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May 2026 brings many opportunities to pause so we can stop and smell the roses. With so much fiery energy brewing all through the month of April, May gives us the chance to slow down and be more intentional about how we wish to move forward.

An exception to this is that on April 25, 2026, Uranus entered Gemini for a seven-year, long-haul stay until May 2033, revolutionizing communication, technology, and learning. This transit marks a shift from Taurus-driven material stability to Gemini's mental, electric energy, triggering rapid advancements in AI, transportation, and media. This transit initiates a significant "cultural and intellectual reboot.” It also encourages breaking free from old thought patterns and embracing a more versatile, yet potentially chaotic, approach to information.

May begins and ends with a Full Moon, the second of which is a rare Blue Moon. Having two Full Moons in a calendar month indicates a theme of release, letting go, and culmination, it seems that a chapter is going to come to an end for us in May, and we are likely to find ourselves wrapping up loose ends and making space for the new to arrive.

Pluto turns retrograde on May 6, initiating a months-long review of power and control. Pluto is the "Lord of the Underworld," ruling over things hidden or repressed. This period acts as a "personal reckoning," forcing you to face unpleasant traits, old hurts, and subconscious patterns you might usually avoid.

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When most people think of fossils, they imagine towering skeletons or perfectly preserved teeth. But some of the most fascinating, and surprisingly informative fossils aren’t bones at all. They’re coprolites: fossilized feces left behind by ancient animals, including dinosaurs. While the idea might raise eyebrows at first, coprolites are among the most valuable tools scientists have for understanding prehistoric life.

Coprolites form when animal waste is rapidly buried by sediment, protecting it from decomposition. Over time, minerals replace the organic material, turning it into stone. What’s left behind is more than just a curiosity—it’s a direct snapshot of an animal’s diet, environment, and behavior.

Unlike bones, which tell us about anatomy, coprolites tell us what dinosaurs actually ate. Paleontologists can examine the contents of these fossils to identify fragments of plants, bone, scales, or even insects. For example, a coprolite containing crushed bone fragments likely came from a carnivorous dinosaur, while one packed with plant fibers points to a herbivore. In some cases, scientists have even discovered evidence of disease or parasites preserved within these ancient remnants.

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Hello and welcome to April 2026!

April 2026 is a high-energy "destiny reset" period focused on personal transformation, career shifts, and financial growth, driven by intense Aries energy and major planetary alignments. The month opens with a Libra Full Moon and features key shifts including Uranus entering Gemini on April 25.

With Mercury now fully awake and no retrogrades, this month has a “just do it” vibe that feels refreshing. The Sun in Aries (through April 19) keeps the energy bold and proactive. You’re likely still riding the high from last month’s fresh start, eager to push boundaries and make visible progress.

Worldwide, with Saturn now in Aries, other entities (corporations, countries and governments) are trying to assert control (Saturn) by contending with each other. But Neptune is also in Aries, causing those actions to trigger a backlash of enormous humanitarian and compassionate reactions. There are growing events and organizations aimed at fostering empathy, reducing suffering, and increasing humanitarian efforts. People are much more engaged in protecting and aiding each other, our neighborhoods, schools and communities. (Pluto is now in Aquarius).

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The Crystal Village came to our rock shop here in Austin, Texas from Diamantina in the heart of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Diamantina means “diamond” in Portuguese and alludes to the mining town’s historical diamond mine and diamond museum, while Minas Gerais translates to “General Mines,” alluding to the rich mineral resources of the landlocked Brazilian state, including gold, diamonds, and other precious gems. Although countless deposits of quartz such as amethyst, rose quartz, smoky quartz, and a wide range of “included” quartz containing fuchsite, tourmaline, rutile, and lithium are known to occur in Minas Gerais, we were introduced to a unique family of etched smoky citrine quartz crystals instead. We were not looking to purchase a high-dollar collection like this one, but they found us, and we could not ignore the call. Here's the story of how the Crystal Village found us...

