CaSO₄·2H₂O
Selenite
Gypsum at Mohs 2, named for Selene, and a fingernail is already a tool.
- Formula
- CaSO₄·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Crystal system
- monoclinic
- Colour
- white
- Element
- aether
- Chakra (tradition)
- crown
- Zodiac
- Cancer, Pisces, Taurus
- Month
- —
- Where the earth keeps it
- Morocco, Mexico
What it actually is
Selenite is CaSO₄·2H₂O before it is a story. The lattice is monoclinic, Mohs 2, and the eye meets white.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Morocco, Mexico. Gypsum at Mohs 2, named for Selene, and a fingernail is already a tool.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Selenite to aether and to the crown centre. The old site stood it near: Cancer, Pisces, Taurus.
How not to turn it to ash
Water dissolves this one. Keep selenite dry, in the hand, not under the tap.