Conservationists are warning of a ‘butterfly emergency’ as an annual UK survey recorded the lowest-ever result in its 14-year history. Some 9,000 counts logged no butterflies at all – the worst result in the history of the scheme. This year, a third of the common species of butterflies and day-flying moths included in the count had their worst year on record. Dr Fox said declines have been driven by fields in the 1970s and 1980s being farmed or built. Meanwhile, intensive management of the countryside and gardens, including an ‘obsession with tidiness that’s just really bad for nature’, also took a toll. This year participants spotted just seven butterflies on average, down from 12 last year. Dr Richard Fox, Butterfly Conservation’s head of science, said declines have been driven by fields in the 1970s and 1980s being farmed or built on pesticide pollution, and extremes of weather from climate change. The charity said the insects were hit by a wet spring and cool summer – but that these natural variations in numbers, affected by the weather, are in addition to long-term declines. Butterfly Conservation has written an open letter to Environment Secretary Steve Reed asking for the Government to declare a ‘nature emergency’ and ban all neonicotinoid pesticides – well-known for harming bees but also toxic to butterflies. The Big Butterfly Count, organised by Butterfly Conservation over three weeks in the summer, involves members of the public spending 15 minutes recording the butterflies they see in their garden, park or countryside.

If we don’t act now to address the long-term drivers of butterfly decline, we will face extinction events never before seen in our lifetime,’ he added. The results are in line with wider evidence that the summer of 2024 has been very poor for butterflies,’ Dr Fox said. The data gathered by the public also show a decline over the 14 years of the count for a number of common butterflies, including small tortoiseshell and common blue numbers which have more than halved, while green-veined whites are down nearly two thirds (65 per cent). In total, just over 935,000 butterflies and day-flying moths were recorded between July 12 to August 4, down more than a third on 2023’s figures. Overall, the 14-year trends show that 11 species – some two thirds of those included in the count – are declining, and just three species, red admirals, holly blues and small coppers, are increasing. Dr Fox said: ‘Butterflies are a key indicator species; when they are in trouble we know that the wider environment is in trouble too. Nature is sounding the alarm call. This year, a third of the common species of butterflies and day-flying moths included in the count had their worst year on record. We must act now if we are to turn the tide on these rapid declines and protect species for future generations,’ he warned. The previous low was in 2022, which clocked up an average of just nine butterflies spotted by participants.

Andalusite is said bring moderation and balance.

This brings more individuality and creativity into life, especially where others try to constrain the two. Angel Aura Quartz is quartz that is permanently treated by fusing platinum and/or silver (backtoglamour.com) crystals with heat and vacuum to give it its gorgeous angelic coloring. It is used in meditation and can help one meditate on finding the proper course of action in life. Andalusite is sometimes called “The Seeing Stone” because it is used in metaphysical works to calmly see the various parts of one’s character without bias. It is also reported to be helpful to see the different sides of a problem, and is used for scrying. It is particularly useful for energywork for teamwork, harmonious relations with others, coping with change, and comfortable transformations. Analcime is stimulating to the Heart Chakra. Andalusite is said to enhance memory and recall. It is also a stone that is said to be helpful for meditation and centering. It is said that it is very helpful to the aura which it can protect, balance, and bring energetic health. It is said to help with angelic communication and communicating with Higher Self and inner wisdom. It is used by mystics to help access Akashic records and past life recall. Physically, Analcime is used in crystal healing and folk healing for diabetes, pancreas problems, water retention, strengthen muscles and muscle structure, organic problems that reduce mental clarity such as brain tumors. Andalusite is said bring moderation and balance. Physically andalusite is used in crystal healing and folk healing for AIDS, eye problems, deficiencies in calcium, oxygen, iodine, and water retention. Analcime has stabilzing energy that can help stabilize on all levels. In addition it has been said to assist in raising Kundalini energy in a more gentle manner. Andalusite is associated with the solar plexus and heart chakras. It is said to bring peace and tranquility because of the angelic protection it brings. Mystical lore counts It a stone of high spiritual energy. It is also known as Opal Aura or Pearl Aura. Physically, mystical lore reputes that angel aura is helpful for general health, vitality, and miraculous cure of illness. Analcite is a Zeolite, so it also has the energies of Zeolites. It is also said to bring chivalry.

