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Amethyst - the Healing Crystal of Tranquility
Amethyst
Amethyst is a healing crystal I never tire of acquiring, be it geodes, cathedrals, points polished and unpolished, balls, tumbles, palmstones, I’m an Amethyst addict. It’s a crystal I feel a strong affinity too and one that gives me a strong feeling of relaxation. I started collecting amethyst when I was suffering badly from insomnia. It soothed me, it took away the sharp anxiety that crowds in when you’re plagued with not sleeping. Amethyst placed around my bed and under my pillow worked wonders with my sleeping pattern and my ability to relax. Other healing crystals I used successfully for helping with insomnia are Lapis Lazuli, Smoky Quartz, Moonstone, Lepidolite and Citrine.
Amethyst Healing Crystals - Meanings, Properties & Benefits of the Magical Purple Stone.
Natural amethyst stones are connected to the third eye and crown chakras. The purple colour to reddish-purple hues of amethyst has long been a symbol of peace, cleansing and calming energy.
The crystals represent purification and connection to spiritual and divine beings. The meaning of amethyst is attached to serenity, understanding, trust and grace. Many cultures have linked spiritual overtones to this gem.
Amethyst is believed to have crystal healing properties that protect the bearer against negative energies. Some believe that the stone’s calming properties produce soothing dreams by making us more in tune with the divine. The stone also brings clarity and peacefulness to the waking mind, as they help the mind flow freely in both the mental and metaphysical dimensions.
In ancient times, it was thought that natural amethyst could purify the body of all toxins. Ancient Greeks believed that the stone protected the wearer from drunkenness and enabled them to keep a balanced mindset. Wine was sipped from goblets incorporating amethyst stones to prevent inebriation, and stones laid on the sick to draw out infection.
In crystal healing Amethyst is a powerful and protective stone. It guards against psychic attack, transmutes the bad energy into love and protects the wearer from harm, including ill wishes from others.
Amethyst is a natural tranquiliser, it relieves stress and strain, soothes irritability, balances mood swings, dispels anger, rage, fear and anxiety. It alleviates sadness and grief, and dissolves negativity.
Amethyst activates spiritual awareness, opens intuition and enhances psychic abilities. It has strong healing and cleansing powers. Amethyst encourages sobriety, having a sobering effect on overindulgence of alcohol, drugs or other addictions. It calms and stimulates the mind, helping you become more focused, enhancing memory and improving motivation. Amethyst assists in remembering and understanding dreams. Encourages selflessness and spiritual wisdom. It’s a great healing crystal for insomnia.
What Does Amethyst Do Spiritually?
Amethyst is held in high regard in spiritual circles. It can control evil thoughts, initiate wisdom and increase intelligence through a greater sense of understanding. The stone can help you apply your intellectual powers in challenging situations and think more clearly to make better choices.
This purple healing crystal is also thought to have wonderful, positive effects of creativity and imaginative powers by enhancing intuition. It empowers its bearers to embrace new ideas and to put their thoughts into action.
Do Amethysts Fade?
If left for too long in the sun or if exposed to any source of UV for an extended period, the amethyst colour will fade. Furthermore, if the stone is exposed to heat for too long, the colour is likely to fade.
With proper care and cleansing of your amethyst the stone will last for quite some time. If it’s properly protected from harsh elements like prolonged exposure to water or sunlight, the colour is unlikely to fade.
Amethyst – February Birthstone
Amethyst is the traditional and modern birthstone for February. The stone is believed to strengthen relationships and gives the wearer more courage. It’s also a stone that brings clarity.
Amethyst – The 6th Wedding Anniversary Gemstone
Traditionally, each of the milestone wedding anniversaries are associated with symbolic materials that carry a deeper meaning. Amethyst crystals are the gemstone for the 6th Wedding anniversary. They provide a calming, relaxed energy to the couple as they enter their next year of marriage.
For over 2000 years amethyst has been prized for its properties and its beauty. The gorgeous gem always makes a statement, whether in jewellery or displayed as a raw polished section of stone.
