Devil's finger: features of the stone and its properties

Many years ago, the devil's finger with all its appearance frightened superstitious peasants, many attributed to him a connection with unclean forces, however, with the development of science, it turned out that this mineral is just the fossilized shells of ancient mollusks of the Mesozoic period. Over the course of millions of years, they were covered with multiple rocks, but the conical shape was preserved, which is why the devil's finger resembles the claw of a devilish creature.

The second name of the stone is thunder arrow. This fossil has a rather rich history and has a truly powerful energy. It owes its past entirely to belemnites - one of the most ancient molluscs that lived on earth about 70 million years ago. It is believed that these creatures were the distant ancestors of squid, and were ubiquitous in the seas and oceans in prehistoric times.

According to the description, belemnites belong to the group of cephalopods that have completely disappeared today. They were rather agile predators, reaching 15-25 cm in length. Outwardly they looked like squid, but differed in the presence of a strong inner shell containing a cavity divided by partitions.

Outside, the shell was completely covered with a protective leathery cover, and the pointed part of the mollusk, the rostrum, visually resembled an arrowhead. It is these copies that have survived to this day; unfortunately, nothing remained from the body of the mollusk, as well as from the cover. BThe elemnites became extinct about 60 million years ago, their disappearance coincided with the mysterious extinction of the dinosaurs - it is possible that they became victims of a global cooling and a significant decrease in water temperature.

The sizes of belemnites could be very different, and varied from a few millimeters to 45 cm. It is known that rare specimens even reached 3 meters in length.

The color scheme of belemnites was also variable - now you can find devilish fingers of rusty-brown, grayish-gray, brown, amber, and even coal shades.

The main element in the structure of belemnite is calcium carbonate. Cephalopods lived in a clean natural environment, where there are much fewer toxic elements than today. Phosphorus, sodium, nickel, potassium, as well as magnesium, manganese and iron can be found in the structure of this mollusc. Some varieties include bromine, copper, cobalt, vanadium, chromium, even silver and the elements of gold.

Devil's finger powder is known to have the ability to almost instantly stop blood and tighten wounds. This property is explained by the presence of aragonite in the rostrum - a substance with exceptional regenerating properties.

More than 300 species of belemnites are known to modern science, depending on the natural conditions and habitat, their shape and structure changed. So the mollusks living in reservoirs had rather long refined rostra, and on the coasts one could find short individuals with wide shells. Since this cephalopod in prehistoric times lived everywhere, their fossilized remains today can be found in various parts of the world.

They are located at the depth of the deposits of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The largest finds have been found on the Australian continent. It should be noted that the fossils found there are of high value, and, moreover, are used to create jewelry.

As for Russia, the accumulation of devil's fingers can be found in various corners: they can be looked for in the Moscow region, on the banks of the Oka and Volga. As a rule, fossils can be found just by digging with a shovel to a depth of half a meter, especially in sandy clay soils.

If we talk about the physical properties of the stone, then we can confidently say that belemnites have a rather low strength, low hardness, so they can be easily damaged and scratched, and not only with metal, but even with ordinary glass. In numbers, the hardness is estimated at 5.5 points on the Mohs scale.

However, this parameter is considered approximate, since the mollusk usually formed its shells from those substances that it found in its permanent habitats.

Devil's fingers are credited with many healing and mystical properties. Let us dwell in more detail on the effect that a stone has on a person.

Even in ancient times, the devil's finger powder was widely used to treat snake bites and other wounds - it was believed that in this way it was possible to quickly remove inflammation and contribute to the rapid restoration of integuments. In those years, such manipulations were certainly accompanied by the reading of special slander. In the countries of the Old World, residents argued that a powdered mineral, blown directly into the eyes, improves vision. However, as the chronicles testify, such treatment not only did not bring the desired result, but, on the contrary, worsened the patient's situation. In Scotland, plain water was insisted on the devil's finger. In the Middle Ages, intestinal disorders and poisoning were treated in this way.

If we talk about scientifically proven facts, then it should be noted that belemnites are used to treat a fairly wide range of diseases. The mineral is 70% calcium, 30% is the share of many other trace elements. In its structure, harmful substances are completely absent, since in the Mesozoic era they simply were not in water or in the air. That is why supporters of lithotherapy widely use belemnite in their practice.