Angel aura is associated primarily with the crown chakra. Angelite is also excellent for creating a shield of psychic protection and for balancing etheric and physical energies. Anthophyllite is also excellent for writer’s block and creative writing. Angelite dispeals fear, anger, and encourages forgiveness. Alunite is used in crystal healing for problems with eye-sight, body odor, excessive thirst, and dehydration. Mystical lore says that angelite is used for Infectious Diseases, headaches, hemoglobin deficiencies, throat inflammations and infections, thymus, heart function, and circulatory system. Angelite is a stone that can bring serenity, inner peace, and a sense of calm. Because of this, angel wing has a stabilizing and grounding effect. Anthophyllite is a stone of releasing. Angel Wing (Alunite) – Angel Wing is a stone that can help balance yin/yang, physical and emotional energies as well as environmental energies, bringing unbalanced or dysfunctional energies into harmony. In folklore and crystal healing, Anthophyllite is used for the colon, lower disgstive tract, and absorbing nutrients properly. Angel Wing was used by Ancient Chinese and Egyptian cultures to reduce body odor. Psychically angelite is used to conntect with spirit guides, the higher self, and guardian angels. It allows one to release things that are held onto that are causing problems or pain. It is excellent for enhancing telepathy, psychic awareness, astrology, astral travel, and spirit journeys. It is also beneficial in the arts, heightening creativity while at the same time grounding that creativity in current reality, thus bringing creative arts to life. It facilitates this release by cleansing, and is also very cleansing for the aura and environment. For balancing energies in a room or other space, simply place angel wing in a corner or other inconspicuous place. Angel Wing has been related to the heart chakra, although it is more commonly related to the sacral and root chakras. Angelite can be used to aid expression and communication in group settings and in relationships. Angelite is excellent to use when you need to calm down from feelings of stress and overwhelm. One day a party of Apache Indians was ambushed by an enemy tribe.

Apatite can be used to enhance the energies of other crystals and stones.

The Apaches fought bravely but were greatly outnumbered and driven to the top of a high bluff. Having apatite near you can bring harmony on all levels, and brings inner peace. When placed on the third eye chakra, it enhances clairvoyance and mystical vision. Apophyllite is an aid to meditation and helps make a conscious connection with the spiritual world. Green Apophyllite has the energies of clear Apophyllite, plus its own energies. Apatite is a stone that mystically can stimulate the thoughts and ideas. Their arrows gone and unable to fight and unwilling to be taken captive, they leapt from the cliffs to their death. Apophyllite is associated with the crown chakra. As a meditation or awareness tool It is said to help you maintain focus, learn, concentrate effectively, think clearly, and communicate better. They can help release negative emotions, and they also can balance one’s emotional state. It has been used to help in firewalking and astral travel. It is said to increase intellect, imagination, and intuitive awareness. Apache Tears are a gently grounding stone. Folklore says that It relieves tired eyes when placed on the eyelids. It is said to bring abundance. Apatite can be used to enhance the energies of other crystals and stones. Apache Tears are said to especially relieve grief and sadness as well as assisting in giving and accepting forgiveness. Apatie is reputed in mystical lore to physically apatite assist with nail problems, allergies, arthritis, bones, muscles, nervous system. It is said that whomever owns one of these stones will never cry again, for the Apache women shed enough tears already. They are excellent meditaiton tools, especially for clarifying issues and gaining insight. In the physical realm, Apache Tears are reputed to alleviate muscle spasms and eliminate toxins from the body. Apatite is primarily related to the throat chakra, though golden Apatite is related mainly to the solar plexus chakra. Their women were understandably grief-stricken and wept over the bodies. It is said to one see the truth and then act on it, and is an energy stimulator. Their teardrops froze when they hit the ground to become the lovely stones we know today as Apache Tears. It is a stone of growth, universal love, and nature. They are good luck stones, said to bring good luck to anyone who has one.