Crystal Properties
Crystal healing and the metaphysical properties of
the mineral kingdom has been the subject of hundreds of books over the
centuries. The shaman and priests of practically every culture on Earth have
always valued precious and semi-precious stones for qualities other than their
commercial value. Crystal healing and psychic development through the use of the
energy of certain crystals is not a "new age" phenomena, but has been
recorded systematically and consistently throughout history.
Amethyst is the purple variety of Quartz used as a semi-precious stone; the
amethyst is known as a spiritual stone and is often used for general healing
purposes and as an aid to meditation.
The purple color is induced by impurities of manganese, or perhaps iron and manganese.
Amethyst has a long history of use as a gem and as a magical stone. The name
Amethyst is derived from the Greek word amethustos which means "not to
intoxicate". Amethyst, according to legend, originated when Bacchus, the god of
wine, grew angry at mortals. He vowed the next mortal that crossed his path
would be eaten by tigers. At that time, a beautiful young maiden name Amethyst
was on her way to worship the goddess Diana. Diana, knowing of Bacchus' vow,
turned Amethyst into a pillar of colorless quartz to protect her from the
tigers. Bacchus, witnessing the miracle, repented and poured wine over Amethyst,
staining her purple. This connection with Bacchus led to the belief that
drinking wine from an Amethyst cup would prevent drunkenness. Because of this
centuries old Greek legend, cultures in some areas of the world today continue
to believe that amethyst will prevent intoxication.
Amethyst is found throughout the world. The most common occurrences of
Amethyst are in Southern Brazil with a medium color of purple. the lighter
clearer amethyst crystals are found in the Vera Cruz area of Mexico. The
deepest colors of Amethyst come from Siberia, Uruguay, and Africa. In the U.S.
Amethyst is found in many areas. Darker shades of Amethyst are found
in Colorado and Arizona while the lighter more lavender shades are found in
Montana and Oregon.
Metaphysical properties attributed to amethyst
include:
If one sleeps with a piece of amethyst beneath their pillow intuitive dreams
may occur and inspired thoughts may rise to the surface of their creative mind.
For many years, the humble amethyst has been used by those with the gift of
healing to reduce the level of bodily stress and tension and to bring serenity
in times of grief and distress. it is a stone of 'meditation.'
Amethyst helps balance intellectual activities with spiritual
insight. It is said to provide that 'common sense' we all need and keeps
us in touch with our spiritual reality as well as helping us reach our highest
goals.
Amethyst is very useful in situations of debating. It helps integrate
the compassion, peace and cooperation of different personalities into stronger relationships.
Reiki and other healers use Amethyst with their spiritual gifts to help balance and heal all chakras, but
especially the Solar Plexis & Crown chakras..
Amethyst also aids in Communicating with Spirit and keeps the Psychic or reader grounded.
Make friends with your amethyst!
Amethysts should be held in the hand while you are watching television or
reading a book or magazine. The soft, gentle energies from your amethyst will
relax your whole body - both mentally and physically - and will liberate the
deep-seated stress and tension that you have accumulated through many years of
worry and strife.
Bloodstone (Heliotrope) is an opaque, dark green chalcedony with red spots.
Like all forms of chalcedony, it is a member of the non-crystalline quartz
group. Bloodstone is porous.
Bloodstone is said to benefit the blood and circulatory system. Its
subtle energies are believed to help purify toxic blood and detoxify the liver,
spleen, and kidneys. Gem literature also said to benefit the heart, reproductive
organs, bones, and other blood-rich organs.
The energies of this stone are said to bolster confidence and be an aid to
reaching higher levels of consciousness. It is a calming stone, and can help
remove the distracting influences that can allow you to walk unseeing into
situations that might be dangerous. It is a stone of perception.
Bloodstone is said to help clear and open the lower chakras, especially the base
charka. Its soothing and renewing properties make it easier to express sexual
desires.
