and Friday, and the woman who runs it is Brazilian. She has all kinds of trinkets in metal and stone alike and gets her supplies from all over the world. I made friends with her because I always stop to look for frogs and she is always happy to have me as the first customer of the day for her boa mão (buena mano, or lucky hand). My eye fell on the malachite and since Halloween is just around the corner, and the power of the New Moon is strong, I wanted to intensify my inner witch! So with the combination of transformation, protection, detox, and spiritual abundance, I think this FrogWitch is ready to cast some serious spells!