I have a few crystals in my collection that contain mica in various forms, and so I thought it might be useful to spend some time looking at the different types of minerals that belong to the Mica group to gain an understanding of quite a complex stone group. The make up of a crystal gives us a good insight in to how a crystal can assist in therapeutic healing. I know many therapists will choose crystals by intuition, myself included, but it is also useful to have an understanding of why a crystal will help with a certain situation. I hope the study will be useful for other like minded souls.
Mica is a common group of hydrous potassium, aluminium, silicate minerals and is found in igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock. It is a phyllosilicate, (phyllo is Greek for leaf) or sheet silicate, forming in thin parallel sheets of silica, enriched with potassium and aluminum. Mica belongs to the monoclinic system, but has a tendency towards pseudohexagonal structure, and has a perfect cleavage and a vitreous or pearly lustre. It has a Mohs hardness of 2.5-3, and its colour can range from clear, grey, white, green, lilac, brown, and black. The colour of mica is determined by the amount of aluminium, iron and other chemical elements it contains. These chemical elements also determine the particular identity of the mica.
There are 28 known micas but as that would fill a book, I am going to write about the most common and visually identifiable ones. The two sub groups are categorised as dark and light.
Biotite - k(Mg,Fe)3(AlSi3)10(F,OH)2
There are various micas that come under the biotite umbrella, but they are hard to distinguish without being tested. Biotite, also called black mica, is abundant in igneous granite and pegmatite rocks, and metamorphic gneiss and schist rocks. It is rare in sediments as it alters easily during chemical weathering. It is named after the French chemist and physicist Jean Baptisite Biot (1774-1862), who drew attention to the optical differences in micas. Biotite contains iron and magnesium, which gives it its black, or dark to red brown colouring. it often grows amongst other minerals, such as quartz, tourmaline, beryls and feldspar. Biotite is dichroic, meaning it displays various colours and shades, depending on light absorbency. It is translucent to opaque.
Phlogopite - KMg3Si3AlO10(F,OH)2
Phlogopite is a type of biotite. Rich in magnesium, the name phlogopite is from the Greek, phlogopos, meaning ‘fire like’, and is such named because of its fiery golden red colour. It can also be yellow or green. Like biotite it is dichroic, displaying different colours at different angles due to the varying light absorbency. It will form in igneous and metamorphic rocks, and is found in carbonates and marbles. Phlogpite is heat resistant and is a poor conductor of heat. Tiny flakes of phlogopite have been mistaken for gold by newbies to gold panning due to the bright flash of bronze light when the sun hits the flake.
Muscovite - KAl2(Si3Al)O10(OH,F)2
Muscovite is common in silica rich igneous rocks of granite and pegmatite, sedimentary sandstones and shales, and metamorphic schists, shales and clay. The most common member of the mica group, and also known as white mica, muscovite is named after the former Russian province of Muscovy, where glass panes were once made out of large transparent sheets of muscovite mica. When held up to the light muscovite is transparent and sometimes colourless, but will often display a tint of yellow, brown, rose or green colouring. The colouring is due to small traces of other elements seeping in, such as magnesium, iron, lithium, chromium, or vanadium. When the trace element is enough to record, it is defined under another name, such as lepidolite or fuchsite. (see below).
Lepidolite - K(Li,Al3)(AlSi3)O10(OH,F)2
Lepidolite is rich in lithium and is either pink, red or purple in colour. However, lithium is not the cause of Lepidolite’s colour. The colouring is believed to be caused by small traces of manganese seeping in and substituting aluminum. Manganese is not listed in the chemical formula, most probably due to the minute amount present. Lepidolite is considered to be quite rare as it will only form in lithium rich environments, and during the final stages of crystallisation, due to the lithium ion being very small. Lepidolite forms mostly in pegmatites and hydrothermal quartz veins. It will often form in association with elbaite tourmaline, quartz, topaz, beryl and a variety of feldspars.
Fuchsite - K(Al.Cr)2(Si3,Al010)(OH)2
Fuchsite is a green variety of muscovite. Fuchsite occurs when chromium substitutes the aluminium, making it green. the depth of green will depend upon the amount of chromium present. It is named after German chemist and mineralogist Johann Nepomuk von Fuchs. ( Fuchs is pronounced like books). Fuchsite is found in metamorphic rocks, in phyllite and schists. It is usually scattered through the rock mass in tiny grains, although rock can occasionally be found completely of fuchsite. This fuchsite rock is known as verdite and is soft and fragile.
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Overview
Mica belongs to the silicate group of minerals, and is identified as a phyllosilicate (from the Greek meaning leaf) or sheet silicate due to its lattice system. The sheet layers are easy to separate, but are difficult to cut through. Therapeutically, the easy separation of the layers supports us to peel off the parts of the Self that no longer serve us, enabling one to clear away old emotions, behaviours and other debris that hinders healing and growth. The resilient layers offer a protective effect and help to strengthen boundaries. They help us maintain a natural defence system to shield us from outside energy forms, protecting the flow of our personal energies.
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Chemical Elements and Therapeutic Qualities
The variations of mica are identified by their mineral content and chemical elements and these play a part in determining the healing properties. All mica contains potassium, aluminium and silica, and the variations are caused by traces of other elements that have seeped in during the formation. Below is a brief overview of these elements, some of which will be the cause of the colour in the mineral.
K - potassium - (atom no. 19) - a soft silvery white metal. The K symbol comes from the Mediaeval Latin word Kalium, meaning potash. This is thought to have derived from the arabic word qali, meaning alkali. Potassium is an electrolyte, which means it is an electrically charged mineral. Electrolytes conduct electrical impulses throughout the body. This helps to balance fluid in our body, transmit nerve signals from the heart, muscles and nerve cells to other cells, and maintain the ph level in our blood. It supports regular heart beat. Potassium helps to balance the hormones and can greatly benefit emotional wellbeing. It can help stabilise mood swings and relieve depression and low mood. Potassium helps to improve perception and intuition.