Carnelian is in the chalcedony family, which is part of the non-crystalline
quartz group. Carnelian is translucent to clear and is usually found in red to
orange, though brown carnelian is sometimes found.
Carnelian is in tune with the energies of the Earth. Its strong connection
with the Earth makes it a good stone to help keep you anchored and comfortable
with your environment. Carnelian's grounding influence allows you to fell
settled and more secure.
Carnelian's stimulating energies influence the reproductive organs. This stone
has long been used as a fertility symbol for this reason.
Carnelian can also help to stimulate creativity. It seems to have a clearing
effect, dispelling negative energies as it replaces them with positive ones.
This can make it easier to find direction, and its grounding effects can make it
easier for you to feel in control of your life. This makes carnelian a good
stone for people who feel like they are going nowhere.
Carnelian can help with motivation, allowing you to find the energy to make the
most out of life. It is also said to help purify the blood and the liver, giving
you more physical energy. This makes carnelian a good stone for people
considering new projects or directions.
Moonstone's energies are soothing and nurturing. They can help calm and
prevent over-reactions to personal situations that involve the emotions.
Moonstone's energies are feminine in nature. They can help us all become more
sensitive and loving. The subtle energies of moonstone can help to open and
cleanse your heart. They are soothing and healing to the mind, emotions, and
body.
Although moonstone is seen as a feminine influence, it can also help balance the
male and female aspects of yourself. This makes moonstone a good choice for men
too because many men could benefit from being more sensitive and better able to
express love.
In India, moonstone is considered sacred. It is said to bring good fortune, but,
more importantly, it is seen as a tool to promote spiritual enlightenment.
Moonstone can help you become more intuitive. It can also boost psychic ability.
Moonstone has a powerful effect on women's menstrual cycles. Women are cautioned
about wearing or carrying moonstone at times of the full moon or when they are
menstruating.
Agate is banded chalcedony, a semi precious variety of quartz valued both for
its beauty and for its hardness. Agates can range from translucent to opaque,
with colors ranging from reds and pinks to browns and grays. Moss Agate is
a form of agate containing dark, moss like patterns on a milky or nearly
transparent background. These patterns are caused by the presence of
manganese oxide or other impurities.
Moss Agate is a good grounding stone that can help us find a better balance
between our physical and emotional aspects. The agate's energies work to raise
consciousness, allowing us to accept ourselves and gain self confidence.
Agate's ability to boost self confidence manifests itself as courage. It can
give us the ability to tackle projects and situations that might otherwise seem
beyond our abilities. Through this, agate promotes wealth, good luck, and
generally a more prosperous life.
The grounding energies of agate are calming and soothing to the emotions. This
can be a stabilizing influence, leading to a greater sense of harmony in life.
Its soothing influence can help us examine (and cope with) potential problems
without undue emotional distractions.
Agates are closely tied to earth energies. Wearing agate or carrying it can give
us a greater appreciation of nature in all of its varied forms.
Physically, the energies of agates promote overall health. They are said to help
reduce the stress that is a big factor in many physical ailments. This might be
why agate was thought to increase strength and longevity.
Moss Agate has long been thought helpful to the farmer and
when worn while planting, is thought to ensure a good crop. Often called the
"Gardener's Stone".
Some mention it as useful in locating hidden
"treasure" and for money spells.
Moss Agate is said to align itself with the Heart
Chakra and is thought to help bring peace and balance to those with excessive
duty in their lives.
Clear quartz crystals,
also known as rock crystal is colorless. It is formed hydro-thermally and
composed of silicon and oxygen (silicon
dioxide.) Forming about 12% of the earth's crust, quartz is the most
abundant single mineral on the earth. Sand and sandstone are chiefly quartz and found
virtually everywhere. Quartz is found in sizes ranging from tiny
specks of crystal to pieces weighing a ton or more.
