In the crystal collections of many people, amethyst is said to be one of the most overlooked. Although most avid crystal collectors may own at least one, our poor amethyst tends to get left on the shelf, or tucked away in a crystal pouch somewhere as we explore more exotic stones in the quartz and mineral family! Despite using several large amethyst geodes to create harmony and balance in my own home, it was only when I began meditating with the crystal that I truly began to understand how underestimated it really was.
So, what is amethyst, and why do I hold it in such high regard? In essence, it is a stone of purification that has been used for centuries to facilitate physical and spiritual healing. Furthermore, the name itself derives from the Greek word “amethystos”, which means “to not intoxicate” and alludes to its unique properties of assisting the healing and purification of all types of addictions. It is believed that amethyst emits purifying negative ions into our close environment, enabling us to breathe more freely and, thus, feel more refreshed and alert.
The physical and energetic purification that amethyst can bring, boosts our capacity to think more clearly and make better decisions that can help us to break negative patterns of behavior, thought, and feeling. By amplifying and cleansing our aura, amethyst propels us into a positive state of being that can “shield” us from negative energetic influences, or moods, of those around us. Thus, our emotions are able to remain in a state of calm balance, bringing us a profound sense of peace while allowing us to process adverse mind chatter allowing us to get perspective on the issue at hand and avoiding a downward spiral. Out of this deep sense of peace, amethyst helps us to curtail the erratic thoughts that feed our sense of fear, anger, and anxiety.
When used in meditation the transformative potential of amethyst can be most powerfully felt. By helping to achieve a feeling of serenity and come to a spiritual state of being bringing comfort and clarity. Meditation with amethyst clears our minds and brings us to a heightened awareness in our connection with spirit.
As I hope you can now see, this simple, overlooked, purple variety of quartz can provide us with a far more profound path to healing than many of us could imagine.