At the International Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show, we went to visit one of our Brazilian vendors, Gabriel, on 2/11 to pay for an order of fluorescent phantom amethyst he had shipped to us before the show. We arrived at the venue at 11:11 a.m. We conducted a short interview with Gabriel to learn more about the unique amethyst find we got from him for our Trunk Show and then proceeded to look around his booth. We saw many different varieties of naturally dual-colored quartz, but we were trying to spend conservatively this year due to the build-out and big move of 2025. Despite our attempts to allay the siren’s call of the countless beautiful crystals, minerals, and jewelry we saw, Karen stopped at a large etched smoky quartz crystal that we would later come to know as “the Father.” She commented that it looked like it had writing on it. Our friend Alex picked up the piece, allowing light to flood into it from behind, revealing it to be a smoky citrine and further accentuating the grooves and etched markings.

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Using vibratory or recipro-lap pans!

There are many different variations on what people use to get quality polishes. In the end what matters most is the quality of polish not as much how you get there.

We start with at least a relatively clean cut because if there is a millimeter of deviation then the grinding stages can take much longer. Any more than that then the piece typically ends up being recut.

Generally, starting with material that is of similar hardness just like in tumbling we begin most often with 60 grit. 60 grit usually gets the pieces flat the fastest. We check for flatness with an aluminum scribe to then make sure all scribe marks are removed within 10ish minutes. Once the scribe marks are no longer visible after that time period then the piece is most likely flat and ready to move up.

When moving up stages we always clean the pieces very well making sure to leave no grit from the previous stage.

We then move to 220 grit and do the exact same thing as 60. This typically runs for a day. Then test for flatness and if they are good it's time to move up again.

The next stage is 400 which is the same as 220 grit. It's not a good idea to leave 400 in the pan more than a day or after inactivity due to rust. The rust can cause the grinding/smoothing to not be consistent. As always, checking for flatness and cleaning very good before moving up to 600 grit.

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Hello and welcome to March 2026!

It’s here! The new energetic era that astrologers have been talking about for years has finally arrived as we continue settling into 2026.

There are many astrological events that are getting attention in March. We just had a solar eclipse on February 17th, but most importantly we had the conjunction of Saturn and Neptune on February 20th which is a seismic shift for months. One which we haven’t experienced since 1861. Of course, that was a turning point in history, and the year the American Civil War began. If you haven't already felt similar rumblings of dissent, you're about to. History tells us there will be a seismic impact. This moment marks a turning point; one we’ve never seen in our lifetimes. The energy is fierce, urging us to embrace our own power to shape reality.

Gone is the mystery about where people stand on the issues. The masks are falling away and many invitations to conscious action are revealing themselves. How can we do things differently? That’s a question that won’t simply hang in the air in 2026. It will become the grounds for testing amongst people, groups and countries. As structured Saturn and spiritual Neptune unite at 0º Aries (the Aries point and the start of the new Zodiac cycle), we will see a “great reset” everywhere. Fresh approaches, new alliances, and courageous decisions among people, cultures and countries are moving into unscripted territory.

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We want to share a deeper insight into one of nature's most extraordinary gifts, a gem that truly resonates with the powerful journey of healing and transformation: the magnificent Maligano Jasper. This captivating stone emerges from the very heart of ancient geological drama, born from the fervent hot spring systems nestled within ancestral volcanoes in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Discovered relatively recently (barely fifteen years ago in the village of Maligano it is named after) its origins are a testament to the Earth's enduring power and creativity. Imagine super-heated mineral-rich waters churning deep within the Earth, then imagine the stone material breaking apart, only to be lovingly re-cemented and infused with agate, creating the mesmerizing tapestry of patterns and vibrant hues unique to each piece. It's a geological miracle, a visual narrative of breaking and reforming, perfectly mirroring its profound spiritual essence.