The devil's finger is shown to improve endurance, physical strength, human activity. It helps to strengthen the immune system, mobilize the body's protective resources. In alternative medicine, 0.5 g of belemnite powder is dissolved in 250 ml of warm water, stirred well, and when all the sediment has subsided, the resulting infusion is filtered and consumed 30-40 minutes before meals three times a day.

There are a number of other diseases that the devil's finger copes with very successfully. Many skin pathologies can be noted: psoriasis, various trophic ulcers, furunculosis, weeping dermatitis. With such problems, it is necessary to sprinkle the inflammation with cephalopod powder every day.

In osteoporosis, a solution of crushed stone is taken orally, traditionally the course of treatment lasts 1 month and is repeated 3-4 times a year. An improvement in the condition is noted in the treatment of gastritis and ulcers with belemnites - in this case, a solution of powder is also consumed inside. The solution has established itself as a good remedy for colds and allergic diseases, as well as for tuberculosis. It should be noted that for medicinal purposes, you can take powder, as well as ointments containing belemnite fragments.

Please note that the use of drugs from the devil's finger is strictly prohibited for cancer, hypertension, urolithiasis and cholelithiasis, as well as for thrombophlebitis and during pregnancy.

Belemnite mollusks quite often carry out of the water and throw them ashore. The ancient people believed that this was due to the tricks of the devil, and a meeting with such a stone promises trouble. There are many beliefs associated with the black finger, for the most part they are negative. People saw a direct connection between the stone and the devilish forces, some even called it demonic. Despite this, the devil's finger with might and main was used to create talismans and amulets.

Many legends have been created to explain the origin of the belemnites. Usually they describe the stones as stumps of the fingers of formidable monsters and evil spirits, some beliefs claim that these are arrows sent from the clouds. One of the legends says that once the supreme demon wanted to seize the whole earth and was immediately defeated and punished for this - the gods turned him into a rock, and the severed fingers were scattered all over the world, so that they ended up not only on the ground, but and in reservoirs.

In the mythology of individual European countries, belemnite is often associated with a downpour - it was believed that this stone protects the house from damage during a thunderstorm.... In China, belemnite is called the teeth of dragons, and it is believed that the larger the stone, the angrier and more dangerous the lizard was.

The origin of the name of the stone is not completely clear, it became widespread exclusively on the territory of our country, but at the same time there is no legend explaining it. It is possible that the stone is associated with devils for the reason that they usually find it in unclean places: lowlands, ravines, swamps. In the beliefs of ancient people, any folding is the work of devilish forces, it is believed that in the process of creating our world, the devil put part of the land in his mouth, chewed, and then spat it out. This is how the mountains, ditches, and potholes arose, where devils have since begun to inhabit.

Many regions of Russia have their own legends about the origin of this unusual mineral. For example, in the Smolensk region, old-timers claim that devils fight at night in fistfights and break their fingers. In Ukrainian villages, there is a legend that the demons lost their fingers when God threw them from heaven. Some legends say that Michael the Archangel himself chopped off the fingers of the unclean, which is why the devils are often called fingerless.

The peoples of the Komi Republic still from generation to generation pass on the legend of the good god Yong, who once decided to expel all demons from the land. To do this, he turned into an ordinary potter and sat down near the main road. The devils who saw him began to taunt him and boast of their ability to shrink and increase in size. Then, teasing them, Yong invited them to get into the pot. The stupid spirits did so, and God sealed the pots and buried them in the ground. However, one pot broke and the demon imprisoned in it rushed to run that there were legs, and so quickly that he broke his fingers on the way, clinging to the ground with its claws.

Another variant of the name is the fingers of the water. Vodyanoy is one of the most terrible representatives of the unclean, whom the Slavs feared more than the devil himself. There is an opinion that those drowned in the last minutes before death see such fingers in front of them. A similar version was born among the Nenets peoples - there belemnite is considered to be the claws of the water spirit, with which it breaks the ice in the spring. And in Yamal, such stones are called mermaid claws.

