V: A to Z Blogging Challenge

For my 2016 A to Z Challenge, I’m sharing three facts for each letter. The genres I write and love to read are mostly science fiction and high or epic fantasy. In fantasy, there is often magic associated with crystals or metals. They also used herbs both for medicine and for magical spells. Each day I will post a short description of an herb or a mineral you might find in medieval or fantasy writings. For the record, most of the herbal remedies I’ve investigated are not recommended by the FDA. Many are actually poisonous and dangerous. As tribute to my second love, I will post a scientific fact that may deal with physics, biology or health science. And because another name for a writer is wordsmith, each day I’ll share a strange word that I would probably never use in my writing, but that amuse me in some way. So enjoy my trio of quick facts. And don’t forget to visit the IWSG site where we’ll share a writer’s resource for every day of the challenge.

Vulgus: The common people. I don't think the common people gave themselves that name.

Venus Stone is another name for turquoise. Those who believe in the power of gemstones believe wearing turquoise will give you courage, love, luck and health. Can't beat that.

Volcanoes. I could read about volcanoes all day and watch those science shows about them. Super volcanoes are those that if they erupt could destroy the world like Mt. Vesuvius. Here in The States, of course, we have Yellowstone. If Yellowstone goes the best case the world could hope for would be a new ice age though it might wipe out most life as we know it.

Are you a member of the vulgus or do you call the rest of us that? Do you own any turquoise and has it made you lucky? Do volcanoes fascinate you?

"I have seen so many eruptions in the last 20 years that I don't care if I die tomorrow." 
Maurice Krafft (Volcanologist) on the day before he was killed on Unzen Volcano, Japan 1991.