Amethyst Crystal Meaning
Amethyst Meaning & Symbolism
- Color: Pale lavender to deep violet
- Meaning: Spiritual awareness and wisdom, transformation, balance, creativity
- Vibration #: 3
- Chakra: Third-eye & Crown
- Elements: Water & Air
- Birthstone: February
- Zodiac Signs: Aquarius, Pisces
- Planet: Jupiter
- Origins: Brazil, Sri Lanka, India, South Africa, USA
A sacred gemstone, the Amethyst promotes spiritual transformation, balance, and wisdom.
The spiritual transformation that occurs when the Amethyst is used during meditation cultivates metaphysical wisdom while the grounding energy brings about balance. This balance enables the ability to tap into and channel energy that can manifest as creativity and productivity.
Amethyst Metaphysical & Spiritual Properties
Metaphysical and spiritual properties associated with the Amethyst are largely due to the strong ties it has to the third eye (Ajna) and crown (Sahasara) chakras. Amethyst is undoubtedly the most powerful gemstone to use if one wants to achieve clarity, channel inner psychic energies, and undergo a meaningful spiritual transformation.
It is when a deep sense of awareness and consciousness is achieved that we are able to transcend into a higher realization of the great divine. The Amethyst opens our spirit up to this transformation and its vibrations guide us to achieve clarity throughout this journey.
Amethysts in History
Amethyst's vibrations are thought to provide protection. Specifically, they are believed to deflect spiritual harm and promote spiritual healing. The American Indians have even used Amethyst to make arrowheads that were thought to detract negative energy and promote strength.
Amethyst has also been used and incorporated into mythology by past civilizations such as the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans. The word Amethyst comes from the ancient Greek word Amethystos which translates to ‘not intoxicated.’ As the myth goes, a young girl cries out to the goddess Diana for protection because another god, Dionysus was drunk. The girl is turned into a white stone by the goddess Diana and Dionysus, upset by this, knocked his red wine over onto the white stone which absorbed the wine and began to glow purple. When this happened, Dionysus had a revelation that his judgments had become clouded by external substances. The story of Dionysus from ancient Greek mythology illustrates how far back the association between the Amethyst and spiritual transformation truly goes.
How to Use Amethyst
The powerful metaphysical and spiritual properties of the Amethyst can be integrated into your life in a variety of ways, depending on what you want to manifest.
Meditation
As with other gemstones, the Amethyst can be used during meditation. It can also be combined during meditation with the Rose Quartz to enhance spiritual healing.
Meditations using Amethyst can be done in different ways, depending on what you are most comfortable with. Those who meditate in a seated position may prefer to place Amethyst crystals in a circle around themselves. In contrast, if you prefer lying down during meditation, you may place the Amethyst on a pillow next to you. Polished Amethyst spheres and hearts are particularly useful during meditation because you are able to rest them in the upward facing palms of your hands.
Clearing & Balancing Chakras
The third eye chakra is often associated with intuition, creativity, and perceptual abilities. Amethyst can be used to clear the third eye chakra and open the soul to accept opportunities for increased spiritual awareness and wisdom.
Amethyst is also useful in clearing the crown chakra which is associated with higher levels of consciousness, removal of self-limiting boundaries, and mindfulness. To fully transcend into a higher realization of the divine, the crown chakra must be cleared so that there is clarity and true acceptance.
Feng Shui
- Amethyst gemstones can be placed around the home to absorb negative energy, promote tranquility, and build a protective aura
- Place an Amethyst at the bedside to channel peaceful rest your sleep cycle
- In the office or your workspace, place an Amethyst to promote inspiration and creativity
- Vibrations from Amethysts can be placed strategically in workspaces or health areas to decrease impulsiveness that results in procrastination
Cleansing & Charging Amethysts
How to cleanse an Amethyst
If you are using the Amethyst to heighten your spiritual awareness and wisdom, it is recommended that you cleanse the energy in the area where your meditation will take place. Smudging can be done using sage or incense, whichever you prefer, and cleanses your area of distracting energies. The practice of smudging will allow you to stay more centered during your meditation so that you can more readily embrace the vibrations from the Amethyst(s). It is not uncommon for those who meditate with Amethysts to feel a soft purple glow surround and flow through them.
It is important to cleanse your Amethyst after meditations so that it maintains the desired frequency. This can be done through a brief deep breathing exercise where, during exhalation, you visualize your Amethyst as releasing any excess energy that it may be holding on to and a purple glow surrounding it. If you smudged your area prior to meditation, then you may cleanse your crystal using the sage or incense!
How to charge an Amethyst
While there is no definitive answer to whether or not the Amethyst needs to be charged, it will not harm the crystal should you decide to. Charging crystals is typically done to keep the energy balanced and aligned with the universe. This is best achieved by placing the Amethyst outside at night under the moonlight. You may also choose to place the Amethyst near a window where the Moon shines through.
Amethyst Zodiac Sign: Aquarius & Pisces
The Amethyst is associated with the Air and Water elements so it may come as no surprise to learn that the Zodiac signs Aquarius and Pisces are strongly attracted to this purple quartz gemstone.
For the Aquarians, the Amethyst often encourages creativity and productivity, and allows these intellects to more easily make decisions regarding the pursuit of new opportunities.
While for the intuitive and sensitive Pisces, the Amethyst can offer spiritual and emotional protection. In addition, the intuitively creative Pisces can use the Amethyst to further their natural talents.
Amethyst Characteristics
Natural Amethyst is a semiprecious gemstone that belongs to the quartz mineral family. Each crystal is truly one-of-a-kind because of the variation in color hue and intensity, translucency, inclusions, formation, and shapes.
An Amethyst’s primary hue can range from a light lavender to rich purple color and it has a vitreous luster. Iron and manganese mineral inclusions give the Amethyst its purple color that distinguishes it from other quartz minerals. They vary from transparent to translucent in appearance, and can be purchased in geode or raw form, or with a polished finish. A variety of shapes is offered including geodes, cathedrals, raw points, and polished hearts and towers.