Metaphysical Properties:

Crown Chakra and 3rd Eye
Amethyst works on the Crown Chakra, which is the 7th energy centre located at the top of the head. It is also known as the Sahasrara chakra in yoga tradition, where it is associated with the colour violet and its seed mantra is the cosmic ‘OM’.

When a person has a balanced Crown chakra, then he/she has a clear sense of connection to the Divine and live their life knowing that, in essence, they are spiritual beings. They will have a positive and enthusiastic outlook with a balanced and clear mind. Signs of a blocked Crown chakra can manifest as mental confusion, lethargy, disillusion, and a feeling of being disconnected from themselves or their surroundings.

Amethyst also works on the 3rd Eye or Ajna chakra, the psychic centre located between the eyebrows. It strengthens the chakra so that one is protected from negative psychic influences, and it also heightens intuition. With the balanced perspective that Amethyst brings to us, we are then also more able to listen to our intuition and make better life decisions.

Meditation
Due to its relationship with the higher spiritual chakras, and its ability to balance the mind, Amethyst is a wonderful stone to aid meditation. Just hold an Amethyst crystal in your left hand, settle down in a comfortable position either seated on the floor or in a chair. Sit with a straight back and take four long deep breaths through the nose which prepares you for meditation, and then relax into a regular breathing pattern. Focus on the in and out breath and, if you realize that thoughts have entered your mind, just return to focusing on the in and out breath. Start with 15 minutes and increase the time as you wish, but even doing this for 15 minutes a few times a day can bring great benefit. You can also imagine you are breathing in through the crystal into your Crown or 3rd eye chakra. The seed mantra ‘AUM’ or ‘OM’ is also associated with the Crown and 3rd Eye so you can repeat this mantra while holding your Amethyst.

Protection
Amethyst is traditionally believed to neutralize the effects of electromagnetic pollution on the aura and electrical field. For this reason, it is a good crystal to have while you work on the computer or if you spend long hours on mobile phones.

Calming and Sleeplessness
Amethyst has been renowned over the ages for calming and relaxing the mind, so it is wonderful for those who are experiencing stress, strong emotions, or disturbing mental thoughts.

If you suffer from insomnia or sleeplessness, you can put an Amethyst under your pillow or hold it in your left hand and ask the crystal to help you relax, calm the mind, and give you a good night’s sleep.

Addictions
Amethyst is a great aid in tempering obsessive thoughts and addictions. The Romans believed that Amethyst would stop them becoming too drunk when drinking wine and, maybe because Amethyst was believed to balance excessive passions, it has been worn by Catholic bishops. Amethyst can help strengthen the will through its action on the Crown and 3rd Eye chakras, while at the same time lessening those cravings associated with all types of addiction. As it can make one’s thoughts more positive, Amethyst can gently reprogram those self destructive thought patterns.

You can try leaving a few clean amethyst crystals or stones in a jug of water overnight and then drink the water essence throughout the day. Use fresh water each day.

General Info
Amethyst belongs to the quartz family and its purple colour comes from the interaction between traces of iron and natural gamma radiation within the earth. It is found in many places around the world with fine specimens coming from Brazil, Uruguay, Madagascar, Zambia, Russia, USA, and now Zimbabwe.

Caring for your Amethyst
It is best to store your Amethyst out of direct sunlight as its colour can fade over time. As it belongs to the quartz family it is a hard stone (7 on the Mohs scale) and any surface dirt or dust can be cleaned with water and a soft brush. If carried around with you it’s best to keep your crystal in a pouch, or at least in a pocket without coins and keys that may scratch it.