An exploration of the vibrational qualities of the physical world by Mark Stephen John.
Iodine is the 53rd element of the periodic table. It is a black, shiny, crystalline solid that melts at 237 degrees Fahrenheit, just above the boiling point of water and boils at 361 degrees Fahrenheit, a good temperature to roast beets. Interestingly, it is important in the stability of the ozone layer and there is a relationship between atmospheric iodine and oxygen-based reactions with sodium, potassium and chlorine. It sublimes directly from solid to form a violet gas.
The human body has about 20 milligrams of iodine and is important in the thyroid production of T3 and T4 hormones. It is the heaviest element commonly needed by living organisms. Seventy percent of the body’s iodine is stored in other parts besides the thyroid gland. It is yet another essential element that has sketchy information about its role in human physiology.
Iodine Scale
Iodine Soundscape
Molybdenum is the 42nd element in the periodic table. It was apparently known to the ancient civilizations, though was often mistaken for lead as they have similar appearances. It does not appear as a pure element in nature or an easily identifiable mineral, hence, there is no alchemical symbol for this element. More is written about molybdenum in its role in earth functions and the water soluble forms are important in the initial development of life on the planet.
There is not a lot of definitive information about how molybdenum is incorporated in the living sphere. It seems that humans and bacteria need trace amounts. It is associated with the sulfur balance in the body and important in liver detoxification. The molybdenum based enzymes are important with this function. They also cleanse nerve cell transmitter molecules and keep the nervous system working in balance.
Molybdenum Scale
Molybdenum Soundscape
Arsenic is a metalloid meaning that it has characteristics between a metal and non-metal. It is number 33 in the periodic table. The references to arsenic go back to ancient times with numerous cultures using arsenic compounds, it is rarely found in a pure state. Our name comes from the Greek. Zosimos, the Greek Alchemist, (circa 300 AD) describes working with arsenic. Alchemical records show that it was recognized as a poison, but also it was used medicinally in small doses. It was the poison of choice for the royalty in medieval Europe and had the title of the, “Poison of Kings and King of Poisons.”
Although some references state that arsenic is used in the human body, I could not find any clear evidence that this is so. It has been added to the feed of commercial meat producers to increase weight. Poultry producers have used it extensively; the birds aren’t going to live that long anyway—yuck! It is mostly used industrially, as a semi-conductor- when you throw away that phone chances are it contains arsenic. It shows up in treated lumber – don’t use treated lumber for play structures or raised vegetable beds! – food, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and drugs. Because of this, most of us have measurable arsenic in our bodies. It is especially prevalent in water. I just couldn’t find much to commend this element for humans, plants or animals.
Arsenic Scale
Arsenic Soundscape
Zinc is a metal and number 30 in the periodic table. The earliest record comes from India about 3,000 years ago. The alchemist, Paracelsus, is thought to have named the element. Alchemical names include philosopher’s wool and nix alba. In current metaphysical texts zinc is related to the planet Mercury, the heart chakra, heart, circulation, respiration and nervous system. It helps harmonize and integrate the body systems.
It is an essential mineral for the human body with about 2 to 3 grams in each human body. Zinc is considered an essential trace element for humans, animals, plants and microorganisms. In fact, it is the only metal that appears in all enzyme classes. Between 100 and 300 different enzymes require zinc and up to 3,000 out of 100,000 proteins contain zinc.
I have included a representation of “zinc fingers” helping to read sequences in DNA. (See Wikipedia for credits.)
Zinc Scale
Zinc Sound Sketch
I am consistently amazed by the qualities of elements and their interaction with life. Mendeleev, when he organized the elements in the periodic table by their qualities put them in a system that, quite often, aligned them in a manner that also reflected human attraction to those elements. Copper, silver and gold are all elements that are in the same grouping, and, they are also found in pure form on the earth. Hence, they all have had a significant impact on the psychic attraction to people. Humans do love shiny, malleable metals.
Copper is one of the ancient metals. There are indications of its use 10,000 years ago and evidence of it first being refined 7,000 years ago. The first alloys include copper. The name comes from Latin-cuprum. It is a soft, malleable metal that has a high thermal and electrical conductivity, second only to silver. It imparts a blue or green color in minerals such as: azurite, malachite, and turquois. Like silver, it is an anti-microbial substance and bacteria cannot live while in contact with copper. Copper handrails, doorknobs and cooking surfaces all prevent the spread of virulent microbes. Also, it is one of four metallic elements with a color other than silver or grey.
