amethyst healing properties - crystals for centering
Amethyst has been highly esteemed throughout the ages for its stunning beauty and legendary powers to stimulate, and soothe, the mind and emotions. It is a semi-precious stone in today’s classifications, but to the ancients, it was a “Gem of Fire"; a Precious Stone worth, at times in history, as much as a Diamond.
Amethyst has always been associated with February, the month the Romans dedicated to Neptune, their water god. Therefore, it should be no surprise that it is the traditional birthstone of that month. It is the stone of St. Valentine and faithful love and signifies ecclesiastical dignity as the Bishop’s Stone. It carries the energy of fire and passion, creativity and spirituality; yet bears the logic of temperance and sobriety.
Whether its crystals are left natural, polished as tumbled stones, or faceted into magnificent jewels, Amethyst is a gem whose beauty transcends its commonality. It is a variety of Quartz found in many locations around the world. It forms as transparent, terminated crystals of all sizes in geodes, clusters, and as long single terminations. Amethyst is also found in vitreous masses and polished into wonderful specimens and personal talismans.
The presence of manganese in clear Quartz produces Amethyst, while additional amounts of iron vary the purple coloration. It ranges in hue from pale red-violet to deep violet and may be transparent or opaque. In addition, it is sometimes layered with white Quartz as Chevron Amethyst, found in combination with Cacoxenite, mixed with Citrine as Ametrine, or in rare cases, “rutilated” with Goethite.
"A favorite of Amethyst healing benefits is its ability to expand the higher mind also enhances one’s creativity and passion."
The name Amethyst is derived from the Greek word améthystos (αμέθυστος), meaning "not intoxicated", and comes from an ancient legend. The wine god Bacchus, angry over an insult and determined to avenge himself, decreed the first person he should meet would be devoured by his tigers.
The unfortunate mortal happened to be a beautiful maiden named Amethyst on her way to worship at the shrine of Diana. As the ferocious beasts sprang, she sought the protection of the goddess and was saved by being turned into a clear, white crystal. Bacchus, regretting his cruelty, poured the juice of his grapes over the stone as an offering; giving the gem its lovely purple hue.
Throughout history, the special virtue of Amethyst has been that of preventing drunkenness and overindulgence. Ancient Greeks and Romans routinely studded their goblets with Amethyst believing that wine drunk from an Amethyst cup would not lead to intoxication. They also believed that an Amethyst worn on the body, especially at the navel, had a sobering effect not only for inebriation but for over-zealousness in passion as well.
Catholic bishops also wore Amethyst in a ring to protect them from mystical intoxication. Kissing the ring kept others from similar mystical intoxication and kept them grounded in spiritual thought.
In today’s world, Amethyst healing properties and meanings are similar to their historic roots. It is still a remarkable stone of spirituality and contentment; known for its metaphysical abilities to still the mind and inspire an enhanced meditative state. Its inherent high frequency purifies the aura of any negative energy or attachments. It creates a protective shield of Light around the body, allowing one to remain clear and centered while opening to spiritual direction.
Amethyst stimulates the Third Eye, Crown, and Etheric Chakras enhancing cognitive perception as well as accelerating the development of intuitive and psychic ability. It initiates wisdom and greater understanding and is a stone of comfort for those grieving the loss of a loved one.
Amethyst’s ability to expand the higher mind also enhances one’s creativity and passion. It strengthens the imagination and intuition and refines the thinking processes. It helps in the assimilation of new ideas, putting thought into action, and brings projects to fruition. Amethyst is also well-known as a talisman of focus and success.
Amethyst is an exceptional crystal for wearing on the body, for use in healing rituals, and for enhancing one’s environment. It has been known to fade in direct sunlight and care should be taken. It is also good to clear its energies from time to time by holding the stone under running water for a short period while affirming that the stone is cleared. Keep unpolished Amethyst near other crystals to recharge them.