Al - aluminum (atom no. 13) - a light weight silvery white metal, but not occurring in metallic form due to chemical activity. It occurs in igneous rocks and the clay that transforms from these rocks. Aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. It will help to draw heat out of the body that causes inflammation, and will assist in neutralising acidic conditions such as gout and rheumatism, and acid in the stomach. Aluminum is helpful in treating problems with the brain such as brain fog and memory loss.
Si - silica (atom no. 14) - also known as silicon dioxide is made up of the two most abundant elements in the Earth’s crust, silicon and oxygen. It is the most common magma, and is presence in many minerals. It is the main component of most sand, and the primary ingredient of most glass production. As well as being present in Earth, silicon dioxide is found in water, plants and animals. It is also present in human body tissues. A metalloid mineral element, silica is a significant stabiliser, transforming conditions from unstable to stable. It is believed to support bone formation, density and strength. It may also help to make collagen, which keeps skin supple, and helps to prevent brittle nails and hair. It is thought to support the immune system.
Fe - iron (atom no. 26) - iron is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust and is a major component of Earth’s core. It is reddish brown in colour. Iron is an essential mineral for the human body as it helps to transport oxygen throughout the body and to form red blood cells. The human body contains on average, 4.5gms of iron, with over half being present as haemoglobin, and the rest stored in the liver, spleen and bone marrow.
Mg - magnesium (atom no. 12) - a shiny grey solid and an alkaline earth metal, it is light with low density. Magnesium only occurs in nature in a combination with other elements. Its name comes from the place it was first found in Magnesia, which is in Thessaly, Greece. It is an essential element for all cellular life as it is involved with the DNA and RNA. Many enzymes are reliant on magnesium to function. Magnesium compounds are said to provide the key to nearly all living processes either directly or indirectly.
Li - lithium (atom no. 3) - a soft silvery white lustrous alkali metal, which does not cause colouring. Like magnesium, lithium occurs in a combination with other elements. It is said to be present in grapes, seaweed, tobacco, vegetables, milk and blood. It is used in the production of glass, aluminium products and batteries. Lithium is also used to treat bipolar disorder. Lithium calms the spirit and supports brain function. It calms emotional extremes and anxiety.
Cr - chromium (atom no. 24) - a steel grey lustrous transition metal that is hard and brittle. It creates a green colouring in stones. It has a high specular reflection, which creates a mirror like reflection of light waves from a surface. Chromium also has unique magnetic properties. Chromium supports maintenance of blood sugar levels and helps to regulate cholesterol. It helps to invigorate the blood and break up blood stagnation.
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Colour
As we know, colour is another important factor in the healing properties of a crystal, and the main colours found in mica briefly outlined below.
Black -Generally associated with the Earth and root chakra therapeutically as it is grounding. Black stones will assist with clearing any blockages and stagnation in the lower energies, allowing them to flow freely, through the body to the earth’s energy fields. This creates an anchor for stability and security. Black absorbs light and heat. When there is an energy build up that creates pain and tension, a black stone will absorb this excess energy and help relieve the discomfort physically, mentally and/or emotionally. Black is also protective and shielding as it absorbs unwanted energies,
Brown - represents the Earth, and has very similar healing qualities to Black, but is more gentle. Also associated with the Earth and root chakras It is grounding and rooting, and aids stability. It has warmer tendencies than black as it has a mix of red and yellow hues and is uplifting and comforting. It supports life force, confidence and creativity.
Lilac/Violet - this is a mix of red and blue, cold and warm, and so lilac brings balance. As above, so below. It is the colour connected to spirituality and is associated with the higher chakras, third eye and crown. Lilac awakens our intuition, and supports our spiritual growth and development, and self discovery. It is calming and cleansing. Lilac can help to clear blockages caused by trauma and grief.
Green - green is at the centre of the colour spectrum and is a neutraliser and harmoniser. It connects the physical with the spiritual bringing balance. It is a blend of yellow and blue, therefore, both stimulating and calming. Green is associated with the heart chakra and the energy of Love. It can help to release emotions and bring acceptance, peace and calm. Green is also the colour we associate with nature, spring, new growth and renewal.
Grey/White/Clear - these colours are reflective and can act as mirrors, offering us a reflection of the Self, and support us to look inwards. They can aid clarity and purity, and endless possibilities. Because they are reflective they can draw excessive heat out of the body.
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Findings
As you can see from the above, the individual types of mica generally all have the same foundation content, but with slight differentiations of chemical elements, and of course, colour variations, giving them their unique identity. This means they have certain common therapeutic qualities, and also their own personal healing qualities. Below is in an outline of some personal findings...
Mica acts as a mirror to the Self. It throws up reflections of the fragmented parts and all aspects of our whole being and offers the opportunity to work with the dark and light and the shadow self.
Mica is centring, cleansing, and detoxifying, and is protective and supports creating positive boundaries. Circles, crescents, rings, and being in the energy centre, present themselves as a prominent feature of mica energy in many forms, depending on the type of mica.
Biotite offers powerful grounding energies, which are linked to Earth’s timeless energy grid. The energies also link strongly to Spirit and antiquity.
Lepidolite offers a beautiful nurturing and safe energy environment, which is deeply reflective and balancing: as above, so below. The energies are gentle, soothing and healing.
Fuchsite helps with mental blockages, and addresses fear based topics. It channels light down and brings light in to the darkness.
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You will find a variety of micas on my website, mostly in association with other minerals. Please click on the pic below to take a look...