Introduction to Meaning and Uses of Botswana Agate
Botswana Agate wraps its layers of gentle pinks, brown and grays around the soul like soft, warm flannel. It is comforting and protective, soothing to those who are lonely, easily hurt or grieve a loss. Its quiet energy is particularly centering in meditation, and as a fortification Agate, it supports love and the strength to look for solutions rather than dwelling on difficulties.
Botswana Agate is a variety of banded Chalcedony, a mineral of the Quartz family. It is predominantly banded in shades of pink and gray, though some layers may contain a muted brown or apricot. Agate has a lower intensity and vibrates to a slower frequency than other stones, but is highly regarded as a stabilizing and strengthening influence. [Simmons, 6] It is excellent for balancing emotional, physical and intellectual energy, and in harmonizing yin and yang, the positive and negative forces of the universe. [Hall, 39]
Named for the area in Africa where it is mined, Botswana Agate is called the Sunset Stone because it retains sunlight and comforts people through dark, lonely nights. It was traditionally used in African fertility ceremonies to encourage potency and the conception of strong, healthy offspring. [Eason, 54]
The volcanic activity that produced these lovely stones dates back nearly 187 million years ago, and though the igneous stones of Botswana began as volcanic flow, they did not originate from normal, mountainous volcanoes. Rather the lava flowed in waves from long faults along the lower rock layers and rolled across the landscape, depositing layer upon layer of Silica/Quartz, creating the extra fine banding and patterns which make Botswana Agates highly unique and desirable. Some collectors consider them royalty among Agates.
Botswana Agate Uses and Purposes – Overview
An “eye” formation in Botswana Agate is both protective and considered especially lucky. Consider holding one while picking lottery numbers or choosing a horse for a race. [Eason, 54]
Botswana Agate is an ideal crystal for very sensitive children or teenagers who are easily hurt by teasing or pressure, and can assist them in finding more like-minded friends. It also supports adults who join a dating agency or online services to find partners who are spiritually in tune and shares their dreams. [Eason, 54]
Botswana Agate is excellent for those serious about giving up smoking. To increase success drink an elixir first thing each morning, made by soaking the crystal in water for a few hours. Botswana Agate is also a stone of protection for all who work with fire, and protects the home from fires. [Eason, 54][Hall II, 43]
Botswana Agate is a useful receptacle for negative energy and toxicity, excellent for gridding around a house. It prevents out-of-body visitations from another soul and turns back unwelcome spirits. [Hall II, 42]
Agate promotes inner stability, composure, and maturity. Its warm, protective properties encourage security and self-confidence. It is a great crystal to use during pregnancy. [Gienger, 7]
Agate is useful as a protection amulet when traveling, and is especially effective against traffic accidents. [Megemont, 16]
Botswana Agate is said to repel spiders.
Botswana Agate Physical Healing Energy
Botswana Agate encourages treating the underlying causes of illness rather than the symptoms. It may be used to treat depression and stress, and relieve sexual dysfunctions in both sexes. [Eason, 54][Melody, 85][Hall II, 43]
Botswana Agate is beneficial in ridding the body of toxins and is believed to be good for the skin. It helps stimulate the immune and nervous systems, and aids in brain oxygen assimilation for a healthy circulatory system. [Eason, 54][Hall II, 43]
Agate enhances mental function by improving concentration, perception, and analytical abilities. It is beneficial for the eyes, hollow organs such as the stomach, uterus, etc., and heals skin disorders and itching due to insect bites. [Hall, 39][Gienger, 7][Megemont, 16]
Agate is helpful to the heart and blood vessels. Wearing an Agate in the middle of the chest strengthens the cardiac muscle, and heals emotional disharmony that prevents acceptance of love. [Megemont, 16][Hall, 39]
A cold Agate placed on the forehead is generally effective in curing fever. (If the fever returns, however, consult a doctor.) Agate may also reduce the symptoms of epilepsy, and for some people guards against sleepwalking. [Megemont, 15]
Botswana Agate Emotional Healing Energy
Botswana Agate is a comfort stone, beneficial in overcoming depression, and strengthening during a grieving process. It helps alleviate obsessive thoughts and destructive mental patterns, and assists in overcoming fears, such as agoraphobia and panic attacks in crowded places. It encourages one to view the bigger picture in life, and look toward practical solutions rather than dwelling on the reasons for a situation or assigning blame. [Eason, 54][Hall II, 43][Melody, 85]
A crystal of possibility and hope, Botswana Agate encourages artistic expression and exploration of the unknown, while still maintaining logic and attention to detail that brings projects and ventures into reality. It also releases emotional repression and blocks to fertility, by lending the knowledge that sexuality is a natural function and sensuality is the body’s appreciation of the fullness of life.