Beyond its striking aesthetic, Maligano Jasper is celebrated as a potent metaphysical ally, a true anchor in the often-turbulent seas of life. At its core, its spiritual meaning radiates around the profound themes of rebirth, transformative awakening, and unwavering grounding. It serves as a gentle yet powerful companion for anyone navigating significant life shifts, offering unwavering support as you courageously shed old patterns and wholeheartedly embrace the dawn of new beginnings. This exceptional Jasper doesn't just offer support; it actively cultivates a fertile ground for emotional healing, dispelling clouds of confusion to usher in crystal-clear clarity, and meticulously weaving harmony between your body, mind, and spirit. During periods of transition, when the path ahead might seem uncertain, Maligano Jasper provides a steadfast beacon of protection and stability, anchoring your energy and calming your inner world. It acts as an invaluable tool for profound self-discovery, gently encouraging you to embrace and accept every facet of your being – your strengths, your vulnerabilities, and your unique journey. By connecting you deeply to the Earth's primal, stabilizing energy, it fosters a sense of innate security and belonging, reminding you that you are always supported and divinely guided.

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It’s here! The new energetic era that astrologers have been talking about for years has finally arrived as we begin settling into 2026.

2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse and it gallops in like a wild stallion full of maverick energy. Unlike 2025, which brought dizzying pendulum swings that left everyone unmoored, 2026 is unapologetically decisive. Gone is the mystery about where people stand on the issues. The masks are off and call to action is more than audible. How can we do things differently?

Pluto—the planet of transformation—leads the way now in Aquarius as it becomes activated by Mercury and Mars during the entire first week of the season. On January 27, 2026, a highly intense Mars-Pluto conjunction occurred in Aquarius, marking a peak moment for power, transformation, and action-driven change. This conjunction merged Mars's drive with Pluto's intensity, forcing confrontations with deeply buried truths and accelerating structural shifts in personal or global life.

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Hello and welcome to January 2026!

It’s an futile exercise to try and distill down the chaotic astrology of 2025. In part, that’s because the planetary movements last year were far more active than in any of the 35 years I have been researching and writing these articles, and also because there were planetary events last year that have not happened simultaneously for hundreds of years.

There are so many changes this year, so much newness – which isn’t to say that it is bad or scary or negative – it’s simply new. I don’t think any of us have moved through the last several years without feeling a pressure cooker of energies. We can all feel that things are shifting and yet, we don’t know what is coming. The focus has been on fractures, polarities and endings rather than speaking about what our part of the world could be like on the other side of such dramatic times. Which is why we had a planetary “time-out” in December, encouraging us to take some dedicated time to plan for our next steps.

2025 felt like it went for about four months rather than twelve, such was the frenetic pace of it all. Now, in this new year we have a few of the same astrological movements happening once more, though in 2026 those planets will move signs and then stay put, rather than to-ing and fro-ing between signs. Overall, it feels like last year was the prologue and this year is the first chapter, one in which the storylines can really get some momentum behind them.

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Hello and welcome to December 2025!

December 2025 serves as a crucial "bridge" between the old year's lessons and the new year's potential. The prevailing energy is one of transformation and renewal.

It will be a month of integration from a whole year of challenges and radically changing astrology. We had each of the major outer planets changing signs in fire and air signs for a few months during June through September 2025, when Pluto was transiting Aquarius, harmonizing with Uranus and Gemini, while Saturn and Neptune tested the fires of initiation in Aries. How'd that go for you? Because guess what? We have a few months in the beginning of 2026 when it all comes back. And then you have to make your choices wisely.

During December, for all signs, the movements of Mercury, Mars, the Sun, and Venus into Sagittarius and Capricorn will be significant, with the end of the month especially featuring a concentration of Capricorn energy (abundance, structure and responsibility). December’s energies encourage a mix of reflection, manifestation, and practical planning. The spiritual practices best suited for this time blend intuition with structured action:

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