Amethyst
Amethyst is the violet variety of quartz (silicon dioxide with iron impurities), one of the most popular gems in jewellery and crystal therapy. In esoteric tradition is associated with the crown chakra and third eye: amplifies spirituality, calms the mind, helps with insomnia, and protects against negative energies.
Origin and history
The word "amethyst" comes from the Greek amethystos (a- = without; methys = wine): "the one that does not get drunk". The classical Greeks made cups of amethyst convinced that they prevented the drunkenness of the wine. The legend recounts that the goddess Aphrodite's father Dionysus, irritated, vowed to attack the next mortal he met; the modest virgin Amethyst was his victim, but Artemis, listening her prayer, transformed her into a quartz of pure white. Repentant Dionysus poured wine on it, dyeing it eternal violet.
Throughout history, amethyst has been a precious stone of high status: ancient Egyptian rings of amethyst, Greek and Roman jewellery, gems of the British and other European royal crowns. In Christian tradition is the stone of the bishops (the "bishop's stone"), engraved with sacred symbols on episcopal rings. Today, the main world deposits are in Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, Madagascar, Russia, USA.
Esoteric properties
In modern crystal therapy, amethyst is considered: 1) Stone of spiritual elevation: connects with higher planes, facilitates meditation, develops intuition. Direct work on the crown and third eye chakras. 2) Calmer of the agitated mind: especially powerful against insomnia, anxiety, nightmares. Place under the pillow or on the bedside table. 3) Protective: against negative energies, psychic attacks, environmental "low vibrations". 4) Sobering (continuing the classical Greek tradition): support for those overcoming addictions of all kinds (alcohol, drugs, compulsive behaviours).
Use: as jewellery (rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings — the contact close to the body amplifies effects), tumbled or raw stone (carry in pocket; place on home altar; meditate holding in hand), geode (large interior crystals, energetic foundation for spaces — often placed in living room or workplace as central energetic anchor), cluster (small crystal cluster, useful for cleansing of other stones — "recharge" them). Periodic cleansing: smoke, salt water, moon — but NOT direct sun (loses colour by ultraviolet).
Also known as
- Violet quartz
- Bishop's stone
- Wisdom stone