Amethyst: Healing Properties, History and Benefits
Amethyst is the best-known variety of quartz, distinguished by its rich purple or violet color. It's one of the most popular gemstones in history and today, as well as the traditional birthstone for February. In fact, it's been estimated that Amethyst is one of the most frequently mentioned gemstones in all literature, both ancient and current!
Amethyst's healing properties have been recognized since ancient times, and today amethysts are still considered one of the best stones to use for spiritual purposes.
Spiritual Meaning of Amethyst
Amethyst is said to be the most popular of all crystals, and for a good reason. These purple stones are known to bring about joyfulness, happiness, intuition, and spirituality while at the same time having a calming effect on their bearer. Amethysts can help one overcome stresses by infusing them with positive energy.
Meditation with Amethysts can bring about profound inner truths and spiritual wisdom. Amethyst is a natural tranquilizer, which relaxes nerves and soothes irritability. Amethyst has been thought to help one reach a higher plane of consciousness, allowing for a greater understanding of the universe.
Amethyst is also said to be a stone that encourages integrity, responsibility, and spiritual wisdom. It has been called a stone of sobriety because it's believed to eliminate addictions and destructive behaviors.
Dionysus, the Greek god of the grape harvest, wine-making, and ecstasy, was said to have been buried in a coffin made from solid Amethyst because it was thought to prevent drunkenness.
Amethyst in Ancient History & Lore
Amethyst is one of the oldest recorded gemstones and has been used as a powerful healing stone by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. It was so highly prized in ancient times that people would actually fight wars over it! Ancient myths claim amethysts were formed when Bacchus spilled his wine on white quartz rocks, and they absorbed the liquid of his divine spirit.
Soft pastel amethyst colors are found in the breathtakingly beautiful Victorian jewelry of Queen Victoria, who loved lavender amethysts and diamonds--her pieces have been copied again and again throughout the years. In ancient Roman times, Amethyst was considered to be a powerful antidote against drunkenness, and Pliny the Elder claimed amethysts could ward off evil inclinations and prevent disease.
Amethyst was the symbol of piety and humility in early Christianity. It is said that amethysts were once deemed unsuitable for royalty, but that changed when mineralogists discovered a new color of Amethyst called imperial purple. Roman emperors wore this regal color to symbolize their high rank and power.
Amethyst can be found all over the world but is very rare in larger sizes due to its relative softness as a stone. The largest amethyst geode ever discovered was in Uruguay and weighed an astounding 2.5 tons!
Healing Properties of Amethyst
Amethyst has been used and treasured throughout history and is known to bring serenity and calmness while at the same time providing great inner strength. With its lovely lavender color, Amethyst has been long associated with royalty and nobility.
There are plenty of reasons to love Amethyst - It's a popular and attractive purple stone with many powerful metaphysical properties to boot. Here are some of the most notable Amethyst healing properties:
Amethyst Metaphysical Properties
On a metaphysical level, Amethyst is associated with the Crown chakra, which is responsible for our spiritual wisdom and connection to the divine. It's also said to provide clarity of thought in times of decision-making or problem-solving.
The Crown chakra deals with the state of enlightenment one is searching for. Amethyst helps remind people about their spiritual identity, our natural ability to reason, and our connection to the divine.
Amethyst can attune one's energy to that of a higher vibration in order for them to manifest their dreams into reality. It does this by strengthening one's intuition, which is the key to understanding one's destiny.
Amethyst also enhances the development of psychic abilities, which makes it an excellent stone for astrologers and Tarot card readers. Amethyst is known as a natural soother of the mind, body, and spirit. It is said that amethysts are good for relieving stress or depression-like symptoms, and that it encourages good sleep.
Amethyst Emotional & Mental Healing Properties
This is where Amethyst really shines! Amethyst is well known for aiding in the relief of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Amethyst is highly calming and has a soothing effect on people who are restless or emotionally unstable.
Amethysts encourage self-awareness and contentment by allowing you to look within yourself to find peace through awareness of your own desires and needs, helping you reflect on your past mistakes without feeling excessive guilt, and by highlighting the harmful environmental effects of making certain choices, such as drugs or alcohol.
