Amethyst

Amethyst, the birthstone of Aquarius, is an extremely versatile crystal for use around the home, in jewelry, magick, healing, or meditation. It stimulates all the energy centers of your body, mind, and spirit. You can channel amethyst's power by carrying a small crystal in your pocket. Holding your crystal while you meditate enhances your mental clarity and improves your intuition and open-mindedness.

Amethyst's magickal qualities have been valued for centuries. It is mentioned in the Bible and is today mounted in the Fisherman's Ring worn by the Pope. Spiritualists believe that the stone enables you to bring the divine into more mundane parts of your life, helping your soul to feel grounded and comfortable in your physical body.

Amethyst has been used since Biblical times. It is mentioned in Exodus as one of the twelve sacred stones worn on the High Priest Aaron’s breastplate.

Ambassadors in Ancient Egypt carried amethyst scarabs with them when traveling abroad. They believed the scarabs could see through illusions and protect them from treachery. Ancient Persians believed that amethyst had the power to keep away hail and locusts.

In crystal fortune-telling, amethyst foretells a change or transition, or suggests that such a change is the answer to a problem.

“Amethyst” comes from the Greek “amethystos,” meaning “not drunken.” In Greek myth, Amethyst was a pure young girl who refused to get drunk, thus incurring the wrath of Dionysus, the god of joviality. To protect her from his wrath, the goddess Diana turned her into a quartz. Dionysus later regretted his actions and knocked over his wine goblet in despair, staining the quartz purple. The Ancient Greeks believed that amethyst offered protection from the effects of overindulgence in alcohol, allowing you to drink without becoming intoxicated and from falling victim to addiction. They often drank from amethyst goblets, or dropped an amethyst into their wine glass for protection.

Carry your amethyst in your pocket during a night on the town to protect you from drinking too much. You’ll need to carry it with you for at least two weeks beforehand, however, to attune it to your personal energies.

Like all purple stones, amethyst is linked to the body’s energy centers at the pituitary and pineal glands, located in the center of the forehead (known as the sixth or “Third Eye” chakra). This is the area that controls your higher intuition and spiritual awareness. Placing an amethyst on your brow stimulates your pineal gland. Some traditions hold that this gland is the place where the soul enters and leaves the body. Stimulating it helps to rebalance extremes, setting your moods and enhancing your general well-being. Massage your Third Eye Chakra to heighten your spiritual receptivity and open your mind to new ideas and experiences.

Amethyst promotes spiritual development and aids divine connections and mental clarity. It encourages bravery and wisdom and helps to initiate astral travel. Hold your amethyst loosely during meditation to improve divine connections. Wear amethyst in a pendant on a short chain to benefit from its stimulating effects all day long.

Amethyst is good for easing problems in the head area, such as migraines and depression. Ametrine, a natural mix of amethyst and the gold stone citrine, helps with stomach problems.

Amethyst is a good all-purpose healing stone, especially useful when you aren’t sure of the cause of the problem. You can enhance your crystal’s healing properties by rubbing it with lavender oil, which also stimulates the Third Eye Chakra.

On your bedside table or under your pillow, amethyst’s soothing qualities will ease your worries and help you sleep.

Gently rub your forehead with an amethyst to banish tension headaches. Start with small circular movements in the center of the temple and gradually work your way outward.