Amethyst
Amethyst is a violet variety of Quartz.The name comes from the Koine Greek amethystos which means “intoxicate", or "not drunken", a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from getting drunk. Ancient Greeks and Romans routinely studded their goblets with Amethyst believing wine drunk from an Amethyst cup were powerless to intoxicate, and a stone worn on the body, especially at the navel, had a sobering effect, not only for inebriation but in over-zealousness in passion. Catholic bishops also wore Amethyst in a ring to protect from mystical intoxication. Kissing the ring kept others from similar mystical intoxication and kept them grounded in spiritual thought.
Amethysts were used in Egyptian burials. The Egyptians called these purple gems "hemag". Amethyst or hemag stones were carved into the shape of a heart and buried with the dead to assist them in their spiritual passage. The use of amethyst in burial rituals ties in to amethyst meaning.
The Greek 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.
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.
Whether its crystals are left natural, polished as tumbled stones, or faceted into magnificent jewels, Amethyst is an outstanding beautiful stone.
Amethyst can be found in many localities in the United States and relatively common in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia the largest amethyst mine in North America is located in Thunder Bay , Ontario.
Amethyst is the official state gemstone of South Carolina. Several South Carolina amethysts are on display at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
In nature Amethyst can be found combined with other gems which makes great blends and beautiful stones :
"Brandberg Amethyst when Amethyst blends with Clear and Smoky Quartz a unique Brandberg Amethyst will occur.
Chevron Amethyst displays v-shaped chevrons of deep purple and white Quartz that “seep” into beautiful layers.
Cacoxenite in Amethyst mingles dark brown to yellow tufts of Cacoxenite, a phosphate mineral and major component in the Super Seven crystal, with the host crystal Amethyst.
Ametrine is a combination of Amethyst and Citrine within the same crystal, a harmonious blend of the two energies
“Rutilated" Amethyst is a rare form of Amethyst which appears to contain Rutile, but actually contains brownish crystals of Goethite, an iron hydroxide mineral also found in the Super Seven crystal."
“Amethyst is a powerful and protective stone. It guards against psychic attack, transmuting the energy into love and protecting the wearer from all types of harm, including geopathic or electromagnetic stress and ill wishes from others.”
Amethyst is a natural tranquilizer, it relieves stress and strain, soothes irritability, balances mood swings, dispels anger, rage, fear and anxiety. Alleviates sadness and grief, and dissolves negativity. Amethyst activates spiritual awareness, opens intuition and enhances psychic abilities. It has strong healing and cleansing powers. Amethyst encourages sobriety, having a sobering effect on overindulgence of alcohol, drugs or other addictions.
It calms and stimulates the mind, helping you become more focused, enhancing memory and improving motivation. Amethyst assists in remembering and understanding dreams. It relieves insomnia. Encourages selflessness and spiritual wisdom.
Physically, Amethyst boosts production of hormones and tunes the endocrine system and metabolism. It strengthens the cleansing and eliminating organs as well as the immune system, and is an excellent blood cleanser. Amethyst relieves physical, emotional and psychological pain or stress.
Using Amethyst to decorate the home or the office is a choice many make for its appearance, alone. However, the stone can have many metaphysical benefits as well. It can be worn or you can carry it with you, too.
Calgary
February 2020.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amethyst
https://www.crystalvaults.com/crystal-encyclopedia/amethyst
https://www.energymuse.com/ameth-meaning
https://www.crystals-online.co.uk/properties-pages/amethyst/
https://thehealingchest.com/crystals-stones/amethyst-meaning/
