Not long ago I posted this same photo in B&W. Many of you thought it was a rose, but the object I photographed is rosette-shaped selenite gypsum that can be found in the deserts of Morocco and Algeria. Owing to its appearance, it is popularly called a desert rose. It is born in a process of moisture condensation when selenite huddles together and creates a mass that is subjected to the elements around it, and through sand and wind erosion.

The etymology of the word selenite shows that it came from Middle English selinete, from Latin selenites i.e. from Greek selēnitēs (lithos), which literally means moonstone or stone of the moon, from selēnē (Moon). The ancients used to believe that certain transparent crystals waxed and waned with the moon. In Greek mythology “Selene” is known as the goddess of the moon.

Selenite gypsum is a stone of the mind, said to bring mental ability and clarity, as well as perception of all kinds, including intuitive perception. It is used in crystal healing to quiet worries and still the mind from distractions and disruptions.

The above abstract does not show the true colour of the desert rose; desert roses take on the colour of the sand because selenite is a fibrous mineral and fine sand becomes trapped between the fibres as it crystallizes. When I did the colour editing on this photo I thought it would be fun to make it look like kale.

I hope you will enjoy the attached music as well.

**About Thursday’s Special: It is a new ‘non-challenge’ challenge that appeals to bloggers eager to wake up their creativity and show their own ideas and interpretation of the world. I invite everybody interested to join in. There are no themes, titles and techniques set for your expression, there are no limits and restrictions (no red tape whatsoever). The only thing required is to post a photo post on Thursdays entitled “Thursday’s Special: (your theme/title)” (as explained in my Thursday’s Special introductory post), to provide a link to my Thursday’s Special post, and to leave a link to your post in the comments section of my post. If you like Thursday’s Special widget, feel free to grab it and post it on your blog.

Check out inspiring entries for Thursday’s Special: 

• Wall Art 

• Breiflabb

• The Transporter Bridge 

• A Mud Run 

• Red Bull Girl 

• I Spider on My Clematis 

• A Hard Days Night

• Americans in London

• Refreshing Last Fall Memories