To this day, the devil's finger is considered a strong talisman. According to some psychics, with the help of belemnite, fixed on the wall of the house, it is possible to significantly reduce the negative impact in a residential building or apartment. In Slavic mythology, the devil's finger was also used as an amulet - it is believed that it is a reliable way to protect a home from lightning flashes. To do this, the Russians scattered stones all over the roof, and also hung them in the attic. Endless belief in the superpowers of the stone endowed it with fire-retardant characteristics - it is believed that the mineral reliably protects the house from the destructive effects of fire.

This amulet will protect family relationships, protect against all kinds of working troubles.

Numerous studies have proven that fossilized prehistoric molluscs have an exceptionally rich composition of trace elements. These components are widely used in the cosmetic industry to create skin care and anti-aging products. Crushed shellfish are added to baths, masks, compresses, and belemnite powders are also added to shampoos and hair rinses.

Minerals are valuable exhibits in the collections of antiquity lovers, and belemnites are also used to create ethnic talismans and amulets, mollusks are considered especially valuable, in which blood vessels are clearly visible - such damn fingers are found in large numbers in the mountains of the Altai Territory.

Large belemnites are considered an excellent decorative element that can add stylish accents to the interior of a living room or fireplace room. Belemnite shells can be placed in aquariums, placed on a coffee table or on a bookshelf.Some craftsmen even make special collectible items on stands from ornamental stones, decorated with chains and colored lights.

Belemnite is inexpensive, the price of a devil's finger on the market starts from 50 rubles per piece or from 700 rubles per kilogram. As for the creation of jewelry, mostly processed polished belemnites are used for jewelry.

This is not to say that belemnite is especially fond of this or that sign of the zodiac - he gives his favor to everyone who decides to wear jewelry with a devil's finger or make a talisman out of it. However, in Slavic mythology, fossilized mollusks are considered the children of Perun, so such decorations will be especially useful for people born at the end of summer - this corresponds to the zodiacal constellation Leo. According to esoteric beliefs, the stone helps them build a career and awards such important qualities as courage, determination, confidence in themselves and their strengths.

To preserve this unusual prehistoric stone in its original form, you should follow the basic rules of caring for it. Belemnite has a rather fragile structure, so if any cracks or scratches form, be sure to polish your existing specimen. They clean it with a regular rag, while you can achieve the appearance of a surprisingly beautiful shine.

Special attention should be paid to the processing of belemnites, which includes several stages.

• Examination of the stone... For further processing, it must be intact, if there are cracks and chips, then you just need to cut off the damaged part, and then, using special grinding attachments, give the necessary cone-shaped shape. If the stone has a too rough surface, then you will need attachments for the engraver and the like.
• At the second stage, preliminary grinding is carried out, usually an emery with grain parameters # 360 or # 800 is suitable for this - however, if already at the first stage you were able to achieve a flat surface, then this step can be safely skipped.
• Finishing sanding. For this, special engravers are used, operating at high speeds, with a felt nozzle, on which a grinding paste is previously applied. It is best to use white, because when it gets into cracks, it is not as noticeable as, for example, red or green.

If you do not have an engraving machine at your disposal, then an ordinary piece of leather will do quite well; for convenience, it is pulled on a wooden block with the back side up, sanding paste is applied and polished. In both cases, the result will be the same, just when working with the skin it will take more time and physical effort. The stones are not covered with varnish, but if the idea of ​​the author of the decoration requires it, then they use a glossy acrylic composition.

Of course, the damn finger is not nearly as pretty on the outside as some other gems and minerals. This stone has a long history, which, despite the mythological essence, could not help but leave its noticeable energy mark on this stone. For many centuries, generations of people sincerely believe in the magical healing power of this mineral and endow it with a special feeling, which can only be experienced by taking belemnite in your palms.

Just think, this seemingly nondescript stone once upon a time was a real living creature that lived in a flock and brought fear to the smaller inhabitants of reservoirs. This cephalopod mollusk roamed prehistoric oceans and seas, and died when permafrost set in on the earth.... But the history of the stone did not end there - for many thousands and even millions of years the earth had borne it. This stone was worshiped by our ancestors, and even now many peoples believe in it, and the benefits of belemnite are recognized even by official medicine.

The damn finger is covered in the next video.