Copper is essential for life. It is part of a respiratory enzyme, it is found in the liver, muscle and bone. Copper is considered an essential micronutrient with an average of about 0.1 grams in a body. Some crustaceans use copper instead of iron to transport oxygen.
In the realm of alchemy, Copper is ruled by Venus. It is connected to the nurturing aspects of women, love and lust, charisma, feminine beauty, artistic creativity, affection, curing and balance. It is a healing metal that teaches about living a fulfilling life.
Copper Scale
Copper Sound Sketch
Nickel is very similar to cobalt, though there is no known role in humans. Recently, the biological role in some microorganisms and plants has been established. If those microorganisms are in the human body and there is an excess of nickel in the body, then there can be some toxic responses to these organisms. Navy beans can contain this element. Interestingly, it is believed that a substantial amount of nickel arrived on our planet via meteorites. Early cultures used nickel with iron to make a non-rusting steel and also added it to glass to create green glass. Also, the Peruvians identified it as a type of silver.
Nickel Scale
Nickel Sound Sketch
Cobalt is found only in chemically combined forms. The distinctive color, cobalt blue, is a compound of Cobalt, Aluminum and Oxygen. Like many discoveries, the Chinese have the earliest know uses of cobalt. Examples have been found in Tutankhamen’s tomb about 1350 BC, in Persian glass and jewelry and even back to the bronze age about 5000 years before present.
In the body, cobalt is an important micronutrient used in a coenzyme, B12. Also cobalt is important in blood formation and in the nervous system. Bacteria, fungi and algae also use cobalt in their metabolisms. On average, there is one milligram of cobalt in an adult body.
Cobalt Scale
Cobalt Sound Sketch
25-Mn-Manganese
Manganese is the 25th element in the Periodic Table. Manganese (Mn) is the element before Iron (Fe). It is found in combination with many minerals and often with iron. It is a silvery grey metal and it resembles iron. I just spent time being confused between the element Magnesium (Mg-12) and Manganese (Mn-25). The two have similar names and both are biologically essential in all life forms. (Hence my confusion- See the post on Magnesium for its fascinating similarity to hemoglobin in the chlorophyll molecule). Many enzymes contain Manganese and in photosynthesis it helps free Oxygen. In humans it strengthens bones and is active in many different physiological processes.
Manganese Scale
Manganese Sound Sketch
24-Cr-Chromium
Chromium is a hard silvery metal with a blue tinge. Like some of the other metals in this group, Chromium may or may not have a biological role in humans. There is some indication that it is an essential element in the assimilation of glucose and is found in brewer’s yeast, wheat germ and in kidney. The French chemist Nicholas Louis Vauquelin first isolated it and was amazed by the range of colors it produced in solution. He hence named it from the Greek word “chroma” meaning color. The green in emeralds and the red in rubies are from chromium.
Chromium Scale
Chromium Sound Sketch
23-V-Vanadium
Vanadium is the 23rd element in the periodic table. It is a silvery grey transition metal and is found almost exclusively in combination with other elements. There are some contradictory statements about whether vanadium is used in the body. The Royal Society of Chemistry states that the body takes in about 0.01mg per day of vanadium and that it might have a biological role in humans. Wikipedia and other sites indicate that vanadium is much more prevalent in sea creatures and with some birds, mammals and chickens (also a bird). Industrially vanadium is used in steel and as a strengthening alloy.
Vanadium Scale
Vanadium Sound Sketch
22-Ti – Titanium
Titanium is the 22nd element in the Periodic Table. It is a lustrous white metal that is very strong and light. Its primary uses are for airplanes and spacecraft because it easily alloys with aluminum, iron and molybdenum. It is also found in golf clubs, bicycles and other sports related equipment. Although there is no know biological role, titanium bonds with bones and is used for joint replacement and implants.
Titanium Scale
Titanium Sound Sketch
Strontium is the 38th element in the periodic table. It is classified as an alkaline earth metal. Strontium is found mainly in the minerals celestite and strontianite. The element is named after Strontian, Scottland. It is very reactive in air and water, catching fire in water and oxidizing to turn yellow in air. It is very similar in its characteristics to Calcium and is incorporated into bones in the same way. Some studies indicate that the use of Strontium increased bone density, however, there is not a known use for Strontium in the body.
This appears to be the primary use in humans. Because of this similarity, radioactive Strontium-90 is also readily absorbed by the body and used by the bones and has been attributed to causing bone cancer. Strontium-90 is a radioactive product of nuclear testing and from nuclear power plant accidents.
Strontium Scale
Strontium Sound Sketch
See https://musicoftheperiodictable.com/strontium/ for the individual tones.
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