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Chelonite, Swallow stone

Dove-stone, Chelonius, Chelidonius

Ortus Sanitatis, Beck, 1517

Chelonitis
Gemmarum et Lapidum Historia, Tollius, 1647

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Minerological name:
Chelonite

Parts used:
Stones from the belly of young swallows
Albertus said some are black, some reddish in color.
Duffin (2015) has stated these to be fossils of orbitoline foraminiferans or sometimes pycnodont teeth.

Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry

Uses:
1. Settles Wind-Heat, Resists Poison:
-prevents Fever, Sore Throat, acute Cough
-traditionally against Witchcraft and Incubus

2. Settles Wind, Calms the Mind and Spirit:
-Epilepsy, Headaches, Lethargy, Forgetfulness
-Frenzy, Insanity, Madness
-being carried, it was said to one one pleasant and merry.

3. Clears Heat, Benefits the Liver:
-chronic illness; 'Bad Livers'
-said to strengthen the Body when weak
-Jaundice
-skin diseases
-also for weakness and diseases of the Eyes


Principally used externally as an amulet.

Main Combinations:

Cautions:

Main Preparations used:

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• Extra Info
  
• History

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Mizaldus:
‘Dividing before the full moon young Swallows of the first breed, two stones are found in their maws, whereof one is of one color, the other of divers colors; these before they touch the earth, if they be wrapped in a Calf or Stags skin, and bound about the neck and arm, they will both ease and cure the patient [of Epilepsy]. An Italian told me this, and said he had tried it'

Albertus
‘Take the stone which is called Chelidonius, and of it there is some black, and some somewhat red, and it is drawn out of the belly of Swallows. If that which is somewhat red, be wrapped in a linen cloth, or in a Calf's skin, and borne under the left arm hole it is good against madness, and old sicknesses and diseases, and the sleeping, or forgetful sickness, and against epidimia, which is a scab that runneth through the whole body. Evax saith that this stone maketh a man eloquent, acceptable and pleasant. The black stone is good against wild beasts, and wrath, and bringeth the business begun to an end. And if it be wrapped in the leaves of Chelidonia [Celandine], it is said that it maketh the sight dull. And they should be drawn out in the month of August, and two stones are found oftentimes in one Swallow’.

From Magic of Kirani:
‘And the gravel that is found in the Gizzard of the young ones, hung at the right arm, perfectly cures bad Livers: It is a prevention of a cough, Running at the nose, Phlegm, sore throats, and of all manner of sore eyes, and take away the cold fit of Agues’.


For Headaches, they were to be tied in white linen and placed upon the pain.

Rolled in yellow cloth and bound to the neck for Jaundice and to prevent Fever.

It was used for Lunacy and to restrain temptation, hinder Incubus, Goblins, Witches and Sorcerers; It was said to strengthen chronically weak bodies, and was said to stop the formation of harmful humors within the body such as Melancholy (which in excess will lead to Madness).

The stones were not to touch the ground, water, or other stones.