The lavender color in Amethyst is associated with balance and order, which makes it perfect for those trying to find their own identity in a world filled with conflicting messages and pressures. It's especially helpful in strengthening self-worth and confidence when surrounding oneself with people who respect your individuality and independence.
The vibrations of Amethyst are said to help one become more patient and tolerant of others, allowing them to learn from their experiences without becoming overwhelmed with negative emotions. Amethyst encourages both spiritual and personal growth by bringing ancient knowledge into the present moment - thus encouraging us to use these tools in our daily lives.
Amethyst Benefits
Amethyst has long been known to encourage mental focus when it's used in meditation. It's helpful when feeling scattered or unfocused and helps one see things clearly with an objective mind. People who are indecisive can benefit from carrying or wearing Amethyst for this reason.
Amethyst stones are often used in dream pillows and as ornaments on dream boards for this reason. They are said to bring good dreams, especially those of a spiritual nature, and to protect one from nightmares.
Amethyst helps expand one's consciousness, allowing one to see things from many different angles, keeping their thoughts open-minded while remaining steadfast on their path.
How to use Amethyst
Amethyst is a wonderful stone to use in meditation. It provides gentle support to those beginning their spiritual journey or trying to develop their intuition.
It's also beneficial for those suffering from mental blocks, as Amethyst can help reduce stress and anxiety, encouraging one to look within themselves to find their own answers.
Amethyst can be used for psychic protection, as it is a highly protective stone. It repels negativity and protects one from all types of negative energy, including against psychic attacks or invasion of one's space by another person.
Placing it near the front door of your home will keep negative energy from entering while placing it around your living space or under your pillow will cleanse you of any negative energy that might be present.
Amethyst Zodiac & Birthstone
Amethyst is the birthstone associated with those born in February and is also a zodiac sign of Aquarius.
People born under the Aquarius sign are known for being eccentric, original, and independent thinkers. However, they can be stubborn and resistant to change, making Amethyst an excellent stone for them to wear to encourage their acceptance of others' individuality and independence.
Amethyst is also the symbol for sobriety and recovery and is a stone that can be used in restricting addictions and self-destructive behavior. It encourages one to seek balance without sacrificing too much of who they are - something Aquarius finds difficult at times.
Amethyst makes a great companion for those who are introverted, as it can help them feel calmer and more at ease within themselves. This allows them to accept their own nature and embrace their differences from others rather than feeling threatened or intimidated.
How to Cleanse & Charge Your Amethyst Stone
To cleanse your amethyst stone, hold it under cold running water and visualize yourself releasing all feelings of negativity and stress. Once this is done, dry the stone with a soft cloth and allow it to sit in the sun for several hours before re-charging.
If you want to charge your amethyst stone, place it on top of a piece of hematite, black tourmaline or obsidian rock. These will help to amplify the cleansing and grounding properties of your amethyst stone, making them even more effective at clearing away negativity.
Amethyst In Jewelry
Wearing an amethyst stone will help you to stay grounded and connected to the earth while also working with your mind to enhance its natural abilities. Amethyst jewelry is also great for creating a connection between the physical and spiritual worlds, allowing your mind to remain clear while you access your intuition. Whether you choose to wear it on a bracelet, necklace, ring, or even holding onto tumbled stones, having Amethyst on your body will provide you with the energy and protection that you need.
For those looking to combine their amethyst stones or jewelry with other gems, Amethyst makes an excellent pairing with Citrine, Aquamarine, Agate, and Clear Quartz crystals.
Amethyst is a very versatile gemstone that can be used to help ward off negative energy while also providing support for those who are looking for spiritual growth. Whether you're using it as jewelry or simply carrying amethyst stones around with you, this stone's unique properties is bound to bring about positive change in your life.
Closing Thoughts on Amethyst
If you're looking for a beautiful and powerful gemstone that can help balance your mind, body and spirit while also bringing about positive change in your life, Amethyst might be the perfect stone to add to any jewelry collection.
Amethyst has been used for thousands of years for a reason. Anyone who's interested in exploring the properties of stones or enhancing their intuition will benefit greatly by adding Amethyst to their collection.
Amethyst brings about powerful change, yet it does so ever-so-gently. It empowers the mind while also providing protection, making it a great stone for beginners and experts alike.
