CRYSTAL MEANINGS AND METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF STONES
AGATE
Protection, Strength, Harmony
Agate's most noticeable properties overall are balancing yin/yang energy, courage, protection, healing, and
calming. Historically it was placed in water for cooking or drinking to dispel sickness. The Metaphysical and
Healing Properties Lore of any specific type of agate depend to some extent on the color of the agate, but all agates have certain things in common. Agate is a stone of strength. It was used by the Ancients on the breastplates of armor to give warriors strength and make them victorious in battle. Energetically, it is considered to give strength in both battle and physically.
Agate enhances creativity and strengthens the intellect, making it a beneficial stone for both students and
artists. It is also known as a good luck stone. As a stone of harmony, one ofthe things agate does is balance
yin/yang energy. Agate increases energy. However, because it is a grounding stone, it does not increase energy at all times, but rather enables bursts of energy as needed. In this way, agate is a conservation stone, and enhances longevity.
Agate is a very protective stone. It is especially protective for children, and makes an excellent stone for
children's amulets, medicine bags, jewelry, or just to carry around in a pocket. Agates are said to be especially useful for protecting children from falling. Emotionally, agate gives courage, emotional strength, self-confidence, and dispels fears. It can also lessen feelings of envy by grounding the emotions. In the same way, it assists with acceptance of all things. It can be very beneficial for self-examination as well as examination of the circumstances one finds oneself in. These qualities make agate superior for easing anxiety and stress. Plume agates are especially helpful for anxiety and stress relief. Particularly when placed on the Solar Plexus C3rd) Chakra it can help one to accept one's emotions, thereby helping overcome those emotions that one wants to remove. Because of the harmonizing qualities of agate, and its emotional energies of removing and releasing resentments and bitterness, it is also considered by many to be an excellent stone for helping to heal and improve relationships.
Agate can cleanse and stabilize the aura by removing and/ or transforming negative energy.
As far as relationships go, agate is a stone of marital and romantic fidelity.
Agate can strengthen the body and the body's connection to the earth. It also increases energy. Agate
enhances healing of all kinds by bringing the elements of the healee into harmony. Physically, agate is
particularly helpful with tooth and gum issues, stomach problems, physical endurance, insomnia.
White agate is especially considered a stone of hope.
Chakras: All agates can remove blockages from any chakra. Agate also relates to specific chakras according
to the stone color.
Rock Lore & Tidbits: Agate is a variety of chalcedony which is a microcrystalline quartz. Agate is a more
translucent microcrystalline quartz and technically is striped, though many stones named agates are not
striped, whereas jasper is more opaque. There are many, many different types of agates in many different
color combinations, and they are found all over the world. Different types are known fr different appearance sand/or properties.
Agate is so popular and so widespread that it is the state gemstone (or stone) of a number of US states:
fortification agate (red, black, yellow bands), Kentucky; agate, Louisiana and Montana, Tennessee (state
stone); Lake Superior agate, Minnesota; blue agate, Nebraska; Fairburn agate, South Dakota; prairie agate,
Nebraska (state stone); fire agate, Arizona.
AMETHYST
Crystalline quartz in shades of purple, lilac or mauve is called amethyst, a stone traditionally worn to guard against drunkenness and to instill a sober mind. The word amethyst comes from the Greek meaning "without drunkenness" and amethyst is believed to protect one from poison.
It is used as a dream stone and to help insomnia. Put an amethyst under your pillow to bring about pleasant dreams, or rub it across your forehead to offer relief from a headache.
Ancient Egyptians used the amethyst guard against guilty and fearful feelings. It has been worn as protection from self-deception, as well as a protection against witchcraft. The amethyst has long been used to open the spiritual and psychic centers, making it one of the power stones. It is also used as a meditation aid when worn as a necklace.
The amethyst is known as the Bishop's Stone and is still worn by Catholic Bishops. The amethyst symbolizes piety, humility, sincerity and spiritual wisdom. It is thought the amethyst is the perfect stone to symbolize The Age of Aquarius.
Amethyst is a gemstone often worn by healers, as it has the power to focus energy. A healer will usually wear several pieces of jewelry with amethysts set in silver, especially an amethyst necklace. The person to be healed will have an Amethyst to hold while the healing is being done. The healer will place another piece of Amethyst on the area of the body in need of healing, the heart or lungs usually.
Amethyst is used for problems in the blood and in breathing problems. Amethyst crystal clusters are used to keep the air and life force in the home clean and positive.
Amethyst clusters, points or several tumbled Amethysts placed in a window that receives sun most of the day are very beneficial to use in healing and to heal negativity in the home. Place Amethyst clusters, points or several tumbled Amethysts in moonlight and everyone in the home will be feeling calmer. Using an Amethyst as a meditation focus will increase the positive spiritual feelings. Amethyst helps overcome fears and cravings. It also helps relieve headaches.
ANDALUSITE
"The Seeing Stone"
Andalusite is sometimes called "The Seeing Stone" because it is used in metaphysical works to calmly see the various parts of one's character without bias. It is also reported to be helpful to see the different sides of a problem, and is used for scrying.
Andalusite is said to enhance memory and recall. It is also said to bring chivalry. Andalusite is said bring
moderation and balance. It is also a stone that is said to be helpful for meditation and centering.
Physically andalusite is used in crystal healing and folk healing for AIDS, eye problems, deficiencies in
calcium, oxygen, iodine, and water retention. Andalusite is associated with the solar plexus and heart chakras.
Chiastolite is a variety of Andalusite.
DIAMOND
"The King of Crystals"
The diamond is not only the hardest precious gemstone, it is in fact the hardest mineral on this Earth. That fact, combined with it’s brilliant fire and exceptional luster, has made the diamond one of the most prized gemstones in the world. The ancient Greeks named this stoneadamas, meaning ‘invincible’, ‘indestructible’.
Said to be given/exchanged for marriage as it is told to instill the aspect of trust into relationships, as well as represent innocence, and impart fidelity.
PYRITE
The resemblance of pyrite to gold has made it a traditional symbol for money and good luck. It's sunny golden color associates it with the sun, and with fortification and strengthening of the mind. The name comes from the Greek word meaning "a stone which strikes fire".
Iron Pyrite makes a wonderful energy shield, blocking out negativity from various sources. Some of its properties include: overcomes inertia and feelings of inadequacy; energizes the area where you place it (such as on a desk where you work); helps you to see behind a facade.
Pyrite Suns
These delightful pyrite pieces contain golden rays in the shape of a rising sun! Pyrite suns were once thought to be fossilized sand dollars or lily pads.
Mineralogists now believe that they are pyrite crystals formed between layers of slate and coal that simply had no room to grow in the traditional cubes that one normally finds pyrite. Formed 350 million years ago deep in the coal mines of Illinois, USA, each is unique!
Healing with Iron Pyrite
Use this stone to overcome lethargy and fatigue. It increases the oxygen supply to the blood and strengthens the circulatory system. It is beneficial for the lungs, alleviating bronchitis and asthma.