Named from the Greek anhydrous, 'without water', Anhydrite is useful for people who have difficulty being in incarnation and long for the 'post–death' state. Offering support and strength on the earth plane, it assists acceptance of the physical body as a transient vessel for the soul.
Helping face with equanimity what tomorrow may bring, this stone teaches acceptance of all that life has brought, releasing any hankering for the past, and is useful for past–life healing. Its shows the gift in all that has been. Anhydrite is a relatively common sedimentary mineral that forms massive rock layers. Anhydrite does not form directly, but is the result of the dewatering of the rock forming mineral Gypsum (CaSO4-2H2O). This loss of water produces a reduction in volume of the rock layer and can cause the formation of caverns as the rock shrinks. Good mineral specimens of Anhydrite are extremely rare despite its common occurrence. However, fine specimens of Anhydrite have been found in Mexico and Peru that show good crystal habit, a nice blue color and even a play of light internally in the crystal.
Anhydrite is also rare as other minerals form pseudomorphs over it. Some localities, such as the famous Paterson, New Jersey zeolite occurrence, contain a large amount of pseudomorphs of Quartz and zeolites over Anhydrite, as well as empty, hollow casts of Anhydrite. However, intact Anhydrite specimens are rarely found there.
Anhydrite usually occurs in arid regions, forming from the dehydration of Gypsum. The best crystals come from the rock area above salt domes, where the domes absorb any underground water and prevent it from entering the structure of the Anhydrite, which would cause it to alter to Gypsum. Large Anhydrite deposits may alsoalter to Gypsum if exposed to the surface of the earth and not collected right away. Specimens in a collection may alter if kept in moist conditions. It is recommended that this mineral be stored in a dry area or with silica gel. Some specimens sold to collectors from old collections may actually be Gypsum that has altered due to improper care.
Sign of Anhydrite: Cancer
Eloquence, self-expression, headaches, throat problems, fluid retention, swellings, cellular memory healing.
Anhydrite uses include: soil conditioner; mixed with Portland cement to control the rate of curing; manufacture of gypsum wallboard; mineral filler in joint compounds, plastics and paints; a source of sulfur.
