Hi everyone!
I've been looking for a pendant for months now, but nothing I found "grabbed" me or seemed appropriate. However, my mum surprised me and turns out we're going to Melbourne, Australia next year in March. When I researched, I learnt there was actually an opal mine there called Lightning Ridge.
Opals hold a special place in our family since my grandfather was a jeweler and dealt mostly in Lightning Ridge opals, and my dad visited this mine regularly as a child. I used to be given opals as a child and they were always my favourite gemstone, particularly white ones. They also hold my favourite colours and have a very beautiful aesthetic about them, and are also not as expensive as diamonds or things like that.
In terms of meaning and power of opals in a magical sense, that's where I get a bit unsure. Online it said it was very potent and could "go wrong for the wrong people", which is very ambiguous. So does anyone have experiences with opals as talismans and care to share, or any other information?
Thank you all
The only experience I had with an opal was as a teenager. I had one set into a silver ring, and the stone just. would. not. stay. put. It kept falling out. It was as if the opal didn't want to stay with me, it was kind of ridiculous.
However, I found this online about opals which you might find interesting:
"Opal is a stone of inspiration which enhances imagination and creativity. It can bring inspiration to projects and to life and Spirit. Its own spirit is at times like that of a child spontaneously playing, dashing color where ever it pleases. Carrying this imaginative spontaneity into the realm of you life can bring strong creativity.
Opal has a larger proportion of water in it than most stones and is considered a water stone. This can help ease the effort of handling change in life. Like water rolls over and past rocks and roots in its way, the energy of opal can help continue on your path regardless of obstacles. During times of transformation, this is an invaluable energy to work with and hold close to your heart.
Mentally, opal is said to enhance memory. It is also used to decrease confusion.
In the psychic or spiritual realm opal is used for high spiritual crystal energy vibrations. It is said to be able to help one be "invisible" in situations where one doesn't want to be noticed. This could be used in astral journeying as well as in daily life. It is also said to be able to help pick up thoughts and feelings and enhance them. It is also a protective stone, said to be particularly protective in dangerous places. Opal is used in lightwork as a stone for strong and safe dreamwork.
Emotionally, opal brings its water energy to enhance self-esteem and sense of self-worth. It can help bring these to the surface of your life in spite of anything else going on under the surface. This aligned with the inspiring love energies can help you release damaging inhibitions and access your true spiritual nature. Opal is also used to bring happy dreams and avoid nightmares. It is a soothing stone which can calm turbutlent emotions and bring a deep sense of hope and inner peace.
Opal is said to be a stone for love. It brings the inspiration of love into a stagnant heart chakra and brings renewal. This can take the form of fiery sensual love or gentler unconditional love and any shade of love in between. Opal is also said to bring fidelity to love.
Traditionally in crystal healing opal has been considered good for headaches, eyesight, Parkinson's disease, blood, insulin regulation, PMS, and the immune system. Note that healing crystal meanings are spiritual supports to healing and are not prescriptions or healthcare information.
Opal is often associated with the Heart Chakra and Crown Chakra, but varied color opals are also related to the additional chakras.
All types of opal tend to share these energies in common, along with their own spiritual and unique energies.
More on Opal, from My Personal Perspective
I've worked with many types of opal over the years and continually find this stone a delight. Opal can feel like a dancing firely or a strong step stone across the river. Each type has its own flavor, so to speak, but they all are full of light and inspiration.
I can hardly fathom the nineteenth century superstition that opals are bad luck unless they're your birthstone. Every time I read that my mind does a flip flop and I go, "Huh?" That superstition has all but disappeared now, and for good reason. It makes no sense in terms of the stone's energy or its beauty. "
Thank you for sharing Dita! You had me at "Mentally, opal is said to enhance memory. It is also used to decrease confusion." I'm now in search of an opal for myself.