Amethyst Healing Crystals are one of the world’s most popular gemstones and have been in use for thousands of years. The believed healing properties of the stone are rather impressive and trace back to ancient Greek beliefs. The word ‘amethyst’ comes from the Greek word amethystos, which means sober and alludes to the idea of maintaining a solid, sober mindset.
Amethyst History and Mythology
According to Greek mythology, Amethyste was a beautiful virgin maiden who was on her way to worship at the Temple of Diana. Unfortunately for Amethyste she came under the wrath of Bacchus, the god of wine, intoxication and grapes. Bacchus was pursuing Amethyste and became enraged when she refused his affections. When Amethyste cried for the virgin goddess Diana to help her remain chaste, she immediately answered her prayers and transformed her into a white glimmering Quartz stone to protect her from Bacchus. Humbled by her wish to remain chaste, Bacchus poured red wine over the stone as an offer of respect, transforming the stone into the purple crystals we now know as Amethyst.
There are several variations of this story. One version states that Bacchus had been mocked by a mortal and vowed to kill the next mortal that crossed his path. Amethyste happened to be the next mortal and Bacchus unleashed his two ferocious tigers upon her. As the tigers approached Amethyste, the goddess Diana transformed the maiden into pure Quartz to protect her from the tigers' savage claws. A remorseful Bacchus wept tears of wine at the sight of the beautiful Quartz statue, staining the Quartz purple.
Although the story sounds like it was written in ancient times, it actually only dates back to the Renaissance period when the French poet, Remy Belleau, created it in 1576 as part of a poem on gemstone beliefs. Nonetheless, the idea that Amethyst prevents intoxication does indeed go back to the Ancient Greeks. The word Amethyst comes from 'Amethystos', which literally translated means 'not intoxicated' in Greek. 'A' – 'not' and 'methystos' – 'intoxicated'. The Ancient Greeks would drink from vessels made from Amethyst, wear Amethyst or keep it in their mouths in the belief that it would prevent them from becoming drunk and would instill a sober and serious mind.
To this day, metaphysicians claim that Amethyst is one of the most effective healing stones as it counteracts the earth's negative energies. Whatever your belief, Amethyst is an exquisite gemstone with a fascinating history and is a must-have gemstone in any jewelry collection
How Amethyst is Formed
Amethyst forms in long, prismatic crystals in geodes or hollow rocks.
These geodes form when there are cavaties in volcanic rock. As the rock cools, the mineral-saturated water, gases and volcanic material distil and crystallize. When these crystals harden, they form amethyst. Although generally more of a deeper purple, the stone can also have a reddish-purple tinge, or a very pale purple tinge that fades into a lilac.
As the member of the Quartz family characterised by their distinctive purple colour, amethyst has a hardness of seven on the Mohs scale. Amethyst gems are durable, and this makes them ideal for all kinds of jewellery. You’ll often find amethyst in earrings, pendants, bracelets, and rings and it’s even cut to create bracelet cuffs or beads too.
Due to its hardness and durability, the stone can be cut into a variety of shapes, making it all the more versatile. Faceted pieces, beds and cabochons are just a few of the more common cuts.
You can find high quality naturally formed amethyst in Sri Lanka, Siberia, Brazil, Uruguay, Namibia and the Far East, as well as large deposits in Namibia, Australia and America. The largest cache of this gem is found in South America.
When it comes to the price, the value of an amethyst stone depends on a number of factors, including the size of the stone and the depth of its colour.
Amethyst is available in a number of variants, each with their own unique purple colour to reddish-purple hues. Varieties of the gem include lavender amethyst, which is a lighter colour, as well as Canadian amethyst. The latter includes a red layer just beneath its surface, making the colour more vibrant. Other varieties of amethyst include ametrine, cactus quartz and Veracruz amethyst.
This beautiful purple stone is available in so many varieties. It's very difficult to have a favourite.
I hope I've helped instill my passion for Amethyst and explain many of its benefits.
Alison
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