Botswana Agate in Ancient Lore and Legend
One of Earth’s oldest human settlements is believed to be in the Tsodilo Hills (called Male, Female and Child by the locals) in the Mashatu Reserve, the area of Botswana where these Agates are found. Over 3500 rock paintings that date from 1000 B.C. to around the 1800’s adorn this region and were most likely created by the ancestors of the Basarwa and Bantu tribes that still inhabit the land. [changems.blogspot.com]
The legend of a huge serpent surrounds Solomon’s Wall, one of the natural dikes in the Botswana region formed by volcanic pressure during the area’s creation. In the spring when the Motloutse River is full and running hard, water swirls around the base of the wall creating a massive whirlpool that can be up to a mile deep. Home to the serpent that lives at the bottom, it is believed if one gets too close to the edge, the serpent will rise up and grab the unsuspecting soul by the eyes, hypnotizing and dragging him to the bottom, unable to resist his fate. [changems.blogspot.com]
Botswana Agates with an “eye” are considered especially lucky. [Eason, 54] Civilizations in the Middle East and Africa cherished them for their powers of protection against any type of evil influence or negativity, and for their use to prevent injury and bodily harm. They were often offered to the gods of the elements to protect their harvests from drought, flooding or insect invasions. [Mella, 68-69]
Ancient Africans used Botswana Agates in their fertility rites, believing they could strengthen their expressions of physical sexual energy. [Mella, 70]
Agates were believed to make their wearers agreeable, persuasive, and give them the favor of God, guarding them from all dangers, and enabling them to vanquish earthly obstacles, such as high winds and lightning. [Kunz, 51]
The wearing of Agate was believed to be a cure for insomnia and was thought to induce pleasant dreams. [Kunz, 52]
Legends claim Agate to have the power to secure the wearer from danger and to protect children from falling, and to endow their owners with strength, courage and the ability to heal fears.
References
The symbols [ ] enclose the author’s name and a page number for a reference cited from the following books:
[Ahsian, pp.] Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian, The Book of Stones (Berkley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2007).
[Eason, pp. ]Cassandra Eason, The New Crystal Bible (London: Carlton Books Ltd., 2010).
[Fernie, pp.] William T. Fernie, The Occult and Curative Powers of Precious Stones (Blauvelt, NY: Rudolph Steiner Publications, 1973).
[Gienger, pp.] Michael Gienger, Healing Crystals (Scotland: Earthdancer Books, 2009).
[Hall, pp.] Judy Hall, The Crystal Bible (Cincinnati, OH: Walking Stick Press, 2003).
[Hall 2, pp.]Judy Hall, The Crystal Bible 2 (Cincinnati, OH: Walking Stick Press, 2009).
[Kunz, pp.] George Frederick Kunz, The Curious Lore of Precious Stones (New York: Dover Publications, 1971).
[Megemont, pp.] Florence Megemont, The Metaphysical Book of Gems and Crystals (Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 2008).
[Mella, pp.] Dorothee L. Mella, Stone Power II (Albuquerque, NM: Brotherhood of Life, Inc., 1986).
[Melody, pp.] Melody, Love Is In The Earth (Wheat Ridge, CO: Earth-Love Publishing House, 1995).
[Raphaell, pp.] Katrina Raphaell, Crystal Enlightenment (Santa Fe, NM: Aurora Press, 1985)
[Simmons, pp.] Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian, The Book of Stones (Berkley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2007).