Gryph's Lair

Other Names: Abalone Shell, Oyster Shell, Ear-shells, Sea-ears and Venus's-ears

Color: Multi-color

Appearance: Abalone is a beautiful shell showing a play of iridescent colors across a polished surface. Shells are the outer housing (exoskeleton) of sea-creatures, and are organic gemstones which have been used in jewelry making and religious ceremonies for countless ages. Abalone has been grazing on algae in the selected waters of our planet for over 80 million years.

Pronunciation: Ab-ah-lone-ee
Mineral Information: These shells are comprised of multi-layered Mother of Pearl nacre, chemically similar to the Oyster. Color bands found in the shells are a direct result of diet and genetic factor, and are made possible by several minute layers of aragonite. The outer layer is protected by a covering called Peristrum, which is a translucent shellac-like overlay.

Transparency: Opaque
Hardness: 3.5-4
Class: Organic
Rarity: Common
Source: Worldwide

Chakra: Primary: Solar Plexus. Secondary: Heart, Throat.
Abalone is associated with all of the Chakra energies. In particular, it seems to work the best on the Solar Plexus Chakra, stimulating that gut feeling. It is also especially good for the Heart Chakra, as it gently clears the heart of fear, sorrow and negative emotions. Abalone allows your intuitive resources to stimulate psychic development and intuition through the Third Eye Chakra.

Zodiac: Cancer, All

Other Correspondences:
Planets: Moon, Venus, Yemaya
Deities: Aphrodite, Venus
Element: Water
Vibrates to Number: 7

Health Aid: Abalone Shells strengthens the immune system, energize the body and aid in the assimilation of proteins. Use abalone shell as a calming influence for menstrual problems. Abalone benefits the heart and helps digestion. It strengthens muscular tissue, especially the heart and is also a strong anti-carcinogenic. It is often used as a container for spirit offerings or smudging. It aligns the etheric body and balances the feminine qualities. It is said to bestow tranquility, abundance and spirit. They are especially useful to counterbalance overly dynamic energies due to their watery nature. Abalone has been used for arthritis and other joint disorders, muscle problems, the heart, and digestion. Mystical lore suggests that abalone is helpful for arthritis and other joint disorders, muscle problems, the heart, and digestion.

Emotional & Spiritual Aid: Invigorating. Associated with healing, serenity, calmness, nobility, and honesty. Good for calming people and making them less afraid, allowing them to feel more serene and balanced. Good for calming people who are easily agitated or constantly on edge. The pastel rainbow colors of the Abalone shell enhance feelings of peace, beauty, compassion and love. Work with the Abalone shell when you are facing tough emotional issues. Abalone will soothe the nerves and encourage a calm demeanor. Abalone Shell helps to gently open our psychic and intuitive connections. Abalone Shell is an excellent companion when needing guidance in relationships. It enhances the four C's--communication, cooperation, commitment and compromise, which lead to harmony and balance. Abalone shell enhances expression, in both word and deed. It allows us to understand both sides of any issue by placing us in the other persons "shoes". The Abalone shell has been tossed and turned in the ebb and flow of the ocean for many years. Through this process, its true beauty shines through. The Abalone shell is a perfect gift for those who have survived traumatic experiences, to let them know that while they may have been tossed and turned themselves, in the end, their true beauty shines for all to see. A very popular use for abalone is for empowering love spells and for love talismans. Many beginners call it a “love amulet”, but amulets repel, while talismans attract. That’s why amulets are typically for protection. If you want to attract love, then you want a love talisman, not a love amulet. Abalone amulets protect the witch from negative energy. Abalone talismans attract creativity to the witch. A magick amulet protects from some kind of energy, while a magick talisman draws in some kind of energy. A witch can magickally charge the same abalone as both an amulet and a talisman. The negative ions created by the salt water's crashing waves brings healing energy with the abalone shell. These shells are associated with healing, serenity, calmness, nobility, and honesty. Abalone is also reported to stimulate psychic development and intuition, and promote imagination in a healthy way. Abalone is purported to be especially useful for handling and calming emotional situations, and be very soothing to the emotions. Having abalone nearby when working through an emotional situation with someone is said to be beneficial, and promotes cooperation.

Folklore: A disc of abalone shell is worn on the forehead of Apache girls as they greet the sun in the morning of their initiation into womanhood. Cancer and June Birthstone. Nicknamed the sea ears, the Abalone's flattened, oval shape with iridescent interior was used by the Native Northwest American Indians as a natural vessel for cleansing, offerings and prayers. In ancient times, royalty decorated their robes and turbans with them, Stings of Abalone shell jewelry were used by the women. During the era of barter and trade, the Abalone was often used as "coin of the realm". In many parts of the world, at archeological digs, artifacts have been found made from these shells. Today, many forms of jewelry, from formal to baroque, are designed with the unique characteristics and beauty of the Abalone utilized to the fullest. The Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, sometimes rode the ocean waves on a giant abalone shell. Abalone has been used by Kemetic (ancient Egyptian), Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Italian (Stregha), Celtic (Druidic and Faerie), French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gypsy, Norse, Germanic, British, Scottish, African, Polynesian, Japanese, Chinese, Asian Indian, and Native American peoples.

Other Notes: Abalone can be cleansed and discharged of negative energy every month by running it under warm water or placing it in a bowl of water and adding a teaspoon of sea salt. Charge abalone by the light of the sun and/or full moon for 24-48 hours.