Quartz has had many industrial uses over the years such as hearing aids,
quartz watches, radio transmitters, phonographs, other electronics,
sonar and ultrasonic generators, and computer parts such as hard drives. It is
used to make lenses and prisms for telescopes and other optical instruments and
in filtration systems for purifying water and air. It is also used to make
glass, mortar, grinding stones, sand paper, and cleaning compounds: It is used as a flux
in the smelting of iron and copper ores and as a glaze for porcelain.
Nearly every country and state produces clear quartz crystals, and to list
them all would be just about impossible. The major producers of quartz include
Brazil, Madagascar, Colombia and Arkansas.
There are two basic kinds of Quartz: (1) CRYSTALLINE. While pure
crystalline quartz is clear (colorless) impurities may give it color. Colored
quartz is usually known by other names: Green:
Aventurine, Yellow to
brown: CITRINE, Purple: AMETHYST, Pink: ROSE QUARTZ, Brown to Gray: CAIRNGORM
(smoky quartz). (2)
cryptocrystalline (commonly
called Chalcedony).
Chalcedony quartzes include: AGATE,
BLOODSTONE, CARNELIAN, JASPER, ONYX, and many others.
The history, mythology and lore of quartz crystals have provided the material
for many books included the highly recommend reference Love is in the Earth
by Melody. Almost all societies from the beginning of time have held quartz
crystals in esteem. Legends of Atlanta tell us crystals generated power for
entire cities. (Crystal Enlightenment by Katrina Raphaell.)
Many civilizations, cultures and people have used crystals for many purposes
ranging from utilitarian and practical to mystical and healing. Crystals
have also been used in initiation rights and religious ceremonies.
Metaphysical properties attributed to amethyst
include:
Reduces fever by holding a crystal in the hand and pointing it away from the
body.
Provides purification of the body, mind and soul.
Activates the crown chakra for meditation, Kundalini and other Spiritual
work.
Balances the emotions by healing the negativity associated with our thoughts
and feelings.
Stimulates brain function and amplifies thought forms.
Activates all levels of consciousness.
Dispels negativity in one's personal energy field and environment.
Receives, stores, transmits, activates and amplifies energy.
Aids meditation and communication with the Higher Self and Spirit guides.
Rose quartz is one of the more attractive members of the
quartz
group, with color ranging from a light pale pink to darker, richer shades of
pink. Rose quartz ranges from transparent to almost opaque.
As part of the quartz group, rose quartz is a crystal with a variety of
metaphysical uses:
Rose quartz is a soothing stone with the ability to soften the edges of our
existence. It is said to make negative experiences or influences less
detrimental while strengthening the positive aspects of our daily lives.
Rose quartz is in tune with the emotional aspects of self. Its energies can help
us learn to love ourselves, and through this, give us an increased ability to
love others. Rose quartz stimulates love on many levels, and it can lead to
being better able to accept negative situations and aspects of our daily lives.
Rose quartz can help bolster low self-esteem. Its energies are soothing and
nurturing, and this makes this stone one of the best choices for people going
through emotional traumas like divorce or loss of a loved one. It has a
sympathetic nature, and quickly attunes itself to the emotional needs of whoever
possesses it.
This stone amplifies love, helping us realize that all change is important. Its
gentle vibrations stimulate love and tender appreciation of all things. It can
help us find that space inside ourselves where we can accept situations that
would normally cause us pain.
On the physical side, rose quartz is said to benefit the heart and the
circulatory system. It is also said to help the cleansing organs. It may also
help the reproductive organs become more in tune with the positive energies we
need to express tenderness and love on a physical level. Rose quartz thus can
help us express physical love and may even increase fertility.
Rose quartz's ability to enhance love in ourselves and in others makes it a good
choice for most people. Its subtle energies sooth and nurture, and can help us
deal with stress and difficult situations. It helps with self-esteem, and is one
of the best all around stones for a new age. Rose quartz can help everyone lead
a better life.
